Drama as Jonathan, Obasanjo meet

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62318

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Fire guts popular Balogun Market in Lagos7

Drama as Jonathan, Obasanjo meet

By Clifford Ndujihe, Ola Ajayi, Dapo Akinrefon & Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA – HIDE and seek!

That aptly captures the processes that led to a closed-door meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State

•Meeting finally holds at Obasanjo's Hilltop residence •Ex-President sneaks out as Jonathan arrives •The President did not snub Obasanjo — Okupe

Continues on page 5

TERROR ATTACK: Defence HQ puts Baga death toll at 150 14 COLUMNIST: How to lose the presidential election four times (4) •P.17

Mr & Mrs BALOGUN MARKET ON FIRE—Fire gutted Balogun Market in the early hours of yesterday in Lagos where houses and millions of Naira worth of goods were destroyed. Fire fighters putting out the fire, yesterday. Inset: Another section of the market on fire. Photos: Biodun Ogunleye

Don't insult any leader on my behalf, Buhari tells supporters

9

Personalities of the year

Beginning from tomorrow, your soar-away best read newspaper will serve you juicy and innovative exploits of Governor Godswill Akpabio, Governor Babatunde Fashola and Governor Musa Kwankwaso, our personalities of the year.

See Inside One dead, 60 houses razed as friends fight over girlfriend C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

SECURITY—A security guard screening pupils at their school gate at Dougirei, Jimeta in Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

ABEOKUTA VISIT: Drama as Jonathan, Obasanjo meet Continues from page 1 capital.

A top supporter of Jonathan told Vanguard at about 8.30 p.m, yesterday, that "the meeting is holding now" and declined further comments.

Unconfirmed report last night stated that the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Founder, Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, were part of the meeting, which began at 7 p.m.

The presence of the religious leaders as witnesses, sources said, was part of the conditions Obasanjo gave to hold any talk with President Jonathan.

The media was awash with expectation and anxiety over what the outcome of the two leaders’ meeting would be.

Obasanjo, recently came

down hard on Jonathan accusing his administration of squandering $55 billion crude oil savings and reserves. Jonathan had in turn promised to expose what former leaders and heads of state failed to do while in office that stunted the country’s socio-economic growth. He later added that some leaders were behaving like motor park touts, a comment that was perceived to be aimed at Obasanjo.

However, Obasanjo attended President Jonathan’s niece’s wedding in Abuja, weekend, and was well received as he had warm handshakes with President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Thus, it was not surprising that the speculated Abeokuta meeting raised hairs. At press time, yesterday, there were different reasons

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Aim higher in case you fall short — Suzanne Collins

T

HERE’S an interesting thing that happens in our lives when we decide on goals. We feel crisper and sharper. Our senses are honed. We begin to measure the world by a different standard.

Most of us are accustomed to smaller goals and how to measure them: Lose weight; get on a scale, save towards buying some appliances or apparels, forgo the smaller indulgences and watch your bank account rise, start a new business and grow a clientele and so on.

We are also familiar with the flip side of intention: forget this whole idea; it’s too much work and I want that chocolate velvet cheesecake NOW! Or that new dress/shirt, or tickets to a concert, or any number of smaller distractions and satisfactions. And it seems the intangible goals are especially challenging, i.e. clarity, poise, goodness, enlightenment.

Ernest Hemingway sums it beautifully: “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Take it one step at a time, actualising any gaol is a working process.

the meeting could not hold during the day.

One account said the meeting could not be held in the afternoon because President Jonathan snubbed Obasanjo.

Another account said the former president avoided the president by leaving his house where the meeting would have been held on hearing that Jonathan had arrived in Abeokuta.

The hide and seek game Indeed, the former President left his palatial Hilltop building in Abeokuta, immediately Jonathan arrived the state capital.

Obasanjo who was driven out in his black SUV and one security Hilux van, shunned his main entrance and made use of his private gate.

Vanguard was at Obasanjo’s house to cover the expected meeting between the two leaders and observed that some security personnel who had been detailed at the former President’s house suddenly disappeared.

A source close to Obasanjo’s Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta had earlier confided in Vanguard that President Jonathan was not in Obasanjo’s itinerary for the day.

He also hinted that Obasanjo jetted out around 2: 59 p.m few minutes after the helicopter that flew the President to the state, touched down.

Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) who had earlier besieged Obasanjo’s Hilltop mansion as early as 6a.m in anticipation of President Jonathan’s ar-

rival also left the place at exactly 3.10p.m when it became obvious that Jonathan was not coming.

Jonathan, however, arrived at the M.K.O Stadium in Abeokuta at exactly 3.50p.m and headed straight to the state box from where he later moved out to acknowledge cheers from the crowd who had thronged the stadium venue of the campaign as early as 7.

30a.m.

Asked why President Jonathan ‘dodged’ Obasanjo and refused to visit him despite being in Abeokua, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, said: “Dodge Obasanjo? How? The president just left the stadium now and he is in the presidential lodge in Abeokuta, resting.” The meeting, last night, however ended at 9.53 pm without official statement from both parties.

Jonathan woos Ogun voters At the Abeokuta rally, President Jonathan promised to create additional eight million jobs for Nigerian youths in the next four years, if reelected.

While referring to Gen. Mohammadu’s Buhari’s assertion that if elected, he would ensure that all guilty corrupt persons are jailed, Jonathan said: “It is my prayer that a time will come in Nigeria that there will be no single prison in the country.”

He then told his audience: “You have a choice to vote for those who will build more prisons for you or my administration which will build more schools for you.”

Schools and Wealth creation He said his administration was already working with eminent Nigerians in private sector to make the mission a reality, saying that the party was out to fight poverty through wealth and job creation.

The president said that the Federal Government had set up a technical committee to that effect which was headed by Vice-President Namadi Sambo to work the modalities for the creation of at least two million jobs every year. He explained that the Federal Government was also working with Tony Elumelu, Chairman UBA and other investors from the private sector in order to achieve the goal.

He said: "We are out to create jobs, our target is to create not less than two million jobs every year.

We are working with the private sector. Tony Elumelu is part of them and when we are talking about Elumelu, you know we are talking about a serious investor.”

While explaining that PDP had changed the face of Agriculture in the country, President Jonathan declared that the PDP-led Federal Government would integrate Commercial Agriculture into the Secondary schools’ curriculum to create wealth, more jobs and to reduce the country’s balance of payment deficit on imported foods.

We'll win war against terrorism, says Jonathan at Mapo Hall Meanwhile, President Jonathan has said his commitment and method of tackling corruption was not dependent on the number of people his administration tries or jails.

Though, he said his government has tried many Nigerians to show that it did not support corruption, he said the number of people tried on corruption-related offences would never stem the tide of the hydraheaded problem.

He said this at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan, venue of his campaign rally, yesterday.

According to him: “If I try 10 million Nigerians and jail 5 million, that does not stop corruption problem. Let me re-assure Nigerians that we will win war against terror. My commitment and method of solving corruption is not in terms of the number of people I try or jail.”

President Jonathan, who used the forum to reel out the achievements of his administration, noted that his government had empowered over one million people through its various intervention programmes.

Other achievements, he said, include ongoing reconstruction of LagosIbadan Expressway, power projects, Ibadan Air-

port renovation, IbadanLagos-Kano railway line rehabilitation, among other empowerment projects cited in Oyo State.

This came just as the president urged Nigerian women to vote him in for another four years to liberate themselves or risk being restricted to the kitchen by the opposition.

Though, some aggrieved chieftains of the party who felt cheated in the way the party’s governorship candidate was finally selected were conspicuously absent at the rally, their absence did not take the shine-off the event.

Speaking one after the other, many chieftains of the party including governorship and senatorial candidates gave reasons the South-West should back Jonathan’s re-election ambition.

The Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide buttressed the achievements of the president saying he gave $200 million to the South West to check flooding which claimed lives some years ago in the state.

The Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko said the South-West belonged to the PDP, adding that Nigerians should not vote for a president that cannot boot a computer because “the 21st century requires a president that is young, computer compliant and current .”

Mulikat Akande, the leader of the House of Representatives said the rally was to receive the president and to flag-off the party’s campaign in the state.

In attendance were the Vice President, Namadi Sambo; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu; Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Senator Hosea Agboola; High Chief Lekan Balogun, PDP chieftain; Olusegun Mimiko; Mr. Femi FaniKayode, Director of Media and Publicity, Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation and PDP senatorial candidates in Oyo South, North and Central among others.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

NDLEA convicts 27 in A'Ibom

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO — N AT I O N A L Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Akwa Ibom State, said it secured the conviction of 27 traffickers of illicit drugs in 2014.

The state Commander, Mrs. Ruth Obi, who disclosed this to newsmen, yesterday, at the command headquarters in Uyo, said the convicts include three females and 24 males.

Obi said the 27 convicts, who are serving different jail terms according to the gravity of their offence were among the 401 suspects arrested in the year under review, comprising 353 males and 48 females.

According to Obi, exhibits weighing 157.373 kilogrammes and 228 litres of mixture of cannabis sativa and alcohol, A.K.A. Ikong Ekpo in Akwa Ibom local dialect, were seized in 2014.

Lagos shopping plaza collapses, one dead

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

A

five-storey shopping complex under construction on 249B, Muri Okunola Street, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, collapsed yesterday, killing one person.

Sources said the building, which formally housed the Victoria Island office of the Lagos State Fire Service, collapsed last year, killing over 30 persons.

It was gathered that the incident forced the fire service to relocate.

Vanguard learned that the building, owned by a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, was being reconstructed when it collapsed on the engineer handling the reconstruction at 11:30a.m.

A friend of the deceased, Miss Ruya Dashe, said it took the intervention of the officials of the Lagos State Fire Service and LASAMBUS to recover the body.

Fire gutted 10 buildings in Balogun Market, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

Woman, 57, dies in 60-yr-old lover’s apartment

By Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS—CONTROVERSY has continued to trail the death of a 57-year- old woman, identified as Bonu Fiaret, in Salu area of Badagry, an outskirt of Lagos State, who allegedly died in her lover’s apartment under questionable circumstances on January 2.

According to reports, the deceased, who worked at Badagry General Hospital as a nurse before she retired, was having an affair with one Akodogbo.

Vanguard gathered that the lovers, who parted ways several months back because of the victim's health condition, rekindled their affair when they met at a community carnival.

After spending time with each other, the duo reportedly went to Akodogbo’s one-room apartment, where Bonu slept off. However, trouble, as gathered, started after Akodogbo woke up and discovered the lifeless body of his lover.

Vanguard learned that the case, which was initially reported at the Badagry Divisional Police is currently being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, Lagos.

When Vanguard visited the resident of the suspect in Badagry, a close family source said family members of the deceased were currently pointing accusing fingers at Akodogbo.

Lover's account

According to 60-year-old Akodogbo, a father of one, “we have been lovers for more than two years, but we had to end the relationship because of her health condition. She is hypertensive.

“But we met during the carnival in Badagry and we discussed. We spent time

together and had a lot of fun together at the carnival.

“Like school children, the old flame was rekindled and we decided to continue the affair.

She agreed to spend the night at my place.

“By the time I woke up in the morning, I tried to wake her up, but she did not move; her body had already become lifeless and

stiff. I was alarmed and alerted my neighbours.

“They said this was beyond them and that the police needs to be involved. That was how the police was contracted. I did not kill her.”

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said investigation into the case was still ongoing.

29-yr-old arrested over ex-lover's death

By Ike Uchechukwu

C

ALABAR—ON January 1, at Ochon in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, a 29-year-old, Dominic, allegedly shot and killed his exlover, Miss Angela Agbor, over their relationship that went sour.

A source, who preferred anonymity, told Vanguard that the victim had left home for Calabar, in search of greener pastures after the break up.

Vanguard gathered that Angela was killed when she arrived Ochon on January 1, to join her parents for the New Year celebration.

The source disclosed that the jealous lover lured the late Angela to accompany him to Ohama Market to buy clothes for their four-year-old daughter.

The source said: “All of a sudden, Dominic pulled out a gun and shot Angela and she died on the spot.

“He then made a call to a close relation of his, who called police in Obubra. Police ambushed

and arrested the suspect.”

Acting Divisional Police Officer of Obubra, Noah Ntuen, who confirmed the incident to Vanguard, said police

recovered a locally-made pistol and that the case had been transferred to the state police headquarters for further investigations.

Police nab 2 suspected cultists with locally-made pistol

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—MEN of the Nsukka Division of the Enugu State Police command have nabbed a suspect, Omene, over alleged attempt to initiate some persons into the Viking Confraternity.

The victims had earlier reported the threat to police.

The commands’ spokesperson, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said: “The suspect threatened to kill the victims if they refused to be initiated.

“Our operatives swung into action and arrested the suspect, where he was monitoring the victim’s movements.”

Omene's arrest led to the apprehension of another suspect, Ugochukwu alias Sumo, believed to have sent Ebuka to monitor the victims for initiation.

A locally-made pistol with two live cartridges was recovered.

Similarly, operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Enugu, command have nabbed one Ubaka with a blue Volkswagen Golf 3 car, number plate KEM 159 AA, suspected to have been stolen from the owner on September 2, 2014 at gunpoint.

The vehicle number was found to have been changed to AKD 761 DF.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—7

Fire guts 100 shops in Balogun Market, 4 other buildings in Lagos zHoodlums steal goods

By Evelyn Usman & Monsuru Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—SIX building, housing over 100 shops, at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, and four residential buildings in Igando area of the state, went up in flames in the early hours of yesterday, destroying goods and property worth millions of naira.

The fire at Balogun Market was suspected to have been caused by power surge. It was said to have started in one of the shops at 4a.m. The affected buildings are three three-storey buildings, two five-storey buildings and a four-storey building.

Though no life was lost, Vanguard gathered that about seven private guards sustained

minor injuries in the ensuing stampede.

The fire, which reportedly started from one of the fivestorey buildings, spread to five others before help could come.

The raging fire was said to have been fuelled by some of wares, such as clothes, electronics, rubber and shoes stored in the buildings, which also served as warehouses.

Fire fighters

At 2p.m., fire fighters were still battling to contain the situation.

At a point, an exhausted fire service official was seen shouting desperately on the phone, calling for support from private firms.

One of the private firms that arrived the scenes was Julius Berger Construction Company and other banks in the area. The

National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA; Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA; the Police; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NCSDC; Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA; Nigeria Red Cross Society and Lagos Island Community leaders also assisted in fighting the inferno.

Over 15 tankers were brought to the scene.

The fire at Igando, said to have rendered about 20 families homeless, was said to have started from a dump site behind Igando General Hospital on Sunday, before spreading to residential buildings.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Ser vice, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said fire trucks from Sari Iganmu, Isolo, Ilupeju and Alausa, were on ground to salvage the situation. The incident, according to him, was the 15th distress call attended to between Sunday and yesterday.

Traders cry

Balogun Market on fire. PHOTOS: Biodun Ogunleye.

Gunmen abduct NCP Bayelsa Assembly candidate

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—A Bayelsa State House of Assembly candidate on the platform of National Conscience Party, NPC, Mr. Lucky Ogbazi, was abducted by gunmen from his home town in Azikoro, a suburb of Yenagoa, yesterday.

According to his wife Grace,

about four gunmen, who came in two Hilux trucks, broke into their house about 12 midnight, saying they were taking him in for questioning.

His family declared him kidnapped after concerted efforts made to ascertain where he was did not yield any result.

According to his lawyer, Mr. Moses Omoregie, the family

had visited several police stations in the state capital and the office of the Department of State Services, DSS, but could not find him.

The abducted Ofoni-born politician is contesting for a seat to represent Sagbama constituency 1 in the state House of Assembly.

A close family friend, who

does not want his name mentioned, told Vanguard that the kidnapped politician had been involved in a minor disagreement in his country home on the day of abduction.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswat, said he had not been briefed about the incident.

While fire fighters were battling to contain the situation at Balogun Market, affected traders were wailing. One of the pitiable sights was that of a man, who said that a container of shoes worth over N35 million, was only offloaded on Saturday.

The trader, Mr. Ogbonna, was seen rolling on the ground, saying part of the money was borrowed.

Another woman, Mrs Gbadamosi, an attendant in one of the shops, said that her employer had goods worth N27 billion in his containers.

She said: “We have not finished offloading the goods from the containers. We left on Sunday with the hope of continuing this morning (yesterday). I arrived here at 5a.m., only to meet the whole place on fire.

“We tried all we could to salvage some of the goods in the containers, but there were only few hands. Even when we managed to take them somewhere else, the fire spread there and destroyed them.”

Some of the affected traders only just returned from their respective home towns, where they spent the Christmas and New Year break, only to be faced with the disaster.

Some of them had over two shops in the affected buildings.

Hoodlums were said to have taken advantage of the situation, as some of the goods they pretended to be taking to safety were discovered missing.

At press time, the area had reportedly been cordoned off.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Oteh hands over to Gwarzo as acting D-G

By Peter Egwuatu

L

AGOS — THE i m m e d i a t e past Director General, DG, of Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh, yesterday handed over the leadership of the commission to Mr. Mounir Gwarzo as the acting D-G. Mr. Gwarzo is erstwhile Executive Commissioner, Operations in the commission.

Speaking during the formal handover ceremony in the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Oteh described her five year tenure at the commission as absolutely outstanding attributing it to the cooperation she received from every member of staff.

She said: “When I joined SEC in January 2010, I was absolutely certain about why the SEC was important and what its role and what the agenda was. I was able to articulate it in one phrase 'building a world class market.'

“To have a vision and have everyone being able to connect and align around it for me whether it is capital market operators, whether its shareholders and other stakeholders for me, it is something that I find very rewarding. But I don’t think it would have been possible without each and everyone of you accepting the challenge to try something in a different way or to do something in a way that you are not quite sure what will happen.”

She said what the commission had been able to achieve in summary was to lay a foundation for the nation to see a capital market that will help tackle its infrastructure challenges that will help people who are setting up businesses, who own businesses raise millions of naira in capital.

“Our aim is to build a meritocracy so that it is the good things that get funded, not necessarily the things that have connections so that we can also tackle some of what we are seeing in our world today, whether it is security challenges we face or the security challenges that everybody faces."

She, therefore, appealed to staff to continue to work hard and support the leadership to ensure that the brand that has been built is not taken away.

The Acting DG, Gwarzo was born 50 years ago in Kano and attended Bayero University, Kano and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Economics in 1987.

No plot to postpone elections, we're ready —PDP zSays Jonathan better than Buhari on performance rating A

By Henry Umoru

BUJA — THE national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday said that it was not plotting to postpone next month's general elections as alleged by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. According to the party, APC made the allegation to divert the attention of Nigerians on the findings of the Department of State Services, DSS, which indicted it for trying to hack into INEC’s data base, clone the Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, and ultimately compromise the outcome of the elections.

The party further said that its Presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan was far more popular than the APC’s, candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), adding that it had nothing to fear about the forthcomin polls.

These were contained in two separate statements yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh.

Nigerians that we can be trusted. Our amiable leader, President Jonathan has demonstrated strength of character, sincerity of purpose in his handling of state affairs and Nigerians are desirous to demonstrate their support for him come February 14.

“The PDP has successfully communicated its unique selling points and achievements to the electorate and a greater majority of Nigerians are now able to distinguish between facts and mere propaganda, which is the hallmark of the

APC. “Our advice to the APC is that instead of engaging in distortion of facts and propagating of lies and blackmail in an attempt to score cheap political point, they should explain to Nigerians their apparent involvement in efforts to undermine INEC records with a view to corrupting the electoral process.”

Jonathan better than Buhari on performance rating

In his second statement,

Metuh said Jonathan’s performance rating was higher than Buhari, as the former head of state, had no legacies to show for his tenure in office.

According to him, Buhari cannot boast of any development project in any sector of the economy during his regime as head of state.

His words: “Buhari is not and cannot be a match for President Jonathan. He lacks team spirit, a principal component of public private partnership critical for national development, a character his colleagues in the military rejected and kicked him out of office.”

PDP is fully ready for the polls

Metuh noted that as a party, it was fully prepared for the polls against the backdrop of the goodwill the party enjoyed among Nigerians from the ward to the national levels which would translate to victory.

According to Metuh, nothing can be more evident that the APC was not preparing to face the electorate than the frivolous and unfounded allegations and use of propaganda in an effort to hoodwink Nigerians even in the face of clear proof of culpability.

Metuh said: “The PDP is fully ready for the coming elections. Our leaders and members are working hard in all the nooks and crannies of the country leveraging on our existing grassroots appeal, wide-spread political structures, a track-record of performance and abiding affinity and loyalty to the people.

“We have very popular and acceptable hard working candidates which the people are anxious to vote for. Our Presidential flagbearer, President Goodluck Jonathan, with verifiable achievements and commitment to national unity remains the candidate the beat.

“We have engaged on issue-based campaigns. We have effectively shown

VISIT: Minister of Trade and Investments, Mr. Olusegun Aganga (right) and Executive Director, Nigerian Exports Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, during an unscheduled inspection and meeting with members of the management team of NEPC in Abuja.

CBN lifts ban on dollar reserves for interbank trading zNaira appreciates by N1

By Babajide Komolafe

L

AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday lifted the ban on banks’ holding of dollar reserves for interbank trading, saying that banks can now keep dollar reserves for interbank trading.

The apex bank also extended the deadline for utilisation of dollars purchased in the interbank market to 72 hours from 48 hours.

In response, the naira appreciated by N1 at the interbank market, as the interbank exchange rate dropped to N182.1 from N183.1 last Friday.

The apex bank, last month, had banned banks from holding dollar reserves known as foreign currency trading position, for interbank trading.

The suspension of the ban was communicated to banks yesterday via a circular, entitled: “Daily Foreign

Currency Trading Position of Banks and Period for Utilization of Funds.”

The circular, which was signed by Mrs. O. L. Ahuchogu, on behalf of Director, Trade and Exchange Department, stated: “Further to the circular TED/FEM/ FPC/GEN01/029 of December 18, 2014, authorised dealers are hereby notified that the daily foreign currency trading positions of banks have been reviewed with immediate effect "Accordingly, authorised dealers are required to maintain 0.1 per cent as maximum open limit of their Shareholders’ Funds unimpaired by losses as Foreign Currency Trading Position at close of each business day.

“In addition, banks are required to utilise funds purchased from the autonomous/interbank Foreign Exchange Market

within 72 hours from the value date, failing which such funds must be returned to the CBN for re-purchase at the bank’s buying rate.”

The CBN had imposed the ban to curb speculation in the foreign exchange market and stabilise the interbank exchange rate of the naira.

The ban was, however, criticised by bank treasurers, saying the ban amounts to killing the interbank foreign exchange market. They called for a reversal of the ban, saying that it is not sustainable.

Consequently, the CBN Governor last week said the ban would soon be reviewed.

“There will be a review in due course,” he told Bloomberg, adding: “But I can tell you categorically it will no longer be one per cent. It will be less than one per cent. The reason we put a stop to one per cent is because we felt that it was too large to be held by banks as a trading position.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—9

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

A

BUJA — THE Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, yesterday, said the Federal Government should not be held responsible for the eight days industrial action that has crippled judicial activities across the country.

This came as former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, and member of the National Judicial Council, NJC, Mr O. C. J. Okocha, SAN, yesterday asked the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to call off its strike to enable the NBA to proceed from where they stopped the fight for judicial autonomy.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Adoke maintained that Nigerians should hold the various state governments accountable for the indefinite strike declared by JUSUN. The strike which commenced on January 5, a date scheduled for the judiciary to resume work after its yuletide, has stalled hearing on several political matters bothering on nomination of candidates for the impending general elections.

It has also weighed down on political parties, especially in states where parallel primary elections held.

This is even as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed today as the final day for submission of names of candidates for the election.

Meantime, in a statement signed by the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Charles Nwodo, the AGF also insisted that the closure of courts in the country was as a result of the refusal by some state governors to obey a Federal High Court judgment that had on January 13, 2014, declared financial autonomy for the judiciary.

“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice notes with concern the on-going strike embarked upon by JUSUN to press for the implementation of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered on January 13, 2014 (Coram, A.F.A. Ademola ) in suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/667/13.

“The Federal High Court, among other things, ordered that the amount standing to the credit of the states’ judiciary in the Federation/Consolidated Revenue Fund be paid directly to the heads of courts in the various states’ judiciary in compliance with the provisions of sections 81(3), 121 (3) and 162 (9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Strike directed at state govts

“This strike is unfortunate and has paralyzed the activities of the judiciary throughout the

FG not responsible for judiciary workers' strike —Adoke zAsks Nigerians to hold state govts accountable zCall off strike, let NBA proceed from there, Okocha tells JUSUN federation. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is, however, constrained to issue this statement in view of the misconceptions and insinuations in the print and electronic media concerning the strike and the efforts being made to address the implementation challenges posed by the judgement.

“It is important to observe as follows: That the Federal Government is not in breach or violation of the aforementioned judgment of the Federal High Court. This much has been publicly acknowledged by JUSUN in all their statements and deliberations; “That the strike is actually directed at state governments that are yet to comply with the judgment; “That federal courts are thus

only on sympathy strike with their state counterparts.

“The foregoing notwithstanding, the Supervising Minister of Labour and Productively has been working assiduously with relevant stakeholders to resolve all the challenges that may have militated against the implementation of the judgment of the court.

“The Federal Government acknowledges the imperative of an efficient and effective judiciary to our democratic consolidation and is doing all that is within its constitutional powers to ensure full implementation of the judgement.

“We, therefore, call on all wellmeaning Nigerians to appreciate the dynamics of the federal structure that Nigeria operates and the constitutional limits of the

Federal Government when dealing with the states especially with respect to matters within their constitutional mandates.”

Call off strike, Okocha tells JUSUN

Okocha said in as much as there was justification for the strike, the union had made its point and should call off the strike, adding that NBA would stand as guarantor to stakeholders to ensure that the issue was addressed accordingly.

Meanwhile, the courts may not resume until next week as a meeting between the workers and the government representatives has already been tentatively fixed for the weekend to resolve the issues.

He said:“In as much as there is justification for the strike embarked upon by the JUSUN, I

think they have made their point and should call off the strike so that we can then proceed from there.

“It is not appropriate to shut down the courts for an indefinite period of time. The court symbolises the liberty of the citizens of Nigeria, and indeed of any constitutional democracy. And when you shut down the courts, you are now leaving the citizens with no option; no avenue to ventilate their grievances.

"It is even worse for criminal suspects who are either in police custody or awaiting arraignment before the court or in prison custody awaiting trial for their offences.

“So I believe that having maintained the strike for one week, JUSUN has made its point and they should call off the strike.

This is a very critical stage of our nation’s development. This is a time when we are preparing for elections, and pre-election and post-election controversies will arise, including criminal offences related to election."

COMMISSIONING: From left: Former Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki; Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State; former Gombe State Governor, Sen. Danjuma Goje; All Progressives Congress, APC, Vice Presidential candidate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Governor Ahmed Abdulfatah of Kwara State; APC Presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Council Hon. Rotimi Amaechi during the commissioning of campaign headquarters and inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, yesterday. Photo:Gbemiga Olamikan.

Don't insult any leader on my behalf, Buhari tells supporters

A

BUJA — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential flag-bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday, urged his supporters to abide by the rule of law and must not tarnish the party’s image.

Buhari gave the advice at the inauguration of his campaign office and the presidential campaign council in Abuja.

According to him, no supporter should be rude to any leader on his behalf because it will amount to anti-party activity.

He said: “I expect you to redouble your effort, I expect total support. I urge you not to insult

or be rude to any leader on my behalf. Your conduct must not tarnish the image of the party.

“The opposition is committed to the rule of law. Learn to be vigilant before, during and immediately after elections.

Don’t take the law into your hands, no matter the provocation.”

He pledged that under the APC-led government, no Nigerian would go to bed hungry or angry at government, adding: “We promise you a landslide win and to us it’s a done deal.”

Earlier, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who double as Director-General of Buhari

campaign outfit, said the party must get its acts right the first time.

He said: “No one can deliver the APC, only three people: God, the people and you. There can’t be another chance like this and we can’t afford to disagree on any issue.

“The only source of disagreement should be the will to get it right, luckily, we have a wonderful candidate to sell, please join us.”

Ameachi told the audience that the party Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, was robbed overnight, adding that the development accounted for his visible absence from the

gathering.

In his vote of thanks, Buhari’s running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said “no-one knows where or how the wind blows but come February 14, that wind will blow Gen. Buhari, prosperity and security into government.”

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the campaign council includes all APC governors, party stalwarts and stakeholders.

The campaign continues in Imo State on Monday and will be taken to the South-West and end in the North-Central on January 18 before the campaign for the Northern region begins.

10— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Lagos INEC opens 245 distribution centres PVCS: L

AGOS—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos State says it has directed its Electoral Officers, EOs, to move to 245 Registration Areas across the state for the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. Mr. Femi Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of INEC in the state, spoke yesterday in Lagos.

Akinbiyi said that the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr Akin Orebiyi had directed the officers to ensure that eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs are able to receive them at their wards.

“The REC has directed the EOs to move the cards closer to the people after consultation with the relevant stakeholders in the local governments.

“Even in the riverine areas, our staff will be staying with the communities for the distribution,“ he said.

Akinbiyi said that the step was in line with the directive to decentralise the collection of PVCs, to bring them closer to the electorate.

The INEC PRO urged Lagos residents to pick up their cards at the centres across the state.

He said that a lot of cards produced were awaiting collection at various centres.

Akinbiyi said that the PVCs should be collected on or before January 31.

The PVCs, according to the commission, can be picked up in 19 centres in Lagos Island Local Government Area, 10 in Kosofe, 10 in Ikeja, 11 in IfakoIjaiye and 19 in Epe. It also said that they could be collected in 11centres in IbejuLekki, 10 in Eti-Osa, 11 in Badagry, 10 in Apapa, 11 in Amuwo-Odofin, 11 in Alimosho, 11 in AjeromiIfelodun, 11 in Agege and 12

in Somolu.

According to the commission, they will be available in 11centres in Oshodi-Isolo, 11 in Ojo, 19 in Ikorodu, 12 in Surulere, 11 in Lagos Mainland, and 14 in Mushin.

INEC had ordered the decentralisation of the ongoing distribution of PVCs to Ward levels nationwide, to enhance access by persons yet to collect their cards.

Before now, the distribution was done at the local government offices of the Commission since the end of distribution at the polling unit level.

The commission, at its meeting on Jan. 8, said that registered voters who are yet to collect their cards can now do so from 8. 30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. daily.

It also mandated RECs to set up effective monitoring strategies and ensure that the specified hours are strictly complied with by relevant INEC staff.

The general elections are billed for February 14 and February 28.

CONDOLENCE: Pastor Tinu Oyenuga of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, (left), with sympathisers who paid a condolence visit to the church over the death of the leader, Prophet Gabriel Fakeye in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Agbaje'll sack APC in Lagos not workers —Lagos PDP

L

By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—THE Lagos State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has denied any plan by its governorship candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje, to sack workers when voted in as governor on February 28.

The party stated that rather than sack workers, Agbaje after sacking APC will employ more workers and improve their welfare to international standard.

In a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Gani Taofik, the party explained that “just as Fayose sacked APC in Ekiti, Agbaje will also sack APC in Lagos in February” The Lagos APC through its Publicity secretary, Joe Igbokwe had issued a statement alleging plans by Agbaje to sack Lagos workers as allegedly done by Fayose in Ekiti.

The statement read: “For sake of clarity, Fayose sacked APC in Ekiti and not workers. Fayose has infact employed workers in Ekiti and with better renumeration than Fayemi did. The workers now under probation in Ekiti were hurriedly employed by Fayemi to burden Fayose. Very many are not even with employment letters.

Fayose is screening them and we can assure you that the qualified

workers will continue in office and others redeployed to proper offices. Interestingly, in lagos even Ambode is planning to declare emergency in

employment drive by inaugurating employment trust fund, an admission of inadequacy in that expectation.

This is an indictment on APC in

Lagos.”

“The APC has failed Lagos workers and the party is already jittery of the resolve of lagos workers to reject the party in February election."

Christians in shock over Fakeye's demise

L

AGOS—THERE was shock and disbelief in churches around the world following the announcement of the death of popular Nigerian preacher, Prophet G.O Fakeye.

Fakeye,78, who was the General Leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Surulere), Ayo Ni O, died Sunday morning after a brief illness.

G.O Fakeye (also known globally as”The Psalmist”) was a Nigerian televangelist and a Christian radio talk show host.

His style of worship by prescribing verses from the songs of David for the cure of everyday problems being encountered by Christians, gave him rave reviews throughout his entire sojourn.

The fame of his church, Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Surulere), Ayo Ni O, became acclaimed globally in the early 90’s when the church’s choir released

“Lehin Jesu Ko Senikan”, a song that instantly became a National song, and “Oba Lori Aiye” which till date is still being used as a praise song all around the world.

He was also a visionary leader with profound knowledge, grasp, and appreciation of history, and a person of manifest devotion to family and friends.

Fakeye was well-liked by his followers and respected

worldwide as a man of God, and will be greatly missed by the global Christian community.

Until his death, he was the General Leader/District Chairman, CSMC, Surulere District, member, Nigeria Religious Council, NIREC, President, OAIC, and member National Executive Council, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

LP yet to adopt Jonathan, says party scribe

L

By Dapo Akinrefon

AGOS—THE National Secretary of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, has said that the party is yet to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate ahead of next month’s presidential election.

While he said the party’s support is still open to President Jonathan and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, he hinted that the party has looked critically at the credentials of all the party candidates aspiring to lead Nigeria and would make its position known to Nigerians soon.

Ajulo, who spoke with journalists in Lagos said even where the LP is not fielding a presidential candidate for the election, there are procedures that he must be go through before the choice of the candidate the party will support is arrived at.

Ade Dosunmu counsels politicians

L

By Onozure Dania

AGOS—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senatorial candidate, Dr. Ade Dosunmu contesting for the Lagos State Central Senatorial District, has urged politicians to play by the rules of election come February.

Dosunmu disclosed this during the endorsement and campaign for fair contest, which was organised by the Southern Eastern Peoples Development Forum, SEPDF. He said that politicians should just play by the rules because the rules are very clear and spelt out by the umpire, rather than going outside the rules to mundane and abuse or do anything,that will not be of any advantage.

FAAN restates warning to owners of abandoned FAAN last year, gave owners airplanes planes constituted environmental of the abandoned airplanes a

I

KEJA—THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has restated its warning to owners of unserviceable airplanes to remove the planes from the nation’s airports.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, gave the warning in an interview in Lagos yesterday.

He said that the unserviceable

hazards at the airports.

He told the owners of the planes to do the needful by removing the planes as directed

by FAAN or face sanctions.

“You will recall that the authority cleared some of the abandoned aircraft about a year ago.

“We are now engaging the owners to do the needful and we are confident they will respond very soon,” he said.

week ultimatum to remove the planes.

Dati listed Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Kaduna, Imo and FCT airports as places where unserviceable aircraft were abandoned.

He said that some of the airplanes had been abandoned for over 10 years while some were impounded for transporting contraband goods.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 —11

MUTINY: Fashola pleads for 54 convicted

soldiers

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged the Nigerian Military authorities to re-consider the death sentence passed on the 54 soldiers as disciplinary measure for misconduct in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the country.

Fashola made the appeal at the Interdenominational Service to mark year 2015 Armed Force Remembrance Day, held at The Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Mr. Oyinlomo Danmole, stated that the military authorities and the Federal Government should reconsider the death sentence and commute it to jail terms.

While recognizing the need for the Military to sustain its paramount code of ethics as it relates to discipline and strict adherence to rule of engagement, the governor, however, stressed that he believes the officers and men involved are now sober and

therefore deserved to be forgiven with the reduction in the punishment pronounced.

He noted that the call for leniency is not to justify their actions but to plead with the government to reduce the gravity of the punishment and not make it greater than their offence.

Fashola also urged Nigerians to continue to support the families of soldiers

who have made the supreme sacrifice and those with lifetime injuries in the service of our country by donating towards their upkeep.

Earlier, Brigadier General Dalubo, Commander, 9 Brigade of Nigeria Army, representative of the Nigeria Military at the service, stated that the Federal Government set aside January 15 as Remembrance Day and

dedicate this period to the remembrance of our fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price for the unity of the nation.

He emphasized that Nigeria will always remember the contribution of our fallen heroes and will do everything in its power to support and cater for the families they left behind.

CAMPAIGN: From left: Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, and PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu'azu, and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, during the party's Presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Buhari must apologise to Yoruba —Adeyeye A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—MINISTER of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye has described the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Major General Mohammadu Buhari as an unrepentant enemy of the Yoruba in the South West Nigeria For Buhari and his party,APC to be looking for the votes of the people of Yoruba that he must tender a public apology to the people of the zone.

In a statement which was personally signed by him and made available to the newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Adeyeye who reviewed all the programmes and policies of the APC presidential candidate while he was the Head of State and also the chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, said Buhari was number one enemy of the Yoruba.

“Buhari must be rejected by all true sons and daughters of Oduduwa.”

Adeyeye further noted the incalculable damage the former Head of State did to Lagos State and the entire Yorubaland with the cancellation of the Lagos Metroline Project and how he bastardized the educational policy of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Free Education Programme,

He challenged Buhari to mention one single project that he did in the Southwest when he was Head of State and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF. Adeyeye said: “Buhari did not

only cancel the Metroline Project, he went ahead to pay what was enough to complete the project as compensation to the French Company that handled the project.

“The idea of developing rapid transit in Lagos dated from the 1980s with the Lagos Metroline network conceived by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Second Republic."

Nigerian courts not resuming until next week

L

By AbdulwahabAbdulah

AGOS—THERE was indication that the court rooms across the country will remain shut until next week.

Vanguard gathered that the officials of the striking workers under the umbrella of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, have vowed to put the gates of the courts in the country under locks and key until their demands are met.

The workers’ strike action entered the 10th day yesterday. The workers had

embarked on the strike to protest the refusal of the executive arm of government at the federal and state levels to implement a judgment of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a federal high court, Abuja which granted financial autonomy to the judiciary on January 13, 2014.

