Odimegwu, Oyinlola, Bello others on Buhari's list

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62508

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Gunmen kill Disu, Lekki Free Trade Zone boss

6

We abducted Falae to get Sallah, wedding funds — Suspect 11

MINISTERIAL NOMINEES:

Odimegwu, Oyinlola, Bello, others on Buhari's 2nd list

•Adamu, Osita Okechukwu, Emenike also listed •Senate leadership meets with Ita Enang, others over screening •Presidency makes U-turn on Petroleum Minister 9

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday sent the second list of ministerial nominees to Senate President Bukola Saraki.

This is coming 12 days after the first list was sent to the lawmakers, who will begin screening of the nominees today.

Continues on Page 5

Odimegwu

Oyinlola

CBN under pressure to exclude more items from forex

Okechukwu

47 Mr & Mrs  Lokpobiri

Emenike

Bukar Ibrahim

COLUMNISTS: C-River community, firm at loggerheads See Inside C M Y K

Re: Hopelessness of The defeat of our anti-corruption President Buhari's war •P.20 idealism •P.17

Democrats parley; Republicans implode •P.20

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C M Y K

— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

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C M Y K

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

MINISTERIAL LIST: From left: Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House), Suleiman Kawu; Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Ita Enang, during the submission of Second batch of ministerial list to Saraki in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Odimegwu, Oyinlola, Bello, others on Buhari's 2nd list Continues from page 1

The second batch of nominees was submitted to the Senate President by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, at 4.25pm.

Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, Senior Special Assistant to the

President on National Assembly Matters (House), was also part of the delegation.

The identities of the nominees were still shrouded in secrecy last night over what highly placed sources attributed to angst in the Presidency over the leakage of the first list to the media.

However, dependable sources said prominent names on the second list

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO E teachable. Never get to a point in your life where you begin to think you know it all. You grow your knowledge base by being humble and teachable. Never try to do it alone. It’s up to you.

B

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

When we are no longer able to change a situation, We need to change ourselves —Viktor Frank

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N alone time is a gift. It could be more revealing in many ways and uplifting. These rare moments of inspirations and insights come with a beautiful knowing that there are no limits in life; you can go beyond conventional thinking. It may seem like you’re staring at the edge of eternity but when you can cast your fears aside, you can take the long awaited plunge as you spread your wings and fly higher to your dreams.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

H

e who sells his dog and buys a monkey, something that stoops still lives in his house.

include former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Barr Mohammed Bello (Adamawa); former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun); former Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Chief Festus Odimegwu (Imo); former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Ondo); former spokesman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Osita Okechukwu (Enugu); and former ANPP governorship candidate in Abia, Ikechi Emenike (Abia).

Others on the list include: Hadiza Abdullahi; Adamu Adamu (Bauchi), Hajia Bukar Ibrahim, the former first lady of Yobe State (Yobe); Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa); James Ocholi, SAN (Kogi); Anthony Anwuka, a professor of education administration, who was secretary to the government of Imo state; and Isaac Adewole, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology. Others are Dan Ali, a brigadiergeneral who was retired

in 2013; Okechukwu Enelamah, the CEO of African Capital Alliance; Claudius Omoyele Daramola, a professor of sociology of education, from Ondo state; and Aisha Abubakar.

The submission of the names was in line with President Buhari’s promise to send the second batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

The Senate scheduled today to begin screening and possible confirmation of the nominees.

The exercise is billed to take three days.

Meanwhile, the Senate leadership went into a crucial meeting last night to firm up modalities for the screening. Sources said that Senator Ita Enang was part of the meeting, a move sources said was to pave the way for a soft landing for some of the controversial nominees.

Meanwhile, as senators begin screening of ministerial nominees today, it was gathered that a fresh hurdle has been designed with the Senators toying with the plan of asking ministerial nominees that have been indicted

by panels of inquiry to step aside.

The submission of the list has put paid to threat of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators to abort today’s screening unless President Buhari sent list of nominees from the 36 states of the federation in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution on m i n i s t e r i a l appointments.

The additional list of ministerial nominees was confirmed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate), Senator Ita Enang.

The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also confirmed receipt of the

list by his boss.

However both Enang and Olaniyonu refused to disclose the content of the list as they said it was contained in a sealed envelope which according to them, would only be opened by the Senate President when presenting it to senators today.

Olaniyonu said: “The list has been received by the Senate President. We received it at 4:24pm and the list was brought by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari.

He was accompanied by the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sumaila Kawu.”

Nigeria, South Africa relations to get new boost, says Osinbajo ....As Zuma visits Nigeria soon

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—THE frosty relationship between Nigeria and South Africa over failed arms deal during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan would soon give way for a friendly diplomatic relations.

The assurance was expressed weekend by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo who was on official trip to South Africa.

Speaking to Journalists while in South Africa, Osinbajo after a meeting with both President Jacob Zuma and his Deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, where issues of common interests to both countries were discussed, said there was a renewed diplomatic relations between Nigeria and

South Africa.

He also commissioned a new Consular section building of the Nigerian High Commission office in Pretoria on Saturday.

Osinbajo also revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari would soon host President Zuma in Abuja.

“The meetings went very well. Some of the critical areas both countries are expecting to deal with in the coming years were discussed.

You know, President Zuma will be visiting Nigeria very soon.

“These meetings, in some senses, are preparatory and we are looking forward to seeing him(President Zuma), and we thought it might be useful to mention one or two things that will be important in the meeting that he will be having with President Buhari very shortly.”

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Security aide of popular musician shoots undergraduate at Ago-Iwoye

By Esther Onyegbula

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GO-IWOYE—THE security aide of a popular musician has reportedly shot an undergraduate of Business Education department from Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago Iwoye.

The victim, identified as Kofoworola Azeez, was allegedly shot by one of the security aides of KWAM 1, during his musical show in the town.

Vanguard gathered that the incident occurred at the popular Limelite Hotel at Ago Iwoye, owned by a socialite, Sesan Rufai. The incident led to a commotion, which resulted in the abrupt ending of the show.

The State Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the command has been fully briefed about the incident. He said it was the police that took the victim to the hospital.

Adejobi further said that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abdulmajid Ali, has directed that the popular musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose, be invited for interrogation on the matter.

“We got the report of the incident and we have taken the victim to the hospital. The bullet has been removed from the victim’s body.

“Before the policemen got to the scene,the musician and his team had left the place. The Commissioner of Police has instructed that KWAM1 should be invited and he has been invited to tell the Police how it all happened and who among his band members pulled the trigger.

“Weareexpectinghimtocomeand give us the account of everything that happened so as to assist us in our investigation. He is expected to come with his band boy that fired the gun,” Adejobi said.

It was gathered that the lady was hit by a bullet, allegedly shot around 1:00am by one of the ‘boys’ of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal.

According to an eyewitness (nameswithheld),theladywasinside an unregistered Honda Accord car that belonged to an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence, NSCDC,whichwasparkedaround the party venue.

The party was organised to mark Ago-Iwoye Day celebration, earlier scheduled for Saturday but which shifted to Sunday because of the Convocation ceremony at the university in the town.

The lady has been taken to the GeneralHospital,Ijebu-Odeandshe iscurrentlyrespondingtotreatment.

Gunmen kill Disu, Lekki FT Zone boss Chief Security Officer of Dangote Refinery injured as Police arrest 10 suspects

By Evelyn Usman & Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—TRAGEDY struck yesterday in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, after unknown gunmen attacked and shot dead the Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu.

The Chief Security Officer of Dangote Refinery, identified simply as Colonel Usman, was also reportedly injured.

Reports at Vanguard’s disposal had it that Disu was on inspection of ongoing construction of a refinery in the area when he was ambushed by his assailants and shot at close range.

Thereafter, his assailants were said to have abandoned him in the pool of his blood.

However, another account had it that crisis broke out at between Ibeju-Lekki villagers and some Mobile policemen at Okunraiye, during a protest by the former.

The villagers were said to have been protesting against what they described as forcible take over of their land by Lagos State government, when policemen swooped on them.

On sighting some members of staff of the said refinery on the site, they reportedly ordered them out, insisting that the land belonged to them.

The deceased was said to have attempted to calm frayed nerves, when some hoodlums allegedly hijacked the otherwise peaceful protest and unleashed mayhem on anyone in sight.

In the process, two protesters whose identities could not be immediately ascertained were allegedly shot dead by the policemen.

Renewed protest over alleged killing

The alleged killing reportedly sparked off a renewed protest which took a violent dimension, where dangerous objects, including guns, were alleged to have been used.

According to an eye witnesses who simply gave his name as Makanmi , “Alhaji Tajudeen Disu was accompanied by some Mobile policemen to the protest scene . But during the crisis between the protesters and policemen guarding him, he was felled by a bullet. A policeman was also hit by a bullet.

"The protest was over the forcible take over of the community land for KILLED: Late Lekki Free Trade Zone MD, Alhaji Tajudeen Disu. the construction of a petrochemical refinery. The circumstance, weapons such as that10 suspects had been arrested protest has been ongoing until it guns were used by these villagers so far, assuring that the Police turned bloody today (yesterday).” within the Lekki Free Trade Zone would get to the root of the matter, A joint patrol by the military, axis this morning. It saddens my as investigation was still onmobile police and conventional heart and the heart of all of us going. policemen were reportedly because this was the person who Vanguard gathered that among ongoing. had been dedicated to the job in those arrested were a traditional Although normalcy returned the last 10 years by promoting ruler, otherwise known as Baale, to the community at about 1pm, the inflow of investments into in the area, Chairman of Odua Vanguard gathered that some of Lagos State.

Peoples Congress, OPC, and the villagers had fled their abode “I have directed the other high profile community for fear of being arrested by the Commissioner of Police to do a members. police.

Owoseni said: “We have so far thorough job into the killing. I want to appeal to all our people arrested 10 suspects and the Lagos State govt, Police in Ibeju- Lekki to give peace a arrest that were made are those react chance, It is in the interest of all that were directly responsible. We Reacting to the unfortunate Lagosians that we attract many are still in the state of operation, incident, Lagos State Governor, investors as much as possible to more arrest will be made and we Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the state, as this will create job will do a diligent investigation. expressed sadness over the loss, opportunities.

We will ensure that those behind even as he appealed to residents the dastardly act are caught. We of Ibeju Lekki area to give peace 10 persons arrested will go after their sponsors and I a chance by allowing While briefing State House can assure you that the government to carry out projects Correspondents on the incident, investigation will be carried out aimed at bringing development the State Commissioner of Police as speedily as possible and to their communities. , Mr. Fatai Owoseni, disclosed diligently prosecuted.”

