Okorocha, Okowa, Udom, Ugwuanyi win

...towards a better life for the people

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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VOL. 25: NO. 62382

N150

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Go to court, INEC urges aggrieved candidates 14

Prof Tamuno Abia governorship election dies at 83 results stalemated 54

11

Okorocha, Okowa, Udom, Ugwuanyi win GOV POLLS:

•APC wins 19 states, leading in four others •PDP wins A-Ibom, Ebonyi, Enugu, leading in Taraba, Rivers, Delta •Ajimobi breaks re-election jinx in Oyo •PDP wins 7 House seats in Lagos as Ambode wins GOVERNORS-ELECT @ A GLANCE NAME Nasir el-Rufai Aminu Tambuwal Abubakar Sani-Lulu Bello Kashim Shettima Jibrilla Bindow Akinwumi Ambode Abdulfatah Ahmed Aminu Masari MD Abubakar Umar Ganduje Ibrahim Geidam AbdulAzeez Abubakar Abiola Ajimobi Ibikunle Amosun Samuel Ortom Tanko Almakura Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Dave Umahi Emmanuel Udom Ifeanyi Okowa Ibrahim Dankwambo

STATE Kaduna Sokoto Niger Borno Adamawa Lagos Kwara Katsina Bauchi Kano Yobe Zamfara Oyo Ogun Benue Nasarawa Enugu Ebonyi A-Ibom Delta Gombe

PARTY APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC APC PDP PDP PDP PDP PDP

Kobo coins and failed monetary strategy •P.44

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AGOS — FIGTHING the battle of political life, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday, won his reelection contest and retained his status as the only All Progressives Congress (APC) governor in the SouthEast geo-political zone.

This came as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS: Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta, PDP.

Akinwumi Ambode, Lagos, APC

How Obasanjo destroyed PDP •P.20

Time to apply the breaks •P.19 Rochas Okorocha, Imo, APC

Emmanuel Udom,A-Ibom, PDP

Nasir e l Rufai, Kaduna, APC Ifeanyi Enugu, PDP

By Our Reporters

Ugwuanyi, Aminu Masari, Katsina,

APC

Hurricane Buhari makes landfall •Pages 48, 49 50, 51, & 52

Samuel Ortom, Benue, APC

Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto, APC

5 killed as church collapses in Enugu 7

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

ed defeat even before the final announcement of the results in favour of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. El-Rufai tweeted that Governor Yero had called to congratulate him.

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, official addressing voters before casting their El Rufai tweeted at votes at Bourdillon Road polling unit, Ikoyi, Lagos during the governorship and state Assembly elections, 3:20pm yesterday saySaturday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi. ing, “I just received a phone call from Gov. Mukhtar Yero congratulating me for winning the Kaduna guber election. I thanked him too”. in Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Folarin of the PDP wegu.

Continues from Page 1 Meanwhile, the returnGombe and Enugu and among others. ing officer for Kaduna Governorship candidates was coasting home to vicStates where the APC APC’s state Gubernatorial elecin Delta (Ifeanyi tory in Rivers, Delta and won the governorship Abubakar tion, Prof. Jafar Makau Okowa), Akwa Ibom Taraba. are Kaduna, Sokoto, Ni- wins in Kaura, declared Mallam (Udom Emmanuel), This came as the PDP ger, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi Nasir El Rufai of the APC Enugu (Ifeanyi made in-road to the La- Lagos, Kwara, Katsina, as the governor elect of Ugwuanyi and Ebonyi gos State House of As- Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, In Bauchi State, Mr Kaduna State at 6.20 (Dave Umahi) won their sembly winning six seats Zamfara, Oyo, Ogun, Mohammed Abubakar of p.m. polls in style. for the first time as APC’s Benue, Imo, Nasarawa, the APC won the goverMeanwhile, with Mr Akinwunmi Ambode Jigawa and Benue (see norship election.

APGA sweeps ferocious intensity, the won a tightly contested table).

Abubakar scored Assembly APC, yesterday, swept governorship election 654,934 votes to beat his polls in into its kitty most of the beating PDP’s Jimi Agba- Umahi wins main challenger, Auwal 29 governorship seats je.

Ebonyi in Jatau of the PDP who Anambra contested at the Meanwhile, Senator landslide scored 282,650 votes weekend. The huge Abiola Ajimobi, yesterResults of 25 out of the across the 20 local counvictory victory has catapulted day, broke the re-election 30 House of Assembly cils of the state. the party to the enviable jinx, which has dogged seats in Anambra State Abubakar won in 19 loEbonyi State Deputy position of the dominant Oyo State politics since have been declared by cal councils while Jatau, Governor and PDP Govparty in Nigeria.

1983 by winning the gov- ernorship candidate, who won only in Bogoro the INEC, with the rulWith the results an- ernorship polls after local government area of ing All Progressives nounced at press time, fencing off Senator Engr Dave Umahi won the state where he polled Grand Alliance, APGA, the APC won in 19 states Rasheed Ladoja of the the April 11 governor16,980 votes as against in the state winning all. and was leading in Pla- Accord Party; Christo- ship election after scorThe state Resident the APC which had 9,914 teau and Kebbi states pher Alao Akala of the ing 289,867 votes to beat Electoral Commissioner, votes. while the Peoples Dem- Labour Party and Teslim his closest rival, Edward REC, Mr. Edwin NwatThe Bauchi State reNkwegu of the Labour ocratic Party (PDP) won arali, who gave details of turning officer, MohamParty, who polled 124, the Saturday’s polls in 817 votes. The governor- med Kabiru Faruk, a Prothe state, said that there ship candidate of APC, fessor and Vice Chancelwould be elections on Senator Julius Ucha lor of the Federal UniverBY ELLA RANDLE April 18, 2015 in four sity, Kashere, Gombe came third with 27, 583 State who announced the state constituencies ATER the plant you want to grow. Put your votes. where the exercise was Announcing the result results at the INEC office attention on what you want to manifest in your inconclusive. at the Independent Na- in Bauchi returned life — Take Heart Quotes.

The result of Anambra Abubakar as the winner tional Electoral CommisWest state constituency Your attitude becomes your reality. The Law of sion (INEC’s) headquar- after meeting all the re- was still being collated at Attraction states that “you get what you think about; ters in Abakaliki, the quirments. the time the REC was your thoughts determine your destiny”, and that’s State Collation Officer briefing reporters. true, but how do we really know what we are and Vice-Chancellor of El-Rufai Areas where there thinking? That’s easy, take a look at your current Nnamdi Azikiwe Univer- prevails in were inconclusive polls attitude and you’ll know. sity, Prof. Joseph Ahinclude Aguata 1 constitYou could spend each and every day ‘Thinking aneku declared that Kaduna as Yero uency (where election about what you want your life to be, the Law of Attraction key in beautifully with how you feel. If Umahi had met all the concedes defeat will be repeated at Uga how you feel conflicts with any thoughts, you will constitutional requireward), the whole of Ekments and returned inevitably attract things to support your feelings.

Kaduna State Gover- wusigo constituency If you spend 20 minutes every morning thinking elected. norship candidate of the where a chieftain of one Meanwhile, the state APC, Mallam Nasir El about your ideal life but then go through the rest of of the political parties led your day dissatisfied because you feel like your life governor, Chief Martin Rufai emerged winner of thugs to cart away elecisn’t what you want it to be, your negative attitude Elechi was defeated in is going to attract more of what you have and will his home town in Ikwo the contest, beating his tion materials before the negate all the positive energy you want to attract to Local Council, as he was main rival,incumbent commencement of the your life. Stay focused. Be the dream and live your unable to deliver his pre- Governor Mukhtar Ra- exercise on Saturday, as malan Yero of the PDP. ideal life. well as in Anaocha 1 conferred candidate, NkGovernor Yero conced- stituency, where there

GOV POLLS: Okorocha, Okowa, Udom, Ugwuanyi win

TAKE HEART

W

would be repeat election in five polling units at Adazi Ani, one polling unit at Adazi Nnukwu and Agulu Wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.

In Anaocha 11 constituency, there would be a repeat exercise at Nri Wards 1 and 2.

The 25 constituencies already declared for APGA were Aguata 2, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Awka North, Awka South 1, Awka South 2, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South, Ihiala 1, Ihiala 2, Njikoka 1 and Njikoka 2.

Others were Nnewi North, Nnewi South 1, Nnewi South 2, Ogbaru 1, Ogbaru 2, Onitsha North 1, Onitsha North 2, Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Orumba South and Oyi.

Oyo: Ajimobi breaks re-election jinx Governor Abiola Ajimobi has become the first governor to govern Oyo State twice.

He defeated two other former governors in the state to clinch victory in a keenly-contested election.

This came as Accord Party refused to sign the result sheets. The secretary of the party, Nureni Adisa, said he was directed by his party not to sign, claiming that the mandate of his party had been stolen.

The former governors who contested with the incumbent governor are Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala of Labour Party and Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord.

At press time, Ajimobi had won 20 out of the 33 local governments in the state leaving Ladoja with only seven and Akala with six.

Ambode wins Lagos gov poll Continues from Page 45

6 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Two shot dead in Ondo as PDP wins majority seats in Assembly elections

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—NO fewer than two persons were shot dead by Naval officers in oil rich Ilaje area of Ondo State weekend, following the violence that trailed the House of Assembly elections in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Akure yesterday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Olusegun Agbaje, who disclosed this, said those killed were electoral offenders.

Agbaje added that eight guns, six mobile phones belonging to INEC ad-hoc staffs and other materials belonging to the commission were recovered from the hoodlums.

He said the hoodlums, acting the script of politicians, hijacked electoral materials meant for Ilaje at about 7:35am on Saturday but the timely intervention of the Naval officers saved the INEC officials.

Speaking on the election results, Agbaje said over 35,000 voters were disenfranchised in the 73units in Ilaje constituencies where electoral materials were hijacked by the hoodlums.

The REC pointed out that the violence in Ilaje council areas led to the cancellation in several polling units with the total registered voters that had effect on the final result if elections were not cancelled in those polling units.

Agbaje said the returning officers for the two constituencies were forced to declare the results under duress by armed thugs who threatened their lives.

He, however, declared that the commissions headquarters would be in a position to decide on the veracity of the results of the two constituencies.

“The Commission headquarters will have to determine whether to cancel the results, announce it or fix another time for the election,’’ he said.

Agbaje said there were pockets of security breaches in some local government areas.

He listed the areas to include Akoko North West, Akoko South West, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa,Ondo East, Owo and Ose.

3 killed, property destroyed as APC, PDP supporters clash in Ife

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—NO fewer than three people were feared killed in Ile Ife, Osun State yesterday, following violent clashes between supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in several neighborhoods in the town.

Two of the victims, according to sources, were killed at Gbodo area of the town during a fight involving supporters of the two parties.

It was reliably gathered that the two victims of Gbodo clash were siblings of a

notable politician in the area, whose house was also razed during the crises.

It was further gathered that hostilities between the parties began on Friday when their supporters clashed at Enuwa area.

During the fight, eyewitnesses said cutlasses and charms were freely used, as people ran in different directions to escape from the scene.

An impeccable source told our correspondent that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, was said to have summoned leaders of both parties to his palace Friday evening, when it was becoming obvious that people

would not come out to vote because of the crisis that was spreading to all parts of Ife. The source added that violence resurfaced on Saturday in some areas in the town, when suspected political thugs clashed at Ayetoro, Otutu, Gbodo, Ita-akogun areas and engaged in gun duel for several hours.

“After the clash in Ayetoro here, a lifeless body was seen near the road leading out of this neighborhood, but we were all too scared to come out. Many people were also injured and property damaged.

“In a house at Gbodo, the hoodlums damaged four vehicles. Also, around Ita

Akogun, property, mostly cars, were damaged”, a resident said in telephone chat.

Also in many areas in Ife East local government area, property were damaged, while unspecified number of people were injured during clashes by supporters of APC and PDP, following the outcome of the House of Assembly election results.

At the time of filing this report, fight still rages in many parts of Ife and efforts to get the reaction of Commissioner of Police in charge of election in the state, Mr. Valentine Ntomchukwu, proved abortive as he could not be reached through his mobile line.

Navy arrests one during gun battle with 10 sea pirates ...I'm a bizman, not a pirate — SUSPECT

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—TEN pirates weekend in Lagos, engaged some naval personnel on patrol along the waterways in a gun battle in their bid to hijack a foreign ship which was bringing in refined petroleum product into the country.

They however, bowed to the superior fire power of the Navy, as one of them was arrested in the process , while others fled.

But the suspect, identified as Shola Sama, denied being a pirate, stating that he was only a businessman.

The pirates, said to have been in two boats, intercepted the foreign ship, MT IMAS. Some of them were said to have succeeded in entering the ship, when a Navy ship on patrol swooped on them.

Flag officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango said: “As part of our preparations and actions for the just conducted election, we deployed our ships to cover the inland waterways and also to protect ships and patrol the territorial water. ''Fortunately for us, one of the ships, MT IMAS, raised an alarm around 0120 that it was under attack by pirates and one of our patrol boats that was close by went immediately to her rescue and in the process, saw two boats loaded with pirates and there was an exchange of fire. ''We managed to dislodged the pirates from the attack. We injured a few of them and we also captured one of them whom we brought here for for proper investigation.

“Their intention was to board the vessel and either kidnap the foreigners on board or steal the product. Or take the ship as ransom and go and sell the product somewhere . But the alarm raised through the distress channel which we all have, foiled their attempt.

“This is part of measures we are taking to assure Lagosians especially and Nigerians in general that the Nigerian Navy is very much ready for the security of the water ways ''If there is any miscreants or hoodlum who think they can use the water ways to cause any harm or damage, we want to let them know the Nigerian Navy is very much ready and up to the task to prevent them from doing that”.

I'm a not a pirate but a businessman — SUSPECT

However, the 31-year-old father of two said he was only a businessman and not a pirate. He explained that he usually sold food to local and foreign crew members on board ships on the high sea.

Asked why he was arrested, Sama said: “On the day in question, I went to sea to collect petroleum product from my customers. I had just a 50 litres jerrican with me. I was with my younger brother Gbenga. Most times, we drove round the sea.

I am not the only in the business. ''On that day, I had N400,000 with me. After filling the keg, a boisterous wave came and at the same time, a vessel that was pumping sand passed, causing the wave to hit my boat and it capsized. I attempted to rescue my younger brother but the wave pushed me away. At that point, I started shouting for

.Suspected pirate, Shola Sama help, on sighting a ship approaching. One of the crew members said they should throw a rope to me. When they did, I begged them to allow me come in, that I was their customer. Later, their captain came and asked one of his men to throw a lifebuoy to me and I went into the boat.

When I got in, they asked what I was doing and I explained. But the next thing I saw was Naval personnel who brought me to the base.

I am a businessman, not a pirate. I supply food , recharge cards and fruits to crew members on ships like Oluwa Seun, Princess Oge, Adebunmi, Sea Pioneer, e.t.c . I have a chattered boat which takes people into the sea. Most times, when they bought things from me, they would give me diesel or kerosene in exchange ,which I sold”.

The suspect according to the FOC will be handed over to the appropriate security agency at the end of investigation.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 —7

Man slumps, dies in Bauchi polling unit

B

By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI — A 38-yearold man has slumped and died on a queue at a polling unit in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Saturday.

According to the Public Relations Officer of Bauchi State Command, the incident happened while the man was waiting to be accredited to enable him vote during governorship and state Assembly elections.

He said: “On April 11, 2015 at about 15:30 pm, one Mr Bulus Tsanmani, 38 years, of Gwaranga ward in Bogoro Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State slumped on queue while awaiting accreditation at his polling unit in Gwaranga ward.

“Police patrol team attached to Bogoro division visited the scene and rushed the victim to General Hospital, Bogoro, for treatment where he was later certified dead by a medical doctor. The corpse was deposited at the mortuary for post-mortem examination."

Manager docked over alleged N67.7m theft

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS— A MANAGER with Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, Limited, Olubusoye Abayomi, who is in charge of Plant/Logistics has been arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Chief magistrate’s court, sitting at Oyingbo for allegedly stealing N68,703,480 belonging to the company.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, told the court that the defendant, who is in his early 40s and others still at large, committed the offence between June 2011 and June 2014, while acting as the manager in the two capacities.

Odigie said the act was discovered when a forensic audit was conducted on the company’s account, adding that following the discovery, the defendant was handed over to the police for prosecution.

The defendant, who is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, was docked before Magistrate I. O. Adelaja.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him by the police.

Children fetching water from a public tap during governorship and House of Assembly elections in Suleja, Niger State, on Saturday. Photo: NAN.

Gunmen rob family conveying remains of son killed by robbers

By Perez Brisibe

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KU — GUNMEN suspected to be robbers, operating along Eku-Sapele road, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, weekend, robbed a family conveying the remains of their son, Efe Onosakponwha, who was a

victim of the last Wednesday’s robbery attack at Eku by over 20 gunmen.

The incident, Vanguard gathered, occurred at about 5:10 p.m., Thursday, around Okerekpo axis of EkuSapele road while members of the Onosakponwha family, including mother of the deceased, were

transporting his remains from Warri General Hospital to Eku for burial.

According to a female member of the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the family drove into the robbers who disposed them of N90,000 cash and other valuables, despite the presence of a

5 killed as church collapses in Enugu

By Francis Igata

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NUGU — NO fewer than five worshippers died on Saturday, following the collapse of St. Anthony Catholic Church Cathedral at Oduma in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

An eyewitness revealed under anonymity, yesterday,

in Enugu that the incident occurred between 8pm and 9pm following a downpour.

The source said the worshippers were in a prayer meeting when the incident occurred.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu State Police Command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the cause of

the incident was not yet known.

He said: “Yes, I can confirm to you that five persons died following the collapse of St. Anthony Catholic Church building at about 8pm but we are yet to know the cause.

“It is not yet clear as to what brought about the collapse of the building, but we have commenced full investigations into the incidence.”

Children playing football on Ebute Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

corpse in the car.

The source said: “Oweing to the gravity of the gunshot wound Efe sustained, he was referred to the Warri General Hospital for treatment where N110,000 was demanded for treatment.

“His mother went back to Eku to source for the money but was only able to raise N90,000. Upon her return, she was told that her son, who was shot on the buttocks, with the bullet exiting through his groin, was dead.

“It was while they were transporting the remains of their son back to Eku that they drove into the robbers who equally rob and disposed them of their cash and other valuables despite the presence of a corpse in the car.”

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Two killed as APC, PDP supporters clash in Lagos

55 Corps members released after 24-hour hostage in Nasarawa

By Abel Daniel

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—TWO persons were killed in a fight that broke yesterday between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and All Progressive Congress APC, in Ogudu area of Ojota, following the outcome of the result of Saturday’s governorship elections.

Over 15 vehicles windscreens parked around the scene were reportedly shattered by the rampaging hoodlums.

Information at Vanguard’s disposal had it that supporters of the winning party were taunting those of PDP at Araromi street immediately the result as announced.

An argument which degenerated into a fight over allegation that the winning party rigged the election in the state reportedly ensued between the supporters in the evening.

But the Police said only one life was lost in the mayhem.

Dangerous weapons were said to have been freely used by the warring supporters as the fight reportedly spread to Alhaji Abass street where several vehicle windscreens were shattered and innocent persons attacked.

It reportedly took the intervention of military personnel attached to OP MESSA to bring the situation under control.

Policemen from Area ‘H’ were also sighted patrolling the area with a view to forestalling any likely reprisal attack.

Contacted, spokes person for the Lagos State Police Command, Kenneth Nwosu, explained that “some hoodlums around Alhaji Abbas Street, Ogudu this evening engaged in a free for all fight and damaged vehicles and other properties of innocent persons.

Operatives are already on their trail and will soon round them up and bring them to justice. One person was killed in the fracas. Normalcy has been restored . ‘’The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Cornelus Aderanti, has ordered a massive crackdown on these hoodlums. Law abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their normal but lawful businesses.’’

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AFIA—NOT less than 55 corps members, who were ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, deployed to serve as presiding officers in Nasarawa State were held hostage for 24 hours in Assakio, Ashige and Adogi in Lafia local government area on Saturday.

The corps members, who were rescued by security men and brought to the INEC Headquarter office in Lafia at about 4.00pm where collation of election result was ongoing, said they were held hostage by the host communities because there were no INEC returning officers to collate and return election results from the communities.

One of the detained corp members Mr Adamu Anzalu explained that the voters in the areas refused to let them go because the returning and collation officers failed to show up after the election had been held peacefully.

Anzalu stated further that they tried severally to put a call across to the returning officers but they refused to pick their calls.

The host communities who

POLLS: One of the foreign observers of the governorship and states Houses of Assembly elections making an enquiry from an Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC official at a polling unit in Obalende, Lagos during the Saturday election. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi alleged foul play insisted that if the returning officers did not show up they would not release the presiding officers.

It was after the security officers intervened and pleaded with the communities that the detained corps memebers were released. The presiding officers from Adogi

and Ashige however left their electoral materials including the election result with the host communities.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alh. Abdullahi Danyaya while addressing the rescued corps members said he would ensure the materials in custody of the

communities were returned to the commission.

He also assured that he would not cancel elections in the areas.

It would be recalled that Assokio and Ashige ward had their election results cancelled in the last election for irregularities.

Expert allays fears, as Ebola scare hits Lagos

By Sola Ogundipe

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AGOS—RESIDENTS of Lagos and environs have been urged to ignore a rumoured re-emergence of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in Lagos. The rumour, which began trending on the social media late on Friday night threw a wide section of the populace into wild panic even as some residents began making preparations to leave the city.

Facebook alert

Vanguard gathered that the purported message entitled “Ebola Returns to Nigeria after Killing 3 and infecting 12” , continued to circulate on Facebook, WatsApp and Twitter, into Saturday, the day of the Gubernatorial and States Houses of Reps elections held nationwide.

According to the report, one of the alleged victims, one Mr. George Lawal, showed major signs of the

disease which caused neighbours to raise alarm.

“He was immediately taken to an undisclosed hospital in Lagos where he later died.

Doctors confirmed he was struck with the Ebola flu. They are believed to have made major contacts with at least 12 people who are at large.

Please, share the news and report any suspected victim to nearby authorities,” the message stated.

It's not true, expert says

But debunking the rumour, a health official and Ebola expert Dr. L awal Bakare described the message as malicious and a figment of the imagination of the originator.

Bakare, who is Founder and spokesperson for “Ebola Alert”, the official Ebola notification body for Nigeria, told Vanguard that the anatomy of the message in itself is false. In an Official @EbolaAlert notification, Bakare remarked: “We found

a fast spreading false rumour of Ebola cases in Nigeria. The rumour was initiated by an irresponsible blogger who lied that there are cases of Ebola in Nigeria just to generate traffic to her website. We will need your powerhouse to help us tackle this rumour.''

...Urges caution

“In order to prevent what happened during the Ebola outbreak where people were told to drink salt water and some ended up losing their lives, we are doing this to let you know ahead of this rumor and to also tell your friends and neighbours. The rumour is false; there is no known case of Ebola in Nigeria.”

In his argument, Bakare said the World Health Organization, WHO, in partnership with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, have trained hospitals across Lagos and other parts of the country on

how to report any suspect case of Ebola.

“In fact, we had an extensive training and no health post nor hospital will call a blogger to report such information.

“We will be one of the first to know if there is Ebola in Nigeria and be sure we will notify Nigerians through official and appropriate channels. Kindly help broadcast this as far as possible. Thank you,” he pleaded.

'Visit EbolaAlert social media platforms'

He urged Nigerians to visit the EbolaAlert social media platforms for regular updates and inquiry on Ebola around the world and also visit www.ebolaalert.org for daily updates.

Nigeria was declared Ebola free on October 20, 2014. A total of 20cases were recorded of which seven died and 11 recovered. A total of 25,226 cases have been recorded so far worldwide, of which 10,587 died.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 9

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—HEAD of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States, Ambassador Michel Arrion, has frowned at the state of economy in Nigeria which favours the rich at the expense of the poor and tasked the incoming administration to ensure that the rich pay taxes on their income.

'Why terrorism persists'

Arrrion also attributed the prolonged terrorist onslaughts in northern parts of the country to the hopelessness of the army of unemployed youths and wrong ideology.

The envoy spoke during a courtesy call to the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state, Senator Bukola Saraki, in Ilorin at the weekend, Arrion also expressed concern that there was a clear distinction in the prevailing Nigerian economic situation, which seems to give way to the rich at the expense of the poor.

According to him,” Nigeria is in a serious situation regarding public finance and budget. You have no control of the international price of the oil. Again in the short term, the new government will have to look at the budget, probably it will have to cut expenditure, but more importantly, it will have to increase the revenues.”

“Here, I’m sorry to say, but you have to put in place a better tax and fiscal system with more equity in the system and probably the rich will have to pay taxes on their incomes. So income tax on individuals will have to be implemented gradually, but you have to start somewhere by increasing value added tax (VAT) and duties.

...Wants new tax regime

“It is very unfair because if you are rich or you are poor, you pay the same VAT be it 5 or 10 per cent rich or poor. 5 per cent for a rich guy is not a problem. 5 percent for a poor is very serious. So the second question of the economy is absolutely a top priority.

“The third one, which is more in the medium and long terms, is really to build what I call the institutions to really work on the role of the judiciary, the role of the parliament, to be a prompter.

You have to build your system that we hope will remain bypartisan. Because today, you have two parties and we think it is good in terms of democratic development to have check and balance system within the federal system.

...Urges better synergy btw FG, govs

“So I hope also that the new

EU envoy scores Nigerian economy low zSays it favours the rich at expense of the poor zTasks incoming govt to ensure rich people pay tax on income

z‘Address root causes of Boko Haram' government will be able to develop a better dialogue between the Federal Government and the voice of Governors’ Forum. They have a role to play. Today, you have PDP governors, you have APC governors. Why? Let’s have a global governors forum. The governors’ forum at the executive level is also important for the federal executive council to interact.

I would say that there are a lot of innovations that you can relatively easily elaborate to improve the dialogue between the federal and the states government”

On Boko Haram

On the issue of Boko Haram the envoy said

government must adopt a soft approach in deradicalizing those that had been hypnotized by the ideology of Boko Haram in the NorthEast.

He explained that a battle could be won easily if necessary strategies were deployed promptly, saying that to win a war or peace was an uphill task.

The diplomat said upon winning the terror battle, the government must develop a counter-terrorism policy to permanently nip the ugly trend in the bud.

Arrion sets agenda for the Buhari on dwindling economy

Arrion, who also set agenda for the President-

elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, on the dwindling economy, urged the incoming government to cut expenditure by plugging all leakages and improve on its revenue sources.

He tasked the new central government to enter into a sustainable synergy with the forum of state governors with a view to building better dialogue, which would in turn affect the nation’s socioeconomic issues positively.

...Give plaudits to INEC

The envoy praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for setting precedents with the manner the 2015 general elections were conducted, saying it would

serve as a template for African states preparing for elections.

Arrion said, “one has to make the distinction between the short term, medium term and long term. The short term certainly is to address the question of insecurity- Boko Haram. It is obvious. Nigeria has to recover full sovereignty on the NorthEast.

But it is enough to win a battle. To win the battle is easy but to win a war or peace is much more difficult.

“Tomorrow you can recover the control of the territory, but you will not have destroyed Boko Haram because it would have been embedded somewhere. You will come back again and again in five or ten years. So in a short term, you have to win the battle. But you have short term to address the root causes of Boko Haram

'Hopelessness, youth unemployment responsible for restiveness'

“There are many reasons and many explanations for Boko Haram. But one element is certainly the hopeless situation of the unemployed youths plus wrong ideology. So one should not under-estimate the role of sectarianism and some deviations of sect.

After winning the battle, you need to develop counterterrorism policy and what the office of the NSA called soft approach.

“You have to de-radicalise people. You will have prisoners; those prisoners will have to be dePOLLS: From right; Akin Orebiyi, independent national Electoral Commission, INEC Resident radicalised; their families, Electorial Commissioner in Lagos; Prof Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, Returning Electoral Officer, their brothers and Imams will Lagos and Alhaji Abiodun Amosu, HOD, Electoral Operation, Lagos during the official announcement of the 2015 governorship election in Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Akeem Salau. have to be de-radicalised. So that is one thing.”he said.

No tariff reduction for residential customers — AEDC

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) yesterday said that the 50 per cent reduction in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) does not affect residential consumers under the R1 and R2 tariff categories.

This clarification is contained in a statement issued by Malam Ahmed Shekarau, Head, Public Affairs of the company, in

Abuja.

The statement said that the clarification became necessary in view of the misconceptions by some of its customers that the recent reduction by NERC was for all categories of electricity consumers.

It said the misconception had made some customers to resist payment of their electricity bills.

According to the statement, the tariff for

customers in the R1 and R2 tariff class was not adjusted in the last tariff adjustment by the NERC. It said the reduction announced by NERC was meant for commercial and industrial customers only.

NERC had said that residential customers under R1 and R2 would not also see any reversal or reduction in tariff as it was the industrial, commercial and high-end residential consumers whose

tariff was increased.

NAN recalls that NERC had explained earlier on that the increase in tariff for residential consumers was frozen until June this year.

The statement said that the company would ensure total compliance with NERC directives on tariffs and sundry issues.

It urged its consumers to always settle their electricity bills promptly for better service delivery.

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

My victory changes 60yrs of Lagos history —AMBODE zSays no one will be victimised for not voting him

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

L

with every fiber of my being.

This day I pledge to you that I shall devote myself to bringing even greater prosperity, growth and

development to every inch of this state, that I shall build on the legacy and progress of the Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola administrations, I

shall bring the best of Lagos into my government and I shall make you proud and glad that you chose me as your next governor.’’

AGOS State governorelect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said his victory at the April 11 polls has changed 60 years history of the state, even as it marked the commencement of social and moral contracts.

Ambode, in his acceptance speech made after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared him winner of the 2015 Lagos State governorship election, noted that no one would be victimized for voting against him at the polls.

He stated that the victory was an outstanding feat, saying “By affirming your faith in the APC and in me, you have, for the first time in 60years, married progressive governance at the national level with progressive government at the state level.

“I am humbled that you have placed your trust and faith in me. The love of this state and our common belief in what we can accomplish, our belief in L-R: Mrs Bolanle Ambode; Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, APC Governor Elect for Lagos; Henry what this state already is, and in what it is destined to Ajomale, APC Chairman, Lagos, and Deputy Governor Elect for APC; Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebecome binds us together in a bule, during the celebration of Akinwunmi Ambode Winner of Lagos state Governorship Election social and moral contract of held at Party Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos state, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau high purpose.

“I shall honor that contract

....As Agbaje congratulates Ambode

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Mr Jimi Agbaje at 6.40 p.m yesterday reportedly called to congratulate the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Mr Akinwumi Ambode for emerging winner of the April 11 polls.

The APC governorship candidate defeated Agbaje in a keenly contested governorship election.

Agbaje, who wished the governor-elect well, said he looked forward to seeing a better Lagos under Ambode.

When contacted on phone, Agbaje told Vanguard; “I just made a phone call to congratulate Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress,” Agbaje said.

Lagos PDP petitions INEC Meanwhile, the Lagos State chapter of the PDP yesterday petitioned the Independent National Electoral

Commission, INEC, over alleged non usage of the Smart Card Readers during the April 11 governorship elections in the state.

In a protest letter signed by the State Legal Adviser, Mr Adeleke Adefala, the party called on the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Lagos to suspension of the collation and release of the results pending investigation into the complaints.

The party in a petition entitled: “RE: Fraudulent Use and Non Usage Of The Card Reader During The 11TH April governorship and State Assembly Elections”, alleged irregularities in some local government areas.

The party stated that “our candidates have brought to our attention that contrary to electoral rules and guidelines, the newly introduced card readers were not used in the following local Governments: Epe, Babagry, Mushin, Ikorodu, EtiOsa, Alimosho, Ikeja, IbejuLekki, Lagos Island and some parts of other local governments.”

While the party argued that there were no proper

accreditation of voters, it described as a “denouncement of the sanctity of the voting process.”

In addition, the Lagos PDP alleged that “there were numerous complaints of front and uploading of the card readers with fictitious names before commencement of accreditation in areas where card readers were used i.e Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland and Badagry.”

Calling for the suspension of the collation and release of the results pending investigation into the complaints, the party said “a simple step is for INEC to present for inspection the data from the card readers allocated to the above mentioned Local Government areas since the INEC premises is WiFi enabled, the card reader can be accessed for instant verification. In the interest of justice, fair play and electoral transparency and the confidence reposed by the Nigerian voters in INEC as a veritable institution of democratic tenets.”

“We demand that this investigation be conducted

immediately. The first step is the immediate suspension of the collation and release of the results,”the party stated.

Whoever wins in Lagos is people’s choice - Mbu

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AGOS—THE A s s i s t a n t Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Mr Joseph Mbu, yesterday said that whoever won Lagos State governorship election, did so on merit.

Mbu told journalists at INEC Office in Lagos, where the election results were being collated, that whoever emerged winner was the people’s choice.

“We have done our best.

I am not in possession of the figures, but I know it was a keen contest,” he said.

He said that no arrest was made by the police during Saturday ’s governorship and state assembly polls, “because the people were orderly. ” According to him, few incidents were recorded during the polls but they were minor and did not warrant arrest.

“There is no perfection on earth, but both the people and the security men did well,” he added.

The two major contestants in the Lagos governorship election were Mr Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Mr Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Ambode however won the election.

APC hails INEC for cancelling Ilaje polls

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE All Progressives Congress APC, in Ondo State has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for declaring the elections in the Ilaje constituencies inconclusive following alleged election malpractices during last Saturday's election in the state.

It’s Chairman in Ilaje council area of the state Olumide Ikuopenikan, said that the election was militarised.

Ikuopenikan said in a statement in Akure: “We received the position of INEC on the Ilaje state constituencies election held on April 11, 2015 with satisfaction.

“For declaring the election inconclusive, INEC has

affirmed our earlier position that the election was indeed militarised.

“I commend INEC for looking into our complaints and acting in the interest of justice and democracy despite the pressure from government and its agents seeking to rail road INEC into their undemocratic plots.

“However, our opinion is that the election ought to have been cancelled outrightly instead of declaring it inconclusive.

“The election was characterised with violence of unimaginable magnitude orchestrated and supervised by agents of the government of the day.

“The sonorous sound of gunshots and the rate at which guns were freely used by hired thugs reminded the people of Ilaje the gory tales of the Nigeria civil war."

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—11

AMOSUN’S VICTORY: PDP kicks, alleges irregularities

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — T H E Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State has kicked against the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the governorship election in the state. The party said: ‘’The development is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged appropriately.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission in the state had declared Amosun who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as governor-elect having polled 306,988 votes to defeat the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka who polled 201,440 votes.