Already, a meeting between the workers and the government representatives has been fixed tentatively for the weekend, where it is expected that both party will resolve all disagreements between them.

A visit to the headquaters of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja and the Lagos division, Igbosere and the Appeal Court and the Federal High Court revealed that all gates to the premises are under locks and key.

Several litigants who were in court with the hope that there will be positive development left dejected.

There were posters pasted on the gates with the inscription, “the courts are on strike.”

Leave my posters alone, Clark's wife cries out

A

By Etop Ekanem

BEOKUTA—IN what appears to be a deliberate, coordinated attempt to undermine her campaign, the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ogun Central, Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark has called on her opponents to desist from flushing, defacing or tampering with her campaign posters in any form.

The defacing which is noticeable

all over her constituency made up of six local government areas is said to be rampant in the state’s capital, Abeokuta. She stated that it might be due to her growing popularity and acceptance among the electorate that has forced her main challenger to commission thugs to deface or tear down her posters across her zone.

In a statement in Abeokuta, Director of her campaign

organization, Mr. Segun Sowunmi stated that “political thugs have been sited at many locations tearing off our posters.

This is unbecoming of persons I hitherto thought were above board.

"This is in bad taste, callous and reprehensible. Politics should not be a do or die affair.

Politics should be for sharing of ideas on how to improve the lives of our people."

Security beefed up as Jonathan visits Ondo tomorrow

A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—SECURITY has been beefed up in Akure, the Ondo state capital ahead of the visit of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party President Goodluck Jonathan to the state tomorrow.

The visit is part of his state wide tour to campaign for the next month general election Policemen and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, were surveying the venue of the campaign rally ahead of the visit yesterday.

Reports from the state police command had it that the security operatives will be deployed to the state to maintain adequate security.

Police Image Maker in the state Wole Ogodo confirmed that if need be security officers may be deployed to the state to ensure peace and harmony during the president’s visit.

Ogodo said “all necessary machinery have been put in place to ensure that there is no hitch during the President’s campaign in Ondo state. “ I can assure you that the Police have done all the relevant things and there will be no crisis before, during and after the campaign.”

Ogodo said that the operation guidelines had been released by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke and therefore there was no tension in the state.

Fayose's wife tasks parents on children's potentials

A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—WIFE of Ekiti State governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, has urged parents and guardians to always identify their wards’ talents early in life so as to channel them for profitable use.

Ekiti State First Lady who spoke during the first anniversary of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Reigning King Parish,in AdoEkiti yesterday, noted that the society will be better if children are given right direction early in life.

Mrs Fayose pointed out that she had seen the traits of greatness in the life of the Pastor of the Parish, Rotimi Feyisina while he was with her as a young boy and had always known he would be a shinning light.

She called on people to always contribute to development and propagation of the gospel.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Nwaoboshi, Ochei bicker over Delta North Senate seat

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—FORMER Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, who is the party’s Delta North senatorial candidate, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, presently the Accord Party, AP, Delta North senatorial candidate, were at each other’s throats, yesterday, over who gets the mandate of the electorate.

Ochei, who “stepped aside” from the PDP after losing the December 8, 2014 governorship primaries to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, told Vanguard that Chief Nwaoboshi does not have what it takes to effectively represent Delta North in the Senate.

On how he felt squaring against Nwaoboshi in the senatorial election, Ochei said: “I do not feel anything. He does not have what it takes to effectively represent the people of Delta North.”

On his choice of Accord Party, he said: “Accord Party is more like a party owned by the PDP. I have stepped aside from PDP

because I require a platform to contest, not that I have left the PDP.” He said that his relationship with the PDP governorship standard bearer, Senator Okowa, remained cordial before and after the primaries, adding “I am supporting him for the governorship poll and President Goodluck Jonathan for president. Accord Party does not have governorship and presidential candidates here in Delta State, I am working for them.”

Chief Nwaoboshi was

APC affirms Emiko’s ticket for Delta South Senate poll

W

By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has affirmed Prince Ebiyemi Emiko as the party’s flag bearer for Delta South senatorial seat in next month’s elections.

The party, in a statement by its Delta South Zonal Chairman, Mr. Yemi Omaghomi, following a counter claim and a reported law suit over the ticket by Temisan Omatseye who also

Diaspora group backs Jonathan for president

By Udeme Clement

N

IGERIANS, under the umbrella of Great Transformation Support Initiative, GTSI, in the United Kingdom, have expressed their support for President Goodluck Jonathan in the forth coming presidential election, saying that they were already mobilising other Nigerians abroad to vote for the president to

furious when contacted on Ochei’s claim that he was ill-suited to effectively represent the people. He said: “What does he (Ochei) mean that I do not have the capacity to effectively represent the people of Delta North? I am more qualified than he is. I am more educated and you cannot compare both of us. We are not in the same class,” he said.

Ochei hails from Onicha –Olona and Chief Nwaoboshi from Ibusa, both in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

return for a second term in May. Deputy Coordinator of the group, Bright Sodje, in a chat with Vanguard, said that Jonathan has done well in many areas and should be given a second chance to build on the economic transformation he started a few years ago.

He said: “Jonathan represents the desired change and continuity Nigerians deserve."

contested the APC primaries for the district, said Emiko, a prince of Warri Kingdom, won the controversial primaries held December 8, at the Oleh Civic Centre, Isoko South Local Government Area, when thugs allegedly disrupted the exercise.

Citing results allegedly derived from the Oleh primaries, the Delta South APC leadership, said: “Emiko scored 434 votes while Omatseye got 229 and Dr. Urette, the third contestant scored 68.”

He said that some persons, allegedly forced by some party leaders, reportedly declared perceived false results of the exercise “have since deposed to an affidavit that they were forced to declare that result.

“Omatseye has a court action against the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Prince Emiko. We are all looking forward with great interest to see how the matter unfolds.”

Police in Delta set for Feb polls — visit and the “Consequently, this CP USMAN familiarisation commissioning of the newly project has been

By Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—AHEAD of next month's general elections, the Delta State Police Command, says it has greatly improved on its facilities across the state for effective surveillance in the days ahead.

State Commissioner of Police, Alkali Usman, who spoke during his

built Divisional Police Officer ’s/Aministration Block, at the Sapele Divisional Police headquarters, in Sapele Local Government Area of the state, said: “Over the years, there had been repeated cases of serious crimes such as armed robbery, murder, kidnapping and illegal oil bunkering among others.

constructed with the cooperation of officers and men and community members, to reduce crime rate to its barest minimum."

He noted that Sapele, being one of the largest divisions in Delta State, the station was faced with some constraints which hindered efficient performance.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—13

DELTA GOV RACE: Omene’s U-turn on Uvwiamuge declaration divides UPU

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

Mosogar, Ethiope East Local Government Area, towards fielding a single Urhobo candidate in line with Uvwiamughe Declaration, ended abruptly as majority of the executive members rose against Chief Omene’s pressure on Urhobo to support the PDP in the coming elections.

It was alleged at the disrupted meeting, that majority of UPU executive bent

on actualising the original Uvwiamuge Declaration, insisted that Olorogun Emerhor of APC be adopted as Urhobo consensus candidate for the election following the absence of a PDP governorship ticket.

An argument that disrupted the closed door meeting, it was gathered, forced an adjournment of the meeting with a resolution to table the matter before Urhobo Council

of Traditional Rulers, and the Youth and Women Wings of UPU for ratification.

An executive member, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “Majority of the executive members agreed in a voice vote at the meeting that on Uvwiamughe Declaration we stand, and in that spirit, a drastic decision must be taken to ensure that every Urhobo stands by the declaration."

ITH just one month to the February general elections, Urhobo nation’s position on the governorship candidate of Delta State is still unclear as disagreement has rocked the ethnic group’s apex body, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU. The bone of contention is the position of Chief Joe Omene, President-General of UPU. He has been accused of allegedly deviating from the Uvwiamughe Declaration, a 2014 oath sworn to by all Urhobo interest groups to cast their over one million bloc votes to the All Progressives Congress, APC, at all levels in the coming elections should the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, fail to give its governorship ticket to an Urhobo.

Following the death of Gen. Patrick Aziza, under whose leadership Urhobo swore to the Uvwiamughe Declaration, his successor, Chief Omene, cast the first threat to the declaration when he indicated that Urhobo could support Chief Great Ogboru, Labour Party ’s flag bearer, for the governorship position, weeks after assuring the APC candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, of their full support in absence of an Urhobo PDP ticket.

PRAYER: Anglican Bishops in Delta State pray for Delta State PDP governorship candidate, Deliberations last Sunday by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife Edith, in Asaba. the UPU stakeholders at

PDP TO POLICE: Unmask perpetrators of attack on Rivers APC secretariat …as APC supporters protest

By Jimitota Onoyume

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, has called on the Police to unmask those behind the attack on the All Progressives Congress, APC, secretariat in Okrika Local Government Area of the state.

It will be recalled that dynamites were hurled into the secretariat on Sunday, destroying a portion of the building and other valuables.

The PDP also called on the Police and other security agencies to intensify their search for suspected APC members, who were allegedly destroying its campaign materials and those of the party ’s governorship candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike in the state. It also condemned the APC governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, for hastily blaming the PDP for the attack on the Okrika APC secretariat,

while seeing nothing wrong with the APC members, who were arrested for destroying PDP campaign materials in the state.

Meanwhile, hundreds of APC youths from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, yesterday marched to the headquarters of the Rivers State Police Command on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, denouncing what they

described as violence against the party in the state.

Some of the placards the protesters carried bore inscriptions accusing the Police of allegedly aiding the PDP in its alleged acts of violence.

Some of the placards read: “Police aiding PDP thugs in Obio/Akpor,” “We want Police Protection in Obio/Akpor,” “This one is not democracy, it is dictatorship,” “Police

supervised manhandling of APC members in Rumuolumeni,” “Are APC members in Obio/Akpor not Nigerians?” among others.

Meanwhile, state Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Jerry Needam, said the party received news of the attack with sadness, adding that it might have been caused by aggrieved APC members.

Tompolo, ex-MEND commanders hold secret meeting in Asaba Muhammadu Buhari (retd),

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—EX-MILITANT leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, held a meeting, yesterday, in Asaba, Delta State, with former top commanders of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.

A dependable source, said: “The meeting was convened

by Tompolo to deliberate with his former colleagues on next month’s presidential election as it affects President Goodluck Jonathan, who is an Ijaw indigene.

“They also reviewed the support of the nonoperational MEND for the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Gen.

and agreed on ways to mobilise ex-agitators in the region for the PDP presidential candidate.”

The ex-MEND commanders reportedly left Asaba after the meeting for their respective states.

The source added “It is a topsecret meeting. I cannot tell you more than that. I am even surprised how you got to know about the meeting.”

O K O W A : Anioma to dialogue with U r h o b o , Itsekiri leaders

By Emma Amaize

E

MU—ELDERS and leaders of Delta North senatorial district (Anioma ethnic nationality) in Delta State, at an assembly, have resolved to dialogue with their contemporaries and leading groups in Delta Central (Urhobo) and Delta South senatorial district (Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri), to dispel the fears and misconceptions about Anioma governor this year.

At the meeting, facilitated by the leader of Izu Anioma, General Alabi Isama (rtd), they also decided that the Anioma nationality would deliver “bloc votes” to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in next month’s poll.

DELTA GOV RACE: Akugha emerges Emerhor's running mate

T

HE Executive Director (News and Current Affairs) of African Independent Television, AIT, Mr. Felix Akugha, has emerged as the running mate to All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor.

The choice of Akugha was confirmed by the APC and Emerhor in a statement by Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014

TERRORISM: Defence HQ puts deathtoll from Baga attack at 150 .Says plans afoot to retake base

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — DEFENCE Headquarters, yesterday, said that contrary to reports in foreign media that over 2,000 persons were killed by Boko Haram terrorists when they attacked the headquarters of the multi-national Joint Task Force in Baga, Borno State, not more than 150 persons were killed.

Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, at a briefing in Abuja, said: “As you might be aware, there was another terror attack on the town of Baga in Borno State last week which left a number of people dead.

"Following that unfortunate attack, a lot of speculations and conjectures have been peddled by a section of the press particularly the on-line media regarding the casualty rate.

"Some claimed that over a thousand people were killed while others wrote with certainty that 2,000 lost their lives in that singular attack.

"Without any doubt, terrible

atrocities have been committed against innocent Nigerians in Baga by the rampaging terrorists who attacked and have been operating in the town since January 3, 2015.

“Necessary actions are being taken to put an end to the activities of the terrorists and restore law and order to the community.

"To this end, a lot of covert operations including surveillance activities which recorded series of aerial photographs are ongoing in that vicinity. It is, however, necessary to inform Nigerians in the interim that the exercise so far has not corroborated the report on the casualty rate which was put at 2,000.

"From all available evidences, the number of people who lost their lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150 in the interim. This figure includes many of the terrorists who were bearing arms and got killed in the course of their attack and battle with troops.

“It should be noted that Baga

and the neighbouring towns have been under series of attacks and harassment by terrorists. In the course of this, many residents have left, leaving the population in the town almost seriously depleted. Many were also able to escape while the terrorists’ battle with troops lasted.

"The figure given by sources who claimed to be eye-witnesses must be an extremely exaggerated estimate.

Unfortunately, this figure is now being bandied in a section of the media as if it has been authenticated. It cannot be true.

"It is pertinent to once again urge the media to be circumspect in adopting casualty figures, especially the ones given to them by the so-called eye-witnesses,

who in most cases, are influenced by their own perspectives.

“In any case, this is no time to debate about casualty figures or number of deaths as the life of any Nigerian is important.

"Much as the intention which could be with the aim of drawing attention to the atrocities being committed by terrorists group in Nigeria is most welcome, the need for factual presentation of the situation is equally vital.

"In case the aim of this misinformation is to further the design of those bent on discrediting the government and the military, all well-meaning people should consider it as a disservice to humanity."

....NEMA registers 3,200 IDPs T

HE NATIONAL Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has dispatched a team from Abuja to strengthen the provision of humanitarian supports to the displaced persons from Baga, Borno State that have fled from the recent insurgency attacks in the town.

The Agency, weekend, registered 3,200 of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from Baga now in Maiduguri and accommodated at the Teachers Village Estate where NEMA is providing them with basic supports in collaboration with the Borno State Government.

The creation of the new camp brings to 11 where NEMA has been supporting the IDPs with food and non-food items.

The NEMA special intervention team is led by the Director of Search and Rescue to join the staff at its zonal office in Maiduguri to strengthen the humanitarian intervention of the Agency in the state.

Senate resumes with many bills to pass

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA — AS the senate resumes plenary today after the Christmas and New Year recess, deliberations will be centered on the 2015 Appropriation Bill, Constitutional Amendment and the Petroleum Industrial Bill, PIB, among other items.

But there are fears that the senate may suffer from lack of quorum as majority of the senators that picked tickets to contest the February 28 elections, could be on the field for their campaigns.

Information obtained from the Senate indicated that the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and the Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, would be deliberated today to make way for the consideration of the 2015 Appropriation Bill tomorrow.

The notice also indicated that the report of the PIB pending at the National Assembly would be laid on the floor of the senate on Thursday before the senate would embark on the election recess.

A principal officer who declined to comment on the items stated that he would not do so because there would likely be lack of quorum as both the Senate President, David Mark and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, would be on the field to campaign for their re-election which remained just about 30 days.

Tribute to late Brig-Gen Samuel Laiye Teidi (rtd)

By Major General AA Martins

Late Brig-Gen Tedi (retd)

I

T IS with great emotion and high sense of loss that I write this tribute on behalf of Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, NAOC, “One Big Family.” The big family comprises serving, retired officers and men of the NAOC. Late Brig. Gen. S.L. Teidi (retd, N/2120) was our colleague, boss, leader and comrade. He served for five years at the Nigerian Military School as a boy soldier and 24 years, two months and 10 days as an officer. He had a wonderful career before exiting the Nigerian Army honourably on November 26, 1993. He worked with many of us at different levels for many years during the period.

He was knowledgeable as a comrade, formidable as a leader and dependable as a father. He led with unimagined drive and concern for the welfare of everyone, in particular officers and soldiers of the NAOC. He was a visionary personality that helped develop his subordinates, and contributed immensely to the corps, even while on retirement. He was a gentleman, a family man that most of his subordinates emulated and willingly followed. Our late boss was a fine senior officer.

He was also a courageous and highly professional officer who served his country with great zeal, dedication and patriotism. As an officer he was firm and brave. He was always quick in perception and swift in execution.

Professionally, he was a sound and excellent ordinance armament and ammunition officer, a brilliant man in all fields.

His Ammunition Technical Officer working number was ATO/98.

His death at the early hours of January 1, 2015 was a painful loss to us all.

The Commander, NAOC, on behalf of officers and men (serving and retired), prays that the Almighty God/Allah (SWT) in his infinite mercies grant his soul eternal peace, and the family, the fortitude to bear his irreparable loss.

-Major General AA Martins is Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—15

Ebonyi gov candidate raises alarm over alleged plot to disrupt Jonathan rally

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI — PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, yesterday, raised alarm over alleged plots by an opposition party to disrupt the party’s Presidential Campaign in honour of Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid.

Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki, the Director Media and Publicity, Divine Mandate Campaign Organization for the governorship candidate, Chief Abia Onyike, described such development as an invitation to anarchy.

According to him: “Information reaching us indicates that the said opposition party in the state has concluded arrangement to disrupt the PDP Presidential Campaign Rally slated to hold on January 16, 2015.

"We hear that the party would mobilise members to the stadium that day. This is an outright invitation to anarchy and such anomaly would be unprecedented if it is allowed to happen.

How can any sane person contemplate bringing opposition party members to attend a key PDP function."

PVC COLLECTION RATE: Group

recommends public awareness

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU — WORRIED by the abysmal collection rate of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in Enugu State, National Coalition for Jonathan Sambo Presidency, NACOJSP, has called for more public awareness programmes to shore up voters the collection rate.

The group said such collection rate was unacceptable if Enugu state and indeed the entire south-east geopolitical zone was to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 28 presidential elections.

PRAYER: From left, wife of former Vice President, Dame Beatrice Ekweme; Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra, Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke; Speaker, Anambra House of Assembly, Mrs. Chinwe Nwaebili; National Chairman of APGA, Sir Victor Umeh and his wife, Priscilla, during the candle-light prayer session for dead soldiers who fought for Biafra, in Awka, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Igbo hold memorial service for civil war victims

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — FORTY-FIVE years after the Nigerian civil war, a symbolic memorial ceremony for all those who died during the war, was held yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, in fulfilment of the Igbo belief that the dead must be properly buried, otherwise its spirit would continue to hover around.

It was reported that at the end of the civil war, no fewer than two million Igbo lost their lives.

The ceremony, held at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, attracted notable Igbo leaders, including the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, many war veterans, including those that commanded brigades and battalions before and during the war, as well as delegates

from all the fives South Eastern states and traders’ associations in all the major markets in Igbo land.

The event began with an interdenominational service presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, and his Anglican counterpart, Rt. Rev Alex Ibezim, assisted by clerics from other denominations.

Governor Willie Obiano, in an emotion-laden speech, said there was hardly any family in Igbo land that did not lose somebody in the war, but commended the people for overcoming the pains with passage of time.

Obianor said: “The story of the war was a story of profound loss, but beside every story of loss sits a story of success, glory and abundance. We are quick to climb over the pains of an awful experience and rebuild broken walls of friendship that will open

fresh doors of hope.

"We do this with ease because we are a people of faith. We believe in the centrality of God in the affairs of men. We are bold enough to accept the cruel verdict of fate and bury our dead with fanfare. Our culture upholds the centrality of burial as a crucial epilogue in the narrative of life.

“It is this belief that prompted many citizens of this state to approach me, at the inception of this administration, with a request for a formal burial of our brethren who died in the civil war and the World War II. They died courageously because our people do not acknowledge fear.

“Today, we honour them in words and deeds. We offer them a final resting place; a sanctuary where their memory will forever ruffle the leaves of time. Today, as we lay down their memorial stones, we bring closure to the wanderings of our brothers and

sisters whose great souls had yearned for the dignity of a formal burial over the last half a century.

“As we light our candles and whisper our prayers to ease their passage to eternity, we cleanse ourselves of the pain of their death and plant the trees of forgiveness in their memory. And in doing this, we open a new page of a brighter history for our people.”

National chairman of ALL Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, recalled that the former Biafran warlord, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was always calling for a memorial for those who died during the war, noting that when he reminded Governor Obiano of Ojukwu’s wish, he gladly promised to do it.

He said that having performed the memorial, Igbo would begin to see clearly because they had done what was expected of them since the end of the war.

JTF reassures Anambra of heavy security before and after general elections T

HE SECURITY Joint Task Force, JTF, in Anambra, yesterday, assured residents that it would maintain heavy security presence in the state before and after the general elections.

The Commanding Officer of the Navy Outpost, Onitsha, Navy Capt. Mike Oamen, made this known while

speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on the preparedness of the task force for the forthcoming elections.

Oamen said the task force would ensure that the current peace and security in the state were not breached during and after the elections.

He said: “We are going to sustain the elections, of course;

we are going to sustain the tempo because we want this same atmosphere to take us through the elections and make sure that by this time maybe after the election, we will still be able to hold our heads high and guarantee security for every Anambra State indigene.

“So, we are sustaining the tempo, definitely. We thank the

Gov Orji urges Nigerians to appreciate armed forces' sacrifices

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State, has urged Nigerians to appreciate members of Nigerian armed forces for ensuring the peace and unity of the country.

Speaking at an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the St. Mary ’s

Anglican Church, Ohokobe Ndume, to mark the 2015 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration, Governor Orji said the contributions of the armed forces to the development of the state and the country in general could not be over-emphasised.

The governor noted that despite criticisms, the Nigerian

armed forces had done well in fighting Boko Haram, saying that they needed to be encouraged and supported.

According to him, one of his greatest achievements in the state was restoring security and peace in Abia, arguing that security was very essential for the development of the polity.

governor for his cooperation and incentive to all the security agencies and, of course, the security people that work together as a team.

"That is one thing that is going for us here in Anambra State - the police, the military (the navy and army) and the para-military. I must also commend the vigilante.“ The commander, urged residents to use the free-toll 122 hotline to furnish the task force with useful information that would help prevent crime in their neigbourhoods.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Ebonyi police recover IED in botched attempt to bomb APC hqtr

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—THERE was pandemonium Sunday night in Abakaliki, following a failed attempt by suspected hoodlums to bomb the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ebonyi State.

Vanguard investigation revealed that the Ebonyi Police Command is working round the clock to uncover those behind the action.

It was gathered that the APC office along the Kipirikpiri road, few metres away from the Government House, which also serves as the campaign office for its governorship candidate, Senator Julius Ucha, was attacked

by unknown persons with objects suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device, IED. An eye-witness said ''Around 10.45pm on Sunday, we were in the front of the office with some policemen attached to the secretariat when we heard a very loud bang from the back yard. When we got there, we discovered an object that looked like a locally-made explosive, which had detonated but fortunately the can of fuel that accompanied the explosive did not catch fire when the object exploded.

“It was clear that the intention of those that did it was to burn down the office but God was on

our side because when they threw the objects from the fence, the wire at the fence might have held the can containing the fuel.

The intention was when the object exploded, the fuel would catch fire and the entire building would have been razed.”

Reacting, the APC governorship candidate , Senator Ucha called on the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to order a thorough investigation into the incident, even as he urged APC supporters in the state to go about their lawful businesses

and shun violent activities especially during next month election.

Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Abakaliki, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu said the situation at the APC secretariat was under control.

2015: INEC presents voters register to political parties today

By Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—THE Independ ent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will formally present copies of Voters’ Register to be used

in the 2015 general elections to political parties today.

This came just as the commission mandated Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, to set up effective monitoring strategies in the distri-

bution of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs. INEC, which in its daily bulletin, said the ceremony would take place at its headquarters, in Abuja, noted that the development “is a crucial milestone on the journey to the 2015 General Elections.”

Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), provides that the Register of Voters for an election shall be published at least thirty (30) days before the elections.

The 2015 general elections will take place on February 14 and 28, 2015 respectively.

The Timetable And Schedule of Activities for the 2015 general elections, released to the public on January 24, 2014, showed under item 10 that the commission ''shall release or publish the official Register of Voters for the election on January 13, 2015.''

The release also showed that the commission ''shall publish the list of nominated candidates contesting for the Presidency and National Assembly on January 13, 2015.''

The list of those contesting for the offices of governor and House of Assembly will be published on January 27, 2015.

In a related development, the commission has ordered the decentralisation of ongoing distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to the ward level, to enhance access by persons yet to collect their cards.

We won''t accept piecemeal release of Voters’ Register by INEC – APC Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has demanded a complete, rather than piecemeal, release of Voters’ Register for all the states in the country

by INEC, as required by law, today.

The party said in a statement yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that it would not accept anything less than a complete release of the Voters’ Register under any circumstance.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 17

M

UHAMMADU BUHARI can conduct a coup and declare himself Nigeria’s head of state.

But under no circumstance should Nigerians elect him as president. Nigeria is fighting a Boko Haram insurgency whose mantra is that western education is a sin.

These people have kidnapped innocent young girls who dared to go to school. How then can we give our votes to Buhari, a man who cannot even be straightforward about his secondary school leaving certificate?

In Nigeria, if a university graduate does not have an NYSC certificate, he is ineligible for public employment. That is the law.

Similarly, if a presidential candidate does not have a school leaving certificate, he is ineligible to stand for election as president of Nigeria.

Buhari’s missing certificate The evidence concerning Buhari’s certificate lacuna is overwhelming. Buhari says: “I left home at the age of 10 or 11 and went to school, like I said.

And I was in the boarding school for nine years. In primary school and secondary school, I was in the boarding house and from there; I went straight into the Army.”

A man should know at what age he went to school, but Buhari does not seem to know.

If Buhari started school at 11 and he joined the army at the age of 19 in January, 1962; that means it took him only eight years to finish primary and secondary school. That is not feasible. It would appear that, instead of completing school, Buhari opted to join the army.

Instead of providing his certificates to INEC, as required by law, Buhari deposed in an affidavit at a High Court in Abuja that: “All my academic qualifications documents as filled in my presidential form, President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as of the time of presenting this affidavit.”

However, the military is not a bank for keeping the certificates of its officers. Organisations require the originals for verification only, after which they are promptly returned to their owners. In this regard, it should not be forgotten that Buhari was retired from the military in 1985. That is 30 years ago.

In short, Buhari’s INEC affidavit is deceptive. If his certificates are with the military board, he should go and retrieve them. If they are lost, their loss should have been the subject of his affidavit. Whatever the case, a man with no primary or secondary school leaving certificate has no business running for president of Nigeria.

This is my final instalment of Buhari’s prescription for being a serial loser of presidential elections.

Be a questionable manager Be the chairman of the

Ho w tto o lose the presidential election How four times (4) Petroleum Trust Fund under a corrupt Abacha regime. Have the Interim Management Committee (IMC) set up by President Obasanjo to wind down PTF activities discover the organisation was riddled with corruption and financial irregularities. 500 million naira of PTF money deposited in a bank disappeared; withdrawn by unidentified persons. There were contractual anomalies in excess of 800 million naira in the PTF staff housing estate.

Leave PTF with a debt-burden of over 70 billion; owed to different contractors, consultants, manufacturers and suppliers. Have PTF import expired drugs, especially with regard to 28 billion naira worth of HIV/AIDS screening and confirmation kits.

Create an “unholy business relationship” between the PTF and the Afri-Project Consortium (APC) led by Salihijo Ahmad which operated as consultants to the PTF. Ensure that the PTF did not function as a real government agency. Instead, have APC consultants virtually manage it, becoming the real PTF even though APC was a private company.

Have about 620 consultancy firms affiliated to the PTF report to the APC instead of the PTF. Give the APC sole responsibility for the issuance of PTF certificates for payment.

For example, when PTF lodged 1 billion naira in the Marina, Lagos branch of Credit Lyonnais in 1995, it was APC officials who made withdrawals for the various payments. Also give APC the authority to recommend the companies that were awarded PTF contracts.

Ensure in the process that a considerable amount of PTF finances (25 billion naira) was squandered. Look the other way while your PTF subordinates cart away lorryloads of public funds. Watch, as a principal actor in the PTF consultancy scam commit suicide when the probe into the organization was instituted for fear of being exposed. So much for your anti-corruption crusade!

T

hreaten the country with violence if you are not declared the winner of presidential elections.

Declare in 2003 that: “We would like to emphasize that any repeat of the fraud of April 12; a fraud we have rejected in totality, will result in mass action and its consequences, which no one can today foresee.” Make similar threats during the 2011 election campaign, leading violence and the displacement of over 65,000 by your supporters in the North after you lost the election.

Have the Nigerian human rights group, the Northern Coalition for Democracy and Justice (NCDJ), file criminal charges against you before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for your alleged role in the violence that followed the 2011 presidential election.

One innocent Youth corper in the North killed wrote the following ominously on his Facebook page on 17th April, 2011, the day after the election: ““Na wao!

This CPC supporters would hv (have) killed me yesterday, no see threat oooo. Even after forcing underaged voters on me they wanted me to give them the remaining ballot paper to thumb print. Thank God for the police and am happy I

could stand for God and my nation.” He was killed by your supporters the day after.

Have your party, the CPC, bail 622 people accused of killing and mayhem after the 2011 election.

Show no remorse for instigating the post-election violence by declaring in a statement made in Hausa in a BBC interview of 14th May, 2012 that: “If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”

Have the Deputy National Secretary of your party, Nasir El-Rufai, declare on 23rd January, 2014 that: “The next election is likely to be violent and many people are likely going to die. And the only alternative left to get power is to take it by force; this is the reality on ground.”

During the on-going campaign for the 2015 election, his supporters sent threatening text-messages to those perceived to be proJonathan governors and supporters in the North warning them that if they do not stop working for Jonathan’s victory, they will be seriously dealt with. Provoke a regional backlash by having your supporters disallow Jonathan posters to be put up in the North and disallow Jonathan supporters to campaign for him in the North.

I Whatever the case, a man with no primary or secondary school leaving certificate has no business running for president of Nigeria

n an interview with Kaduna’s Radio Liberty in November 2012, demand that the Federal Government should stop the clampdown of Boko Haram insurgents. Insist they should be given golden handshakes and special treatment like the Niger Delta militants. Say this: “They (the Niger Delta militants) were trained in some skills and were given employment, but the ones in the north were being killed and their houses were being demolished. They are different issues. What brought this? It is injustice.”

Make a statement saying you don’t believe there is a real movement called Boko Haram.

Claim instead that the federal government of Nigeria is: “the biggest Boko Haram.” When the federal government

declares a state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, given the activities of the insurgents in those states, come out against it. Tell rebel PDP governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso at Kano Government House in 2013 that the Boko Haram is a “strategic plan” by the government of Goodluck Jonathan to “destroy the North.” Declare, therefore, that the war of the federal government against the Boko Haram is an excuse to wage war on the North.

Be so clearly identified as an advocate of the Boko Haram that, in November 2012, Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, the second-incommand to Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in announcing a readiness to negotiate a ceasefire with the Nigerian government, names you as one of the few “trusted” Nigerians it would be ready to negotiate with.

Be unscrupulous and inhumane

I

mpound the passport of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and thereby deny the old man visits to his doctors at Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota, USA for the years when you ruled Nigeria. Arrest Tai Solarin for being against your government and deny him medication in jail for his athsmatic condition.

Arrest Chief Bisi Onabanjo while he was still on admission at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); just three days after undergoing surgery. Send him to prison in Bauchi without trial.

Refuse to allow Ayo Oyewunmi to get medical treatment, with the result that he became blind while you jailed him and died soon after you released him. Allow Busari Adelakun to suffer the same fate. He developed chronic ulcer complications after you arrested him and was not allowed to get treatment. The ailment eventually killed him.

Conclusion This is El-Rufai’s appraisal of the anomaly of having 73 yearold Buhari run again for president: “It makes sense to ask those who have been recurring decimals in our country's sorry history to leave the stage. It is time for a new generation of leaders with new thinking and wholesome democratic attitude to move our nation forward.”

Nigerian voters should not allow themselves to be conned. Muhammadu Buhari is not presidential material. We have said this resoundingly three times in the past. We need to say it without equivocation one more time.

The last word belongs to Wole Soyinka: “In Buhari, we have been offered no evidence of the sheerest prospect of change.

On the contrary, all evident suggests that this is one individual who remains convinced that this is one exruler that the nation cannot call to order.”

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government - Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria THERE are provisions of the Constitution our governments observe in breach. Section 14 (2b) is one of them. What is the meaning of this provision when governments do not attach any importance to life? What efforts have governments made to halt the waste of lives all over the country?

Outside the traditional crises in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Plateau, and Yobe States that claim lives almost daily, other Nigerians die from road accidents, majorly caused by the poor state of the roads, and poorer condition of vehicles their owners would have pulled off the roads had economic conditions permitted. Nigerians live perilously in peace time. Criminals are on the prowl.

If Nigerians survive these, they could be victims of conflicts - sectional, ethnic, religious, political. As if these are not enough, adulterated products – from drugs to foods – present more problems. Four years ago, Hope Adeleke, a policeman, lost

By Paul Odili

A

S transitions go, the unity of purpose and inclusiveness in the PDP politics of Delta state is remarkable even if it is not sometimes recognized such. After a fierce governorship primary in the party, the coming together of majority of the contestants and their followers to work and to promote a common front in the February general election is a masterstroke in political bridgebuilding. Credit should naturally go to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other political leaders for making this happen.

In so many ways, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP candidate, represents the natural trajectory in the future of Delta state; a modern, progressive, inclusive Delta state, a success story in overcoming the artificial barriers and fault lines of the state.

With over 17 years’ experience in politics rising from Council Chairman, through holding several political offices such as commissioners for health, water resources, agriculture and natural resources and Secretary to the state government, including his second elective office as Delta North Senator, Okowa’s evolution has taken an instructive path that is structured for success.

What is apparent from this political narrative is that Okowa understands politics and he definitely understands Delta state. Much of his success has C M Y K

What Is Our Lives Wor th? orth? five children to kerosene explosion in Oghara, Delta State. Adeleke was on night duty when his home exploded in a ball of fire. Four of his children died immediately and then the fifth. The journey to death began with the innocuous purchase of kerosene.

They never knew it was adulterated.

Deaths from kerosene explosions are seasonal; they are usually a consequence of product scarcity. Kerosene used mostly as fuel for cooking is often scarce and remain expensive with prices as high as N150 per

litre, when available. Government has had little concern about steady supply of the product unlike fuel for vehicles.

Criminals latch into the gap in supply and pump adulterated products into the system.

This has been going on for years. People die; people denounce government’s indifference, the matter ends. Last year again, there were losses of lives to kerosine explosions, fake drugs and other areas governments pay no attention. When will governments start caring for the people?

Nigerians are tired of blames and excuses when they are mortally hurt from the laxity of those who should protect them. What do you tell a man whose family is at the verge of extinction because government does not cares for him? No reasons are acceptable for avoidable loss of lives.Nothing can compensate the likes of Adeleke for their losses, but something is inane about governments that swear to make security and welfare of the people a priority, but consistently fail to keep their promise. What can justify our governments’ neglect of the people? Perhaps, they would have cared if our lives were worth anything.

OPINION The Okowa plan perhaps to do with Okowa’s approach and style of politics.His common touch, human empathy, attention to detail and deep understanding of the dynamics of politics and resolute commitment to his goal has served him well.

At the tactical level, Okowa is clearly a politician who knows how to exploit weaknesses and can construct a strong system. This is not as simple as it may seem; because in the power contest, to grasp very quickly where the weaknesses lay and at the same time husband your own resources in effective way to take advantage of a given opportunity are key elements that can decide the game. If anything is Okowa’s secret arsenal that may well be it.

Against great odds, Okowa has always found ways to triumph. His

Just like ‘Delta beyond Oil’, the economic aims of Okowa is directed at diversification and promotion of non-oil based economy

playbook is an interesting one and should become something of real interest to Deltans should he win the governorship in the February 28th, which in all likelihood is his to lose given the dynamics. Yet, if his evolution is anything to go, it is unlikely that he is sitting on his oars.

He knows there remains many mine fields.

Lest this article gives the impression that Okowa’s interest is about power and how to organize to win it, his views on Delta, governance and the economics of the state is quite thoughtprovoking and reassuring in terms of a strong desire to consolidate on the existing successes of the Uduaghan administration. In many years, Okowa’s ideas can be said to be an off-shoot of the Uduaghan programme. It has to be, considering that for nearly four years of Uduaghan’s government,Okowa was Secretary to the state government.

His focus on inclusive growth, industrialization, job creation, agrobased industrial sector, urban renewal, human capital development, environment protection, enhance and development is just the right emphasis that will secure the future of Delta state.

Just like ‘Delta beyond Oil’, the economic aims of Okowa is directed at diversification and promotion of nonoil based economy. Actually in the light of recent crash in crude oil prices, it

makes very little sense if not the height of foolishness to seek to build the economy of Delta state on oil,even with the abundance of this resource here.

Dr. Okowa is not looking in that direction. This is good news. For instance, on the issue of industrialization, he says: “The state under the outgoing administration has embarked upon certain large industrial activities such as the Warri industrial Business Park, Asaba ICT Park, Free Economic zones and 10 small scale industries under Public/ Private Partnership scheme. If completed by 2015, my administration shall accelerate the positive challenges that these mega industrial activities will offer. If not fully completed, I shall see to it that these valuable economic activities are duly completed, and engage the private sector effectively to drive commerce and grow industries.”

This statement speaks to consolidation of policies, which is a good thing from the point of view of the resources that are already invested in it and the opportunities that these initiatives will bring. Yet, no one expects that the dynamism of the Okowa plan is not going to be different, even if on some issues he shares similar views with Governor Uduaghan. That in itself is not a bad thing. In life the only thing constant is change.