Ambode said: “Under this

Housewife remanded for bathing pregnant neighbour with hot water

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS—MAGISTRATE, D. A. Erinle of a Yaba Magistrate’s Court, yesterday remanded a 28 year-old house wife, Oluwatoyin Oyagoke, to prison custody after she admitted pouring hot water on her pregnant neighbour, Rukayat Salami Osuolale, who is 26 years old.

The defendant, who is a mother of two, was remanded by the magistrate after she pleaded guilty to the attempted murder charge levelled against her.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Benedict Aigbokhan, told the

court that the defendant and the victim had a heated argument while they were both in the kitchen cooking.

Aigbokhan said the incident

took place on Friday, at about 9p.m., at 3, Gbagada road, Gbagada, in Somolu Local Government Area, of Lagos State, adding that the

The suspect, Oluwatoyin Oyagoke

defendant poured the hot water on the victim who was also cooking noodles for her husband.

He said the victim, who is six m o n t h s pregnant, was later admitted at the Truman and B u r n s Department of

Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos.

The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant who attempted to kill the victim, Mrs. Salami Osuolale, poured hot water on her face, chest and breast.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, is contrary to and punishable under section 228 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Magistrate Erinle ordered that the defendant be remanded in prisons custody, pending the day the Court would review the facts of the matter, and sentence the defendant.

The matter was adjourned till October 14 for facts and sentence.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—7

Police arrest robbery kingpin at Mile 2

By Ebere Aham & Lucky Nwanekwu

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AGOS—OPERATIVES of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos State Police Command, weekend, arrested one Timothy Ojomandu, alleged to be a member of a three-man gang that hides under gridlock to attack and rob motorists around Mile 2 area in the state.

The suspect was caught in the act at about 7:30 pm by the team of policemen who responded to a distress call made by the driver of Mitsubishi Canter with number plate, FKJ 676 XF, after the suspect and his gang members had successfully stolen one carton of cell battery from the truck which was fully loaded with hundreds of the cartons.

The truck driver, Mr. Ajiboye Mogaji, who accompanied the suspect to the RRS Headquarters at Alausa, told the Police that he sighted the suspect from the side mirror of his vehicle when he sneakedin through the back of the truck.

He said: ‘’When I saw him sneaking-in to my truck, I pretended as if I didn’t see him. While inside the truck, he passed one carton to his partner who was moving beside the vehicle. As soon as I saw him passing one carton to his partner on the ground, I rushed down on motion.

However, when his partner saw me alighting from the vehicle, he absconded with that one carton, and I held the suspect by his trousers when he wanted to jump down from the truck. Then, I shouted for help and the Policemen from RRS who were patrolling the area responded swiftly to the distress call.”

He further thanked the Policemen for coming to his rescue at the appropriate time before the suspect could escape.

traffic congestion along the area. I was a bus conductor before Victor Chibonwu, our gang leader, introduced me to the act of theft. On the fateful day, I, Victor and Richard went to Mile 2, looking for our would-be victims. On getting to the spot, we saw one truck fully loaded with cell batteries heading towards Ijora, and it was held up in the traffic. I now got the opportunity to enter inside the truck from behind. I succeeded in removing one carton of the battery and passed it to my partner walking beside me, and in the process to pass another one, the driver showed up and held me tight by my trousers before he handed me over to the Police but my other colleagues were able to run away with one carton of the battery,” he confessed.

The suspect, who hails from Isseke Local Government Area in Anambra State, simply disclosed their receiver as Mr. Gawo, who owns shops at Tin-Can Island, Apapa, in the state.

“We do sell all our stolen goods to him. He operates many shops at Tin-Can Island. Victor was the one who usually takes the stolen

goods to him after each operation,” the suspect added.

The suspect has been

transferred to Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, for further investigation.

32-year-old woman goes missing in Lagos

By Ebere Aham & Ufuoma Tiveruahor

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The suspect, Timothy Ojomandu.

AGOS—A-32-year-old woman identified as Funmilola Ogundare, has been declared missing in Lagos.

Vanguard learned that Funmilola Ogundare who speaks Yoruba and English fluently, was last seen around Isolo, Lagos, on October 4 at about 2 pm when she left the house at No. 2 Metropolitan College Road, Isolo to an unknown destination.

According to the mother of the victim, Mrs Ogundara Abiola, who reported the case to IreAkari Police post, five days after Funmi was last seen, “All effort to trace my daughter ’s whereabouts have been abortive, which is why we decided to report the case to the police.

“My daughter, Funmi, is 32 years of age, 6ft tall, fair in complexion, speaks Yoruba and English fluently. We are from Ibadan in Oyo State. Any person that has any information about her whereabouts should report to any nearest police station or, better still, contact her mother, Mrs Ogundara Abiola

Arrest

Confirming the arrest, the Commander of the RRS, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu, said: “Some RRS riders who were on routine patrol around that axis, were informed by the truck driver about the incident, and the suspect was arrested and conveyed to our headquarters immediately.”

The suspect, who confessed to the crime, said he was just being recruited into the group about two months ago.

Confession

“Our robbery gang was in the habit of stealing handsets and other valuables from pedestrians and motorists during the peak period of

PICKETING: Contract workers, yesterday, picketed Shell, Ogunu Base, Warri, Delta State, to protest unpaid salaries by Gabson Industrial Services and Offshore Pipelines International.

Gabson and Offshore service Shell rigs at Yokri, Burutu LGA, Delta State. Photo: Egufe Yafugborhi.

The missing Funmi

Court remands 3 over conspiracy to rob bank

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—A Lagos High Court in Ikeja yesterday remanded in prison custody three persons accused of conspiring to rob First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The accused persons are Offon Akpan, 25, Osanbie Sunday, 25 and Akeem Karim, 25.

According to the charge, the accused persons conspired to rob the bank at Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere area of Lagos.

The trio were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye on a 23-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

One of the charges read: “Offon Akpan (m), Osanbie

Sunday (m), Akeem Karim (m) and others at large on March 18, 2011 about 1300hrs at Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos in the Lagos Judicial Division were found in possession of locally made pistol with intent to rob First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere branch, Lagos.”

State Counsel, Mr Akin George, informed the court that

the offence was contrary to Section 403 (3) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 17, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State 2003.

However, when the charge was read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.

After taking their plea, the judge adjourned the matter to November 24 and 25 for trial.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Tambuwal to FG:

Focus on terrorism, militancy

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—THE Federal Government has been advised to focus attention on the eradication of widespread cases of terrorism in the NorthEast and militancy in the Niger Delta as they pose the major threat to national security and development.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who made the disclosure, said solutions must be proffered to tame the increasing religious intolerance championed by some Islamic sects in the North and Niger Delta militancy, towards a peaceful country.

He spoke at a capacityenhancement training for security operatives in two selected communities in Nigeria, jointly organized

by ECOWAS, European Union, EU, Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PRESCOM-SALW, and UNDP. Tambuwal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Buhari Bello-Kware, wondered why the North, which used to be accommodating to peoples of other regions and religions, had become a hub of insecurity.

He said: “It has become difficult for us to be our brothers’ keepers because we have become intolerant and ignorant as a result of our refusal to seek knowledge about our beliefs or religions, thus making us ready tools in the hands of people who use religion or ethnicity for personal gains.”

Brazilian investors beg FG to ease barriers on rice importation

By Favour Nnabugwu

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B U J A —B R A Z I L I A N investors have implored the Federal Government to ease barriers on rice importation, following their interests in food and agricultural technology transfer.

Government had placed foreign exchange restrictions on rice importation to encourage local rice growers and promote made-inNigerian products.

Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Elvado Silva Junior, who led a delegation of 20 companies to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, in Abuja yesterday, said Brazil was keen on exporting its quality rice to Nigeria.

He said: “The main target of Brazilian investors is on rice

importation. We wish to bring our high quality rice to Nigeria and we will appreciate if the Nigerian government can relax its barriers on rice importation.”

Trade volume

He said the trade volume between Nigeria and Brazil was $12 million in 2014, adding that Nigeria exported goods worth $8 million to Brazil, while Brazil exported goods valued at $4 million to Nigeria.

Silva Junior said: “Brazil is desirous of offering its rice to Nigeria in continental proportions and the cuttingedge technology employed in industrial processes.

“Brazil has a highly qualified and innovative rice industry that boasts a high technological standard, with focus on

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A G O S — T H E Nigerian worker will continue to be subjected to indecent labour practises and low pay until someone, who knows what it means to work, is made Minister of Labour.

This was the sentiment expressed by the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, at a symposium to mark the 2015 World Day for Decent Work, on the theme Corporate Greed: Root Cause of

‘Nigeria wants to export’

Welcoming the investors, NIPC’s Executive-Secretary, Mrs Uju Hassan-Baba, who believs that Brazil has a lot to offer, said: “Nigeria is a major market itself.

“We want to borrow a leaf from Brazil to be a major producer, consumer and be the net exporter in the areas where we have comparative advantage.”

Hassan-Baba stated that

investors had renewed confidence in Nigeria as a safe and profitable investment destination, being that the potential rewards were the highest in Africa.

On benefits of partnership

Meanwhile, Vice President of Nigerian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ladan Jubril, affirmed that the partnership would see Nigeria attain self-sufficiency in agricultural production with the application of technology to improve its economy.

Jubril said the Federal Government had made frantic efforts to liberalize investors’ entry and strengthen protection for foreign investments, promote openness and generally make investment environments more favourable for inward Foreign Direct Investments, FDI.

VISIT: From left— United Kingdom, UK, Government Special Adviser, Mr. Joanna Corleh; British High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Wright; UK Minister of State, International Development and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Grant Shapps, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during a courtesy call by the UK Minister at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria under threat from gross mismanagement—NIM

By Michael Eboh

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HE Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, yesterday, disclosed that the

country ’s economic, infrastructural and ethical revolution was under threat as a result of gross mismanagement.

‘Why a worker should be Labour Minister’

By Oboh Agbonkhese

exclusive and efficient service to the most demanding requirements of international food supply.

“Brazilian companies offer expressive flexibility in meeting specific needs sought by consumers from different countries, based on logistical and consumption characteristics.”

Casualization and Outsourcing, in Lagos.

According to ASSBIFI National President, Mr. Sunday Salako, “employers are cutting corners and endangering workers’ lives.

This is why we will continue to celebrate Decent Work Day until they do what is right.

“The first step to preventing the Nigerian worker from indecent work is to make a real worker the Minister of Labour.

Such minister will know the pains of the workers and pensioners will no longer die

on queues waiting for their benefits,” he added.

He said politicians could not be employers, noting that since most businesses were owned by politicians, they would pursue policies that benefit their businesses to workers’ detriment.

Salako said 49 percent of Nigerian workers were casual employees, adding that the situation would worsen as employers claim to cut cost by the practice, which he said was a euphemism for corporate greed.

This was even as a renowned economist, Mr. Biodun Adedipe, who was former Senior Special Assistant to the President, Financial Sector Development, in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, also declared that the Nigerian economy was already in recession.