Reacting to Amosun’s declaration, the party, through the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization declared the gubernatorial election “as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory”.

The party in a statement signed by Director of Media ,

Ifekayode Akinbode , said “whereas , INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC. “ Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects. “ However we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff.

“This was indeed what happened. Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over

the state as results were being result falsification, harassment of announced and posted from var- our party agents and other irregious polling booths. ularities. Clearly, the huge votes “ This was the situation until from Ogun central local governSen. Amosun defied the elector- ments of Abeokuta North Abeal law and moved out of his poll- okuta South, Odeda, Obafemi ing zone into other areas of Abe- Owode as well as Ado Odo/Ota okuta and then to Sagamu, Ota lg in Ogun West Senatorial disand Ifo local government areas trict were a true reflection of the with a full retinue of buses. rigging. It is in the light of the “ What followed were reports of foregoing that our legal officers snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations.

Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres.

“It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce re- RESULT:From right: Professor Duro Oni presiding/collation officer (right) sults despite announcing Governor Ibikunle Amosun as winner of governorship election the overvoting, 11-04-2015 held last Saturday in Ogun State; Dr. Dickson Atiba INEC Admin-

Prof Tamuno dies at 83

By Ola Ajayi

I

B A D A N — A Professor of History and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno, has died.

He died at the of age of 83.

The erudite professor died in Ibadan on Saturday afternoon. The Secretary of Nigerian Academy of Letters, NAL, and fellow historian, Prof.

Olutayo Charles Adesina, described the death as very sad.

He said: “Professor Tamuno was an extremely cerebral historian and foremost scholar of the humanities, who combined the rigour and

Prof. Tekena Tamuno

flexibility needed for a better understanding of his field.”

In his words, Prof.

Francis Egbokhare said, “For a man of his kind of stature as an intellectual and administrator, he was unbelievably accessible to the younger ones, unlike others who would strut like Emperors. If you were with him, you may forget he was not with your age mate. But, more importantly, he was a man who had great faith in God”.

President Goodluck Jonathan at Tamuno’s 80th birthday celebrations in 2012 had described the eminent historian as an asset to the nation, and an

and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position on this election that was marred with gross irregularities. We implore our supporters, party faithfuls and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

“He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain.

God bless Ogun State”, the party said.

edifice of knowledge epitomizing the capacity of Nigerians to be among the best in the world in their chosen profession.

The President remarked that Tamuno’s birthday was “ not a celebration of age, but of resourcefulness and character.”

He congratulated the widely published historian for all his achievements in life, and prayed God to give him more years to contribute ideas that would help to bring positive transformation to the country.

For the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, Tamuno has been a source of inspiration and honour to the people of Rivers State, adding that he had always been available any time the State was in dire need of his knowledge and resourcefulness for her advancement, especially in the field of education.

The late don was born on January 28, 1932 in Okrika, Rivers State. He attended St. Peter's School, Okrika, 1938-46; Okrika Grammar School, Okrika, 1947-51; University College, Ibadan, 1953-1958; Birkbeck College, University of London, 1960-62; and Columbia University, New York City, U.S.A. 196566.

istrative Secretary and Chief Timothy Ibitoye Ogun State resident electoral Commissioner during the press briefing to announce the results PHOTO BY WUMI AKINOLA.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Wike leads in Rivers governorship poll

By Jimitota Onoyume

T

HE results so far collated at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Rivers State office in Port Harcourt, shows that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won in 15 local government areas out of the 17 councils so far released for the governorship poll.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has so far won in two local government areas.

The remaining results are expected from the rescheduled polls on Sunday, which took place in Abua Odua, ward 1, Asari Toru ward 13, Bonny ward 13, Degema wards 11,12,13, Emohua ward 4, and Obio/Akpor wards 15 and 16.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidates of three political parties in Rivers State have called for the cancellation of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in

DELTA POLLS: Ofobruku, Mariere, Oharisi, others win Assembly seats

By Festus Ahon, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

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SABA—THE incumbent member representing Uvwie Local Government Area in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Efe Ofobruku of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has been re-elected for a second term after beating the candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Joseph Agbamu, who polled 10,541 votes to come second.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Assembly candidates in Ughelli North I, Mr Sam Mariere, Ughelli Noth II, Mr Eric Oharisi, Okpe and Ughelli South constituencies, Sheriff Obovworhowrhi and Reuben Izeze, won their respective positions while Johnson Erijo won in Isoko constituency II with a total vote of 12,930 to beat his closest contender, Ferguson Onwo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 9,943 votes.

the state.

The candidates are Dr Dakuku Peterside of the APC; Charles Harry, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Rev. Minaibim Harry, Social Democratic Party, SDP. The APGA candidate, Charles Harry, who spoke on behalf of the others, called on INEC to cancel the election because it was marred by irregularities.

Harry said thugs allegedly made away with election materials and fired gun shots to scare voters, in order to

manipulate the election results.

"In Buguma, headquarter of Asari-Toru Local Government, there was no accreditation because there were no election materials in place. ‘’Elsewhere, the disenfranchisement of Rivers people was taken to a level unprecedented in the history of electioneering in the state.

There was intimidation, harassment and outright manipulation of the electoral process,” he said.

Harry said they were aware that some arrests were made

by the police of those allegedly compromising the election.

Mr Dakuku Peterside of the APC, said the election was characterized by widespread violence that made it impossible for the people to come out to vote.

He urged INEC to cancel the election and fix a new date for a re-run.

In her reaction, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Mrs Gesila Khan, said elections were successfully held in the state.

She said the commission had

cancelled elections in nine wards and ordered a re-run where it was established that no election took place.

Meanwhile, African Centre for Leadership Strategies and Development has called for thecancellation of the exercise.

Humphrey Bekaren, who briefed newsmen in Port Harcourt, said as observers, they were dissatisfied with the elections, stressing that it was characterized by rigging, violence and manipulations.

According to him, no voting took place in some centres they visited in Port Harcourt.

“We request all lovers of democracy to join us in calling for outright cancellation of the phoney elections,” he said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—13

POLLS: Uduaghan commends Deltans for peaceful conduct

By Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Perez Brisibe, Godwin Oghre Theresa Ogbolu & Ochuko Akuopha

G

OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has commended Deltans for conducting themselves peacefully and orderly during the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Uduaghan, in Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area after casting his vote at Unit One, Umuegbe Primary School polling unit, said information he received from security agencies indicated that voters behaved well, adding that the development was a plus for Deltans as well as the security agenda of the state government.

He commended Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for improving on its conduct of the presidential election, particularly in ensuring that its staff and election materials arrived polling stations early.

“INEC's conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Umuegbe Primary School polling station, Abigborodo Ward Six, was an improvement on its conduct of the presidential election. INEC officials and election materials arrived the polling station at 8. 55 a.m., while accreditation started at 9. 52 a.m,” he said.

Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who cast his vote at 1.40p.m., at Eghoma Primary School, Ward 2 Unit 3, Owa Alero, Ika South Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction with the exercise, saying, “No complain so far except for some minor hitches which have been rectified.

“It will definitely be a peaceful exercise and will come out as free and fair,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, alleged electoral irregularities in five local government areas in the state, lamenting moves by some individuals to sabotage the efforts of INEC in conducting free and fair elections.

Speaking at his Abraka residence, Ogboru alleged: “We have recorded series of irregularities in five councils including parts of Ethiope East, Bomadi and Ika North East.

“PVCs were brought in their hundreds and used to vote without being authenticated by the card readers. We are having mixed feelings about the elections and are documenting these observations.”

On his part, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the polls.

Addressing newsmen after his accreditation in Evwreni, Emerhor commended INEC for the use of card readers, describing same as a worthy process aimed at ensuring credible accreditation for the electoral process.

Also at Erevweni, Samuel Marierie, PDP House of Assembly candidate for Ughelli North Constituency I, accused his opponents of ballot snatching in Orogun wards. He noted that despite the set backs, he was confident of winning the election.

At Orogun, the Labour Party senatorial candidate for Delta central, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege in company of his wife, voted about 2:05p.m., in Unit 19. Describing the turnout as impressive, OmoAgege, said: “Deltans deserve to be governed by the people they choose to govern them and no other candidate fits more than the LP governorship candidate, Ogboru. “Though we have received reports of abnormalities, especially in Delta Central where there is a wide spread of non-availability of result sheets, we want INEC to do the right thing as we won’t accept anything short of that.”

Accreditation and voting went

on smoothly in parts of Ughelli and its environs as scores of electorate came out to cast their votes in peaceful manner while security agents manned strategic positions to forestall breakdown of law and order.

In Owheologbo, Isoko North Local government Area, the Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozorie Macaulay, complained about shortage in voting materials dispatched to the council. Macaulay, who commended the voters for turning out en-mass and conducting themselves peacefully, stated that INEC failed to address the shortcomings observed during the presidential elections.

According to him, “The exercise is very peaceful. The only thing that would have caused trouble was that in the presidential and National Assembly elections they brought only 74, 000 ballot papers out of the accepted 107, 000 for the council."

Emami step-mother detained

Former PDP chieftain in Warri, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who defected to APC recently, raised alarm

that his step-mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Emami, was detained for hours, allegedly by Ijaw youths at Kurutie, who also harassed and beat up other innocent travellers.

But, PDP chairman in Warri South West council, Chief Boro Opudu, who acknowledged that Emami spoke to him about his step mother, dismissed the allegation of tension on the waterways, saying there was calm from information available to him.

“I complained to the Residential Electoral Commissioner, REC and he promised that it would be corrected in the governorship and state assembly election. They brought again 74, 000 depriving us about 38 percent of our voting strength. For me that is unacceptable; that being unfair to the people of this council. That is a way of discouraging us and reducing us and I think they are not being fair to the Isoko people.”

He noted that despite the challenges “there is nothing we can do; we are not going to say we cannot vote because of that because it is trap they are setting so that we get upset and pull out so the party we are will lose.”

Oshiomhole wades into Ekiadolor College of Education crisis

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERO R Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has waded into the crisis between the staff and management of the stateowned Ekiadolor College of Education now known as Tayo Akpata University, Benin City.

Lecturers of the institution have been on strike in the past two weeks over alleged failure by the management of the institution to pay their salaries and allowances owed them totalling over N50 million.

The governor who through the Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, led by Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, described the persistent crisis in the institution as disturbing, vowed to find a lasting solution to the problem after the committee met with the N

Daubry wins Burutu constituency II in Delta

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and wife, Unoma, embracing Mr. Udom Emmanuel and wife, Martha, after the declaration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel as winner of April 11, gubernatorial election in the State.

PDP wins governorship election in A-Ibom

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HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has been declared winner of the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.

Announcing the result of the election, yesterday in Uyo, Returning Officer for the election, Prof. James Epoke, said Emmanuel scored 996, 071 votes to defeat his All Progressives Congress, APC, opponent, Mr Umana Umana, who polled 89, 865 votes.

Other results, according to him, are Sen. Helen Esuene

of Labour Party, 8,600 votes and Accord Party candidate, Mr Samuel Akpan, who polled 10, 598 votes.

Epoke said that Emmanuel won in all the 31 local government areas in the state.

He said that the total number of registered voters in the state was 1,548,531 while 1,158,624 voters were accredited for the election, adding that total valid votes cast in the election was 1,110,580.

Voided votes, he said, were 12, 256 and total votes cast

were 1, 122, 836.

“By the provision of the Electoral Act, Emmanuel, having scored the highest number of votes cast in the election, is hereby declared elected,” he said.

Speaking to newsmen on the outcome of the election, Mr Paul Ekpo, PDP Chairman in the state, appealed to all the contestants to accept the result.

Ekpo said: “I hope other candidates who contested this election will allow peace to reign as President Goodluck Jonathan did.”

Kennedy D a u b r y , candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu constituency II, has been declared winner of Saturday's House of Assembly election in Burutu constituency II. According to the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the PDP candidate scored 27,642; Labour Party 233 and All Progressives Congress, APC, scored 70.

Daubry, who was reelected for a second term, thanked the people of his constituency for the fresh mandate given to him, assuring that he will consolidate on his achievements in the last four years.

He also enjoined the youths to remain peaceful and maintain the existing peace in the area, adding “Though I have made r e m a r k a b l e achievements and impacted on the lives of my people, however, by the grace of God in the next four years, we shall do more for them.”

R

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

DG clears air on promotion scandal rocking NSITF

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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B U J A — MANAGING Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Munir Abubakar, weekend, cleared the air on the promotion scandal rocking the Fund.

According to him, every promotion is guided by the federal character policy.

The board and management had been accused of favouritism in promotion by a section of the workers, a development that brought bad blood among the old and new staff, which generated unhealthy environment in the organisation.

But the Managing Director denied any form of favouritism in promotion of workers in NSITF and rather said that every worker was treated fairly according to the rules.

Fielding questions on the alleged scandal after receiving an award on behalf of the Fund from a coalition of 40 NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisations, NGOs, in Abuja, Abubakar said promotion of staff was always done in strict compliance with the principle of federal character, equity and fairness.

He said: “Our promotion is executed based on government policy, which means we are guided by federal character, if we don’t, we would answer to the National Assembly. ‘’It is possible some people have some grudges, but in everything we do, we ensure equity, we must ensure balance.”

He also denied the allegation of usurpation of management powers by the board, although, he acknowledged that it was not possible to satisfy all the staff in promotion exercise.

POLLS: Accept official results, INEC

tells contestants

By Joseph Erunke

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B U J A — T H E Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, yesterday, asked contestants in Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections to accept all results officially declared by it.

This was even as it urged those not satisfied with the outcome of the polls to seek redress at the tribunal.

It,however, promised to launch a full-scale investigations into cases of violent incidents in most states of the federation during the

...urges losers to go to tribunals

conduct of the polls.

The Commission’s chairman,Professor Attahiru Jega, in a statement, through his Chief Press Secretary,Mr. Kayode Idowu, tasked every citizen to maintain peace as the results of the elections were being processed.

“The Commission calls on every citizen to maintain the peace as the results of the governorship and state Assembly elections are being processed, and to accept the official outcomes, INEC stated.

It emphasised that winners could only emerge after collation

of the official results and on the basis of the requirements prescribed by the legal framework.

INEC reminded aggrieved politicians that the constitutionally recognised way of channeling grievances arising from election conduct in Nigeria was the election petition tribunals It said:”Any aggrieved persons or groups are encouraged to seek redress at the tribunals.”

The Commission, which noted that overall, many parts of the country remained relatively peaceful during the

JUBILATION: All Progressives Congress suporters, jubilating with the Kaduna State governor- elect, Malam Nasiru el-Rufai, at the party office hqtrs, in kaduna, yesterday.

Photo: Olu Ajayi

N-Central, N-East battle for Senate presidency

.Ahmed Lawan, Akume, Saraki, Goje among contestants

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE battle for Senate presidency appears to have shifted between the North Central and North East geo-political zones among the most ranking members, following the Senate Standing Order that favours long years

of service in Senate.

The 7th Senate is expected to come to an end about June 2 this year, while the Senate leadership is expected to be constituted for the 8th Senate within the week.

At present, the Senate presiding officer, Senate President, David Mark, is from Benue State of the North Central

alongside the Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, while Senator Abubakar Saraki who is also one of the contenders for the position, from Kwara State, is also of the North Central getpolitical zone.

But there is a political bloc from the North East that feels that the Senate presidency had been in the North Central for about eight

Nigerians in Diaspora drag Oba Akiolu to ICC

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—NIGERIANS in the Diaspora have reported the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, to the International Criminal Court, ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands, over his recent threat against the Igbo residents in Lagos, and likened the threat to the hate speech that

elections,regretted that the polls were marred by violent incidents in most states,promising to carry out thorough investigations.

“Some states, however, recorded a significant number of violent incidents, the most affected being Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Ondo.

“INEC’s records show that there were 66 reports of violent incidents targeted at polling units, the Commission’s officials, voters and election materials.

“These were in Rivers State (16 incidents), Ondo (8), Cross River and Ebonyi (6 each), Akwa Ibom (5) Bayelsa (4), Lagos and Kaduna (3 each), Jigawa, Enugu, Ekiti and Osun (2 each), Katsina, Plateau, Kogi, Abia, Imo, Kano and Ogun (one each).

“The Commission is investigating these incidents and will do everything within in its powers to bring culprits to justice.”

INEC said its general assessment showed that the elections went very wel.

“According to preliminary reports, 88.9 per cent of polling units opened for accreditation between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. across the country. Only 5.2 per cent were yet to open as of 1 p.m. Also, 73 per cent of the polling units had commenced voting by 2.30 p.m.

“The process of accreditation with Smart Card Readers was also successful in a majority of the polling units. Initial challenges were recorded in Edo and Abia states, but the technical teams deployed to support the states were able to resolve the issues in a timely manner,”it added.

triggered Rwandan genocide.

The Lagos Monarch had recently threatened that if the Igbo residents in Lagos did not vote for his preferred candidate in the just concluded governorship election in Lagos state, they would be thrown into the Lagos lagoon.

Infuriated by the threat, Nigerians in Diaspora, under the auspices of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, went on protest

to the ICC and Nigeria High Commission in London, saying the threat was too weighty to be ignored.

The group noted that such a threat should not be treated with levity and called on the ICC to investigate it before a repeat of the Rewandan genocide in Nigeria.

Spokesperson of the group, Chris Nsoedo, pointed out that Ndigbo "are always at the receiving end of any crises, even

when they don’t have any hand in such ugly developments."

Nosedo said that time had come for the government of Nigeria to be pro-active in preventing incessant attacks on the SouthEasterners, known for their positive contribution to their hostile host communities by ensuring that the haters of the Igbo, like the Lagos Monarch, were decisively dealt with according to the dictates of the nation’s constitution.

years and even the Senate minority leader and the people behind this ‘power must rotate’, are projecting Senator Ahmad Lawan from Yobe State.

Also from the North East and a possible candidate for the Senate presidency is Senator Danjuma Goje, a former governor of Gombe State.

With a simple majority in the chamber, lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are expected to fill these positions: the Senate President, his deputy, Senate Majority Leader, deputy and the Chief Whip and deputy.

It was gathered that those projecting the emergence of Senator Lawan from North East were said to have taken their argument to the APC leaders that since the North Central had been occupying the seat 2007,”it was time to look elsewhere and that in the spirit of cohesion and sense of unity, the North East should occupy post.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—15

ENUGU GOV RESULT: APC

vows to challenge it in tribunal

By Austin Ogwuda

E

CELEBRATION: Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime (centre), accompanied on the right by his sister, Mrs. May Oji; Deputy Governor, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye; his wife, Mrs. Rita Nwoye; Mr. Tochukwu Chime (son), Mrs. Adaora Chukwu (daughter), State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ikeje Asogwa; Member-elect for Enugu North/Enugu South federal constituency, Hon. Chime Oji, and Mr. Emeka Chukwu (left), as he cuts a cake to mark his 56th birthday celebration, at the Governor's Lodge, Enugu, yesterday

Umeh urges Jega to cancel gov elections in S-East states

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

ATIONAL CHAIRMAN on All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has called on Professor Attahiru Jega, Independent National Electoral, INEC, Chairman, to cancel the governorship and State House of Assembly elections in South East for alleged snatching of election materials by people allegedly working for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chief Umeh also asked INEC to prosecute INEC officials and PDP agents for treasonable felony for for what he called electoral terrorism and for not allowing the electorate from South East to elect the candidates that will represent them at all levels of government in the country.

“If every time there is an election the Igbo people will not be allowed to elect their leaders, why we are still here, if they want war

let them have it and break up the country because we are a people that have been held down for over 48 years now, the Igbo people have never been themselves.

“You will conduct election, people will win, you have the result sheet and they will go and change it today, in my ward I have collected all the 18 polling booths results, APGA won in all the polling booths, wait and listen may be tomorrow you will hear that we lost in my ward, in the last election I won here in all the polling booths with 2084 votes, but I heard that in the result they announced I lost in my ward,” he said.

According to Chief Umeh,today there is governorship and House

of Assembly election everywhere in Nigeria, there were reports of good elections in the North and in the South West but in the South East, the governorship elections are not taking place in the states they are supposed to take place “I will rather call on Prof. Attahiru Jega to cancel the governorship election in South East and arraign all the INEC officials and the PDP agents and prosecute them for treason, when you do not allow people to elect their leaders you are now taking power forcefully, and it amounts to treason, what they are committing in Igbo land is treasonable felony, and God will punish all of them,” he said.

... Abia in particular

A

G U L U Z I G B O (ANAMBRA)—CHIEF Victor Umeh, the National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has called

for the cancellation of the Abia State governorship and the state House of Assembly elections over alleged irregularities.

Speaking with newsmen at

Suspected thugs attack DSS official in Enugu State

I

BAGWA-AKA (ENUGU STATE): DEPARTMENT of State Services, DSS, official in Igboeze-South Local Government in Enugu State, Mr. Preye Emmanuel, was attacked by suspected political thugs at Itchi during Saturday’s elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, correspondent who monitored elections in the area, observed that the situation in the community, the country home of the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Okey Ezea, got voters scampering for safety, following sporadic shootings by the thugs.

Speaking with newsmen on his hospital bed in Ibagwa-Aka, Emmanuel said that he was monitoring the conduct of the election when armed thugs attacked him, saying that they did not want any security man.

“They beat me to pulp. l sustained injuries on my head,

He alleged that a former governor of Anambra State was seen personally spearheading hijacking of election materials at Agulu.

He said: “He was not doing it through proxies, he personally hijacked electoral materials on 28 of March, the same thing they did in Nri, all in Anocha Local Government Area.

“We also got reports that some people went to Ozoubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area as early as 5am to carry the election materials and the Resident Electoral Commissioner has cancelled the election in the Local government Area, and it was done by the same PDP people.

hand and leg. They spared my life because l denied being a security agent,” he said.

Reacting, the Chairman of Igboeze-South Local Government, Mr. Festus Ozioko, described the situation as ‘unfortunate’ and urged INEC to cancel results from Itchi Ward 1

and Ward 11 as loyalists of other political parties were not allowed to vote by the thugs.

“The manhandling of Emmanuel, who is on official assignment, is highly condemnable. This is crude and irresponsible,” he said.

Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra after casting his vote on Saturday, Umeh described the entire exercise in Abia as a sham.

He said: “From the reports so far gathered, there were no materials on ground and collation officers with result sheets could not be found. There are also reports of fake security personnel moving about in the state intimidating people.”

Umeh, who is also the Anambra Central senatorial candidate of APGA, called for the arrest of some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the alleged irregularities in Abia.

PDP's victory in Enugu, a reflection of voters' wishes — Gov Chime

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OVERNOR SULLIVAN Chime of Enugu State has described the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Saturday ’s election, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, as a true reflection of the wishes of the people of Enugu State.

The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press

Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, also said the party’s sweep of all the House of Assembly seats in the elections confirmed the status of the party as the most popular and acceptable party by Enugu people and thanked the people for their unshakeable faith in the new course of good governance championed by

the party.

He assured the people that the incoming administration would never deviate from the noble path.

He also, commended INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the elections, saying they lived up to their mandates.

N U G U — LEADERSHIP of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday rejected the result of the governorship election held in the state on Saturday in which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declared the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as the winner.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, yesterday, shortly before the final result was released, state chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye, the governorship candidate, Mr. Okey Ezea and his running mate, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku, unanimously vowed to challenge the result legally.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, standard bearer in Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was declared winner of the governorship election with a total score of 482,277 against his closest rival, the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Okey Ezea, who polled 43,837.

Embattled Ezea told newsmen, yesterday, that “ what was witnessed yesterday (Saturday) as election was a sham. ‘’There was also ballot box snatching, physical injuries from PDP thugs unleashed on APC supporters. Over 5,000 thugs chased away our supporters. I was almost killed.

“It is a case of police aiding and abetting thuggery, even the INEC staff were compromised too.

Therefore, we are saying as far as we are concerned, there was no election in Enugu State. ‘’We, therefore, call on INEC to cancel the election completely and order a fresh one where police from outside the state will come to supervise.”

Reacting, the state police command’s spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said “that is not true as police do not vote, but provide security for voters and those conducting election.’’

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Polls observers call for cancellation of Rivers result

there were incidents of the destruction of card readers by a political party and snatching of ballot boxes,while in Edo State there were reports of buying of votes on the queue by some political parties. ''Reports of violence ranging from arson, violence against women, shootings, intimidation by heavily armed men have come in from Abia, Nasarawa, Rivers, Abia, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Rivers, Imo, Gombe, Benue and Akwa Ibom States.''

P

ORT HARCOURT— International election observers, yesterday, called for the cancellation of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers.

The leader of African Centre for Leadership Strategies and Development, Mr Humphrey Bekaren, who spoke on behalf of the observers, made the call in Port Harcourt.

He said the observers were shocked that INEC disregarded the widely reported violent irregularities to begin the process of declaring results in the state, stressing, '' We request all lovers of democracy to join us in calling for the outright cancellation of the phony election. Unless this is done, we would have sown the seed that could eventually grow into providing a shade of fear and death over us.”

Bekaren said what happened in Rivers was a far cry from what election should be. '' What we saw did not meet international standard of electioneering, not even the ones set by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.” The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers, Mrs Gesila Khan, said INEC cancelled election in centres with reported electoral malpractices. She said re-run elections took place in six local government areas in the state where electoral malpractices were reported.

VICTORY PARTY: Enugu State governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime flanked on his right by the state’s Governor-elect, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the Deputy Governor-elect, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; the Deputy Governor’s wife, Mrs. Rita Nwoye, Deputy Governor, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye; SA to the President on NEPAD, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze; Mrs. Stella Ngwu and state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, Minister for Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo; Mrs. May Oji, Ozo Mmamel, Mr. U.S.A. Igwesi, Enugu North Senator-elect, Mr. Chuka Utazi, left, among other dignitaries, during a victory party at the Governor’s Lodge, Enugu, yesterday.

Put Nigeria first, WSR tells politicians

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE Women’s Situation Room-Nigeria (WSRNigeria) has charged Nigerian politicians to shun violence and put Nigeria first in all their electoral contests.

The group gave the charge while making observation on the April 11 elections for the Governorship and the State House of Assemblies in nine states covering the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

A statement by the group said the call became necessary following WSR-Nigeria's

perception that with the announcement of the presidential elections and the stakes becoming higher, an indication that the potential for violence would grow higher, hence the need for early warning and early response pre, during and after the April 11th elections.

Following this, it said the WSR proceeded in setting up of a second physical Situation Room in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, one of the states identified as a flashpoint for violence.

According to the group, available reports from its observers and the general public

indicated that generally, the commencement of accreditation started on time as the INEC officials arrived in good time and the massive failure of the card readers reported during the Presidential election was minimal. ''The WSR-Nigeria notes with concern the electoral malpractices that were experienced in some polling units across the country; in Nasarawa State, we received reports of the electorate being chased away and mass thumb printing being done by unknown persons; in Anambra State in Ekwusigo LGA we received a report of the elections materials being seized at the RAC centre; in Jigawa State

Oba of Lagos prays for peaceful co-existence in Lagos, Nigeria

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HE Oba of Lagos, Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday, organised a prayer session for peaceful co-existence in Lagos and Nigeria in general.

During the prayer that was conducted at the Iga Iduganran Palace of the royal father on Lagos Island, Oba Akiolu said the prayer was imperative for peaceful co-existence in Lagos and Nigeria in general, after peaceful conduct of the general elections in the state.

While urging different tribes in Lagos to work for the progress of the state, the royal father appealed to the president-elect, retired Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to assist Lagos in repairing most of the damaged federal roads in the state.

Akiolu, who spoke in Yoruba language, said that when Buhari came to his palace during the campaign period, he was three hours behind schedule.

He said that Buhari complained of bad roads adding that he told him that when he becomes the president he should help the state to reconstruct the road.

The Oba said he was sure that God would give him the power to do it.

Akiolu urged the incoming Governor of Lagos, to do what he promised the people.

The prayer was conducted by Imam Mujitabah Giwa, the Alawiye of Lagos and his league of Imams.

Giwa prayed for peaceful coexistence in Lagos and also for political leaders in the country.

Some traditional rulers in Lagos as well as white cap chiefs were present at the prayer session.

Chief Rasak Okoya, Chairman of Eleganza Group was also among some dignitaries present.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—17

Gov, state Assembly elections around Nigeria

Nigeria's Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (middle); All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (4th right), and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (4th left), and other APC members, jublilating at APC 's victory in Lagos, yesterday.

Photos: Joe Akintola, Dare Fasube, Olu Ajayi, Wunmi Akinola, Akeem Salau & Lamidi Bamidele

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, His wife, Funso; Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, and others, in a motor cade , during victory procession in some part sof the Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday.

From left, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Deputy Governorelect, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

From left, Professor Isaac Adewole, Retuning Electoral Officer, Lagos State; Akin Orebiyi, INEC Resident Electorial Commissioner in Lagos State, and Joseph Mbu, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, during the declaration of APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, as the winner of 2015 election, at INEC office, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, casting her vote Mohammed Babangida, at polling unit, in Minna. at Bourdillon unit, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Prince Johnson Erijo (right), and Dr. Osafile, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Returning Officer, during the presentation of Certificate of Return to Prince Ejiro, who won Isoko South Constituency 2 seat in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Governorship election accreditations going on at Unit 17 Ward 02, Redeemed camp, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State.

A woman in purdah, casting her vote, in Minna, Niger State.

Minister of State Agricultural Resources, Asabe Ahmed, going through accreditation process at PU 020, Minna.

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2014 THE mounting excitement about the results of the 2015 elections hardly leave room to consider any encumbrances to the change that has been promised since the herald of that buzz that at the beginning seemed like one of those slogans that manage to exist till the end of the campaign.

Change is here, it appears, to stay. It is a sweeping change that would have profound implications for the way we do things. Change has affected the central government for the first time in 16 years.

At the beginning of the renewed democratic experiment in 1999, clear majorities were not available at the National Assembly. However, with the dynamics of politics, the opposition parties kept losing grounds that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, often danced its way to favourable decisions on issues it pursued.

Change would affect the National Assembly too.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, counting on its victories, and sympathies it could generate on issues, would be able to get enough numbers to do its work.

Nigerians are basking in the luxury of the peaceful conclusion of the elections, seemingly

Winner s Are Winners Nigerians patience for change to visit their corners, wherever they are, could be exhausted quickly.

In the states, the issues are local, direct and more disturbing. Expectations of a bandwagon effect (people voting for the same party in the states as the one at the centre) did not work. In some places, the belief was that local issues were better treated as local. However, making governments more responsive to the needs of the people is a common yearning among our people. Election promises have not changed much in more than 60 years.

The promises of education, employment, health services, housing, electricity, potable water, rails, roads and other means of transportation are indicators of the state of our development. The heightened concerns about security, shrinking democratic spaces, access to justice and niggling services most public institutions provide, should be other areas where Nigerians expect to “win”.

Failure to attend to these matters in sustainable manners, by exploring the linkages they bear, threatens every opportunity for our country’s development.

Whether we count our victories at the centre, states or local government areas, the most important thing is to run governments that would look after the interests of our people. The winners in the elections are Nigerians, the ordinary people, millions of whom have no political party membership, but trooped to vote for change. They are waiting for the content of change. One huge advantage the new governments would have is that the revelry could give them opportunities of hands on experience for the practical sides of implementing vast promises made during the campaigns.

OPINION FCT minist er deser ication minister deservves commendation, no nott vilif vilification

By Rogers Ochela

W

ITH the successful conclusion of the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday 28th March 2015 and the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a lot of energy and ink have been expended by commentators, including hack writers and pseudo-analysts, who specialize in muddling the political water or worse still, fouling the fresh air Nigerians are currently savouring.

What makes Buhari’s victory pivotally important is the fact that this is the first time in the history of the nation, an opposition candidate has defeated an incumbent president in an election, a significant milestone that will help shape the history of Nigeria’s electoral contest for years to come.

Of equal epochal significance is the display of statesmanship by President Goodluck Jonathan, who, against the grain of expectations of enemies of Nigeria’s unity, put national interest above his personal pride and interest, when he accepted the verdict of the people by putting a call across to General Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on his victory.

This exemplary act of statesman-ship by President Jonathan, which is in sync with his overall attitude to governance, removed the arrow, in a manner of speaking, from the quiver of those fanning the embers of war ahead of the election, a situation that actually frustrated

the murderous ambition of those who allegedly stockpiled arms and ammunitions preparatory to instigating crisis of unimaginable proportions.

Understandably, this has elicited spontaneous outpouring of congratulatory messages from Nigerians of all walks of life for the President and the President-elect as well as Nigerians for the democratic achievement.

Surprisingly, while many Nigerians are still reeling in celebration for achieving another significant milestone in the onerous quest to stabilize the nation’s fledgling democracy, some spoilsports, probably operating on a different wavelength, are engaged in the reckless and unholy enterprise of hurling invectives on some public officials whose only crime is to execute their assignments with the single-minded devotion of a religious devotee.

One of such public officials who have been at the receiving end of these harbingers of hate and malice is the Hon. Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed. And what is his offence? It is his unabashed loyalty to the outgoing President and uncompromising fidelity the administration’s Transformation Agenda, Jonathan’s handmaiden for the accelerated development of the nation in all ramifications.

Bala Mohammed has challenged his critics to take him up on issues

Being the most legitimatizing factor in the Jonathan administration and having contributed more than any of his ministerial contemporaries to the successful execution of the Transformation Agenda, Senator Bala Mohammed must be barbecued and the solid reputation he has built in the last four years must be torn to shreds as the lifespan of this administration throttles to its terminus on May 29.

To achieve their selfish aim, they have been peddling all manner of allegations against the minister and his children, overtly orchestrating their spurious involvement in several corrupt and shady deals. But the pertinent question is: how on earth would any sane mind, which is not idle, conjure up such fallacious story when none of the minister’s children has done any contract under the FCT Administration during the tenure of Senator Bala Mohammed as Minister?

It is equally sad to note that the unsubstantiated nay unfounded allegations have been extended to some Directors of the FCT Administration, including the Director of Treasury, Alhaji Ibrahim Bomoi, who has become the butt of their rabid attacks because he has stood his ground, refusing to pay huge sums of money as ransom over threat of negative media reports by his current blackmailers and their sponsors.

Bala and Bomoi’s seeming offence ostensibly stems from their objection to the business as usual syndrome.

Judging from the antecedents of those behind this campaign of calumny, it is so easy to discern that their sole aim of picking on the FCT

Minister and the Director of Treasury is simply to create disaffection between them and the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. But their evil intention will fail because the General as a man of integrity and conviction who is a highly experienced statesman will not easily swayed by such useless antics aimed at scoring cheap political points. It is on this note that it is necessary that well meaning Nigerians are advised to ‘shine their eyes well-well’ so as not be deceived by the cheap antics of professional blackmailers masquerading as media publishers, who have been waging a relentless war against the minister ’s laudable achievements, especially the highly innovative land swap programme which is aimed at bridging the yawning housing gap in the nation’s capital.