*Mr. Odili, member of Delta state PDP media and publicity campaign committee, wrote from Asaba, Delta State

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015— —19

Projecting 2015 elections cautiously

By Sunny Ikhioya

T

HERE is this general saying that; "if wishes were horses, beggars will ride". We have started dreaming and assuming positions on what will be the outcome of the 2015 elections but like I have always noted, we have short memories in this country.

Our politics have not developed as expected since the attainment of independence. There is a clear replay of what happened in the early sixties; vindictiveness, stubbornness, judicial rascality, subterfuge, implacable opposition and so on. This was the situation when the military came in January 1966.

Since we have refused to learn our lessons, needlessly, lives would be lost and those who instigated and masterminded it, will find refuge in foreign countries to enjoy their booty.

Politics is a game for the politicians. It is the common folks who suffer. Already, there are fights in the streets and social media over the activities of the politicians. For

me, that is not where the battle will be won. Winning elections goes beyond all the noise we hear and unfortunately, most of the analysis that I have read, seen and heard about the coming elections are based on faulty prognosis and lies. For example, Buhari will capture the whole north and south west, while Jonathan will win in the south south and eastern part of the country and because the population of the north in combination with the west is higher, victory will go to Buhari. I will return to this later.

There is no doubt that the PDP has fumbled as a party, it can be likened to a monster, destined to destroy itself.

Chiefly, their inability to institutionalise democratic practices is their major undoing, unnecessary imposition of candidates across board have made them lose a large number of their followers and the in fighting is still going on presently. The inability of the party's hierarchy to rein in the excesses of its members is another factor. Everyone is doing what he or she wants

and there is no clear line of accountability. They have not been able to convince the populace that they are serious in tackling corruption that has almost crippled the economy.

Situations where raw foreign currencies are shipped out of the country outside the official channels, have aided the current drop in the value of the naira or how else does one explain it? The economy is in

In normal democratic settings, we would have said with conviction that the 2015 elections is a foregone conclusion for the opposition but the Nigerian situation is not so clear cut. This is so because, any serious analyst will discover that there is no difference between the two parties apart from their names.

Tale of two flag-offs

By Peter Obi

O

N Tuesday, January 5th, 2015 the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagged of its campaign in PortHarcourt,Rivers state, where it attempted to showcase what it has to offer Nigerians. Like I said in my recent intervention in media after the event, it was nothing but empty declarations about what the party ‘ would like to do’.

The APC had nothing to offer in terms of real understanding of the problems of the nation and any detailed plans about how to solve them. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the other hand, flagged off its campaign in Lagos, the supreme headquarters of the APC on January 8th, with clear and loud statements about its understanding of our national problems, the steps it is taking in dealing with them and how it will continue to steer the ship of state towards sustainable development, according to 21st century standards.

The important thing to note here, among others, is the absence of a plan for national development from the APC fold.

During the flag-off by the APC, the party said it would stop insurgency, but did not say how. It showed no knowledge of the capacities and challenges of the armed forces and was content to merely assure Nigerians that, once elected, it would stop insurgency the way its flag-bearer stopped the Maitasine group in the 1980s. President Jonathan and the PDP at January 8th rally tried to let Nigerians know that past Nigerian governments, including that of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, have consistently failed to equip the armed forces and make them combat ready.

The APC failed to situate the problem within the contemporary global and national challenges and, therefore, had nothing to offer by way of real solutions to the problem.

Thanks to these two rallies, Nigerians now know that one party is a hands-

C M Y K

on leadership machine, while the other is only good at generalisations and unfounded claims. Yes, President Jonathan has now told us, and this is confirmed by available records, that even under Buhari in the 80s ammunition was not bought for the military by his Government. Nigerians also now know that it was actually the current dispensation of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that the Federal Government started equipping the armed forces again.

Whereas the APC told Nigerians that it would reduce corruption by demonstrating political will and jailing everyone who is found guilty of corruption, the PDP told us that jail terms and guilt are determined by courts of competent jurisdiction. This means that a government must follow the rule of law and allow court processes to take their due course.

Thus, one must dismiss the APC’s empty platitudes, as it shows no knowledge or understanding of the socio-economic realities that encourage corruption and make it fester. Worse still it knows nothing about how to fight it, beyond talking about a nebulous ‘political will’ that translates into nothing when examined more closely. No nation is immune from corruption and nations reduce corruption through institutional checks and not the advertised personal honesty of one individual.

The PDP, through its flag-bearer, has taken matters beyond the domain of banality. It is now for others to move up, using these two flag offs as reference

a state that defies logic; the prices of petroleum products are going down all over the world, yet, the prices of our petroleum products have refused to come down. There is no right time as now to effect the much trumpeted deregulation of the petroleum sector but our officials are just watching.

In Delta state, the Ijaw brothers of President Jonathan are behaving as if the resources of the state belong to them alone and getting into unnecessary conflicts with their neighbours, the presidency seem not to be doing anything to douse this tension.

In normal democratic settings, we would have said with conviction that the 2015 elections is foregone conclusion for the opposition but the Nigerian situation is not so clear cut. This is so because, any serious analyst will discover that there is no difference between the two parties apart from their names.

Populating the APC are people who had been strong members of the PDP and have contributed their own quota to the dire state the nation is today. So, their interest is not to solve the nation's problems but to feather their own nests.

Also, along with this group, are those who want power shift to the north by all means. If the electorate is wise, such

Anyone who listened to President Jonathan during the flag off the PDP campaign must have heard him say that he will build institutions that will reduce corruption, in spite of the universal human challenge of deviating from the norm now and again. He did not say he will personally frighten people into avoiding corruption, no! He will make it unattractive and unrewarding through institutional checks. Both The PDP and APC candidates have been Heads of the Nigerian State. The APC candidate says " I have done it before, I will do it again by jailing those found guilty of corruption,” but without telling us how he will do it differently from when he sentenced some presumed offenders to 300 years in jail.

The PDP candidate, on the other hand, says: “ I will bring corruption to an end in Nigeria by a consistently, lawgoverned approach that simultaneously strengthen the crime fighting agencies while also leaving no one in doubt that the judiciary, not our individual feeling and conjectures, must determine guilt and culpability of accused persons at all times”.

We need only look at how the Jonathan Government has, over the years, reformed fertilizer procurement and provided employment through agriculture, Sure-p, YouWin and many other programmes. Curiously, it is the APC whose campaign promises a government without plans that is turning around to accuse the PDP of running a government without plans.

They failed to tell Nigerians the fruits of that plans. President Jonathan was able to reel out what his Government has done, as well as the results, based on well-laid out plans. For instance, he said that Nigeria could not have become the biggest economy in Africa without planning. By responding to all the issues raised by the APC one at a time, Mr President has elevated the quality of political debate for the forthcoming election and is indirectly urging others to do likewise.

The APC talked about improving the quality of education and left it at that.

The PDP on the other hand, told us what its Government has done in education, such as setting up 12

persons should not be given consideration in the coming elections.

You cannot project the whole north for Buhari. What happens to Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Southern Kaduna? You cannot also configure the whole west for APC. What happens to Ondo and Ekiti?

People are fighting, threatening and invoking all sorts. If you are in the position of President Jonathan and the PDP hierarchy, what will you do under these circumstances? Will you just observe the scenarios as though they do not mean a thing or and take a back seat and relax?

We have at least four states engulfed by the Boko Haram crises. What type of elections will take place in these areas?

Who will supervise the elections there?

Even if you threaten fire and brimstone, in this war been instigated, do its instigators have the superior manpower and tools to carry it out?

We must all project the 2015 elections with cautious optimism, so that, whatever the outcome, people will live with it, instead of it resulting to unnecessary deaths of innocent souls. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Federal Universities in states of the federation that did not have any. Mr President told us how his Government tackled enrolment and drop out issues, among so many others. He gave factual proof of hands-on capacity, unlike the APC that said that it will first hire technocrats to help it craft solution to Nigeria’s problems, after the elections.

If, as APC said, it will depend on technocrats to help it design what to do, we must conclude that the party is, for now, bereft of ideas. So why vote for such a party at all?

One area about which the President spoke admirably is transportation. He did not say what he will do, but he showed us what he has done. He showed how his government has reawakening our people’s hope that the country will re-ignite its well-known capacities and remain on the track of progress now bestowed on it by this government. The President spoke emotionally about the trains coming on tracks after more than 30 years. He talked about the revolution in our Sea ports that now runs 24 hour operations, instead of the nine hours he met when he came on board. This is clear proof of good leadership, including the on-going building of more sea ports, the rehabilitation of the old, narrow airport rail tracks and the building of standard ones.

It is curious that the APC, at a Town Hall meeting help in Edo State on January 8th by its vice presidential candidate promised the people that the APC would initiate micro power projects, among other initiatives. All the APC needed to do before the meeting was educate itself. It is sad that a party would want to lead this country without even bothering to find out what is going on around it.

I have been part of political campaigns at different levels and I have always preferred to deal with issues the way President Jonathan is dealing with them today. The PDP, through its flag-bearer, has taken matters beyond the domain of banality.

It is now for others to move up, using these two flag offs as reference.

•Mr. Obi is former governor of Anambra State.

20 — Vanguard, TUES DAY TUESDAY DAY,, JANUARY 13, 2015

Some fire trucks belonging to the Lagos State Fire Service

Fire outbreaks in Lagos: New fire trucks, fresh concerns

By Bose Adelaja

F

IRE outbreaks have in recent years been a recurring problem in Lagos, wreaking much havoc which included the destruction of lives and property. In most cases, both the Federal Fire Service and the Lagos State Fire Service had failed to rise to the occasion in containing such fire incidents.

But hope of a better fire fighting

response appears to have been rekindled as the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, recently handed over 30 computerised fire trucks to the state fire service to enable it upgrade its operation. The equipment provided comprises twin aerial ladder and twin maintenance vans.

Branded as Fire Eagles, these state-of-the-art vans are reputed to move faster than the ones

presently at the disposal of the state fire service and can better navigate difficult terrains/roads.

The acquisition of these state-ofthe-art trucks, which come with spare parts, is believed to have cost the state government billions of Naira. Already some fire officers are said to have been sent for training to get acquainted with the usage of the new fire fighting system.

Before the arrival of these

For orphans, a reason to celebrate at Christmas

By Providence Obuh

F

OR over 30 kids from three different orphanages in Lagos, the last yuletide celebration is one to remember and cherish. This is because they had fun and excitement courtesy of the Ikeja City Mall under the auspices of its annual Christmas funfair for orphans.

At this year’s event with the theme: “Gift an Orphan”, the kids had opportunity to watch movies and engage in face painting, games, music and dance with customised gifts given to them and special vouchers provided by Lacoste, Spur, Max, Mr. Price, Shoprite and Blackup.

Marketing Manager, Ikeja City Mall, Mr. Eniola Ositelu, said that the mall is committed to giving back to the community, pledging a strong commitment to good services.

He said that Christmas party for orphans is a tradition for the

A group singing at the event mall, with a view to celebrating them and showing them love and a hope to live.

Ositelu said: “We have been able to give these kids the experience of Christmas as enjoyed by their privileged counterparts. We did same last year for the first time and we don’t intend to stop the act. The event is a huge success for the management of this mall and we are

happy that the kids had a jolly good time.

They all parted with gifts, they will have good memories of this year’s yuletide season”.

Concerning the carol, he said, “We decided to produce a Christmas Carol night... also.

And this is to surprise and entertain people who have come to the mall to do their normal shopping.

modern trucks, the existing equipment had become almost obsolete as most of the trucks can only carry 10,000 litres of water.

But the new fire trucks come with Compressed Air foam System CAS and water built to the fire fighters’ specification. In addition, it is attached to a computerised detection maintenance van.

Though there have been growing concern over frequent fire outbreaks in Lagos in 2014, the Director of the State Fire Services, Razaq Fadipe, believes there is a drop compared with previous years.

The statistics, according to Fadipe, revealed that between January and December 11, 2014, fire fighters only responded to about 1,383 cases of emergencies as against 2,015 cases in 2013.

However, investigations revealed that there are only 13

People believe that government property should not be protected. I have witnessed cases where fire fighters were beaten up by hoodlums for allegedly arriving late

functioning service stations to serve the 57 local governments and local council development areas in Lagos, a situation which many Lagosians, particularly those in areas where there are no functional fire station (s} strongly criticised.

A cross section of people who spoke to Vanguard Metro on the development mentioned some specific areas which require government intervention, especially in 2015, saying failure to address the challenges can hinder prompt response of emergency officials in the state.

According to residents, the factors include lack of access roads and mindset of Lagosians, among others. At Iju-Ishaga, for instance, residents said the casualty figure of the June 3, 2014 plane crash in the area would have been less if the road leading to the scene of the plane crash was accessible.

A community leader, who simply gave his name as Alhaji Idris, lamented that though the fire fighters arrived the community as soon as a distress call was made, but the bad road hampered rescue operations.

Though applauding the acquisition of the new fire trucks, Madam Sijuade Risikat is also afraid that they might be under utilized except government fixes the roads. ‘’Many of us who drive on Lagos roads know the difficulty we face on daily basis due to their deplorable state.

Also, traffic jam is a major concern in most parts of the metropolises.

Staying on the road for hours When there is an emergency, do you expect the fire fighters to stay on the road for hours? I remember in 2012 when a building was on fire at Gbagada, the fire fighters who responded to the distress call were caught in a gridlock that stretched from Iyana-Oworo to Charley Boy and at the end of the day the house was burnt beyond recognition.”

Another problem borders on the mindset of some residents. A resident at Ejigbo, Mr Toriola Olowoporoku, said fire fighters are usually attacked by hoodlums for reasons best known to them.

A case in point was the Wednesday November 26, 2014 attack in the Ejigbo area of Lagos where the fire fighters were harassed and their trucks vandalised by hoodlums on a looting mission. ‘’People believe that government property should not be protected. I have witnessed cases where fire fighters were beaten up by hoodlums for allegedly arriving late. They never gave a thought to the fact that the fire fighters were hampered by bad roads and traffic jam,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 21

INSPECTION: From left: Plant Manager, Secure ID, Matt Pcion; Managing Director, Kofo Akinkugbe; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and Chairman, Secure ID, Adedotun Sulaiman inspecting Smartcards production line at the Secure ID factory premises, Lagos.

Oil falls to five-and-half-year low O

IL fell to the lowest level in more than 5 1/2 years after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Societe Generale SA reduced their price forecasts and Venezuela called on OPEC producers to work together to spur a rebound.

West Texas Intermediate decreased as much as 4.7 percent, and Brent 5 percent, after dropping a seventh week.

Crude has to “stay lower for longer” if investment in shale is to be curtailed

$176. 15

$1.25

$2,914.00

$12.00

$14.93

$0.06

$51.43 $48. 99 CURRENCY

BUYING

DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

167 254.641 198.997 165.608 1.390 0.293 242.0204 26.843 44.501 25.738 239.394

$0.33 $1.06

CENTRAL 167.5 255.404 199.593 166.104 1.394 0.303 242.745 26.924 44.634 26.818 240.111

168 256.166 200.188 166.600 1.398 0.313 243.469 27.004 44.767 26.898 240.828

CBN Exchange Rate as 12/1/2015

to re-balance the global market, according to Goldman analysts. Prices need to return to $100 a barrel for economic equilibrium, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in Iran during a tour of Middle Eastern OPEC members.

“The price forecast cuts by both Goldman and Societe Generale reinforce

the fears that have driven us down to these levels,” Gene McGillian, a senior analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut, said by phone.

“We’re hunting for a bottom, but it’s anyone’s guess where that will be.”

Oil slumped almost 50 percent last year, the most since the 2008 financial crisis, amid a supply glut estimated by

Qatar at 2 million barrels a day. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is battling a U.S. shale boom by resisting production cuts, signaling it’s prepared to let prices fall to a level that slows American output that’s surged to the highest level in more than three decades.

WTI for February delivery declined $2.08, or 4.3 percent, to $46.28 a barrel at 10:13 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It touched $46.11, the lowest level since April 21, 2009.

Total volume was 44 percent above the 100-day average for the time of day.

Brent for February settlement dropped $2.29, or 4.6 percent, to $47.82 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The contract reached $47.61, the least since April 1, 2009. Volume for all futures traded was 52 percent higher than the 100-day average. The European benchmark crude traded at a $1.54 premium to WTI, the least since Oct. 16.

WTI will trade at $41 a barrel and Brent at $42 in three months, Goldman said in a report distributed today, citing excess U.S. storage capacity and predicting inventories will increase over the first half of this year. It also cut its price estimates for six and 12 months.

“To keep all capital sidelined and curtail investment in shale until the market has re-balanced, we believe prices need to stay lower for longer,” said Goldman analysts including Jeffrey Currie in New York. “The search for a new equilibrium in oil markets continues.”

Societe Generale reduced its average WTI price for this year to $51 a barrel from $65 in a Jan. 9 report from Michael Wittner, the bank’s New Yorkbased head of oil research. Brent will average $55 a barrel in 2015, down from a previous estimate of $70.

Nigeria drops to 4th position in global sorghum market

By Princewill Ekwujuru

N

IGERIA dropped to fourth po sition in global sorghum market in 2013 from number one in 2008. as local industries now operate at 40 percent capacity utilisation. Sorghum is a seed crop used in the manufacture of malt drinks, cereals, weaning formulas, biscuits etc.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Food Agro and Allied Industries Limited, a subsidiary of Sona Group, Nigeria, Sudhansu Sinha, while briefing the press to herald the 2015 business year. He spoke on Speaking on the sub-topic: ‘The banes to the growth of nascent malting industry, Sinha observed that the ban on importation of barley malt imposed by federal government in the late 1980s has been diluted under the influence of vested beneficiaries, thus resulting in free importation at very

low tariff which created the resulted effect on the economy.

He said that cheap barley and derivatives from Europe, where agriculture is heavily subsidized, and imported in huge quantities invariably affected the malt industry in Nigeria. Some of the companies in the industry, he said, have either closed or are producing at 40 percent capacity, as farmers divert interest to other crops for lack of market.

The he noted, has lead to lose of jobs or income and so on, as well as the decline of Nigeria to 4th position in the global sorghum market as at 2013.

The Managing Director also observed that cereal derivatives like malt extract, glucose, syrup etc, are being imported though better quality product is available in the country.

While citing the example of the drop in global petroleum prices, he pointed out that allocation of foreign

exchange for import to what is available in the country is wanton disregard to national interest.

He opined that the malting industry by its nature is an agricultural produce processing industry. “This sector of industry should have access to low interest fund for upgrading and improvement to reduce waste and improve product quality, build safe storage facilities for grains and make end-products cheaper for customers.

Sinha pointed out that using local resources eliminates use of foreign exchange to import similar or even some dubious products.

“Sorghum production is naturally suitable for Nigerian climate. Industries based on promoting the production and processing of this abundant agricultural produce apparently have no hindrance in working gainfully to contribute to the nation’s food security program and provide wholesome and nutritious food to the population.” he stated.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

It is pertinent to state that there are two acceptable reasons why anybody should not invest. The first is if the person has accepted poverty as his destiny. The second is if the person is dead. Besides these two reasons, you can invest no matter the condition

,

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

n the top 10 performing stocks last week were the shares of R.T Briscoe Plc, Redstar Express Plc, Presco Plc, Cadbury Nig. Plc and Cutix Plc. Others were Vono Products Plc, P.Z Industries Plc, John Holts Plc and National Salt Company Plc. R.T Briscoe led on the chart with 14.29 percent or N0.11 price appreciation to close at N0.88 f r o m N0.77 p e r share.

Last year, the company secured shareholders approval to raise additional N10 billion to support its operations. The shareholders also authorized an increase in the company’s share capital from N2 billion divided into 4.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to N3.25 billion divided 6.5 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

For the past two years, the company has been suffering from suffering from losses arising from high interest expenses. For instance, the 2 0 1 3 audited financial statements a n d accounts showed that the automobile and Real Estate Company posted loss before tax of N151.60 million, thereby consolidating the loss streak in 2012. The company had in 2012 recorded loss after tax of N228.50 million. However, with tax gains of N59.59 million in 2013, net loss after tax dropped from N280.72 million in 2012 to N92.02 million in 2013. The turnover also dropped from N21.98 billion in 2012 to N21.77 billion in 2013, while the gross profit slipped from N2.68 billion in 2012 to N2.56 billion. Similarly, the operating profit dropped from N941.78 million in 2012 to N801.81 million. However, the company’s finance expenses rose from N1.26 billion in 2012 to N1.47 billion in 2013. The depressed bottom-line also impacted on shareholders’ funds, which slipped from N3.13 billion in 2012 to N3.05 billion in 2012.

Also, as a result of the negative performance, value creation for shareholders had taken a downturn, which warranted a reduction of about 25 kobo in the underlying value of dividend paid in 2012 in contrast with dividend per share of 10 kobo received in

2011 and 2010 respectively.

The company did not pay any dividend in 2013 financial year, due to the negative bottom-line.

Redsatr Express followed far behind, rising by 6.60 percent or N0.26 to close at N4.20 from N3.90 per share. Just last week, the chairman of the company, Alhaji Mohammed Hassan Koguna, was honoured with the prestigious Pan-African Leadership Award by the African Students’ Union Parliament (ASUP) for exceptional leadership and committing resources to the development of Africa. The award is bestowed on outstanding leaders who have distinguished themselves and impacted humanity with regards to innovation, profitability, corporate social responsibility and sustainability of their organizations. It also recognizes individuals that have been influential and inspirational, and has overseen strong financial performance for his organization through leadership and vision, taking his institution to the next height in the industry. During 2013 financial year ended March 31, 2 0 1 4 , Redstar committed N206 million in terms of dividends to reward its shareholders, which amounted to 35 kobo per share. During the year, the company posted revenue growth of 21.2 percent from N5.293 billion in 2013 to N6.416 billion in 2014.

Presco gained 6.53 percent or N1.60 to close as the third top performer within the week. It started the week at N24.50 and closed at N26.10 per share.

Presco is one of the companies at the fore-front of campaign for withdrawal of 75 percent import duty waiver to crude palm oil importers. According to them, the 75 percent waiver could best be described as nailing the coffin of the local oil palm economy and burying it. Speaking to shareholders at the 21st Annual General Meeting, AGM, last year, the chairman, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck, had assured that the company has bright prospects and is contemplating a further expansion. He had assured that the company is poised to reap the benefits of the expansion programme undertaken in 2013. “Our performance in 2013 can be described as good.

INVESTORS Why you are not investing

By Babajide Komolafe

M

any people don’t invest and they have readily available reasons why they do not. Some of the most common reasons are: My income is too small; I have many responsibilities; my religion forbids investment; I don’t want to lose my money etc. But none of these and no reason for that matter can be an excuse for not investing. Why? The world is full of examples of people who invested despite these same reasons. It is

pertinent to state that there are two acceptable reasons why anybody should not invest. The first is if the person has accepted poverty as his destiny. The second is if the person is dead. Besides these two reasons, you can invest no matter the condition.

Remember our definition of investment. It is setting aside money or resources, so as to commit it into an activity that would increase the money or the value of the resources. The aim is to have more money or more

resources in the future. If you want to have more than what you have today, you must invest. If you want to have wealth or be rich you must save and invest. But if you have decided or accepted that poverty is your fate and destiny, oh, you don’t need to invest. Also it is pertinent to state that right from the time of the primitive society, it is investment made by some people that has been sustaining mankind and facilitates the comfort and convenience we all enjoy today. Imagine if farmers

MARKET NEWS

NSE activity turns positive helped by blue chips gains Stories by Nkiruka Nnorom

A

ctivities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, yesterday returned to the green zone after three days of continuous decline last week.

The upward movement was attributed to gains recorded by the shares of oil exploration and producing giant, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria, UBN Plc, National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCo) and Dangote Cement Plc. Consequently, the twin measurement indicators – the All Share Index, ASI, and the Market capitalization – rose by 0.3 percent each.

While the All Share Index rose to 30,234.72 points from 30,143.02 points, the market capitalization jumped to N10.010 trillion from the previous 9N9.979 trillion on Friday.

At the end of transaction, 18

gainers emerged as against 16 gainers in the day.

The shares of Seplat Plc led on the gainers’ table rising by five percent at the close of trading to close at N315.00, while UBN appreciated by 4.99 percent to close at N8.42 from N8.02 per share.

NAHCo followed with share price increase of 4.92 percent to close at N5.12 from N4.88 per share; Dangote Cement witnessed 4.88 percent increase to close at N166.40 from N158.65, while Pharmadeko closed as the last on top five gainers, rising by 4.67 percent to N2.24 from N2.14 per share.

On the other hand, Julius Berger led on the Laggards’ side, dropping by 9.75 percent to close at N46.95 from N52.02, while NEM Insurance, National Salt Company, NASCON Plc and Nestle Plc lost five

percent apiece to close at N0.57, N6.08 and N812.25 from N0.60, N6.40 and N855.00 in that order.

Glaxosmithkline was the last on the top five losers’ chart, losing 4.98 percent to close at N40.66 from N42.79 per share.

Meanwhile, the Debt Management Office (DMO) released the first quarter provisional bond issuance calendar in the past week. .

Vetiva Capital stated that the calendar suggests issuances could rise to as much as N305billion in Q1’2015 – a potential 67% QoQ and 15% Year on Year, YoY increase.

According to Vetiva, “The increase in borrowings could be associated with the need to bridge a potentially wider fiscal deficit given the pressure on government revenues. If the trend is maintained, the 2015 fiscal deficit could widen to 100 per cent of 2015 GDP, slightly higher than the 0.79% estimated in the budget

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 23

,

FORUM consume all the harvest of a particular year? The result would be famine, hunger and death.

My income is too small. This is why many people don’t invest. They believe in investment but they want to wait till they start earning big income. The reality, however, is that investment is something you do, not because you have big income but because you want to achieve a purpose and you are ready to discipline yourself to do it.

That is why when you survey the population of people who don’t invest, you would find people with low income as well as people with high income. Also if you survey the population of those who invest, you would find both low and high income people. What makes somebody with low income to save and invest why somebody with high income is not? It is purpose and sacrifice.

Your income maybe small but if your think of how you would survive if that income should stop, either by way of job loss, permanent disability due to accident, or an emergency that your monthly income cannot cope with, you would begin to save and invest. Your

income may be small but if you desire to increase your income in the future, you would invest. Once you consider these factors, you would decide to invest, and you would make up your mind to make the necessary sacrifice.

And sacrifice is the key word.

Occasionally, I observe how low income people patronise bear parlours, spending N150 or more on a bottle of beer.

These are the same people who will complain that their income is too small to invest.

Yet in a year, they unconsciously spend more than N10, 000 on beers, pepper soup, cigarettes and other frivolous things. No! The real reason why they don’t invest is not that their income is small; it is that they don’t want to sacrifice.

proposal.

Stretching losses from the last sessions of 2014, equities kicked off 2015 on a bearish note as continued declines across weighty sectors further weighed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE All Share Index, ASI. With crude oil prices taking a further hit during the week (Brent: Below $50/bbl intraday mid-week), the sell-offs accelerated with the ASI shedding over four per cent in the first two consecutive sessions. Despite, a positive turnaround in the Consumer Goods and

Financial Services sectors at week close, the ASI recorded further losses Friday due to sustained sell-offs in Industrial Goods. Overall, the index lost 13 % Week on Week , WoW to record its worst year start performance ever.

“Noting softening losses in the last sessions of the past week and the first positive market breadth in eight sessions, we expect the ASI to close in the positive in the next trading sessions as investors re-enter the market to take advantage of attractive market valuations” Vetiva stated

There is a saying that, it is the man that has eaten full that spends money to take pictures. It is good to enjoy some moment of relaxation, but is should not be at the expense of securing your future financially. You should not be spending money on frivolities when you have not ensured that you have put something aside to secure your tomorrow.

Remember the future belongs to those who prepare for it. (Please send comment or inquiries to vanguarinvestorsforum@gmail.com )

Experts forsee low debt issue by corporates in 2015

F

INANCIAL experts have projected low activity in the corporate bonds market in the New Year.

Analysts at BGL made this projection in their research work, “Nigeria Economic Reviews and Outlook 2015”, saying that rather, there will be increasing banks’ syndication to large corporate within the year.

However, they said that the federal and state governments expected to increase issue in 2015 on high spending and constrained revenue outlay, adding that the poise of the new Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s governor would increase interest in sovereign bonds within the year.

They observed that since the size of the Nigerian bond market is 12 percent of GDP, there still exists huge room for the market to expand.

The reality, however, is that investment is something you do not because you have big income but because you want to achieve a purpose and you are ready to discipline yourself to do it. That is why when you survey the population of people who don’t invest, you would find people with low income as well as people with high income

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Shareholders share concerns for investemnet climate in 2015

By Providence Obuh

E

xpectations for 2015 have risen for Shareholders who have investments in the Nigerian Capital Market as they expect to get better dividend.

However, hopes have been dashed as a result of economic and political issues spanning from Naira devaluation, recapitalisation of stock broking houses, the forth coming elections and others.

Shareholders in this interview said they are sad that things will move at a slow pace, while others said they are sad because their bonuses and dividend expectation may not be meet.

Excerpt: Alh. Gbadebo latokunbo: Shareholders Activist

T

he way things are in Nigerian economy, we cannot say the capital market is going to be rosy, though there were lots of things which were lined up for 2015 but unfortunately the economy is not helping it and without the economy being buoyant, activities in the economy’s parameter is always down. We have not been taking care of our economy, all we do is spend we don’t keep for the rainy day and planning well for the future. Rainy day is every year, future is a long period, planning for a short term does not help a nation, it does not even help a human being not to talk of a nation, your plan has to be a long term plan and we have not been doing that for long but if you dwell so much on that they will think you are a politician but that is not it. The truth is that we have failed in planning for long term and even the short term was not fully digested and when you have opinion and you voice it they just look at you and question your pedigree and ask whether you belong to this or that, they give it a name forgetting that Nigeria belongs to all of us. My position for the capital market as at this first quarter is very bleak and I pray things turnaround. I cannot say much but the capital market prediction right now is bleak because the economy is nose diving. In Nigeria we don’t like the truth, whoever says the truth is the enemy of the day but they have forgotten that we are all

Olatokunbo Nigerians we have no other country than Nigeria, even if I go to Britain or America and leave there for 20 0r 40 years am still a Nigerian.

Without the economy being buoyant, there are so many things you have to put in ambiance, I supported the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, by asking the stock brokers to bring up their capital base but with the situation there is nothing anybody can do and am happy that all heads were put together to say that the reality of the situation is to relax. Once you are in this kind of situation that we are now as a nation, you cannot ask for new increase on things. It is a good decision

by extending it, you cannot do otherwise because things are terrible for our country economically. It is a pity because I was thinking I will get a lot of dividend this year but the way things are, I am sad that instead of us making progress in this country, we take one foot forward and three feet back.

We are going to 100 years as an independent nation and we are still where we are. All the Asian countries that were in the same bracket have gone further than us economically, they are even manufacturing things and sending to us, we are still where we are, where will we go from here and God so blessed Nigeria that we have every natural resources that you can think of. We are the best of the creator, we have manpower and people who have brain but we cannot utilize what God gave to us.

If I say am happy am lying because am really sad about the whole situation that we are still in this position despite all that God gave to us both in human and natural resources. With all we have, we are not supposed to suffer as a country. I don’t know what I will get this year, for some years we have not gotten dividend, we just got out of that mess but see what we are in again, God will forgive Nigeria I think we have sinned to God may God forgive Nigeria.

Mr. Godwin Anono: Chairman, Nigeria Professional Shareholders Association of Nigeria should be considered

A

nother thing is that as the authorities have raised the bar on recapitalization, the stock broking firms are also trying to raise the bar on how much people will pay to become their client which is what I don’t fancy, they are supposed to be in position of encouraging small buyers.

The market will rise again and those who are lagging behind now will then start buying at a higher price.

When you look at the banking sector government intervention, the CBN is dragging the banks here and there and that is where you start looking at the sector to be of a little bit dicey to put in money because the qualities are somersaulting everyday, they can just wake up with one rule. NAICOM is trying to clean their book and these are things that

before buying shares.

For 2015, what I see in the market in the first four months is that capital appreciation will come in at a slow pace, by the fifth month things will move up in terms of capital appreciation and elections would have been over and people will start settling down to invest and price would have moved.

By June foreigners would have started coming because they have tested the Nigerian market.

Anono

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

JANUARY 13, 2015

Falling prices: Nigeria oil revenue dips by N77bn

By Michael Eboh

C

ONTINUOUS decline in the price of crude oil has caused Nigeria to lose as much as N77.2 billion from oil revenue in one month, according to data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Specifically, the CBN in its October 2014 Economic Report, disclosed that oil revenue for the month dropped by 14.11 per cent to N470 billion from N547.2 billion recorded a month before. similarly, non-oil revenue also declined by N11.1 billion or 3.9 per cent from N284.6 billion in September 2014 to N273.5 billion in October.

As a result, gross federallycollected revenue depreciated by 10.6 per cent or N88.2 billion from N831.8 billion in September to N743.6 billion in October.

Giving a breakdown of gross oil revenue components for October, the CBN stated that crude oil/gas sales dropped to N117.8 billion from N160.4 billion recorded in the previous month, while domestic crude oil/gas sale appreciated by N6 billion or 6.4 per cent to N99.6 billion from N93.6 billion recorded in September.

Petroleum Profit Tax, PPT/ Royalties, according to the CBN, also dipped by N25.5 billion or 9.19 per cent to N251.9 billion in October, from N277.4 billion recorded in the previous month.

The CBN attributed the drop in the country’s oil revenue to a decline in crude oil and gas exports receipts due to the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market.

The CBN said, “At N470.04 billion, gross oil receipts, which constituted 63.2 per cent of the total revenue, was lower than both the monthly budget estimate and the preceding month by 21.3 and 14.1 per cent, respectively.

“The decline in oil receipts relative to the monthly budget estimate was attributable to fall in receipts from crude oil and gas exports due to the fall in the price of crude oil in the international market.”

Continuing, the CBN said that of the gross federallycollected revenue, about N457.12 billion less all deductions and transfers was transferred to the Federation

Account for distribution among the three tiers of government and the 13 per cent Derivation Fund.

According to the CBN, the Federal Government received

N217.77 billion; the state and local governments received N110.46 billion and N85.16 billion, respectively, while the balance of N43.73 billion was distributed to the oil-

producing states as 13 per cent Derivation Fund.

“From the Value Added Tax (VAT) Pool Account, the Federal Government received N9.37 billion, while the state

Oil exploration rig

and local governments received N31.25 billion and N21.87 billion, respectively,” the CBN added.

A further analysis of activities in the oil sector during the period in review, the CBN put Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, at an average of 2.0 million barrels per day (mbd) or 62 million barrels for the month.

This, the CBN said, was 0.05 mbd or 2.4 per cent lower than the 2.05 mbd or 61.50 million barrels produced in the preceding month.

The CBN said, “Crude oil export was estimated at 1.55 mbd or 48.05 million barrels for the month. This represented a decline of 3.1 per cent below the level recorded in the previous month. Deliveries to the refineries for domestic consumption remained at 0.45 mbd or 13.95 million barrels in the review month.

At an estimated average of US$88.78 per barrel, the price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light (37º API), fell by 9.9 per cent below the level in the preceding month.”

FG’s threats over metering bounce off DISCOs

By Chris Ochayi

I

T is yet unclear how it will do it, but the Federal Government has again threatened to sanction forthwith any defaulting company, as it expressed dissatisfaction over the level of meter deployment by electricity distribution companies, DISCOs. Similar warnings had been issued in the past but could not bring about much change, as majority of electricity consumers remain at the mercy of estimated billing, and no DISCO has been sanctioned for any misdemeanour.

This time around, the government claimed it is not happy with this ugly trend in spite of the Credited Advancement Payment Metering Initiatives, CAPMI, and demanded that DISCOs used this moratorium period to improve on their meter deployment.

It however, pledged to intervene in providing supplementary metering to electricity consumers to improve electricity supply services in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who disclosed this last week in Abuja, during a press briefing on the implementation of the new tariff, said NERC froze the new payment for 80 percent consumers who are domestic consumers.

Amadi, who responded to the issues of adequate consumer metering said with the completion of the tariff review, the 11 Discos are under pressure to consider metering as a matter of urgency. He added that the federal government will also intervene by providing a supplementary metering plan within six months.

He said, “It is really about metering more consumers and

government is looking forward to having supplementary support with the framework for a c o n s u m e r - b a s e d supplementary metering; there will be much more clarity from government on that soon…”

Amadi explained that the approved revised Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2.1) came into effect on January 1, adding that a major highlight is “is a six-month freeze on the increase for residential consumers, who constitute about 80 percent of the electricity consumers (known in the industry as R2 customer class) in the country.”

Stating the reason for the freeze, he said, “Let me state upfront, and for the sake of clarity that NERC has not increased tariff for residential consumers for now. While the increase will apply to other classes of consumers, it will not affect residential consumers until after June 2015.”

He said the freeze was designed primarily to protect and to promote the interests of the consumers as well as stimulate operators to serve customers better.

It is anticipated that the privatised electricity Discos, through the incentive, will improve power supply and be more responsive to the needs and complaints of their customers, especially on metering.

While stating that the six months holiday was a way of granting rest to majority consumers while the system improved, he said “the Discos are not happy about the phased approach adopted by NERC as they cannot recoup their growing and unanticipated costs that may affect them in the short run.

“Our expectation is that by the time the full MYTO 2.1 tariff begins to apply to residential consumers, both supply and service delivery would have improved significantly,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 25

Power sector below expectation, says LCCI

By Sebastine Obasi

T

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCC1, said the power sector performed below expectations in 2014, as evident in the deterioration of public power supply in the year gone by.

The Chamber’s President, Alhaji Remi Bello, stated in his 2014 Economic Report that electricity supply dropped by an average of 30 percent in most industrial parts and households in the last six months of 2014. He also said that despite the progress made so far on the power sector reform, particularly on the privatisation of the sector, the power situation continues to pose severe challenges to business owners.

According to him, there were complaints across all sectors about high energy costs especially high expenditure on diesel during the year, stressing that this continues to take its toll on the bottom line of investors in the economy.