Speaking at the NIM 2015 Annual National Management Conference in Abuja, Mr. Nelson Uwaga, President and Chairman of Council, NIM, described as appalling the state of the backwardness of the country despite its abundant human and mineral resources, blaming the country’s slow pace of development on gross mismanagement.

Uwaga noted that Nigeria

was endowed with the finest of natural resources and the best minds in all fields, adding that poor management had been the bane of the nation’s development.

Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Adedipe, Chief Executive, B. Adedipe Associates Limited, in its presentation at the conference, disclosed that the economy started slowing down in the third quarter of 2014, and having done that over three consecutive quarters, it is already in recession.

This economic recession, according to him, should be visible in real gross domestic product growth, GDP, real income (inflation related), employment situation, industrial production, and wholesale/retail trade or sale, adding that all of these indices dampened in Nigeria from July 2014 to June 2015.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 9

Amnesty Int'l alleges more violations in Nigeria

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—AMNESTY International, yesterday, maintained that despite remarkable things that Nigeria had achieved within a short period, serious violations had continued unpunished.

The body, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said it had opened a new office in Nigeria to be headed by Ambassador M. K. Ibrahim.

It said: “The new government has made promises of accountability, and we welcome that. Now, we must hold them to their words.”

According to Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Salil Shetty, “Nigeria has achieved remarkable things, but serious violations continue, unpunished.

“In establishing a permanent base in Nigeria, we want to send a clear message: Amnesty International stands in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations, alongside the individuals and organizations already fighting abuses.”

GSMA 360: From left— Market Engagement Manager, GSMA, Victor Ohuruogu; Project Manager, David Iwarue; Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Stuffman, both of VAS2Nets Technology; Chief Executive Officer, Salt and Einstein, Lai Labode, and General Manager, Mobile Content, Conrad Nyuur, at the ongoing 2015 GSMA Mobile 360 Series in Cape Town, South Africa. PHOTO: Emeka Aginam.

Senate begins screening of ministerial nominees, suspends Amaechi’s probe I'm from Gombe State, not Kaduna—Amina Ibrahim

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—AS the Senate commences screening of ministerial nominees today, it suspended the probe of former governor of Rivers State and a ministerial nominee, Rotimi Amaechi, saying it would amount to subjudice as the case was in court.

Speaking yesterday when Amaechi and the former Special Assistant to the President on Millennium

Development Goals, MDGs, Amina Mohammed, arrived the Senate, Chairman Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East) said it was not feasible for the committee to still look at the petition or probe Amaechi.

He said the issues raised in the petition before the committee were already in court, adding that in line with the Senate Standing Orders, senators will not attend to it.

Anyanwu said since the issues raised were in court, Senate would not want to run foul and brought the sitting to a close at 2.35 p.m.

Section 41(7) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended, reads: “The Senate shall not receive any petition on any matter for which there is a judicial remedy.”

Amaechi's arrival

Amaechi, who arrived the Committee Room 1.20 at 2.22p.m. in company

Presidency makes U-turn on Petroleum Minister

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor, with agency report

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HERE is an indication that the Presidency has reversed itself on the petroleum ministerial position.

The portfolio will now have no minister, while a ministerial nominee in the person of Emmanuel Kachikwu, current Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, would be Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

This indication was given by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, barely two weeks after he had told international media that President Muhammadu Buhari would take the position.

Bloomberg, yesterday quoted Adesina as saying “he cannot be President and oil minister at the same time. He will supervise the ministry, so there will be no petroleum minister. Maybe he will appoint a Minister of State.”

Adesina had said in New York,

few days to handing over of the ministerial nominees’ list to the Senate that Buhari was to take charge of the ministry.

Reports had come from New York, where Buhari was attending the UN General Assembly last month, quoting

the President as saying he would be Minister of Petroleum, with a junior minister taking charge of dayto-day affairs in the sector.

Though Adesina gave the impression that the reversal was to separate the office of the

President from that of petroleum ministry, it was speculated that the move may be due to some Senators' threat to force a screening of the President in line with their rules, if he nominates himself for the position.

Buhari’s timeline to end insurgency realisable —OBASANJO According to him, evidence He said: “I came to see the

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, stated that the December deadline given to the military by President Muhammadu Buhari to root out insurgency in the country was realisable.

He, however, said Nigeria does not have to wait until the last of the terrorists was killed before declaring victory.

of victory comes immediately the military had exerted its authority over the terrorists.

The former President spoke to newsmen after submitting the report of a study on how Nigeria could win the war against Boko Haram.

Obasanjo said the situation in the North-East had compelled his team to embark on a mission to Columbia to study the country ’s experience in its 50-year battle against the FARC rebels.

President for two reasons.

First, I brought a delegation of Copenhagen Foundation team, who visited Columbia last year. I am the Chairman of the foundation.

“The second was about the work that the President and ECOWAS gave me on Guinea Bissau.

“The last time, we were able to resolve all the issues of getting a new Prime Minister. This time, we were able to resolve the issue of forming a government.”

of his former Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ibim Seminatari, was asked by the committee chairman if there was anyone he was not comfortable with as a member of the committee.

He said no and swore to the Bible to say the truth at 2.27 p.m.

Earlier, Mrs Amina Mohammed, who appeared before the committee, following a petition against her nomination from Kaduna State, told the committee that she was born and bred in Kaduna State, but hailed from Gombe State.

She also disclosed that she was not from Kaduna State as being speculated, adding that it was strange to her that she was being described as having come from Kaduna.

Speaking on Amina Ibrahim Mohammed, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Anyanwu said: “ We have established that she is not from Kaduna and we are going to take a decision at our committee level.”

C'ttee members

Other members of the committee are Senators Bala Ibn-Na’ Allah, Omotayo Alasoadura, Binta Garba, Olaka Nwogu, Muhammad Shitu, Dino Melaye, Peter Nwaoboshi, Jeremiah Useni, Ogba Obinna and Omogunwa Yele.

Before the appearance of Amaechi, there was, however, a sharp disagreement between the senators over whether Senator Olaka Nwogu from Rivers would serve as an observer or not.

Senator Melaye raised the point, saying since Nwogu was one of those who submitted the petition, he should assume the position or status of an observer when Amaechi arrives.

However, Senator Nwaoboshi countered Melaye, saying Nwogu could not be reduced to the position of an observer, since he could not vote when it came to voting on the matter.

At the end of the day, Senator Nwogu did not show up when Amaechi appeared before the committee.

Speaking after he was asked to go, Amaechi who hailed the Committee for following the Rule of Law, said if his political history was followed, what he was facing was not new because in 2007, a panel indicted him and the Supreme Court cleared him.

“When you invited me, I knew there will be rule of law,” he said.

Speaking with journalists after the session, Chairman of the Committee, Anyanwu, who disclosed that there were only two petitions concerning Amina Mohammed and Rotimi Amaechi, said: “We received only two petitions. One on Rotimi Amaechi and the other one that concerns Amina Mohammed.

“We have treated the two petitions and the committee is about putting down our report, which might be ready tomorrow (today) and if we cannot conclude it tomorrow, then we will move to the next day.”

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Ambode releases N19bn for council roads reconstruction

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsuru Olowoopejo

L

A G O S — GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has approved N19 billion for the reconstruction of 114 inner city roads in the state.

Ambode who disclosed this yesterday, during the monthly meeting with the Executive Secretaries of the 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in the state to review the progress report in their various communities as well as their challenges, said the reconstruction would be done in phases.

He explained that government will soon commence the reconstruction of two roads in each of the 57 councils across the state, just as he charged the Executive Secretaries to judiciously ensure that the projects meet international standard.

He said the decision to embark on the road rehabilitation was in line with the reforms at the local government level, noting that the first phase would commence with the reconstruction of 114 roads, two per local government, at the cost of N19billion.

The governor, who said the execution of the project would be left in the care of the local governments, however tasked the Executive Secretaries to ensure that only the best contractors are engaged to ensure that the prescribed standard is met on all the roads.

Ambode said the ongoing reforms in the councils are geared towards making them more effective and deliver better service to their communities.

3 injured as Osun tertiary institution students protest T

HREE students of tertiary institutions in Osun State were yesterday injured in a stampede which occurred during a protest at the junction of the state House of Assembly in Osogbo.

Students of the four tertiary institutions owned by the Osun State Government had staged a protest over the continued staying at home as a result of the industrial action embarked upon by their lecturers.

The lecturers were protesting, among other things, the stoppage of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, claiming that the state government had been making pension deductions from their salaries and had refused to remit same to their individual pension fund administrators.

The students were injured in a stampede, which occurred when police fired tear-gas to disperse them as they insisted that they would enter the Assembly to take their complaint to the Speaker.

As early as 8 am, students of the affected institutions stormed Osogbo, the state capital, protesting their continued staying at home.

The protest caused heavy traffic along the popular GbonganOsogbo Road preventing the free flow of traffic.

The aggrieved students staged their protest march to the state secretariat already condoned off by security operatives including police and men and officers of Nigeria Security and Civil

HE annual convention of All Soul Transformation Church, Ibiye, Lagos State will kick off on Monday 19th October and end on Sunday 25th, at the church auditorium in Ayanre, Ibiye, Badagry, Lagos. The theme is: “ Divine Increase.”

Defence Corps, NSCDC, to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The police fired tear-gas into the air to disperse the protesting students. It was gathered that four students were arrested by the Police while another three students critically injured are receiving treatment at the hospital.

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—MAGISTRATE Folashade Botoku, of an Ebute-metta Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Oyingbo, yesterday granted bail to Adeyanju Kilani, the owner of the truck whose container fell and killed three people at Ojuelegba, Lagos, on September 2, in the sum of N250, 000 bail, after two subsequent adjournments.

Magistrate, granted him bail, after ruling in the bail applications filed by the lawyer to the truck owner.

However, the driver who drove

The Pastor of the church, Lawrence Opene said the convention will be unique as it will be a time of transformation, impartation miracles, signs and wonders.

He said people will be transformed spiritually and physically through the presence and glory of God.

Speaking during the protest, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Students, Osun axis, Luqman Adekitan, alleged that the police did not allow them to protest before resulting to firing tear gas at them.

He confirmed that three of the students were seriously injured and were receiving treatment in various hospitals in Osogbo.

DAY AGAINST DEATH PENALTY: FG asked to eliminate execution

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A

S countries across the globe mark the 2015

OJUELEGBA CRASH: Truck owner gets bail, driver remanded

All Soul Transformation Church holds convention

T

VISIT: From left; Mr. Femi Ogala, Gen Sec, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN); Mr. Kole Ademulegun; High Chief Jas Oyekan; Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor, Lagos State; Mr. Tunde Adedoyin, President OAAN; Mr. Baruwa Sanusi, MD, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA); Chief Ipoola Omisore, Chairman, Board of Trustees OAAN, and others during OAAN’s courtesy visit to Governor Akinwumi Ambode at Alausa, Lagos.

the truck, Wasiu Adeleke, was ordered to remain in the prison custody, pending the time the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, will issue an advice on multiple manslaughter charges levelled against him.