In spite of the nebulous efforts of his traducers, the truth is that Senator Bala Mohammed unarguably remains one of the most successful FCT Ministers ever. His achievements speak for themselves.

On several occasions, Bala Mohammed has challenged his critics to take him up on issues, point out the gap in his style of administration and flaws in the execution of projects and proffer better alternative. The minister cannot have all the solutions to the problems besetting the FCT. He means well. Contrary to the harsh unmerited judgment of arm chair critics, he has performed creditably well to the satisfaction of his principal, President Jonathan and above all, unbiased Nigerians. His sincerity of purpose has certainly never been in doubt. So, he should be left alone.

•Mr. Ochela, a social critic, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 —19

Time tto o apply the breaks

C

HIEF Ayo Adebanjo, 83, is a mobile library of Nigerian politics. A politician, journalist and lawyer, he has been actively involved in politics and electoral contestations for sixty four years.

In 1954, he was appointed a full time Organizing Secretary of the Action Group, AG. When the Treason Trial of the opposition AG held in 1962/63, he was accused of being trained in Nkrumah’s Ghana as an armed combatant in order to overthrow the Nigerian Government. He was Accuse Number 29, sentenced, extradited to Nigeria and incarcerated in the Kaduna Prisons. In the Second Republic, he was a leader of the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria.

By the mid 1990s, Nigeria was in the grip of a military dictatorship that was eliminating opposition, incarcerating them and forcing many into exile.

Many choose to make peace with dictatorship, and make some money to the bargain. Adebanjo was one of those who stood gallantly on the side of the Nigerian people. It was at this point I met him.

The leading opposition group, the National Democratic

Coalition, NADECO was in disarray with its ranks infiltrated and a number of its leading lights in exile. There was the need to rebuild, strategize and present an alternative Transition Programme to the endless one by the military.

A core of the opposition leadership began to meet in the GRA, Ikeja home of Pa Alfred Rewane who was our chairman while Chief Anthony Enahoro was his deputy.

Despite the precarious situation we found ourselves and the danger that the goons of the regime could swoop on us, it was educating seeing old war horses like Rewane, Enahoro, Senator Abraham Adesanya and Adebanjo exchange banter. Those of us like Chief Cornelius Adebayo and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti who were not of that generation could only look on.

In this rebuilding process, our Chairman, Rewane was assassinated and his deputy, Enahoro, had to go into exile. The leadership fell on men like Adesanya and Adebanjo who never relented until that inglorious regime became history. The immediate post-Abacha period was a precarious one in which the country was in danger of

disintegration. It took leaders like Adebanjo to calm nerves and work with the new regime to transit to civil rule.

Two things I know about Chief Adebanjo, he has disdain for military rule and rulers, and is passionately committed to federalism and the restructuring of the country. These may have swayed him to endorsing the President Goodluck Jonathan candidacy. Whatever the case, he is entitled to his political preferences, I therefore found it repulsive when vicious attacks were unleashed on him. Now that the elections are over, I expect the

Things need to be made easier for incoming President Muhammadu Buhari; he is going to preside not just over the 15,424,921 people who voted for him, but also over the 12,853,162 who voted for President Jonathan, and the over millions of voters disenfranchised because INEC could not give them their permanent voters card

Task bef ore the Buhari presidency before

By Uchenna Nwankwo

T

HE immediate task before the incoming Buhari government is to restore unity in this extremely divided country.

General Buhari has truly persevered and has secured victory at the rougher ends of political struggle in the country; he now needs to win the peace by playing the role of unifier in this battered country. There will be two sides to the achievement of this goal –the short and long-term aspects. The shortterm aspect of the task before the in-coming APC-led Federal Government will involve titular reassurances that despite the electoral battles that we have just fought and the lopsided voting pattern that emerged, the Buhari administration would extend a hand of fellowship to all sections of the country through a process that does not discriminate or deprive any section of any rights, privilege and adequate representation in government.

In this regard, it will be difficult and inadvisable for the Buhari government to overlook certain foundations and enactments laid down by the PDP-led governments of the last sixteen years in its entirety. It is expected that the APC government will sift through these enactments and copy or adopt some of them for a smooth running of the country.

In my assessment, one such enactment of the PDP-led government at the centre that cannot be ignored by the in-coming APC government is the practice of zoning or distributing six highest offices in government and the party among the six geopolitical zones of the country. The zoning formula adopted by the PDP ruling elite since 1999 is founded on the tenet that the following six most important political offices must at any given time be distributed or rotated among the six geopolitical zones in the country.

These are the offices of President, Vice-

President, Senate President, House Speaker, Party Chairman and lastly, though not the least, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF). It is expected that at the expiration of the life of six consecutive governments to be produced in the country from May 1999, each geopolitical zone in the country will have tasted of or held each of these positions once.There is also the understanding that when the president comes from any zone in the North, the Chairmanship of the party would go to a southern zone that has not previously held the Chairmanship, and vice versa; ditto for the vice-presidency. The formula has nothing to do with voting patterns or what number of senators or House of Representatives members the party garners from whatever zone. As long as there is even a single House member or senator from a zone that can so represent the zone or fill the quota within the National Assembly the formula is deemed applicable, especially with respect to the Legislature.

This zoning formula was threatened after the 2011 federal elections due partly because

From the records, neither the NorthCentral nor the Southeast has held the office of House Speaker in this Republic.

Therefore they both qualify to hold the office under the coming Buhari presidency

attacks to stop. But they have not. I see references to him as a Yoruba “dealer” a pun on leader. He is accused of selling his patrimony to President Jonathan. If Adebanjo wanted to sell out, he would have done so decades ago but he stood for principles even when it could have cost him his life.

I think the singsong that those who supported a particular party did so for pecuniary reasons while those who supported some other party , did so for patriotic reasons, is out of sync. Beyond respect for elders and peoples right to political preferences, the fact that people like Adebanjo had made sacrifices for our country and democracy should be acknowledged; their persons deserve respect.

I have also read post-election attacks on perceived opponents, one of them referred to those in the opposing party as “vultures” that must be continually resisted. Such campaigns are dangerous. They are like the pre-genocide campaigns in Rwanda when those in opposition were called cockroaches. What do you do with cockroaches but to eliminate them? The first time I heard people being referred to as vultures was during the 1993-96 political disagreements in Ogoniland and these resulted in quite tragic consequences for the people.

Regardless of our political preferences, we need to be careful and mindful of what we say so as not to threaten the country ’s stability. Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu at 72, being a senior lawyer, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and of Edo ancestry, knew the implications of the threats he issued to Igbos who may not vote for his preferred governorship

the Southwest had few PDP members in the House of Representatives and the revolt by some Northern legislators over the continuation of the Jonathan presidency at a time the Northwest felt Jonathan should have vacated the position and allowed a candidate of Northwest extraction to run for the presidency under the PDP banner. As a result the Southwest lost the opportunity to produce the House Speaker, which was dully allocated to the zone. (I had cause to comment on the matter at the height of the zoning palaver of 2011 in an article entitled ‘Calling the Southeast Political Leaders to Order’, published byThe Guardian of June 8, 2011.) The orchestrated denial of the position to the Southwest, as it were, was to cause a lot of disaffection and subsequent resentment against the PDP-led Federal Government in the Southwest. And this contributed immensely to the defeat of President Jonathan in the 2015 Presidential election, especially in the quaint middling Southwest.

I imagine that as things are,the APC would want to give every zone a sense of belonging by allocating one of these six important offices or positions to each zone, as has been virtually ‘institutionalised’ by the PDP. The question that arises now is: given the fact that the positions of President, Vice-President and Party Chairman have been taken up by the Northwest, Southwest and the SouthSouth respectively, how does the party allocate and distribute the three remaining offices of Senate President, House Speaker and Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) among the three remaining zones - the Northeast, NorthCentral and Southeast?

For the records, in the current Republic, the Northeast has held the position of VicePresident for 8 years under Obasanjo and Party Chairman under Jonathan; the NorthCentral has held the position of Party Chairman for 8 years under Obasanjo and Senate President for 8 years under Yar’Adua/ Jonathan; and the Southeast has held the office of Senate President for 8 years under

candidate. He thought he could get away with such impunity only to end up creating an unnecessary political storm in the country.

There are also those who have taken to the social media attacking people in the South East for voting overwhelmingly for the PDP. For such commentators, Igbos need to be punished for the political choice most voters in the region made. First, let me state that while all other regions had political posts their elites hanker for which might have determined the voting pattern in those areas, the South East appears to have voted based on conviction and principles.

Secondly, politics should not all be about positions to be shared by elites. Castigating a whole people or profiling them, should be avoided.

Things need to be made easier for in-coming President Muhammadu Buhari; he is going to preside not just over the 15,424,921 people who voted for him, but also over the 12,853,162 who voted for President Jonathan, and the over millions of voters disenfranchised because INEC could not give them their permanent voters card. Rather than continuing quixotic battles in the media over the elections, we should think about improving our electoral system that saw a total of 28,278,083 voters casting their ballot where we had 68,833,476 registered voters.

Buhari will be president over 170 million Nigerians ; it is this bigger picture and the future of our country we should focus. It is time to apply the brakes on unhelpful acrimony, insults and threats. There is work to do.

Obasanjo and SGF for 4 years under Jonathan. Given this scenario, neither the Southeast nor the North-Central qualifies to hold the office of Senate President in the in-coming Buhari government. The position should therefore go to the Northeast. That leaves us with the two positions of House Speaker and Secretary to Government of the Federation.

From the records, neither the NorthCentral nor the Southeast has held the office of House Speaker in this Republic. Therefore they both qualify to hold the office under the coming Buhari presidency. But the Southeast will have only two APC legislators in the in-coming House of Representatives, though I do not know whether they are new comers to the House or returnee old members.It is germane that where the Southeast has a duly qualified person, it should produce the House Speaker, so that the two arms of the federal legislature are headed by a northerner on the one part and a southerner on the other, while the office of SGF goes to the North-Central which has not held the office before. However, where there is no qualified person from the Southeast for the office of House Speaker, the Speakership should go to the NorthCentral for now while the remaining office of SGF reverts to the Southeast for at least another four-year stint, given that the zone produced the current SGF who will be completing his four-year tenure by May 2015.

Implementing this action-plan should, in my humble opinion, help reassure all concerned and hence give the government the scope to concentrate effort on the more arduous tasks that beckon for attention and that should lead to the achievement of social, economic and political advancement of the country. I shall deal with this latter matter, the long-term aspect of the task before the Buhari presidency, in subsequent write-ups.

•Mr. Nwankwo, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

C M Y K

20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

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UR people have a saying: “o na abu agbachaa oso a guo mile” – after the race you count the number of miles you covered. Now that the presidential race has been concluded, we can begin to ask ourselves what happened, why they happened and what they portend for our political system, democracy and good governance. A new party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and brand new president, General Muhammadu Buhari, are waiting to assume power at the centre, we can start asking those questions right now.

Why did the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lose the presidential and National Assembly elections? Why did the unthinkable happen, whereby the incumbent president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, failed to get re-elected for a second term? Why has the erstwhile “largest party in Africa” shrunk to the “largest opposition in Nigeria”? Why did the PDP which, in its heydays in power and glory used to boast that it would rule for sixty years, lose out after only sixteen years? Why did PDP suddenly die in Northern Nigeria? Why is it waxing stronger in the South East and South-South while making a marked resurgence in the South West?

There is a quote I found very profound the moment it was invented. Ever since, each time I apply it to an unfolding situation, it always fits. In 2001, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was trying to get rid of the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Umar Ghali Na’Abba, reportedly he told Obasanjo to his face: “Mr. President, look into the mirror. You will see the trouble with Nigeria there!” Obasanjo who ruled Nigeria for eight years with the PDPis the man who almost single-handedly destroyed the Party. Other factors that worked against the Party merely rode in the wake of his annihilating power.

The PDP was formed by the remnants of the political forces that were thrashed by General Muhammadu Buhari after he seized power in 1984. They had gathered to save Nigeria’s democracy from Abacha, who had intended to transmute into a civilian life president and become another Omar Al Bashir of Sudan or Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. They included Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Chief Bola Ige and others. Unfortunately, the military and the Northern political establishment decided to impose General Olusegun Obasanjo, who was in jail, on the party in order to assuage the hurt they inflicted on the Yorubas over their

survive and bounce back soon, it MUST resist any offer of “Government of National Unity”. It is a poisoned chalice which Obasanjo used to kill the opposition and make the PDP a self-destructive monster.

Its defeat at the just-concluded election could be the elixir it needs to repower and bounce back. But that can only happen if the party shuns the temporary lures of office and favours that the APC federal government might dangle in the name of a “unity” government.

How Obasanjo destroyed PDP (1) annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

When Obasanjo took over, he did not understand (nor care about) the mission and vision of that political movement. He could not institutionalise its ideals, manifestoes and programmes. Instead, he made it the hottest vehicle for achieving political power. One of the ways he achieved this was by ensuring that the burgeoning opposition parties such as the All People’s Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) never survived let alone thrived.

Obasanjo, in cahoots with General Ibrahim Babangida, sent moles such as the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu and later on, Chief Don Etiebet, to emerge as National Chairmen of the APP, and after destroying that party, they returned to PDP. He enticed the pioneer National Chairman of the APP, Alhaji Mahmood Waziri, into what he called the “Government of

If PDP, as currentlyembodied, wants to survive and bounce back soon, it MUST resist any offer of “Government of National Unity”. It is a poisoned chalice which Obasanjo used to kill the opposition and make the PDP a self-destructive monster

National Unity” (GNU) in 1999, and the party became rudderless. Later, he did the same with the late Chief Edwin UmeEzeoke, former National Chairman and later, running mate of General Buhari of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP).

These were the methods he used to weaken the main opposition, ANPP. The other opposition party and alliance partner of the APP, the Alliance for Democracy (AD),was not spared.

Obasanjo, in his so-called 1999 GNU, invited Ige to become his Minister of Justice and Attorney General. But in December 2001, just when the political atmosphere towards 2003 was beginning to warm up and Ige was getting ready to revive the AD, he (Ige) was brutally murdered in the presence of his security details. Till date, the killers have never been identified and brought to book. It was one of the celebrated political murders of the Obasanjo era that he has yet to account for.

Obasanjo also infiltrated the ranks of the rather gullible leadership of the Yoruba Afenifere. He convinced them to support him and give him the home base he needed to assert his leadership in his Party.

Afenifere fell for this bait, campaigned for Obasanjo and the PDP won the South West States in 2003, except Lagos, where Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who refused to go along with the plot, held sway.

The AD and its Afenifere socio-cultural guardian later collapsed. Tinubu, a very astute and visionary politician, formed a new political party, the Action Congress (AC), which later became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which, in turn, became the locomotive or lead facilitator of today’s victorious All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before I go on, let us briefly discuss the lessons of these political crosscurrents. If PDP, as currently embodied, wants to

PDP and long throat politics Take it or leave it, the APC has won the election to operate the federal government for four years. It must be allowed so to do.

It can then take the accolades and blames for its performance or non-performance.

The APC Federal Government will be doing Nigerian a great disservice if it adopts the “monkey come chop banana”tricks Obasanjo used to emasculate the opposition between 1999 and 2007, and PDP will be the greater fools if they fall for the trick. They will rob themselves of the bounce-back impetus. If they yield to “long-throat” temptations, Nigeria will lose the PDP as the alternative to the APC and we will return to the evils days of a dominant one party system.

Having destroyed the opposition, Obasanjo, not having the benefit of the political tutoring of the original founding fathers of PDP, could not build a party based on anything. The PDP stood for nothing.

There was no PDP way of running the economy, the social services, infrastructural development; in short no PDP way of governing. PDP became relevant only as the most viable party to contest and win elections. Those who lost elections in PDP went to other smaller parties to try their luck. Whether they succeeded or failed, they ultimately returned to the PDP. That was the ignominious fate that ambitious politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar suffered.

One of the reasons that PDP collapsed in Northern Nigeria was that APC in 2014, became the party where people could run to and win elections, unlike before when there were no other alternatives. Certain factors led to the APC being seen as the new preferred party in Northern Nigeria.

Invariably, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had a BIG hand in it! He did it by employing the chicken’s strategy. Our people say: “ihe okuko na erigh, ya abosaa”- whatever the chicken does not eat, it will scatter. See you on Thursday.

OPINION Heading ffor or a one par ty syst em? party system?

By Sunday Alifia

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S Nigeria heading for a one party system? Are opposition parties being swallowed by the waves of CHANGE that is blowing across the country? Is the PDP boat sinking considering the spate of defection? What kind of opposition would the left-over be? These are questions that have agitated in my mind since the dismantling of PDP's wing from the centre few days ago.

I hope it would not go this way because, for a robust and a healthy political environment, the opposition must exist to keep the government in power on its toes. The country did not enjoy this since 1999, until the birth of ACN that swept South-West in 2011 general elections.

A glance at the the history has shown that carpet crossing or defection from one political party to another has become synonymous with Nigerian politicians who dump platforms which bring them to power at the slightest provocation or arguments or when their ambitions cannot be realized in such a political platform.

Monetary inducement and ethnic considerations are also some of the reasons for carpet crossing by politicians right from the pre-independence era through the First Republic

to the present dispensation.

Nigeria recorded its first political carpet-crossing when several of the defunct Western Region House of Assembly members of National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe decamped to Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1951, giving AG control over the House and causing the leader of NCNC to beat a retreat to his ethnic base, the then Eastern Nigeria where he formed the ruling government.

During the Second Republic, 1979-1983 Chief Akin Omoboriowo, Chief Fagbamigbe, Senator Lai Joseph all of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) defected to National Party of Nigeria NPN), and at the end Chief Fagbamigbe was gruesomely murdered while Chief Akin Omoboriowo, former Deputy Governor of Old Ondo State only This is not escaped being hacked down smartness but by whiskers courtesy of the protection extended to him a promotion from the Federal of evil Government, as he had to relocate to Lagos, the then

Federal Capital. Equally, in the Second Republic, Senator N.N. Anah of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) headed byDr.Nnamdi Azikiwe, defected to National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

The first major political carpet-crossing in the Fourth Republic was carried out by the then Vice President to Chief Obasanjo, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who defected to Action Congress (AC) in 2007 at the peak of his political battles with his boss, Obasanjo. Equally, Senators Wahab Dosummu and Musuliu Obanikoro, Dr. Kingsley Ogunlewe and late Funsho Williams, all defected from Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande and Lam Adesina, all of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) moved to Action Congress (AC), while Segun Mimiko left PDP to LP. So, from the above back ground, one can clearly deduce that the brain behind jumping ship has been to satisfy one's political ambition and not neccessarily to alliviate the sufering of the downtrodden. Again, I will gladly be saying here that the defectors are playing games over our intelligent and of course, capitalizing on the vulnerability of the poor masses.This is not smartness but a pomotion of evil in the society. It is high time we stop deceiving the electorate. *Mr. Alifia, a political analyst, wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State.

APRIL 13, 2015

FG's external debt, States' debt profile on the rise

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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he external debt profile of states has shown that Lagos State has the highest with a profile of $1.087 billion, followed by Kaduna State with a total of $234 million. Cross River State followed closely with an external debt profile of $131.469 million. Other states with relatively large external debt are Edo $123 million, Ogun $109 million, Bauchi $87million, Enugu $62 million, Katsina $78 million, Osun $67 million and Oyo State $72 million.

Federal Government’s domestic debt on the other hand stood at $47.05 billion or N7.9 trillion, while those of the states stood at $10.97 billion or N1.708 trillion. Federal Government’s domestic debt is made up of N4.792 trillion bonds, N2.815 trillion Treasury bills and N296.2 billion treasury bonds.

According to figures published by the Debt Management Office in Abuja, the total debt stock of the Federal Government and the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory amounted to N11.243 trillion or $67.726 billion.

States and the Federal Capital Territory as at 31st December 2014, had a domestic debt profile of N1.707 trillion or $10.967 billion.

But as at June last year, states in the federation had a domestic debt stock of N1.551 trillion or $9.963 billion. The Federal Government’s share of the rising external debt then stood at $6.363 billion. A breakdown of the debt showed that $3.146 billion of the debt owed by states were borrowed from multilateral institution while $118.9 million were bilateral loans. In the case of the Federal Government $3.652 billion were loans sourced from multilateral institutions while a total of $2.793 billion were loans obtained from Continues on page 22 C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Cover Story

Vocation and technical education – a key to improving Nigeria’s development Pt 4

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Listing - From left: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; and Group CEO, United Capital Plc, Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni; during the official listing of N30.5 billion UBA Bond on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos

FG's external debt, States' debt profile on the rise Continues from page 21 China Export-Import Bank and the funds the Federal Government raised from Eurobond.

The DMO said, however, that the Federal Government debt is sustainable as its debt sustainability analysis showed that the debt/GDP ratio was only 2.4 per cent.

The bulk of the Federal Government loans were concessionary with low interests and long moratorium.

Based on the rising debt profiles of state governments, the Federal Government last year directed banks not to grant fresh loans to state governments until they got the relevant approval and clearance from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Federal Government had defended its decision to dissuade banks from granting unsecured loans to state governments, saying it was to protect the states from excessive accumulation of debts.

The Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, had said that the decision was not aimed at stalling the development efforts of the state governments. The Minister said that most of the states have been experiencing difficulties in servicing their existing debts and it would not be advisable to allow them take fresh loans.

Mr. Yuguda, who was delivering a lecture titled: Nigeria’s Economic Policies and Reforms: An Assessment of the Real and Informal Sectors, said the country’s C M Y K

overall debt profile, particularly those of the state governments, was scary.

Though he did not provide specific details then, the Minister emphasised the need for the states to continue to look inwards for other sources of revenue to pursue their development programmes.

Nigeria’s total public debt stock, external and domestic, according to the Debt Management Office, as at December 2014, stood at about $67.73 billion or N11.2 trillion, which is about

As at December 2013, the total stock of external debt was $8.821 billion indicating a rise of $556 million in the first half of 2014

N1.2 trillion higher than the 2013 figure of N10.04 trillion. A breakdown of the figures showed that external debt, including those of the states, was $9.71 billion or N1.63 trillion.

As at December 2013, the total stock of external debt was $8.821 billion indicating a rise of $556 million in the first half of 2014. But as at December 31, 2012, Federal

Government’s external debt was $4.14 billion as against a total debt stock of both federal and state governments of $6.5 billion.

As at June last year, Federal Government’s borrowing from multilateral institutions amounted to $3.826 billion while loans from bilateral sources mainly China Exim Bank and Eurobond amounted to $2.537 billion. In the case of states, a total of $2.904 billion was sourced from multilateral institutions; $108.9 million was obtained as loans from bilateral sources, thus making the states’ total outstanding external debt as at June 2013, $3.013 billion.

Director-General, Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo had said last year that although the debt profile had increased, he assured that the debt remained sustainable at a ratio of 12.51 to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The D-G also said that the managers of the nation’s debt would apply more caution in further borrowings in order not to run into the crisis of debt overhang, which the nation once suffered.

His words at the time: “The sovereign debt is doing well.

Currently, our total sovereign domestic debt for both federal and states and the FCT is about N8.9 trillion and external debt is about $9.38 billion. Our current debt/GDP ratio is about 12.51 per cent which is much lower than the 56 per cent total public to GDP for Continues on page 23

he focus is on the roles of education bound to the role of technology and manufacturing skilled vocational education in manpower but also to economic enhancing entrepreneurial development and global skills that will equip students economy.

In Nigeria, for entrepreneurship education technology education was in Information and previously not seen as Communication Technology fundamental for national (ICT.) driven technological development, or for the environment. The world has economic development, but for become globalized and the the school dropouts, and other future prosperity depends on social and political comparative advantage. This development within the nation comparative advantage hinges and for individuals. Hallak on people and their technical (1990) argues that technology or technological sophistication. education is also linked to Towards this, some crucial human resources development entrepreneurial and technical and that this has an impact on skills needed by the students more than just economic in colleges of education growth, but also an impact on (technical), polytechnics and the wider development of universities to meet the trends individuals and societies. in a global economy is According to him, it contributes analyzed. to: Technology education is to be (a). Individual creativity, considered as the key agent of improved participation in the technology development, economic, social and cultural either as a way of developing roles in society. human capacity, increasing the (b). Improved understanding shield work force for of an individual and heir m o d e r n i z a t i o n , respect for others, thus industrialization, promoting social environmental cohesion and development or as m a t e r i a l Technology a matter of understanding education is personnel (c) Improvement to be f r e e d o m , in health and developing considered nutrition. capability and (d). Improved as the key empowerment. chances of agent of Te c h n o l o g y e c o n o m i c technology education is development. increasingly (e). Improved development recognized to be technological central to both the development. origins of technological (f). Socio-cultural change. development and challenges (g). Democracy and equality and to the prospects for (h). Ecological development/ successfully dealing with them quality of life (increasing (Alam, 2009). people’s awareness of their Decision makers at all levels, environments). need timely, reliable access to From our analysis so far, it is knowledge generated by clear that modernization and technology and technical economic development, education to introduce rational depends on investment and policies that reflect a better appreciation of modern trends global understanding of in technology education. complex technical, economic, According to Woodhall (1997) social, cultural and article investment in technological issues concerning the society, education and training and our environment. produces benefits for the Technical decision making and individual and for society as priority setting is an integral whole. part of overall development The roles of technical and planning and formation of vocational education in technology development enhancing entrepreneurial strategies.

Above all, skills using information and technology education is a communication technology is human right and, as such, very important in training for should receive priority in the self-employment, self-reliance allocation of national resources. and skills acquisition now that It has become very necessary government cannot employ not to only keep technology every graduate.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 23

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igeria’s economic potential is well known. The country’s considerable resource endowment and coastal location ordinarily should allow the emergence of a strong growth pole for Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the years, Nigeria has realised very little of this potential. Instead, its history has been marked by economic stagnation and associated with declining welfare and social instability.

Over the last few years however, policymakers have said that Nigeria has been experiencing a growth turnaround and conditions seem right for launching onto a path of sustained and rapid growth. President Goodluck nationwide consultation. He heal the wounds of the vicious Jonathan had attempted to should consult with the campaigns undertaken by both seize this opportunity to build organised private sector parties and politicians during a diversified economy able to leaders, leaders of the informal the 2015 electioneering. It will provide jobs and improved sector, the old, young, reunite the various warring welfare for Nigerians. community leaders, leaders of sections of the Nigerian Although the economy is said the various ethnic groups in the fractionalised regions to come to be the largest in Africa, it country, market women, together as one to face a has not been translated into traders, professionals and common purpose of building a putting food on the tables of student leaders. virile economy.

The consultation should seek many Nigerians. It was a growth without development. answers to questions such as: his effort also has the Yes, it is time for Mr. President- 'If you were the President of advantage of reconciling elect to think economy, speak Nigeria, what would you do those who are hurting and economy, dream economy and take make Nigeria a nation of feeling marginalised within equal opportunity for all?' He act on the economy.

Renowned Professor of should solicit for ideas and Economics, Professor Jeffrey ways to move Nigerian Sachs has long identified rural economy forward. By so doing, and urban integration; he will under stand the dreams infrastructure and family and aspirations of the ordinary planning as the critical factors Nigerian. It would give him an to the transformation of the idea of what the average nation’s economy and its Nigerian craves for.

Buhari must avoid the emergence as one of the top twenty economies in the world. mistake of past leaders who The problem that needed to be felt they knew it all and thus tackled is the duality of the bungled the opportunity to the ordinary nation’s economy. The duality mobilise between the formal and Nigerians for productive informal sectors is an purposes that would have important factor in the lack of made the nation great. The competitiveness of the non-oil President-elect must avoid sector. Addressing the duality power hangers-on that abound of the economy is therefore in the party and presidency vital for strengthening and structure that could hold him captive and deprive him of the sustaining job creation.

P r e s i d e n t - e l e c t , knowledge of happenings Mohammadu Buhari will do within the country.

Consulting widely will afford himself and the nation a lot of good by embarking on a him the rare opportunity to

What Buhari must do to move Nigerian economy forward

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Buhari should appoint ministers based on integrity and capacity to perform. He should ditch the ethnic arithmetic of appointing ministers on basis of state representation

the Nigerian polity and could forge the much needed unity in the country and encourage people to buy into his programmes. What has been lacking in previous administrations in Nigeria is that the populace has not been sufficiently mobilised and the Federal Government has not gotten the support of the ordinary Nigerian to buy into government programmes and projects. This has been the bane of the economy as those who felt alienated look for ways to sabotage the system. This government needs the support of every Nigerian for it to embark on economic revival.

Across the globe, knowledge economy has put nations in higher pedestal than natural resources endowment.

Buhari must set measurable economic goals and targets. He must come out with a clear economic blueprint and formulate achievable policies and strategies to bring about a truly diversified economy.

He should state in clear terms when he expects the nation to achieve at least 40 per cent dependence on oil.

He should come out with a target date when receipts from oil will no longer be shared but must be kept aside for the rainy day as is done in Norway. This is the only way

by which Nigeria can be cured of the Dutch disease.

Behari should as a matter of urgency state when he expects Nigeria to stop the madness of importation of refined products. He should not allow the endemic importation of petroleum products longer than necessary.

He should call managers at NNPC and in unequivocal terms, tell them that the refineries must work within a specified time frame. He should go further to ensure that all the abandoned NNPC facilities for the distribution of petroleum products across the country are rehabilitated and put into immediate use. He should equally call those who milk Nigerians through the importation of generators to a round table talk and get an undertaking from them that they will no longer stand in the way of power generation and distribution in the country.

Finally, Buhari should appoint ministers based on integrity and capacity to perform. He should ditch the ethnic arithmetic of appointing ministers on basis of state representation. If he must appoint ministers from states, they must be men and women who can perform, who can mobilise Nigerians.

It must not be based on patronage. Then he would have started the change mantra that swept him to power.

Cover Continues from page 22

countries of Nigeria’s group.

However, this is not an indication that Nigeria can afford to borrow without caution. In spite of the rebasing which means we have more capacity to borrow, we are not going to borrow without caution. In fact, we are going to be more cautious, especially because our Tax:GDP ratio is low. Many economic agents do not pay their taxes.”

Dr. Nwankwo had also said that the Eurobond initiative which commenced in 2011 with the floating of the $500 million Eurobond had positively changed the profiles of Nigerian corporate organisations and their ability to raise long-term funds from the international capital market.

The Federal Government

FG's external debt, States' debt profile on the rise raised additional $1 billion from the international capital market in 2013 following which several Nigerian firms, especially banks, went to the international capital market to raise funds for their operations.

According to him, six companies issued nine bonds within the last one year, from which about $3.4 billion was raised. The DMO boss said his team would ensure that the funds raised from the capital markets both at home and outside, were utilised profitably in the interest of the nation’s economy.

The D-G disclosed that the funds raised from the Eurobond had been deployed to very critical sectors of the economy, requiring urgent financing to boost the

economy, especially, the electricity power, agriculture, solid minerals and the dualisation of the Airport and Kubwa roads in Abuja.

Dr. Nwankwo said that his team has managed the nation’s debt in line with the national priority needs with a view to creating full values for funds borrowed in order to ensure maximum benefits to the economy.

His words, “we have tailored the nation’s debt management in accordance with our peculiarities. We have used debt management to leverage development of the private sector and it has helped them to raise money to boost the real sector such as manufacturing, solid minerals, agriculture and

electricity power supply.

“We have to develop the capital market to develop long-term debt instrument such that rather than what the banks have been used to in terms of giving out 91 day loans, we now have debt instruments of up to 20 years.

We have made it possible for the companies to float their own bonds in the domestic market such that between 2005 and 2013, 23 companies raised N223 billion.

“The implication is that with operators in the real sector of the economy being able to raise long-term funds, they can expand their businesses, increase productivity and create more jobs across the country on a sustainable basis.”

In August last year, two

international rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s and Moody had upgraded Nigeria’s credit rating because of improved financial stability and optimism over reforms to the banking and electricity sectors. Moody upgraded Nigeria’s rating assigning local and foreign currency issuer ratings of Ba3 to the government. Standard and Poor ratings raised its longterm foreign and local currency sovereign credit rating to BB- with a stable outlook. This is three points below investment grade, from B+. This brings its view in line with Fitch’s rating.

The three foremost rating agencies in the world have all now agreed that Nigeria is managing its resources better than before.

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Business & Economy

The government can introduce renewable energy into secondary and tertiary curricula and mandate agric institutions to go into plantation of the crop to create awareness

NB’s Ace Roots hits Ibadan

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igerian Breweries NB Plc stormed the ancient city of Ibadan with the trade launch of its new product, Ace Roots in Ogbomosho, Oshogbo and Ilesha/Esa-Oke trade zones.

According to the company’s while speaking at the trade launch in Ibadan the Zonal Business Manager – West, Opeyemi Oluwalusi, Ace Roots is a product of painstaking research and response to consumers’ retailers and distributors’ demands and the result of Nigerian Breweries Plc’s in-depth consultations with critical stakeholders before its intervention in the herbal mix section of the beverage drink market.

“At NB, we love to respond to consumers’ demands. You will bear me witness that your feedback from consumers and critical stakeholders have continued to play critical roles in our decision making process. When our competitor came up with her brand sometimes last year and stakeholders like you and our teeming consumers started asking when is Nigerian Breweries going to come out with her own brand of herbal mixture drink? We responded by appealing to you to exercise patience as we need time to carry our proper research and consultation with you (retailers, distributors), including teeming consumers and other critical stakeholders before we can make a decision.

The result of that painstaking research and consultation is what we are launching and unveiling to you here today – Ace Roots,” he said.

Speaking further in his Oluwalusi stated that Ace Roots is produced for the wellbeing and welfare of consumers in mind. “Ace Roots takes the health, wellbeing and even the pocket of the consumer into serious consideration before it debuts. The herbal mix comes with the lowest sugar content in the Nigerian market today.

Whereas there are herbal mixtures with as much as five cubes of sugar, Ace Roots has very low sugar content of just one cube of sugar. Aside this, Ace Roots is made with actual herbal juice extract from agelong roots, leaves and herbs.

It’s alcoholic content is moderated at 6 percent, that’s a little higher than lager beer and slightly lower than stout beer beverages. More importantly, Ace Roots is entering the market with great value that takes the consumers’ purse into serious consideration.

C M Y K

BRIEFING - From left: Laura Oloyede, MD/CEO, Communications Hub Africa Ltd; Israel Bolaji, Manager, Public Relations and Communications, Startimes; Somoye Habeeb, Marketing Manager and; Ayokunle Idowu, Content Manager during Startimes Media briefing on the unveiling of new channels on Startimes platform in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bmidele.