He tasked the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to urgently address the growing concerns over the outrageous bills to consumers, much of which are not consistent with the earlier advertised billing template.

He said, “In 2014, most

firms especially the SMEs expressed concern over increases in their electricity bill. Most SMEs spend as much as 10 percent of their monthly turnover on payment for public power supply alone.

Often, these firms never get the power supply they are compelled to pay for. Again, we reiterate our position that the policy of fixed charge by electricity firms should be reviewed as it is unfair to power consumers.”

He also expressed concern

that the delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, remained the greatest encumbrance for the industry adding that there is uncertainty as to when the bill will finally be passed by the National Assembly. According to him, increasing divestment of International Oil Companies’ assets is creating a large pool of indigenous players, stressing that marginal fields and operators are also expanding.

“An estimated 300,000bpd

worth of equity in onshore was divested by the IOCs by the end of 2014, and over 22 oil blocks are involved. Shell, which is the leading IOC in the new wave of divestments, is at the moment concluding divestment from OMLs 18, 29, 25 and 24. This is creating new opportunities for indigenous players in the oil and gas industry,” he added.

S

EPLAT Petroleum’s gross crude oil output hit a skid a day before the end of 2014, plunging to 36,064 Barrels of Oil per Day (BOPD) on December 31, from 73,745BOPD just a day earlier. By January 6, 2015, Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil company was producing a mere 204BOPD. Vandals had hacked into the Trans Forcado Pipeline (TFP) as they had done time and again. The Oben, Amukpe and Sapele stations (in OMLs 38 and 41) were shut down on December 30, 2014, “due to reported leak on the Kantu/Ofugbene/Yeye axis of the 28 inch TFP,” Africa Oil & Gas, quotes technical reports.

Production was also down to 1,200BOPD and zero respectively at the NPDC operated OMLs 26 and 42 as of January 6, 2015. The leak that led to these reductions happened at the Chanomi axis of the same Trans Forcados Pipeline.

It is instructive that First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, a subsidiary of Afren Plc, holds 45% equity in OML 26. So much trouble in a long dry season.

Seplat had prepared for this kind of eventuality. The company completed a new alternative export route, “which mitigates sole reliance on exports via the Trans Forcados System,” in the second quarter of 2014.

Algeria to invest $70bn in shale gas

A Electricity plant

Chevron seeks collaboration for Niger Delta development C

HEVRON Nigeria Limited, CNL, operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has reiterated the importance of partnership to the growth of businesses in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.

The Chairman and Managing Director of CNL, Mr. Clay Neff, made the comment recently in Washington at the maiden Niger-Delta Development Forum, NDDF, hosted by the Niger Delta Partnership Initiatives, NDPI. The partnership is a Chevronsupported foundation working to develop new solutions to economic and social challenges in the region.

A statement from the General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, CNL, Mr. Deji Haastrup, said the forum was attended by the private and public sectors, NGOs and government representatives from Nigeria and the Unites States of America.

Seplat enters 2015 running low

He explained that a part of the Forum’s mandate is to explore collaborative efforts for creating long-term economic stability for the Niger Delta.

Neff spoke on the topic: “Partnering to Grow Business in the Niger Delta,” which was moderated by the Vice President of the Corporate Council on Africa, CCA, Ambassador Robert Perry.

Neff was quoted as stressing the importance of partnership between the public and private sectors for the growth of business in the Niger Delta, adding that such a partnership must be mutually beneficial and should entail extensive dialogue with all stakeholders.

He said, “I believe that public and private sector entities should seek mutually beneficial solutions, and at Chevron we are interested in all the solutions available for the economic and social

development of the Niger Delta.

“Chevron has seen firsthand the importance of working with people closely and building solutions where they feel very much a part of the process. It never works to simply ram things through, nothing lasts that way.”

He commended NDPI and the Nigerian sister organisation Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND, for the quality of the projects they have executed so far and the passion of the team to the development of the Niger Delta area.

He described the PIND/ NDPI seed grant of $50m followed by $40m made available for 2015 to 2019, as an investment in economic development in the Niger Delta.

The panelists included the President and Chief Executive Officer of Initiative for Global Development, IGD,

Mr. Mima Nedelcovych; and Chief Executive Officer of Greenpark Petrochemical, Mr. Uwa Igiehon.

As part of effort to encourage young people to go into agriculture, the Executive Director, PIND, Mr. Sam Daibo, said the foundation has been making agriculture attractive to youths through enlightenment campaigns focusing on the many opportunities in the agriculture value chains.

“It’s not just about going to the farm and planting cassava. You can be the one who supplies the fingerlings for fisheries, or tractors and land clearing services. Agriculture isn’t just one thing. It’s an entire value chain with very real potential to see high income generation for young people,” Daibo added.

LGERIA’S state-owned energy giant Sonatrach plans to invest at least $70 billion over the next 20 years to exploit shale gas in the southern desert, its managing director said.

The firm intends to press ahead with its plans despite huge public opposition in the In Salah area of the central Sahara where successful test drilling was announced last month, Said Sahnoun told state radio.

Sonatrach hopes to produce some 20 billion cubic metres (700 billion cubic feet) of shale gas per year from 200 drill sites, Sahnoun said.Schools, businesses and public offices in In Salah have closed since the start of the year to demonstrate their concerns about the environmental consequences, the French-language Liberte newspaper reported.

In order to extract shale gas, a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals is blasted deep underground to release hydrocarbons trapped between layers of rock.Environmentalists argue that the process — known as fracking, or hydraulic fracturing technology — may contaminate ground water and even cause small earthquakes.

Sahnoun acknowledged that Sonatrach could have done more to allay public concerns but insisted they were unfounded.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

JANUARY 13, 2015

By Gabriel Ewepu

Oil companies distribute 277m litres of petroleum products

E

NVIRONMENT group, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, has lauded the recent agreement by the Shell Petroleum Development Company to pay Bodo community N16 billion for crude oil spills of 2008/2009.

The Director, HOMEF, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, described the move as a welcome development and congratulated the Bodo people and all stakeholders involved in reaching the agreement.

He however described the compensation as inadequate compared to the damage caused by the spill over the years.

He said: “Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, welcomes the agreement by Shell, to pay a penalty of about 55 million Pounds Sterling (about N16bn) to 15, 600 Bodo fishermen and community for the massive crude oil spills of 2008/2009.

“It is welcome news for a new year loaded with violence and other unpalatable news. We congratulate the Bodo people and all who worked on this case.

“When compared to what polluting oil companies pay elsewhere for their ecological crimes, HOMEF sees the compensation which will amount to about N600,000 for each of the plaintiffs with the balance going for community projects – school blocks and health centres - as inadequate for the severity of damage

T

•Gas production facility

Oil spill: Group welcomes Shell N16bn compensation … Says amount is inadequate for damages done.”

Bassey also expressed concern over the loss of livelihood of Bodo fishermen, as the river they used to fish were deeply polluted by hydrocarbons generated by the spill.

“The fishermen cannot hope to return to fishing in the Bodo Rivers and creeks because of the depth of hydrocarbon pollution

resulting from the oil spills.

Although the amount being offered each fisherman is better than the pittance that Shell initially offered to pay. But this can hardly purchase a good fishing boat and equipment necessary to return to the fishing business that the people know best that is if they chose to move to other communities

Eland Oil & Gas ends 2014 with 31,500 barrels sales E LAND Oil & Gas said it ended the 2014 financial year with success by selling 31,500 barrels of Brent crude.

The Aberdeen, Scotlandbased company, said the oil, which was loaded and sold by its Nigerian joint venture company, Elcrest, fetched an average price of $94.93 a barrel.

The oil was extracted from Eland’s only commercially producing field, the OML 40 field in the Niger Delta, where it began production earlier in the year.

The quantity was the final loading and sale by the Nigerian-focused Eland for the year, which sold a total of 115,722 barrels of crude oil in the past year at an average price of $103.77.

Eland Chief Executive, Mr. George Maxwell, said: “Eland has had a successful end to 2014, culminating in our most recent operational updates. The company is moving from strength to strength and is well prepared and financed for our 2015 programme.”

The crude sale by Eland came shortly after the company secured a $22m (£14m) loan facility from Standard Chartered.

Eland said the funding signalled a vote of confidence in its key OML 40 licence at a time when the price of oil is

plummeting. The facility will be used by the company to fund work on the Nigerian acreage.

AIM-listed Eland has mandated Standard Chartered Bank to coordinate work on securing a $75m lending facility it wants to have in place by the year end. Shares in Eland edged up 0.25p to close at 66p.

LNG tanker stranded offshore Nigeria

By Michael Eboh

A

165,000 cubic meter capacity Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, vessel, yesterday, ran aground offshore Nigeria after loading petroleum products from the Bonny Island export terminal.

Traders told Reuters that the vessel, Magellan Spirit tanker, owned by Teekay LNG Partners, ran aground trying to leave the port bound for South Korea.

The owners of the vessel

could not be reached for immediate comment, while the marketers disclosed that the troubled tanker is not expected to disrupt inbound or outbound tanker traffic from Bonny Island as it was not blocking the shipping channel.

The traders expressed concern over how the owner of the cargo, trading house Vitol, will be affected, saying that the company might have to seek a replacement cargo on the open market.

with cleaner waters in which to fish.

“Sadly, although the Bodo pollution also damaged the Goi community waters that community continues to languish in abject neglect without remedy,” he said.

Meanwhile, a member of HOMEF’s International Advisory Board, Mr. George Awudi, said it was victory for oil bearing communities, because they can also come up to make case and get justice for the devastation done by oil companies.

“Since the oil companies do not respect fines imposed on them by Nigerian regulatory agencies, or even the National Assembly, this decision should encourage other communities to bring up cases against Shell and other oil companies operating in the Nigeria, Ghana and other countries,” Awudi added.

However, HOMEF decried recent political campaigns in the country for not having concern for the environment and those suffering as a result, “Payment of compensation and building of schools and clinics will not by any means reduce the demand for an urgent clean-up of the Ogoni environment.

“Three and a half years after the UNEP report the Ogoni people are still waiting for concrete clean up action.

HOMEF regrets that in the ongoing political campaigns the political parties do not pay any attention to the severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta and the rest of the nation. A safe environment is a foundational basis for human survival.”

By Olajide Ojo

HE Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Retail Limited and independent petroleum products marketing companies distributed about 276.90 million litres of various petroleum products in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in September 2014.

According to the NNPC Monthly Petroleum Information for the month of September 2014, the petroleum products distribution shows a decrease of about 72.47 million litres or 20.74 per cent when compared with the a total of 349.37 million litres distributed in August 2014.

The report disclosed that independent marketing companies distributed 176.37 million litres, representing 63.69 per cent of the total, while the NNPC Retail Limited distributed 100.53 million litres, representing 36.31 per cent of the total sales.

Distribution by product shows that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) had the highest figure of 195.62 million litres (70.65%) of the total reflecting average daily sales of 6.52million litres.

Investors brace for turbulence amid oil price falls, Eurozone debt

I

NVESTORS are bracing for more turbulence in financial markets, with further falls in oil prices expected and uncertainty to linger over the future of indebted Eurozone nations, and the United States’ gradual move towards higher interest rates.

Australian shares are tipped to fall 0.7 per cent when trading resumes this week, according to the SPI Futures.

Weighing on market sentiment was Friday’s selloff on Wall Street as investors honed in on news of weaker wages growth that overshadowed a strongerthan-expected jobs report.

Worries about the upcoming Greek election and political instability, coupled with anaemic growth in Europe and Japan, also weighed on the minds of traders.

Brent crude dipped below $US50 ($61.50) a barrel for the first time in five years, prompting many fund managers to cite oil price weakness as one of the biggest risks to asset performance in 2015.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 27

Global upstream M&A increases despite oil falls — Report

By Sebastine Obasi

D

ESPITE a late-year plunge in crude oil prices, robust merger and acquisition activity (M&A) in the first 10 months of the year fueled an increase in the total transaction value.

Global upstream oil and gas M&A deals in 2014, rose 23 percent to $173 billion, said Colorado, United Statesbased IHS, a leading source of information, insight and analytics in critical areas that shape today ’s business landscape.

The report said that the rebound in 2014 transaction value is particularly noteworthy for the industry after transaction value for global upstream oil and gas M&A deals fell by almost half during 2013 to $140 billion, the lowest level since the 2008 recession. In 2013, rather than shopping for deals, oil and gas companies shifted their focus to developing their vast inventories of previously acquired reserves, resources and acreage. ”The uncertainty caused by the severe decline in oil prices during the final two months of 2014 nearly brought deal

activity to a standstill,” said Christopher Sheehan, director of energy M&A research at IHS. According to him, “Buyers and sellers are having difficulty reaching a consensus because of the oil price tumble, which is causing significant uncertainty for the industry. However, transformative acquisition opportunities typically arise at the bottom of the crude price cycle, so Repsol’s late-year

agreement to acquire Talisman Energy may be the tip of the iceberg for corporate consolidation if crude prices remain depressed throughout 2015.

The deal may foreshadow further consolidation in the oil and gas industry.”

Another significant change in 2014 upstream M&A activity was a plunge

•Petroleum products storage facilities

FMC Technologies to provide subsea equipment for Chevron’s Agbami 3

By Ediri Ejoh with Agency Report

A

leading global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry, FMC Technologies

has received an order from Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited (a subsidiary of Chevron), operator of the Agbami field, to provide subsea equipment for operations in the field, offshore in the

Iran to help stem oil price fall

I

RAN’S supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that the country is backing coordinated action between Tehran and Caracas to reverse a rapid fall in global oil prices which he described as a “political ploy hatched by common enemies”.

Khamenei disclosed this to the Venezuela’s president, President Nicholas Maduro, who is on a tour of fellow OPEC countries to lobby for higher oil prices, which hit new lows last week below $50 per barrel, nearly half of what they were back in June 2014.

The plunge in crude prices has pummelled the public finances of Iran and Venezuela, whose economies rely heavily on oil exports.

“The strange drop in oil prices in such a short time is a political ploy and unrelated to the market. Our common enemies are using oil as a political ploy and they definitely have a role in this severe fall in prices,” Khamenei said in talks with Maduro. “(Khamenei) endorsed an agreement

between the presidents of Iran and Venezuela for a coordinated campaign against the slide in oil prices”, the official IRNA news agency said.

Venezuela’s economy contracted in the first three quarters of 2014 and its international reserves have deteriorated sharply due to the tumbling oil prices.

The decline has spurred concerns that Venezuela may default on its foreign bonds, which in turn has pushed its bond yields to the highest of any emerging market nation. Maduro has denied his country will default.

Earlier on Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said OPEC hawks Iran and Venezuela “can undoubtedly cooperate to thwart world powers’ strategies ... and to stabilise prices at a reasonable level in 2015".

Already hit by global sanctions over its suspected nuclear programme, Iran has been particularly frustrated by the failure of OPEC countries - led by its arch regional rival Saudi Arabia - to cut output to ease the existing glut in the oil market.

country.

Speaking on the benefit of the contract, Senior Vice President, FMC Technologies, Tore Halvorsen, said it will provide additional production and help to extend the life of deepwater development.

“FMC Technologies has supported the Agbami field development for several years, so the new contract will help to provide additional production and help extend the life of this deepwater development.”

“The Agbami field is located 70 nautical miles (113 km) off the coast of the central Niger Delta region, at a water depth of approximately 4,800 feet (1,463 m).The parties in the Agbami field include Famfa Oil Limited, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, PetróleoBrasileiro Nigeria Limited (Petrobras), Statoil Nigeria Limited (Statoil), and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).”

“FMC Technologies designs, manufactures and services technologically sophisticated systems and products such as subsea production and processing systems, surface wellhead systems, high pressure fluid control equipment, measurement solutions, and marine loading systems for the oil and gas industry.”

in acquisitions by Asian and Caspian regional national oil companies, NOCs. Asian and Caspian regional NOCs were buyers in half of the 10 largest deals in 2013, but none of these companies were buyers in the 10 largest deals in 2014. Seven of the 10 largest worldwide deals involved North American-based exploration and production companies as either buyer or seller in transactions that each exceeded $2 billion.

The report also stated that the value of overseas acquisitions by Chinese NOCs fell steeply in 2014 to less than $3 billion from $20 billion in 2013.

However, private Chinese financial and industrial conglomerates emerged as more active buyers in the global M&A market. And the Chinese NOCs reached large, forward-sale oil and gas supply agreements worth tens of billions of dollars with Russia, highlighting the strengthening of ties between Asian NOCs and Russia as sanctions reduce western investment.

Western integrated oil companies, such as Royal Dutch Shell, which divested approximately $15 billion in worldwide upstream assets in 2014, were among the most active global market sellers during the year.

Meanwhile, Middle Eastern NOCs increased their overseas acquisition spending.

The report did not include Oando Energy Resources acquisition of the Nigerian upstream oil and gas business of United States-based ConocoPhillips for a total cash consideration of $1.5 billion after customary adjustments plus a deferred consideration of $33 million.

According to IHS energy M&A research, worldwide deal count (which includes both asset deals and corporate deals) rose 4 percent in 2014, but remained well below the 10-year high in 2012. The number of worldwide asset transactions climbed by 4 percent in 2014, reversing the almost 10 percent decline in the prior year, noted IHS. The corporate deal count rose only marginally from the 10-year low in 2013.

Large-scale corporate consolidation was relatively absent for the second consecutive year, with only three corporate transactions above $5 billion in 2014, including Repsol’s $15.5 billion takeover agreement for Talisman. The report explained that global spending on unconventional assets in 2014 increased substantially to more than $70 billion, after plunging by nearly 50 percent in 2013 to approximately $45 billion. However, this total was almost 20 percent below the peak of $85 billion in 2012.

It stated that the United States represented nearly 50 percent of global upstream oil and gas transaction value in 2014. According to the report, four of the top-five largest U.S. deals targeted unconventional resources, led

by Encana’s $7.8 billion acquisition of Midland Basin private producer, Athlon Energy. Total U.S. transaction value rose strongly from the five-year low in 2013, with corporate deal value nearly quadrupling from a 10-year low, while asset deal value increased by one-third.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

By Kingsley Adegboye

C

ornerstone Real Estate Ltd (COREL), one of the pioneer real estate development firms in Nigeria which commenced business 27 years ago has unfolded plans to complete the phase 2 of its five-acre residential estate located at the Ikeja end of Oregun Road and that the incentives will be open to early subscribers to housing types in the second phase of the housing project. The phase 1 comprising 12 units of various duplexes has been occupied with just one unit available for reallocation.

The phase 2 which consists of 14 units of various duplex types comprises two units of three-bedroom detached houses with one boys’ quarters, six units of four-bedroom semidetached houses with one room boys’ quarters, and six units of three-bedroom terrace houses.

According to Mr. Lanre Okupe, Managing Director, Cornerstone Real Estate Ltd while briefing journalists on the project, said each duplex which sits on an approximate land area of between 350 square metres and 400 square metres comprising four bedrooms which are all en-suite consists of ground floor space which includes the entrance lobby, foyer, main living room, dining, kitchen, visitors’ toilet and ensuite guest room.

Mr. Okupe who disclosed that his company has so far delivered 10 residential housing estates across Lagos metropolis and won several awards for delivering qualitative housing projects, added that the first floor space area includes the family lounge with balcony, two bedrooms

•Buildings under construction at Phase 2, Cornerstone Estate, Oregu last week.

Developer unfolds plans to complete Oregun Estate zWoos prospective buyers with incentives and the master’s bedroom all en-suite, spacious living and dining areas with exquisite wood work, well finished wardrobes and kitchen cabinet as well as P.O.P. ceiling. He said it also comprises stainless steel aluminum railings.

Explaining the procedures for the purchase of the housing types, Cornerstone Real Estate boss said “while installment payment is allowed, there is

however, an opportunity for the first five buyers to purchase the units at a 20 per cent discount off the actual price of N85 million and N75 million at this promotional period for detached duplex and terrace.

Duplex will sell at N68 million each and terrace will sell at N60 million each if the buyer is paying outright. An allottee that makes outright payment on any of the units would enjoy

the discount while an allottee who pays 30 per cent deposit and the balance paid within 180 days will qualify for N10 million discount”, he stated.

Mr. Okupe who noted that the five- acre estate is covered by a registered Deed of Conveyance, added that allottees shall however receive Deed of Sub-Lease as evidence of their title to their respective units.

FHA pledges to collaborate with NBRRI on use of local building materials

By Jude Njoku

T

he Federal Housing Authority, FHA has pledged to collaborate with the Nigeria Building and Roads Research Institute, NBRRI in its (FHA) quest to adopt the use of local building materials as a way of making housing affordable to the millions of homeless Nigerians.

FHA’s new Managing Director, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin made this known in Abuja on the resumption of his tour of FHA’s housing estates in the Federal Capital Territory.

Professor Al-Amin, said his team was in a hurry to have quick wins that would translate into easier access to home ownership for the teeming homeless Nigerians, adding that an immediate area of concern was how to make the Authority’s houses more affordable for the people.

He said he was disturbed by the large number of completed but unsold houses in FHA estates nationwide

hence he plans to adopt new strategies for the marketing of its products to ensure accelerated sales.

According to him, that step had become imperative for the Authority to quickly release frozen assets for use in developing new estates.

Particularly, he said FHA would explore the window of proxy marketing which he said had proved to be a more effective sales mechanism in other countries.

Professor Al-Amin, accompanied on the tour by members of the Authority’s Interim Management Team (IMT) said his team was not satisfied with the number of houses delivered by the Authority in over 40 years of its existence and was working towards improving the record.

To achieve that objective, the Managing Director said he had set up five task teams to review various aspects of the Authority’s operations with a view to identifying challenges and preferring solutions to them.

At Apo Housing Estate which is being handled by direct construction by the Authority and in partnership with ENL Consortium Limited, Professor Al-Amin expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done so far but stressed the need to complete the estate in good time to help solve the crushing housing problems in the FCT. AT the Gwarimpa II Estate, the FHA chief executive noted with dismay that the estate was fast veering away from the ideal of being Abuja’s model city.

He said stern measures would be adopted in the coming weeks to restore the estate to its original model status.

The FHA boss and members of his team also visited the Lugbe Housing Estate where he expressed dismay that the sprawling estate had become an urban planning nightmare and promised that efforts would be made to ameliorate some of the identified challenges of the estate.

Speaking further on the company’s site at Ofada, he said the company has a 50-acre residential estate in Ofada area of Ogun State which is divided into phases 1 and 2. According to him, the phase 1 is a developed 15-acre land while the phase 2 is an undeveloped 35-acre land, explaining that the phase 1 has 10 units of three-bedroom bungalows with 14 vacant serviced plots available at N2 million per plot.

He said the bungalows are of two types, pointing out the bigger ones sell for N8.5 million each while smaller ones sell for N7 million each. He added that the uncompleted bungalows otherwise referred to as carcass, sell for N5.5 million each.

Pointing out that all the houses are sitting on 500 square metres to 600 square metres, Cornerstone Real Estate helmsman disclosed that the serviced plots in phase 1 have perimeter fencing, tarred estate road, borehole water, good drainage system, PHCN transformer and internal reticulation and street lights.

According to him, 25 acres of the un-serviced plots are however, still available for sale at N5.3 million per acre which can be used for developmental projects, pointing out that with 20 per cent deposit, a potential buyer can own a plot and pay the balance over 24 month period.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 29

Eko Atlantic City: Developers say infrastructure development is a priority

By Kingsley Adegboye

M

essrs South Energyx Nigeria Limited, developers of the multi-billion naira Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos have noted that infrastructure development in the sprawling city such as roads, drainage, power supply and transportation system is a matter so that there would be connection within the city when the construction of the entire ultra modern city is completed.

The Managing Director of South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Mr. David Frame who made this known in a chat with journalists recently, added that the city when completed, would be self-sufficient in terms of power and energy supply, pointing out that the city would be powered by Independent Power Project (IPP).

According to him, all electric cables in the city would be buried.

Expressing satisfaction with the street lighting on a section of Eko Boulevard, the first paved road in the emerging city which is now being adorned with streetlights, Mr. Frame

Completed light project on Eko Boulevard at Eko Atlantic said the residential and commercial tower blocks under construction in the city can now clearly be seen from Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island and the Marina on Lagos Island.

Describing the lighting project in the city as representing another important step in the

successful development of Eko Atlantic city, Frame assured that the first row of lights along Eko Boulevard, a paved 8-lane thoroughfare that is over a mile long which is the spine of the Business District, would be extended in the new year as they forge ahead with infrastructure development.

According to Frame, “concrete block paved roads, spacious sidewalks and kerbs are being built in the first and second phases of the emerging city. The project development area is now so large and progressing so quickly that it won’t be long before we need internal road signs to drive around. To date,

10 per cent of Eko Atlantic’s roads in Phases 1 and 2 have been paved while 32 per cent have stone-base in place, providing access to vehicles. ‘’Furthermore, 25 per cent of the roads were defined with kerb lines; 56 per cent of storm water drainage installed along with 34 per cent of state-ofthe-art communications.

Others are 50 per cent of the sewage distribution network established and 36 per cent of the water supply network, which have been completed to date.

“The first 15-storey tower in the city would be ready for occupation in first quarter of 2016 as the project is in advanced stage of completion.One of the Eko Pearl Towers would also be ready. Messrs Dar AlHandasah, an international engineering company is responsible for the development of all infrastructure in the new city.

Eko Atlantic is rising on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a 21st Century city that will compare with United Arab Emirates city of Dubai”, South Energyx boss stated.

Affordable housing: Fashola unveils CHOIS City Estate in Agbowa

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

he Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola has commissioned the CHOIS City residential estate in Agbowa-Ikosi in Ikosi-Erjirin Local Council Development Area of Lagos state.

The initiative which is meant to address the housing deficit in the state witnessed the unveiling of the first phase which comprises 280 twobedroom semi-detached bungalows and 180 three-bedroom semidetached houses.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Fashola disclosed that the project which involves the partnership between the state government and First World Communities to provide 10,000 homes was to complement government’s effort in community development under the Co-operative Home Ownership Incentive Scheme, CHOIS, in such a way that the ability to become a landlord will be tied to the occupant income and prosperity.

The governor stated, “The truth is that there are many people in our society who need home and can get loan from their place of work but there is no houses to buy while some people also need the support of government to become the landlord, this is what the Lagos State Mortgage Homes and CHOIS City meant to address. This is our first

establishment of lease-to-own that involves gradual payment in which after 15 years window one will become the ownership.”

He however, noted that such benefit is what democracy can offer when government is accountable to his people. “Agbowa and its environment ensure you collect your voter’s card and vote wisely so as to ensure continuity of this progressive work in the state and vote for change which our party represents.”

On his part, President of First World

Communities, Brig Gen Tunde Reis, Retd, said that the first phase of the project which is 10,000 homes is going to be built across the three senatorial districts of Lagos State with the core aim of delivered housing for low and medium income households in sustainable communities through lease-to-own schemes.

“The pilot project, CHOIS Garden, which was developed at Abijo Government Reservation Area, GRA along the Lekki-Epe Expressway is to have over 2,000 homes with over 500

The newly commissioned CHOIS City, Agbowa by Governor Babatunde Fashola last week. INSET: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (middle), Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje (right), Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade (2nd right), the Alara of Ilara, Oba Hakeem Adesanya (2nd left) and the President, First World Communities Limited, Brig. Gen. Tunde Reis retd. (left) during the commissioning last week.

already built and allocated. Agbowa target is 4,000 homes, Epe-Ibeju is 1,000 while Badagry axis is to cover 3,000 homes. All in such a way that ability to avoid it is tied to once income and continued prosperity.”

Speaking on the benefit of newly commissioned CHOIS City at Agbowa, Reis said that once the prospective buyers pay 10 per cent of the total purchase price, he/she is entitled to move into the house. “This initial deposit is expected to be funded from personal savings and on the completion of payment the title passes on to the buyer.

“The estate is accessible from Central Lagos via Epe, and from Ikorodu via Itoikin. Agbowa is about 30 kilometers from Ikorodu town and the estate could be reached from Agbowa through Lateef Jakande way on either of Agbowa city centre or Community Grammer School, OwuIkosi in close proximity off the Itoikin Road. Access is also possible to the site through the Lagos Lagoon from Ijede in Ikorodu, Badore and VictoriaIsland.

“The estate is to have 4,000 housing units on about 200 hectares of land with associated infrastructure and amenities. The first phase of development comprising 460 homes of two and three bedroom semidetached bungalows and interested person can apply to Lagos CHOIS LP for membership”, he stated.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Communities seek govt’s intervention over flooding

By Kingsley Adegboye

T

he residents of Abule Oki and eight other adjoining communities in Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos state have appealed to the state government to complete the dredging and concrete lining of the Aboru canal.

According to them, the completion of the concrete lining of the Arigbanla canal has exposed, and put them at the mercy of a deluge of flood which at its peak often rises up to nine feet, thereby submerging everything in the communities and destroying lives and property.

Rising from a meeting last Thursday, the residents urged the state Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola to; “save them and their properties from the ‘confluence of fury ’ of the flood in their neighbourhood.”

They argued that they had continued to suffer environmental degradation as a result of government’s effort to deflood some parts of the state.

They said their communities, which has been laid waste by flood had never experienced such and had been immune to the savagery of the floods until the area became a melting point for about eight separate flood water paths. Abule Oki especially, they claimed, now receives waste water from Ahmaddiya, Agbelekale/Ekoro, Papa Ashafa/Mulero, Orile Agege/Dopemu,

Oke Shagun, Akinola and Oke-Odo/ Abule Egba.

They noted that “Many more canals have been channeled into this area, leaving Abule Oki, Akinola, Raji Rasaki and adjoining communities more devastated by the flood abatement activities of the government,” a resident said. The Chairman of the Committee on Canal Dredging of the communities, Alhaji Kamarudeen Bamidele said Abule Oki which is the confluence point for all the flood water channeled to the area is worse hit as the contractor Messrs Dully Dredging and Construction Company have abandoned the work.

The chairman said residents are not happy that the 12 months tenure project, which was awarded in February 2012 and ought to have been completed since January 2013 had been abandoned, with dire consequences to the people. Bamidele, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) retiree, said several lives had been lost, while others lost their means of livelihood due to the perennial flooding as a result of the neglect of the canal dredging.

“Personally, I lost over N14 million in a fish pond investment in 2011, when we experienced the worst devastating flood that necessitated this canal dredging. Several landlords lost their homes to the flood and many tenants relocated because the entire area became submerged. So many houses

Environmental nuisance at Abule Oki community. sunk and several houses were abandoned and were overgrown with weeds as if they were virgin lands.”

But the area was never that prone to flood, according to Superior Evangelist Stephen Oduntan of the Celestial Church of Christ who is also the Vice Chairman of the Canal Dredging Committee.

“This area was never prone to flood when I moved into this area in the 70s,” he recalled. Continuing, he said: “We were never troubled by flood. Infact, this

same river that is now heavily polluted was where we baptize new converts.

Everything changed a little over a decade ago and since then things have never been the same again”, Oduntan noted.

Bamidele said everybody in the government, including the governor and the two concerned Ministries of the Environment and Information and Strategy, knew about the plight of his people in the hands of the confluence of fury.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015— 31

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

By Theodore Opara

2015 Nissan Altima charts the way in midsize Sedans T

HE 2015 Nissan Altima continues to be a favourite choice among the family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy and a rare blend of comfort and agility as recently affirmed by the foremost American online resource for automotive information, Edmunds.com. The online resource described the Altima as stylish, bold and aggressive with long body lines that distinguishes the sedan from rivals like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima.

Emerging from a total makeover last year, the new Nissan Altima provides customers with premium experiences and high technologies that drivers will cherish to remember especially when viewed against Altima’s package with far better value proposition than competition.

Altima’s innovative features are designed to reposition the car way ahead of competition and to keep it fresh against rival brands. While many manufacturers are offering different 4-cylinder engines with hybrids and diesels, the 2015 Nissan Altima sedan goes the traditional route by offering a base 4cylinder and a V6.

The 2.5-litre 4- cylinder for instance is designed for lighter weight and higher efficiency, while the 3.5-litre V6 offers improved fuel

Nissan Altima economy. Both engines drive Altima’s front wheels through Nissan’s next generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives engine revs ahead of vehicle speed during strong acceleration and helps both the Altima achieve tremendous fuel economy.

Popular Mechanics, a United States classic magazine of popular technology attested to this assertion, stating in one of its recent publications that “the new Altima remains one of the most engaging family sedans, and its fuel economy approaches 16 kilometers per litre gasoline for the 2.5 litre engine and 13 kilometers per litre

gasoline for the 3.5 litre engine, on the highway driving, and Nissan should have no problem attracting the most discerning familysedan buyers.”

If you think you’ve heard the most outstanding remarks ever, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) recent commentary could amaze you. Nissan Altima is no doubt a driver’s delight says UK based automotive classified website, Auto Trader. “With its Maximalike good looks, and unique features such as its NASAinspired zero-gravity seats, the Altima really does give shoppers a viable alternative to the Camry and Accord.

The 2015 Nissan Altima’s key strength is its driving dynamics, without giving up any of its mainstream family-sedan features. The Altima imparts a measure of driving fun that’s uncommon in the segment.

Its multilink independent suspension and best-inclass continuously variable automatic transmission is a testimony of Nissan engineers’ ingenuity

especially when they benchmarked premium sedans like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series, KBB affirmed.

“The 2015 Nissan Altima has a fantastic sporty handling making it more fun to drive than most affordable midsize cars,” usnews.rankingsandreviews.com affirmed. It added that the Altima’s standard four-

cylinder engine provides plenty of power for passing and merging highway, while the V6 engine delivers a robust acceleration. Altima’s automatic transmission (continuously variable transmission) is responsive and operates seamlessly; this gives a more smoother and lag free drive compared to competition.

Macan wins more customers for Porche, as Porche delivers 189,850 cars

I

N 2014, Porsche AG de livered 189,850 new cars to customers all over

the world – an increase of 17 per cent over the previous year. In December 2014, the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer also broke the 20,000 unit barrier (+39 % compared to the same month the previous year) by delivering 20,644 cars for the first time in one month.

The new Cayenne generation in particular experienced strong demand in China in the reporting month: over 6,400 units mean that deliveries almost doubled compared to December 2013.

“For the fourth record year in a row there are very specific reasons: fascinating products and highly motivated employees,” said Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. “On top of that, our brand experienced an additional upswing in 2014 as a result of

the successful launch of the Macan. Worldwide, seventy-five per cent of Macan customers were first-time buyers of a Porsche car.”

In 2014, Porsche sold more cars in all regions and on all markets. The United States ranked number one with over 47,000 new cars delivered. The Chinese market recorded the largest growth with an increase of 25 per cent to exactly 46,931 units delivered.

On the domestic market in Germany, almost 24,000 customers opted for a Porsche model, more than ever before.

The Porsche Macan, the new sporty compact SUV, was especially popular in the world in 2014 and the fifth model series sold about 45,000 units in the first year of its launch.

PODIUM…

SILENCE! At Ekaba festival, the gods understand EKET: Local govt of filth only drum, gong PAGE 5

VOL. 1: NO. 32

PAGE 6

TUESD AY, JANU ARY 13, 20 15 TUESDA JANUARY 201

NIGHTMARE IN AKWA IBOM COMMUNITIES

One dead, 60 houses razed as friends fight over girlfriend

ABOVE: 90-year-old woman and the remains of her house and property; TOP: Lamentation.

RIGHT: Palace of the village head.

By Tom Moses

I

KOT EDAH—ONE person was killed, 60 houses razed and over 400 persons rendered homeless in a disgraceful inter-communal crisis that broke out, weekend, between youths of Ikot Umiang and Ikot Edah communities, Nkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

Niger Delta Voice learned that the fracas that caused extensive havoc to the residences of the Village Head of Ikot Edah, Ete Idung Sunday Usoro, and councillor representing Ikpa Ikono, Ward 2, Mr. Nkreuwem James, was kindled by a dispute between two boys from both communities over a girlfriend.

Besides property running into millions of naira and money that were looted, about 40 motorcycles, bicycles and ancestral heritages were torched. Two cars belonging to the monarch were also

*N200,000 I've been saving for 10 yrs gone— FISH SELLER destroyed.

A dependable source told Niger Delta Voice: “A young man, who hails from Ikot Umiang and residing in Ikot Edah had a minor misunderstanding with his friend, an indigene of Ikot Edah, over a lady both of them had dated previously.

“What really transpired between them is not clear. But it was so serious that in the evening of the following day, when the Ikot Umiang boy was passing through Ikot Edah after his normal business, the Ikot Edah-based lover boy and his gang waylaid and stabbed him to death.”

Revenge In an apparent reprisal attack, youths

*I lost N2m cash, says village head of Ikot Umiang invaded Ikot Edah at about 8a.m with guns, machetes, axes, fuel and other dangerous weapons, burning all the houses in the community.

The invaders manhandled aged people, especially the women who tried to plead with them.

Our source said inhabitants of the community, mainly peasant farmers and traders, were setting out for their farms and shops on the ill-fated day, when the invaders stormed the town.

A villager, Aniete Bradforth, said: “The Ikot Umiang youths came in like soldier ants with guns, petrol and matches and before we knew what was happening,

this house (pointing to a residence) was on fire.

“They beat up a 90-year-old woman, who lives here, leaving her with injuries all over her body.”

The village head, Usoro, said: “I watched my house set ablaze with N2 million cash inside.”

Usoro said he was on his way to the Police Station to lodge a report that a corpse was abandoned in the community when armed youths of Ikot Umiang invaded Ikot Edah.

He said the attacking youths were

Continues on Page 7

2—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Fix our borehole, Alisimie community begs Delta govt DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Theresa Ugbobu

A

LISIMIE—RESIDENTS of Alisimie community, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, have urged the state government to repair the water borehole project in the community, which packed up more than a year ago.

They said they were suffering because of the dysfunctional solar water project, as the people trek to neighbouring communities to fetch water.

Chairman of the community, Mr. Augustine Uwagwu, said the borehole project was executed under the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, adding that it worked for a while, but went bad a year and seven months ago.