Consequently, the matter was further adjourned to November 18, for mention and DPP’s advice.

The truck owner, Kilani, 50, is facing trial on a two-count charge bordering on permitting his driver, one Wasiu Adeleke drive without a valid driver’s license, MOT test and Road worthiness certificate.

The prosecutor, G.O. Osuyi, had said that the offences were committed on September 2, on Ojuelegba Bridge along Funsho Williams Avenue, Lagos.

The truck driver, Adeleke, was charged before the same court on September 11, on an elevencount charge bordering on reckless driving negligent manner, and multiple manslaughter.

The case was, adjourned to September 23, for ruling on the bail application.

world day against death penalty, an international nongovernmental body, Lawyers Without Borders, France, has tasked the Federal Government to declare a moratorium on death penalty.

The body also known as Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France) in a statement by its spokesperson, Angela Uwandu, equally acknowledged Kaduna State governor, Ahmed El-Rufai for his gesture to commute death sentences passed on some condemned inmates to various years of imprisonment and life sentence.

ASF urged Nigeria to say ‘No’ to execution, noting that “Nigeria had in the past successfully implemented a defacto moratorium prior to the last executions in 2013. A reinstatement of the moratorium will only re-enforce Nigeria’s position on respect for human rights and also give the country a stronger voice in the international community.”

It also asked other states government to emulate El-Rufai saying doing so will guarantee the human rights of the condemned inmates, as dictated by natural justice.

According to the statement, “We use this occasion to commend the governor of Kaduna State Mallam El-Rufai for his gesture towards detainees on death row in Kaduna prisons.''

Ikorodu residents laud govt on security

By Bose Adelaja

R

ESIDENTS of Ikorodu have applauded the services of the security agents in their community following their deployment to quell the seemingly unending terror unleashed on innocent citizens of the community.

This came on the heels of military and para-military detachment to Ikorodu area for the past three days.

The combined team led by the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, at the weekend took position strategically in the area to ensure lasting peace towards checkmating activities of pipeline vandals.

Some residents of Isawo who spoke with Vanguard yesterday claimed their community has been under siege forcing many of them to flee the area.

The Police Commissioner the weekend, as part of the security measures, restricted movement of commercial motorcyclists and tricycles in some designated areas of Ikorodu pending the restoration of sanity.

When Vanguard visited Majidun and Isawo yesterday, there was relative calm as people were going about their normal businesses without fear while the presence of military and para-military men was observed.

Also, Armoured Personnel Carriers APC, were stationed at some strategic points.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 11

We abducted Falae to get Sallah, wedding funds – SUSPECT

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor

T

HE Department of State Service, DSS, yesterday presented two suspected abductors of Chief Olu Falae, a former Secretary to Government of the Federation, in Abuja.

Chief Falae, was abducted on his farm at Ilado village, Akure, Ondo state on his 77th birthday on Sept.

21 by armed Fulani herdsmen and released four days later.

Presenting the suspects, Mr Abdullahi Garba, an operative of the service, said that they were arrested on

As Police parade suspects October 5 at J. Zebra hotel in Lokoja.

One of the paraded suspects, Abdullahi Usman (aka Kadiri) yesterday, gave a narration of how he helped to pinpoint “a big man who goes to his farm in Toyota Hilux van” who could be kidnapped to provide Sallah and wedding funds to some of his friends.

Narrating how Chief Falae was abducted, while he and another suspect, Babawuro Kato were paraded by DSS operatives

Judge’s absence stalls hearing of Osogbo UNESCO centre suit

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

S O G B O – ABSENCE of the presiding Judge yesterday stalled the hearing of suit of the leadership tussle in the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding CBCIU, a Category II facility under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO, between the Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola at a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo.

The Court sitting was expected to begin in the suit with registration number FHC/OS/CS/3/2013 yesterday but the Presiding Judge handling the case did not show up.

No reason was given for his absence, but it was gathered that the Presiding Judge was outside the state. The case was therefore adjourned till November 11, 2015.

However, it was reported at the weekend that Professor Soyinka has resigned his appointment as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Centre but Governor Rauf Aregbesola rejected the resignation, saying that Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola could not constitutionally remain permanent chairman of the centre.

The counsel to the centre, Mr Adetunji Muraina, however carpeted Governor Aregbesola for his purported statement on the matter, describing it as ‘contemptuous and unfortunate.’

QUACKERY: Ekiti CJ to enforce ‘no NBA stamp no case’ rule

By Rotimi Ojomoyela no case rule in courts.

A

DO EKITI—THE Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola has declared that the Ekiti Judiciary would soon commence the enforcement of no-stamp-

Tribunal returns Omoworare as Osun East senator

T

HE National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, has declared Babajide Omoworare as the duly elected Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District of the state.

The Tribunal chairman, Justice A.G.Kwajaffa, while ruling on the case instituted by Prince Francis Fadahunsi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 28,

at their headquarters in Abuja, Usman said he was approached by some of his friends in Kwara State shortly before the last Eid El-Kabir during a wedding ceremony.

Usman continued that one Datijo approached him complaining that he was so broke that he might not be able to satisfactorily celebrate the festival unless he (Usman) was able to give information on any big man that could be abducted for ransom.

“I then told him that I know one man who used to bring a Hilux vehicle to his farm and I used to see him as I move my cows about”, he said.

That was how the gang members arranged to kidnap Chief Falae on his farm on Monday, September 21, 2015.

Usman said they then took Falae to Owo, where he was kept at a place called ‘Pipeline’ around Benin junction.

Eventually, the ransom of N5 million was paid to Datijo, who, according to Usman made away with it.

In their narrative, it was the second suspect, Kato who ferried Datijo and Falae on his commercial motorcycle from the hideout to where he was eventually picked up by the Police.

Kato however, insisted

2015 election, said Senator Omoworare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored the highest number of votes to emerge the winner of the election.

Prince Fadahunsi had approached the tribunal to cancel the verdict of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared Omoworare as the winner of the election on the ground that the election did not hold in some polling units in some local governments in the senatorial district.

This is coming on the heels of pronouncement of the Nigerian Bar Association that it will give stamps and seals to every practising lawyer in Nigeria to checkmate quackery in the legal profession.

Justice Daramola, who made the statement in Ado Ekiti at the commencement of the 2015 Law Week in Ado Ekiti, said that the stamps and seals mooted by the NBA, had been embraced by the National Judicial Council and that such will start to have effect in Ekiti courts.

The NBA Chairman, Ado Ekiti Branch, Dr Foluke Dada decried the rampancy of the breach of fundamental human rights in the country.

She lamented that the long drawn strike embarked on by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and the jail break.

that he was not a member of the gang as he was only contracted to transport the two that night.

According to Garba, who addressed the press on behalf of the DSS, the suspects were picked up in Lokoja.

He stated that the abductors were mere criminals and that their action was not motivated by any political or ethnic sentiment.

“The service wishes to state that the abductors were mere criminals.

Investigations have further revealed that their action was not targeted at Falae as a statesman and prominent Yoruba leader.”

He enjoined Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another and shun attempts by mischief makers to give the unfortunate incident an ethnic coloration and use same to cause disaffection among the populace.

“To this effect, the Service wishes to appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and responsible in their commentary on sensitive

issues affecting national security.

“The Service will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody, no matter how highly placed, in

accordance with the laws as long as such a person (s) failed to respect the law or peacefully coexistence among the good citizens of this great country.”

FALAE ABDUCTORS: Babawuro Kato, the okada rider (left) and Abdullahi Usman (Kadiri), the cattle rearer.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

ALAMIEYESEIGHA: Bayelsa declares 7 days mourning, as flags fly at half mast IYC blasts FG, UK govt

By Emma Amaize & Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N AG OA — B AY E L S A State Government yesterday declared 7 days of mourning in honour of the first civilian governor of the State Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who passed on last Saturday and directed that flags in all public buildings and premises across the state be flown at half mast.

This came as the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, flayed the Federal Government and the United Kingdom government, claiming that the latter’s request for Alamieyeseigha’s extradition hastened his death.

The Bayelsa State Government, in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Esueme Dan-Kikile, said within the period of mourning, all its official engagements remained cancelled.

The 7 days mourning period and the flying of the flags at half mast, according to the statement, took effect from Monday, noting that the government was working closely with the Alamieyeseigha family to give the former governor a befitting burial.

He said condolence registers had been opened at the office of the Governor, Government House, Yenagoa, office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Secretariat Complex, Yenagoa and Ijaw House, Sani Abacha Way, Yenagoa.

Meanwhile, IYC, has described late Chief Alamieyeseigha as the first victim of the federal government persecution of Ijaw people.

In a statement issued in Yenagoa by its spokesman, Eric Omare, the IYC claimed that Alamieyeseigha, the Governor General of Ijaw nation, was strong and healthy until the politically motivated conspiracy to extradite him to the United Kingdom by the Buhari-led Federal Government.

The IYC, in the statement said: “Alamieyeseigha’s demise is a clear case of constructive murder by the Federal Government of Nigeria. It would be recalled that the IYC had called the attention of the world, especially the governments of the United Kingdom and United States, to this conspiracy a few days ago before the former governor's demise. Again it has become very clear to us that our marriage in the Nigerian state has become most unbearable."

In a related development, ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, (Tompolo), yesterday, said Alamieyseigha died at a time the Ijaw nation and entire Niger Delta region needed him most.

In a condolence message by his media consultant, Mr. Paul Bebenimbo, he expressed shock at Alamieyeseigha’s sudden demise and wished his family, the people of Bayelsa state and the entire country the fortitude to bear the loss.

RETREAT: Governor Adams Oshiomhole addresses Edo State Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries at a 3-day retreat, holding at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, with theme "Finishing Well" designed to restrategise and reposition the finances of the state beyond oil, in Abuja, yesterday.

Indebted states can’t blame crash in oil prices —OSHIOMHOLE was less than $40, and we still

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said the current financial crisis that prevented many states from paying workers’ salaries was beyond the crash in the price of crude oil, saying that states needed to revisit the issue of capital expenditure, recurrent expenditure and the context of the federal character principle.

The governor, who noted that Edo State met its wage obligation to workers monthly, challenged senior public servants in the state to look inwards to ensure that the state continued to initiate and execute fresh capital projects in addition to completing ongoing ones and meeting basic recurrent expenditures in spite of the dwindling resources from the federation account.

Speaking at a 3-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries holding in Abuja to brainstorm and re-strategise on raising the bar on governance in the state, with the theme,

Finishing Well, he observed that a lot still needed to be done to ensure his administration finished stronger than it started almost seven years ago.