Nigeria can get N10bn annually from export of Jatropha oil - Expert N

ational President, Biofuel Farmers Association, Mr Kayode Adebiyisaid said that Nigeria could get up to N10 billion annually from the export of Jatropha oil.

Adebiyi said in Ibadan that the country could also earn about N5 billion annually from domestic utilisation of the Jatropha bio-crude oil.

“Through the supply of the oil to communication

companies and industries for their power diesel alone, one can generate up to N5b billion. Just last year, the representative from a Japanese company came to Nigeria to request for 5, 000 metric tones of the oil on monthly basis.

“So it can get up to N10 billion from such a business transaction,” he said.

The president urged the Federal Government to pass a

bill of 10 per cent inclusion of Jatropha oil into any diesel powered engine including automobile.

“If the bill is enacted, it will encourage consumers to come to the processors and farmers to source for the oil; there will be a flow of fund to the grassroots,” he said. Adebiyi advised the government to direct the Bank of Industries and that of Agriculture to support relevant

organizations with funds to produce more biofuel in the country. “The renewable energy division under the NNPC should be mandated to work on Jatropha and relate with biofuel farmers.

“The government can introduce renewable energy into secondary and tertiary curricula and mandate agric institutions to go into plantation of the crop to create awareness,” he said.

Adebiyi, however, noted that his organisation worked tirelessly to create awareness about the Jatropha crop and support farmers in the production.

“We are collaborating with NOA to bring the advantage of the crop to the notice of the public, we do sensitization workshops, outreaches, radio jingles etc. But we need support financially to acquire land for planting. We call on the government and wealthy Nigerians to help, through loan or any other form of assistance,” he said.

13 African Y GL tto o benef it fr om Dango ello wship YGL benefit from Dangotte ffello ellowship

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

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mong Seventeen Africans recognised as Young Global Leaders (YGL) in 2015 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) thirteen are to benefit from the Dangote Fellowship instituted by Dangote Foundation.

The African youngsters were part of the 187 young leaders from 66 countries honored for leadership and service to society by the WEF, while the Dangote Fellowship, created by the WEF and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President/ CEO, Dangote Group was designed to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders across the continent by supporting the engagement of African

YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the nonbusiness sector.

In a statement, Dangote said the institution of the fellowship award was his own way of contribution to the intellectual development of exceptional young people of African descent, saying, “The Fellowship helps YGLs from Africa attend YGL and World Economic Forum events and funds the organization of an YGL Africa Education Module.”

Also, Director and Head, Young Global Leaders Community at the WEF, Mr. John Dutton, said: “The WEF has announced the leaders under 40 who are shaping the future of industry and society.

About half of the new class of YGLs come from emerging economies with 17 from subSaharan Africa. The list of

YGLs has a strong representation from women leaders and is split 50-50 between business and nonprofit sectors (academia, arts and culture, civil society, policy and government, media and social entrepreneurs)”.

Dutton added that the class of 2015 joins a community which has been growing in significance since it began 10 years ago, saying, “Current and former YGLs include 11 heads of state and government, 10 heads of Fortune 500 companies, 15 UN Goodwill Ambassadors, six Guinness World Record holders, four Oscar winners, three Olympic gold medalists, two Nobel Prize winners and an astronaut.

“The YGLs include the world’s most pioneering, next-generation leaders who have developed in their

journey to produce positive, tangible impacts in their countries, industries and societies. The class of 2015, together with the community over the past 10 years, shows how the future of business and public leadership is becoming more geographically diverse, more varied in its expertise, more gender-equal, and is challenging established ways to get things done.”

The community provides its members with a peer network that challenges them to not only do more, but to be more. Being part of the YGL Community is a transformational experience, where leaders turn their personal success into global significance and positive impact in their countries, industries and areas of expertise

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 25

Business & Economy

Participation of top media in Quill Awards low — Promiasidor *Photojournalists to win camera worth N1m

By FRANKLIN ALLI & ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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romasidor Nigeria Limited has complained about low participation of journalists in top media houses in its Quill Awards.

The Awards is a platform to reward journalists in the country with befitting prizes for dedicated news reportage all year round.

Head, Legal/Public Relations, Mr. Andrew Enahoro , who led a team of the company’s Management on sensitization visit to Vanguard Head office in Lagos, observed that journalists from prominent mediums in the country have not really shown interest as desired by the company.

He called on journalists to take advantage of the opportunity and submit entries for the 2015 Quill Awards, stressing “it is crucial that journalists participate actively and submit entries to justify the efforts management of Promasidor is committing towards the awards.”

He said that the company is making series of efforts to wake up participation in journalists because the new Managing Director loves the work of art and would rather commit efforts towards it if journalists do not show interest towards the awards.

He also said that there is need for journalists to show physical attendance at the

event and it will gladden the company if only journalists will come out in large number and support their colleagues who are receiving awards by attending the event.

Charles Igbinidu Managing Director of TPT International (Promasidor ’s PR Agency), added that although the number of entries have been encouraging, yet , for me I kept saying that there are some media houses that have not been participating.”

He listed the target areas for entries as follows: Industr y, C SR , Brand, education, children; photo story, nutrition and future writer category.

He explained that these categories were deliberately chosen because of the focus of Promasidor; and that in

terms of participation by journalists more still needs to be done.

It is crucial that journalists participate actively and submit entries

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“We have different category of prizes; the prize for overall winner is one month training at Thompson Reuters Foundation and one week attachment in a major media house in UK. The last overall winner last year did it at BBC. For the photojournalists the winner goes home with a high-end camera worth N1 million. Since the awards started, I have been very jealous of the photo journalists for what they take home. The price is really high.

“The first edition of the awards was held in May 2013 and the stage is now set to host the 2015 edition. Entry th opens on 29 January 2015 and qualifying entry runs from 1 st may 2014 to 30 th April 2015,” he disclosed.

he Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR of Airtel Nigeria, ‘Airtel Touching Lives’ has once again shown the need to help persons with challenges.

Life in a rural community can be difficult and people still struggle to have a decent life, it is more difficult for people that are single and do not have support from their family; The story of Mama Mercy, a barren who in most of her life has suffered rejection from her family and community.

Life has not been kind to Mercy Wbiabia from Nonwa, a rural community located outside Port Harcourt city, she is a considerable farmer who does not have a farm of her own. She lives in a mud house where part of the house has collapsed. She is struggling to look after herself and her sister son, Sunday Nomubari who is like a son that was left with her.

According to James Wbiloyii who nominated Mercy, he said whenever he travels home to meet his Aunt, she always tells him how she has been humiliated; intimidated; sometimes beaten and also robbed of her food. He said he nominated her in order for her to get help from Airtel Touching Lives programme.

Dufil to give out N20m airtime to consumers

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Cross section of Airtel Staff during a roadshow on Airtel Smart Connect in Lagos.

Organisers shift Agrikepo on exhibitors demand

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Airtel CSR initiative rescues woman, youth

51 Products Limited, the organiser of the annual agriculture/food exhibition (AGRIKEXPO) has adjusted the date for this year ’s edition, following demand from many trade visitors, farmers and exhibitors.

Accordingly, the event earlier scheduled to hold in April has been shifted to November 5 - 7, 2015.

In a statement, Project Director, Mr. Eppellee Oluwadara, said the new date is in consonance with the European Union Conference on Agriculture, and convenient for many international class exhibitors and visitors.

According to him, considering the adjustment in Nigerian 2015 election timetable, it is wise to allow new government appointees

time to settle in to work after the elections.

According to Mrs. Paulette van Trier, Economic Counselor to the EU, Agrikexpo would be a good opportunity for various state agricultural development boards to showcase investment opportunities after the elections to major players from various EU member countries who would be attending a conference during the exhibition.

Also, the national co-coordinator, NABG, Emmanuel Ijewere, commended the shift in date as it will rally the agribusiness community for a more robust participation, as it will give more time for preparations, saying “Agrikexpo remains a formidable networking opportunity for

agribusiness development in Nigeria.”

Mr. Oluwana Dayo, Marketing Manager of the organising company, reaffirmed that all was being done to ensure a high-valueadded event for exhibitors, including those engaged in processing, packaging and distribution of food/beverages as local companies prepare to process for exports.

The President of the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce Prince Adeyemi Adefulu also confirmed that a forum was being put in place using the occasion of the Agrikexpo to boost agri/food trade between Nigeria and the UK.

ufil Prima Foods Plc, Indomie manufacturer say consumers will win over N20 million recharge cards if they buy a cartoon of its product in a promo tagged: Indomie-incarton promo.

The promo will afford consumers of its Indomie Pepper Chicken and Oriental Fried Noodle brands the opportunity to win up to N1,000 instant recharge cards in each carton of the SKUs, said the Brand Manager, Indomie, Mr. Amber Yadav.

Mr. Yadav said that the promotion would produce at least 300,000 winners, declaring that over N20 million worth of recharge cards will be won.

“We are excited by the opportunity to excite our consumers and we believe that they will appreciate and take advantage of the opportunity.

We consider it an obligation and commitments of our company to constantly reward, connect with our numerous consumers while building excitement in appreciation for their patronage and loyalty towards the brand.”

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Banking & Finance

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Sterling Bank holds 53rd AGM

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terling Bank Plc will holds its 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday April 30, 2015 in Lagos.

The Bank in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Mrs. Justina Lewa said the Directors of the Bank at the AGM will receive the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December, 2014, together with the Reports of the Directors, Auditors and the Audit Committee; declare a Dividend; elect/re-elect Directors; approve the remuneration of the Directors; authorize the Directors to fix the remuneration of the Auditors and elect members of the Audit Committee.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of the Bank for the year ended December 31, 2014 released last week at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed appreciable growth in all key performance indices, sustaining the strong performance outlook of the lender in spite of industry-wide headwinds.

For instance, Sterling Bank Plc announced gross earnings of N103.7 billion and a profit before tax of N10.7 billion, an increase of 13 percent and 15.4 percent over its 2013 figures respectively.

Major highlights showed that net interest income leapt by 20.1 per cent to N43.0 billion in 2014 as against N35.8 billion recorded in 2013. This was driven mainly by an 11.4 per cent growth in interest income to N77.9 billion, which far outweighed the 2.2 per cent increase in funding costs to N34.9 billion. This underlined the increasing cost efficiency of the lender as cost of funds dropped from 6.1 per cent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in 2014.

Similarly, non-interest income grew by 18.3 per cent from N21.8 billion in 2013 to N25.7 billion in 2014. This was boosted by an 82.2 per cent growth in net trading income to N6.8 billion.

The Bank continued to strengthen its mid and bottom-line performances as its increasing focus on cost reduction credit risks management and operating efficiency cushioned macro headwinds and retained value for shareholders.

igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said that the acquisition of Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc by Aso Savings & Loans (UHSL) Plc will further promote public confiedence in the banking system.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, made this remark when the Management of Aso Savings visited him in Abuja. He said, “This laudable initiative would not only give all depositors and staff of the UHSL a new lease of life, it would also go a long way to promote public confidence in the banking system."

According to Umaru, the task before the management is to maintain the confidence reposed on them by their Board, shareholders and the supervisory authorities by ensuring higher performance and quality service.

He enjoined the mortgage bank to embark on a process of effective communication of its turnaround plan with a view to promoting confidence and trust of its depositors. He therefore advised them to establish a toll free Help Desk and other effective communication channels such as radio and television jingles and talk shows to reach out to existing and prospective customers in order to

VISIT - From left: NDIC MD/CE Alh. Umaru Ibrahim receiving a souvenir from the MD/ CEO Aso Savings & Loans, Mr. Hassan Musa Usman who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the NDIC Senior Management in Abuja.

Acquisition of Union Homes will promote public confidence —NDIC overcome potential risks of rumours which may trigger a run on both Aso Savings & Union Homes.

Responding, Aso Savings' Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Hassan Musa Usman, expressed his appreciation to the Corporation for its support in resolving the

Union Homes problem. He assured the NDIC of full implementation of the recommendations proffered by the supervisory authorities that would ensure sound management of both institutions. He informed the Corporation’s Management that

henceforth, Aso Savings Plc would control about 92 percent of the shares of UHSL Plc, adding that the two institutions would be managed independently for six months before their final merger.

FirstBank boosts regional expansion bid with FBNBank Sierra Leone F

irst Bank of Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc has launched its Sierra Leone subsidiary, FBNBank Sierra Leone, thus enhancing its ambition to expand its footprint across Africa. In a statement announcing the launch of the FBNBank Sierra Leone, the Bank said, “FBNBank Sierra Leone was formerly registered as International Commercial Bank (ICB). This unveiling comes on the heels of the agreement reached by FirstBank and International Commercial Bank Financial Group Holdings Ag (ICBFGH) for the acquisition of a 100 percent equity interest in ICB Sierra Leone.

The launch further consolidates FirstBank’s position as the largest corporate and retail banking financial institution in subSaharan Africa (excluding South Africa) with presence in Ghana, Guinea, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Senegal as well as presence in the UK and Representative Offices in

Johannesburg, Abu Dhabi and Beijing. The expansion represents FirstBank’s strategic objective to maintain significant market share, expand its pan-African footprint and diversify earnings while delivering value to shareholders.

FBNBank Sierra Leone is strategically positioned to foster greater collaboration and provide better service for the country ’s public and private sector clients, and the general public at large. The Bank leverages FirstBank’s international network, business expertise, which is part of the diversified synergies of the FBN Group to offer innovative, convenient and secure banking services to its customers and better seize the emerging opportunities in the local market.

Speaking on this development, the GMD/CEO of FirstBank, Bisi Onasanya, said, “The launch of FBNBank Sierra Leone fulfills one of the critical stages of our ambition to

steadily broaden and build a more diverse footprint across Africa. We are committed to developing a multi-local

business model that broadens our geographic revenue base while providing enhanced service delivery to our new customers and equity participation to local investors.”

Ecobank boss offers students investment tips

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he Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku, has said one of the best ways to grow money is making investments. Aku gave this advice recently while lecturing students of Government Secondary School, Lugbe, Abuja on the topic “Growing Your Money” as part of Global Money Week.

He described investment as something that is purchased with money and expected to produce income or profit, stating that, investing money reduces risk of theft, spending and gives chance for the money to grow.“Generally, investments are broadly divided into ownership (equities) and lending (debt).

The higher the risk involved, the higher the return and interest rate; the longer the period of investment, the higher the interest rate,” he said. The Ecobank boss also took the students through investing in real estate, precious objects, bonds, mutual funds, adding that “just like you eat good food and take vitamins to protect your body from sickness and allow you grow, you need to protect your money and investments in a similar way by getting insurance.” He explained that “Stocks are securities that allow you become a part-owner of the company whose stocks you purchase. Examples of stocks are shares. When you buy the shares of a company, you are given a share certificate and entitled to dividends only if the company makes a profit.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 27

Banking & Finance

CBN spends $4.7bn to defend naira *Interbank lending rates rise by 150%

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has spent $4.7 billion to defend the naira this year, even as the nation’s external reserve fell to $29.6 billion week.

Data published by the CBN on its website show that the external reserve fell by $189 million from $29.778 billion on April 2nd to $29.589 billion on April 9th. Consequently the

reserve has fallen by $4.879 billion since December 31st 2014.

Commenting on developments in the nation’s foreign exchange market in the first quarter of the year, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivative Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane said that the apex bank has so far spend $4.7 billion to defend the naira this year, adding that the nation’s external reserve

import and payments cover has fallen to 4.8 months, 1.2 months below the international standard for healthy external reserve.

Rewane also stated that the 13 per cent appreciation of the naira in the parallel market in the last two weeks to N197 per dollar from N225 was due to election sentiment and elimination of fear premium.

He predicted that the appreciation would soon be reverse and the naira would

PRESENTATION - Executive Director, Corporate, International & Investment Banking, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Emeka Okonkwo, presenting keys of Hilux Patrol Vehicle equipped with security gadgets to Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Kayode Aderanti. With them are DCP J. B Kokumo in charge of Operations and Sam Agbanusi, Head of Corporate Security and Safety, Union Bank.

depreciate further because the fundamentals remain unchanged. “At the parallel market, the naira will trade at N215-N220 against the dollar again”, he said”.

Rewane advised the incoming government of the General Mohammudu Buhari to allow the naira find its true value, calling for reduction in interest rate and easing of monetary policy stance.

Meanwhile lending rates at the interbank money market shot up sharply last week due to cash outflow for dollar purchase, investment in government securities and debit for Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) Data published by Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) show that interest rate for Collateralised lending (Open Buy Back) and Call lending rose by over 150 percent each. While interest rate on Call rose by 185 basis points to 28.67 on Friday percent from 10.17 percent the previous week, interest rate on Collateralised lending (open buy back) rose by 176 basis points to 27.17 percent on Friday from 9.5 percent.

Kawaka Discount House in its weekly Interbank Newsletter reveals that the CBN withdrew N110 billion from banks for the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for March. This in addition to outflow of N293 billion for treasury bill purchase caused the amount of idle cash in the interbank market to drop to zero from N326.44 billion on Tuesday.

Union Bank deploys Oracle FLEXCUBE to enhance customer experience U

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc (UBN) has deployed the Oracle FLEXCUBE Universal Banking Solution 12.0; a new core banking application to modernise its infrastructure, improve operating efficiency and customer service delivery.

To help improve business operations and enhance the customer experience, UBN deployed the latest version of Oracle FLEXCUBE as the single operating platform for its countrywide network.

As one of Nigeria’s top tier lenders with an extensive network of over 320 branches across Nigeria, the bank seeks to better its operations with the new platform to address its corporate, retail and investment banking needs, thereby positioning itself as a highly respected provider of

quality banking services in Nigeria.

Mr. Yomi Akinade, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the bank said with the new platform, the bank would be enhancing and standardising its operations across the country by leveraging on the capabilities of the new technology. “We will have a common operating platform in our extensive network of over 320 branches across Nigeria,” he said.

Mr. Akinade disclosed Union Bank went live with the new platform on April 7, 2015, a quick review of current banking platforms in the industry shows that the new technology puts lender at the top with this state of the art technology.

He said since the bank

embarked on restructuring in 2010; his team has implemented well over 70 technology projects.

“There are three (3) key areas on the over 70 technology projects, which include: improving customers’ services, securing customers and the bank’s data as well improving our productivity as an institution,” he affirmed.

The new platform is in line with the bank’s goal of becoming a highly respected provider of quality banking services within six (6) areas of focus according to Mr. Emeka Emuwa, GMD/CEO of UBN at a media parley on March 2014.

“The six (6) major areas of commitment we are focusing on include: quality of customers experience, quality

of client base, quality of talent, quality of banking platform, quality of professional standards and quality of the banks’ earnings.”

Mr. Akinade affirmed that during the time of the upgrade, customers and the general public may experience some challenges, but measures have been put in place to ensure continuous seamless service delivery in case of disruptions during implementation.

“As you well know, when you go live with a major massive complex project like this, there would be teething issues. So, there are challenges and customers should understand this; but is for their own long term benefit; because we would have a much more superior service offering when the system runs fully,” he added.

Stanbic IBTC gets ISO 27001 certification on IT security

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tanbic IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has received the ISO/IEC 27001 certification. The certification follows an extensive and painstaking standardization process on information security by the bank.

The ISO/IEC 27001 is an internationally recognized best practice framework for an information security management system, which helps businesses to identify risks to important information while putting in place the appropriate controls to help reduce such risks.

Mr. Pietro Foschi, Strategic Delivery Director at British Standards Institution (BSI), affirmed that Stanbic IBTC Bank complied with the requirements of ISO/IEC 27001 certification, which entails development, operations and maintenance of the processes related to services provided and managed by the bank’s Information and Technology (ICT) Department. BSI is a multinational business services provider whose principal activity is the production of standards and the supply of standardsrelated services.

UBA deploys “Finacle 10x”

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ustomers of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc deployed of a new and improved IT platform; “Finacle 10x”.

The new IT platform will enable customers carry out quick, efficient and secure services via the bank’s eplatforms such as internet banking, mobile banking. It also improves the uptime period on the bank’s eChannels like the POS machines and ATMs. “We embarked on this major upgrade of our systems to simplify our processes and significantly improve the customer experience across all channels including echannels like smart phones, tablets, phablets, laptops and desktops. UBA customers can now enjoy faster, richer and more secured services on these channels using our internet banking application ‘U-Direct’ and our mobile banking application ‘UMobile’.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Corporate Finance

Afriland Properties grows profit by 311%, pays 40 kobo dividend

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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friland Properties Plc has announced a profit before tax of N1.74 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing a 311 percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2013.

Consequently, the Board of Directors and the management also declared a total dividend payment of N499.6 million translating to 40 kobo per ordinary share, which was unanimously approved by nd shareholders at the 2 Annual General Meeting, AGM, which held in Lagos.

The company’s total assets also increased to N8.1billion from N4.2 billion during the period under review, representing 92.86 percent increase, while the profit after tax grew by 439 percent.

Addressing the shareholders at the meeting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Afriland Properties Plc, Mrs. Uzo Oshogwe, stated that the company’s financial performance is an evidence of its operational excellence, a customer centric culture and high corporate governance standards, adding “Our deliberate focus on excellent delivery has prompted us to increase our full-year performance”.

In her remarks, the chairman, Erelu Angela Adebayo, said the upturn in the company’s net earnings is attributable to improved operational efficiency and focus on value creation.

According to her, “We are prepared to further strengthen our balance sheets and business model this year by tapping into the opportunities that will be created in the building and construction sector.” “We are equally poised to take advantage of other structural reforms of the federal government, which hopefully will impact the housing sector,” Adebayo added.

Afriland Properties Plc is a property development and management company that offers end-to-end services along the real estate value chain from management to joint-venture investments.

With a portfolio size of over N8 billion and one of the largest land banks in Nigeria, Afriland Properties is pioneering the opportunities presented by an institutional approach to real estate, serving niche markets throughout Africa.

AGM - From left: Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Peter O. Ashade and Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) Eniola Fadayomi, at the Africa Prudential Registrars Plc’s Annual General Meeting held in Lagos

Return of foreign investors imminent on successful election – Operators

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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perators in the Nigerian capital market have said that foreign investors that have been exiting the stock market in droves in the last couple of months will find their way back to the market following a successful conduct of presidential election.

They, however, cautioned the local investors against herd investment, saying that their coming back will possibly fuel unnecessary price increases.

Status of foreign portfolio investment outflow on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, according to available data showed that total foreign outflow dropped to 51.08 percent in the month of January, 2015 from 53.36 percent in December 2014.

It went further down to 103.53 percent in the month of February, while year-to-date (January - February) the figure has dropped by 132.68 percent.

Monthly foreign portfolio investment, FPI, transactions at the Exchange which was N99.11 billion at the end of January 2015 increased to N133.95 billion (about $0.68 billion) at the end of February 2015, up 35.15 percent from January 2015.

In comparison to the same period in 2014, total FPI transactions decreased by 1.71 percent, while the total domestic transactions decreased by 19.03 percent.

However, FPI outflows outpaced inflows which were consistent with the same period in 2014. Commenting on the outcome of the election

in relation to foreign investment inflow to the Exchange, Bola Ajomale, Managing Director, NASD Plc, said the foreign investors would return to speculate on the secondary market.

“As speculators, they could come in, make a quick profit by driving up prices and exit very sharply, leaving local investors with high priced securities. It is therefore necessary for our local secondary market investing community to be more alert

and proactive,” he said.

“Secondly, I would love to see

Return of foreign investors has started already as indicated in the strong performance of the equity market

foreign investors come into the primary end of the market which is far more constructive and helpful to the economic progress of the nation. It would be good if both public and private sectors encourage this to happen, Ajomale said.

Speaking further, he said that the recent rally seen in the market is as a result of portfolio activity and not significantly improved corporate performance.

He said: “The rapid rises we see in the market is just portfolio activity and not significantly improved corporate performance. The market is doing a pretty good job at increasing transparency and corporate governance and I believe it would be advantageous if the Presidentelect encourages this philosophy through policy.”

Adding his voice, Mr. Tola Odukoya of Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management, said: “I believe the return of foreign investors has started already as indicated in the strong performance of the equity market specific government bonds in the last couple of days.” He observed that the key issue is for the country to maintain some appreciable consistency in several key policies that have contributed directly or indirectly to increase in direct and portfolio investments (by both domestic and foreign investors).

He added that the consequent bolstering and increase in confidence amongst investors will sustain, and possibly improve, the performance of the market.

Stanbic IBTC Bank secures $90m credit from FMO

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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tanbic IBTC Bank has concluded a US$ 90 million line of credit facility from the Netherlands Development Finance Company, FMO. The purpose of the facility is for Stanbic IBTC Bank’s on-lend to small and medium sized companies for the financing of projects in the infrastructure sector, which include agriculture, oil and gas, power, ports, telecom companies, etc. within Nigeria. The facility will run for a term of five years.

The facility was provided to Stanbic IBTC Bank by FMO along with European Financing Partners (EFP) and DEG Deutsche Investitionsund EntwicklungsgesellschaftmbH).

Commenting on the transaction, the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni, noted that the commitment of the lenders shows the confidence they have in the Stanbic IBTC brand.

He further emphasized that the facility will enable the bank continue its SME sector growth efforts and move the economy forward.

On his own part, Linda Broekhuizen, FMO’s CIO said: “This second facility to Stanbic IBTC Bank is further testimony to the long and good relationship between the Standard Bank Group and FMO. This

syndicated loan facility will assist Stanbic IBTC Bank in expanding its leading role in financing of infrastructure development and providing long term funding to small and medium sized companies, contributing to job creation in Nigeria.”

The primary lender, FMO, is a Dutch development bank that was established in 1970 by the Dutch Government, commercial banks, the national employers’ association, labour unions, and private investors, in order to make investments in private sector projects within developing countries and emerging markets.

FMO is present as a development finance partner in over 80 different developing countries and emerging markets around the world. The company’s mandate is to provide long term capital for projects in these countries, thereby, maximizing development impact with a methodology designed to ensure that FMO’s return on investment is not just financial but also has positive environmental and social effects.

The secondary lender, DEG, is a subsidiary of KfW andone of the largest European development finance institutions. For more than 50 years, DEG has been financing and structuring the investments of private companies in developing and emerging market countries.

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Homes & Housing

Resort rewards loyal customers

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esort Savings and Loans Plc has instituted a reward system for all those who maintain a certain minimum balance in their accounts over a period of time.

Head Business Development, Mr Yemi Popoola made this known recently in Lagos on the bank’s efforts at putting smiles on the faces of its teeming customers. According to him, “the bank has over time introduced numerous customer-friendly products while the reward system is the bank’s own way of giving back to its customers.

"Our customer base is growing by the day and a lot of people are getting to identify with us.

The only way we can make them have a sense of belonging is to ensure that they are not only rewarded for banking with us, but also for introducing other customers to all mortgage related products.”

Popoola gave a brief analysis of the account opening dynamics which include but are not limited to opening of a Resort Reward System Account, building up of team by introducing other customers to open accounts with the bank and that automatically qualifies such a person to become a team leader while the people introduced become his team members. The gift we give our customers will be commensurate with the balances maintained in their accounts with the bank.”

Town planners demand tax-free building materials

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igerians would continue to pay more for accommodation in major cities until the cost of building materials is subsidised through tax holiday.

Executive Secretary of Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), Mr Ayo Adejumo, said high taxes are responsible for the high cost of accommodation in major cities in the country. He urged the Federal Government to provide tax relief for local manufacturers and importers of building materials. According to him, if government can grant tax holidays to the producers of building materials, it will go a long way in reducing the cost of building houses in the country.

Adefuro also called for provision of enabling environment for private estate developers to strive by providing them with proper incentives, credits and mortgages.

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*Affordable housing development

Stimulating economic growth through housing finance

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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he housing sector is seen as an important sector for stimulating economic growth in most developed countries.

Indeed, housing construction indices are some of the most common measures used by analysts to gauge economic trends in OECD countries.

Today, housing and construction sector still accounts for only 3.1 percent of the GDP of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of N80.3 trillion ($510 billion) as at 2013. Despite the size of the Nigerian economy, mortgage debt to GDP is only about 0.5 percent.

Minister of Finance/ Supervising Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, noted at a recent World Bank forum, highlighted the potential contribution of the housing sector to national development in three possible ways. First, she noted that the sector can serve as an important contributor to economic growth. According to her, the housing sector has a tremendous multiplier effect on the broader economy. “Housing contributes to GDP through two main channels, namely: private residential investments, such as, construction of new homes, and also via the consumption spending on housing services.

There are also secondary economic impacts of the housing sector. Housing wealth is often a large component of net personal wealth (about half of net personal wealth in the USA).

And in developed countries, housing wealth/assets can often be used as collateral to stimulate additional private consumption and

investments,” she stated.

Okonjo-Iweala also noted that the housing sector can support job creation and economic inclusion. “The job creation potential for the housing sector is enormous in Africa and other developing countries. In India, each new housing unit generates 1.5 direct and 8 indirect jobs. In South Africa, each housing unit creates 5.62 direct jobs and 2.5 indirect jobs.

Housing wealth/ assets can often be used as collateral to stimulate additional private consumption and investments

But the key point is that the sector can also help promote economic inclusion by creating jobs for our craftsmen and artisans such as masons, plumbers, welders, electricians, painters and so on. It is estimated that for every new house built 3 direct and 8 new indirect jobs are created.

Unlocking the housing sector will mean the creation of thousands of jobs for architects, builders, plumbers, welders, electricians, painters,” she declared.

The minister said the housing sector also provides social benefits by contributing to community - and nation building. “We know that home-ownership often gives citizens a true stake in their communities. After owning a home, many citizens tend naturally to be concerned about the provision of public

goods in their communities from schools, to clinics, to security. These are intangible social benefits which a strong housing sector can help to generate,” she remarked.

Sonnie Ayere, pioneering CEO of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), said that the company, which was launched in January 2014, is expected to unlock the value drivers within related business sectors further increasing multiple lines of incomes for business. He added that lower income households are expected to benefit from NMRC through direct jobs created by the construction of new housing units and services required to build a home and deliver it to the final customer.

“We expect to see an estimated 490,000 additional sustainable jobs over the next coming years.

The wages earned by workers and profits earned by businesses during the construction period are spent on other local goods and services. This generates additional income for local people, which is spent on still more local goods and services, and so on,” stated.

When Governor Babatunde Fashola inaugurated the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMs), he remarked that several jobs were created on construction sites that have benefitted 134 construction companies, 459 sub-contractors employing over 1,168 persons, seven consultancy companies and 5,442 suppliers, artisans, labourers and numerous citizens who are employed in the supply chain of sand, gravel, wood and fittings, as well as food vendors and transports.

Indeed, the impact of housing development goes beyond the valuable social benefits of providing shelter, not least of which is giving homeowners a true stake in their community.

How to make money from real estate

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f you have an extra sum of money and want to invest it, maybe you should consider real estate. Generally, properties tend to increase or hold their value, depending on certain conditions, which is why they are considered a safe investment.

They retain their value due to the phenomenon of inflation, since at least its price tends to increase with inflation; although this is not strictly a business, nor is it a capital loss.

However, a property can often increase their value over inflation. Often this is due to the dynamics of supply and demand of properties in the location in which the property is located, either because it is in a fashionable district, or because an infrastructure project has increased its value. It is better to buy land as a business strategy because the value of any property usually tends to rise along with the price of inflation. Even a piece of land on which

nothing is built does not lose its value over time. However, building some kind of housing or commercial property on that land will double its value since you can sell or rent it, thereby recovering your investment.

There are several ways to invest in housing, whether a house or an apartment.

You can buy a property and put it up for rent or lease, thus obtaining a fixed monthly income. If the house in which you live is too big for you, you can sell it and buy two smaller houses, one to live in and the other to rent. A few investors in real estate like to buy second-hand housing, remodel and adapt to sell it later, thus obtaining a considerable economic benefit. Other forms of investing in housing include buying and remodelling a property to be sold later. This form of business with real estate is usually common among developers and agents, it usually involves a large capital but its reward is a considerable economic benefit.

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Insurance

PRESENTATION - Chief Executive Officer, Kind Insurance Brokers, Mr. Elijah Omirin (m) presenting plaque of recognition to a guest lecturer at a monthly meeting of the Lagos Area Committee (LAC) of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Dr. Lemmy Omoyinmi while LAC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Oduwole watches.

Nigerian election will benefit African economy —AXA

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU with Agency report

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hairman and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Insurance, Mr. Jean-Laurent Granier has said the country ’s free and fair election will help to boost the economy of the entire African continent.

Though, Grainer said the insurance group does not wish to be political but believed that Nigeria exemplary election has assured the growth of its investment in the country.

According to him, “We are not making a political interpretation of this outcome.

This reinforces and confirms our will to grow in Nigeria.

“The stake in Africa Re will allow AXA to get a more complete understanding on insurance markets’ evolution across the whole continent,” Granier said.

“We’re selecting places where we want to go because we think a country has critical size and is ready for development of insurance.”

Nigeria has about 60 registered insurance companies, according to the national regulator. Among factors that companies should incorporate into risk models when underwriting in Nigeria is the unusually high number of building collapses, PwC said in a March 30 report. In the last 12 years, this has

happened to an estimated 30 buildings, it said.

Mansard has increased annual revenue by more than 20 percent in “these last years and this company can keep having high growth,” Granier said, without giving a target for this year.

Since March 31, when Buhari won the election, Nigeria’s benchmark stock index has climbed 15 percent to levels not seen since November last year. It’s the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index’s longest streak of gains since September 2012.

The victory by Buhari, marked the first time an

opposition candidate beat a sitting president since independence from the U.K. in 1960. And while more than 80 people were killed during the election campaign, according to the European Union, and there were some allegations of rigging, most international and local observers called the vote relatively free and fair.

Insurance penetration in Nigeria, as measured as a percentage of premiums to gross domestic product, was 0.68 percent in 2012, according to a KPMG report in August. That compares with a 3.5 percent average for Africa and 15.4 percent in

South Africa, the continent’s biggest insurance market, according to figures from PriceWaterhouseCoopers in October.

Before its Nigerian acquisition, AXA had operations in six African countries, including Morocco and Senegal, which contributed 436 million euros to revenue last year. “AXA is studying opportunities to enter other African countries through acquisitions or by starting new businesses.

Countries like Kenya can interest us, Ghana too,” Granier said.

AXA has disposed of 8.9 billion euros ($9.7 billion) of assets in developed markets since 2010 to invest in fastergrowing nations, including African markets.