He said the community took the matter up with the Commissioner for MDGs, Queen Victoria Ikechukwu, who asked the delegation to go back and form a community user group.

“Some four months ago, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Chris Oghenechovwen, visited the borehole site and promised to get back to us, but till date, nothing has been done,” he asserted.

He said findings by the community showed that the pumping machine had gone bad and “we do not have the fund to replace it.

“We are facing serious water problem in Alisimie community.

We are appealing to the Delta State Government and MDGs to come to our rescue.”

Augustine Uwagwu taking water from the well at Alisimie

Amaechi gives N350m to victims of market fire the payment to Niger Delta Voice, said: “Yes, the governor of the state, Chibuike Amaechi, has truly provided succour to the traders in Mile 1 market, who lost all their goods to the fire disaster of December 17, 2013.

“We know it is up to a year now, but the governor has fulfilled his promise. We are happy with the governor for what he has done for the traders in this market.

“On behalf of the traders and the executive of the market, we say thank you to the amiable governor of our state for fulfilling what he promised,” he added.

RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By Davies Iheamnachor

R

UMUWOJI—TRADERS at Rumuwoji Market, Mile 1 and Bolokiri Market, New Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were happy last week, when Governor Chibuike Amaechi provided separate relief funds totaling N350 million to the victims of fire incidents in the two markets to assuage their grief.

Commissioner for Special Duties in the state, Mr. Dickson Omunakwe, who presented the cheques of N300 million and N50 million to the chairmen of Rumuwoji and Bolokiri markets, respectively, said the donations were in fulfilment of the promise made

Some displaced traders. by the governor to the traders.

Some of the victims of the

Ndokwa East LG fetes widows, orphans

The council Chairman, Mrs. Chukwurah, presenting cash gift to an orphan, Master Michael Elujeko, at the event.

A

BOH—CHAIRMAN of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, and top officials of the council, played host to widows, orphans and children at Aboh, the headquarters of the local government, as part of activities to mark the end of 2014.

The abandoned MDGs water project in Alisime

The end of year party, which featured dance, praise and worship, prayer sessions for continued peace and development in Ndokwa East, Delta state and Nigeria at large, was also by the clergy, political leaders and a cross-section of Aboh community.

Mrs. Chukwurah in her

address, said, the party was at the instance of the wife of the State Governor, Deaconess Sheila Noli Uduaghan, to show love and care for the children, widows and orphans in line with God’s injunction.

She re-affirmed the commitment of her administration to the development of the entire council area and sued for the support and co-operation of leaders to succeed.

The council boss also urged the people of the area, especially privileged members of the society, to assist the council in meeting the development needs of the grassroots.

Highlights of the party were the presentation of gifts, bags of rice and chicken to the widows, children and orphans

by Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah.

The widows commended her for the show of love and care, saying that the end of year party had given them a sense of belonging.

fire disaster, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said the governor has the common people at heart, adding that they were surprised as all hope was lost.

Joy restored One of them, Mrs. Charity Uzoma, said: “I was so happy when I received the news. It restored joy to my heart. After the fire outbreak, I have been suffering.

“I think God has used Amaechi to save my situation.

God should keep the governor for us. The enemies will never see him.”

Mr. Francis Imoh asserted: “Ever since that fire incident, I have not been myself. I have been managing to keep myself in order, but really it has not been easy at all. The governor has tried so much. I appreciate his effort. It will go a long way to provide succour.

“My happiness is that the chairman of the market is a good man. So the money will go to only those who lost their goods to the fire.”

Chair confirms payment Executive Chairman of Mile 1 market, Mr. Kenneth Chigozie Eze, who confirmed

Traders jubilate “As I talk now, the cheque has been given to me, and it is a thing of joy to those who lost their goods to the fire. All the traders whose goods got destroyed are jubilating because they have seen a man of his words.

“When the incident happened the governor came, saw the level of damage done and had pity on the victims.

At the same time, out of pity he said he will bring succour to the victims.

“I will ensure that the money Continues on Page 3

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

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—3

Dafinone Foundation changing lives in Sapele, environs DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—THE venue was Okpe Hall, Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, and the gallery was filled to capacity.

The event, which attracted a large turnout from the community, was the graduation ceremony of Chief David Dafinone Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Foundation.

So far, over 500 women and youths in Sapele, Okpe and Jesse communities and environs have been empowered, equipping many breadwinners with different skills to enable them cater for their families.

The Okpe Hall assembly was another in the series of the enablement schemes, and friends and well wishers of the 156 graduates and tutors, as well as the sponsor/foundation Chairman, Chief David Dafinone, represented by his politician-son, Chief Ede Dafinone, converged on the

Amaechi gives N350m to victims of markets’ fire From left: Former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Veronica Ogbwagu; Chief Ede dafinone, and a graduands, during the presenting a certificate. place.

The younger Dafinone, who contested Delta Central Senatorial District seat under the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in the 2013 by-election in Delta Central, manages the foundation on behalf of his father.

Starter packs He said the family patriarch promised at inception that the graduates would not go into the labour market empty handed after graduation and in keeping with the undertaking, the foundation came with starter packs.

The packs include sewing machines, hair dryers, welding machines, gas cookers, electric ovens and refrigerators worth N10 million.

He urged them to put the items to productive use to better their future. Speaking further, Ede Dafinone said the foundation started some years

Displaced.

Continues from Page 2 gets to only those whose wares were destroyed. Thank God I am the chairman of the market and among the disbursement committee, so nobody, who is not affected, will benefit from the fund.

“I know all the persons it concerns. Although, I still ask for the wisdom of God to ensure that only those who were affected benefit.”

He continued: “This benevolence by the governor does not have any political undertone. There is no politics in it at all.

“The governor, who loves his people, out of pity has come to give what he promised, so there is no politics in it.

“What about the governor that made the same promise to us in 2004 when the same

market was razed by fire, but did not redeem it? Was there no politics then?

“What the governor has done is just a way of matching his words with action.”

On rebuilding of market The Chairman said: “The government will rebuild the burnt market. Government has a way of doing its own thing which is bureaucratic.

“The market that was destroyed by fire has been awarded by the same government to a construction company and they have acknowledged that to me too.

“We are only waiting for them to come to site. Our concern now is that our good government, whether present or the one to come, should help us to mobilize the company to site.”

ago, following a suggestion by a woman, Miss Victoria Obakpolor, who is regarded by her peers as an amazon and a born leader.

Promise kept Dafinone said: “She worked for PDP as a women leader for many regimes and got nothing but empty promises. At that time, all politicians do was to play and deceive the people. I came with a promise that was and has never been broken.

“I was contesting for Delta Central senatorial ticket at that time under the platform of PDP, but was robbed of the opportunity to serve. ”I visited the women gathering at 8, Ogaga Road, where they were other politicians on that faithful day and I promised to transform it to achieve my senatorial ambition.

“They all agreed and really worked for me. But again, I was

robbed a second time.

“The women became worried about the political system in the country and she approached me to make my promise to work out.

“I gave her a positive reply by introducing a micro-credit scheme for them and later, a skill acquisition centre for women and youth.”

In the beginning He said the foundation started with tailoring, catering and hair dressing, but later extended to welding, aluminium works, electrical works, computer appreciation and other fields.

Former Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Veronica Ogbuagu, donated textbooks worth N200,000 to the newly-graduated students.

She encouraged them to live a life worthy of emulation.

Chevron saves Koluama communities from ocean surge BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—CHEVRON Nigeria Limited, CNL, has come to the rescue of

natives of Koluama I and Koluama II communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government, Bayelsa State, which were affected by ocean surge last year.

Indigenes of Koluama I community were startled, last year, when they woke up to see the “buffer land” shielding their homes and vegetation from the direct

assaults of tidal current overrun by a menacing river that sprung overnight.

It was precisely June 15, last year, when mother nature displaying its fury, caused a channel connecting the Koluama River on which bank the community is situated, close to the Atlantic

Continues on Page 4

4—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

By Davies Iheamnachor

B

UGUMA—THE people of Buguma community, Kalabari Kingdom, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, were exhilarated beyond measure recently, when the leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, stormed the community with a rare Akwa Ibom State masquerade, known as Cobweb to commemorate the passing of his grandmother, Princess Preba Abigail Ekineh.

Cobweb is a special masquerade performance in which the dancers bewilderingly ride motorcycle on the air, using a twine fastened to two poles as motorway. It is performed once in three years and on special occasions.

Fantasy It was like a dream to the people of Buguma, but it all happened before their eyes.

They were marvelled to see two performers start the engine and the motorcycle, suspended on the air by rope came alive The Cobweb performance initially started with dance steps and as it rumbled, two men among them climbed the rope that was tied across the two poles like monkeys.

Their effortless movement ignited several arguments among the villagers, some of who could not believe that human beings could walk on a rope the way they just did without the power of strange spiritual forces.

Others contended that the feat was probably due to years of practice.

Highpoint The act by the Cobweb dancers climaxed when the two performers rode motorcycle on the rope. The realism of the motorcycle was proven when they started the engine and the motorcycle came alive.

A villager, Mr. Kenneth Ojingwa, who witnessed the performance, said all through his life, he had never seen anything like that, adding that he was flabbergasted when the performers took the motorcycle to the air.

He appreciated the host, Dokubo-Asari, for bringing such masquerade to Buguma, saying that the people were excited, particularly as they did not have to travel to Akwa Ibom State and spend money to behold the tourist wonder.

One of the leaders of the masquerade, Mr. Etim, confirmed findings that the masquerade, which is the best on parade in Akwa Ibom, only comes out every three years and only on special occasions, adding, “that is why the people cherish it.”

Dokubo-Asari reacts Dokubo-Asari, founder of the King Amachree African

How Dokubo-Asari brought CELEBRITY rope-riding masquerade to Buguma

Dokubo-Asari and other dignitaries; the masquerade riding motorcycle on ropes.

University, Republic of Benin, said he brought traditional dancers from different ethnic nationalities in the country to celebrate his departed grandmother, but the performance of the cobwebs

was extraordinary.

He said: “I deemed it necessary that I should bring the kind of cultural performances that our people have not seen before in Kalabari Kingdom in order to

give a befitting burial to my grandmother, who was a caring and loving woman.

“The choice of the cultural dances and masquerades that I brought is to show the world that Nigeria is a country that

has different cultural performances.

“The beauty of the nation is also revealed through the cultural dances that are not found anywhere in the world,” he asserted.

Chevron saves Koluama communities

Continues from Page 3 shore, to give way, thereby exposing it to the direct hit of the ocean waves.

Troubled by the development, the Ibenanaowei of Koluama clan, King Solomon Edi-Mangi, the Kolu XI, led other prominent indigenes,

including the Amananaowei of Koluama I community, HRH J. T. C. Leghemo and the Amananaowei of Koluama II community, HRH Newton Ogboinbiri-Mienye, to cry out to the government about a looming ecological disaster if urgent remedial steps were not taken.

Niger Delta Voice,

CNL intervention However, succour came the way of the natives, following the intervention of CNL, which funded the sand filling of over 16 hectares of the troubled area to save the communities from the surging ocean through the supervision of

JANUARY 11

Keffes Rural Development Foundation, KRDF. A native, Ebiyon, told Niger Delta Voice , “the intervention of the company is a fallout of the 2012 gas explosion in the area, which raged for days and impacted negatively

Continues on Page 7

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—5

SILENCE!

At Ekaba festival, the gods understand only drum, gong

By Simon Ebegbulem

U

R H O M E H E — P E N U LT I M AT E Monday, the people of Urhomehe and about 10 other communities in Orhiomwon Local Government Area, Edo State, celebrated their annual Ekaba festival.

The Oloku, which the people serve during the fiesta, only understands the beating of the drums and gongs.

It was a carnival as sons and daughters of the communities, both at home and in Diaspora, came home to participate in the festival.

The fiesta comes after the annual Igue festival of Benin Kingdom.

The difference is that while the Igue festival is a celebration of the Bini to thank the gods for keeping the people healthy and alive till the end of a particular year, Ekaba holds every January with prayers to the gods to protect the people in the New Year.

Significantly, youths between the ages of eight to 25 years beat the drums and gongs during the ceremony without singing.

Incidentally, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu is from Urhomehe community and he was joined by his friends and other well wishers to celebrate the festival, last Monday.

Protection and good luck Speaking to Niger Delta Voice on the ceremony, the traditional head of the community and father of the deputy governor, Pa Manson Umweni Odubu, explained that the festival was all about praying to the gods to protect the people of the community and also pray for good luck throughout that year.

Iselogbe (you did not die) The octogenarian said: “Ekaba ceremony is an annual ceremony. Anybody that did not die within one year, must celebrate Ekaba festival so that the next year will be good.

We met the tradition with our elders.

“But during the ceremony we do not sing, we only beat drums. We have other traditions where women sing but not in this case. We use

ABOVE: Pa Manson Odubu..

LEFT: Gongs.

ABOVE: Women celebrating during Ekaba festival.

RIGHT: Drums. the opportunity of this festival to pray for the community and our people and our state in general.

“When we say Iselogbe, that means you did not die the previous year, so you have to participate in Ekaba.”

Message to the gods “All the youths participate in Ekaba. Our elders taught us the tradition; we do not sing during Ekaba. We only beat the drum and gong.

“And those that beat the drums and other instruments are between the ages of eight and 25.

“You cannot play the instruments when you are above that age. We send signal to the gods through the gong and the drum.”

Yearly ransom of 2 cows On sacrifices made to the gods for the festival, Pa Odubu said: “Every year, the community buys two cows and kills them at the shrine.

“That Oloku is from the palace of the Oba of Benin.

Whenever we are doing anything, we serve the juju; we serve it with Oba of Benin, according to tradition.

“That is why we do not fail;

we perform the ritual every year. Again, before you perform Ekaba, you must perform Igue.

“If you do not do Igue, you cannot do Ekaba. Igue marks the end of the year, while Ekaba marks the beginning of the year.”

Occasion for blessings —DEP GOV Also speaking to Niger Delta Voice, the deputy governor, Dr. Odubu, said: “I feel happy. I feel highly elated because it is praises to God for a new year. For us, it is a brand new year.

“The necessary precursor is the Igue festival, after that is the Ekaba festival. It is an opportunity to thank God for His bountiful blessings in the previous year and to ask for blessings in the coming year.

“You can see that the entire community is agog. This is an opportunity for you to reunite with your folks.

“People from all over the world come home to celebrate Ekaba. We are very happy.

“During the festivities, the elders prayed for the state, for the Oba of Benin and for peace to reign during the coming elections.”

6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

PODIUM…

By Chioma Onuegbu

E

KET—RESIDENTS of Eket, Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, have expressed worry over the shambolic condition of the communities in the area, which they attributed to the failure of the present leadership of the council to sustain the routine environmental sanitation exercise.

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice, weekend, Chairman, Afaha Attai Village Council, Chief Samuel Etti, lamented the squalid condition of Eket in the last two years, saying the community was singled out among other mega towns in the state in the past for its clean, attractive and sophisticated look.

Akpabio angry He said the normal monthly sanitation exercise was not observed in Eket for three years until few days to last Christmas when the governor turned up his nose at the dirty condition of the town at a public function.

His words: “Eket has become so dirty and unattractive for the governor to have noticed when he came to commission a Methodist Church in Eket just last December.

“It was on the radio how the governor lambasted the council chairman, Hon. Aniekan Akpan. ”Previous administrations under Emmanuel Udoh used to take the monthly sanitation exercise as a major priority which had throughout that administration, kept the town so clean and attractive.

“But since the present leadership of Aniekan Akpan, I can remember it was only once we carried out the sanitation exercise and that was around October 2013.

“I still appeal to the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, to look into the issue of sanitation. Besides the health hazards often associated with dirty environment, Eket is a sophisticated town that must be kept attractive at all times.

“Now that we had the last month it is due to the state governor’s intervention, I am appealing that the monthly exercise should be sustained,” he said.

Drains blocked by filth Etti told Niger Delta Voice : “If you had visited Eket before December, you would have seen how filth littering the whole environment, even the streets inside Eket and the gutters have been blocked because of weeds.

“Go to Urua Nka market, the streets, gutters are filled with rubbish because the authority

EKET: A local govt of filth

Governor Godswill Akpabio.

RIGHT: Uruan Nka Street.

BELOW: Grace Bill Road.

that is supposed to caution the people against improper disposal of waste is doing nothing. ”The council leadership has not given us any reason why it failed to continue with the monthly environmental sanitation and the chairman cannot say there is no appropriation for that because previous chairmen were able to observe that; where did they get the funds to do that?” he demanded.

‘We don’t wait for LG in Idua’ Village Head of Idua, Chief Samuel Eyiridua, said: “In Idua village, we observe our monthly sanitation regularly on our own. Individual compounds have been doing their sanitation in this village.

“We have a sanitation committee in charge of that,

but the gullies and gutters are beyond our scope. I will not say that Eket generally is dirty because we have been observing the sanitation in our villages.”

However, a youth of the area, who simply identified himself as Mr. Sam, while expressing thanks to the governor for his observation that led to the December sanitation, said: “I want to advise the people not to wait on this council administration that is insensitive to their plight.

“People should learn to help themselves by observing personal hygiene by keeping their immediate environment clean and cleaning the gutters in front of their houses because most of the gutters are blocked and it is not good for the health of the people, especially during the rainy

season.

“The stench that comes from stagnant water and the mosquitoes are enough to make people fall sick.”

Chairman dumped sanitation c'ttee—LG staff A staff of the council, who spoke in confidence, said the situation stemmed from the failure of the council boss to recognize the committee put in place to ensure the routine exercise.

The source said: ”The chairman did not want to work with that committee on sanitation, which is why the exercise stopped. The issue was raised many times but the chairman complained of lack of funds.

“But when the former chairman made it a priority, the people did not appreciate.

Eket used to be very clean.

Let us just pray that the exercise will hold this month now that NULGE is still on strike.”

LG boss reacts Contacted, the council chair, Aniekan Akpan, denied allegations that his administration abandoned the sanitation, saying those making such allegations were those opposed to his government and see nothing good in whatever he does.

He said: “We carried out the exercise in December and we intend to do another one hopefully, Friday (this week).

“It is not true that we have not been observing sanitation; we have been doing it every other month.

“It is just that people like talking and no matter what we do. I know that detractors will not stop talking.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—7

Chevron saves Koluama communities Continues from Page 4 on the environment and livelihood of the natives.

“Chevron was carrying out a gas exploration exercise in the area and in the course of the drilling exercise, there was an equipment failure, which led to a gas explosion and fire.”

Kudos to Chevron Commending CNL for the effort, another indigene, who identified himself as Owei, said: “At least for now, the danger is over. This is a welcome development; our homes are now safe.”

He lauded Chevron, the traditional rulers and the leadership of the Keffes Rural Development Foundation for their steadfastness in ensuring the realization of the project.

Niger Delta Voice learnt that the sand filling project of the troubled communities was bigger than the normal KRDF projects because of the volume of money involved hence its execution through ex gratia funding.

“These are multi-stakeholder committee implementation projects embarked upon with ex gratia fund that CNL paid to the communities as a result of the 2012 KSC to cushion the effects of the effect of explosion,” an informed source hinted.

Multi-stakeholders’ c'ttee

Chairman, KRDF, Mr. Christopher Tuduo, who lent credence to the claim in a chat, said: “The sand filling project is part of the project we call ex gratia project.

“You remember in 2012, there was a gas explosion, so the communities and Chevron sat down and formed a committee called Multi-Stakeholders Committee and came up with ex gratia committee.

“There was a particular sum Chevron paid into the communities and this sum was 70 per cent of the project; 20 per cent cash.

“What we used to do that project was the 70 per cent, which is the project sum. We did not just wake up as RDF to come up with what we did.

“The communities sat down, agreed to do the needed assessment and came up with the project they wanted.

“They recommended what you are seeing today, which is the sand filing of over 16 hectares of land.

“It was something the Koluama people wanted.

They recommended to us; they gave us the go ahead that this is what we want. They nominated the contractor to do it according to the way they wanted it.

“All we did was to provide the guidance and the professional advice.”

One dead, 60 houses raised as friends fight over girlfriend NIGHTMARE HITS A’IBOM COMMUNITIES:

Chairman, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Mr. Ephraim Akpan (middle) and the Village Head of Ikot Edah, Ete Idung Sunday Usoro (2nd right.

Continues from Page 1 armed, but that police were able to make some arrests.

A fish seller, who is in her 60s, Mmayen Bassey, bemoaned: “I have been keeping money in my wrapper for over 10 years to buy a piece of land. It has amounted to over N200,000.

Today, I am as good as dead as they all got burnt; not even to talk about my goods.”

Niger Delta Voice observed during a visit that the houses in Ikot Edah were completely razed. There was uneasy calm in the community as victims wailed and called on government and publicspirited individuals to come to their assistance.

Ikot Umiang deserted At Ikot Umiang, it was discovered that the community

had been deserted by villagers for fear of possible arrest by the police, while economic activities and social life in the town have been paralyzed.

Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government, Mr. Ephraim Akpan and Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge of the area, CSP Abri, rushed to the community as soon as report of the incident reached them, to ascertain the cause of the fracas and extent of damage.

They were accompanied by Mr. James, Deputy Leader of the council’s legislature, Ekaette Akpan, Chief Whip, Mr.Isaac Akpan, councillors for Ibiaku, ward 2, Mr. Ini George and ward 4, Mr. Michael Daniel.

For over five hours, they

My projects will speak for me—UDUAGHAN DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said that his numerous projects aimed at making life better for Deltans would speak for him after his tenure.

The governor, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said: “It has not been easy, but I am happy with the strides we have made in the health, education, roads, micro-credit scheme, transportation, human capital development, security and other sectors of the state, particularly our Delta Beyond Oil agenda, which is meant to refocus the state.”

He restated his plan to finish strong, saying efforts were on to complete the projects his administration embarked on.

Uduaghan dispelled the

Enerhen Junction, Warri. notion that the flyover projects in Asaba and Warri would be abandoned, saying the contractors had been mobilized

to return to site.

It was, however, gathered that the state was facing financial problems, which had

made it increasingly difficult for the governor to quickly finish some projects as planned.

trudged through the ruins of the devastation with the chairman practically weeping.

Council boss sues for peace Mr. Akpan cautioned the warring parties to maintain calm, while security agents carried out investigations into the matter with a view to bringing the guilty to book.

The council boss, who described the situation as heartbreaking and sorrowful, however, assured that no culprit would escape the wrath of the law.

He said: “There is no situation that would warrant this barbaric act at the beginning of the year.

This is heart breaking and I cannot hold back tears. But as I said, there is no point retaliating as the police, who have done very well already, will investigate the matter and bring all the culprits to book.

“On our part as a government, the council will ameliorate the situation and as a matter of fact, 12 hours from now, we will assemble all villagers of this community and give them some relief materials.

“It is pathetic that the only property of these people now have are the clothes on their body, but we will do our best.”

He said a committee would be set up to evaluate the mayhem and come up with intermediary measures to cushion the sufferings of the affected persons.

Over 25 suspects nabbed A police officer said police were making plans to evacuate the remains of the Ikot Umiang youth that was killed in Ikot Edah, adding that about 25 persons have been arrested in connection with the crisis.

He disclosed that the arrested suspects were handed over to men of the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Uyo.

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

AGENDA Transformation Agenda hits Otuoke; now fastest growing N' Delta village

By Samuel Oyadongha

O

TUOKE—NOT a few are staggered by the hurried remodelling of the sleepy settlement of Otuoke, homeland of President Goodluck Jonathan in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The hitherto rural settlement dotted with commonplace buildings with ramshackle roads, has turned to a Mecca of sort.

Armed soldiers mount sentry at Onuegbum end of the bridge leading to the community, less than 35-minute drive from the heart of Yenagoa. The security checkpoint is some distance away from the residence of the Commander-in-Chief, bombed by militants in 2007.

Otuoke, a predominantly Christian population with a mix of traditional practice, was just like any other anonymous community, with the countryside homogenous settlement characteristics, before its fortunes changed.

There was no remarkable change in the community when Jonathan was deputy governor, governor of the state and even Vice President.

In fact, the road leading to the community was speedily completed by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in 2007 probably because of his status as Vice President.

Turning point The establishment of a Federal University in Otuoke in February 2011

by Jonathan is the catalyst behind the urban revolution in the community today. The newly-constructed Comprehensive Hospital has further opened up the area.

An Otuoke indigene, who has not visited home in the past four years, would have a problem locating his compound, as the once small Otuoke, with a population concentrated along the bank of the creek, which divides the village, has expanded to accommodate eye-popping infrastructure and internal road network Population explosion The old mud and rustic zinc houses had since given way to fashionable houses and structures, thus adding to the aesthetics of the community. The population of Otuoke has also quadrupled in the last two years.

Besides, archetypal hotels, banks, eateries and malls have also sprung up. The influx of workers, students, businessmen and transporters has given the population a heterogeneous outlook.

However, the population outburst has put a strain on residential accommodation. As it were, a one room apartment goes for between N50,000 to N60,000 per annum, while a self-contained apartment goes for between N100,000 and N120,000 per annum.

A one bedroom flat is between N150,000 to N180,000 per annum and rent for a shop is between N120,000 to N150,000 per annum.

Foodstuff prices skyrocket As the rural settlement metamorphosed into a city, cost of living has also gone up. A medical

LEFT: Otuoke town.

ABOVE/BELOW: Hospitality business booming.

BOTTOM LEFT: Otuoke Hospital.

laboratory technician at the Otuoke Cottage Hospital, Mrs. Doubra

However, a 200 level student of the university, Obiya Igure, lamented the lack of adequate Information Community Technology, ICT centres, which have forced students to journey to Yenagoa to carry out online-related assignments with high financial implications

Thompson, told Niger Delta Voice that prices of food items were the same as obtained in Yenagoa, except slight variation, depending on the product.

Profitable business For businessman, Mr. Nnamdi Okechukwu, Otuoke is like a virgin land, full of opportunities and potential and this may well explain the rush for shops and stalls.

Okechukwu, an electronics dealer, who runs two shops in Otuoke and Yenagoa, confirmed that business was worth doing in Otuoke, adding, “I make more sales in Otuoke than Yenagoa.”

Mrs. Mfon Udoh, who runs a restaurant besides the main gate of the permanent campus of the federal university, also told Niger Delta Voice that business was lucrative in Otuoke.

However, a 200 level student of the university, Obiya Igure, lamented the lack of adequate Information Community Technology, ICT centres, which have forced students to journey to Yenagoa to carry out online-related assignments with high financial implications.

Why God gave us Jonathan A youth leader, Mr. John Godfrey Adueze, said the people would forever remain indebted to President Jonathan for the progressive changes that have occurred in the community.

His words: “I believe that the purpose and intention of God for giving us a President is because this place was in

dire need of development; that is why He brought Jonathan to alleviate our plight. “ A community leader, Mekunumunu Digha, corroborated his claim, saying, “the major and famous impact of what Mr. President has done for this community is the establishment of the university.

“The establishment of the university has brought development to us and that is why the people have welcomed it and are happy.”

Otuoke varsity is like transporting light to us “Bringing university to a place is like bringing light. It creates jobs opportunities and manpower development in every field of human endeavour.

“Our people now have access to develop the vast lands that had remained unused over the years as a result of the siting of the university.

“Another major project in Otuoke is the Cottage hospital,” he said, adding, “we are praying that with the presence of the university, the hospital will be upgraded to a Teaching Hospital to work hand in hand with the university.”

We need police station He, however, expressed concern over the absence of a police station in the community, saying “a police station is appropriate considering the new status of the growing town.

“Otuoke is growing very rapidly and we need a police station to boost security.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—33

By Theodore Opara

Audi to invest 24 billion Euro in four years A

UDI is further ex panding the biggest investment program in its history. From 2015 through 2019, the Ingolstadt-based company plans to invest 24 billion Euro, which is 2 billion Euro more than in the previous planning period. 70 percent of the investment will flow into the development of new models and technologies.

Audi aims to meet stringent CO2 limits worldwide with a new generation of extremely economical combustion engines and alternative efficiency technologies.

Furthermore, new features in the areas of connectivity and driver assistance are designed to extend the “Vorsprung durch Technik” of the brand with the four rings.

At the same time, the company is expanding its worldwide production network. More than half of the planned investment will take place at the German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

Audi plans to develop new cutting-edge technologies and to create additional production capacities worldwide in the next five years through large-scale investment. “We place top priority on sustainable growth. That’s why we are making large investments in the innovative areas of electric mobility, connectivity and lightweight construction,” stated Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of AUDI AG. The company

is also pushing ahead with the expansion of its global production network.

The total investment volume of £24 billion comprises approximately €17 billion of investment in property, plant and equipment and €7 billion of capitalized development costs. “70 percent of all our investment in the next five years will flow into new models and innovative technologies,” explained Board of Management Member for Finance (CFO) Axel

Strotbek.

“Despite the growth in total investment, we will keep a watchful eye on the upcoming challenges and exercise the required cost discipline,” stated the CFO. Top priority is being placed on progressing as efficiently as possible. The expansion of international manufacturing structure and higher advance expenditure for new models and technologies, in particular to meet stricter CO2 limits worldwide, require enormous efforts

from the entire workforce.

In order to fulfill the ambitious CO2 limits, the company is working not only on the next generation of fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel engines, but also on plug-in hybrids such as the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron*, which became available in the first markets at the end the year. “We are constantly further developing alternative drive systems and focusing above all on connecting the car with its digital environment,” explained Dr. Ulrich Hack-

enberg, Audi’s Board of Management Member for Technical Development.

“The car will communicate with the driver, the Internet, the infrastructure and other vehicles, while moving in an environmentally friendly manner.” The new Audi TT* is a pacemaker in terms of seamless connectivity. Its integrated Audi virtual cockpit, which merges a combination of instruments and an MMI screen into a central digital unit, sets new standards.

34 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

By Theodore Opara

Nissan, NASA partner to develop autonomous drive vehicles N

ISSAN Motor Co., through its North American-based organization, and NASA today announced the formation of a five-year research and development partnership to advance autonomous vehicle systems and prepare for commercial application of the technology.

Researchers from Nissan’s U.S. Silicon Valley Research Center and NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., will focus on autonomous drive systems, human-machine interface solutions, networkenabled applications, and software analysis and verification, all involving sophisticated hardware and software used in road and space applications.

Researchers from the two organizations will test a fleet of zero-emission autonomous vehicles at Ames to demonstrate proof-of-concept remote operation of autonomous vehicles for the

transport of materials, goods, payloads and people. For NASA, these tests parallel the way it operates planetary rovers from a mission control center. The first vehicle of that fleet should be testing at the facility by the end of 2015.

”The work of NASA and Nissan – with one directed to space and the other directed to earth, is connected by similar challenges,” said Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co. “The partnership will accelerate Nissan’s de-

velopment of safe, secure and reliable autonomous drive technology that we will progressively introduce to consumers beginning in 2016 up to 2020.”

Nissan has set 2020 as the timeframe for the introduction of autono-

mous drive vehicles that have the ability to navigate in nearly all situations, including the most complex situation, city driving.

According to the terms of the partnership, NASA will benefit from Nissan’s shared expertise in innovative compo-

nent technologies for autonomous vehicles, shared research to inform development of vehicular transport applications, and access to appropriate prototype systems and provision of test beds for robotic software.

FRSC says fatalities reduced by 42% in 2014 T

HE Federal Road Safety Corps has disclosed that about 120 persons were killed in road crashes across the country during the 2014 yuletide

nationwide patrol, between 19-28 December, 2014, translating to 42 percent reduction when compared to last year’s figure of 208, within the

same period.

This disclosure was made by the Corps Public Education Officer, Imoh Etuk, Corps Commander while presenting an up-

Hyundai i10 crowned ‘Best City Car’

N

EW Generation Hyundai i10 has retained its position at the top of its class after being named What Car? ‘Best City Car’ for the second consecutive year. Praised for its high quality interior materials, refinement, ease of driving and big-car features, i10 beat stiff com-

petition from the likes of VW Up, Smart Fortwo and Skoda Citigo.

Jim Holder, Editor at What Car? said: “Last year the Hyundai i10 stunned us by stealing the crown from the VW Up. It’s just as nimble to drive and comfortable in town as the VW, but offers even great-

er practicality, class-leading refinement and loads of kit. Our choice is wonderfully smooth, and quick enough to keep up with larger traffic. In Premium trim it feels suitably expensive inside which makes it stunning value. The Hyundai is a genuine threat to a lot of superminis.”

date on the Corps’ activities during this year’s festive season.

According to him, the FRSC also recorded 48 percent reduction in the number of road traffic crashes within this period, which stood at 193, in comparison with 368 road crashes in 2013 while a 53 percent was also recorded in injuries in 2014 with 733 injured persons as against the 2013 figure of 1,564.

Details of the 2014 fatality figures indicate that while 96 males, 17 females and 7 children made up the 120 deaths, the year 2013 posted 208 deaths

comprising 155 males, 33 females and 20 children.

In the same vein, the 2014 figure of 193 road traffic crashes comprise of 62 fatal, 115 serious and 15 minor reported cases while the 2013 figure of 368 comprise of 113 fatal, 225 serious and 30 minor reported cases of road traffic crashes recorded between 19-28 December.

On injuries, the Corps also disclosed that the 2014 figure of 733 comprise of 432 males, 185 females and 116 children while the 2013 figure of 1,564 injured persons include 1041 males, 384 females and 139 children.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015— 35

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

conceived to increase tariff at a period when power supply output has dropped below 3,000 megawatts with adverse effects on business and economic activities.

Government should do the needful by shelving the new tariff in the interest of Nigerians who are always bearing the brunt of the ineptitude of power companies in a situation where government appears comfortable with offering excuses for its inefficiencies rather than providing solutions.

“Last year, there was a hike under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), tariff regime, which was premised on the same reason without commensurate increase in power supply. Consumers have not recovered from that. Why is there always this rush to hike the electricity tariff whenever the sector experiences a low? Is tariff hike the permanent solution to the problem because from records, the new tariff schedule shows consumers are paying higher on two fronts–the fixed cost and the cost per kilowatt of electricity which have both increased.”

Egbin power plant...still operating at optimum capacity?

Investor participation

NEW ELECTRICITY TARIFF:

Now, Nigerians have to pay more for less supply

By Chioma Gabriel

W

ITH effect from January 1 2015, electricity consumers in Nigeria are expected to pay more due to the proposed upward review of power tariffs across the country. The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) deemed it necessary to review upwards power tariffs in order to meet demands of the consumers.

NERC said the review of the existing tariff had become a matter of necessity as the country could not attain the target set in 2008 under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). Hence the new tariff regime is expected to compel industrial consumers to pay more for every unit of electricity from January 1, this year while residential consumers will be compelled to do same from June of 2015.

According to NERC, “By now, we should have been generating 15,000mw, based on the MYTO that was designed in 2008. But we are still generating below 4,000mw. So, it is an issue of quantity and price. If we had been able to achieve 15,000mw and you put everything in the basket, the average price, definitely would be low.

But we have not achieved that.

That is why we are doing a major review, because the target in terms of the quantity or the volume of power has not been attained. So,

a major review is necessary based on very reasonable projections.”

The people kick: But Nigerians are kicking against the proposed increase saying the electricity authorities have failed to make power supply available to Nigerians. Hence, the people opine the proposed hike cannot be justified when majority of Nigerians are living in darkness.

Sina Akinjide, a volcanizer dismissed the idea saying, “It is unacceptable. It cannot be justified in a country where electricity is not available. I have been running my business on generator. I am mandated to pay N750 every month for what I did not use and that is compulsory because I use a prepaid meter.

Prepaid meter So, whether there is power supply or not, I must pay this sum and that is not the tariff. Now, they are adding more. This is wicked, ungodly, oppressive and unacceptable and we should resist it. We have been going through epileptic supply of power while others don’t have electricity at all despite paying their bill either through pre-paid meters or analogue meters.”

Some experts in the nation’s power sector are also frowning at the increase in electricity tariff on the grounds that it was not

compatible with epileptic power supply nationwide. According to the immediate past president, Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Adekunle Makinde,”consumers were being made to pay for unavailable and poor electricity services.

The consumers are not bothered or disturbed about the tariff if and when there is value for the money paid. But the problem now is that the services are not available and if consumers are being made to pay more for services that are not available, something is wrong somewhere. Even the regulators that are supposed to be protecting the interest of the consumers are not doing the very best of what they are supposed to be doing. the electricity supply being provided is not sufficient and now you want people to pay more. I think that is not good for consumers”.

Although the Director of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi said residential buildings would not be affected immediately, consumers are vehement in their belief that the hike in tariff for whatever reason is anything but justifiable. “Power supply is deteriorating,” says Mrs Josephine Danti, a landlady.

“It is not only unfair, it is also an injustice to consumers who are being compelled to pay more for darkness. Though NERC announced that distribution companies will not increase tariff

for residential consumers for six months, other customers would, however, witness an increase in electricity bills. Under the present circumstances, that is not acceptable” Engineer Ude, a former electricity worker said there has not been been an improvement for years despite efforts being made.

“There has been more hike in the electricity sector than in any other.

We hear about hike in tariff or service charge more in the power sector than any other sector and this is grossly unfair. It is ill-

What is the hike in price of electricity for?

Is it for keeping us in darkness or what because definitely, the increase in electricity tariff cannot be commensurate with power supply to the consumers

Before the new hike, the Power Minister, Chinedu Nebo, revealed that as many as 120 million Nigerians are currently without electricity. This rubbishes the logic of hiking tariff as a precondition for investor participation. As it is, Nigerians appear to be keeping silent in the face of tyranny and have always complied with payment of new tariffs which come very often. But this is one hike too many.

Bemoaning this development,Yomi Kolawole of Topean Energy Solution, expressed worry that many consumers affected by the current billing don’t not have prepaid meter.

“Majority of electricity consumers in the country are not given prepaid meter and the burden of new tariff will be on them. If every consumer has prepaid meters in their homes, offices and companies, there won’t be complaints from any quarters.

Tariff increase at this point is very unfair”.

Artisans lament: Perhaps, the worst hit in the hike in tariff are artisans who depend solely on power supply for their businesses.