He said: “There are still a lot of wastages in our system. From our experience in Edo, without attacking wages, we have cut a couple of things without having to physically carry out retrenchment in the way that

some other state governments have done. At $45, I believe it is a high price for crude, but I think the problem is that we have assumed that when the price rose to $140 and stabilised at $108, that became the new ideal level. So, when it dropped to around half of that, we think we are in crisis. When I look at what the number was in 1999, at the beginning of this democracy, it

had a fairly balanced budget looking at the ratio of recurrent expenditure vis-à-vis capital expenditure.

“Now if you appreciate that we were doing relatively well at $28 dollars, and that Nigeria met its wage bill when oil crashed to $10 not too long ago, about 1997, the country was not known to be in arrears of salaries."

A-Ibom professionals laud Udoma's ministerial nomination

A

KWA Ibom Professionals, yesterday, described the ministerial nomination of Senator Udo Udoma as the right decision that portends good for the state.

State chairman of Akwa Ibom Professionals, Mr. Mbuotidem Affia, in a chat with journalists in Uyo said: “Senator Udo Udoma is the finest gentleman for the job.

He is a professional we are proud to identify with him.”

Affia described Senator

Udoma as a professional in politics with wealth of experience and determination to always make the difference.

He expressed the hope that his inclusion in the Federal Executive Council would be of immense benefit to the country.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating Senator Udoma, adding that as a professional, administrator and politician, Senator Udoma would deliver beyond expectation. He

further assured the President of the support and cooperation of professionals in Akwa Ibom State to the success of his administration.

On the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the state, Mr. Affia said the governor was the best man for Akwa Ibom State, saying “Udom knows what is good for our state and so far we can see that he is on point, delivering his campaign promises to the people of Akwa Ibom State."

Ministerial nominees: Ideh urges fairness to all at screening

I

TSEKIRI leader and All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Delta State, Dr. Alex Ideh, has urged the National Assembly members in the Senate, to ensure fairness in the screening of the ministerial nominees today.

In a statement issued in Warri yesterday, Ideh, while calling for a detailed screening process, advised the senators to eschew partisanship and bias but to deal with the exercise with the objectivity and the national patriotism that it deserved.

Canvassing support for his Delta State nominee, Dr. Ibe Kachiku, Ideh urged senators from the state to celebrate the NNPC boss as a pride to all Delta State indigenes.

He described Kachikwu as a man of “high integrity, a competent and consummate technocrat” whose wealth of experience will ultimately advance the energy sector thereby buoying up the economic fortunes of the nation. He admonished Kachiku to discoutenance those attempting to blackmail President Buhari on account of his welldeserved elevation to a ministerial position.

He urged all Party members in Delta State to rally support for Kachikwu in the best interest of the state in particular and that of the nation in general.

The statement reads in part: “I congratulate all the 21 nominees. Kudos to Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Chairman of our Committee - the National Convention and Primaries Committee where it all began; as well as Alhaji Lai Mohamed, the spokesman of our party who was also a member of our committee.

"I congratulate those colleagues of mine in the medical profession: Senator Chris Ngige and Dr. Osagie Ehanire. The tenets of the Hipocratic Oath will not be lost on you as you take on this challenge of serving in the Federal Executive council."

Ideh, who had been a commissioner in old Bendel State under the Ogbemudia administration, later served as a two-time commissioner under James Ibori in Delta State. He was the Secretary of APC National Convention Committee that produced Muhammadu Buhari in December 2014 in Lagos.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—13

RIVERS POLL: Tribunal upholds election of 6 PDP lawmakers As APC heads for Appeal Court

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

B U J A — A L L Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, lost its bid to sack six members of the National Assembly from Rivers State, who were on March 28, elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a marathon judgment, the Rivers State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja, dismissed all the petitions lodged against the PDP lawmakers by the APC and its candidates at the election.

Justice Muazu Pindiga, who read the judgments, held that the petitioners failed, by way of substantial evidence, to prove that the elections were marred by violence and manifest irregularities.

Stressing that the petitioners brought “improper witnesses”, to testify before the tribunal, the panel said it could not rely on hearsay evidence to annul the Rivers State National Assembly election and order a fresh poll as it was prayed to do.

Besides, the Justice Pindiga-led tribunal noted that whereas allegations the petitioners raised against the March 28 election were criminal in nature, “such allegation has to be proved beyond every reasonable doubt, a burden the petitioners have not been able to effectively discharge.”

The tribunal held that the proof

of evidence the APC and its candidates presented against the respondents were “weak”, saying there was no substantial ground to warrant the cancellation of the election .

Upholding preliminary objections that were filed by PDP and its candidates, as well as that of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the tribunal relied on section 85 (1) of the Electoral Act and held that the petitioners lacked the locus standi to seek

the annulment of elections in all the federal constituencies in Rivers State.

“The petition fails and is hereby dismissed. Parties are to bear their costs,” the tribunal held.

The PDP lawmakers whose elections were upheld by the tribunal were Senator George Sekibo, representing Rivers East Senatorial District; Jerome Eke (Etche/Omuma federal constituency); Bright Gogo Tamuno (Okrika/Ogu-Bolu);

Boniface Emerengwe, (Ikwerre/Emeouha), Kingsley Chinda (Obio/ Akpor) and Mrs. Blessing Nsiegbe for PHALGA 2.

Meantime, the APC and its candidates, yesterday, vowed to challenge the judgement of the tribunal at the Court of Appeal.

While the APC legal team at the National Assembly level is led by Chief B. E. Nwofor, SAN, its governorship election petition team is led by Chief Akinlolu Olujunmi, SAN.

CONFERENCE: Nigeria’s Ambassador to Hungary, Muhammadu Sani Yunusa (middle) flanked by Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC and Ms. Josephine Amuwa, Director, Policy and Competition, NCC, at the on-going International Telecommunications Union, ITU, conference in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday.

Edo Election Tribunal strikes out two petitions

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal headed by Justice E. O. Abua, sitting in Benin City, yesterday struck out two petitions filed by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Martins Erhabor and the All Progressive Congress, APC, Henry Osobase, for the Edo State House of Assembly The PDP candidate is challenging the election of Nosayaba Okunbor of the APC, representing Orhionmwon East constituency, while Osobase is contesting the election of Igbas Ezehi of the PDP representing Esan North East 1 constituency.

In its judgment, the threeman tribunal unanimously dismissed the petition filed by Mr. Erhabor as lacking in merit.

It held that evidences of the witnesses were hearsay, not cogent and unreliable.

Justice Abua, who read the lead judgment, said the petitioner ’s claim that the election was not in compliance

with the Electoral Act was null and void.

On the petition filed against the election of Igbas

of the PDP, the tribunal held that there was no evidence to prove allegation of electoral malpractice.

The tribunal struck out the petition for incompetence and awarded N50, 000 cost against the petitioner.

Workers barricade oil firm's office in Delta over alleged unpaid salaries

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—ANGRY contract staff working at Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC's, field in Yokri, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, barricaded the Warri office of Gabson Industrial Services, over alleged nine months unpaid salaries.

One of the protesters, a fitter, Felix Onofuaretu, told Vanguard: “We were all hired

by Gabson Industrial Services, a company owned by former Reps member, (name withheld) as labour supplier to Offshore Pipelines International, OPI, who runs

the Shell contract in Yokri.

“Our protest is against these three parties. Since nine months they have refused to pay us. All efforts to dialogue with them have fallen on deaf ears. We are, therefore, here to protest at the OPI office in Shell hoping that will make them listen. Our direct employer who is supposed to pay us says OPI is yet to pay him and he is nowhere to be found.”

Another protester, a welder, Henry Ebison, said: “We have lost two colleagues, Edward Erubasan, a supervisor, and Chikodo Okereke, a welder in Port Harcourt, due to these salary issues and health complications suffered from

job hazards in the field.

Another one is seriously sick.

They have no money for proper medical care. We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other relevant stakeholders to prevail on these companies to pay us.”

Attempts to speak with the management were abortive.

Calls made through to Angela Onwuka, identified as the Finance and Human Resources Manager of OPI, at the company’s head office in Lagos ,were unanswered The protesters vowed to continue the picketing of the Shell Yard, Ogunu, until they received positive responses from all three firms connected with their salary arrears.

Tribunal upholds Delta lawmaker's election

By Amarachi Chukwudi

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HE Delta State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, has upheld the election of Peter Uviejitobor, as the winner of the April 11, 2015 election for Udu state constituency.

Chief Moses Odibo of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had challenged Uviejitobor's eligibility as winner of the State House of Assembly election for Udu state constituency.

In the judgment delivered

by Chairman of the threeman panel, Justice Adebukola Bamjoko, the tribunal said the 1st and 2nd petitioners, Odibo and the PDP, failed to establish credible evidence that the Labour Party, LP, primary was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, saying that the petitioners’ case of eligibility was unfounded, According to her, “the petitioner failed in its petition and it is accordingly dismissed.”

142 illegal patent medicine shops sealed in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— ONE hundred and forty-two patent medicine shops have been sealed off in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by the Inspection and Monitoring Department of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN. Director of the department, Mrs Anthonia Aruya, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said their offences ranged from quackery, poor storage of drugs and dispensing drugs without supervision of a pharmacist.

While appealing for support of the public and the media in the fight against sale of harmful drugs to the public, Mrs Aruya said those arrested during the enforcement exercise by her body would be handed over to the appropriate quarter for necessary action.

She advised those who wish to operate patent medicine stores or pharmacies to visit the PCN for guidance.

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

ROCK CIT 01.9 FM MEDIA AAW WARD IN ABEOKUT A. Phot os bbyy Wunmi Akinola.

CITYY 110 ABEOKUTA Photos

From left; Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye, Provost , Nigeria Institute of Journalism, NIJ; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Vanguard's GM/Editor-In-Chief; Dr. Reuben Abati, Mr. Rotimi Durojaye and Mr. Waheed Odusile, National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ during the Rockcity 101.9FM presentation of award of excellence to media gurus in Abeokuta.

Mr. Yemi Olalekan (right) receiving an award from Prince Jacob Akindele for Mr. John Momoh.

Dr. & Mrs. Niran Malaolu.

Alhaji Bola Adeyemi (left) presenting an award to Mr. Muyiwa Adetiba.

Mr. Sesan Ekisola (left) presenting an award to Mr. Sam Awoyinfa for Late Olu Aboderin.

Mrs. Agnes Okodua receiving an award from Dr. Reuben Abati, while Mrs. Anne Kumapayi watches.

Suraj Adekunbi, Speaker of Ogun Assembly presenting an award to Rev. & Mrs. Segun Aderiye.

Mr. Tunde Balogun (right) receiving an award from Mr. Waheed Odusile on behalf of Nathaniel Balogun.