In December, it spent 198 million euros to buy a majority stake in Mansard, Nigeria’s fourth-largest insurer. Last month, Parisbased AXA completed the purchase of a 7.2 percent stake in pan-African reinsurer Africa Re for $61 million In Egypt, AXA has set up a team of about 10 people and is “very confident to start quite soon” with operations once local authorities grant a license, Granier said.

Insurance premiums tend to increase faster than economic growth in Nigeria and African countries, as companies and households adjust their coverage to “catch up” with rising living standards, Granier said.

“The corporate insurance market was first to develop and now the market for individuals is opening,” he said. Health insurance products sold through corporate or individual policies, car-insurance needs and micro-insurance initiatives are contributing to insurance expansion in Nigeria, as in other fastgrowing African markets, he said”.

UAHD restates commitment to raising business tycoons

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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he Uche Ahubelem’s Human Development Center, U.A.H.D, has said that it is committed to rising a new generation of great leaders, business tycoons and nation builders.

Accordingly, the Center held its first leadership training themed ‘life-proven secrets of success’ in Lagos.

The training geared towards motivating youths to becoming better individuals, discover and maximize their inborn potentials had over a hundred participants. Each interactive session allowed

participant to interact with facilitators.

While encouraging participants at the event, the organisers persuaded participators to acquire knowledge, overcome fear and shyness, embrace hard work and be persistent to be successful.

Managing Director of Brickwall Group of Companies and investment Analyst Uche Ahubelem, said “We are raising a new generation of great leaders, business tycoons and nation builders because nation building isn’t about infrastructure but the mental re-orientation of the citizens.

Many who are seeking employment are supposed to be employers of labour but without the right mindset and approach to unlock the multibillion dollar companies in them. Imagine what the world would be if we all determine to live to our full potential”.

“The problem we have in Nigeria today is because we don’t invest in human capital development, a lot of youths are going wayward and off the track and living the lives that they were not originally meant to live the best thing you can do for a young man is to channel his passion and enable him get to the zenith.”

NAICO changes to NAIPCO

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he National Association of Insurance Correspondents (NAICO) has rebranded and will now be known as the National Association of Insurance & Pension Correspondents (NAIPCO).

NAIPCO which is made up of insurance and pension correspondents of media houses in Nigeria rebranded and adopted a new name to reflect current realities and status.

According to the Association, “The name change became necessary to accommodate our expanding responsibilities, which require that we cover Insurance and Pension Sectors, hence the need to accommodate the pension industry in our name and acronym.

NAIPCO remain resolute and committed to contributing to the deepening of the insurance and pension industries in Nigeria.

Russia looks to Chinese companies for reinsurance

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ussia is looking to Chinese companies to reinsure major infrastructure projects, hoping they can replace Western firms that have pulled back after two international ratings agencies downgraded Russia’s credit rating to junk earlier this year.

Representatives from the Chinese and Russian governments and insurance agencies met to discuss the issue earlier this month.

The two parties agreed to create a “joint reinsurance capacity in the form of a pool of Russian and Chinese insurance companies.

The agreements could concern insurance and reinsurance for multibilliondollar projects like Russia’s Power of Siberia gas pipeline to China and Turkish Stream pipeline to Europe.

The two sides discussed using their national currencies — rubles and yuan — rather than U.S. dollars for insurance payments, Nikolai Korolyov, deputy head of Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency and head of the Russian delegation said. No precise amounts were named during the discussions, he added.

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Buhari, let there be light – power first “Let there be light”

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t was in my Junior (third year) at the university, in the USA, when I undertook a study titled COMPARATIVE RELIGION, when the discovery was made. Until then I was under the mistaken impression that there were two religions in the world – Christianity and Islam. But, very soon, after arriving in the US in 1964, armed with an American Government Scholarship, a third religion was added to the list – Judaism. But, it was not until 1966 that the revelation came through this course that there are more than 1000 religions worldwide. Among the most common beliefs of virtually all religions in the idea that God/Allah/ Yahweh etc ordered light to be created as a pre-condition to other acts of creation and development.

Granted our nation faces several problems calling for urgent attention – mostly Boko Haram and general insecurity, corruption, unacceptably high unemployment, equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy, infrastructure, education, health, etc – but, one item on the national agenda which will speed up progress on the rest is POWER SUPPLY. Supply has been emphasized because, the outgoing governments and its Ministers of Power, as well as praise-singers, had wasted their time

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and money during the campaigns pointing to increased generating capacity. What they failed to understand, or, more likely deliberately ignored is the matter of distribution; meaning supply to homes.

Let me illustrate what is meant by this from my days as a Marketing/Sales executive.

Most brands fail because the brand owners fail to bring the product close enough to the consumer. Infant milk is an example. Every nursing mother knows that when you have a baby yelling for food at two in the morning, the baby milk in a store, miles away, is a distinctly different product from the one in the refrigerator. Jonathan’s Ministers, who became jesters with their failed promises on power supply had concentrated on production without taking corresponding steps to

One item on the national agenda which will speed up progress on the rest is POWER SUPPLY

ensure that the power reaches consumers. Till today, the daily power supply to Nigeria is under 4000MW, irrespective of what the production capacity is. That level of power output cannot get us anywhere.

It is remarkable that the best Nigeria had been able to do was achieved in December 2012, when we attended 4517MW of power supplied. That was two years and three months ago. That feat, hardly worthy of a nation destined for greatness, had not been equaled since. The most obvious question is: what had the government been doing in twenty seven months if it could not, at least, maintain that level? Worse still, if in two years, the nation had actually lost ground, when are we ever going to progress? Clearly, no progress had been made in twenty seven months if today we cannot receive 4517MW steady supply. More to the point; how could the outgoing President, knowing the lack of progress in power SUPPLIED have kept the Minister who had failed him and the nation so woefully? And, how could the out-going President tell Nigerians that he had fulfilled his campaign promises? Were we promised that there would be no progress on power supply in twenty seven months, while officials earned their huge emoluments? When was such a promise made to us?

President-elect Buhari must recognize that there will be no

significant progress on all fronts until there is substantial increase in power supply. To this he must address himself urgently. Unfortunately, that will require going and digging up a lot of dirt buried by his predecessors.

Several contractors are still seating on our funds for contracts not fully executed ot even totally abandoned.

It would amount to monumental folly to go around seeking for loans to undertake the task on hand when Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan had drawn down billions of dollars to increase our capacity to 10,000MW without doing it. Articles which will follow will detail the list of known contracts which are yet to yield results.

Something must happen. The contractors must either complete the jobs or refund our money.

All economies, even from primitive times, have always run on energy; the more a nation can generate the faster it can transform the resources at its disposal to benefits for its people. We lag behind because we are currently failing to generate the power to make rapid progress. Buhari can change a lot of things simply by altering the power supply situation as fast as possible.

Once he gets that underway, he can start chasing the crooks who stole our funds. Even there, he would need to fast track. There is already sufficient information in the public domain fro him to start with – before going into the secret official files which will reveal more information. He will receive all the help he needs from me – whether he asks for it or not.

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E-Commerce Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

Jumia appoints Francis Dufay to head subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire

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nline retailer, Jumia.com has formalized the appointment of Francis Dufay as the head of its subsidiary in Côte d’Ivoire.

This announcement follows the appointment of Fatoumata BA with whom Francis Dufay led Jumia Côte d’Ivoire since April 2014, to the position of Managing Director.

Francis Dufay will be responsible for driving the expansion of the first ecommerce website in Côte d’Ivoire. The French born who took the reins of the start-up in a context of consistent growth intends to consolidate this trend and to position Jumia as a major player in retail. Francis Dufay cut his teeth at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company where he remained for four years.

Specialist in e-commerce strategy for Europe and subSaharan Africa, he joined Africa Internet Group in 2014 within Jumia Côte d’Ivoire.

He holds a Master of Science from HEC Paris management school, a Master in Management of Cologne University and, an MBA from the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.

This appointment marks a new phase of growth for JUMIA Côte d’Ivoire emphasized by several key themes: Extension of Jumia’s presence inside the country with new branches, increasing of online assortments (furniture, appliances, mobile phone brands) offering a new service dedicated to companies and reinforcing relationships with local distributors.

“Everything we do has one goal: Always improve our service and satisfy our customers. It is the only way Jumia will gain the confidence of the population and strengthen its position as the leading e-commerce destination in Côte d’Ivoire”, said Dufay after the official announcement of his appointment.

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takeholders in the ecommerce sector have called for sustainability in the policies of the outgoing government on Information Technology.

They argue that the current administration has started plausible policies that demands continuity to continue driving the growth of the sector in Nigeria.

Speaking to Vanguard on the expectations from the incoming government, Founder, Drinks.ng, Lanre Akinlagun said the gains made in the information and communications sector must be sustained through the retention of the current minister of ICT, Dr. Omobola Johnson.

He said: “It is difficult to say exactly what the incoming will do but we in the IT sector do hope that he retains the minister of communication technology because the lady that was there was committed and had lots of plans on ground that are yet to be implemented and do not need to be abandoned. This is because, as this government is leaving, there will be no way to ensure that those laudable plans are followed.”

Also speaking, Founder/ CEO Hotels.ng, Mark Essien said: “Buhari’s government should continue the policies launched by the Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, which has led to a surge in ‘serious’ e-

CEREMONY – From left: Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC, Victor Williams; Investment Officer, Africa, Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), Gerrit van Kampen; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yinka Sanni; and Portfolio Analyst, Financial Institutions, Africa, FMO, Sander Verhulp during the signing ceremony for a $90m credit facility to Stanbic IBTC by FMO in Lagos

Stak eholder or sust enance of takeholder eholderss call ffor sustenance IT policies by incoming govt commerce start-ups.”

He said: “To drive economic growth with special regard to the e-business sector, the Buhari government should create an environment conducive to foreign investment into IT startups.”

He pointed out that, “This election will probably be the best thing that has happened to Nigeria in terms of foreign investment. It does not have

to do with Buhari directly, but rather the fact that Africa’s biggest economy had a peaceful election where the sitting president lost, and power was handed over without any issues. The newly elected president is well known for his stance against corruption, and the fact that he could be elected peacefully shows that Nigeria has ‘grown up’ and can now be

GTBank makes incursion into e-commerce with SME Market Hub

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igeria’s lender, Guarantee Trust Bank, GTBank has made incursion into electronic business with the introduction of SME Market Hub that will provide opportunities for small and medium enterprises to move their businesses online.

The new platform will serve

as an online directory for businesses and is aimed at empowering entrepreneurs in Nigeria and contributing to the growth and development of the country’s economy.

Speaking on the launch of the platform, Chief Executive Officer of GTBank, Segun Agbaje said: “With the

introduction of the SME Market Hub, GTBank has provided SMEs an e-commerce platform that allows small and medium business owners create and maintain an online presence and expand their business frontiers to new markets and millions of buyers that are online.”

seen as stable economy.”

On his part, Founder/CEO Privateproperty.com.ng, Femi Taiwo while noting that Buhari’s government must provide electricity, said: “Allocating resources for infrastructural development, while making policies that will assist the growth of the technology sector; for instance giving internet service providers a tax holiday, giving them the go ahead to dig the roads to lay fibre optic cables which will help in bringing down the cost of providing internet access to every Nigerian, remains imperative.”

He added that, “Government must partner with the private sector in creating a fund for technology entrepreneurs so they can have access to capital.

This can be done through the means of incubators and research labs.”

Kaku.com.ng launches in Nigeria to drive local pubs search

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aku.com.ng, a discovery website has launched in Nigeria.

The platform allows people search and locate places where they can hang out with friends, family or loved ones based on budget and preferred location.

Kayode Oyewole, cofounder of Kaku.com.ng, told Vanguard that the website was inspired by the dearth of centralised portal which offers quality information on public places in the country.

According to him, “It was a result of a personal

experience. In 2014, I was trying to find affordable places where I could hang out with a friend based on a limited budget; after getting referrals from a few friends, it dawned on me that there was really no centralized web service which offered quality information on fun places. I realized that existing sites were limited and didn’t provide budgetary ranges of listed places. I also discovered I wasn’t alone in this, with many of my friends also looking for places to hangout on birthdays, weekends and C

holidays. At that point, I realized word of mouth referrals weren’t enough and so in a bid to solve this problem, I decided to develop a solution that would address that need.”

On the Kaku.com.ng, users enter their preferred locations and the budget which they intend to operate within and then choose a preferred service, e.g. restaurant, entertainment, pizza etc .The website conducts a search and gives them a list of places that meet their criteria. Users get to see a basic description

of the place, pictures, and they also get to see other users’ reviews of the place or how it’s rated. They can also rate and review after visiting a place, and share photographs as well.

Oyewole said: “Kaku.com.ng is the only platform that takes into account that an average individual is working on a budget and that’s at the core of what we do. We provide users with ease and options in relation to their budgets.

Our platform also offers an awesome user experience.”

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Micro-Finance

EFInA urges MfBs tto o de oduct ffor or devvelop pr product adults saving at home Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) has urged Micro finance Banks (MfBs) in the country to develop innovative savings products to encourage the 25.5 million adults currently

saving at home to save in a micro finance bank In a survey report titled “The Landscape Of Financial Inclusion And Micro finance In Nigeria,” EFInA cited irregular income; unemployment and proximity as the top three barriers for not having a MfB account.

“With over 85 million adults without a micro

finance bank account, finding new ways of reaching out to this market is a major challenge for micro finance banks . New ways of thinking and innovation in product and service offerings are needed to attract the financially excluded population. MfBs need to develop products/ services that are

uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the low income population and ensure that they fully understand the benefits of these products.

“MfBs need to tailor loan products to suit the specific needs of consumers. Factors to consider when designing loan

products include quick access, repayment period, low interest rates and flexible collateral requirements.

“MfBs should develop innovative savings products to encourage the 25.5 million adults currently saving at home to save in a microfinance bank,”

EFInA said, adding that microfinance should be extended beyond branches by using technology such as mobile phones and POS devices.

“Take micro finance services closer to the customer through agent banking by leveraging non-bank channels such as retail stores, restaurants, petrol stations,” EFInA said.

ICA advocates agency that guarantees access to loans by SMEs

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he Institute of C r e d i t Administration, ICA, has called on the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to set up a national agency that guarantees access to loans by SMEs, and not to disburse loan to them.

In a recommendation to GMB, made available to FV, signed

by Registrar/CEO, ICA, Prof. Chris Onalo, “Such agency can be called – Nigerian Credit Guarantee Corporation (NCGC).

Surprisingly, up till today, Nigerian government is still not dreaming of creating this national platform that would support the development of SMEs.” Onalo pointed out that the corporation would serve as collateral and security for SMEs who want to borrow money and do not have, only if the NCGC is set up by the federal government with strong capital base and very robust operating fund.

“This is the practice in other countries. The well-functioning of credit in any economy is a pre-condition for enterprise and trade to develop and thrive.

The granting and state of credit in any economy has important implications for both financial stability and private sector sustainability.

As Nigeria’s economy is still susceptible to external shocks, the well-functioning of credit is crucial for our economy to grow.

“We must bring it to your attention that the

poor attitude to credit, especially to public loans provided by g o v e r n m e n t ’ s development finance institutions, and lack of a robust regulatory regime for the DFI sector to operate is a fundamental threat to the health of the Nigerian economy. Your government is expected to be committed to enhancing the regulatory regime; your government is expected to enhance credit regulations by providing greater protection for the country ’s DFIs,” he said.

O t h e r recommendations include: First among your priorities should be to address the nation’s urgent economic, social and security situation, and to build a strong economy for the future; Your approach no doubt should be to focus very quickly on structural reforms, fiscal responsibility and investment; You will quickly gain local and global acceptance if you drastically cut cost of doing business in Nigeria; The Central Bank of Nigeria is too saddled with too many things, you may need to look at this; There is need to stream down the functions of the Central Bank of Nigeria to make it more functional and efficient with its traditional monetary policy moderation mandate; Nigeria must engage free market economy in order to achieve overall resilience in economic activity, employment and fiscal performance; among others.

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Economy

Doing Business Scorecard to challenge Buhari’s economy regime Stories by EMEKA ANAETO, Economy Editor

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s the president-elect, Mohammadu Buhari, gets ready to assemble his economic team so much worries appear in the horizon with the release of the Doing Business 2014 Report showing Nigeria much behind most of the West African economies in many important indices.

Doing Business sheds light on how easy or difficult it is for local entrepreneur to open and run a small to medium sized business when complying with relevant regulations. It measures and tracks changes in regulations affecting 11 areas in the life cycle of a business which includes: starting a business, dealing with construction permits (if your business

requirements setting up a permanent structure); getting electricity; registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across boarders, enforcing contracts, resolving insolvency and employing workers.

In all the 11 areas Nigeria was ranked among top five in only four areas, while taking distant ranks beyond tenth position in all others in the 15nation economic sub-region.

Nigeria came first on the ease of getting credit for businesses affirming the robust efforts of the ministry of finance and the coordinating minister of the economy, Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who had put in place several interventionist funding windows for small and medium enterprises both directly by the government as

•Muhammadu Buhari well as through commercial banks in the last three years.

The next good performance

Generally on the ease of doing business, the report ranked Nigeria fifth amongst Ecowas countries, with Ghana leading the region

was the country ’s second position in the sub-region in the area of ease in resolving insolvency issues. This gives pass mark on the nation’s commercial law and litigation which many observers believe still has much to be done. The sub-region is led by Cote d’Ivoire in this indicator.

The other good performance was the country ’s third position in the sub-region in the area of strength of investor protection. The two countries ahead of Nigeria are Sierra Leone and Ghana, with first

and second positions respectively.

Generally on the ease of doing business, the report ranked Nigeria fifth amongst Ecowas countries, with Ghana leading the region followed

by Cape Verde, Sierra Leone and Liberia all ahead of Nigeria in that order.

However, it’s most disappointing to find Nigeria at the bottom of the ladder in some critical areas such as electricity access which drives businesses and hence economic growth all over the world. Also being in the bottom of the ladder in the area of property registration and perfection is disappointing as most foreign investors generally shy away from this aspect of direct investment due to this weakness.

For a regime (in-coming) that has promised little in the area of the economy during the electioneering campaign many economy observers and operators are not optimistic with the prospects of major turn-ups in the next two to four years (mid-term and first full term) in the country’s ranking in the Doing Business scorecards.

However they are yet to be categorical until the team members are named which is expected to come in about two months time.

Inflationary pressures to intensify in Q2 A

s the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) prepares to announce the inflation update for March, 2015 (Q1 round-up) economy analysts are expecting further push up not just for the March, 2015 but also indicating further rises in the months through second quarter 2015 and beyond going by some underlying factors.

NBS is set to release the figures officially by Thursday this week.

This forecast is coming despite the recoveries Naira had recorded against US Dollar in the period under review (March-April).

Analysis of the foreign exchange rate of the local currency indicated that the value of the Naira appreciated against the US Dollar by 1.98 per cent from US$/N203.06 in February,

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2015 to US$/N199.11 at the end of March, 2015. However, economists at First Securities Discount House Limited (FSDH) observed that a number of imported transactions were carried out in the month of March at an exchange rate range of US$/N210 – US$/N225. They therefore posit that local prices are yet to fully absorb the impact of the 15.26 per cent devaluation of the Naira experienced in the month of February 2015.

Consequently they anticipate that the full effect of the devaluation will at some point in time during the course of the year reflect in the inflation rate and this should result in a spike to 11 per cent, indicating that inflation rate may exceed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

target range of 6 - 9 per cent.

The FSDH Inflation model indicates that the price movements in the consumer goods in March 2015 would increase the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 168.47 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.96 per cent. The model also estimates that the increase in the CPI in March will produce an inflation rate (year-on-year) of 8.6 per cent, higher than the figure recorded in the month of February.

Looking ahead, according to FSDH analysts, the inflation rate for the month of April 2015 is expected to be higher than the March 2015 figure.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of February 2015 had pushed the Headline Index to move up by

8.4 per cent year-on-year, as against 8.2 per cent in January, 2015. CPI measures inflation rates and the increase reflects rising cost of goods in the economy.

In the last CPI Report NBS said all the components that contributed to the index increased at a faster pace during the period, noting that the only exception was Recreational & Culture which also increased but at slower pace.

According to the report, Food prices as observed by the Food Subindex increased at a faster pace in February partly due to increases in prices of imported food items. The Imported Food Sub-index increased by 8.8 per cent (year-on-year), the highest increase recorded since February 2013.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 41

Aviation

AON tasks Buhari to address unemployed Nigerian pilots’ case

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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hairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, Captain Noggie Meggison has tasked the incoming administration of Retired General Muhammadu Buhari to quickly address the case of more than 500 Nigerian pilots who are currently unemployed, adding that this is the most pressing among the issues agitating the minds of operators.

Addressing aviation reporters in Lagos , Meggison said “we must not hesitate to add that the task to rebuild the aviation and airline sector must remain on course in the light of many issues that domestic operators have consistently put on the frontier burner for government’s attention” He said the number of unemployed pilots is increasing from the current 200 to an astronomical number when the over 100 student pilots’ sent to Jordan by the Kano State government would graduate later this year.

“This is in addition to the 52 youths trained under the Federal Government Amnesty programme as well as the fresh batches of 100 graduating from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, and the 40 from International Aviation College, IAC, in Ilorin, Kwara State.”

Meggison said unless something fast is done, such development constitutes a disincentive to the growth and development of the Nigerian aviation industry.

He said well over 400

Nigeria licensed aircraft engineers are also out of job, urging the Federal Government to put in place an employment policy that would ensure these aviation professionals are engaged by both indigenous and foreign carriers operating in the country.

According to him, the issues agitating the minds of operators, which are not limited to the following , include : “The need for aircraft maintenance hangar in the country. The exclusion of domestic airlines by the Central Bank of Nigeria window. The skyrocketing price of aviation fuel.

Multiple tax regime by aviation authorities to domestic carriers .The removal of Value Added Tax

(VAT) on air transportation as other modes of transportation , including foreign airline operating in and out of Nigeria who are also not paying VAT.” “Improvement of service delivery by aeronautical agencies. Access to single digit loan by financial

We hope that as the incoming administration settles down in office, it will put a strong aviation policy in place

institutions. Engagement of more Nigerian pilots / engineers by foreign carriers (over 500 pilots and engineers youths unemployed ). Multiple entry points granted foreign carriers. Inadequate airport facilities and day time only operation of most of our airport."

He further said “We hope that as the incoming administration settles down in office, it will put a strong aviation policy in place and engage AON on how to move the strategic and air transport sector forward to a place where we should be.

Aviation is a major contributor to Nigeria's economy and GDP (from 0.4 percent to 10 percent in 2 years.

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he Chairman of Discovery Air, Engr.

Babatunde Babalola, weekend, said that the regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, was wrong to have suspended its Air Operator’s Certificate, AOC, in January this year following the alleged maltreatment of its passengers in December 2014. Rather, the airline said what NCAA ought to have done was to ground its operations pending when the issues were resolved.

Babatunde added that the

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he European Union (EU) has designated the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) as a 3rd country European Union Aviation Security Validated Regulated Agent.

According to Mr Basil Agbarumi, General Manager, Corporate Communications, SAHCOL, the validation certificate was issued to SAHCOL after an onsite confirmation of the implementations of the security controls, which were certified to be in compliance with the objectives of EU/EEA bound air cargo and air mail.

He said “According to the EU regulations 173/2012 and 1082/2012, all air cargo and air mail entering the European Union from Third Countries Airports, otherwise called ACC3 should be validated and approved by the appropriate authority from a European Union state to be able to transport secured cargo to the European Union.”

EU found “issues “ with German aviation regulator

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Laboratory technician and NAFDAC staff

NCAA erred by suspending our AOC —Discovery Air boss

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

SAHCOL gets European Union ACC3 validation

suspension of its AOC had led to massive business loss for the airline and hoped its suspension would be lifted very soon for its workers to return to work.

He insisted that the offence of the airline did not warrant the suspension of its AOC and stressed that since the airline was not involved in an accident, its AOC ought not to be revoked by NCAA. He therefore called for consistency in the regulations of the agency.

Babatunde further revealed that since its operations were grounded, the airline had lost at least N1bn. The loss of the N1bn according to him

included charters, scheduled operations and other relationships that would have been onboard if the airline’s AOC was still intact. The airline’s operations were suspended on January 8, 2015. He emphasised that the letter written to the management of the airline on its suspension ordered it to address three issues before it would be allowed to return to operations.

The issues according to him are refunding of airfares to its passengers who were not satisfied with the way and manner they were treated by the airline, payment of compensation to the

passengers and welfares of staff, which he said had been resolved by the airline.

He agreed that the airline had some little financial issues before it was suspended, but required bridging loan to sustain its operations from financial institutions.

He added, “On the salary welfare of the workers, we had a meeting with them to pay them for the months they have worked and even the January that we were suspended. The other thing we did again was to issue them post-dated cheque for the backlog of salaries we owed them.

European regulator found “issues” with Germany’s aviation authority in a regular review of air safety enforcement, the European Commission said on Saturday.

Its statement did not say when the review was carried out, but the Wall Street Journal said the Commission told Berlin in November “to remedy the long-standing problems” - months before the recent Germanwings crash that killed all 150 people aboard. The Journal cited two people familiar with the matter as saying EU officials had found the aviation authority, the Luftfahrtbundesamt (LBA), had a lack of staff, which could have limited its ability to carry out checks on planes and crew, such as medical checks. Vetting of airline crew is in the spotlight after the German budget airline flight crashed in the French Alps. French prosecutors say they believe co-pilot Andreas Lubitz crashed the plane deliberately.

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42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Tax Matter

Taxation: The Swivel of the Economy (2) The Nigerian Tax System he Nigerian tax system has undergone significant changes in recent times. The tax laws are being reviewed with the aim of repealing obsolete provisions and simplifying the main ones. Taxation in Nigeria is within the administrative purview of the three tiers of government, i.e. federal, state, and local governments as stated in the constitution, with each having its tax space delineated by the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act. In pursuing a vibrant tax fiscal policy, the Nigerian government has since 2002 embarked on series of tax reforms at the federal level.

Beginning with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Establishment Act, 2007, the drive has been on institutional reforms and modernisation of the Nigerian tax system at the federal level. These reform efforts cut across tax policies, tax laws and tax administration.

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Tax Policies Tax policies are general statements of procedure, which guide the thinking and action of all concerned towards the realization of the stated tax objectives. The tax policies of Nigeria are to: a. pursue a low tax regime which aims at reducing individual tax burden and thereby encouraging savings and investments; b. move from the traditional coercive method of taxation to voluntary compliance; c. engage in taxpayer education through public enlightenment; d. deliberate movement of emphasis from income tax to consumption tax which is less prone to tax evasion; e. introduce self-assessment to encourage taxpayers participation in the tax assessment process which is more realistic in approach and democratic in nature; and f. reduce tax evasion and avoidance using the due process of law and the mechanism of an efficient tax administration.

In an effort to consolidate and achieve the objectives above, the Federal Inland Revenue Service collaborated with the Ministry of Finance and the Joint Tax Board to launch the National Tax Policy in 2012. The National Tax Policy is a document that will revolutionize the Nigerian tax system and place it at par with global practice. It is a big step in the modernization of the Nigerian tax system and provides a firm basis for tax legislation and improve the efficiency of tax

administration by laying down guidelines and regulations. It also enhances the climate for doing business in the country.

Tax Laws The various legal instruments put

In pursuing a vibrant tax fiscal policy, the Nigerian government has since 2002 embarked on series of tax reforms at the federal level

in place to ensure the realization of the tax policy objectives of the government have also been undergoing series of reviews and amendments. The notable ones are: PITA CAP P8 LFN 2004 (as Amended in 2011), Transfer Pricing Regulations, 2012, and currently, the redrafting of all tax laws in plain English which is on-going.

Tax Administration There has been a repositioning of tax administration system ranging from tax campaigns, automation of processes, to entrenching a vibrant tax refund mechanism. The Integrated Tax Administration System, ITAS is the biggest of the repositioning efforts. It is a revolutionary tax administration system that will ease tax payment as well as administration.

ITAS is designed to increase revenue yield on a phenomenal scale. It is to be implemented with the Standard Integrated Government Tax Administration (SIGTAS) software

solution - a solution designed to meet the needs of developing countries that wish to increase their control over state revenue. The specific objectives of ITAS is to make operations faster, increase voluntary compliance, increase revenue generated for national development and improve the efficiency and skills competence of employees in the FIRS. Overall taxation as a concept should be viewed as a pivot, if not the pivot of economic development and the platform upon which fiscal policies are developed and implemented.

In this regard, expenditure being the other plank of fiscal policy must always be tied to revenue and, given the general consensus that expenditure should as much as possible be based on available and sustainable resources, taxation provides the best option for achieving this harmony between revenue and expenditure especially in developing countries. In this way, taxation would play a key - if not the central role in sustaining fiscal policy in any economy.

PLANNING TO FILE YOUR RETURNS? DO IT BEFORE THE DUE DATES! It takes more than just paying your taxes to be a good taxpayer, you must ensure you pay on or before your tax liability is due; if every taxpayer decides to pay their taxes only when they feel like, or when it is convenient for them, then they probably may not pay at all since there may never be such a time that is ‘convenient’ to pay.

For this reason, the tax laws are drafted in such ways as to ensure that taxes for a particular period are not carried over to other periods.

The statutory date required for a particular tax type to be remitted or filed is called “due date”. Any taxpayer who remits or files returns after the statutory due date is considered late and this attracts certain penalties. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that taxpayers remit and file their taxes as and when due, and also enforce

penalties where there is lateness. The lax laws are actually considerate as they give adequate time to allow taxpayers prepare to make payment for each tax type.

TAX TYPES AND THEIR STATUTORY DUE DATES Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE): PAYE is expected to be remitted by the employer on behalf of the employee after deducting the appropriate amount of tax from the employee’s monthly salary. The deducted tax is expected to be remitted not later than 10 days after the end of the month for which the tax was deducted or duty to deduct arose, i.e. 10th of the month after the month deduction was made (Operation of the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) Scheme Regulations Section 7(1)). Annual returns must however be filed with the relevant tax authority, not later than 30 days after the end of the year of assessment – this is usually taken as 31 st January of the succeeding year (Operation of the PayAs-You-Earn (PAYE) Scheme Regulations Section 10(1)). Failure of the employer to deduct or having deducted (failure) to pay to the relevant tax authority within the stipulated time from the day the amount was deducted or the time the duty to deduct arose, amounts to an offence under the Act. Section 94(1) of PITA (as amended) stipulates a penalty of N5,000.00 on conviction, plus N100 for every day in which the failure continues in addition to the principal amount to be remitted.

Section 81 (3) of PITA stipulates a penalty of N500,000.00 for corporate bodies and N50,000.00 for individuals for late filing of annual returns upon conviction.

Personal Income Tax (PIT): Due date for filing PIT is 90 days after the end of the year, this is usually taken as 31st March of the following year (PITA Section 41(3). The penalty for late filing of PIT is the same as that of PAYE as prescribed in the PIT Act in Section 82.

Value Added Tax (VAT) & Withholding Tax (WHT): FIRS Information Circular 9304 on VAT prescribes that returns should be rendered on or before the 21st day of the Month following that in which the sales/supply was made. A taxable person who fails to submit VAT returns as stipulated is liable to a fine of N5,000 for every month in which failure continues (VAT Act Section 35). The same date applies to the WHT. Failure to deduct or to remit after deduction attracts a penalty of 10% of the amount of tax to be deducted in addition to the amount itself plus interest at prevailing rate (PITA Section 74(1) as amended).

Company Income Tax (CIT) & Education Tax (EDT): CITA Section 55(3)(a & b) explains that any company that has been in existence for more than eighteen (18) months is required to file returns every year not later than six (6) months after the end of its accounting year. For a new company however, returns is expected to be filed within eighteen (18) months after the company was incorporated or not later than six (6) months after the end of its first accounting period; whichever is earlier. A company can apply in writing for an extension of the date for filing their returns for a particular year, provided the application is made before the statutory due date and that the company shows a good cause for the inability to meet the statutory due date. The penalty for late filing of CIT as spelt out in the

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 43

Advertising & Promotions

Advertisement Blue Band & health campaign Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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dvertising is a massive global business. Each year millions of Naira are spent in attempts to influence consumer decisions to persuade them to spend more on products.

The psychology of consumerism compares consumer trends and this explains what ad agencies can tell about the mindsets of consumers-taking an in-depth look into various issues, and how new shoppers cope, and what effect it has on consumers.

According to the World Health Organization, WHO, the term malnutrition generally refers both to under-nutrition and over-nutrition, but for most uses, it refers solely to a deficiency of nutrition.

The Nigerian Public Health Care System has put in place policies and measures to stem malnutrition, especially among children and mothers. Some of its efforts include the promotion of Iodine fortification, Vitamin A fortification and the Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health program. The evidence shows that a lot more still remains to be done.

Experts in nutrition teach that our foods can be classified into fats, carbohydrate, proteins, fruits and vegetables. A proper balance of these food will provide good health. An improper balance will bring poor health, sickness and can result in early death.

Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals.

Proteins supply building blocks for the body while Fats and carbohydrate provide heat and energy to the body. The recommended proportion of fruits and vegetables in a dish should be at least 25 percent, while 75 percent should be protein, carbohydrate and fats.

This should inform the daily diet of everyone to ensure healthy living.

Fat is one of the three main macronutrients; the other two being carbohydrate and protein. Fats (lipids) are an important nutrient for healthy living and serves both structural and metabolic functions. Fats help transport Vitamins A,D,E and K in the body, and are important for skin and eye health and cognitive function. There are two essential fatty acids (EFAs) in human nutrition: Alpha-

linoleic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) and Linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid). Other lipids needed by the body can be synthesized from these and

Blue Band has grown with the country and made several improvements on its formulation

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ormer Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi will chairman the 2015 National Stakeholders Marketing Summit holding in Lagos next month. The summit is slated for May 5, 2015, organized by Marketing Edge magazine, a brands and marketing publication.

In a statement signed by Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the publication, Mr. Wole David, the former governor who commended the magazine for the initiative has indicated his intention to chair the Summit.

The summit which is in sessions; the lecture and the awards will have Chief Olu Falomo, former chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON presides over the Brands Excellence Award in the evening. In the morning session, brand and marketing experts including former APCON Registrar, Dr. Josef Molokwu and Managing Director, Noah’s Ark, Mr. Lanre Adisa will be exploring ‘Roadmap to Marketing in the Age of Global Oil Glut’ and ‘Nigerian Advertising in a Generational Shift’.

Chi adds 25% more to Hollandia milk LAUNCH - From Left: Opeyemi Oluwalusi, Zonal Business Manager – West, Ayodeji Oke, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Ibadan Brewery and Joseph Bodunrin, Regional Business Manager – West at the trade launch of Ace Roots, an innovative herbal mix from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc in Ibadan.