A hairdresser, Victoria Udeme said that last yuletide was hell for her hairdressing business. “Before, I used to complain about lack of customers but during the yuletide season, customers besieged my shop but epileptic power supply ruined matters for me. Customers were coming and some who couldn’t wait due to the frustration left. I also operate a barbing salon here but epileptic power supply hindered all that. In fact, most of the artisans including hairdressers, market women,

Continues on page 37

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—37

Now, Nigerians have to pay more for less supply Continues from page 36 barbers and those whose livelihood depend on electricity have been rendered jobless by poor power supply. This must not be allowed to continue. So, I think like many before me have said that Nigerians should resist it”.

Also condemning the increase, Christopher Nwafor, a dry-cleaner laments that his business survives on generators. “Nobody talks about power supply here because we cannot remember the last time we saw electricity. If you come here in the evening, it’s noise everywhere. Nobody is talking about addressing the power situation before deciding to increase tariff. We consumers cannot just continue to pay for what we did not consume. They should make power available first before thinking of tariff increase.

We are concerned because any increase in tariff should be matched with increased power supply”.

Susan Cole who runs a cold room in Isolo said her business is almost packing up. “When I started this cold room, it was doing very well. One of the fast food joints close to my shop has closed down and moved to another site due to poor electricity supply.

I began to experience a lull because of power outage most of the time. If you are in this type of business and there is no power supply, you are not in business at all. And now, tell me, what is the hike in price of electricity for?

Power supply Is it for keeping us in darkness or what because definitely, the increase in electricity tariff cannot be commensurate with power supply to the consumers.”

Susan observes that the power situation has deteriorated even with the purported privatisation of the sector for efficient delivery. “We have not performed well in the electricity sector. Power supply has been steadily creeping and crawling; Nigerian consumers pay so much for services not rendered to them. Whether there is power supply or not, a consumer pays N750 first even with a black-out lasting for months. The government is robbing the citizens by making them pay for services not rendered to them. We pay for units of electricity we did not consume. We pay service charge even when there is no power supply. That is pure stealing and that is criminal.”

For Peterson Ameh, there is no rationale behind the review since electricity supply either to companies or residential consumers. “There is no rationale for that. What is the increase for?

Is it really commensurate with service delivery? We are keeping silent over this matter for so long and that is not fair. Businesses are dying. Some are completely dead.

Look around you, people who use electricity to run their business are out of it. I have a welding workshop but nothing happens there. So, what am I paying for? I make my customers to pay for fuel used in doing their work and it’s driving them away.

“My neighbour there is a mechanic and he has a computer he uses to detect vehicular faults but power supply has affected that aspect of the business. He is no more a digital mechanic. We call him analogue now and this is somebody who studied mechanical engineering in the university.

Ordinary mechanic He didn’t go to occupy one airconditioned office somewhere. He believes he can make it on his own but they have narrowed him to an ordinary mechanic.”

Ameh believes consumers will willingly pay the new rates if service delivery will improve with the increase in tariff.

Alhaja Aishatu has a plastic company in a quiet suburb at Isolo Lagos but she couldn’t remember power supply from her meter to function. “ I generate my own power. I run generator all the time, yet, I pay service charges months on end without electricity. I use pre-paid meter but sometimes, I think even that is being manipulated. Where I live, I discovered that once recharged, it doesn’t take long before the recharge evaporates. I live alone but I don’t stay around most of the time. My children are grown up and they have all left home. I don’t understand the electricity system in this country anymore.”

Despite the lamentations of the consumers, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is still optimistic that the newly-approved tariff for electricity consumption in Nigeria will help to bring the various electricity

Stable power supply cannot be separated from tariff review

new tariff is driven more by the fact that there is shortage of electricity supply rather than the quantum of the increase in tariff.

Most Nigerians understand that there could be tariff increases in the early stages of the privatised industry and that the prices will correct downwards as the sector increases its capacity. The frustration seems to have been exacerbated by the botched communication around the power sector privatisation that made it seem as if there will be instant increase in power availability as soon as the new owners of the privatised power companies signed the dotted lines of the sales agreement.”

Arguing further, Oduale opines that stable power supply cannot be separated from tariff review, pointing out that without a viable electricity industry, it will be difficult, if not impossible to attract the quantum of required investment. “The tariff reviews are conducted to ensure customers do not pay more than they should and that the industry remains viable and attractive for investments. The tariff reviews are driven by economic variables including inflation rate, exchange

distribution companies to account commission was taking some for the market commitments they regulatory measures to ensure that had earlier made. NERC stated distribution companies provided that without the active meters for consumers. “There is a participation of electricity possibility of consumer fatigue but consumers in the market, it will it is not in their best interest. If be quite difficult for it to nip in the consumers don’t complain, it bud, extant inefficiencies of the means that the regulator will not distribution companies as seen in have enough information to monitor consumer service. Discos their operations.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr. will give their reports indicating Sam Amadi, explained that the that everything is fine but it is commission had insisted on complaints from consumers that improved service delivery to trigger the regulator to ask consumers. Amadi also noted that questions. If a disco shows us the possibility of electricity records that are favourable, how consumers getting tired of do we match them with realities demanding for improved services from the consumer end if there is from market participants, nothing from them?

“The good thing about the tariff especially distribution companies, will not go well for the regulator from NERC is that we have who majorly relies on information opened their business plans and from them to punish recalcitrant can now say that all those people operators.

Amadi at a n e w s conference,said the review was not expected to bring about any increase in tariff to residential customers till June. “Let me state upfront for the sake of clarity that NERC has not increased tariff for residential consumers for now. While the scheduled increase will apply to other classes of consumers from Elelctricity transmission lines...power supply is still grossly behind demand January 1, it will not affect residential consumers who made commitments will have rate, gas price, and available until June 2015,”he said. to live by it. In calculating the tariff, generation capacity. As is obvious, Amadi said the decision to begin everybody’s presumption and these variables are not static. Any the implementation of the commitments have already been plus or minus five per cent change residential tariff in June was to factored as if it is done and so the in the aggregate variables is a balance the legitimate demand for money has been discounted. trigger for a tariff review.” adequate electricity supply with Okwy Okeke, Managing new charges. “The freeze was Transparency Director, Continental Alarms, also designed to primarily protect and and clarity told Vanguard in an earlier promote the interest of the interview that the 8.3 per cent consumers as well as stimulate “We want to see more increase is not much, considering operators to serve customers better. accountability and transparency in the rate of inflation and the fact the management of the that it has been long since such Electricity distribution networks, we want the review was carried out. According distribution consumers to be able to see the to him,”The new rate may not even transparency and clarity in the factor into the near constant It would be unfair for the system as well as more N30,000 per month I pay for my commission to ask consumers to accountability such that even if we office at Dolphin. My power bill pay higher tariffs given the current don’t have so much power, we are in the United States fluctuates level of service delivery and still able to manage whatever we between $40 and $180 per month, consumption perceptions. have”. depending on the season. Rates Although electricity distribution Also speaking on the justification are not fixed as they are in Nigeria. companies were not happy about of the tariff, Oludare Oduale, an Power rate in the early morning the phased approach to increase analyst with Nextier Capital rush period is not same by late in tariff, the commission had a Limited, in an earlier email to morning, among others. Maybe responsibility to protect Vanguard maintained that that is something we can throw consumers. countries like Liberia, Bukina into the conversation to help load Amadi further said the Faso, Senegal, Mali, among management/shedding. commission was not satisfied with others, have higher electricity “The 8.3 per cent increase? What the level of meter deployment by tariffs than Nigeria. According to is inflation rate this year, and electricity distribution companies. him, the anger over the hike stems when was the last rate review? It He said that NERC expected the from a lack of understanding of the is important we bring up the companies to use the next six way electricity tariffs are calculated. quality of our public conversation months to improve on their meter “The public frustration that has beyond the mundane.” spread, adding that the followed the announcement of the

38 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 39

FEBRUARY POLLS:

Call for postponement unconstitutional — Agbakoba •Says INEC not ready for elections •Nigeria lacks statesmen DR Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and a delegate to the just concluded National Conference, in this interaction, explains why postponing next month’s general elections for a transitional government is not tenable. He bares his mind on other burning national issues. Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HAT is your take on calls for the postponement of the election and the proposal for a transitional government?

The call for postponement is clearly unconstitutional because the constitution provides for a term of four years. If this proposal is to be accepted, it will require an amendment to the constitution. And if the constitution is amended and Nigerians agree, then we do it.

But to the extent that it is not even an issue, only Tunde Bakare had mentioned it, we haven’t heard the politicians speak on it. That is part of what I am saying, they haven’t said anything because they are consumed with power.

From what I can see, the politicians are not interested in what type of Nigeria we will find in 2015. The question you asked me, politicians are not asking themselves those questions. The reason that call has come up is because both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) are travelling on one track from opposite ends and when they meet at the centre, there will be a collision, a blow out.

To avert that collision, some Nigerians are calling for a postponement, which I don’t support except it has relevant constitutional backing.

President Goodluck Jonathan recently urged Nigerians to vote PDP lawmakers who in-turn will pass the recommendations of the National Conference into the constitution. Are you satisfied as a member of the national conference?

That is a good idea but don’t forget that the president is not the first to call a Confab. In the last 60 years, the political process has not thrown up statesmen; I am not interested in you just focusing on these two political contenders. If we have had statesmen, for instance, I can give you two examples; whether they are military or civilian it doesn’t matter to me. If General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida had been a statesman, he had a very good opportunity to craft a good

The way we are going to this election, we are going to fail. We have been doing it the same way and failing. The problem with this particular election is that it seems to be the most volatile

•Agbakoba

Nigeria by creating and bequeathing a proper legal framework for a good constitution.

Secondly, if General Olusegun Obasanjo, who is talking rubbish now, was a good statesman, he would not have converted the national conference he called into a third term agenda. The challenge has been the lack of statesmen.

So the question being posed to the political contenders is, do we see elements in either the PDP or APC that when Nigerians reflect on the failures of the country, we can then say this man or that man stands out? I think that is the broader question. I don’t want to get into the issue of who is the better person.

His take on the way Nigerians are approaching the election?

The way we are going to this election, we are going to fail. We have been doing it the same way and failing. The problem with this particular election is that it seems to be the most volatile. That is the problem and the competition for political powers has been very personalized and the impact it would have is what I think Bakare spoke about. So, we need to be very careful about not sliding into the abyss.

Do you think INEC is ready for the February polls?

I don’t think so. INEC is not in that readiness mode to conduct the election because 75 per cent of the voters does not have the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

So, if INEC is insisting that you have to present your voters card

before voting and 75 per cent of those to vote in four weeks time don’t have it, then it calls for concern.

On today’s information, INEC lacks the fundamental to conduct elections, let alone free and fair on the grounds that the logistical framework to conduct it is not there. The politicians don’t think that our votes count because if they thought so, I am unable to understand why two major political parties will launch their campaigns four weeks to the election when typically the campaign should be launched two years ago. The politicians are not interested in your votes, they are interested in power.

Sometimes people talk about the followers, but the followers are very hungry Nigerians and they are not in a position to make informed decisions. So, I don’t blame them when they take a loaf of bread with N20 inside it. There are 40 million unemployed youths and poverty levels are at about 90 per cent. The wealth income distribution is so bad that only about 500 Nigerians own 90 per cent of the wealth. With that type of challenge and bondage, it only takes a statesman to make a change.

Some people have argued that the fault lines are as a result of our defective constitution.

Whose responsibility is it to sort out these fault lines?

It is a mixed bag of issues that I found myself in. Who does what, who is that statesman in the traffic, who will step out and direct the traffic when everybody

is fighting? The best example of how society is ordered is what Durkhem, the founder of social organization said, people who are called upon to exercise political power have a special duty to carry out and when they fail to do their work people begin to resent them and it leads to social revolution.

The first way out of our predicament is the peoples’ revolution where we absolutely overthrow the system but that has it challenge. The second way out is civil society doing it on behalf of the people. Civil society does not mean human rights group as people keep thinking, they mean those critical elements of the society that represents the people and there are two most important ones; the church and the traditional rulers. Not one traditional ruler has said anything meaningful about the way the country is going. Most religious leaders speak to their personal interest.

Can you imagine if we are able to have a Christian-Muslim handshake of our leaders?

Politicians will shake and be terrified. If the Christians and Muslims will come together and say politicians if you don’t answer these questions in the following way, we will tell our people not to vote for you, it will work.

The relevant components of the civil societies are incapacitated.

I have not heard Labour speak in a long time because you have to look at the people who lead

Continues on page 41

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 — 2015

INEC to court?

We cannot be working on speculation any more. Why I said that is that while we are here wasting time, election is fast approaching.

I heard on authority that the name that was submitted was Emiko’s name. Because I cannot physically verify this, I decided to ask the court to declare whatever Emiko is doing on the basis of that primaries, null and void.

I also asked the court to prevent INEC from recognising Emiko as the candidate because INEC supervised the election. I presented the result and challenged Emiko to bring his result if he has another one. It is not enough for the party to impose candidate on the people.

The law provides for a process and I have taken the process. All parties have been served the court papers. The court has asked them to come and explain themselves on January 16, 2014.

•Omatseye: My candidacy is the bloc intention of the Itsekiri, Isoko and the Ijaw

DELTA SOUTH APC SENATORIAL PRIMARIES:

Why my mandate is sacrosanct — Omasteye SENATORIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta South Senatorial District and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Temisan Omatseye, in this interview explained how he emerged as his party’s candidate.

By Charles Kumolu

H

OW did you emerge as APC Senate candidate for Delta South?

I was invited to come and contest the position by virtue of rotation that is existing between the Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri that make up the senatorial district.

By the acceptance of that offer, I made it a policy that I was going to focus on the delegates so I can emerge victorious at the December 8, 2014 primaries. And by so doing, I became very committed by ensuring that I was at home with the delegates.

I knew that for an aspirant to succeed, the person needed the support of the delegates. In the light of that, I visited the eight local government areas in the senatorial district. I sat down with the delegates to chat the way forward. I consulted with ward chairmen, women leaders and every stakeholder. Having done that, winning the election was not an issue because I was able to

get enough delegates. We had over 2000 delegates.

Unfortunately, there were attempts to disrupt the election when it was ongoing. The leaders of the party were there when it was happening. Security agencies were able to handle the situation. Thereafter the votes were counted.

The results were declared at the spot after counting of votes according to stipulations of the Electoral Law. That was how I won the election. So, insinuations that political parties give victory, does not stand because electoral victories are earned and not awarded. Our position is that we won the election according to the laws of our country.

Were you certified the winner by the officials that conducted the exercise?

The result sheets which came in triplicate, showed who won the election. The white sheet goes to

INEC, the pink goes to the party while the blue sheet goes to the candidate. I am in possession of my blue sheet. I was fortunate enough to have a photocopy of the white sheet. The only copy I don’t have is the pink sheet which was given to INEC. Since you were given these legal documents to certify that you won the election, how come Prince Yemi Emiko is claiming to be your party’s candidate?

It is amazing to me. I was in Abuja when I heard rumours about the possibility of another result given by one Osita Okechukwu. I was shocked because the person that INEC recognised to have conducted the election was Mr. Achibogu.

I dismissed that because the returning officer in that election was Barrister Achibogu. When the rumour got stronger, I had to petition the National Working Committee, NWC. We have presented our position to the NWC which is the final arbiter on the matter and they know that I won the election. The beauty of this is that we recorded all that transpired that day.

Having petitioned the NWC, why did you take your party and

Against this backdrop, what is the status quo?

I remain the candidate. The bottom-line is that I contested election and won according to the stipulations of the Electoral Act. This is not the first time, this kind of scenario is playing out in the political scene. Governor Amaechi suffered same fate when his ticket was given to Celestine Omehia.

We are not relenting. The candidate owns the ticket, while the party is the platform through which the election was won.

While the court process is on, we will continue to campaign because we have been given the mandate. We are not going to allow the PDP candidate, James Manager to represent our people for the fourth time against the spirit of equity.

Apart from the official compliant, have you met any of your party leaders personally on

External forces should not dictate for us. The governorship candidate is expected to use my machinery to win election in my constituency because I have the machinery on ground

the issue and what was their disposition?

I have met with them. And the members of the NWC, I believe are working to resolve the matter to reflect the true democracy that the party preaches and stands for. I have met with most of them.

Interestingly, APC elders in Delta State have taken a decision by saying that I am the winner on the strength of my performance at the primaries. Delta South APC leaders have also taken a position affirming that I am the winner.

They have also written the NWC in that respect. Members of the three tribes, who are not APC members, but are in support of the rotation between the tribes, have also taken a position and written the NWC on this matter.

If all the leaders who are duly recognised nationally have attested to my victory, it amazes me that an individual can seat in Abuja and impose someone on the people. Delta politics does not work the way they think, it is purely local politics that is driven by grassroots popularity.

When our elders take position, we respect their decision. You cannot wake up and decide who does what in the state. As an indigene of Delta South, I cannot determine what will happen in other parts of the state. Therefore, nobody in Delta Central can come to claim that he is the leader in Delta South. Temi Harriman, Okpozo, Esigie, Kokori, Okobia, Ogbuagu have all spoken that I won the primaries.

And that is the position of the state chapter of the party. No one should scuttle our chances of winning the election through undemocratic means. What is expected of the NWC is to ensure that the mandate given to me by the delegates remain sacrosanct.

What is the disposition of the governorship candidate of your party in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor towards this?

I think he has taken his position. And I am not going to bother myself about that. But what he should realise is that the balancing scale in Delta politics, is controlled by the Itshekiri and Isoko votes.

The Itsekiri and Isoko votes are bloc votes. If you go against their wish, I can assure you they will not support you.

My candidacy is the bloc intention of the Itsekiri, Isoko and the Ijaw. It will be interesting for you to know that my candidacy cuts across party lines. When the Delta Central senatorial candidate wanted to run, he did not take permission from us. So, external forces should not dictate for us. The governorship candidate is expected to use my machinery to win election in my constituency because I have the machinery on ground.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 41

Continues from page 39

the masses. That is the challenge, it is the challenge of a long traffic jam and people have been sitting there for four hours and no one is prepared to give a space. So, there is no leader prepared to say I am going to shrink my powers in order to establish a strong democratic institution.

Can we ask the political parties whether they are prepared to pledge that if their man wins, he will be a statesman and if he fails to do so, in the next four years, the party will get another opportunity? Those are the options, which will work, I don’t know.

Having being in this political stuff for a while, I doubt if the civil society is strong enough because the compromise of civil society is very deep and you see that they are all dismantled. Let us find somebody who will go in there and represent us but we can only do that by asking the questions now from these two parties.

Is there silver lining in the political developments of the country?

The only great development is the fact that we now have a strong multi-coloured party structure in the shape of APC, that is the only thing new that one is happy to report.

It does seem as if what we are seeing is a personal clash from the politicians rather than an issue clash. The only consideration that politicians have in this election is political power and that is not going to help Nigeria. The issues are very critical; Nigeria is in low-grade civil war. There are eight conditions you review in describing how a state can be described as failed. Nigeria is exhibiting three, yet, our politicians have failed to address the fundamentals. The big issue is the one that late Bola Ige raised, if we don’t address our political arrangement on how we live together, we won’t have a national order.

Nigeria at this present stage is in disorder, there is no way 2015 will be successful for Nigerians, it may be successful for the politicians, either the APC or PDP, but not Nigerians because there will be no national order which is the vital ingredient and element necessary to promote peace and stability. With peace and stability, you can have development.

I was watching a film, Half of a Yellow Sun, and in the part were Biafra refugees were fleeing, the last thing on their mind is for a politician to come and talk to them about power, roads, job. Or if you go to Somalia and there is a war going on, you don’t want to talk about job creation. So, if

INEC not ready for elections — Agbakoba and it led to the rise of IRA and there was no peace, until a statesman came in the shape of Tony Blair. When he came, he created the Good Friday agreement that devolved power to Northern Ireland, then peace.

When Scotland tried to go out of United Kingdom, because they felt that it could be a country of its own, what other parts of UK did was to promise Scotland political devolution, more powers.

So, a statesman uses the opportunity of power to bind a country. Our leaders, whether Azikwe, Gowon, IBB or OBJ, have failed to rise to the level where they use statecraft to create a Nigeria. So, we are at position where the danger of Nigeria facing catastrophe stares us in the face.

•Agbakoba: Confederalism is best suited for Nigeria Nigeria is unable to reverse the impending doom that Professor Bolaji Akinyemi mentioned, then the issues our politicians think are issues are no issues.

How the politicians can pocket the loot is what is causing all the problems.

They are interested in how much can be made, that is why they are jumping from party to party. Those are not the real issues. If we don’t ask ourselves how we want to live together, we are going nowhere.

If Nigeria is unable to understand its own fault lines, the ethnic, linguistic and religious fault lines and create the political arrangement to accommodate them, 2015 will go to either PDP or APC and we will carry the baggage forward to 2019.

The only way we can develop because we have the resources, Nigeria is a very wealthy country but the problem is that we don’t have the peace and stability to develop its resources. So, it is crucial that the politicians be made to understand that key discussions that we will like to hear is that if they come to power, how do they intend to address the issue that has eluded the colonial powers who did not give us a good constitution, the military powers which did not give us a good constitution and civil powers that have not given us a good constitution?

We will like to hear what the presidential candidates think.

Should Nigeria be a loose federal system, should we collapse the states and how can we become a viable political entity? T Right now, transformation is not our problem, restoration is our problem. Restoring Nigeria in order to transform is the problem.

What happened in Japan in the

1600 is happening here in Nigeria.

They had political shotguns, warlords that took over the country and they used their troops to pervert the national treasuries, until a leader who understood statecraft came and led Japan to where it is today.

So, do we have a statesman?

We will like to hear what the parties have to say. Do they have statesmen in their presidential candidates? If so, are we are hearing the message? The two political parties must tell us why we have to vote for them.

What type of political arrangement will you recommend for a heterogeneous nation as Nigeria?

Confederalism is best suited for Nigeria. Only two have gotten it right in our history, Obafemi Awolowo and Ojukwu, the system conflated and collapsed in 1966. It had been managed from 1960 but by 1966 the contradictions of Nigeria made it to collapse and it led to a civil war.

Before the civil war, the political leaders at the time went to Aburi in Ghana at a time to sit down and discuss how to move forward and the agreement was a confederation.

On return, Gowon, who is now leading a national prayer, failed to implement the agreement of a confederal system because the super permanent secretaries of the time, who were interested in political power, told him that a pyramid federation was the best, which is power at the centre. That has been the problem and that is what Ojukwu and Awolowo said.

But if you have six subpyramids in the six geo-political

zones, we won’t have these problems. The contest will not be as fired up as this. Let me give you an example of how you can create and resolve a national order. In the United Kingdom, there are four entities; Welsh, Irish, English and the Scots.

The Irish were mistreated and they lost the Southern half of Ireland and it became the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was run from their Abuja,

I don’t think Nigeria will break in 2015. I saw the US Ambassador on TV denying such prediction. Nigeria is too strong a country to break up. That is out of the question

Don’t you think the happenings in the country may be giving credence to the prediction that Nigeria will break in 2015?

I don’t think Nigeria will break in 2015. I saw the US Ambassador on TV denying such prediction.

Nigeria is too strong a country to break up. That is out of the question. The challenge, however, is that Nigeria would not be able to harness its full potential in seemingly little things like a national carrier before we even move to the big things.

For example, if you want to be a big country, you have to show yourself to the world whether in sports or other endeavours. The one that always strikes me because I travel around the World is that I see Air Gambia, Air Mauritius, Air Zambia but I have never seen Air Nigeria. I say what a shame? What they have done in the Middle East is to create enabling environment that attracts you there. So, they have their Emirates, Etihad that is how a country is great because they are showing their flags.

One of the most ridiculous ones I have seen is that if 10 containers come to the Central Africa which contained about 18 countries, eight belong to Nigeria. Out of that eight, five go to other ports because they find your ports inefficient. How can you say you are great country? The reason for that sometimes is simply the fact that the Federal Government being too big, owns all the ports, whereas Lagos State should own the port.

So, unless a statesman is prepared to say I want to reconfigure Nigeria by a redistribution of political power.

You can see as Apapa is. Apapa produces almost the equal of our oil wealth but because it is not tapped and nobody cares, it has stayed like this.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

APAPA/OSHODI TRAFFIC SNARL:

The Agony Continues •••Rail transportation only solution — Fashola

•Horrible traffic snarl on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE Yuletide is over, but the traffic gridlock experienced by Lagosians, especially road users of the ever-busy OshodiApapa expressway and the Apapa environs, remains.

Towards the end of last year, the perennial traffic snarl which crippled vehicular and commercial activities on the road worsened, as drivers of petroleum tanker and articulated vehicles heading towards and out of the Apapa ports, as well as tank farms located on the road, took over the road .

Road users’ hope for solace any time soon, may have been dashed, as Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has declared that the situation might continue unless the Federal Government takes certain necessary measures.

Bothered by the activities of tanker drivers and operators of articulated vehicles on the road, as well as the ongoing reconstruction of the road by the Federal Government, through the construction giant, Julius Berger Plc, the state government had over the years taken steps in collaboration with other agencies to find tangible results to the situation.

Fashola, severally gave ultimatums to oil firms to reorganise their operations by

refraining their clients from parking on the highway which had continued to paralyse business activities in the axis, especially along OshodiApapa and Ijora-Apapa axis.

Necessary measures were actually put in place to ensure compliance with the state Road Traffic Law 2014.

Unfortunately, the horrible situation seems to have defied all solutions.

Fashola in company of some stakeholders visited Mile 2 and Apapa environs severally to assess the causes of the traffic gridlock in the area with a view to finding lasting solution.

Despite promises made to the governor by members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, and drivers of articulated vehicles to address the situation, they have not budged.

Comrade Tayo Aboyeji, the Zonal Public Relations Officer of PTD, who met with the governor, actually pleaded for time to change their ways with a pledge to free the roads leading in and out of Apapa.

Speaking at an interactive session with media executives, recently, in his Alausa, Ikeja office, Fashola attributed the problem to the failure of the Federal Government policy on distribution of petroleum products.

F

ashola said: “The first thing to understand was

that the responsibility of the state government is traffic management on that axis. But the problem on that road comes from the tankers and containerized trucks which come to the ports to lift fuel and others. I don’t manage the port and I don’t discharge fuel. So it is inaccurate to say that we are not doing enough to solve the challenges faced on that road or that we have lost the battle.

There are over 15 tank farms around the Coconut area alone all in Apapa. Our members have to drive long distances from different parts of the country to lift products in Apapa

administration embarked upon was for political demonstration,” explained Fashola.

Giving a breakdown of the number of users of the port, he disclosed that no less than 3, 000 tankers and at least 1, 000 articulated vehicles enter the ports daily, noting that their only mission is to lift fuel, diesel and kerosene, while the trailers visit the port to transport fish, rice, vegetable oil and others and the people are the ones consuming the commodities.

Continuing, the governor said: “That is not a bad thing.

If you have 4,000 trucks daily visiting a place, any government that really loves its citizens must ensure that they move those things by rail.

It is bad economics because the Apapa roads had been constructed several times and after few months, the road gave way again.

“The fact that it is moving today is a credit to us because we are managing a very difficult situation. My hearts goes out to the residents and business owners in Apapa.

But when you see that traffic, one is only seeing the symptoms of a profound failure of port and oil management.

And these are the responsibility of the central government,” he lamented

PTD reacts

“The problem from the port was that vehicles that used to park inside the port have been driven out by the concessionaires and they have no option than to park on the road in order to gain access into the port.

“The information from within the ports was that there was no enough cargo handling equipment inside the port. So the turnaround time per vehicle is longer and slower. Anyone who puts that burden on us was doing that inappropriately.

“It is a Federal Government responsibility. The Tin-Can Island road that would have helped reduce the traffic belongs to the apex government. If they finish fixing it, it will bring relief. But we need to understand that the relief will only last for a short time. No nation delivers that kind of cargo by road. With the huge load transported on that road, there is no construction done on that road that will last, until we move those cargoes through rail. The rail tracks are available in that axis.

“The Europeans built them, but with coordinated plan, political will and clarity of purpose, we can move all these huge cargoes on rail. If you visit that axis today, you will still find the Agip, NNPC and other fuel wagons in the yard.

So, we can do it if there was political will. But unfortunately, the rail the current

H

owever, reacting, the Zonal Public Relations Officer of PTD, Tayo Aboyeji, told Vanguard that the trailer park would not accommodate petroleum tankers as it was meant only for dry cargoes.

Aboyeji lamented the difficulty and the hostile environment the tanker drivers were operating in, in the absence of a convenient place to park their vehicles despite the essential services they were rendering to the citizens and the nation’s economy.

He however, blamed the situation on the failure of the federal government to properly manage the ports and the granting of licenses to private business concerns to site tank farms indiscriminately along the Apapa environ.

His words: “There are over 15 tank farms around the Coconut area alone all in Apapa. Our members have to drive long distances from different parts of the country to Apapa in Lagos to lift products. This shouldn’t be so. Why can’t we have depots in other places to free Apapa?”

The PTD image-maker stated that the union is currently discussing with a private investor for a land deal in Amuwo-Odofin area where they hope to jointly develop as parking lot for petroleum tankers. This he said would at least reduce the pressure on Apapa axis.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—43

By Ikenna Asomba

S

INCE November 28, 2014, when the N i g e r i a n Meteorological Agency, NiMet, issued an advisory forecast for dust outbreaks to affect several parts of the country during the December to February dry season, residents in Lagos State have continued to express mixed feelings over the dry and hazy weather condition that has continued to bite harder on them.

The agency had in a statement predicted that the current outbreak of dust, also known as Harmattan, will reduce horizontal visibility significantly to 1000m and below in some stations, pointing that the weather condition will cause flight delays and cancellations in airports where horizontal visibility falls below the stipulated minima.

It had also stated that the increase in concentration of the dust particles will lead to colder and drier atmosphere as well as increase in incidences of respiratory disorder.

True to this forecast, in the last couple of weeks, severe and widespread dust haze has affected most parts of the country, particularly Lagos, owing to the dust plume raised over Niger/Chad republic and transported by north-east wind over the country.

During a season like this, aside the flight delays and cancellations in airports, increase in incidences of respiratory disorder, incidences of air, road and water accidents are usually on the increase, even as fire outbreaks proliferates.

At press time, Lagos just like other major city centres such as Asaba, Calabar, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Warri share similar temperature in Degree Celsius of 25, 22, 23, 23, 24, 23, 22. This is even as other major city centres like Jos and Kano have the lowest temperature in Degree Celsius of 11 and 12.

For other city centres their temperature in Degree Celsius are Enugu (19), Ilorin (19), Maiduguri (15), Owerri (20), Sokoto (14), Yola (13) and Zaria (13).

Against the backdrop of the hazy harmattan, the Lagos State Government, Wednesday, urged residents to take precautionary measures, as the state will be experiencing dusty warm days early in the morning and fog expectedly in the evenings.

The state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello who stated this, disclosed that the weather forecast from his ministry indicated that the maximum temperature expected all through this week is 31 Degree Celsius while the

•NIMET building minimum temperature of 25 Degree Celsius is expected.

Bello, who warned that visibility will be impaired, however, advised motorists and other road users to be cautious, reduce speed limits, observe road signs, so as to prevent unwarranted accidents.

This is even as the commissioner warned residents to avoid bush and waste burning during this period to avoid incidences of fire outbreak. He also advised them to ensure that drains around their homes are cleaned regularly to prevent the breeding of malaria parasites-infested mosquitoes.

According to health experts, Harmattan affects people’s health in many ways, especially as the skin, eyes and respiratory tract are most vulnerable.

Lagosians groan under biting harmattan season It is expected that the skin suffers dryness with accompanying cracking of lips, soles of the feet and sometimes the skin itself. The eyes also suffer from the abundance of dust particles carried along by the winds, thus itching, foreign body sensations and redness may be common especially in those with allergic eye diseases. A lot of diseases are easily triggered due to this change in weather and lots of care must be taken to avoid fatal consequences.

To reduce the adverse effect of this hazy period, here are

few tips from pharmacologists.

Drink lots of water; avoid carbonated soft drinks as they dehydrate your skin quite bad; avoid antiseptic soaps during this weather, but use them only when you have a skin infection it is meant to treat. Use it even then for a short period and stop.

Also, keep the skin healthy by applying oily creams and wearing weather friendly clothing; use lip balms and apply Vaseline to the soles of the feet to prevent them from cracking; remember to keep your hair moisturised and also do hairstyles that keep your hair

ends hidden. You can also wrap up your hair to protect it from the dust.

Wear warm clothes as they will protect you from the severe cold; rinse your eyes with clean water and reduce the exposure to the dust by wearing protective spectacles; asthma patients or those with chronic respiratory conditions should pay special attention to their health and take all possible and practicable measures to reduce exposure to the dusty atmosphere. They should carry their inhalers with them at all times.

BADIA DEMOLITION: 2 years after,

compensation issues linger

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

J

UST like any other parent, Mr. Babatunde Ogunyemi’s aim has been to have family that would always be together to celebrate every festive period. For Ogunyemi, his joy has been to watch his children grow with high model of moral social values in them.

Unfortunately, these wishes were cut short on February 23, 2013, when the Lagos State Government demolished several structures in Badia East, Apapa Iganmu Local Government Area of the State.

This action was what forced the Ogunyemi family and over 2, 000 other residents of Iganmu Alawo and Ilu Eri to be rendered homeless.

In the wake of the demolition exercise, which affected no fewer than 319 landlords, Governor Babatunde Fashola said the government would be erecting 1, 008 low cost housing units in the area. But

barely two years after, Vanguard gathered that the affected victims have continued to lament the delay of the state government to compensate them for their loss of properties.

Sadly for Ogunyemi, an artisan, he was caught unprepared by the demolition exercise of his community, as he was only informed of the incident by his wife, while he was at work. He returned home to meet his properties all destroyed and lying in rubble.

Explaining his ordeal, Ogunyemi said: “After that day, things have been tough.

I had to send my family to live with my elder sister while I lived with my friend. My aim now is to work hard and raise enough money that will enable me secure a better accommodation for the family.

But all I get at the moment could only cater for feeding.

“If I had enough money, I would not have waited for the government compensation.

Rather I would have gone to secure a better apartment for

my family. But we are still waiting for the State Government to fulfil the promises it made to us.”

He added that “Previously, the state government promised that the displaced landlords will be among the first beneficiaries of the low cost housing units. In order to actualize this and get compensated for our demolished houses, the state government asked us to nominate representatives to meet with government officials.

“The government team was led by the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Other members of the team were Commissioner for Housing, Agriculture and Cooperatives and Information and strategy. But the government reneged one year after on its promise, and we had no option than to look elsewhere for help,” he said.

Similarly, another victim, Mrs. Ayinke Stephen told Vanguard that the victims were divided into group A, B, C and D, explaining that

“Group A and B were residents of Badia East, Group C were Iganmu, while Group D were those who were not available when the names of the victims were compiled.

“One year after, when the state government could not fulfil their promise on the housing unit, the government approved the sum of N284.4 million, as compensation. The government started the payment, but we were surprised that the state government officials did not complete the payment which they started with Group A and B. Case is closed—Ipaye Responding in a text message to Vanguard, on Sunday, the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye stated that the case is closed.

His words: “There is no one remaining. All accredited beneficiaries have been paid.

We had a last minute rush of claims (after close of verification) which we checked and found to be fraudulent.

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

SCORPIO: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already onboard of merry making train. Watch your health.

SAGITTARIUS: Minor financial success you record today can lead to something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

CAPRICORN: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those ambitious career-wise will succeed after few struggles.

By Richard Eromosele

A

deadline is the time within which we must do something. It is the time we have to do what we have chosen to do or what we are expected to do or compelled to do.

Unfortunately, most people associate deadline with

Giving yourself a deadline journalism. This should not be.

Everyone that aspires to be somebody in life must imbibe the practice of deadline.

The major difference between a mere wish and a goal is that a wish is an open cheque that

TERROR MUDA

has no definite time for it to be cashed whereas a goal has time frame for its execution. But for fear of failing, most people will gladly set deadline for attaining their goal. Be a sportsman. Be sincere to yourself. If you have

in “Never say goodbye”

given everything and you still couldn’t meet up with your deadline, adjust it forward.

In everything, set a deadline for yourself.

Just be sincere. No body will kill you for not meeting up with your deadline.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take good advantage today.

PISCES: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

ARIES: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

TAURUS: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

GEMINI: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

CANCER: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

VIRGO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my Horoscope ?

Dear Joshua, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is.

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Akinyemi, Lagos.

Dear Akinyemi, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day Of Birth: Thursday Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—45

APC TO NASS, FG: Check spate of violence in Rivers

By Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by its Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, has called on the Senate, the Federal Government and the Police to look into the recurring crises in the state, alleging that supporters of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have continued to attack the opposition with guns.

Ikaya, who addressed newsmen at the APC state secretariat in Port Harcourt on the attack on APC delegates who were going for the presidential flag-off campaign of Gen. Mohammdadu Buhari, said that no level of intimidation will make PDP recapture the state as the people will vote APC. Ikaya called on the police to investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to book, warning that nobody has the monopoly of violence. He also alleged that every act of political violence in the state was traceable to the PDP. He said: “We proved our popularity in the state again as almost 100, 000 people came out to appreciate the

Oshimili North PDP backs Ajudua for DTHA

By Tommy Anaduaka

M

EMBERS of the P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have promised to support the candidature of the House of Assembly flagbearer of the party, Princess Pat Ajudua.

A community leader, Chief Augustine Amatokwu, who spoke on the matter, said that the decision to support the member representing the constituency in the House of Assembly was as a result of her numerous contributions to the socioeconomic development of the area as well as her effective representation in the floor of the House of Assembly over the years.

Amatokwu, who described Princess Ajudua as a God-sent, enumerated some of her achievements to include tarring of link roads, construction of examination halls in some communities and provision of basic facilities in the health centres.

wind of change, but PDP has again attacked our members coming from Khana and AsariToru Local Government Areas for the rally and six people who sustained various degrees of injuries were hospitalised.