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Mr. Gbenga Adefaye (left) and Dr. Haroun Adamu.

Singer, Mr. Sunny Neji (left) and Mr. Ambrose Somide.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—15

Election Petitions Tribunals' judgments:

ABIA GOV ELECTION: Otti loses appeal

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, yesterday struck out the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the last governorship election, Dr. Alex Otti.

Otti's appeal labeled No: CA/ OW/EPT/GOV/5/2015, challenged the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Umuahia which refused him extension of time to call more witnesses in a petition he filed against Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Delivering the unanimous judgment of the five-man panel, Honourable Justice Jimmy Bada affirmed that the court below did the right thing by refusing the extension of time sought by the applicant.

The judges reasoned that it would amount to waking up a dead person if, after the parties submitted final addresses, fresh witness are allowed.

“The application failed on the three issues presented before the court. It is also wrong for the

applicant to fail to front load the pre-trial materials from the lower tribunal,” the judges said.

Continuing, Justice Bada said that the non-front loading of the pre-trial materials amounted to

acceptance of the decision of the court below,” adding that the Appeal Court can only decide on any matter based on the evidence before it.

He agreed with the argument

by the counsel to the first respondent, Chief Wale Olanipekun, SAN, that the decision to file appeal by the applicant was a mere academic exercise.

BATTLE FOR ENUGU-EAST SENATORIAL: Wild

jubilation over re-run

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu,yesterday, ordered a re-run of election based on the petition brought before it by candidate of the Peoples Democratic Change,PDC,former governor Chimaroke JUDGMENT: A cross section of party supporters, during the judgment of the N n a m a n i National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal between Senator Gil Nnaji of challenging the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, victory of Senator in Enugu. Photo: Ikechukwu Obi Gil Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic respondent; PDP, second respondent during cross examination Party,PDP for the Enugu-East and INEC,third respondent,asking of first respondents’ the court to declare him winner,or at witnesses which affected senatorial district, held March 28.

Nnamani had approached the the least ,order a re-run following the outcome of the entire spread inflation of result. tribunal with a petition,which had wide and non Jubilation erupts parties to the suit as Gil Nnaji as first results,mutilation compliance to the 2010 Thousands of electoral act that Nnamani supporters characterized the poll. who thronged the court Delivering verdict on room immediately the petition which lasted erupted in jubilation over 4 hours,Chairman of over the outcome of the the 3-man panel,Justice judgment. The jubilant Matthew Adewara of crowd sang supplication Kwara High Court held songs through major that,”accreditation of streets of Enugu voters in the election was metropolis. flawed as confirmed

Stella Oduah wins again in Anambra North Onyema, Azodo also win in Ogbaru, Aguata

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By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—THE National Assembly elections petitions tribunal sitting in Awka, yesterday, affirmed the declaration of Mrs. Stella Oduah by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the duly elected senator for Anambra North senatorial zone.

Oduah was dragged to the tribunal by the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Dubem Obaze, who alleged that there were irregularities during the March 28, 2015 polls.

According to the petitioner, there was falsification of figures during the polls. He argued further that if the actual votes were properly counted, he ought to be declared the winner of the zone.

Also declared duly elected were Chief Chukwuma Onyema and Mrs. Eucharia Azodo for Ogbaru and Aguata federal constituencies.

More stories on Page 46 C M Y K

Nkwonta faults judgment

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BA— SENATORI AL candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia South zone, Chief Chris Nkwonta, has faulted the verdict of the State Legislative House Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Umuahia, which yesterday ordered a re-run in Obingwa Local Government and some parts of Ugwunagbo, within 90 days.

Recall that the election which held on March 28, 2015, in six local government areas of Abia South; Obingwa, Ukwa East; Ugwunagbo, Ukwa West; Aba North, and Aba South, was won by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a third term senator, who hails from Obingwa council.

Obasanjo’s friend, JSPC Nwokolo, dies

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ENOWNED lawyer and former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s bosom friend Barrister J. S. P. C. Nwokolo, is dead, aged 75.

A statement by the family, signed by his son, Patrick Chukwunwike Nwokolo, said the deceased, who hailed from Umudunu village, Abagana, in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, died on October 9, 2015.

He described his father as a devoted Christian, who lived an impactful life and “silently made immense contributions towards nation building and human development.”

Nwokolo, whose burial will be announced later, is survived by his wife, Barrister Patty Nwokolo, seven children and many relations.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 17

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HINGS have not been going according to plan for President Buhari. For the last four months since his famous victory, the president has been engaged with a battle royal with the very people who put him in power. In order to win the election, Buhari had to form an alliance with wily politicians of the old-school; men seasoned at getting their hands dirty and adept at manipulating the system to power-political advantage.

Buhari had tried to make it without these men in the past, but without success. On his third attempt in 2011, he opted for Tunde Bakare as his running mate. Bakare was not a politician but a man of known integrity: a radical Christian pastor to boot.

Nevertheless, Buhari still lost by 10 million votes to the lesserknown Goodluck Jonathan.

Dining with devils In 2015, he chose Yemi Osinbajo as his running-mate, another man of integrity and, yet again, a Christian pastor. But there was something different this time around. He agreed to dine with known political devils.

He formed an alliance with the very political elite he had long despised. These are men who know the crooked ropes of the Nigerian political system. They know how to finance a nationwide campaign with funds obtained magically; no questions asked. They know how to buy and manipulate the press. They know how to conjure votes with the sleight of hand.

With their help, Buhari finally became president against all the odds. The million naira question then became how he would rule alongside these strange bedfellows. How is he going to be their anointed president without becoming one of them?

How is he going to be president without becoming another politician? How can he become president through the help of these men without becoming hostage to them in his victory?

Buhari has kept Nigeria waiting as he struggled with this dilemma. While the press nicknamed him “Baba Go-Slow,” behind the scenes, he was fighting an epic battle against his strange allies the best way he knew how. In that free-for-all, Buhari has thrown his best punches and made his best moves. Finally, after four months of protracted infighting in which his media handlers tried all they could to put the best spin on the situation, he finally caved in and accepted defeat.

On 30th September, 2015, Buhari was forced to accept he could not go it alone. On that day, he finally decided to join the APC politically as its president.

Even more significantly, he finally agreed to join forces as president with those he had despised all his political life; the PDP. On that fateful day, President Muhammadu Buhari C M Y K

Buhari’s fallen angels

The defeat of President Buhari's idealism jettisoned his earlier druthers.

He relinquished his muchballyhooed “change” programme and became reluctantly a fullfledged old-school politician.

National Assembly defeat Buhari’s first mistake was to presume his campaign idealism could carry him through his presidency. Having won the election comfortably, the president decided the decent thing to do was to allow the legislators in the National Assembly to choose their own leaders without interference from Aso Rock.

This was a departure from the procedure of his predecessors and his naïve supporters praised him for it. This was the Buhari they voted for; a man who would breathe new life into the clogged political system. But the whole thing backfired disastrously as the president became a victim of his own attempted saintliness.

What the system required was a president determined to ensure the right people are in leadership positions in the National Assembly to ensure his programmes are implemented expeditiously and to the letter.

What we got instead was a president so idealistic, he allowed his opponents to turn the tables on him.

Buhari’s hands-off vis-à-vis the National Assembly ensured that he ended up with a House and Senate leadership wellpositioned to frustrate his programmes. In spite of APC 's victory at the polls, the PDP used the backdoor to steal the control of the legislature; using a template perfected while the APC was still in opposition by Aminu Tambuwal.

Both the Speaker and the Senate President were elected by minority PDP votes against majority APC votes. Moreover,

It is clear from the announced names of Buhari’s proposed ministers that these are not the people he took four months to select

both the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, are now former PDP men. Both of them secured their positions by forging alliances with their former PDP colleagues; instead of their current APC partymembers. As a result, while Buhari was still celebrating his victory at the presidency, he woke up one morning to discover that the PDP had regained the legislature by a coup d’état.

It could even have been worse.

The PDP could have gone the whole hog and secured a PDP man as Senate President. With 49 senators out of 109, all the PDP needed were 6 more votes to achieve this. This could have been squeezed out with a few back-room deals with the Trojan Horse PDP senators currently sitting pretty as turncoat APC members. But they decided not to be too greedy. They installed wily Saraki, a former PDP man, as Senate president. They then made the deals and secured their own PDP man, Ike Ekweremadu, as Deputy Senate President.

This was a wake-up call for the president. Finally, he learnt that his idealism just would not cut it in the murky waters of Nigerian politics. He cannot stand aloof but has to dive in and get dirty himself.

Accordingly, recalcitrant Saraki was declared persona non grata in Aso Rock; but this could only work for so long given that he is the Senate President. His wife was invited for lunch by the EFCC; but a battalion of senators showed their defiance by escorting her there. Thereafter, the dogs of the Code of Conduct Bureau were unleashed on Bukola Saraki himself.

Fight for supremacy On his election, Buhari had served notice that he would be his own man and not anybody’s dogsbody. He declared: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” This must have irritated those who put him in power to no end. He then went ahead to declare his political independence by telling APC governors they would have no say in his choice of ministers. He also refused to consult his party hierarchy in his early

appointments and with regard to his choice of presidential aides.

With this, all hell broke loose.

The same press that had been used to his advantage during the election was unleashed against him. The Teflon president was now presented as a sectional ethnic leader determined to northernise the country through regionally-lopsided appointments. The APC party hierarchy declared it would have none of this. Party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, declared: “The party will henceforth be fully involved in the subsequent appointments, which is where the supremacy of the party will come to bear.”

Ministerial appointments Thereby, the battle was joined.

Would the “noise-makers” in the APC prevail against the president and force him to use his ministerial appointments to pay back his political debts to those who successfully manipulated the process to get him finally elected after three failed previous attempts? Or would Buhari, now that he is elected, go it alone and bring in his own team of carefully selected technocratic saints and angels?

If he succumbed to the party, he would end up with the same old crop of yesterday’s politicians, many tainted with corruption, but would safeguard his political flanks. However, if he prevailed with his own men, he could present a new face of Nigerian politics by asserting the primacy of technocratic savoir faire over political compensations and “come and chop.” The one would confirm him as the new hero of the Nigerian public. The other would make him a traitor to his questionable political allies.

The outcome of this struggle was announced with his ministerial list. This revealed that Buhari surrendered after being roundly defeated by the old politicos of his party. The president has been forced to contradict his own promises and rhetoric by succumbing to APC pressure. From now on , what we are going to get is no longer Buhari the idealist, but Buhari the new-fangled politician.

It is clear from the announced names of Buhari’s proposed ministers that these are not the people he took four months to select. Buhari does not need four months to come up with the likes of Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Lai Mohammed, Ogbonnaya Onu, Kayode Fayemi and Chris Ngige. These are old-time politicians whose names could have been announced 24 hours after his inauguration. None more so than Audu Ogbeh, a man who was a minister 33 years ago and is recycled by Buhari yet again.