StarTimes increases price, adds more channels

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rom April 18, 2015 bouquet prices on StarTimes, NTA Star pay –TV will increase by between 20 to 35 percent as a result of new developments and content offerings.

The new offerings include, Iroko Play, Iroko Plus, AMC Series, Star Zone and Star

Sport Focus. Star Sport Focus came live in March, other channels will be viewed by subscribers from May 1.

Public Relations Manager, Startimes, NTA Star-TV network, Mr. Israel Bolaji, made the disclosure, while saying that the increase is necessary because of the new

Promo: Indomie gives out 100 Ipads

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & CHIOMA OBINNA

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other fats. Examples of fats are olive, canola, palm oil, soymilk, and nuts.

Since its launch, Blue Band has grown with the country and made several improvements on its formulation to retain its position as the brand of choice among consumers. It is certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and endorsed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN). Blue Band is fortified with Vitamin A, B6, B12, D, E, Folic acid and Niacin.

Fayemi to chair National Marketing Summit

n what seems like a dream comes true, one of the country’s leading noodles brand, Indomie, from the stables of Dufil Prima Foods Ltd has doled out 100 Ipads to lucky winners of the just-concluded Indomitable Sticker Promo.

Other prizes given include 20,000 goody bags, 30,000 comic books and several other prizes. The promo which started late last year, witnessed huge participation from all across the country.

For the Indomitable Sticker Promo, participants were required to flash a

particular code embedded in every Indomie pack. Once a participant flashed that code, the phone number is automatically saved in a database. Phone numbers are then randomly selected from the database for winners to emerge.

Presenting the prizes to the first 20 winners at its headquarters in Lagos, Brand Manager Dufil, Mr. Amber Yadav, said the motivation for the Indomitable Sticker promo was essentially to put smiles on the faces of consumers by giving them the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. In the same vein, Manager Public Relations and Events Dufil, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju said that the promo was about making consumers happy.

developments and content borne out of the company’s desire and commitment to offer value by enhancing access, improving content and by further breaking barriers between the people and the platform and deepening digital TV penetration in Nigeria.

“Our efforts are also geared towards closing the huge gap between the people and Digital TV switch campaign, by creating a robust and improved digital television experience that is constantly refreshed.

Increasingly, more Nigerians can also gain access to an impactful and explosive digital television experience,” he stated.

Bolaji explained that with all these offerings and value, our decoder is available for N990 with N2400 minimum recharge of any choice bouquet for new customers while our bouquet price is now Basic for N1,200, Classic for N2,400 and Unique for N3,600 monthly respectively effective from April 18.

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hi Limited, brand owners of Hollandia Evaporated milk says it has added 25 percent extra milk to the brand. This was disclosed by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Deepanjan Roy in a statement where he said: “ we want to draw consumers’ attention to the 25 percent extra milk in Hollandia Evaporated milk 215gram pack when compared to other competing brands at the same price.” According to him, “we are committed to ensuring that our loyal consumers continue to get value and satisfaction for money whenever they buy the brand.”

Giving a brief history of the brand, he stated: “the milk is the first milk brand in Nigeria to be packaged in Tetra pak, taking product packaging and convenience to a whole new level. The product is designed to provide consumers with creamy, great tasting, highly nutritious and affordable evaporated milk in handy 215g packs. “Hollandia Evaporated Milk’s 215g unique packaging ensures supreme convenience as the innovative Pour, Cap & Keep pack eliminates the hassles of milk storage and the design ensures longer safety from spoilage and contamination.”

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44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

Kobo coins and failed monetary strategy T

he absence of primary kobo coins in our currency profile has become accepted as the norm by both the public and our monetary authorities who, curiously, don’t seem to also care.

Nevertheless, in every successful modern economy, the utility value of primary coins is conversely well recognized because of the vital role they play. Indeed, the absence of primary coins is often indicative of a monetary strategy, which constantly fails to keep inflation within international best practice levels below 2%.

It is, therefore, worrisome that our economic technocrats can be so impassive despite such a debilitating market ambience, not to recognize the inflationary push, for example, of adopting higher denominations of N5 or N10 to serve the purpose that primary kobo coins should serve.

In this manner, prices of goods and services become progressively, marginally inflated to the chagrin of the sacrificial consumer.

Meanwhile, in those economies where inflation is successfully managed at below 2%, prices are still quoted with primary denominations of cents and pence to give vendors a competitive space in the market. So why are the utility values of primary coins not recognized by Nigeria’s monetary authorities? The ubiquitous Secondary school student learns that inflation is generally the product of too much money chasing few goods. The relevant question, then, is what is the source of too much money that ceaselessly inundates the system; does surplus Naira

fall compulsively like rain from heaven, and if not, which government agency creates or controls the supply?

Well, in modern economies, the power to print or create money is primarily vested in a nation’s Central Bank, which is also mandated to create opportunities for commercial banks to similarly expand or contract the availability and cost of credit in line with the perceived needs of the economy.

Regrettably, in our case, as in the case of other failed economies, this collaboration between the Central Bank and commercial banks have, over the years, created exceedingly surplus Naira against better judgment, such that Excess Naira purchasing values consistently prevail against relatively modest output/ supply of goods and services to fuel inflation.

Thus, the poverty level induced by the unceasing fall in the purchasing value of all incomes, particularly that of the poor, is actually the product of the prevailing ‘anti-social’ partnership between commercial banks and the CBN in the management of Naira supply. Inexplicably, the CBN has persisted in strategically, inducing liberal Naira creations which commercial banks receive as deposits and in a bizarre twist, lend back to the CBN whenever the Apex Bank embarks on borrowing perceived market surplus Naira so as to reduce consumer demand and restrain inflation.

Clearly, as belatedly admitted by Ex-Governor Lamido Sanusi, the commercial banks lend back to the CBN with interest rates in

excess of 10%, the same government allocations they received as deposits with zero interest. Projections of CBN’s 2015 liquidity mop up operations suggest that, commercial banks, primarily, would earn over N600bn as interest charges from such “useless” borrowings which make no impact on stimulating industrial activity, as the borrowed funds are simply kept idle in order to reduce the extent of perceived surplus

The time is probably ripe for naira redenomination by say two decimal points so that N2=$1

Naira in the market and avert the threat of inflation.

The former CBN Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who presumably, could not be ignorant of the inflationary impact of systemic surplus Naira on the purchasing power of our currency, curiously embarked on the futile re-introduction of primary kobo coins in 2007.

Billions of Naira was expended on the production and the collateral campaign for adoption of the new coins in denominations of N2, N1 and 50K. Predictably, the coins were rejected by the public, because they commanded no real value. Ultimately, the coins

portability; Nigerians however quickly recognized that this was a sure path to the eventual issue of N10, 000 and N20, 000 notes if the root cause of inflation, i.e. the surplus cash syndrome, was not successfully addressed; consequently, the public outrightly rejected Sanusi’s N5000 note.

Nevertheless, it is also obvious that the introduction of increasingly higher denominations would present accounting challenges such that with untamed inflation, a bottle of coke could easily cost N1000 as was the case in Ghana when 10,000 cedis exchanged for $1 before Ghana restructured its currency with 4 decimal points in 2006-7, to make one new Ghana cedis equal to $1.5.

Expectedly, the unarrested flow of excess cedi supply, which induced double-digit inflation over the years, has once again humbled the cedi to an exchange rate of 3.6 cedis to one dollar or more graphically 36000 cedis to one dollar before re-denomination 8 years ago.

The time is probably ripe for naira redenomination by say two decimal points so that N2=$1; in this manner, we will bring back and enjoy the economic utility of portability and the competitive attributes of primary kobo coins.

Additionally, the adoption of dollar certificates for payments of dollar denominated revenue will ultimately tame the source of surplus Naira and restrain inflation below 3%, as this arrangement will create a market surplus of dollars against Naira and inevitably, gradually improve the Naira exchange rate below N2 =$1 once Naira is redenominated by two decimal points.

SAVE THE NAIRA, SAVE NIGERIA!!

were auctioned at a fraction of their original cost.

Curiously, no one was sanctioned for this huge waste; surprisingly, however barely eight months later, Soludo came up with a fresh Agenda to produce a new currency profile that redenominated (read as redecimalzed) our currency, such that N100 became N1, while the existing N1 became one kobo. This was probably in recognition of the failure of the earlier exercise, which obviously did not consider purchasing power as a critical issue for acceptance.

However, late President Yardua was probably not convinced that it was defensible to produce two sets of currency profiles in a single year, and therefore ruled, despite the supposed autonomy of the CBN, that the project be put on hold.

Regrettably, Soludo’s proposal for redenomination was lumped together with a healthy recommendation, after over four years of denial, that part of federal allocations should be effected in dollars in order to reduce the unceasing flow of Naira supply that fuels inflation.

Nevertheless, the Naira exchange rate has since plummeted by over 40%, while inflation averaged 7% annually for 8 years, leading to a loss of close to 60% of Naira’s purchase value since 2007.

Incidentally, despite CBN’s promotion of electronic platforms, for claim settlements, Nigerians still carry significant cash values for a wide range of transactions. In this event, former CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi, sought to introduce a N5000 note to facilitate

Business & Economy Nigerian car manufacturers commence exportation

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ome manufacturers of made-in-Nigeria cars may soon join their counterparts globally as they have commenced exporting their vehicles to other African Countries.

The Director General, National Automotive Council (NAC), Alhaji Aminu Jacal disclosed this in a stakeholders meeting in Lagos recently.

Jacal said an Nnewi-based car manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company is already in the lead as they have also exported their brands to C M Y K

neighbouring Ghana, while another Nigerian based manufacturer is exporting to South Africa and Central African Republic for peacekeeping operations.

“They are also exporting more Nigerian vehicles to Rwanda and in fact the President of Rwanda uses vehicles made in Nigeria,” he hinted, adding that although South Africa remains a hub of vehicle assembly in Africa but that in no distant time, Nigeria may take over as the highest vehicle manufacturer in the continent.

The Director-General further stated that the council had

carried out research in Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) countries on how to encourage vehicle exportation within the sub region, stressing that the Nigerian manufacturers were given incentives to encourage vehicle exportation although other foreign investors are also involved in the arrangement.

“The incentives we gave out to the various investors are to encourage export, because in West Africa we are the only country that can establish assembly plants,” Jacal noted.

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Continues from Page 5 Ambode as winner at about 7. 30 pm having satisfied all the requirements in line with the electoral act He said both parties scored 25 percent of votes cast in 20 local government areas.

While describing the exercise as one of the most credible elections in the country, Adewole expressed his appreciation to INEC officials, security agencies, IG, Suleiman Abba and AIG, Joseph Mbu and other security agencies for providing adequate security as there was no recorded life loss throughout the exercise.

Representatives of each of the contesting political parties later signed the result sheets.

Ambode, in a swift reaction to his victory as posted on his facebook, thanked all Lagos residents for trusting him and promised to fufill all his campaign promises in collaboration with them.

He said: “Thank You

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APC sweeps gov polls Lagosians we promise to serve you better. Thank you for trusting APC, we will work harder to serve you better.”

Cancelled votes Some results were cancelled in some polling units in areas like: Mushin, Kosofe, Agege Alimosho, Epe. The electoral officers said the results were cancelled for electoral offences such as over-voting and thuggery.

Elliot, Lai Mohammed’s son, others declared winners as Obanikoro, Ajomale’s sons lose The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has made in-road into the Lagos State House of Assembly, winning six of the 18 seats so far declared. Results for 22 constituencies are being awaited. Among the six

PDP House memberselect is an Igbo, Mr Emeka Idimogu elected to represent Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II. This is as Nollywood star, Desmond Elliot of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Surulere I constituency and Lai Mohammed’s son, Folajimi also of the APC won the Ikeja I seat.

Meanwhile, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s son, Babajide and Chief Henry Ajomale’s son, Olayinka, failed to win their constituencies. Babajide ran in Eti-Osa II while Olayinka sought for the Oshodi-Isolo II seat.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the APC; Ajomale is the Lagos State Chairman of the APC while Senator Obanikoro is Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Those elected include: Desmond Elliot (Surulere I), APC Mrs Mosunmola Sangodara-Rotimi (Surulere

II), PDP Mr Folajimi Mohammed (Ikeja I), APC Adedamola Kasunmu (Ikeja II), APC Mr Wasiu Sanni (Lagos Island I), APC Mr Giwa Shakirudeeen (Lagos Island II), APC Mr Adekanye Oladele (Lagos Mainland I), APC Mr Moshood Olarenwaju Oshun (Lagos Mainland II), APC Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin I), APC Hon. Olayiwola Olawale (Mushin II), APC Dipo Olorunrinu (Amuwo-Odofin I), PDP Hakeem Bello (Amuwo-Odofin II), PDP Mr Mudashiru Obasa (Agege I), APC Mr Ishahu Gbolahan (Eti-Osa I), APC Mr Kazeem Alimi (EtiOsa II), APC Mr Oluwa Olatunji Fatai (Ajeromi-Ifelodun II), PDP Mr Shokunle Hakeem (Oshodi-Isolo I), PDP Mr Emeka Idimogu (Oshodi-Isolo II), PDP

PDP wins 19 House seats in Ondo as two die The PDP in Ondo State won 19 of the 24 house of Assembly seats declared by INEC in the last Saturday election just as two hoodlums were shot dead for hijacking electoral materials.

It’s main opposition APC secured five seats while the results of Ilaje 1 and 11 constituencies were declared inconclusive.

The PDP won in Idanre, Ifedore, Ese Odo, Akure South 1, Akure North, Akoko South East, Akoko North West 11, Akoko North East, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Irele, Odigbo 1 and Odigbo11, Okitipupa 1 and Okitipupa 11, Ondo East, Ondo West 1 and Ondo West 11, Ose, and Owo 1.

The opposition APC won the seats in Owo11, Akoko North West 1,

Akoko South West 1, Akoko South west 11 and Akure South 11.

Addressing newsmen in Akure yesterday on the outcome of the Saturday poll, the Resident Electoral Commissioner Olusegun Agbaje said that the two electoral offenders were shot dead by Naval Officers in the oil rich Ilaje areas of the state.

Agbaje added that eight guns, six mobile phones belonging to INEC Ad-Hoc staff and other materials belonging to the commission were recovered from the hoodlums.

Speaking on the election results Agbaje said over 35,000 voters were disenfranchised in the 73 units in Ilaje constituencies where electoral materials were hijacked by the hoodlums.

Agbaje said that the election was characterized by low turn out of voters across the state and pockets of security breaches in Continues from Page 58

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

100 health professionals acquire special skills in Anambra State

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

N

O less than 100 health pro fessionals in Onitsha, Anambra state have undergone hands-on skills training in various health fields including Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, proper usage of a defibrillator machine, and the use of an Epinephrine pen for anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions.

At the training sessions conducted by the Anambra Business Coalition, ABC, a Public Private Partnership, of the Anambra State government in collaboration with RISE Health Corporation, RHC, a US-based organisation represented locally by RISE Clinic Nigeria at Adazi-Ani in Anaocha LGA, The training was aimed at boosting manpower development in the health sector, in preparation for the challenges ahead in the health sector reforms in the state,under a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and RHC. Speaking at the event, the state

Governor, Willie Obiano, said it was also to stem the tide of "brain drain phenomenon" which is presently at an alarming proportion and which led to the exodus of highly skilled healthcare pro-

The training was aimed at boosting manpower development in the health sector, in preparation for the challenges ahead in the health sector reforms in the state, under an MoU between the state government and RHC

• Participants at the training session being conducted by officials of RISE Health Corporation, USA.

fessionals out of the country to seek greener pasture, and also to institute proper training arrangement to boost manpower development within the health sector in the state.

Obiano acknowledged the fact that the state’s health professionals drifting to the developed countries were looking for greater career opportunities, higher salary scale and better living conditions, which explained why the state administration is out to find a lasting solution to the challenge. which he said is currently crip-

pling the country's health sector as it leads to a deficiency of qualified healthcare workers to properly carter for the growing population.

Obiano said as one of the primary objectives of the Hospital Re-engineering Project, HRP, the newly established Anambra Business Coalition, ABC, was designed to provide over 30,000 professional training hours to build the healthcare workforce in the state by the end of 2017.

The programme, supervised by Chief Executive Officer, RISE

Clinic Nigeria, and Dr. Hien Tran, Vice-President, RISE Health Corporation, USA, kicked weekend at White Castle Hotel, Neni, Anaocha LGA, when the ABC hosted its maiden Basic Life Support trainings for over 100 healthcare professional students and community members.

Participants from different communities including Orumba North, Ogbaru and Anaocha LGA received e area received training from experts Neurology Unit at Eden Medical Center in Northern California.

Sanofi Pasteur, APHPN advocate food safety standards

• L-R: Mrs. Kehinde Daniel,Chairperson Institute of Hospitality Nigeria; Dr Kehinde Daniel,Past Chairman, APHPN; Mrs Ovy Ohioze, Head,Business Operations, Sanofi Pasteur; Dr Doyin Odubanjo, Chairman APHPN; Dr. Kubie Layeni-Adeyemo, Director Occupational Staff Health Services, Lagos State, and Dr Tomi Odugbemi during World Health Day media forum organised by the APHPN in conjuction with Sanofi Pasteur in Lagos last week. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

By Sola Ogundipe

W

ORRIED by the proliferation of food and water borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases in Nigeria,

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, in partnership with the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, APHPN, Lagos Chapter, have called for an effective and sustained food safety and hygiene

quality assurance system to be in place in the country.

Speaking at a media forum to herald this year’s World Health Day with the theme “Food Safety” and slogan: "From Farm to Plate,

Make Food Safe", a public health physician and APHPN member, Dr. Omotomilayo Odugbemi, observed that food safety is an all comers’ affair and does not stop on the plate.

Odugbemi who gave an overview of food safety in the country, said the main aim is to prevent food borne illnesses (food borne diseases and food poisoning).

“Everyone has a role to play. It is multisectoral and multidisciplinary involving an effective team work of all those responsible and use of mass and social media.

“Food safety is the responsibility of all including consumers. People have to see the need for ensuring food is safe for human consumption by playing their part.” Odugbemi argued that people should make informed and appropriate food choices and embrace acceptable behaviours, know common food hazards, how to handle food safely and if applicable read/use the information provided in food labelling.

In the view of General Manager, Sanofi Pasteur English Speaking East & West Africa, Paul Njoroge, “Creating a forumto raise

awareness on the importance of preventing food and water-borne diseases, awakening all stakeholders from governments to producers, providers and consumers on their role in ensuring sustainable food safety and the provision of superioir and innovative vaccines for the prevention of diseases will culminate to the achievement of our vision of a world in who no one suffers or dies from a vaccine-preventable disease.”

Njoroge who recalled the recommendation of the World Health Organisation, WHO, that vaccines are available to protect more than 26 infectious diseases, said Sanofi Pasteur has a broad range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases including foodborne and waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

Also speaking, Head of Public Affairs, Sanofi, Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Oladimeji Agbolade calledfor improved awareness on the part of food handlers and food producers. “Food can become contaminated at any point of production and distribution, and the primary responsibility lies with food producers and the wider community,” he noted.

Vanguard, MONDAY MONDAY,, APRIL 13, 2015—47

Epe boat mishap: No foul play or spiritual undertone — Palace •Victims did not wear life jackets Stories by Bose Adelaja N April 2, 2011, the Epe community in Lagos State was thrown into mourning following the death of its former local government chairman, Mufutau Remilekun, who drowned along with one other person.

Not only was the incident a tragic one in the history of the town, it also affected its political fortune and stability due to the fact that the incident occurred few days to the general elections that year.

Four years after the boat mishap which sent Mufutau to his early grave, a similar incident was recorded on Saturday March 28, 2015, the day set aside for the much awaited presidential and national assembly elections in the country.

On that fateful Saturday, five illustrious sons of the land, including the Olu of Epe’s son, lost their lives, no thanks to a boat mishap which occurred around 2pm when the victims were heading to a polling booth to cast their votes.

O

Forces beyond control Though their intention was solely to exercise their civic rights, it had ended as a journey of no return or a mission that was tragically aborted by forces beyond their control.

Nine passengers were on board the ill-fated boat from Marine Road to Mahusa. Five passengers met their tragic end when the boat capsized a stone’s throw from the polling booth. The dead included two siblings, Gbolahan and Wale Mogaji(Wale was a director in the Lagos State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs; Aremo Kunle Adewale, an All Progressives Congress, APC chairmanship aspirant for Epe local government; Muiz Bello and Samsideen Agoro.

The incident had triggered shock and confusion among the residents with many, saying it had a spiritual undertone, while others dismissed this, attributing it to an act of God. The victims

C M Y K

have since been buried according to Muslim rites. Indeed those in the position to know used the occasion of the Fidau prayers last week Saturday to dismiss any insinuation linking the death of the deceased to any foul play or spiritual undertone.

Last Monday, Vanguard was in Epe community where The Secretary to the Eko-Epe palace, Alhaji Otunmuniru Ishola, had the opportunity to bare his mind on the incident when Vanguard Metro, VM, visited last week. He assured that the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased would not put undue pressure on the people or undermine the political determination of the town to do what is right.

VM observed during the visit that the bill boards displaying the victims’ photographs were placed at the entrance and junctions of the town although the palace said the community has accepted the incident in good faith. The palace secretary who described the incident as unfortunate, said the community has prayed against similar occurrences in the ancient town.

He said the community does not ascribe any spiritual or traditional implication to the incident, a reason why the deceased were

The king is picking up very well, he had come to terms with the reality of the tragic incidente and normalcy has returned to the town

Alhaji Otunmuniru Ishola buried in different locations and not at the river bank, according to traditional belief. Ishola told VM the incident has attracted people from far and wide who have been paying condolence visits to the town.

Epe community comprises EkoEpe and Ijebu-Epe with Olu of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale and Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animasawun as the traditional rulers. Before the tragic incident, a traditional festival, Kolajolu (a masquerade festival) was to take place on Saturday April 4 but this was postponed as a result of the Fidau prayers.

The secretary also said the incident was a set back to the

community due to the fact that all those who died were illustrious sons of the land. “The Mogajis were blood brothers who travelled home from overseas to support their friend, while Muiz and Adewale have done their accreditation and wanted to cast their vote when the boat capsized,” he informed. Going down memory lane, the secretary attributed the incident to overloading, saying none of the victims wore life jackets during the boat ride. They had all done their accreditation but only Muiz’ wife had cast her vote as she was escorted to the Riverine area Booth 016 Ere-Ise, Epe. But the victims never returned to their

polling booths before the incident. ‘’They went there in a bigger boat but returned in a smaller boat. Everything was going well until they got to the middle of the sea,’’ he said mournfully.

The monarch mourns: The Olu of Epe ,Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale was said to be greatly touched by the incident though he was not available for comments. But the secretary said the king was making every effort to recover from the shock of the incident. “The king is picking up very well, he had come to terms with the reality of the tragic incident and normalcy has returned to the town.”

Club houses record low patronage: In spite of the Easter celebrations that Monday, club houses and relaxation centres recorded low turn out of people, although the palace secretary did not comment on this.

Political activities: Political meetings were held in some parts of the town as some residents claimed the political activities should not be allowed to suffer due to the tragic incident. Alhaji Ishola was optimistic that the town would still present other illustrious sons for political offices.”We usually look unto the Prince for chieftaincy matters but his death has created a serious vacuum and this will not be easy to fill. Our consolation is that we have many illustrious sons and daughters who can handle state matters. Epe is an APC town and we shall not relent because we hope to win the next elections,” he said.

Spirit of Lagos awards citizens

A

S part of its activities to encourage civic and selfless responsibilities in Lagos, Spirit of Lagos, a behavioural transformation initiative, has announced it would hold an award ceremony on May 27, 2015 to celebrate individual and corporate citizens of Lagos who have displayed selfless, civic responsibility and neighbourly acts to effect positive change in Lagos in the last few years.

Olaniyi Omotoso, Project Director, Spirit of Lagos, announced this at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, saying that the ceremony, tagged Citizens’ Day, is part of ongoing Spirit of Lagos activities to encourage Lagos residents to restore, share and protect those values that made Lagos great.

He informed that the awards ceremony which will be in three categories – individual, public service and corporate organizations – will be chaired by His Excellency, Babatunde

Fashola, Executive Governor of Lagos State at a grand event to commemorate the 48th year of the creation of Lagos State.

The individual category includes Lifetime Achievement Award – for an elderly citizen, living or dead, who has impacted positively on the state; Award for Community Development – for a citizen who has impacted positively on his/her community; Award for Exceptional Community – for a community that has been able to do exceptional things through collaborative efforts; and Award for Exceptional Youth– for a young resident between the ages of 18 and 25 , with a strong commitment to societal good.

The Public Service categories include Lifetime Achievement Award, Role Model Award and Rising Star Award, and will reward employees of the Lagos State civil service who have demonstrated dedicated and excellent performances in the discharge of their duties.

The corporate organizations category will recognize and honour socially responsible corporate bodies – multinationals, emerging corporate bodies and small and medium scale enterprises – that have, in very tangible ways, given back to the society in which they operate.

According to Omotoso: “The award is to inspire and acknowledge good behavior as well as engender and sustain attitudinal change among Lagos residents. The search for these exceptional citizens and organizations will extend all the 57 LGAs/LCDAs in the state and will give residents the opportunity to identify and nominate those who they feel are worthy of the awards in their localities.”

He informed that a panel of judges made up of men and women of impeccable character and standing in the society will be appointed to screen and shortlist the prospective nominees.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

•Buhari: President-elect

Hurricane Buhari makes landfall

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

A

HURRICANE is a huge storm that normally clears almost every physical impediment on its way.

Hurricane Buhari had been long in formation. When it made landfall two weeks ago, it comprehensively removed the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from the gears of governance at the presidency and parliament.

It was such a comedown for a party whose officials not too long ago boasted that they would rule the country for an uninterrupted 60 year stretch.

Unlike most hurricanes that lose momentum and savagery as they go inland, Hurricane Buhari after two weeks was not less savaging as indications showed from the governorship and state legislative elections at the weekend.

National party Governor Sule Lamido, one of the nine men who first conceived the idea of a national party in 1998 and which eventually crystallised into the PDP, had until few weeks ago stood like a colossus in Jigawa State and had virtually run the opposition out of town.

Reflective of his towering political image in the state, Governor Lamido had boasted of delivering the state to the PDP’s presidential candidate in the

EGOS were bruised when long-standing patrons who for long dictated the pace and pattern of policies and politics were buried after the governorship elections last weekend.

2015 election, President Goodluck Jonathan.

In the end not only did he fail to deliver the state to his party, his candidate also failed to grab 25 per cent of the votes.

All three All Progressives Congress, APC, Senate candidates also rode on the coattails of Buhari’s victory to win the three Senate seats for the APC. Those who thought that the National Assembly election was a fluke for the APC candidates in Jigawa State, would have been shaken to the roots with the phenomenal results that emerged from last weekend’s governorship election which saw Governor Lamido’s chosen successor lose out in the contest to Buhari’s man.

Alhaji Ibrahim Ringim, Lamido’s chief of staff for eight years and before then, chief of staff to his predecessor was thrashed in the election that many had before the advent of the Buhari phenomenon taken as a shoo-in for the governorship.

The defeat of Governor Lamido’s man was despite the governor’s acclaimed ranking as one of the best performing governors of the 2007 to 2011 set.

It was not just in Jigawa. In Benue a state that the PDP had steered almost unchallenged fell

like a pack of cards to the APC last weekend.

The development in Benue was, however, not too surprising given the difficulties of the PDP in navigating the rough terrains set by the outgoing government’s inabilities of paying salaries to civil servants in the public service dominated state.

Despite past waves of the Buhari phenomenon, the PDP

It was such a comedown for a party whose officials not too long ago boasted that they would rule the country for an uninterrupted 60 year stretch

had almost always deflected the waves from berthing in Katsina and Kaduna Government Houses. However, last weekend, the PDP embankments easily collapsed on the strength of what some psephologists attributed to the restraining influence of the card reader.

Gen. Buhari had before now almost always had a problem winning the governorship for his party on account of the internal divisions among his local supporters in his home base.

However, this time, the general had cleaned his home of all such challenges and was able to make a near clean sweep of the governorship and almost every electable office in Katsina State despite the sway of an incumbent PDP governor.

Even more remarkable is the fact that Governor Ibrahim Shema has in his two terms just like his predecessor, the late Umaru Yar‘Adua been acclaimed for his excellent performance in office.

It was particularly bad for the PDP in Kaduna State where the party lost to the APC despite being the government in power and being the home state of the incumbent and outgoing vicepresident, Arc. Namadi Sambo.

The result was particularly

remarkable as the PDP failed to mobilise the votes from its traditional strongholds in Southern Kaduna.

It was a sweet revenge also for Buhari in Bauchi when he recovered the state after what associates claimed was the political treachery of the outgoing governor of the state, Isa Yuguda who after coming to power on the coattails of the Buhari phenomenon in 2007 decamped from the former All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. Buhari’s conquest of the political space, however, still remained what some allege to be a sectional wonder. The SouthSouth and Southeast remained almost unaffected by the ravaging Buhari phenomenon.

Despite the APC’s strength and structures in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, the party was unable to make significant gains in the elections that were according to almost every account marred by violence and were allegedly manipulated.

Reflective of the PDP’s determination to create a fortification against the Buhari phenomenon in the Southeast, Vanguard learned of the mobilisation of some of its national officers to the region in the days before the election.

Fighting off the attacks One of the national officers, Chief Olisa Metuh, was reportedly well engaged in fighting off the attacks by the APC in Imo State and that from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State.

Remarkably, the difficulties of the PDP in Abia State where APGA was yesterday seriously facing off a challenge from the PDP was largely removed from the Buhari effect.

In Adamawa State, the Buhari hurricane also ravaged what was left of the political weight of the former anti-graft czar, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who moved from being a failed presidential candidate to a failed governorship candidate.

Remarkably, the PDP for the first time lost control of the state to another party on the wave of the momentum for Buhari.

For some inexplicable reasons, Buhari failed to win the presidential election in Nasarawa State despite having an incumbent APC governor in office two weeks ago.

However, Governor Al Makura, however, recovered to win the governorship for himself last weekend putting some fibre to his own political mettle.

An exceptional survivor was Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State who survived penultimate’s rout of the PDP across the state to stage himself for a second term inauguration on the platform of the PDP.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—49

GOV POLLS: Defeat of the incumbents THE April 11 governorship and State House of Assembly elections recorded some major upsets at the end of the exercise.

Perhaps this can be attributed to the recent victory of the President-elect, Maj-Gen Muhammudu Buhari (retd) at the presidential polls a forth night ago where he defeated the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.

Winners have been in a joyful mood while the losers are already sulking over defeat.

Both the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, recorded defeats in some of their strongholds in the governorship race.

While the APC made some inroads to the PDP strongholds, the latter did not rest on its oars.

By Dapo Akinrefon

K

ADUNA: In Kaduna, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, defeated Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero, who incidentally is the incumbent.

The death of Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa paved way for Yero’s emergence as the governor of Kaduna State.

It was assumed that with the image of Vice President Namadi Sambo, who also hails from the state, Yero would have had a smooth ride.

•el-rufai

Growing popularity But that was never to be. The growing popularity of Mallam el-Rufai and the Buhari tsunami were factors that contributed to the APC gaining upper hand in the governorship polls.

And the PDP lost It was not a surprise that the PDP lost out in some governorship and assembly seats across the federation.

The reason for the PDP’s dismal performance in the second batch of the polls could be attributed to the outcome of the presidential and parliamentary elections, where

•Yero •Jonathan Buhari mauled the president despite the power of

incumbency. The party also lost out in Adamawa,Jigawa,

Bauchi, Katsina, Niger and Benue states where second

term governors handpicked the party’s candidates to replace them in office.

GOMBE: A fight between old friends The development did not also go down well with Nafada who also went for the position.

Remarkably, all of them were in the PDP then and Goje, being the godfather succeeded eventually in his preferred choice.

But things have since changed for the quartet.

Goje, Yahaya, Nafada had all ditched PDP for APC where they all sought the mandate of Gombe North and Central respectively. Fortunately, they won.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

L

ARGELY, the 2015 contest had the trappings of the last governorship election in 2011 when the former governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje adopted incumbent Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo as both his political god son and candidate for the office.

It was an epic battle that brought together four friends who got divided consequently upon their parallel interests.

They included Goje, his erstwhile Commissioner for Finance, Inuwa Yahaya, Dankwambo who then just resigned as the AccountantGeneral of the federation and Usman Nafada who was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

•Goje

•Dankwambo

Goje’s interest in Dankwambo obviously stranded his relationship with

Yahaya who had earlier indicated interest in the first office.

Governorship ticket For Yahaya, the governorship ticket that was difficult for him in 2011 came handy in 2015 courtesy of the

same Goje who never wanted him.

Analysts say this was however a conspiracy to edge Dankwambo out having fallen apart with Goje.

Anyone who is familiar with Gombe politics would obviously not underestimate Goje’s influence.

True to predictions, Goje demonstrated his political finesse on March 28 National Assembly election, defeated his former godson and former chairman of his Akko Local government, Alhaji Kumo Bello.

The APC also won the other two Senate seats.

But the April 11 contest has pulled a surprise to many people who thought that Goje

Continues on page 50

50—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

By Charles Kumolu

T

HE voter apathy that marked the governorship and state assembly elections across Nigeria, represents a sharp contrast to the impressive enthusiasm displayed by voters during the presidential election.

It is a development that has left many wondering what could have suddenly eroded the new-found interest in the electoral process, which many thought had come to stay.

The low turnout was so obvious that every part of the political divide was gripped with fear over what it portended for the exercise and the polity.

The development propelled party chieftains, officials of Independent Electoral Commission, INEC and voters to express concern.

However, some key issues believed to be responsible for the dismal participation include: the effect of President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss, MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari’s factor, functionality of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs), fear of violence, poor voter education and INEC factor among others.

Smart card readers In spite of local and international commendations trailing the usage of the SCRs during the presidential poll, many voters still have little or no confidence in the device.

Their indifference towards the SCRs which was introduced to minimise rigging, stemmed from the peculiar technical flaws associated with its usage.

Given that these challenges accounted for the inability of some to vote during the presidential poll, the fear of recurrence was rife during the governorship elections, hence the decision not to participate.

Some, who spoke to Vanguard during the governorship cited the scepticism over SCRs as responsible for their indifference.

After-effect of PDP’s loss Even though most postelection predictions had foretold Buhari’s triumph over Jonathan, a few who were surprised by the victory are still sulking.

Most affected in this regard are committed members of the PDP and a chunk of the President’s admirers.

This element manifested so much in places where voters had come out en mass during the presidential election.