“I call on the Senate, the Federal Government and the traditional rulers to help APC stop the introduction of gun battle into the Rivers State politics by the PDP. Every act of political violence is

traceable to PDP because APC, as a humble party, has edged them out, so they are resorting to violence. No level of intimidation will stop Rivers people from voting their party, APC.”

THANKSGIVING: From left: Ifeoma Agboma, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain; Mrs. Gloria Okolugbo, Delta State Commissioner for Energy and Sir Kenny Okolugbo, Commissioner, representing Ndokwa on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, during Mrs Okolugbo's thanksgiving at the Cathedral of Christ, Obiaruku, Delta State.

FG's marked out 13 export products as replacement for oil —AGANGA

By Daniel Gumm

T

HE Federal Government has marked out 13 national strategic export products, meant to replace petroleum products, the prices of which have continued to tumble at the international markets, threatening the stability of the Nigerian

economy, Minister of Trade and Investments, Mr Olusegun Aganga, has said.

He said that this was part of moves by the Federal Government to revive the dwindling national economy with emphasis on rapid growth of the non-oil sector for exports.

Aganga, during an unscheduled inspection and a

Okowa/Otuaro: N-Delta women back power shift

By Tare Youdeowei

N

IGER Delta Women Forum in the South-West has described the emergence of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa/Kingsley Otuaro ticket as the best option to move Delta State to greatness.

The group, made up of women professionals from the Niger Delta living in the South-West, threw their weight behind Senator Okowa and Mr. Kingsley Otuaro for the governorship election in Delta State in February.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Miss Lynda Magada, the group said: “Delta State is a mini-Nigeria and as the most

complex state in the country, it needs a power shift to remove tension and encourage brotherhood and equity which are the backbones of social and economic development. We urge all the tribes in the state to support power shift to strengthen unity and peace.

"Every senatorial zone in the state will get its turn to produce the governor and deputy governor in due time."

The group said it had studied the credentials of all the governorship candidates and their deputies in all the parties and “our findings show that Okowa/Otuaro ranks among the best materials for the forthcoming elections.”

meeting with the Executive Director of Nigerian Exports Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo and members of his management team in Abuja, noted that originally 12 products were identified, but the number increased because the Executive Director of NEPC made a very strong case for the inclusion of Cashew in the list.

Unveiling plans by the Federal Government for diversifying the economy, Aganga listed the 13 national strategic export products, NSEP, in three categories to include: Agro-industrial — Palm oil, cocoa, cashew, sugar and rice; Mining related — cement, iron ore/metals, auto parts/cars, aluminium and oil and gas industrial products — Petroleum products, fertilizer/ urea, petrochemical and methanol.

Responding, Awolowo noted that NEPC under his leadership had long recognised the need to develop the non-oil export sub-sector and in the process held series of strategic meetings with stakeholders for the development of ideas aimed at improving the foreign exchange earnings by Nigeria through different avenues.

FEB POLLS: N-Delta exmilitants vow to support PDP

B

OMADI—NIGER Delta ex-militants have insisted that the region’s ex-agitators would not support any other party than the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February general elections.

Speaking to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, the Delta State Chairman, Phase Two of the Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Muturu, on the controversy generated by the reported support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential flag-bearer, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, noted that ex-militants in the Niger Delta would continue to stand resolute in their support for President Goodluck Jonathan in his reelection bid in 2015.

He added that the PDP was the government that initiated the amnesty programme for training of Niger Delta youths in the struggle, hence their unflinching support to the party.

Delta First Lady boosts Isoko widows

T

HE wife of Delta State governor, Mrs. Roli Udhuaghan, has donated cash and food items, including bags of rice, to widows of Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

Making the presentation on behalf of Mrs Uduaghan, Lady Ikpokpo, wife of the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, expressed appreciation for the widows’ support of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last local government elections, urging them to continue to vote PDP in all elections.

Responding, the beneficiaries thanked Mrs. Uduaghan and Lady Ikpokpo and reiterated their support for PDP and prayed for peace in the forthcoming general elections.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Reject PDP, Ngige tells Ndigbo

Urhobo Ovo, Ijaw Kene mobilize for Jonathan, Okowa, others

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—FORMER Governor of Anambra State and Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial zone, Dr. Chris Ngige, has urged the people of the South-East to show more support to All Progressives Congress, APC, advising them to reject Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He spoke when the presidential candidate of APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, stormed Anambra State with members of his campaign team in continuation of his tour of the country.

According to Ngige, the PDP government had given Ndigbo broken promises, ranging from the politics of second Niger Bridge to Onitsha River port and lack of repair of South-East roads from Oba to Okigwe, Onitsha to Enugu, Enugu to Port Harcourt, among others.

According to him, “ what PDP has been doing is promising projects without executing them and our party, APC, will change all that and teach them how government can be run

By Oboh Agbonkhese

A

socio-political group, Urhobo Ovo and Ijaw Kene Patriotic Group for Okowa 2015, have said it will mobilize youths, woman groups, elders, students and other stakeholder to vote for the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager and Mr. Julius Pondi in the February elections in Delta State.

Okowa is contesting for Delta State governorship; Manager, for Delta South Senatorial District, and Pondi, for Burutu Federal Constituency, all on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The group, which is made up of Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko and other ethnic nationalities in the state, said the President’s reelection would ensure that the impact of the transformation agenda continues.

The President of the group, Mr. Moses Unuvworho, appealed to all well-meaning Deltans to vote en masse for PDP candidates for continuity, dedication and accelerated development.

successfully. We want APC to take over the government of Nigeria to give the people good governance.

“Therefore, February 14 is

the D-day in the history of Nigeria and we want the electorate to take our party into confidence by voting for our presidential candidate

and all APC candidates.

“We want to assure Nigerians that every polling booth will be manned to forestall subvertion of the people's wishes.”

... as Okowa rallies Nigerians for Jonathan

D

ELTA State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Nigerians to fully support President Goodluck Jonathan, to enable him realise his re-election bid.

Senator Okowa spoke when the executive members of Delta State chapter of Goodluck Support Group, GSG, led by the state Coordinator, Chief Austin Izagbo, visited him in Asaba.

He extolled the leadership qualities of President Jonathan, which he said made him to remain focussed in his transformation agenda, despite the distraction being caused by some disgruntled elements perpetuating acts of insecurity.

Okowa, who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, said of all the

achievements of the President, the swift and coordinated way the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus was tackled, leading the World Health Organisation, WHO, to declare Nigeria Ebola free, was most outstanding.

Speaking with journalists after the visit, Delta North Coordinator of GSG, Chukwudi Eke, applauded the leadership qualities of Senator Okowa and urged all eligible voters in Delta State to vote for him.

Eke, who is also the Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, said having served as a local government Chairman, Commissioner, Secretary to the State Government and a

distinguished Senator, Okowa was the most qualified person to become the next governor of the state.

‘Pity Mbaka'

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—SPECIAL Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Political Affairs, and a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign team, Chief Joe Uzodike, has pleaded with Nigerians to ignore last week’s statements credited to Enugu-based Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, in which he was quoted as saying that President Goodluck Jonathan has failed Nigerians.

Addressing reporters at Awka Etiti in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, Uzodike said: “I do not see why the issue of Mbaka should domi-nate the media space.

“After watching him anoint Mrs. Patience Jonathan and pouring encomiums on her husband, only to turn around to say that Goodluck has bad luck, what Nigerians should do is to pity him.”

Buhari's campaign promise excites Igbo

By FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, SouthEast geopolitical zone is excited by the promise made to Ndigbo by its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, (retd) to revamp the abandoned coal deposits in Enugu.

Buhari had, while flagging off his presidential campaign in Enugu, promised to revamp

the abandoned coal deposits in the state and use it for electricity generation in the South-East zone.

In a statement yesterday, South-East spokesman of APC, Osita Okechukwu, said Buhari had once again rekindled hope in the people of the South-East that the coal deposits abandoned since the civil war would be revamped.

Okechukwu recalled that in the 70’s and even up till the

80’s, coal in Enugu was used to power the Oji River Power Station, which generated electricity for the Eastern region and beyond.

He said: “Then, electricity from Oji River Power Station served industries in the Eastern Region like Premier Cashew Industry in Oghe, Avop Vegetable Oil Nachi, Sunrise Flour Mills, Aluminium Industry Ohebe Dim, among others.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On the forthcoming elections

A

LL political parties should work out the possibility of using GSM phone as a voting tool.

Nigerians could vote in the comfort of their homes, offices and anywhere. It is possible.

This is a better way to save Nigeria and rescue Nigerians from bad l e a d e r s h i p . — M r.

Kolade Ayinde, Worker.

M

Y expectation is that the Federal Government should fund INEC, so that they can do a good job. They should ensure INEC gets the money for the exercise without delay, instead of buying any new luxury private plane in the market.— Miss Precious Okoye, Graduate.

H

OW will INEC ensure that every registered Nigerian gets his/her PVC’s? Honestly, I do not see that happening before the elections. It is sad that so many Nigerians will be disenfranchised. It is not as if Nigerians are not willing to vote.—Mr. Nelson Nwamara, Self employed.

W

HAT Nigerians are asking from INEC is simply credible elections and zero tolerance for rigging.

The commission should conduct free and fair elections and save Nigeria from this catastrophic situation waiting to explode. Is that too much to ask?— Miss Tina Mba, Student.

W

HO is deceiving who? If 60 percent of Nigerians could not get PVC within one year, how can 45 percent get theirs within 30 days?

Our politicians should stop throwing blames when things go wrong.

They should always work in unity with Nigerians at heart.—Mr. Chibuzor Marvelly, Worker.

A

LL I want is a free and fair election. An election where every Nigerian's vote must count. So Mr. Jega should better take note!

I want to see the people's choice reflect in all positions. They must allow Nigerians pick who should lead us.— Mrs Morayo Simeon, Businesswoman.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015— 47

Buhari can't win election with cabals surrounding him —GOV LAMIDO

By Demola Akinyemi

D

UTSE—JIGAWA State Governor of Sule Lamido has said that the cabals surrounding the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammad Buhari would not allow him win next month’s general elections in the country.

Lamido said that the ‘’cabals are capitalizing on Buhari’s so call popularity to seek elective positions,’’ saying, however, that ‘’Buhari cannot get the mandate of Nigerians’’ at the polls.

The governor spoke while addressing a large crowd of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters in Magatari town in the state during a political rally in the area, Sunday, “Frankly, even my party, the PDP has agreed that General Buhari is an incorruptible person but those sounding him are selfish, they are misleading him on the present realities in the country,’’ he said.

Describing the "cabals as dangerous elements,’’ Lamido said that those deceiving Buhari were the former members of the PDP who dumped the party and moved closer to Buhari.

"These cabals seeking elective positions are betrayers. They betrayed PDP; the party which

made them what they are today.

They will also betray Buhari as soon as they get what they want, just as they are calling PDP all sorts of names and regard Buhari like god now.

They will turn their back on him soon,’’ he noted He however, assured that the PDP would reclaim all the states it lost due to the defection of some of its former members.

The governor then charged the people of the state not to

allow themselves to be lured by desperate power seekers during the February general elections but to vote for the PDP, stressing that Jigawa was historically a PDP state.

“Maigatari town has been existing for the past 1000 years but there was no good roads, clean water supply, good schools, and medical care until when this administration emerged in 2007,’’ he pointed out and assured that more would be

done if they gave their mandate to PDP. In his remarks, PDP state governorship candidate, Malam Aminu Ibrahim said they were in Maigatari town to express their appreciation over the people’s cooperation and support for the PDP government in the state and how they leave in peace despite their strategic location as a border town with Niger Republic.

SALES: Some consumers expressing their excitement during the Alomo Bitters Christmas and New Year sales activation in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Sen Ndume tasks oponent on constructive criticisms

M

By Ndahi Marama

AIDUGURI—THE Senator Representing Southern Borno Senatorial District, Mohammed Ali Ndume yesterday said that he had drilled over 100 boreholes for the people of his senatorial district.

Ndume said that these were not part of the two boreholes he attracted for each of the communities in Southern Borno as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. He spoke while reacting to allegations by his opponent contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Nicholas Mshelizza over the issue.

Ndume asked Mshelizza to imbibe the culture of constructive criticism, rather than making

baseless allegations aimed at scoring cheap political points.

Ndume who is re-contesting the senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, also said that his constituency had benefited

from his efforts during the last three and half years in the Senate.

Ndume who addressed newsmen in Maiduguri during the ongoing distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards,

Kukah assures on religious leaders' cooperation for free, fair polls

A

BUJA—THE Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah, has expressed the readiness of religious leaders to contribute their quota to the success of the forthcoming general elections.

Kukah told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja that INEC and other relevant agencies should spell

out the role these leaders could play.

He said that the electoral body was saddled with the responsibility of holding peaceful and successful elections, hence the assistance of religious leaders could enable it achieve such task.

“It is the role of the electoral body to decide what it requires to organise a successful election.

INEC hands over electoral guidelines to Police

By Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the weekend handed over the electoral guidelines and names of the Political parties qualified to participate during the upcoming general elections to the Lagos state Police command.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Lagos

C M Y K

PVCs, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which attracted massive turn- out despite the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

state, Akin Orebiyi who handed over the document to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti at the Command headquarters, Ikeja said the highlight of the visit is to present the guidelines of political campaigns and list of political parties in Nigeria to the police.

The INEC boss, however, stated that the commission is ready to conduct free and

credible elections.

He said: “With your permission we want to resume the joint weekly meetings. The elections would be held in two Saturdays in the month of February. The presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, February 14 while the governorship and state Assembly elections will be held on February 28."

“It is important that the electoral body seeks partnership so that it can enhance its preparations for the elections."

He expressed optimism that things would get better for the nation after the elections as the electoral process was paramount in order to strengthen democracy.

According to the cleric, various parties are showing interest in the number one seat, which shows that a party cannot dominate the political space for long.

“INEC should therefore come up with clear rules and regulations for these parties to operate so that the process may be free and fair.

“If this is done I do not see why Nigerians will not accept the results of the elections.

“This is the beauty of democracy and it is then left for the citizens to determine who can really represent the interest of the country,” he said.

A

DO EKITI—AN Agriculturist, Mr Olatebi Fadebi, has predicted that a successful farming season awaits palm tree farmers in 2015, following the severe harmattan being experienced across the country, especially in the Southern part.

Fadebi stated this on Monday in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ido in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti state.

He noted that the harmattan started early in December 2014 and its effect on fruits bearing palm trees would be unimaginable “because harmattan play vital role in palm fruits production.“ The agriculturist observed that the decline in palm oil production in 2014 was due to the short harmattan period experienced in late 2013 and early 2014.

He predicted that palm oil production would increase and farmers would have a successful farming year, thereby increasing their income.

Fadebi advised farmers whose palm plantations are bushy to do the weeding and other farming works on time to prevent fire occurrence which might have negative consequences on their farms.

Why Okowa settled for Otuaro —Group

W

ARRI—A GROUP, Peoples Democratic Party Crusaders, has said that the need for someone with a pan-Deltan credential, informed the choice of Mr. Kingsley Otuaro as the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, governorship candidate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa.

The group said this when its executive committee members paid a courtesy visit to its patron, Mr. Kestin Pondi in Warri.

Briefing newsmen at the occasion, Publicity Secretary of the group, Michael Tidi, said Otuaro had so far displayed a detribalised approach to public service, saying that this has distinguishes him as a committed Deltan.

His words: ‘’In fact, his detribalized approach to public service, a disposition that has seenhimcarryingItsekiris, IsokosandUrhobosalongwithfellow Ijaw have marked him out as one of those at the vanguard of sustaining peace we are currently enjoying in Warri and environs.’’

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

VISIT: From left, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; President, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Najim Yasin; APC Governorship Candidate, Kogi State; Prince Rotimi Obadofin, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Issa Aremu, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Ahmed, at Government House, Ilorin.

CAMPAIGN: From left, Umar Nasko, PDP Governorship Candidate, Niger State; Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Niger State Governor, and Adamu Mu'azu, National PDP chairman, during the 2015 presidential campaign flag-off in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau PRESENTATION: From left, Janet Najomo, Deputy Weekend Advert Manager; Mr. Charles Gerald, of Corporate Affairs Department, both of Vanguard Newspapers; Sister Ruth George of Little Saints Orphanage, and Alero Atsimene, Deputy Advert Manager, Vanguard Newspapers, during presentation of gifts to the orphanage home by the Management of Vanguard Media Limited, in Lagos.

Photo: Diran Oshe

PROGRAMME: From left, Otunba Gani Adams, National Coordinator Oodua People's Congress; Professor Kolawole Raheem, University of Education, Winneba Ghana, and Chief Olaoluwa Omiwenu, Owa Eredumi of Ife, representative of Ooni of Ife, during the press briefing on Oodua Festival 2015 programme, organisd by Olokun Festival Foundation, at White House Hotel , Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, weekend. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

WEDDING: From left, Chief John Agboola Odeyemi, groom's father; Dr. Olabo Osude, bride's mother; the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Akinloye Odeyemi; Chief Kofoworola Odeyemi, groom's mother, and Adekunle Osude, bride's father, during the wedding between Adeola Temitope Osude and Akinloye Oyebanji Odeyemi, at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victory Chapel, Magodo GRA, Phase 11, Lagos.

Photo: Akeem Salau

DEDICATION: From left, Pastor Benjamin Ajayeoba, Pastor in Charge of Province 37, Redeemed Christian Church of God; Pastor Ladejobi Samuel, Pastor in Charge of Area, Beauty of His Holiness; Pastor Oretayo Adetola, Pastor in Charge of Region II, and Pastor Oluwayemi Olajide, Assistant Pastor in Charge, Lagos Province 37, during the dedication of New Church Auditorium of Prince of Peace Parish, RCCG, Magboro, Ogun State, weekend. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

PARTY: Back row, From left, Dr. Basirat Giwa, Mrs. Debo Laditan, Mrs. Ronke Gbenle; Front row, from left, Mrs. Shola Adebule, Mrs. Mosun Sofola, and Mrs. Bose Hastrup, during the new year party, organised by the Elegant Ladies Aerobics Club of Anthony Village, in Lagos, weekend. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

BRIEFING: President, Alumni Association of the National Institute, Major General Lawrence Onoja (middle); Vice President, Dr. Garba Usman Tetengi (right), and Executive Secretary, Isa Aremu (left), during the briefing by General Onoja, at pre-press conference on First Re-union of the Alumni Association of the National Institute, in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 49

C M Y K

50—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

•Antibiotic resistance - when bacteria change and antibiotics fail, is no longer a prediction for the future. It is happening right now across the world.

Antibiotics should only be used to treat infections.

Stop indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics, doctors warned

By Sola Ogundipe

A

LARMED by the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance as a result of the increasing use of antibiotics to treat even the most common ailments, medical doctors and other physicians have been cautioned against the indiscriminate prescription of antibiotics.

Warning of a looming "disaster of antibiotics" if the current excessive use of the drugs is not curbed, Nobel laureate for Physiology, Dr John Robin Warren, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005 for his discovery on the 'bacterium Helicobacter pylori' and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases, noted specifically that "doctors should stop prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed.”

Speaking in Mumbai, India, during the 102nd Indian Science Congress, on the global perspective on challenges in medical research, he stated that one of the current issues globally is the increasing use of antibiotics and the increasing resistance to antibiotics.

“If that keeps growing, we are going to be in real trouble.

Patients also insist to the doctors to prescribe antibiotics for things like cold, even when the doctor knows that the antibiotics is not going to be of any assistance at all. So the doctor shouldn't give them to the patient. But people tend

to prescribe when the patient demands it.

"It is a very difficult situation," Warren, who hails from Adelaide in Australia, asserted. “It is not a disaster yet, but could easily become one."

Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs among hospitalised patients and the reported concerns about the continuous indiscriminate use has gained international prominence.

Global action

At the 67th World Health Assembly, WHA, in May 2014, the WHO was requested to develop a draft global action plan to combat antimicrobial resistance, to be submitted to the 68th WHA in May 2015.

"When we started on our journey, scientific and technological tools were not advanced. Science believed that bacteria couldn't grow in stomach, good biopsies were rare, and there were no clinical specimens.

"Gastritis was not understood well by the medical fraternity. But we refused to be discouraged, kept experimenting with determination and after years of dedicated hard work, discovered the bacterial strain," he said.

"It was a quite a miracle and opened new vistas in discovering treatments for Gastritis and peptic ulcers for making the life of human

beings more productive and healthy," Warren stated.

Untreatable gonorrhoea and ‘staph’

For years, health authorities have expressed concerns that certain infections, such as Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhoea are getting dangerously close to being untreatable.

If untreated, gonorrhoea can cause serious complications, including infertility and lifethreatening ectopic pregnancies.

“Gonorrhoea used to be susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline and doxycycline — very commonly used drugs," said Jonathan Zenilman, an infectious diseases expert at Johns Hopkins.

The National Health Act captures the legitimate aspirations of Nigerians for greatly improved access to quality healthcare services

But one by one, each of those antibiotics — and almost every new one that has come along since — eventually stopped working.

One reason is that the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea can mutate quickly to defend itself.

"A lot of this is occurring not because of treatment for gonorrhoea but overuse for other infections, such as urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infections and so forth," Zenilman said.

Recently there was evidence that gonorrhoea had started to become resistant to cefixime, and the CDC has declared that doctors should immediately stop using it.

Scientists are searching for new combinations of antibiotics that might work.

And officials are pushing for new weapons that might stay one step ahead of gonorrhoea and the growing list of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Another issue is the unwanton cases of the Urinary Tract Infections,UTI, other wise known as “Staphylococcus”or “Staph”.

Most symptomatic patients usually indulge in indiscriminate usage of antibiotics before consulting the physicians when they could no longer control the symptomatic situations.

Physicians on the other hand usually treat the patients with broad spectrum antibiotics without any m i c r o b i o l o g i c a l investigations.

Such widespread indiscriminate use and inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in the treatment of gonorrhoea, and UTIs are significant contributing factors to the emergence and spread of bacterial resistance to the commonly used antimicrobial agents.

WHO AMR Report 2014

A report by the World Health Organisation, WHO, on prescription of antibiotics says resistance to antibiotics poses a "major global threat" to public health. Warning of the possibility of Antimicrobial Resistance, AMR, the WHO described it as a phenomenon that threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.

In its report entitled Antimicrobial Resistance Global Report on Surveillance 2014, the WHO observed that antimicrobial resistance within a wide range of infectious agents is a growing public health threat of broad concern to countries and multiple sectors.

In the report, Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant DirectorGeneral Health Security, stated that increasingly, governments around the world are beginning to pay attention to a problem so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine.

“A post-antibiotic era—in which common infections and Continues on Page 51 C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—51

Antibiotics Continues from page 50

• Poor policy and investment in reproductive and sexual health is still one of the biggest human security and health governance challenges facing Africa as manifested by the current state of HIV in the continent. Photo: Courtesy Kristian Buus.

Poor reproductive, sexual health killing Africans enmasse — REPORT

By Sola Ogundipe

I

NCONTROVERTIBLE evidence that poor sexual and reproductive health practices and policies are killing Africans enmasse necessitating prompt government action, has been released.

In a statement of the key highlights and findings from scorecards and factsheets the Afri-Dev and Africa MNCH Coalition observed that despite recent progress - new HIV infections in SADC alone are still astronomically high at an estimated 812,000 a year (maintaining the subregions position as epicentre of the global HIV epidemic) - compared to 21,086 infections for overall current Ebola epidemic.

Issuing the statement in the run-up to the South African Development Community, SADC, Ministers of Health Conference held at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, January 12-15, 2015, the coalition identified poor sexual and reproductive health one of the most significant and still unresolved human security and health governance challenges for SADC especially.

Youth - inclusive of non-state stakeholders and civil society, he noted that with annual HIV deaths in SADC alone running at an estimated 579,400 - compared to 8,289 deaths for the current Ebola epidemic (even allowing for epidemiological differences) - poor sexual and reproductive health and rights is clearly one of the biggest killers of our times (not counting deaths from maternal mortality including high fertility rate/poor family planning; or cervical cancer etc).”

“For instance, new HIV infections in Nigeria estimated at 220,000 annually (2nd only to South Africa globally at 340,000); Uganda at 140,000; Kenya 100,000; and Ethiopia 21,000 - the nonSADC African countries amongst joint top 10 globally with highest new annual HIV infections - demonstrates that African countries collectively need better policy, and domestic investment

Scorecards

Speaking to the Scorecards on Universal Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and HIV, Mr. Rotimi Sankore Editor, Afri-Dev.Info remarked that the new scorecards provide an opportunity to emphasise that poor policy and investment in reproductive and sexual health is still one of the biggest human security and health governance challenges facing Africa as manifested by the current state of HIV in Africa, and SADC especially."

In a special call to commence urgent multisectoral consultations on due 2015 review and renewal of SADC frameworks on Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV, Gender & C M Y K

African countries amongst joint top 10 globally with highest new annual HIV infections demonstrates that African countries collectively need better policy, and domestic investment to improve sexual and reproductive health education and services, and reduce new HIV infections

to improve sexual and reproductive health education and services, and reduce new HIV infections, Sankore pointed out.

HIV mortality

Further, he stated: “Annual HIV mortality in Nigeria estimated at 210,000 - the highest number in any one single country globally - (ahead of South Africa which is second with 200,000); Uganda at 63,000; Kenya 58,000; and Ethiopia 45,000 - the nonSADC African countries amongst joint top 10 globally with highest annual HIV mortality - demonstrates that African countries collectively need better policy, and domestic investment to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health, and reduce HIV deaths.”

With an estimated 14.6 million people living with HIV in SADC alone (the highest number in any single subregion globally) - and roughly equivalent to the populations of either Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe Improved policy and investment in Sexual and Reproductive Health remains fundamental to Universal Health Coverage, Right to Health, and overall Human Development and Security in the sub region.

For instance, the estimated numbers of People Living with HIV in Nigeria at 3.2 million (2nd only to South Africa with 6.3 million); Kenya, Uganda at 1.6 million each; and Ethiopia 790,000 - the non-SADC African countries amongst top 10 globally with highest numbers living with HIV demonstrate further that collectively African governments have to invest more in both sexual and reproductive health / HIV prevention and treatment,”he argued.Sexual and Reproductive Health must remain at top of SADC sub-regional and country level human security and health agendas.

minor injuries can kill—far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, is instead a very real possibility for the 21st century,” he noted.

The Report warns that “Without action, we are headed for a postantibiotic era in which common infections and minor injuries can oneagain, kill.

“Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a health professional.

Complete the full prescription even if you feel better and never share antibiotics with others or use leftover prescriptions,”it concludes.

The Report, produced in collaboration with WHO Member States and other partners, provides as accurate a picture as is presently possible of the magnitude of AMR and the current state of surveillance in 114 countries. It highlights a major gap in knowledge about the magnitude of the problem and information needed to guide urgent public health actions.

ABR is complex and multidimensional.

One important finding of the report, which will serve as a baseline to measure future progress, is that there are many gaps in information on pathogens of major public health importance.

The report makes a clear case that resistance to common bacteria has reached alarming levels in many parts of the world indicating that many of the available treatment options for common infections in some settings are becoming ineffective.

It identifies strengthening of global AMR surveillance as critical as it is the basis for informing global strategies, monitoring the effectiveness of public health interventions and detecting new trends and threats.

It is expected that as WHO, along with partners across many sectors moves ahead in developing a global action plan to mitigate AMR, the report will serve as a baseline to measure future progress.”

Policy guidelines

In April 2011, Former Minister of Health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu had furged against actions that contribute to antibiotic resistance. The theme for that year ’s World Health Day was entitled Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in line with global significance and requiring urgent and concerted action.

In the view of Nigeria Country Representative for WHO, Dr David Okello, inappropriate use of medicines include acts such as not finishing the course of prescribed medicine.

“It is also inappropriate when a healthcare professional prescribes antibiotics when they are not needed, for example for the common cold, or when persons diagnose and treat themselves – known as self medication.

Unauthorised vendors of drugs also contribute to the problem.”

Nigeria has developed policy guidelines that provide a framework of actions that can be taken to reduce development of antibiotic resistance.

Chief among them is to develop a national plan covering strengthening of disease surveillance and diagnostic laboratory capacity; facilitation of access to quality essential medicines; regulation of the use of medicines and promotion of their rational use.

The regulation of the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry, prevention and control of infectious diseases and finally, recommendations for fostering innovation and

Continued on Page 52

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

WHO approves 2 Ebola vaccines

Antibiotics Continues from Page 51 development of new tools are also included.

It is estimated that by 2050 the global cost of AMR will be up to $100 trillion and will account for 10 million extra deaths a year. If ever there is need for a reminder of what a public health catastrophe looks like, this has to be it.

Recommendation

However, in reality this can be difficult to achieve, particularly in countries where antibiotics are freely available or there is lack of sanitation and healthcare is limited.” In a study entitled “Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus aureus carried out at the Orthopaedics Department of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, it was showed that Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, continues to pose a threat to the hospitalised patients, especially those with bone and wound infections.

Results show a possibility of misuse and abuse of antibiotics among the populace even before going to hospital.

In its recommendation, the team urged government and medical personnel, especially those involved in the daily prescription of commonly used antibiotics, to pay greater attention to the situation, calling for continuous education on cleanliness and the dangers of the misuse of antibiotics.

In another study entitled “Antibiotic Prescription Pattern and Cost at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria,” by T.M. Akande , M.

Ologe and G.F. Medubi, published in the International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2009, Volume: 4, Issue: 2, it was discovered that antibiotics prescription habits of doctors in developing countries calls for concern.

The recommendation was that a lot of money can be saved if policies are formulated and promoted on rational antibiotics prescription in developing countries like Nigeria.

The antibiotic utilisation and prescribing patterns in a Nigeria generally shows that even where correct knowledge of antibiotic prescribing pattern is evident, it is not followed in practice.

...Trials begin this month

By Gabriel Olawale

T

HE World Health Organisation says the two most advanced Ebola vaccines — one made by GlaxoSmithKline and the other licensed by Merck and NewLink appear safe and will soon be tested in healthy volunteers in West Africa.

After an expert meeting last week, WHO said there is now enough information to conclude that the vaccines have "an acceptable safety profile."

• A Liberian Ebola survivor, Mamadee Sanyon. The Worrld Health Organisation has given approval for testa to begin with the two most advanced Ebola vaccines — one made by GlaxoSmithKline and the other licensed by Merck and NewLink appear safe and will soon be tested in healthy volunteers in West Africa.

In a statement released last week, Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, Head of WHO's Ebola vaccine efforts, said "the cupboard (for Ebola vaccines) is filling up rapidly."

She said further trials in healthy people in West Africa, including health workers, are scheduled to start later in January or early February. Several other vaccines were being developed in the U.S., Russia and elsewhere.

Despite the temporary suspension of a trial of the vaccine made by NewLink and Merck in December, the trial was put on hold while experts investigated reports of joint pain in a number of participants. No such side effects have been reported with the other vaccine.

The next phase of trials will likely take about six months and manufacturers will ramp up their production at the same time, meaning millions of doses could be available later this year. It's unclear if that will be quick enough to help slow the epidemic, which appears to be on the decline.

So far, Ebola has sickened more than 20,000 people and killed over 8,000, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Officials estimate the death rate to be about 71 percent.

"We will have to take stock when we have the vaccines," said Helen Rees of the University of Witwatersrand, who chaired the WHO meeting. She said experts would have to consider at that point whether it's useful to vaccinate entire populations or focus only on highrisk groups.

GAVI, a private-public vaccine alliance, has pledged to spend $300 million on WHO-recommended Ebola vaccines, which it estimates could translate into 12 million doses.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

ELLO everybody and Hello everybody and welcome.

As you all may know, erectile dysfunction is a major complaint amongst middle aged and older men. From weakened erections to the total absence of erections, this matter has proved to be a mainstay amongst men for ages.

That is why periodically, we introduce to you new products that can help men in this regard. Today, we will be discussing one of such new erection products called Blue Fusion. Like many of the other supplements we write about, Blue Fusion is an all-natural and high caliber erection enhancer for men that strengthens weak erections, restores failed erections, increases performance stamina and enables a man perform multiple times without tiredness and erection loss after ejaculation. Blue Fusion is so powerful that one capsule of it works for three days and it is suitable for all adult men. So those who suffer from erectile dysfunction will find Blue Fusion very helpful.

For men who want to maintain their erections so they can have sex for an extended period and pleasure their partners for longer, they can also achieve this with the Vibrating Bunny Cockring. It is a simple rubber like device worn at the base of an erect penis to maintain a hard erection and it is affordable too.

For women, there are a few new novelties as well. A common complaint amongst females regarding their love lives is that the sex they get doesn’t last long enough. If a woman cannot get her partner to last longer, the most reliable option of getting long lasting sexual pleasure becomes through the use of a vibrator. One of such reliable toys is the HunniBunni Dual Stimulation Vibrator and it is very good.

Talk about a toy that does it all at one time. The HunniBunni Dual Stimulation Vibrator is blessed with multiple speeds of vibration, pulsation, dual rotation and a dedicated clitoral stimulator. If you have never had an orgasm before, the HunniBunni Dual Stimulation Vibrator will do it for you easily and without hassle.

C M Y K

Of course a vibrator is a lot more fun when combined with an arousal gel and that is why today, we will also be discussing the newest of such arousal lubricants for women call the Cherry Bomb Arousal Gel. Whether the problem is lack of sexual desire, low genital arousal, lack of sexual enjoyment or vaginal dryness, the Cherry Bomb Arousal Gel will fix all of that. Just a little dab massaged on the clitoris works wonders for significant periods. So women will benefit from these two products.

Child birth and frequent intercourse brings with it a loosening of the vaginal muscles over time. This is normal and many women will experience this in their life time.

But a slack vagina can be overcome through a simple pelvic exercise made easy with the use of an apparatus called an Orgasm Ball. An Orgasm ball isn’t primarily designed to give women pleasure. It is made for the purpose of tightening slack pelvic muscles but because it can be quite stimulating as well, the name Orgasm Balls was given to it. New in this category of pelvic exercisers is the Lacey’s Graduated Orgasm Balls and when used regularly as directed, it will help women strengthen and tighten their vaginal voids.

We also have new game packs that lovers can enjoy in their private time to help bring more variety to their romance and sexual routines. They are Luv at First Bite and Private Pleasures and any couple can learn to play and enjoy these wonderful games.

Last but not the least are newerotic accessories for women.They are theAsian Hearts Nipple Rings, Feather Nipple Clamps and Nipple and Clitoral Clippings. All of these novelties are affordable, comfortable, easy to wear and very effective in seducing and exciting your lover.

And that’s it is all for today. Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015—53

Research shows optimistic people have healthier hearts

P

•Decentralisation of HIV treatment and task shifting among health workers is key to success of optimising paediatric HIV treatment in Nigeria.

Targeting HIV treatment goals through decentralisation, increased funding

By Gabriel Olawale

T

HE Federal Ministry of Health with support from the United States Agency for International Development is addressing the issue of Universal Access to Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Services in Nigeria through the decentralisation of HIV Treatment at the community level.

Information on number of children receiving peadiatric ARV is crucial in appraising Nigeria’s performance with regards to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, PMTCT, strategy.

The United States Government through the Centre for Disease Control on the Strategic Use of Antiretrovirals once stated that out of 1.3 million people requiring HIV treatment, only about 600,000 were receiving it.

In the light of dwindling funding for HIV treatment, the targets for HIV treatment have been increasing, undescoring the need for more efficiency and effectiveness in the supply chain for HIV treatment.

Dr. Ogbanife Obinna a senior programme specialist of the CDC, in the presentation, observed that it has become necessary to be ahead of the HIV epidemic if Nigeria must achieve zero new infections.

This means increasing the number of people on HIV treatment must be pursued aggressively to ensure the number matches HIV new infections. Data presented revealed that over 270,000 new HIV infections occur in Nigeria while only about 56,000 new HIV clients are put on ARVs in the same period with a ratio of 1: 4.8.

When compared to South Africa which records about

350,000 new HIV infections annually and put about 277,000 positive persons on ARVs annually, Nigeria is doing poorly for a country with a high burden of HIV. Several African countries are now ahead of their HIV epidemic because the number people put on treatment annually surpasses the rate of new HIV infections recorded in those countries.

Data on PMTCT in Nigeria showed that coverage in 2012 was about 18 percent which was one of the lowest in subSaharan Africa. South Africa achieved over 95 percent coverage of PMTCT while Ghana has achieved over 75 percent in 2012. About 25 percent of babies born with HIV in the world are Nigerians.

For Nigeria to meet her HIV treatment goals, resources should be redirected to HIV programmes with the greatest impact. Treatment therapy should be simplified for patients while research continues

towards more effective HIV treatment options.

Obinna said to optimise HIV treatment to get ahead of the epidemic, it is important to eliminate ARVs not in the National Guidelines; eliminate ARV regimens that are pharmacologically more costly and those that are not as efficacious; and pick the most appropriate triple fixed dose combinations for patients. In order to optimise PMTCT in Nigeria, recommendations for first line therapy in the National Guideline for PMTCT be implemented effectively.

In the view of a PEPFAR Treatment Task Team of consultants that provided important feedback on how HIV treatment can be optimised in Nigeria, new infections could be

reduced if the number of persons on HIV treatment is aggressively increased by about 100,000 in 2013, 150,000 in 2014, and 200,000 in 2015.

Improved allocation for HIV treatment with additional resources from government in addition to funding of limited number of first line adult HIV therapies with a view to working towards the one tablet therapy were recommended.

Decentralisation of HIV treatment and task shifting among health workers is key to success of optimising paediatric HIV treatment, it has been stated.

Along with enhanced supply chain, consistent standard of care, and an enhanced decentralised process, Nigeria is now on track.