Significantly, out of the 21 nominated names, 8 of them were formerly associated with the “abominable” PDP. Indeed, Audu Ogbeh was a former chairman of the PDP. There are actually more former PDP men in Buhari’s ministerial list than there are former ACN, CCP and technocratic men and women.

So much for Buhari’s muchtouted “change” from the PDP. Whatever could be said about these nominees, they are hardly the men and women of stainlesssteel that Nigerians have been led to expect as Buhari’s ministers.

As a matter of fact, many of them have huge corruption allegations hanging over their heads. Two of them are associated with Afri-projects Consultants; an organisation tainted with corruption while Buhari was chairman of the PTF. Clearly, these were not the men and women Buhari wanted to have as his ministers initially.

They are those he was forced to accept after four months of struggle with party chieftains.

Even now, the struggle continues. Not surprisingly, Buhari prematurely badmouthed his nominees as “noise-makers” on his trip to Paris; inadvertently showing his disenchantment with having to make do with those he would rather do without. Nevertheless, the president’s reluctant nominees can still be waylaid by his opponents in the Senate, including the acolytes of Bola Tinubu whose preferences Buhari flagrantly ignored.

Buhari’s body language The president’s answer is a resort to old-fashioned political maneuvering, in the tradition of the infamous APC “navigator;” Olusegun Obasanjo. Put the fear of Buhari into Senate President Bukola Saraki by arraigning him before the CCB tribunal on outdated charges paradoxically similar to the ones Tinubu was acquitted of several years ago.

If Saraki knows what is good for him, he will quickly ensure that the president’s list sails through the Senate without any hiccups.

The jury is still out on whether Saraki and his Senate colleagues will succumb to this now famous “body language” of Mr. President.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 AS the much awaited screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministerial nominees starts from today, Tuesday 13th October 2015, we call on the Senate to approach the exercise with the utmost sense of patriotism and be totally above political and sentimental considerations.

We note with satisfaction that the Senate has tuned into the mood of the nation for a thorough screening exercise to ensure that only the best materials are cleared to serve on the Buhari cabinet and bring about the good governance we all yearn for.

For instance, the Senate has assured that former federal lawmakers on this list would not be given automatic clearance though some other minor privileges will still be extended to them in line with esprit de corps as former lawmakers. To promote probity, the Red Chamber has also pledged that all nominees must present certificates of assets declaration. This is obviously to key the Senate into the Buhari regime’s anti-graft posture.

We, however, wish to call attention to two other criteria for the screening. One is the insistence that at least two senators must sup-

As ministerial screening starts today port nominees from their states before the candidates are cleared to be sworn-in. The other is the application of Section 147 of the constitution, which demands that a nominee must be an indigene of the state he/she is representing.

We urge the legislators not to use the endorsement of at least two senators from each state in a partisan manner as this might deny the nation of quality ministers. We caution against using it as a means of laying ambush

for nominees who may not be in the good books of certain political forces back home.

They should emulate the exemplary maturity exhibited by Governor Ayo Fayose, who has called on Ekiti Senators to support the clearance of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, who is from a different political party which had plotted his impeachment only months ago.

Since the constitution insists that nominees from each state must be indigenes, we call for a total relaxation of this rule where it affects women who were born in another state but nominated to represent the state where they are currently married. We are dismayed that a woman who makes the sacrifice of spending her life with her husband from another state would still be regarded as a “non-indigene” when she is nominated to serve. It is inhuman, unfair and even barbaric to deny a woman in such a manner.

We, therefore, call on the Senate to ignore the petitioners and clear such women, provided they satisfy all other conditions for clearance. The Senate must apply the wisdom and maturity that befits its status and give us nothing but the best.

OPINION

Delta state, poverty and sustainable job creation (3) Continued from yesterday's pg 19

By Chukwuma Nwaonicha (11) The six entrepreneurial schemes unveiled by the State Government that include the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP); Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP); Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP); Extension of Loans; and Development of Agro-industries among others are bent towards meaningful and sustainable job creation. These initiatives as stated by Delta State stakeholders will create jobs and wealth, diversify the economy, engage youths in productive enterprises, nurture entrepreneurs and leaders, and promote communal peace and security. Integrated agricultural system is Delta State administration goal of diversifying the State’s economy and unprecedented development.

Once agricultural sector is prioritised again by government as stated in the SMART agenda, there will be credible jobs, financial institutions to provide soft C M Y K

agricultural loans and credit facilities for farmers especially in the rural areas. There is also the need to reform the land laws to collateralised local lands and make them collaterals for bank loans. For agriculture to create meaningful jobs, agricultural development should be addressed in line with scarcity of variety of foods, promotion of processing methods for agricultural products and promotion of food preservation, promotion of commercial mechanised and commercial nonmechanised agriculture among others.

In conclusion, meaningful and sustainable job creation as outlined is in line with the Governor ’s SMART development agenda of his administration.

The Governor promised to pursue it vigorously despite the financial crunch and sued for a change of attitude to work

Educational sector has a strategic role to play in creating the necessary skills that would enable the youths to become creators of jobs and not just job seekers

especially by public officials and youths, including those presently unemployed. As noted, the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), is designed to equip youths with vocational and technical skills in computer hardware and phone repairs, sewing, plumbing, tiling, electrical installation, POP, catering and confectionaries and events management among others. The objective of the Production and Processing Support Program (PPSP); according to the Commissioner for Economic Planning in Delta State, Dr. Kingsley Emu, is to increase production capacity of existing farmers and the quality of produce through best practices; wherein beneficiaries are granted micro credit through available financing windows, subsidised bulldozers, tractors implements, chemicals, and high quality seeds. With an enabling environment and sustainable peace, government should place emphasis on skills related vocational and technical trainings so that youths will be entrepreneurs and not job seekers. We should emphasise the acquisition of skills rather than certificates and the educational system should be configured and supported to achieve this goal.

As state above, Delta State Government can tackle poverty through meaningful and sustainable job creation through the value chain in mineral exploitation, small and medium enterprises, by creating local demand and empowering local producers.

As noted, the State will gain a lot if youths are empowered to acquire modern skills.

Quality education is the key to sustainable job creation. The State Government must rebuild the moribund educational facilities, engage quality and skillful teachers, equip the schools in the rural and urban areas with comprehensive educational infrastructure including sporting facilities to catch talented sports persons in their prime. Educational sector has a strategic role to play in creating the necessary skills that would enable the youths to become creators of jobs and not just job seekers. The State Government should minimise Brain Drain to maximise Brain Gain through the provision of incentives that will attract Delta State professionals in the Diaspora. I believe in calling a spade by its proper name; the new cabinet formation of the State is a call for new vision, ideas, rigor and vigor. It is a call for transcendental governance or a transformational leadership.

Concluded *Dr. Nwaonicha, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015— —19

Oyemade's 'Platform' and the nation's challenges

By Sunny Ikhioya

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ISTENING to different speakers on Poju Oyemade inspired 'Platform' programme of 1st October, 2015,on television, one is happy to note that there is still hope for the country. The ailments were thoroughly diagnosed, all that is left is the willingness of the leadership and most fundamentally, the followership to see it through.

The entire process boils down to building our structures around strong institutions and not necessarily having a good man at the helm of affairs. It is not about the amnesia and hysteria of the largely partisan and poorly informed populace, it is about understanding the peculiar circumstances of Nigeria as a country still struggling to attain nationhood, with religion and ethnicity as key issues. As it is today, our cultures and institutions encourage corruption, no section is left out.

How do we put in place structures that will guarantee functional health care, productive educational systems, encourage entrepreneurial endeavours under a peaceful atmosphere and a united focus people?

For those who have taken Bishop Mathew Kukah to the

slaughter slab because of his perceived advise to President Muhammadu Buhari on corruption, I hope we all now have a different opinion after listening to his presentation. The truth is - and I agree with him there is too much hypocrisy pervading the whole land; people who do not practice what they preach are the most vocal in the land - the minister who is a party leader, with a son/ daughter that is a legislator, with an inlaw commissioner and a government contractor wife and so on, with nothing for the common folks. Unfortunately, the poor masses have been so brain washed to stupor.

For me, there are no saints in Nigerian politics, we have only witnessed recycling of the same people. If we are to kill this corruption culture and move the country forward, we must all resolve to remove all of these sentiments. Bishop Kukah took us through the long road from 1966 to present day, of how at different times in our history, people have used the corruption fight to deceive the people, when they assume leadership positions, they set up different agendas from the ones that brought them in. Hypocrisy is our bane.

It is four months and some

weeks into the new dispensation and people who are closed to the corridors of power claim the delay in appointing ministers is for the purpose of finding out 'clean' men, those that have not been tarnished by any form of corruption scandal, people who will be the epitome of real change. As I write, the first batch of ministerial nominees have been released and the much awaited super clean faces are yet to be seen. In the Holy Book, the great master Jesus admonished that anyone who is blemish free should cast the first stone but the male accusers refused to do so.

They simply walked away.

Incidentally, the roles are now reversed, those who have been

To achieve the collective will and purpose is to restore confidence to the citizenry through an open and transparent government

INEC: Why the silence over Zakari's acting position?

By Adewale Adebisi

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HE recent squabble between Governor Adams Oshiomole and ex-governor Sylva in the Bayelsa APC primary which was cancelled and rescheduled has vividly made clear to even the most undiscerning, the dangers of structural capture in deciding electoral victory in present electoral process. Sylva's alleged capture of the Bayelsa APC election accreditation/nomination process brought to the fore the important question of ; why electoral opponents should feel secure if elections will be conducted under INEC, by a woman who is known to be a relative of the President.

That Governor Oshiomole, needed the services of the Defence Headquarters, IGP and several top Security agencies to leave Sylva's electoral enclave, brings home the thorny issue of, if electoral opponents including those within his party, the APC are cornered by the President, under his relative’s supervised election, where can such opponents turn to? Will they be rescued by the Department of State Security (DSS), the National Security Adviser (NSA), or the Police? Given the fragile political relations even amongst the ruling party and other political parties, would it not be in the best

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interest of the nation is prevent the possible disaster that awaits us in the 2019 elections?

Apart from The Guardian, Vanguard, Punch and Tribune newspapers that have written very strong editorials on this matter, Civil rights advocates and election monitoring groups have accepted, and willing to make excuses for, or condone the appointment of an individual, confirmed to have grown up in the same home as the president, as the chief Electoral umpire?

Until this writer logged on t o Y o u t u b e . . (inecchairrelationshipwithbuhari)that has gone viral now on the internet, no one could believe that such a development is possible in this country.

The less than ten minutes interview clip of Alhaji Tanko Yakassai on Channelstv revealed that a relationship indeed exists between Mr.President and Mrs. Amina Zakari.