The bandwagon effect on the

•Ballot box

POLLS: Why apathy stole the show PDP, which has been manifesting through the wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress, APC, no doubt seems like a mortal blow and and resulted in the poor enthusiasm displayed on the election day.

Buhari factor It is not in dispute that Buhari literally became a movement in the days leading to the presidential poll.

It was this popular appeal that saw him shattering all the barriers that had historically nurtured voter’s apathy in the country.

For most analysts, this unprecedented interest in the political process displayed during the presidential poll, was not unconnected to the desire for change which Buhari seems to epitomise.

With the objectives behind the popular enthusiasm achieved, many were not too concerned about the governorship exercise, which they felt mattered less.

Fear of violence Increasing wave violence across Nigeria which has become the saddest commentary about the general elections, also discouraged voters from voting.

The worst hit are traditional

volatile states across the country where pockets of violence were recorded before

Given that these challenges accounted for the inability of some to vote during the presidential poll, the fear of recurrence was rife during the governorship elections, hence the decision not to participate

and during the elections.

Even in states not known for high incidents of electoral violence, local rivalry among party supporters, unarguably, increased the level of apathy.

Reported cases of electoral violence recorded during the governorship elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ebonyi, Benue, Kebbi and Bauchi, speak volumes about how the fear of violence scared people away from the polling units.

The violence in these seven states led to 16 deaths. Five persons were feared killed in Benue; four in Kebbi; two each in Rivers and Lagos; and one each in Plateau, Bauchi and Ebonyi.

Poor voter education In face of encomiums pouring in for INEC over the

credibility of the polls, it is believed that the commission performed poorly in the area of voter education.

Though there is a traditional pre-conceived notion among Nigerians that the outcome of most elections is pre determined, in the reckoning of analysts, voter apathy would have been prevented with a robust voter enlightenment.

INEC had inaugurated the National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on Voter Education and Publicity (NICVEP) to ensure proper coordination and monitoring of voter education nation wide and to ensure participation of marginalised groups. But opinions are divided on whether or not the committee achieved its objectives.

GOMBE: A fight between old friends Continues from page 49 would have succeeded in his quest to unseat Dankwambo.

Luckily for the governor, he was declared winner.

INEC State returning Officer, Professor Saminu Ibrahim who announced the result said that Dankwambo

polled a total of 285,369 votes to beat APC ‘s Yahaya who trailed behind with 205,132 votes.

However, the result released at the State Collation Centre, also indicated that there were incidents of ballot box snatching at many polling units which forced the cancellation of election in

those units.

For instance, the Palace of the District Head of Kashere which is Goje’s home town was razed down.

Meanwhile, the results of the state assembly polls were being awaited as at the time of filing this report.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—51

plot and hence decided to contest on the platform of the Labour Party.

It was on the wake of this that rumours of a speculated alignment between Accord and President Jonathan emerged.

One of the opposition parties was said to have broadcast the secret alliance that Senator Ladoja allegedly had with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ladoja, however, denied it but his attempts to wash himself off the ‘stigma’, was unsuccessful.

OYO: And Ajimobi broke the jinx

By Ola Ajayi BEFORE my assumption of office, there had never been an Ajimobi. I am the first one that bears the name and I will be the first Ajimobi to break the jinx of second term – Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Given Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s well known speaking abilities, his assertion had been taken as another of his jokes.

But, as the Chief Collation Officer for the election, Prof.

Ayobami Salami, declared the results of the governorship election yesterday, Ajimobi’s “prophecy ” to the consternation of his political foes turned into a stunning reality.

Since the inception of the Pacesetter State, it had almost become a spell that no governor would govern the state for two consecutive terms. Except him, all previous governors had tried and failed to cross the hurdles.

The casualties of that political curse were indeed on parade last weekend in their desperate effort to overturn it. Ajimobi was locked in combat with two former governors Rasheed Ladoja and Adebayo AlaoAkala who had fallen after a single term each.

As with other governors before him, the Ibadan people,

By Gbenga Oke

I

T was a disaster long predicted to happen. When eventually the presidential election took place penultimate weekend, it neither passed the benchmark of the foreign observers nor that of many other domestic observers.

The violence that marred the presidential election in the state was as expected escalated during the governorship and legislative elections given the determination of the local champions to sustain their political leverages.

In the end as many as six persons were killed and many others injured in the election that as at press time was predicted to return the PDP to power.

The incumbent governor of the state, Governor Rotimi Amaechi who marshalled the successful All Progressives Congress, APC presidential campaign has, however, cried foul alleging that elections did not take place in most areas of the country. According to him the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP simply wrote

Pockets of violence

•Ajimobi

irrespective of the governor’s performances in office, believe you are asking too much to be eyeing the second term where you have several qualified people on the queue.

The intrigues that came to play before he broke the jinx were remarkable. Ajimobi was said to have reserved a senatorial

ticket for Akala just to ease him out of the way. He left it open for a long time and when Akala seemed not be interested, the governor gave it to Fatai Buhari who is also a force to reckon with in Ogbomoso axis.

Still poised to ensure Ajimobi did not win, the opposition parties came together when they noticed that Ajimobi might

be too hard to beat. But, the conspiracy soon vanished as neither Alao-Akala nor Ladoja agreed to step down.

There was no gainsaying the fact that the crisis that finally nailed the PDP to the coffin paved the way for Ajimobi and made the race much easier for him. There was jubilation among the APC members when PDP settled for Senator Teslim Folarin as the party ’s governorship candidate.

Just few weeks to the election, there were so many subtle moves to use an Ibadan indigene so that Ibadan people could vote for the candidate chosen. But, Akala, who is from Ogbomoso did not buy the idea and refused to be part of the

When all these known moves failed, there was a plan to cause pockets of violence in some parts of the city so that the election could be postponed.

Another factor that probably helped Ajimobi to change the history of the state was the alleged betrayal by some party agents who reportedly compromised and sold out their loyalty for money.

When it was clear that Ajimobi would win the election, his Commissioner for Works, Bimbo Kolade who was moving on the election day was attacked by hoodlums who inflicted injuries on him.

All these failed to change the history which was about to be written. The results were announced and Governor Ajimobi clinched the victory.

RIVERS: What happened? results with the assistance of security men.

To many, several issues led to the fracas, bombings and shootings that turned the state into a war zone and led to the relegation of the peace accord signed by the PDP governorship candidate, Nyesom Wike and Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of APC.

the state became more volatile in the build up to the elections.

During the governorship elections, some Okrika people also claimed there was widespread intimidation of voters a development that reportedly made many voters to stay away from the polls.

Governorship candidate Even though Rivers is considered a stronghold of the PDP, the movement of Governor Amaechi into the APC led to the shift of political allegiances that made the state a battle ground state.

This was especially given the fact that the outgoing First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan hails from the state.

One puzzle for many is the incongruity of Amaechi delivering only 65,000 plus votes to his candidate in the presidential election when

•Amaechi

the PDP scored more than 1,4 million votes.

The conclusions by some analysts posited that the situation in Rivers can simply be termed as the more you look, the less you see.

The First Lady factor The first lady is seen by many as the brain behind the victory of PDP in Rivers State

and though she was not very visible in the last days, she was reported to have returned to her native Okirika base last Thursday to plan the last onslaughts against Amaechi’s political legacy.

She has been accused of fanning the embers of discord in the build up to the general elections and her factor was one of the major reasons why

Ethnicity Ethnicity was a major factors that brought about trouble ahead of the governorship polls. There was division among elders in the state on whom to vote for as the battle was simply seen as that between the upland and the Riverrine areas.

While it is believed it’s the turn of the Riverrine people to produce a governor of the state, the entrance of Wike into the race eventually threw majority of the people off the balance.

That was against the background of the fact that Wike is from the same Ikwere ethnic group that produced Amaechi as governor.

52—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

•Tambuwal

•Masari

FROM PODIUM TO PALACE:

The story of Masari and Tambuwal

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE two men also share the uncommon virtue of having presided over the most stable chambers of the House of Representatives in the Fourth Republic. Speaker Masari was the first and only one to complete a four-year stint as a speaker without being removed from office. Tambuwal, however, would miss that mark by a few days as he would be sworn in as governor of Sokoto State few days to reaching the four year mark.

All other presiding officers of the House had their stewardships truncated or were called in to complete the tenure earlier commenced by someone else.

Political intrigues The first speaker of the House in the Fourth Republic, Alhaji Salisu Buhari was forced out of office after only few months in office and was replaced by Alhaji Ghali Na‘abba who completed the tenure of the House.

Na‘abba’s bid to return to office was swallowed in deep political intrigues as he lost the main election after easily winning the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ticket. It was widely alleged that his party worked against him in the election as it was claimed that the leadership of the party did not want him back in the House as a punishment for the troubles he caused to President Olusegun Obasanjo in the first term.

Next month kick-starts a remarkable political encore for two of the country’s foremost parliamentarians. Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the House of Representatives and former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari will become the first presiding officers of the House ever to become governors.

In his place, Masari from Katsina State emerged as speaker. Masari rode out controversies that emerged towards the end of his tenure after he made a bid for the governorship of his state on the platform of the PDP. His bold attempt, however, ended in a political calamity as he was reportedly schemed out by the then governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Umaru Yar‘adua. A bitter Masari took his own pound of flesh when he openly sided with Governor Peter Odili against Governor Yar‘adua in the presidential primaries of the PDP. His bid failed and it was not surprising that after Yar‘adua emerged as president of the country that he went into near political oblivion.

Following the death of Yar‘adua there were reports of him trying to emerge among the reformists group in the PDP but their efforts were largely ignored

by President Goodluck Jonathan who eventually sided with the powerful gang of governors who wanted a sustenance of the status quo. In apparent frustration, Masari crossed over to team up with General Muhammadu Buhari and became fanatically involved in the movement to enthrone Buhari as president on the platform of the newly registered Congress for

Progressive Change, CPC. He also aspired to the governorship of Katsina State on the platform of CPC, however, his bid was swallowed up in the intra-party crisis that bedevilled the party in Katsina State.

Senator Garba Lado, a one-time close associate of Yar‘adua who lost out in the PDP after the death of the president had muscled his way into the CPC leading to the party’s presentation of two slates

All other presiding officers of the House had their stewardships truncated or were called in to complete the tenure earlier commenced by someone else

of candidates for the governorship and National Assembly elections.

It was no surprise that in the general election that the divided ranks of the CPC lost the governorship of the state to Governor Ibrahim Shema of the PDP in 2011. Masari, however, abided and was able to weather the storm this time to emerge first as the APC candidate and then governor-elect.

Speaker Tambuwal’s road to the governorship of Sokoto was, however, not as troubled as Masari’s.

Tambuwal’s emergence as governor-elect yesterday was shaped by many political intrigues weaved around a seeming romantic affection for one of the most energetic presiding officers of the Fourth Republic.

Tambuwal’s engagement with parliament ironically was helped by the man he defeated in the governorship contest last Saturday. Tambuwal had relocated from Sokoto to Abuja at the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 to work as the senior legislative aide to Senator Abdallah Wali, the First Senate leader in 1999.

He remained in that office even after Wali took the unprecedented decision to resign as Senate Leader when Enwerem was removed from office despite the

fact that, he Wali, was not indicted for any offence. Tambuwal remained in office until he decided to seek election to the House of Representatives in the Tambuwal Federal Constituency.

His decision, however, stoked the beginning of his departure from the political path of Wali as he sought election on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. Tambuwal was the energetic legislator whose prospects for higher office were easy to decipher. In 2007 he again shifted allegiance to the PDP after the political meltdown of the ANPP in Sokoto State. He emerged as deputy whip of the House that same year despite being new in the PDP. At the beginning of his third term in 2011, Tambuwal weaved a political alliance with PDP members in the House to frustrate the zoning permutation of his party and emerge speaker of the House despite the party ’s preference for a candidate from the Southwest.

The party leadership apparently did not forgive him.

Tambuwal’s tactful response to the hostility of the establishment was to endear himself to all House members creating one of the most stable chambers of the Fourth Republic. His diplomacy and discretion easily overwhelmed the subterfuges that laid against him. Last November, Tambuwal eventually sought political shelter in the newly created APC and became the first speaker of the House of Representatives in the Fourth Republic to have flown the flag of the PDP.

Security details Vengance was quick in coming, but he weathered it all including a calculated attempt last year to fence him out from a House sitting last December. His security details were also withdrawn.

At a point as his popularity soared within and outside the House, Tambuwal became the focus of political pundits for the 2015 presidential contest and it was not surprising when more than two dozen House members bought the presidential form of the APC for him last November.

However, in the end, with the Sokoto governorship zoned to him as a person by his benefactors in Sokoto, and with the party establishment determined to reap the benefits of the Buhari phenomenon, the speaker opted for Sokoto governorship.

Yesterday, his quest came to fruition to the consternation of his one-time mentor, Wali. But almost everyone who has felt the dexterity of Mr. Speaker knows that the Sokoto governorship is a stepping stone to further heights.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015—53

DELTA GOV POLL: Okowa in early lead zAs Ogboru vows to challenge result in court

By Festus Ahon, Egufe Yafugborhi, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

A

SABA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is leading in results from 14 local government areas of Delta State out of 17 so far declared by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, in the governorship election, beating the candidate of Labour Party, LP, Chief Great Ogboru, who has won in three local government areas.

The Collation Officers of the various councils in the state announced the results at the INEC headquarters in Asaba under the supervision of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, with the Labour Party coming a distant second.

The collation officers started turning in the results of the election as early as 5a.m., Sunday, with the three major contending political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Labour Party, LP and PDP, maintaining the top three positions.

At press time, the results from 17 councils had been announced with the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in early lead with a total score of 535,513 votes while the candidates of LP, Chief Ogboru and APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor polling 98,775 and 53,600 to come second and third respectively.

Breakdown of the results as announced by INEC officials are as follows: Oshimili North: APC 978, LP 505 and PDP 19368. OshimiliSouth: APC 1253, LP 1218 and PDP 47938.

Bomadi: APC 594, LP 748 and PDP 51974.

Others include Isoko North: APC 4502, LP 748 and PDP 51,974. Okpe: APC 3,706, LP 7,728 and PDP 12,165. Patani: APC 771, LP 684 and PDP 16,421.

Meanwhile, over 200 supporters of the LP candidate, Chief Ogboru, yesterday besieged the entrance to INEC offices in protest over what they described as electoral malpractices that trailed the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The placard-carrying protesters chanted anti-PDP songs. The protesters were however, repelled by policemen, civil defence and other paramilitary security men in their hundreds led by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Baba, who blocked the street leading to the INEC office.

Chief Ogboru, who led the protesters said he won the election convincingly and accused the PDP of manipulating and changing the results overnight to the detriment of his party.

Calling for the cancellation of the election, based on alleged snatching of ballot boxes in some areas, Ogboru alleged that the results from the wards were different from the ones announced at the INEC office. He also alleged

that the card readers were not used in most of the voting centres.

Naming Burutu, Bomadi, Warri North, Warri South-West, Isoko North, Isoko South and the entire Delta North as areas where the card readers were not used, he alleged that “fantastic figures were written overnight.”

He insisted that LP would no longer allow tyrants who have colonized the state for years to continue to rule the state.

He vowed to challenge the results in court in order to claim back his victory which, according to him, was being manipulated. Ogboru said he will employ all possible means to draw the attention of INEC to the malpractices and see how the injustice could be redressed.

He added that Deltans would not be boxed out of the change that was ongoing throughout the nation, adding that Delta State will not be an exception.

COLLATION OF RESULTS: Cross section of INEC, political party agents and election observers at the INEC headquaters in Rivers State, during the collation of the 2015 governorship and House of Assembly election result in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Edo APC wins 21 out of 24 Assembly seats ...as PDP wins Edo South senatorial seat

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State has won 21 out of the 24 seats in the state House of Assembly elections held on Saturday.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won three seats in Edo Central senatorial district of the state.

Meanwhile, unofficial results in the rescheduled Edo South senatorial election in Oriomnwon Local Government Area of the state, indicated that the PDP candidate, Mr Matthew Urhoghide defeated the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and APC candidate, Mr Samson

Osagie.

Results from polling units indicated that though Osagie defeated Urhoghide in Oriomwon, the poor voter turn out affected his chances of upturning the about 27,000 votes which Urhoghide was leading with after the March 28, National Assembly elections in six local government areas in Edo South.

Meantime, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State, Mr Mike Igini, who declared that elections have been concluded in the state, commended Edo people for their support throughout the elections.

Some of the House of Assembly results in Edo South indicated that the immediate

past state Commissioner on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and APC House of Assembly candidate in Ikpoba Okhai, Mr Henry Okwuarobo polled 23,571 as against 14,459 polled by the PDP candidate.

The former chairman of Egor Local Government Area and APC House of Assembly candidate for Egor, Mr Crosby Eribo, polled 19,554 to defeat the PDP candidate, Nosa Adams, who polled 12,233 votes. Results from the collations centres indicated that the APC won the entire House of Assembly seats in Edo South and Edo North senatorial districts of the state and PDP got three out of the six in Edo Central.

RESCHEDULED POLLS: APC warns INEC, security agencies, against bias

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—A leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Godwin Sidi, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and other institutions connected to the rescheduled state House of Assembly elections in the state against compromising in their responsibilities so as to provide a level play field for all parties in the elections.

Sidi, in an interview yesterday, in Yenagoa, accused INEC of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to shift the Assembly polls in eight constituencies to April 18.

Sidi, former Youth Leader PDP South-South, said the reasons advanced

by INEC in the state for postponing the polls in the eight constituencies were not tenable, insisting that INEC should explain the whereabouts of election materials which necessitated the shift.

He called on INEC and other institutions connected to the rescheduled polls to strictly adhere to their constitutional roles and shun partisanship, in the spirit of fairness and in line with global best practices.

INEC had, last Friday, rescheduled elections in eight constituencies in the state namely, Ekeremor Constituencies 1, 2 and 3, Kolokuma/Opokuma constituencies 1 and 2, Sagbama constituencies 1 and 2, and Southern Ijaw Constituency 1, to April 18.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Baritor Kpagih, had explained that the shift in the affected eight constituencies in four councils of the state was in agreement with the stand by stakeholders that no election should take place in the constituencies without full complement of ballot papers with regard to the total Permanent Voter Cards distributed.

54—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

GOV POLL:

PDP leads in nine C’River LGAs

By Ike Uchechukwu

C

ALABAR—THE P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, is overwhelmingly leading other political parties in the governorship election in Cross River State.

From the results released so far by the Independent electoral commission, INEC, the PDP is ahead in nine local government areas of the state.

The results announced so far are that of Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Calabar South, Calabar municipality, Abi, Bekwarra, Ogoja, Obanlinku, Obubra.

PDP is leading in all.

Results of the remaining nine councils are still being expected.

The state has 18 local government areas.

The results were declared by returning officers in the presence of the Resident E l e c t o r a l Commissioner, Dr. Sylvester Ezeani and the Chief Returning Officer.

Police say re-run election in Rivers hitch-free T

HE RIVERS State Police Command, said, yesterday, that it had not recorded any incident in the six local governments where new elections were taking place in the state.

Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Mrs. Gesila Khan, had, on Saturday, directed that elections be held in nine wards located in six local governments of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, said in Port Harcourt that the command was monitoring the re-run election.

“So far, we have not recorded any incident. Election has been smooth in the areas affected,” he said.

Elections in Ozuoba Unit 16 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, according to INEC officials and party agents as saying that the exercise was going on smoothly.

Mr Sunday Obisike, a PDP polling agent at the unit, said the party was satisfied with the conduct of the election in the area.

“We have no cause to complain so far. The election has been going on smoothly,” he said.

The APC agent at the unit,

Mr Nchela Chima, said the party was also satisfied with the accreditation and voting process. “ As you can see, people have started voting here.

Accreditation was okay and we are impressed with the exercise,” he said.

At Ogbogoro Unit 24, Ward 16 in the local government, an

INEC staff who remained anonymous, said though accreditation did not start in time, the exercise in the unit had been smooth.

Mr Stone Chukwu, a resident of the area, said he cast his ballot and was satisfied with the exercise. ‘’ I have voted and I am satisfied with the voting in our

unit,” he said.

However, the All Progressives Congress, APC agent at the unit, Miss Jane Woko, said they had initial challenge with the Card Reader. ‘’ The challenge had been overcome and voting is going on here,” she said.

THANKSGIVING: From left: Cathedral Senior Steward, Abiona Babarinde ; Bishop, Lagos West Diocese, Rt. Rev. Oluyemisi Ogunlere; Cathedral Presbyter, Very Rev. Kolade Odu, all of Methodist Church Nigeria during the Easter Thanksgiving Church Service at the Methodist Cathedral, Palm Avenue, Lagos.

Amaechi accuses policemen of collision with electoral fraudsters G

OVERNOR ROTIMI Amaechi of Rivers State, has alleged that the

police in the state were planning on doctoring the number of persons arrested in

Tai Local Government Area of the state during Saturday’s governorship and House of

Assembly elections.

Governor Amaechi in a statement by his Chief Press

Abia governorship election result stalemated

U

M UA H I A —THE results of Saturday ’s governorship election in Abia stalemated mid-way following the reversal of the cancellation of three local governments results by the Re t u r n i n g O f f i c e r, Pr o f.

Benjamin Ozumba.

Ozumba had announced the cancellation of results from Osisioma, Obingwa and Isialangwa North Local Government Areas on the grounds of “incontrovertible evidence of violence” and reports from international observers.

The returning officer reversed the decision after G o v. T h e o d o r e O r j i - l e d chieftains of PDP consulted with the Resident Electoral Officer, REC, Prof. Selina Oko and Ozumba.

Ozumba said the

cancellation was reversed due to fresh information concerning the conduct of the election in the three council areas.

He said that polling centres with issues would be isolated and decisions taken on them later.

The polling agent of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Ahamdi Nweke, had questioned the rationale behind the decision by the returning officer to reverse his earlier pronouncement.

Nweke insisted that elections did not take place in Osisioma, adding that the party would not accept any result from the area.

He tendered a handwritten note reportedly signed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Habila Joshak, indicating that electoral

materials recovered from the bush in Osisioma were in the police custody.

Joshak, who was present at the centre, did not controvert Nweke’s assertion.

Proceedings were later disrupted after an international observer, Ms Shirle Wilson, from Noble Leadership Initiative, United Kingdom, testified at the centre that “election did not take place in Osisioma”.

Wison said that election in the area was marred by violence and snatching of ballot boxes and other electoral materials by hoodlums.

The pronouncement heightened tension at the centre, leading to the adjournment of further announcement of results.

The controversial result from Osisioma, which had earlier been announced, showed that PDP scored 42,442, while APGA polled 1017.

Meanwhile, results from 10 local government areas have so far been announced.

In his reaction, APGA governorship candidate Alex Otti described the governor ’s appearance at the collation centre as “an abuse of power, designed to intimidate and exert undue influence on the electoral officials”.

The governor was accompanied by the Minister of State for Defence, Rtd. Col. Austin Akobundu, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, among others.

Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, said “information just reaching us indicates that the Police in Rivers State want to doctor the statements of about 110 persons arrested for electoral offences and crimes in Tai Local Government of Rivers State during Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“The persons arrested include 75 National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members who are adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. They were arrested with the electoral materials of about 9 wards by Mopol 56 in Rivers State.

“They were caught thumbprinting ballot papers for a major political party candidates in the private residence of the party chieftain in Tai. “We have been reliably informed that the police now want to doctor their statements, in a bid to exonerate the culprits caught thumb-printing ballot papers for the political party in Tai, so that the culprits can be subsequently released,” the governor added.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 55

PDP Reps member-elect attacked in Lagos

By Charles Kumolu

L

AGOS—A PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, House of Representatives member-elect in Lagos State, Mr. Oghene Egoh was on Thursday attacked by suspected assassins at Mile 2 area of the state.

The incident happened at 9: 30 pm when Oghene, a non indigine elected to represent Amuwo Odofin/Ifelodun Federal Constituency was returning from a political meeting.

Narrating his ordeal to Vanguard, he noted that until the incident happened, he was oblivious that he was being trailed from the Island where he had attended the forum that was convened as part of his party’s preparation for yesterday ’s governorship elections.

It was also gathered that his Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, was damaged by the gang of three men, who rode in a black coloured SUV. Oghene’s SUV which is currently in the premises of Area L Police Division, Satellite Town, was badly damaged by the suspected attackers.

Further speaking on his ordeal, Oghene said: “In my life, I have never come this close to death. I thank God for saving my life. I was returning from a meeting from a political meeting at Lagos Island around 9.30pm and I noticed that my driver was driving roughly along the National Theatre Bridge.

“I cautioned him not knowing what was happening and while he was driving, I was receiving calls. When we got to mile-two, there was traffic and all of a sudden I heard loud noise inside my vehicle, only to notice that my car side glasses had been shattered completely. I tried

By Peter Egwuatu

D

BRIEFING: National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle); Mr Femi Odutade, his Personal Assistant and others at a press confernce on national issues by Mohammed...weekend. Photo by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor. hiding in my vehicle, praying to God. “Unfortunately, my driver moved close to a trailer and hit a Camry vehicle in our front. The owners of the vehicle came out but those who attacked us ran, thinking that the Camry owners were part of my security details.”

“It was a coaster vehicle that saved my situation and carried me to Alakija, where I boarded a commercial bus to Area “L” Police Command and reported the case. This was about 10.30pm,” he said.

When asked if he has been receiving death threats, he said

that in as much as he was suspecting some political undertone, he also urged the electorate to vote candidates of their choice without fear or favour. I have not received any death threats from anyone and I don’t know who could do such thing. ''My opponents conceded defeat when we all heard the results. We should not use violence as a means for victory during or after elections. My advice to the masses is to come out en masse and vote whoever they believe would move the state forward.”

Giving his account of the

incident, his driver, Mr. Sunday Achibong said: “They were following us from Ijora and I drove faster. My boss cautioned me but he did not know what was going on.

When we got to mile-two, the attackers drew me out of the vehicle and our vehicle hit a Camry. My boss managed to escape. It was a terrible experience.” He said.

The state police spokesman, DSP Kenneth Nwosu confirmed that Egoh on Thursday night reported a case of attempted assassination, adding that the command is investigating the incident.

Beware of those dumping PDP for APC, Umar cautions Buhari ...Says they are shameless fair weather friends

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—FORMER Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Umar (retd) yesterday urged the President- elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, retd to be mindful of those he described as mere fair weather friends as he takes over governance in May 29.

In a statement issued yesterday, Umar also urged Buhari to ignore what he described as the treacherous actions of those opportunists who were presently dumping the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress, APC barely two weeks after the Presidential election.

The former military also assured President Goodluck Jonathan of his unalloyed loyalty and

Dangote moves to produce cement in Cameroon

“steadfast” friendship as he prepares to face life outside power.

According to Colonel Umar in his statement, “A famous political scientist once warned that”the career of a politician is too uncertain to make any firm commitment to him. “Although I find this warning immoral and distasteful it truly represents the attitude and behavioural pattern of most of the so called friends and loyalists of men in power.

Most are mere fair weather friends.

“Come 29th May 2015 President Jonathan will handover power to the winner of the 28th March 2015 Presidential election Gen Muhammadu Buhari. With this seeming loss of political power he will also lose a large retinue of friends and loyalists;

people who would swear by his name a couple of weeks ago. The President like most of his predecessors will suffer the pain of betrayal.

“I however assure him that there are still genuine friends who will be by him through life’s challenges out of power.

“I also wish to advise him to ignore the treacherous actions of those opportunists who are decamping from his party, the PDP to APC at this late hour.

These are people who will not hesitate to renounce God in their pursuit of ephemeral worldly power. They are worthless and a great embarrassment to decent people and bad role models to future generations.

“Let me use this opportunity to dispel the wicked rumour that my closeness with President

Jonathan has always been on account of some material favours he extended to me. Nothing can be further from the truth. ''I swear and affirm that I have never, directly or indirectly, been awarded an oil or non - oil contract by President Jonathan or his Government , as evidence will prove later. What I received and cherish above all is tremendous respect from the President. I intend to expatiate on this in due course.

“Let me also express my respect and admiration for President Jonathan’s nationalistic and altruistic decision to concede and congratulate the winner even before the final results were officially announced. The President behaved like the statesman I have always known him to be, thereby saving the country assured implosion had he behaved otherwise.''

O U A L A (CAMEROON)— THE management of Dangote Cement Plc has assured the government of Cameroon that it would help shore up local production of the vital product following the ban on importation of cement into Cameroon.

The assurance came in the wake of the formal launching of the company’s high grade 42.5 cement type into the Cameroonian market after a successful inauguration of the company’s 1.5m MTPA capacity cement plant in Douala.

The Dangote Cement management also told newsmen during a facility tour in Cameroon that it appreciated the gesture of the Cameroonian government and that the ban was a vote of confidence on the ability of cement manufacturers in the country, especially Dangote Cement, to meet and surpass local consumption demands.

Already, with the addition of the Dangote’s 1.5m MTPA, Engr Abdullahi Baba, a, General Manager and head of Cameroonian factory, explained that the three manufacturers of cement in the country are about surpassing local consumption demands and that Dangote management are already looking towards export prospects to neighboring countries to Cameroon.

According to Baba, Cameroon with a consumption growth of 8 per cent, and with a local production of 2.9m MTPA, the Dangote management was looking at export potentials in Chad, Central African Republic, Garbon, Equitorial Guinea and Togo even as the Company considers future expansion.

He explained that the plant has one of the most recent facilities of ensuring that there is no dust emission during production.

The General Manager stated that the company has put strategies in place to achieve 30 per cent market share, noting that there was also plans of achieving 30 per cent export of total production.

56 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Obama meets Raul Castro, launches new era of US/Cuba ties

Hillary Clinton declares 2016 Democratic E presidential bid H

ILLARY Clinton yesterday put an end to months of speculation by officially announcing her candidacy for president, giving the former secretary of state another shot at cracking the highest glass ceiling in American politics.

The initial word came in an email to supporters from John Podesta, a longtime Clinton ally, then a video launched on YouTube and a newly launched Facebook page “I’m getting ready to do something too. I’m running for president,” Clinton said in the video.

“Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion so you can do more than just get by you can get ahead.

And stay ahead. Because

Hillary Clinton has spent more than two decades in the public as first lady, secretary of state and senator when families are strong, America is strong. So I’m hitting the road to earn your vote, because it’s your time. And I hope you’ll join me on this journey.”

The video was shot last week, a campaign official told CNN.

Clinton’s part was shot in New York with the rest of the video includes shoots all over the country including Iowa and New Hampshire, a campaign official told CNN. Clinton was at her home in New York for the

launch of her campaign.

She will be making some calls to top Democrats Sunday, as will her senior staff, according to a campaign official.

Following the video release, the Clinton campaign sent our a press release detailing her next steps.

“She’s committed to spending the next six to eight weeks in a ‘ramp up’ period where her team will start to build a nation-wide grassroots organization, and she will spend her time engaging directly with voters,” according to the release. “In May, once her supporters in all 50 states are organized for house parties or to watch over live streams, Hillary will hold her first rally and deliver the speech to kick off her campaign.”

Pope sparks row with Turkey, calls Armenian massacre genocide P OPE Francis sparked a diplomatic row yesterday by calling the massacre of up to 1.5 million Armenians 100 years ago “the first genocide of the 20th century,” prompting Turkey to accuse him of inciting hatred.

Muslim Turkey accepts that many Christian Armenians died in clashes with Ottoman soldiers beginning in 1915, when Armenia was part of the empire ruled from Istanbul, but denies hundreds of thousands were killed and that this amounted to genocide.

At an Armenian rite Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the 100th anniversary of the mass killings, Francis became the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to publicly pronounce the word “genocide” to describe them.

Some European and South American countries use the term to describe the killings, but the United States and some others, keen to maintain good relations with an important ally, avoid doing so.

Turkey was swift to protest. “The pope’s statements, which are far from historical and judicial facts, cannot be accepted,” Foreign Minister Mevlut

Cavusoglu said on his Twitter account.

“Religious offices are not places to incite hatred and revenge with baseless accusations,” he said.

The foreign ministry called its ambassador to the Holy See back to Ankara, and summoned the Vatican’s ambassador, saying Francis’ remarks had caused a “problem of trust” in diplomatic relations.

Pope John Paul II and Armenian Apostolic Church Supreme Patriarch Kerekin II called the massacre “the first genocide of the 20th century” in 2001, but that was in a joint written statement.

Francis, who has disregarded many aspects of protocol since becoming pope two years ago, uttered the phrase during a private meeting at the Vatican with an Armenian delegation in 2013, prompting a strong protest from Ankara.

A

sponsor terror - remained unresolved.

“This is obviously an historic meeting,” Obama said at the beginning of his session with Castro, claiming that decades of strain had done little to benefit either Cubans or citizens of the United States.

“It was time for us to try something new,” he said.

“We are now in a position to move on a path toward the future.”

Castro, who earlier in the day said he trusted Obama, acknowledged there would be difficult stumbling blocks as his nation works to repair ties with the United States.

From left: U.S. President Barack Obama, and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro shake hands as U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (R) looks on, before the inauguration of the VII Summit of the Americas in Panama City,

Kerry defends presentation on Iran nuclear deal

U

.S. Secretary of State John Kerry defended yesterday his presentation of a framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear program after a different interpretation was offered by Iran’s supreme leader, and a prominent U.S. senator said Kerry was “delusional.”

“I will stand by every fact that I have said,” Kerry told ABC’s “This Week.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had strong words last week

about Iran’s agreement with major world powers, declaring that once a final deal was reached it should result in an immediate end to all sanctions on Iran.

Kerry has said the sanctions would be suspended in phases.

“You know, they’re going to put their spin on their point of view and obviously they’ll allege that we’re putting a spin on our point of view,” Kerry said of the Iranian comments.

US reporter faces ‘espionage’ charges in Iran Catholicos Aram I, the spiritual head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, left, walks past Pope Francis during an Armenian-Rite Mass to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican yesterday

Syrian army bombs Aleppo school, kills 9 people Sunday, though the army Saturday. But he said the group monitoring the Syrian war said at least nine people including five children were killed in a Syrian army air strike that hit a school in a rebel-held area of the country ’s second city Aleppo on

NDING a decadeslong standstill in U.S and Cuba relations, President Barack Obama met for an hour at the weekend with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro, the first time the two nations’ top leaders have sat down for substantive talks in more than 50 years.

The meeting in a small conference room on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas came as the two countries work to end the Cold War enmity that had led to a total freeze of diplomatic ties. And while both leaders proclaimed progress had been made, a key stumbling block Cuba’s place on the U.S. list of countries that

denied the report.

A Syrian army source told Reuters the army had stepped up attacks on rebels since the insurgents bombarded a government-held residential area in the northwestern city on

military had not targeted civilians.