26% Nigerian men engage in sexual experimentation, says study

By Laju Iren

For Nigeria to meet her HIV treatment goals, resources should be redirected to HIV programmes with the greatest impact. Treatment therapy should be simplified for patients while research continues towards more effective HIV treatment options

D

ESPITE widespread awareness about HIV/AIDs and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, commercial sex trade in Nigeria is notorious for its growing market. Results of a study carried out in Lagos recently, revealed that 26% of men who patronize commercial sex workers do so to fulfill a need for sexual experimentation.

The survey, carried out by a sixteen-man team post graduate students of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, under the supervision of Dr. Adepoju Tejumaiye, was titled, ‘Lagosians’ patronage of commercial sex workers,’ and surveyed 110 men across five different nude clubs in Lagos.

80.91 percent of respondents also attested to patronizing commercial sex workers for reasons ranging from sexual experimentation, peer pressure, lack of sexual fulfillment and large sexual appetite. Strangely, lack of sexual fulfillment from partners had the lowest representation with only 16 percent of men labeling it as their reason for patronizing commercial sex workers.

The study also revealed that 65.4 percent of those who patronize commercial sex workers do it frequently; 32.7 percent ticked the ‘often’ option in the questionnaire, and another 32.7 percent ticked ‘everyday.’

EOPLE who have upbeat outlooks on life have significantly better cardiovascular health, suggests a new study that examined associations between optimism and heart health in more than 5,100 adults.

"Individuals with the highest levels of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts," said lead author Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois. "This association remains significant, even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health."

Participants' cardiovascular health was assessed using blood pressure, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and serum cholesterol levels, dietary intake, physical activity and tobacco use. They ranged in age from 45-84, and completed surveys that assessed their mental health, levels of optimism, and physical health, based upon self-reported extant medical diagnoses of arthritis, liver and kidney disease.

Individuals' total health scores increased in tandem with their levels of optimism. People who were the most optimistic were 50 and 76 percent more likely to have total health scores in the intermediate or ideal ranges, respectively.

They were twice as likely to have ideal cardiovascular health, and 55 percent more likely to have a total health score in the intermediate range.

Optimists had significantly better blood sugar and total cholesterol levels than their counterparts, were more physically active, had healthier body mass indexes and were less likely to smoke, according to a paper on the research in the January/February 2015 issue of Health Behaviour and Policy Review.

• Optimists are happier and healthier.

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his government would secure Nigeria against any manner of threats,if voted into office on February 14.

He also stated that the APC government would end all kinds of impunity by public officers in the country.

Buhari made the pledge while commissioning his campaign headquarters which also coincided with the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council, PCC in Abuja yesterday.

We will secure Nigeria —Buhari

He said: “We have solemnly promised this nation that we are going to secure it against all threats, manage its resources efficiently and with demonstrable transparency, and then fix whatever is amiss in it. Under an APC government, no one will go to bed hungry, angry with the government or with the fear of insurgents or nocturnal visitors. We shall secure the government for the people and fix it. And, verily, we shall deliver on every of our promises.

“We intend to prosecute this campaign to win and we shall win.

We undertake to end the impunity of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a party that has proved clueless in every material particular. It has failed to address any of the important concerns of the people of this country.

“It has failed to deal squarely with the great security challenge that has faced this nation within these last five years. And it has remained touchy and impervious to all constructive criticism, and without concern for human life and for the suffering going on in the land.”

Eschew violent campaigns

Recalling the warning he made to his supporters in the days preceding his presidential declaration against violence, Buhari cautioned that his supporters must not engage in violent campaign.

“As I said in my address to some of our supporters on September 30, 2014, I would like to repeat: With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement on October 8, and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice.

“However, I would like to point out to you that, to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forward; because it is the party that is the platform.

You must at all times remember that the APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president.

“It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party in which capacity. If I get the party nomination, I expect you will redouble your effort and com-

We'll secure Nigeria against all threats, end impunity — BUHARI ...Atiku, Kwankwaso, Okorocha, Nda-Isaiah in Presidential Campaign Council mitment until we clinch the presidency. But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you as good party men to extend to him your total support.

We are a united party, and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity.”

“For this and for other reasons, I must warn all my supporters, volunteers and other well-wishers within the party or even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf. My supporters must not engage in any kind of behavior or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division and rancour within the ranks of the party. ‘’Whoever does that should know he or she is working for the enemy. At the same time, I would like to appeal and urge you to be good ambassadors of the opposition. As a body, the opposition is committed to the rule of law; and as members of the parties in the opposition, you must learn to do the same at all times,” he said.

Protect your votes

He however urged them to guard against rigging before, during and after the elections.

He said: “In particular, you must learn to be vigilant especially just before, during and immediately after elections, whether these are rigged or not, so that sponsored hoodlums are not made do not commit illegalities that are in the end blamed on you. Not only must you not take the law into your hands, no matter the level of provocation, you must be able to expose those planning to do so before they act.

“I know it is all too painful for you to see votes you cast being disregarded and votes illegally thumb printed being counted to rig out the choice that you have legitimately and conclusively made.

“And it is even more painful when you know that the road to remedy has been firmly shut in your face; for, you are always called on to accept a judgment whose justice you cannot see, whose logic is flawed and whose facts speak against itself.”

APC leadership

Meanwhile, he has commended the leadership of his party, his co-contestants for the party’s presidential ticket and all those who worked for his emergence as the presidential candidate.

“With your permission, Mr Chairman, I would first of all like to thank those leaders who toiled and gave their all to make the merger that gave birth to our party such a great success.

“Let me seize this opportunity

RECEPTION: From left: Dr. Adebayo Cole, Dean, School of Management and Business Studies, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN; Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, President and Chairman of Council, NIMN; Mr. Sidney Ogodo, Acting Registrar, NIMN at a reception for Dr. Cole by the President during his sabbatical at the institute. to first pay special tribute to the leadership given by Chief Bisi Akande to the entire enterprise.

It is no exaggeration to say that APC owes everything to the leadership given, the tact, wisdom and fairness displayed by Chief Akande. Next, I would like to recognise Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose sacrifices, organisational skills and extensive political network did much to straighten and cement the blocks of the merger and then take APC to unprecedented heights of acceptance in important areas of the country.

“In addition, I want to thank each one of you who have accepted to serve on Presidential Campaign Council. I have no words to thank you enough.

Needless to say, your choice to serve on this council is in recognition of your dedication and commitment to the ideals of our party, and it is in each case on merit. I would like to thank all the colleague-aspirants with whom I vied for the presidential ticket of our great party for everything— for all the sportsmanship displayed, for gallantry in their concession, and in the promptness with which party unity was affirmed and restored.

“We must congratulate ourselves for one of the cleanest and keenest-fought political contests this country has yet witnessed.

Our ability to sink whatever differences of opinion we have shows the level of our political maturity, and our capacity for growth. And the experiences, approaches, talents and skills that we have individually brought to the common party pool have that much enriched and strengthened our party as it embarks on its way to victory.

“Finally, I would like to thank Professor Yemi Osinbajo for accepting to bring his rich repertoire of experience and expertise to enrich a ticket that will be leading this country in the next few months. And just as our primary election was an example for the nation, so must our conduct of the campaign also be exemplary.”

Inauguration of PCC

While inaugurating the Presidential campaign council, which had 80 members and 11 directors, Buhari tasked the members to give a sense of belonging to all stakeholders.

“Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my pleasure

and privilege to formally inaugurate the 2015 National Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressive Congress, APC, under the leadership of His Excellency Chief Rotimi Amaechi, with the following suggested terms of references; “To give a sense of participation and belonging to major stakeholders and engenders widespread support for the project. The body acts as a buffer between the campaign organization and the Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate. The board identifies and resolves conflicts arising from the operation of the campaign organization.

Amaechi is a fighter

UNICEF alarmed over Nigerian female suicide bombers

T

HE UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern about what it called “escalating violence against children in northern Nigeria.”

UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said in a statement Sunday that the “images from Northern Nigeria should be searing the conscience of the world.”

The statement came after two explosions ripped through a market in northeastern Nigeria Sunday killing at least five people, including the two bombers. Twenty-one others were wounded.

The attacks were said to be carried out by two young girls.

Sunday’s explosions came after a bomb strapped to a girl exploded in Maiduguri killing at

least 19 people.

Jean Gouge, UNICEF Nigeria representative, said the latest trend of using young girls to carry out such attacks is particularly worrying.

“We are seeing a new trend of using girls and women, and now of children, as suicide bombers.

This is something that is new to this conflict. So, this trend is very worrying to us because this is something that is very difficult to find [a] solution to,” she said.

Gouge said UNICEF is trying to figure out what’s responsible for this trend. She said the most likely explanation is that someone is getting them to kill.

“We have not done a scientific study, but what we have seen is that, most likely, these kids are not aware and that they are being used.''

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 55

Boko Haram: Nigerian archbishop raps West Catholic JOS—THE Archbishop of Jos, in

central Nigeria, Ignatius Kaigama, has accused the West of ignoring the threat of the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram.

Kaigama said the world had to show more determination to halt the group’s advance in Nigeria.

He said the international community had to show the same spirit and resolve it had done after the attacks in France.

His warning came after 23 people were killed by three female suicide bombers, one reported to be 10-years-old.

The weekend attacks come after reports that hundreds of people were killed last week during the capture by Boko Haram of the town of Baga in Borno state.

In the neighbouring country of Cameroon, the military said it had repelled an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on one of its northern bases.

I'll spearhead review of painful tax policies — DAVIES

T

HE Labour Party candidate contesting for Lagos State House of Assembly, Amuwo Odofin Constituency 1, Babatunde Collins Davies has said that electorates in this year’s election are going to vote mainly for the individual with good character and manifesto.

In a chat with Vanguard, Davies stated that the Labour Party is one that is particular about human capital development and reasonable standard of living. According to him, ''LP is a party that wants to re-establish the middle class.''

He also noted that his opponents are jittery because they know his antecedents and pedigree.

“The Labour Party has a distinctive difference. It is a party that wants to address the yearnings and aspirations of the masses.

“I will spearhead direct review of painful tax policy.

Having been part of most political dispensation, I evolve from the community, unlike what we have had in the state since 1999, where most candidates don't even know their ward.''

Jonathan doesn't care about welfare of security personel — APC A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Jonathan has been accused of not being serious about the welfare and safety needs of members of the nation’s security personnel. The presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which made this allegation also said Jonathan is prepared to trade the welfare and security needs of the nation’s security personnel for political gains.

A statement by the APC Presidential Campaign in Abuja on Monday said it is for reason of political exigency and to carry on with his “gentleman image’ who cannot hurt a fly that the President has failed continuously as a Commanderin-Chief, unable to mobilize the security forces and to provide them with the necessary leadership to accomplish their objective.

The statement signed by Director, Media and Publicity of the campaign, Mallam Garba Shehu noted that the attitude of the Jonathan government to the cruel fate that befell more than one hundred policemen and operatives of the Directorate of the State Security Services (DSS) who lost their lives while on a mission to arrest the Spiritual Leader of the notorious Ombatse

cult in Nasarawa State, last year, is yet the most glaring example of how callous and uncaring a government which claims to be democratic can be.

“In serious countries, the government does not toy with the lives and well-being of its security men such that any act of violence visited on the

personnel of the security establishment is tantamount to an assault on the nation as a whole. ''The action of the US and French authorities when terrorists attacked their Police personnel on duty is a case in point. These governments did not rest until the perpetrators

were eliminated and investigation is still continuing to get to the root cause of the assault to prevent future occurrence.

“In the case of the Ombatse killings of our security men, the administration of President Jonathan displayed incredible levity that shocked the nation and left a sour taste in the mouth of relations and families of the unfortunate slain security men.”

NUPTIALS: From left; Chief Adekunle Ojora; Olori Ojuolape Ojora; Chief John Odeyemi, groom's father; Chief Ernest Shonekan; Chief Sunny Kuku; Mr Emmanuel Ikazoboh; and Admiral Akin Aduwo (retd) at the wedding between Adeola Temitope, daughter of Arc and Dr Mrs Kunle Osude and Akinloye Oyebanji, son of Chief and (Mrs) John Odeyemi at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Magodo, GRA, Shangisha, Lagos. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

2015: Presidential candidates'll sign accord on non-violent elections — OBI

By Charles Kumolu

S

PECIAL Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs , Senator Ben Obi has said that all presidential candidates and their respective parties would tomorrow, sign an accord on non violence elections.

This is expected to take place at the All Political Stakeholders National Workshop on ViolenceFree Elections, scheduled to hold tomorrow in Abuja.

Obi in a statement, said the need to forestall the possibility of post-election violence, informed the decision to convene the forum.

His words: ‘’As we approach the February 2015 elections, it has become necessary to carry out an assessment of the areas that have remained a critical challenge in our polity and electoral process, and collectively seek solutions to them through political consensus. One of those areas is electoral violence which is being escalated by Political Parties across the country. You all will agree with me that electoral violence has indeed impacted negatively and destructively whenever it occurred in our polity in any

phase of the electoral cycle. It had led to a wanton destruction of lives and property in the past, cast a dark cloud of uncertainty over our nation and threatened national security and our collective existence even in elections that were adjudged to have been efficiently and credibly conducted.’’ ‘’The political class should shoulder immense responsibility in guaranteeing an environment of peaceful and violence free elections through their acts, conducts, utterances and behaviour. Consequently, the

office of the National Security Adviser to the President and my office will be organizing an all Political Stakeholders National Workshop on violence free elections on January 14, 2015 at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja, at 9.00 am prompt.’’ ‘’ This workshop is a product of extensive and inclusive consultations between my office and the ruling party on the one side; and all opposition parties who have collectively agreed on the need to come together to jaw– jaw and to agree on ways and

means of collaborating with each other in the bid to ensure that the elections of 2015 are free and devoid of violence.’’ ‘’The workshop will seek to commit all Presidential Candidates and their respective Political Parties to a Political Accord that will be signed during the workshop on non–violence in the 2015 elections. As a post-workshop follow-up, an All Political Stakeholders Committee on violence-free election will be constituted to observe and monitor compliance to the agreement that will be signed at the workshop.’’

Microsoft unveils Nokia 215

R

ESPONDING to the high demand for affordable smart phones, Microsoft Devices Group has announced the introduction of Nokia 215, its most affordable Internet-ready phone to the mobile phone ecosystem.

The Nokia 215 and Nokia 215 dual SIM respectively come in bright green, black and white, and will roll out first in select markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe in first quarter of this financial year.

The Nokia 215 is expected to be available for a retail price of $29, which is about N5,500 before taxes and subsidies.

Although all features phones will still bear Nokia brand name, the new product was designed to connect and introduce first-time mobile phone buyers to the Internet and new digital experiences.

Available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM models, the Nokia 215 will expand the reach of Microsoft services at more affordable prices.

Speaking on the innovative device, Jo Harlow, corporate vice president of Microsoft Devices Group, said that, “With our ultra-affordable mobile phones and digital services, we see an inspiring opportunity to connect the next billion people to the Internet for the first time.

“The Nokia 215 is perfect for people looking for their first mobile device, or those wanting to upgrade to enjoy affordable digital and social media services, like Facebook and Messenger.”

56 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 , 2015

France mobilises 10,000 troops after attacks F

RANCE is mobilising 10,000 troops to boost security, as security forces search for what the French prime minister called a “probable” accomplice to three days of bloodshed in and around the capital.

After a crisis meeting on Monday, Manuel Valls said the search is urgent because “the threat is still present” after the attacks that left 17 people dead journalists at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, hostages at a kosher supermarket and three police officers.

All three attackers died on Friday in nearly simultaneous raids by security forces.

Video emerged on Sunday of one of the attackers explaining how the raids would unfold and police want to find the person who shot and posted the video.

Valls told BFM television on Monday that France is at war against

Afghan president nominates new cabinet

A

Prime Minister Valls has said France is at war against terrorism and radical Islam “terrorism, against jihadism, against radical Islam”.

France will deploy nearly 5,000 security forces and police to protect the 700 Jewish schools in the country, Vall said.

Defence Minister Jean-

Yves Le Drian said the total number of deployed forces at high-risk areas across the country will reach 10,000.

In the days after the attacks, police launched a search operation to track down the partner of one

of the attackers. Since then, it has been revealed that she was probably not in France at the time of the attacks.

Turkey’s foreign minister said on Monday that the suspected accomplice crossed into Syria from Turkey on January 8.

Divers retrieve AirAsia ‘black box’ I NDONESIAN navy divers retrieved the black box flight data recorder from the wreck of an AirAsia passenger jet

on Monday, a major step towards unraveling the cause of the crash that killed all 162 people on board.

But there was confusion about what happened in the final moments of Flight QZ8501, which crashed off the Indonesian coast on

Investigators are checking the tail section for indications of what went wrong

Dec. 28, with one official saying the plane probably exploded before hitting the water and another disputing that theory.

The Airbus A320-200 airliner lost contact with air traffic control in bad weather less than halfway into a two-hour flight from Indonesia’s second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore.

“At 7:11, we succeeded in lifting the part of the black box known as the flight data recorder,” Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency, told reporters at a news conference.

The second so-called black box, containing the cockpit voice recorder, is located about 20 meters away from where the flight data recorder was found, but divers have not yet been able to get to it.

Iran summons newspaper over Saudi king death headline

A

N Iranian newspa per was told Monday it faces a court hearing over an article which is allegedly offensive to Saudi Arabia’s ailing King Abdullah.

The king, who is breathing with the help

Afghan president and his rival-turned partner spent months of dispute over new cabinet formation

of a tube due to pneumonia, is in hospital in Riyadh, prompting frenzied debate about the future of the oil-rich Gulf state.

Iranian newspapers are running daily re-

ports on his health, partly explained by an often tense relationship — most recently over falling world oil prices — between the Sunni kingdom and Tehran’s Shiite regime.

Vatan-e-Emrooz, a conservative daily, has been summoned over a front page story on January 6 headlined with a Persian expression often interpreted as “may I hear the news of his death”.

FGHAN President Ashraf Ghani has nominated ministers for his new cabinet after three months of attempting to establish a working government to tackle the violence-wracked country’s problems.

Abdul Salam Rahimi, Ghani’s chief of staff, announced the 25 cabinet nominees at an event attended by Ghani in the presidential palace in Kabul yesterday.

The list will now go before the parliament for approval.

Salahuddin Rabbani, the former head of the country ’s high peace

council, is nominated for foreign minister, Sher Mohammad Karimi, the military chief of staff, is nominated for defence minister and a former general Noor-ur-Haq Ulomi is nominated for interior minister.

The president and his election rival-turnedgovernment partner Abdullah Abdullah have spent months wrangling over the makeup of the new cabinet, raising worries over whether their unity government could survive, let alone govern effectively.

Ukraine ex-leader Yanukovych wanted by Interpol

I

NTERPOL has placed deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on its wanted list, almost one year after he fled to neighbouring Russia.

He is accused by Ukrainian officials of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds.

Mr Yanukovych was ousted after clashes between police and protesters in Kiev left dozens dead, mainly demonstrators.

Afterwards, Russia moved to annexe Crimea from Ukraine and conflict broke out in parts of eastern Ukraine.

Russia has denied fomenting the violence in the eastern regions of

Viktor Yanukovych surfaced in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don some time after he fled Ukraine Donetsk and Luhansk, where a frequently violated ceasefire is in place. Ukrainian military officials said on Monday that there had been an increase in rebel attacks on their positions.

Cuba frees remaining political prisoners

T

HE Cuban govern ment has freed all 53 of its political prisoners, as part of its normalisation deal with the US, according to a senior Obama administration official.

Monday ’s development follows last month’s agreement between the US and Cuba, leading to President

Barack Obama ordering the initiation of steps to normalise relations between the two countries, ending a 54-year US trade embargo on Cuba.

“We welcome this very positive development and are pleased that the Cuban government followed through on this commitment,” a US official said."

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 ,2015 — 57

Mozambiquan drinking the local beer

Mozambique beer poisoning deaths rise to 69 T

HE number of people killed after drinking a “poisoned” homemade beer in Mozambique has risen to 69, state radio has reported.

The beer, usually made from millet, may have been contaminated with crocodile bile, a health official said.

A toddler was among those killed after apparently drinking the beer at a funeral in Tete province on Saturday.

An official said it was the

worst such tragedy to hit Mozambique, with 39 people still being treated in hospital.

The government declared three days of national mourning in a decree published on Sunday.

The beer, known as “phombe”, is traditionally served at functions in Mozambique’s Tete province. Deaths from drinking it are rare, correspondents say.

Carle Mosse, the prov-

ince’s health director, said it was suspected that the poisoning had been caused by crocodile bile although this had yet to be confirmed in tests.

It was not immediately clear how the beer had been contaminated and whether it was intentional.

The woman who brewed the beer and several members of her family were among the victims, Radio Mozambique has reported.

Google doodle honours Kenya’s oldest pupil

G

OOGLE has creat ed a doodle to honour a Kenyan believed to be the oldest person to have enrolled in primary school.

The doodle on the internet giant’s Kenya home page marks the 11th anniversary since Kimani Maruge went to school for the first time, aged 84.

Mr Maruge, who died in 2009, said when he started lessons that he wanted to learn to read the Bible and to count.

Google said its doodle was a reminder that it is never too late to learn something new.

Mr Maruge, a veteran of Kenya’s struggle for independence from British rule, rose to fame when he enrolled at a school in the town of Eldoret in western Kenya on 12 January 2004.

“Kimani Maruge was an extraordinary Kenyan whose passion for education throughout

his life shines as a beacon worldwide on the importance of lifelong learning,” said Dorothy

Ooky, Google’s communications manager for East and Francophone Africa.

China FM: We’ll not be like ‘Western Colonists’ in Africa

C

HINA will not follow the path of “Western colonists” in Africa, its foreign minister said during a five-nation tour of the continent, parrying criticism that his country’s hunger for resources has led to one-sided policies and damaging projects.

China is Africa’s biggest trade partner, and has sought to tap the region’s rich resources to fuel its own economic growth over the past two decades.

But Beijing’s involvement has been called “neo-colonial” by some African leaders, who fear projects bring little benefit to local people, with

materials and even labor being imported from China.

“We absolutely will not take the old path of Western colonists, and we absolutely will not sacrifice Africa’s ecological environment and long-term interests,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Chinese Central Television while in Kenya.

His comments were published on the ministry ’s website late on Sunday.

Beijing has previously said its cooperation with African nations covers farm, health and infrastructure-related projects.

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

BUHARI VERSUS JONATHAN:

Their campaign promises SINCE last Thursday, the polity has been astir as President Goodluck Jonathan and MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd) go full throtle in their quest to become the next president of the country. While Jonathan is running for the February 14 polls on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buhari is contending on the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Vanguard Politics was on their campaign train and here serves you some of their promises, jabs and banters.

Read on.

I will revamp coal industry in Enugu -- Buhari THE APC standard bearer, MajorGeneral Buhari, has promised to revamp the moribund coal industry in the South East, if elected.

Buhari made the promise during the party’s presidential rally held at the Okpara Square, Enugu. He said that revamping the coal industry and other moribund industries in the zone would help to create job opportunities for the unemployed youths. "We will also improve investments in agriculture and power to encourage small businesses in the country to grow.

Promises to fight corruption The former head of state also promised to wipe out corruption because “if Nigerians don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria” He said the present alarming rate of corruption under the PDP led administration in Nigeria should be a

We will also improve investments in agriculture and power to encourage small businesses in the country to grow

•Jonathan

•Buhari source of worry to every patriotic citizen of Nigeria.

The former Head of state, whose campaign train stormed Enugu Saturday, amid heavy security, warned that Nigeria would be in trouble if the PDP remained in power after the 2015 elections.

Buhari in Abia State, promises to develop infrastructure, encourage entrepreneurship spirit of Nigerians When his train hit Abia State, Buhari promised to develop infrastructure and encourage entrepreneurship spirit of Nigerians if given the mandate.

Buhari said this at the APC presidential campaign rally in Aba. His words: “We will focus on infrastructural development in terms of power and roads, which are necessary.

“We will also encourage the entrepreneurship spirit of the people of Aba and this zone because your entrepreneurship capability is known even beyond Nigeria.

“We will make sure that you have good roads, electricity and communication and we will empower farmers to produce more food.

“The main concern of APC is to see that no capable Nigerian is left idling away and roaming the streets to constitute security threats to lawabiding Nigerians.”

He said the party ’s manifesto would soon be made available to Abia residents, urging them to read and understand the content.

My attitude towards graft --Jonathan During his campaign flag off in Lagos, President Jonathan summarised the opposition critique of his war against corruption into three points: his administration’s attitude towards, alleged weakness of his government and the perceptions of lack of planning.

Fight against corruption “What happened in December (delayed salary of civil servants) was because of a software that is used for processing salary packages. Sometimes, people steal through salaries and some federal government agencies, including some ministries try to divert funds to try and pay for some allowances and the system is scientific. It is not a human being. Once money meant to pay salaries is diverted, it shuts you down and those departments of government were shut down. This is the only way you can prevent corruption.”

The president also noted the administration’s success in combating corruption in the agriculture sector especially through fertiliser distribution.

Brutal response is no solution

If somebody tells you that the best way to fight corruption is to come and arrest your uncle and father and show him on television and jail him, it won’t stop corruption

Affirming that brutal responses would not end corruption, the president said: “If somebody tells you that the best way to fight corruption is to come and arrest your uncle and father and show him on television and jail him, it won’t stop corruption. It even encourages corruption.

Armed robbery is still with us, we are shooting armed robbers, is that stopping armed robbery?

“So, arresting people and showing them on television will not stop it; we must set up institutions and strengthen them to prevent people from touching the money and that is what we are working on and we are succeeding.”

The president also noted the administration’s success in effective distribution of petroleum products affirming that Nigerians do not have to sleep at petrol stations to buy fuel.

Buhari failed to equip the military Noting the challenge from Buhari on the administration’s alleged failure to address the insecurity in the land, the President said: “They talked about insecurity. They said they will fight insecurity. And I ask, are our armed forces weak? If we have problems, what is the cause? Equipment.

Somebody who told young people that he is going to fight insecurity, ask him if he bought one riffle for Nigerian soldiers when he was the Head of State. These people did not buy anything for the Nigerian soldiers. They refused to equip them. Ask them what they did with their defense budget.

Empowerment of youths Lamenting the failures of his generation, the president said his administration decided to motivate the younger generation with sharp ideas. “Government feels that Nigerians are very dynamic people, creative and industrious people and, as you know, we are over 200 million people but we cannot touch everybody the same day.

“We came up with the concept of YOUWIN to give grants and not loans to young Nigerians that have ideas. We have done that and some of them are already manufacturing things. In the next five years or so, some of them will be exporting things out of the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 59

C M Y K

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 61

Messi: I don’t know where I will be next year A

RGENTINA captain, Lionel Messi has fuelled rumours that he might quit Barcelona at the end of the season.

Speaking yesterday in Zurich, Messi while responding to a question on his future with the Catalan giants, said “I do not know if in the future I will play in Newell’s and do not know where I’ll be next year As Christian said , Messi also noted that he would love to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the same club.

“Of course, I like to play with Cristiano Ronaldo , I like to play with the best I think it will be hard to play alongside him , but it would be nice to play with him.””

On the 2014 World Cup, Messi, who led Argentina to the final, where they lost to Germany, said “I think there was good football and that the organization was good Everything was positive after the results of each draw his conclusions”.

On his target in 2015, Messi said “the goal is to win what is at stake and we will fight to win a title in the summer.

•Messi

Totti tips Roma, Juve for Scudetto R

OMA captain Francesco Totti believes the Serie A title race is a straight shootout between the Giallorossi and

Juventus.

“Right now, Roma and Juventus are the bestequipped teams to win the title,” Totti told Bleacher Report.

Chelsea, Man U on alert for £70m Pogba

•Pogba

J

UVENTUS are preparing to lose the £70m-rated Paul Pogba with Chelsea and Manchester United ready to battle it out for the midfielder ’s signature.

Pogba left Old Trafford in 2012 in search of

first-team football and has blossomed into Europe’s most indemand young star.

Chelsea are also interested as Jose Mourinho builds a team that can compete at the top of the world game for years to come.

LVG: Why I dropped Falcao

L

•Falcao

OUIS VAN GAAL has explained why he dropped Radamel Falcao for Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Sunday.

Van Gaal said: “As a coach you have to take decisions and you have to look at the composition of your team and your selection and you have to look at your game plan.

“Therefore I have to decide that he is out of the 18 because I have to change, for example, Shaw and Di Maria.

“You have to look also to the needs of your selection at that time."

•Buffon

Buffon: Napoli lack dignity

G

•Totti

IGI Buffon called Napoli sore losers after the protests around a 3-1 Juventus victory at the San Paolo.

“It is more satisfying to win when suffering under pressure, as it unites the squad and I think we emerged in a fundamental stage of the season with three precious points.”

The Bianconeri had not conquered this stadium in Serie A since September 2000, but broke that taboo this evening with a 3-1 result.

The goalkeeper hit back at Rafa Benitez’s suggestion Kalidou Koulibaly had not fouled him on the disallowed goal, but rather it was the other way round.

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 — 63

Amokachi: Eagles need to keep improving S

UPER Eagles stand-in coach Daniel Amokachi says they must keep improving following their decent showing in the 0-1 loss to the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire in an international friendly in the United Arab Emirates.

The second string Super Eagles team, largely dominated by locallybased players, held their more illustrious and revered Ivoirian counterparts until the 84th minute, when former Chelsea forward, Salomon Kalou came off the bench to score what proved to be the winner.

And Amokachi, who takes charge of the team in the absence of Stephen Keshi, says they have learnt a thing or two from the loss, and must keep improving.

“The players gave their best but like I have been saying, we must also remember that these are players that have been off season for over two months and they are just

THE BIG ONE: Princewill Uzochukwu Nwosu collecting the key of the brand new 2015 Mercedez Benz G-Wagon from Globacom’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Ashok Israni at the Mike Adenuga Towers on Monday.

The car was the Star Prize in the Glo/CAF Awards Predict & Win Big Promo only trying to get some fitness.

“We have to keep improving after this game and focus on the next. The good thing is that we have some days before the next game and we must use those days to make sure we get better."

C M Y K

of the Super Eagles approached the game after staying together for only nine days before the match.

Anyansi said it was a fantastic advertisement for the Nigerian league, noting that with more time the team will go places and probably be champions of the forthcoming CHAN tournament. Amadu on his part, said he believed that despite observable lapses, the team was simply in a class of its own, especially against the fact that they were playing against a much more experienced side.

Ikpeme on his part said “I am impressed, very impressed, the players must keep it up and improve on what we have seen today”.

Others who showered praises on the team are Executive Committee members of the NFF, Inua Rabiu Sheriff and Hussein Modibbo, who were both in Abu Dhabi to cheer the team.

P

RINCEWILL Uzochukwu Nwosu, 39-year old, Lagos-based transport manager, who won the grand prize in the GloCAF Awards Predict and Win Big promo, has received his prize, a brand new 2015 Mercedes Benz GWagon from telecoms company, Globacom.

The company ’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Ashok Israni, formally presented the key to the exotic car to Mr. Nwosu at an event at Globacom’s Head Office, Mike Adenuga Towers (MAT) in Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday.

It was attended by Globacom brand ambassadors, Naeto C and Helen

Paul, as well as journalists from major news media.

Nwosu won the highend SUV, valued at N35 million at a draw conducted during the Glo-CAF awards ceremony which was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos last Thursday.

Glo had in December launched the Glo-CAF Predict and Win Big promo as one of two promotions meant to bring excitement to the 2014 edition of the annual awards which is sponsored by Globacom.

Prizes offered included the Mercedes Benz G Wagon, 10 return tickets to Old Trafford, home ground of Manchester United, and over 1,000 prizes of free airtime of

ITTF Awards: Pressure‘ll bring out my best sure of the laurels I have been doing with- some points the fear dis–Quadri would surely bring out out any fear. As a matter appears and I seriously

Toure salutes Eagles Continues from BP could not wait for the final whistle, because the boys were all over us. They must be commended for their confident display ” he declared.

All the way from Germany, Eagles defender Leon Balogun, has also said kudos to the Eagles for a good display against the Ivorians.

“My heart and soul has always been with the team and hopefully I will rejoin the team to recreate those beautiful moments that we had when I first played with them”, he said. Balogun presently plies his trade with German second division side, SV Darmstadt 98.

Also speaking on the match, NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, General Secretary, Musa Amadu and HOD Technical Department, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme commended the grit with which players

Glo gives out N35m Benz G-Wagon to promo winner

*Quadri

T

HE 2014 Interna tional Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Awards winner, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has admitted that the pres-

his best in major competitions.

The Oyo State-born player is at present shaping up for next week’s ITTF Africa Senior Championships holding in Cairo said he remained grateful to the fans especially the Nigeria media for the enormous support he got to clinch the highest award in global table tennis.

“It is true that the award is somehow putting me under pressure but working harder and harder will surely make me overcome the pressure. I just have to keep playing just like

Kwambe Continues from BP AFCON-bound Cote d’Ivoire needed an 84th minute goal by Salomon Kalou to beat the Nigeria second-string side.

Kwambe, who will feature for Warri Wolves on loan from Sunshine Stars in the new season, said they played according to instructions and gave a good account of themselves and would not have lost the game but for a defensive error.

“It was a good and tough game for us, though we lost,” said

Kwambe.

“We did not deserve to lose the game because we played well according to instruction, but just a little bit of loss of concentration cost us the game.”

He assured Nigerians of better display against Sudan on Saturday in Dubai.

“We have one more game here, that is against Sudan. We will give our best and do better than we did against Cote d’Ivoire and go for victory,” he promised.

of fact, everyone is always nervous before every match and after

believe that the pressure will also bring out the best in me."

World Cup: Nigerian clubs get FIFA windfall

T

HREE Nigerian sides that had players in the Super Eagles team that played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil have been handed a windfall by the World Football governing body.

Sunshine Stars, had the most players in the Super Eagles and they were paid N24.1m ($127,000).

War ri Wolves were handed N22.8m ($120,000), while Gombe United earned N10.6m ($56,000). The monies were paid to the Niger-

ia Football Federation who passed same on to the teams with every team all over the world that had a player at the tournament being handed cash by FIFA. 31 English clubs also received nearly N1.9b ($10m) in total benefits from the same tournament.

Chelsea are the biggest beneficiary receiving more than N228m ($1.2m), with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City each receiving over N190m ($1m)

Ronaldo Continues from BP My coach, my fellow player, the President of my club.

‘It’s been an unforgettable year. To win this trophy, a trophy of this kind, is something unique and all I can say is I want to continue working as I have so far, trying to go on to more titles - individual and as a team - for my mother, my father who is up

there looking at there any my son.’I want to get better as the days go by.

I want to say to all the Portuguese that I never thought I could win this trophy on three different occasions. Of course it is something that is always with me, I want to become one of the greatest players of all time, and this requires a lot so I would like to thank you for all this evening.’

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015

Expect better Eagles against Sudan – Kwambe •Says we did not deserve to lose to Ivory Coast

S

O L O M O N Kwambe has said Nigeria ‘B’ team did not deserve to lose

to star-studded Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

Continues on Page 63

WORLD FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Ronaldo wins again

•Pips Messi, Neuer to 3rd Ballon d’Or

C

SIMPLY THE BEST: An emotional Christiano Ronaldo holds the Ballon d'Or gong in Zurich yesterday. PHOTO: AFP.

RISTIANO Ronaldo has been crowned with the 2014 Ballon d’Or award after being named as the world’s best player for a second successive year.

The 29-year-old pipped Manuel Neuer and perennial rival Lionel Messi to the gong after a stellar 12 months.

Ronaldo played an integral role for Real Madrid as they won four trophies during the previous calendar year, scoring a stunning 56 goals in 51 appearances as the Spanish giants collected the Copa del Rey, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World

Cup. After receiving the award an emotional Ronaldo said, ‘I can see

my mother, my family. I would like to thank all those who voted for me.

Continues on Page 63

•Kwambe

Toure salutes Eagles

•Coach: Amokachi.

Reigning African Footballer of The Year, Yaya Toure, who captained the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire has said he was shocked at the display of the Super Eagles made up of entirely Nigerian league players against his star studded teammates last Sunday night in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to the media and later to Coach Dan Amokachi, Toure said at a point he believed that his mates were deceived to believing that Niger-

ia was going to parade a wholly home based side but was convinced that it was not the case.

Amokachi had to tell him that apart from Steve Ukoh, who plays in Switzerland and had his first cap for the Eagles all the other players are from the Nigerian Premier League.

Toure added, “At a point I had to tell my teammates to slow down the pace of the game and when we scored we Continues on Page 63

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Mark (5) 7 Named (6) 9 Because (3) 10 Through (3) 12 Scoop (5) 13 Servant (4) 15 Broom (5) 17 Condition (6) 19 Shove (4) 20 Applaud (5) 22 Sprite (3) 24 Mixed (7) 27 Vegetable (3) 28 Stadium (5) 31 Region (4) 33 Said (6) 35 Shrewder (5) 37 Twist (4) 38 Tree (5) 39 Immerse (3) 41 Line (3) 42 Debase (6) 43 Pale (5)

DOWN 1 Nuclear (6) 2 Fighting (6) 3 Material (3) 4 Unaccompanied (4) 5 Hobo (5) 6 Apparition (8) 8 Liability (4) 11 Demoted (9) 14 Consider (4) 16 Vend (4) 18 Excursion (4) 21 Bald (8) 23 Stunt (4) 25 Headland (4) 26 Sketched (4) 29 Revised (6) 30 Passionate (6) 32 Conscious (5) 34 Parched (4) 36 Press (4) 40 Fix (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Prop 4, Cap 6, Wail 9, Aid 10, Abnormal 11, Free 14, Col 16, Truly 19, Confused 21, Revel 23, Relegate 24, Final 27, Lie 31, Save 33, Adequate 34, Tin 35, Heed 36, Try 37, Lame.

DOWN: 2, Robe 3, Poor 4, Composer 5, Pill 6, Wafer 7, Air 8, Ideal 12, Scoff 13, Known 14, Cur 15, Level 17, Urban 18, Yokel 20, Delivery 22, Lee 25, Irate 26, Amend 28, Pant 29, Pull 30, Stem 32, Vie.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.