Aleppo is a major frontline in the fouryear-old Syrian civil war, a conflict which the United Nations says has killed around 220,000 people.

A

Washington Post journalist detained in Iran for over eight months is accused of “espionage” and “acting against national security,” the semiofficial Fars news agency reported yesterday.

The report did not elaborate on the source of the information, but the agency is regarded as close to Iran’s hardliners.

Iranian officials have said Jason Rezaian is facing “security ”

charges and that he will stand trial in the Revolutionary Court, which mainly hears cases involving security offenses.

Rezaian, along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two photojournalists were detained on July 22 in Tehran. All were later released except Rezaian, who is a dual U.S.Iranian citizen. Iran does not recognize dual nationality.

The Post, U.S. officials and Rezaian’s mother have called for his release.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 57

Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula hit by deadly bomb attacks

A

One killed, 150 hurt in Kenya stampede after power cable blast A

student was killed while 150 more were hurt in a stampede yesterday when an electrical blast sparked fears of a new Islamist attack on a Kenyan university campus.

Some students jumped from as high as the fifth floor of a hostel at the University of Nairobi

campus about 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of the capital.

“A power cable blew up outside the student hostel.

The hostel itself was not affected, but the students thought it was an attack,” said Mbithi.

“Some students jumped out,” and “there was also a stampede”, said Mbithi.

“One student died after jumping from the fifth floor.”

Student Spencer Kimani said he jumped out of a window, but only sustained minor injuries.

“The blast was so loud, I had to jump out of bed and run,” he said.

About 150 were injured, mostly lightly, while 20 remain in hospital for treatment.

“There is no cause for alarm but we can understand their fears after the recent incident,” Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue said, confirming that a power Women cry during the funeral of a student who was killed in the attack on cable explosion was Garissa University, at Mutunguru Catholic church in Kiambu, Kenya at the behind the incident." weekend. campus after the pre-dawn explosion, vice-chancellor Peter Mbithi told AFP. “It was total chaos because we thought now it is our turn after Garissa,” student Michael Njuguna was quoted by Kenyan media as saying.

A shocked Kenya is on edge after the April 2 attack

by Somalia’s Shebab insurgents on Garissa university that killed 148 people, almost all of them students.

Education Minister Jacob Kaimenyi said Sunday’s explosion occurred at around 5:30 am while students were sleeping on the university’s Kikuyu

T least 13 people have been killed in separate bomb attacks in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, security forces have said.

At least six people died and 30 others were injured in an explosion outside a police station in El-Arish.

Elsewhere, seven soldiers lost their lives and two were wounded in an attack on an armoured vehicle, near the northern town of Sheikh Zuweid.

Militants from the Sinai Province group, affiliated to Islamic State,

have said they carried out the attacks.

A statement on a Twitter page attributed to the group read: “An armoured personnel carrier for the army of the apostates was destroyed... killing and wounding all aboard.”

Sinai has become increasingly lawless since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011.

Insurgents have intensified attacks since his Islamist successor Mohammed Morsi was ousted in 2013.

S/Africa opposition leader steps down

S

OUTH Africa’s opposition leader Helen Zille said yesterday that she would step down from her position at the party congress next month.

Her departure is seen by many as an opportunity for a black leader to take the helm of Democratic Alliance as it continues its crusade to win black support.

Zille, a white woman who has been the DA leader since 2007, said her decision not to stand

for re-election was in the interests of the party.

“Facing the upcoming congress I have spent months wondering whether it is time to go now... therefore, (I) decided not to make myself available for reelection as leader at the forthcoming congress,” she said in a statement.

The 64-year-old said she would however remain premier of the Western Cape, which includes the city of Cape Town, and the only region not governed by

Libya violence: Shooting at S/Korea embassy Gunmen opened fire from in Tripoli official residence at the time, a passing car on a security Ministry said.

T

WO people have been killed and another wounded in a shooting outside the South Korean embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, security officials say.

post, killing a guard and a civilian, and wounding a second guard.

There were no South Korean casualties and the embassy was empty at the time, the country’s Foreign

The militant group Islamic State said it carried out the attack.

A South Korean Foreign Ministry official, quoted by AP, said the attack happened just after midnight on Sunday.

Three South Korean nationals - two of them diplomats - were in the

which is in the same compound, the official added. They were unhurt.

The embassy itself has been closed for several months, but officials continue to use it.

Libya has been in turmoil since the Nato-backed removal of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

2 Malian soldiers killed, others injured in landmine explosion

T The embassy has been closed for several months

WO Malian soldiers were killed and others were wounded yesterday when their vehicle struck a landmine

Egypt Muslim Brotherhood verdicts ‘blatantly unjust’, says human rights watch

A

N Egyptian court’s decision to sentence 14 men to death and jail 37 others accused of ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood was “politically motivated” and “blatantly unjust”, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday.

The court condemned

Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 13 other senior members of the group to death on Saturday.

American-Egyptian Mohamed Soltan, the son of a Brotherhood preacher who received a death sentence at the same hearing, was among those

sentenced to life in jail.

The men were among thousands of people detained after freely elected Islamist president Mohamed Mursi was toppled in 2013 by the military under Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is now president.

in the center of the West African nation, a defense ministry official said.

The incident occurred in the morning near the town of Diabaly, around 500 km (310 miles) northeast of the capital Bamako, said ministry spokesman Diaran Kone, who gave no further details.

Diabaly was the scene of intense clashes in 2013 when Malian and French forces fought to drive back al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups that had seized the northern twothirds of the country a year earlier.

Opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille

Somali refugees flee Yemen fighting to return home

S

OMALI refugees in Yemen are now coming back to their wartorn home as fighting rages in the Middle East country, officials said at the weekend.

A boat carrying 260 Somali refugees, many of them women, children and elderly, has become the latest to dock at Somalia’s Bossasso port in the Puntland semiautonomous region.

“About 420 people have arrived previously and we are also expecting many more,” said Abdulahi Hashi, Puntland’s deputy interior minister.

According to the United Nations’ refugee agency, the flow of refugees fleeing the Horn of Africa for Yemen has gone into reverse now that the Middle East country is engulfed in fighting between supporters of the president and Shiite rebels.

“In the past 10 days, some 900 people have crossed the Gulf Aden to Djibouti, Somalia’s Puntland and Somaliland,” said a statement by UNHCR, adding that those fleeing also included Yemenis.

58—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Continues from Page 45

some local government areas.

He listed the areas to include Akoko North West, Akoko south West, Ese Odo, Idanre, Ilaje, Irele, Okitipupa,Ondo East, Owo and Ose.

Amosun’s victory: PDP kicks, alleges irregularities The PDP in Ogun State has kicked against the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the governorship election in the state.

The party said the development “ is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged as appropriate”.

The INEC in the state had declared Amosun who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as governor-elect having polled 306,988 votes to defeat the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Prince Gboyega Isiaka who polled 201,440 votes.

Reacting to Amosun’s declaration, the party, through the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization declared the gubernatorial election “as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory”.

The party in a statement signed by Director of Media , Ifekayode Akinbode , said “whereas , INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the culpability of INEC. “Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects.

“However, we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position. Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff.

“This was indeed what happened. Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP.

As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths.

“This was the situation until Sen. Amosun defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas of Abeokuta and then to Sagamu, Ota and Ifo local government areas with a full retinue of buses.

“What followed were reports of snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations. Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres.

“It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce results despite the overvoting, result falsification, harassment of our party agents and other irregularities. Clearly, the huge votes from Ogun central local governments of Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode as well as Ado Odo/Ota local governments in Ogun West Senatorial district were a true reflection of the rigging.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that our legal officers and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position on this election that was marred with gross irregularities.

We implore our supporters, party faithful and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

“He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain.

God bless Ogun State”, the party said.

Ahmed wins in Kwara The Chief Returning Officer of gubernatorial election in Kwara State, Professor Musbau Akanji yesterday declared the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as winner of the election.

Professor Akanji said that Governor Ahmed who was seeking reelection polled 295,832 votes to defeat the candidate of the PDP Senator Simeon Ajibola who scored 115,220 votes

From left: Arc. Abimbola Ajayi, immediate Past Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects; Munira Shonibare, Chief Executive Officer, IO Furniture Limited; Arc. Ladipo Lewis, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos Chapter; and Arc. Titi Adeleye, Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos Chapter, during a courtesy visit and facility tour of the IO Furniture LTD, in Lagos by members of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

APC sweeps gov polls and came far second while the candidate of Labour Party Dr Mike Omotosho polled 2,973 to come third.

Similarly, the APC as declared by the respective returning officers won all the twenty four House of Assembly seats across the 16 local governments in the state.

Ugwuanyi wins Enugu guber poll The PDP, candidate in the April 11 governorship election, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has won with 482,277 votes against his main challenger of the APC, Okey Ezea who polled 43,839 votes.

Returning officer of the election, Prof. Hillary Edoga, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, announced the result precisely at 3.36 p.m. at the INEC office, Independence Layout, Enugu.

The announcement was followed with wild jubilation as residents of Enugu made bonfires along strategic streets in Enugu metropolis.

However, the APC candidate in a press conference called for the cancellation of the election.

“As far as we are concerned, there was no election in Enugu State,

so we call on the INEC to cancel the exercise and fix a date for a fresh election “We cannot continue with this rubbish in Enugu State any longer; all of you are witnesses to what happened yesterday and if that is what we should expect in Enugu State, it is very unfortunate.

“They want to push us out of the politics of Enugu State but that will not happen; we shall never give up,” he said.

BENUE: Ortom wins gov poll The APC, governorship candidate in Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom has emerged the winner of last Saturday ’s governorship elections in the state.

In the results so far collated by INEC in Makurdi, from 22 out of 23 local government areas of the state, Dr. Ortom polled 394,047 votes to defeat Mr. Terhemen Tarzoor of the PDP who polled 302,324 votes.

Though the votes from Buruku Local Government Area were being expected at press time, it was not expected to alter the outcome of the entire result.

As it stands, the difference between the votes garnered by the

APC and PDP candidates is 91,723.

Meantime, the PDP won 15 of the State House of Assembly seats so far released by the electoral body, the APC had 10, Labour Party secured one seat while results from four state constituencies were still being awaited.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was yesterday declared winner of the Sokoto State governorship election.

The state’s Collation and Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Bagudu , who is a Deputy Vice Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, declared that Tambuwal polled the highest number of votes in Saturday ’s governorship election in the state.

Announcing the results at about 7.15 p.m, Prof.

Abdullahi Bagudu disclosed that the total votes cast were 958,736 while total valid votes were 926,682 and voided votes were 32,054 Tambuwal polled 647,609 votes, while the PDP candidate, Sen. Abdallah Wali scored 269,074 The Speaker won in all 23 local government areas, while his PDP challenger did not win in any local government.

In the State House of

Assembly election, the APC won 28 seats, PDP won two while PDM got one seat.

Stalemate in Abia There was stalemate in Abia State, yesterday. after the returning officer for the governorship election reversed himself on the cancellation of the results in three local government areas following a visit to the INEC office by Governor Theodore Orji.

Earlier, the returning officer for the election, Prof.

Benjamin Ozurumba, had cancelled the results presented for Osisioma, Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa North on the basis of alleged irregularities.

The decision was, however, vehemently challenged by officials of the PDP leading to a stalemate that was only broken after the visit of Governor Orji to the INEC office where he held private meetings with the REC. The decision to revalidate the results from the three local government areas, has, however, been seriously rejected by the APGA representatives at the collation centre. Both APGA and PDP were running neck and neck in the results, at press time.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 —59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

Venezuela envoy seeks retraction of executive order by Obama

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu & Victoria Ojeme

T

HE Head of Mission, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Nigeria, Mr. Miguelancel Vecchia, has asked the United States President, Barrack Obama, to make efforts toward retracting the executive order against his country, stressing that both countries have already severed the diplomatic relationship shared.

Vecchia, who spoke during a press conference in Abuja, also stated that the US government, in conformity with international obligations, should respect Venezuela’s self-determination and the right of its people to freely choose their own path.

According to the Venezuelan Head of Mission, Obama had recently authorised new sanctions against officials of Venezuela which has sparked reactions from different countries, expressing that the US president cited “erosion of human rights guarantees, persecution of political opponents, curtailment of press freedoms, use of violence and human rights violations and

abuses in response to antigovernment protests, arbitrary arrest and detention of antigovernment protestors, among others,” as reasons for the decision.

In a similar development, the Head of Mission suggested that President Obama steer clear of his country ’s internal politics, accusing the US government of plotting to dominate Venezuela’s economy.

“The United States wants to dominate the world, especially our country. We have a lot of resources; mineral resources. We are rich country and they want to take our resources. Venezuela like Nigeria is rich. Nigeria and Venezuela are almost the same country. Nigeria has petroleum, Venezuela has petroleum.

Nigeria has rice, Venezuela has rice. All the natural resources you have here in Nigeria, we have in Venezuela”, he pointed out.

He further stated that “the US does not like our internal politics.

They do not like the revolution, former President, Hugo Chareg Frias and our current president, Nicolas MaduroMoros. They want to take the power of the

petroleum.

And for these, they want to take control of the internal politics in Venezuela”, stressing that, “We do not want war or more powers.

We just want Map of Venezuela to help the people around countries." He also alleged the world. This is very different that the US government from the United States of financed the coup d’état of America’s interest,” he 2002 through the enemy of submitted.

Venezuela government Still embittered with the against former president situation, Vecchia stressed that Hugo CharegFrias. the US government had made “Who financed this coup several efforts in the past to take d’état against Hugo control of Venezuela’s economy, CharegFrias? This is important but failed, explaining that “In question. We know it was the 2010, the president of the United United States,” he declared, States removed the visa from our while accusing the US of ambassador in the United States planning to block Venezuela’s of America because they wanted economy. an intervention in Venezuela.

However, he pointed out that And we removed our visa to the his government is prepared to ambassador of United States in defend Venezuela’s economy Venezuela as well. We have and flag. “We are peace loving severed the diplomatic country. And my message to relationship between our Barrack Obama is, ‘withdraw this executive order and respect Venezuela. Venezuela is a free country,” he concluded.

Turkey, Nigeria to expand tourism and commerce sectors

T

HE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has expressed the need for Turkey and Nigeria to expand bilateral relationships in both countries commerce and tourism sectors.

According to the Minister, bilateral trade between Nigeria and Turkey currently stands at US$2.5 billion annually, emphasising that plans are on the way to expand cooperation between the two countries in the investment, commerce and tourism sectors.

While noting that strengthening both countries' partnerships in the above mentioned sectors of the two countries’ economies is imperative to healthier bi-national relations at the occasion which marked Turkish Airline’s first appearance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mustafa Pulat, stated that Nigeria is Turkey's most cherished partner and the development witnessed in respect of

the maiden flight from Nigeria to Istanbul was a game changer.

He said that the new development will has cut down travel distance between Turkey and Nigeria, saying that IstanbulAbuja connection will make a big difference, especially for business people and investors, as it willbring Turkey closer to Nigeria.

Similarly, Turkish A i r l i n e s representative, Mr. Ahmet Olmustur, said that Turkish Airlines now have 261 destinations around the world and Abuja will make it 262.

“Turkish Airlines had over 37 destinations in Africa and Abuja became the 38th, and my hope is that Nigeria and Turkey will continue to strengthen their partnership. It is worthy of note that Turkish Airlines now has five direct flights from Abuja to Istanbul per a week and from Lagos to Istanbul all days of the week. In addition, we also fly from Kano to Istanbul four times per week”, Ahmet said.

PRINCESS—I, formerly known and addressed as Princess Nneamaka Nnete Eminue, now wish to be known and addressed as Princess Nneamaka Nnete Akaranwolu.

All former documents remain valid. General please take note.

CREPPY—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Philomena Abosede Creppy, now wish to be known and addressed as Philomena Abosede Honke. All former documents remain valid. General please take note.

OTORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Pamielayefa Otoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Layefa Seiyefa Penawou. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZOEM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezoem Jennifer Obiageli, now wish to be known and addressed as Barr.

(Mrs.) Nwankwo Richard Jennifer Obiageli. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dike Obianuju Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okafor Obianuju Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FOR ENQUIRIES CALL ADVERT HOTLINE: 01-8737025 OR 08035449960 07031322957

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

SAGITTARIUS: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

CAPRICORN: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

AQUARIUS: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

PISCES: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operative you are today the better for you. Those of you travelling for love are in for an exciting day.

ARIES: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

The Beauty Without

T

HE inner cup and the outside, which is more important? I mean the contest of the cup and the cup itself, which is more important?

This question becomes pertinent be-

cause of the way we are going about our re-branding project.

Can you reform evil?

Can you start the process of reformation without? Can the

TERROR MUDA

body be well when the head is sick? Look at the motor vehicle truck/trailer, when on the reverse, the other body stands still. This is so because the

in “Never say goodbye”

head give direction to the body. Nigeria is like a trailer.

We don’t need to waste billions on rebranding. All we need is the right leadership. When the leader does the right thing, Nigerians will do the right thing too.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

TAURUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

GEMINI: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

CANCER: Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

LEO: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

VIRGO: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LIBRA: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

SCORPIO: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

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, According to the date I was born I should be a Libran by my star but most of the time when I read horoscopes written by both yourself and foreign Astrologers Scorpio always applicable to me, why?

Kindly tell me how tha planets lined up when I was born and tha day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Ben, Abuja.

Dear Ben, You were born on a Sunday. You were wrong to have taken Libra as your Sun sign because the Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 61

Awoniyi fires Nigeria to All Africa Games A

BRACE by striker Taiwo Awoniyi qualified Nigeria to the football event of the 2015 All Africa Games yesterday as they beat hosts Zambia 2-1.

Both teams played out a 0-0 draw in Abuja three weeks ago for Nigeria’s Dream Team VI to go through 2-1 on aggregate.

On Sunday, Zambia attacked from the onset and created several chances, but it was 17year- old Awoniyi, drafted into the team for this return match, who put the visitors ahead on 34 minutes.

Zambia continued to pile on the pressure and they were rewarded in the 76th with the equaliser through substitute Friday Samu from close range after he was set up by Shederack Malambo.

However, Awoniyi put this encounter beyond the Zambians with just minutes to spare with his second strike.

Two minutes after Awoniyi’s winner, goalkeeper Daniel denied Zambia a second equaliser as he tipped Moses Phiri’s effort over the bar for a corner.

Mukuka Mulenga and Malambo were torn in Nigeria’s flesh and within the first 20 minutes they forced two corner kicks and several goal attempts.

In the 22nd minute, Sodiq Atanda Ololade almost put Nigeria ahead when his header off a corner kick flew wide.

A minute later, Zambia were unlucky as an effort at goal came off the post.

UPER Falcons strik er, Desire Oparanozie, says the next step for them is qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after they qualified for the 2015 All Africa Games.

The African champions Friday booked their place at the All Africa Games in Congo with an C M Y K

W

HEN President Obama met Usain Bolt he could not resist joining the world-class sprinter in striking his pose The fastest and the most powerful men in the world met in Jamaica this week, as US President Barack Obama visited Jamaica and posed with Usain Bolt.

Obama said he ‘had to say hi’ to Bolt, the fastest sprinter of all time, when he became the first American President to visit the island since 1982.

And when Obama met

Bolt he could not resist joining the world-class sprinter in striking his trademark ‘lightning pose’.

•Bolt

Okocha wants end to coaching saga

F

•Awoniyi In the 50th minute, Ronald Kampamba shot wide from close range.

In the 56th minute, goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel made a daring

save off Samu’s strike to keep Nigeria ahead 1-0.

ORMER Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha urged the country ’s football authority to swiftly resolve the national team’s managerial vacancy in order to prevent further setbacks.

Daniel Amokachi has been in charge of Nigeria on a temporary basis since December following

Murray ties the knot with Kim Sears A

NDY Murray tied the knot with Kim Sears on Saturday at Dunblane Cathedral, as thousands of fans waited outside to greet the couple.

The tennis star, who announced his engagement in November last year, tied the knot in the 12th century cathedral before a relatively small group of their family members and close friends.

Reverend Colin Renwick, led the service.

Hundreds of wellwishers gathered on the

streets around the cathedral and one of the biggest cheer so far has been reserved for Judy Murray, who arrived just before 4.00pm looking resplendent in a white, to-the-knee overcoat with a detailed gold dress.The outfit was topped off with a dramatic gold hat.

This morning, the historic cathedral saw florists toting huge bouquets of flowers arrive to decorate the church - as hailstones and showers battered the venue.

Oparanozie looks towards Olympic Games

S

Bolt poses with Obama

8-0 trouncing of Mali, and Oparanozie, who scored a brace in that big win, says the next target is qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

“The next target for us now is to qualify for the Olympic Games which is what we are looking forward to.

“We have put the win over Mali behind us now and we are concentrating on the Olympic Games qualifiers because we all want to participate at the Olympic Games.

“We want to represent our country in Brazil and hopefully we will get the ticket to the Games when the time comes,” she stated.

lengthy contractual talks between Stephen Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

NFF president Amaju Pinnick announced two weeks ago that a two-year deal has been approved for Keshi to continue but a contract is yet to be signed.

Okocha, who won the Nations Cup in 1994 and was part of the goldmedal winning team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, believes delays in the contractual process are hampering plans for the qualification campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

“We need to resolve this coaching situation quickly to prevent another troubled qualifying race for the Nations Cup,” Okocha said.

Ujah nets 10th goal in Cologne thriller Andy Murray and his wife Kim are all smiles after tying the knot at Dunblane Cathedral

Ike Uche earns Villarreal point on the road

I

KECHUKWU Uche was Villarreal’s hero as he scored to earn them a point off hosts Getafe in a league game Sunday.

Villarreal are sixth on the table with 52 points from 32 games.

Uche scored in the 52nd

minute to put his team in front, but Diego Castro equalised for Uche’s former club in the 64th minute.

Uche has now scored six goals in La Liga this season.

N

I G E R I A international striker Anthony Ujah was among the goals as his German Bundesliga side Cologne beat Hoffeinheim 3-2 in a five-goal thriller on Sunday.

Ujah struck in the 54th minute to give Cologne, who played with one man down, a 2-0 lead.

He has now scored 10 goals in the Bundesliga this season.

Cologne are now 11th on the league table with 33 points from 23 games.

62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

HE fear of the Pharaohs is the beginning of “Twisdom” is a popular saying that is running

The Egyptian challenge

,

through Nigeria’s football circles.

Since the draws of the Nations Cup Gabon 2017 was made public, we have not rested. It has become fashionable for any sports writer you meet to ask you about Nigeria’s chances in a group that has Egypt.

Traditionally we have always been paired with the so called minnows in African football, yet failed to, or found it difficult to qualify. This time, Egypt looms large. Before now , such a pairing would have been unthinkable, the two power houses of African football, normally would have found themselves in the same pot, but not any more as the seven times winners of the diadem could not even qualify for the two last editions!

What chances Nigeria?

The re emergence of coach Stephen Keshi on the Nigeria football scene coincided with the inability to qualify for the Equatorial Guinea/Gabon Nations Cup under Coach Samson Siasia. The Aminu Maigari led NFF Board spared no funds, efforts and friendly matches to guarantee the building of a team that was to wipe the Nations Cup tears of Nigerians.

With the phrase “ work in progress” as the order of the day, Coach Keshi embarked on a camping and recamping of domestic league players and invitation of various shades of .players as we built the blocks of foundation of a brand new team.

By the time we won the Nations Cup in South Africa , the team had not arrived, yet there was a popular belief that the foundation had been laid and the nucleus of an emerging Super Eagles built.

That dream was evaporated as ego, “ I am in charge” syndrome, lucre worship, pecuniary abuse and indiscipline contributed in destroying the Nations Cup progress. Most of the players that were taken to the World Cup had no business being there while genuine stars were dropped on flimsy excuses as the coach decided to run the team as a personal estate damning popular views of concerned Nigerians as to the invitation of fitter and quality players.

Now that the Pharaohs are at the door, the call is for a coach, any coach, “ just give us a coach”

,

But for the forced inclusion of players like Osaze Odemnwigie and Joseph Yobo, our world Cup woe would have been magnified.

The summary of this was that by the time we returned from the world cup, there was so much pandemonium in the house of football, on and off the pitch. That we decided to paper the failure and pretend everything was okay in Brazil cost us dearly, when, expectedly, we failed to qualify for the Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea.

Just recently we took advantage of the FIFA window to play two friendly matches against Uganda and South Africa and the results of the two matches have left a sour taste in our mouths, confirming that we have embarked on another “ work in progress” as

Kalu raises 2017 AFCON alarm

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

S Nigerians continue to react to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations draw which pitched the Super Eagles in Group G alongside Egypt, Chad and Tanzania, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has been advised to immediately hire a substantive coach to handle the senior national team, the Super Eagles so as to avoid the disaster of not qualifying for the championship.

A sports enthusiast, Mascot Uzor Kalu told Sports Vanguard in Abuja over the weekend that the NFF must avoid the pitfall of last year which denied the country the opportunity of going to defend the trophy she won in 2013 by making haste to employ a coach.

C M Y K

The 2013 champions who incidentally missed out of the last edition in Equatorial Guinea are yet to have a manager after Coach Stephen Keshi’s contract end in June 2014.

“It is a high time Keshi and the NFF put their house in order,” Kalu said, adding, “it is either he is the coach or he is not, we can’t talk about going to play a Nations Cup qualifiers without a strong team. We don’t have a coach. We always put in last minute preparations and expect a resounding record.

“Go and watch other African countries, they have already started training but we are still debating whether Keshi will stay or not. That is why those small African countries continue disgrace us. In Nigeria we don’t plan. We did not qualify the last time

we try another rebuilding process with some funny characters appearing on the horizon in the name of players, even as the Nations Cup draw has succeeded in opening our eyes to the reality of our continued maladroitness.

At this stage, one is tempted to renact the coach hiring drama of the NFF. In an effort to arrest the situation he inherited, Amaju Pinnick and his board met a brick wall that not only forced their hands but exposed them to the “political realities of our sports”. It has gotten to the point where the populace decided to resign to fate, abandoning the call for the appointment of a quality coach. Now that the Pharaohs are at the door, the call is for a coach, any coach, “ just give us a coach” What are our chances?

With no team on the ground, with average players strewn all over the place, our clubs disgraced out of Africa too early in the day, ( The reverse is the case in Egypt where domestic players form the nucleus of the National team) our chances are slim, given the time available to us before the opening match ( June 12) However , with a coach coming in on Monday( I was told,) some of us can now go to sleep and allow him to navigate the terrain that has been made “simpler” by the luck of the draw. With due respect to Tanzania and Chad, our journey commences on June 13 AT HOME (capitals mine) against Chad.

That should give us the chance to kick start our campaign on a safe footing, with two months to prepare for the next clash in September against Tanzania, which is another opportunity to stabilize BEFORE we face Egypt six months later, AT HOME first and away later all within a week.( March 23-29 2016) What the draw implies is that we would have finished with Egypt before settling down to plot and round up qualification with the last two matches against Chad and Tanzania. Very arithmetic if you ask me, yet we could not have asked for a better draw.

So, what are our chances? With prayers, bright.

See you next week.

Moses out for ‘several weeks’

S

•Super Eagles players celebrate and since then nothing has been done. It will be a miracle for us to qualify as up till now we don’t have a team, we

don’t have a coach, so if we don’t qualify for the next edition of AFCON, nobody should be angry about it.”

TOKE City manager, Mark Hughes has revealed that his Nigerian charge, Victor Moses, may be sidelines for “several weeks” after picking up a hamstring injury during his side’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Saturday.

Moses, who has netted four times in all competitions this season for Stoke, limped off in the 44th minute at Upton Park after pulling up when attempting a shot.

Speaking after the Premier League contest which saw the Potters take a share of the spoils against the Hammers, Hughes said the injury looked rather serious.

“It looks like Victor has pulled his hamstring.

“It looks like it is in a strange position as it seems to be right behind his knee, which isn’t the normal position you

usually get hamstring injuries.

“We will get it checked, it may be something that isn’t to do with the hamstring so it could be that we get good news but we can’t be sure yet.

“If it is a hamstring, then it could be that we lose him for a few weeks,” he said.

•Moses

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 — 63

Leverkusen sack Spahic after headbutt

Man U thrash noisy neighbours 4-2 M

ANCHESTER United beat rivals Manchester City for the first time in five Premier League attempts with a stirring 4-2 comeback victory at Old Trafford.

City’s title defence had crumbled heading into the match amid a run of five defeats in seven matches across all competitions, but the champions briefly displayed their fluent best in the early stages - Sergio Aguero’s seventh goal in derbies after seven minutes was the reward.

The direct, high-tempo approach United have found success with in recent weeks provided their route back into the match, with Ashley Young levelling before supplying the ammunition for Marouane Fellaini to give the hosts a 27th-minute lead.

Although Louis van Gaal’s men were fortunate

Moutinho hopeful of another upset Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho says Juventus are favourites for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday, despite their Serie A slip-up at the weekend.

The sides meet in Turin in the first leg of their last-eight tie, with Juve heading into the fixture on the back of a shock 10 league defeat at the hands of beleaguered basement club Parma.

Monaco, who progressed on away goals in a 3-3 aggregate draw with Arsenal, are on an eight-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1 following a 3-0 win at Caen on Friday.

“Juventus have a great team with formidable players - a compact group who are very organised,” Moutinho told TuttoSport. “We say that they are the favourites, but then Arsenal were also favourites.

C M Y K

to be ahead at that stage, they proceeded to dominate their neighbours, who slipped into the kind of lethargic performance now synonymous with their 2015 efforts - heaping pressure on Manuel Pellegrini.

Juan Mata, the hero of United’s recent triumph at Anfield, added a third midway through the second half amid strong suspicions of offside and Chris Smalling put the game beyond doubt, with Aguero’s late strike - his 100th for City – providing scant consolation for the visitors.

B

Wayne Rooney jumps on the back of Marauane Fellani in celebration of one of Man U's goals

AYER Leverkusen have terminated the contract of Emir Spahic after the defender headbutted a steward.

The incident occurred after Leverkusen’s DFBPokal defeat at home to Bayern Munich last Wednesday. The BosniaH e r z e g o v i n a international was recorded confronting the steward, with police set to investigate.

But Leverkusen have opted to act decisively by sacking the 34-year-old.

“Emir Spahic is an outstanding footballer, [but] the most recent evidence left us with no choice,” said managing director Michael Schade.

Mandzukic fit for Real test M

ARIO Mandk i c has been passed fit for A t l e t i c o Madrid’s UEFA Champions League home clash with z

u

Real Madrid following an ankle injury.

The Croatia international has missed the last two games after coach Diego Simeone revealed he had been suffering with a

•Mandzukic

long-standing injury to his right ankle.

However, the 28-yearold striker trained yesterday and will be available for tomorrow’s quarter-final first leg at the Vicente Calderon.

Atleti are looking to extend their unbeaten run against city rivals Real to seven matches this season, having not tasted defeat in the derby fixtures since last year’s UEFA Champions League final.

Former Bayern Munich forward Mandzukic has scored twice against Real in that run, including the final goal in February’s 4-0 La Liga rout at the Calderon.

Van Persie tipped for Inter

R

OBIN van Persie is likely to leave Manchester United this summer and could join Inter Milan, according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph.

With a number of newspapers suggesting United are willing to let Van Persie go, with Uruguay front man Edison Cavani among those being lined up to replace him, Law suggested the time may be right for a parting of the ways.

“Interestingly, (Inter

boss) Roberto Mancini tried to take him to Manchester City before United came in so that looks a sensible link,” he told the Sunday Supplement.

“It does seem like it’s coming to an end. He’s got a year left on his contract after this one anyway so they ’ll probably have to pay up the remaining year but it will certainly suit Manchester United to move him on and look elsewhere.

•Van Persie

Cesc Fabregas wore a protective mask during Chelsea’s clash with QPR after breaking his nose last week

Fàbregas breaks QPR hearts with late winner

M

ANAGERS and players will point to the fixtures still to be played, arguing there are potential slip-ups as well as opportunities still ahead, but this was the kind of result on which fates are confirmed.

Chelsea’s players gathered in front of the away support in the School End at the final whistle to celebrate a victory conjured with their first shot on target two minutes from time that maintains their seven-point advantage at the top. Queens Park Rangers, their reality far grimmer, dragged themselves from the turf in utter disbelief.

This was cruel on the home side. Chris Ramsey’s team had competed aggressively

throughout, arguably posing the greater threat, only to implode at the last. Rob Green’s sliced clearance from hands barely stretched 20 yards into his side’s half, Eden Hazard collecting and darting forward at pace.

The Belgian exchanged passes with Oscar before pulling back for Cesc Fàbregas to place the game’s only goal inside the post. Ramsey sank to his haunches, head in hands and back to the pitch. His team deserved better.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Man U thrash noisy neighbours 4-2 •P.63

Bolt poses with Obama •Page 61

Fàbregas breaks QPR hearts •Page 63

Murray ties the knot with Kim Sears • Page 61

Awoniyi fires Nigeria to All Africa Games •Pg 61 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Feeling (5) 7 Demon (5) 8 Of towns (5) 10 Jacket (5) 12 Consume (3) 13 Pointed (5) 15 Gave (7) 17 Led (6) 19 Married (3) 20 Erased (7) 23 Greedy (4) 25 Cupola (4) 26 Coaxed (7) 30 Intelligence (3) 31 Proper (6) 34 Spanned (7) 37 Cash (5) 38 Each (3) 39 Sag (5) 40 Enquired (5) 41 Principle (5) 42 Rate (5)

DOWN 1 Contradict (5) 2 Located (5) 3 Evaded (6) 4 Spoke (4) 5 Feared (7) 6 Subsequently (5) 9 Club (3) 11 Cringed (7) 13 Onwards (5) 14 Sorcery (5) 16 Entrap (3) 18 Dedicated (7) 21 Twelve (5) 22 God (5) 24 Loitered (7) 27 Dance (3) 28 Relegate (6) 29 Accident (5) 32 Managed (5) 33 Not ever (5) 35 Kind (3) 36 Ooze (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Close 5, Clever 8, Enrol 10, Parade 11, Arid 14, Nature 15, Halcyon 18, Pep 19, Van 21, Deft 23, Revel 24, Poor 27, Rag 29, Pet 31, Layette 32, Dealer 34, Lane 35, Eluded 38, Alder 39, Defend 40, Deity.

DOWN: 2, Lea 3, Search 4, End 5, Clan 6, Exited 7, Repeat 9, Recover 12, Rap 13, Dupe 16, Alto 17, Naval 20, Negated 22, Flat 24, Padded 25, Opal 26, Relate 28, Secure 30, Ten 33, Read 36, Led 37, Eft.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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C M Y K