This arrangement is a disaster waiting to happen for future elections in Nigeria

throwing stones are now under spotlight but they do not want the same treatment to be meted out to them - that is life, so much hypocrisy.

Whether through ethnicity, religion, leadership or any other factor, it is clear that the missing gap in Nigeria's road to progress is the lack of a common will and purpose. When there is no collective purpose, there will be no collective will and where there is no collective will, achieving success for the common good will not be possible. What does it mean to be without a collective purpose?

This is the situation where you have the parts(different regions and states) not in tandem with the whole(federal) as manifested by the splinters of opposition all over the country. We can therefore say that the Nigerian problem is the challenge of bringing all these diverse groups towards a common cause and course, towards a common purpose. This was the challenge in 1960, it is still so now.

It is a herculean task but it is achievable. We had a semblance of it under Jack Yakubu Gowon as head of state, also under Murtala Mohammed for the brief period that he was in office and in the first year of Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure, there was a uniformity of purpose, everyone gave their support to the regime, irrespective of the ethnic and religious inclinations. The goodwill got lost when the

Since this information was made public, it is sad to note that no one has spoken up about Mrs. Zakari's appointment as acting INEC chairman. So loud is the silence on the matter that one is tempted to assume a spell has been cast on Nigerians. Or how else can one describe this silence in the face of a situation that spells doom for future elections in the country.

Several decades ago, Alexander Pope ago declared that "political corruption is the worst beginning of all other forms of corruption in a society". The present scenario raises a moral question: that a man who is a beneficiary of an electoral process midwifed by a sitting president who appointed an INEC chairman of the calibre of Prof.Attahiru Jega and others totally out of the circle of his family, friends, political party and even outside his geo-political zone of the South-south that made it possible for Buhari to win the 2015 general election on the fourth attempt can allow this illegality.

It is shocking that the same beneficiary could turn-around after victory to now appoint a relative as "Acting chairman" of INEC and worst still, unconstitutionally in total disregard to the mandatory consultation with the Council of State and more importantly the confirmation of such appointment by the Senate. What would have been the fate of the 2015 presidential election if Chief Orubebe who is not related to President Jonathan except that he is an ljaw from South south was appointed INEC chairman ? Is Nigeria under a spell of some sort ?

leadership started pursuing selfish agendas to the detriment of the national purpose.

The same goodwill we have now given to President Mohammadu Buhari, the support for him is from all parts of the country and it is an opportunity that he must not treat with levity because if we miss it this time around, it will take a long while before we will recover from the implications imagine the wasted years since 1960.

To achieve the collective will and purpose is to restore confidence to the citizenry through an open and transparent government, through an accountable government, through equitable government, through a purely secular government, productive, an imaginative and creative government, through a truly representative government.

When people see sincerity, they will support the government and when government has the people's support , there is no height it cannot attain. President Buhari has the support of the nation in his fight against corruption. He must translate this goodwill into a collective purpose for the nation.

*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

This is not only bad because it offers one party an advantage, it is bad for all and wrought with dangers a multiparty democracy. We recall prior to the 2015 elections when there were speculations that ex-President Jonathan was contemplating a replacement for Professor Jega, to replace him with Professor Mimiko,there was intense anxiety, several advertorials, TV programmes and radio discussions on why Jega's replacement was unacceptable, President Jonathan had to speak on the matter both to national and international media and the international community on the need for the Electoral Commission to be Independent.

Without prevarications, it is difficult to see how INEC can gain the confidence of political actors if the president a participant in elections directly or indirectly as the leader of a political party as the presiding officer of such elections. This is the dilemma that INEC must live with as long as INEC has Mrs. Zakari as the Chairperson, because under her all elections conducted by INEC will carry a taint of partisanship, an egregious flaw for an independent Electoral management body.

Whether Nigerians are under a spell to accept this arrangement, or sympathisers of the President are paid to spin romantic spiels to make such arrangement look acceptable, this arrangement is a disaster waiting to happen for future elections in Nigeria.

•Dr. Adebisi, a member of the Yoruba Study Group, wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Democrats parley; Republicans Implode

Re: Hopelessness Of Our Anti-Corruption War FEEDBACK

By Solomon Yero

D

EAR Mr. Odumakin, I just read in your column, Candid Notes, your article titled, Hopelessness of our anti-corruption war(2).

I did not read the first part so I wouldn’t know exactly what you said or you did not say there.

I want to agree with your submission in your recent article mentioned above.

If what we are seeing now is the pattern the war against corruption will take, then I think the war is lost before it even started. I am of the opinion that corruption should be tackled holistically.

As a trained radiation protectionist, I know that by the time we have a nuclear accident, Radiation Protection has failed. My job as a radiation protectionist would be minimising to the barest minimum the chances that there will be an accident in a nuclear plant.

When an accident occurs what I have is an emergency. Therefore the present method of tackling corruption whereby we wait for the person to take the money and we waste more of tax payers’ money to prosecute him is for me rather off the mark because nothing guarantees that under the law the government will recover any monies from that person.

The government is losing further instead of conserving what it has. The emphasis therefore is to put down measures that will prevent people from h e l p i n g themselves with our A proper commonwealth while in public definition of office. I am not our core advocating that the anti values and of graft agencies who an ideal be done away with. But if patriotic preventive Nigerian will measures are put in place then form the they will basis of our handle fewer cases and will National be more Awards which efficient at has been doing so, hopefully! badly Aside from bastadised in this, there are other sides of the sense that the fight which people are to me are not being given given these the requisite awards due to attention. I will just positions they mention them occupy here in C M Y K

passing so you can think about them and perhaps develop them into an article at your own time.

1. What values do we hold dear as a nation? What characterises an ideal patriotic Nigerian? What I see today is that the positive is not being stressed.

We are not celebrating men and women of integrity among us. We are focusing too much on the negative. One would have thought that the national conference would touch on a matter like this but it seems to me that it did not. If this is done everybody will have something to live up to including our children who I always love to refer to as world changers of the future rather than leaders of tomorrow. A proper definition of our core values and of who an ideal patriotic Nigerian will then form the basis of our National Awards which has been badly bastadised in the sense that people are given these awards due to positions they occupy or simply because of their affiliation with a ruling political party.

Restructuring of Civil service 2. The civil service needs to be restructured to ensure that the system works. The ground rules or proper procedures should be clearly stated.

Why should I follow up my file from table to table? People should just do their work. One should be contacted to go get the result of whatever papers one has submitted. There is no reason why the civil service cannot be as efficient as the private sector.

3. Our educational system must be re- oriented to solve problems that are peculiar to Nigeria.

Creativity has to be encouraged so that graduates not only stand on their own without relying on government for jobs, but are conscious of the fact that they are making positive contribution to the nation. Nobody from outside this country is interested in seeing that Nigeria develops. That is the bitter truth. This must be the concern of Nigerians. We the Nigerians must take the bull by the horns and ask ourselves what kind of Nigeria we want to see in ten, twenty years, etc and come up with our roadmap on how to get there.

Patriotism should be taken as a subject in our Primary and secondary Schools.

4. The judiciary needs a total overhaul to ensure speedy dispensation of justice. Some of our archaic laws need to be done away with. I guess this is where the National Assembly also comes in.

My humble submission is that in fighting graft nothing short of a holistic approach will work. This means the present administration must come up with a well articulated policy on anticorruption war.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely, Solomon Yero, Abuja

L

AST week, Americans witnessed a bout of unusual political drama.

With majority control of the both houses of Congress, the thinking when Republicans swept into power in last year’s mid-term election was that they had formed a formidable bloc that will govern as their hearts desired.

Some political pundits were even singing an early requiem for President Obama because it was adjudged that with their majority, Republicans will have the power to thwart each and everything the president did, to the point that Americans will see an early lameduck presidency and a severely frustrated president at the White House.

That political calculus missed a vital input or just misread the dynamics of the new power the Republicans had gained through the polls. The mistake was the assumption that finally, there was unity among Republicans and all of them in and out of Congress had the same agenda: to make America so ungovernable for President Obama and his lieutenants thathe would go crawling to them with promises to repeal his signature legislation, Obamacare, if only Congress would give him some form of political ventilator machine.

Well, it turned out not to be exactly what happened. Sooner than later, Speaker John Boehner was to discover that he was just the leader of a reluctant and severely disunited army. Each move he made brought him scorn and disdain from the core of his party; those people who believed that being Republican only meant shutting down the government and no form of compromise or cooperation whatsoever with the Democrats led by Obama. And the more speaker attempted to assuage their feelings, the more they saw him as impotent and a sell-out unworthy of his position.

So, it came to pass that Speaker Boehner almost became a robot and prisoner in his own house. Even when he unilaterally invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the house, an action that was spiteful of President Obama, his core opponents were rarely impressed. They yearned for his political blood on their spongy altar of conservatism.

They would have nothing to do with him.

Sensing that the atmosphere of speakership had turned sour, Speaker Boehner simply kept his final plan secret until his last big assignment was accomplished. And so The big when Speaker Boehner s u c c e s s f u l l y irony in accomplished hosting all this is his visitor from the Vatican, Pope Francis, that as the he launched his political offensive against his uncertainty opponents. Late last month, he surprised continues everyone by have as announcing that he not only was quitting his their position as speaker, he Speaker

was also leaving the House entirely.

He had had enough from the political coup plotters he had mistaken for friends and allies.

But, if Boehner thought that by resigning he was going to leave his huge office at the capitol and enjoy a quiet retirement, it was not to be.

Another page in the Republican Party’s political drama-book was to unfold. The man who was tipped to take over as speaker, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, House majority leader and Boehner ’s preferred successor, also threw in the towel. He stepped aside, amidst unsubstantiated suspicions that he had more skeletons in his political cupboard than many knew about.

Hardly does anyone buy his reasons for quitting, which included his assertion that the Republican Party needed a new face.

Since Rep. McCarthy announced his surprise decision to quit, Republicans have been unable to find a credible candidate to replace him. There are behind-the-curtain attempts by outgoing Speaker Boehner to persuade their party’s rising star, Rep. Paul Ryan to vie for the office.

Party's rising star Former presidential candidate, Mitt Romney who had chosen Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, is also known to nudge Ryan to run. Other top-notch Republicans have also added their voices, but it appears that Rep. Ryan is still adamant that he would rather keep his position as the chair of the powerful House Budget Committee.

Fact is, Rep. Paul Ryan knows that being Speaker might signal the end of his well-known ambition to run for the presidency at some future date.

Anyone who becomes speaker, will inherit Boehner’s fate: he or she must deal with Obama and make concessions that will most certainly trigger the anger of the same small and far-right ideologues in the Republican Party. Once branded a sell-out, that person might well consider his or her political ambitions over. Rep. Ryan appears not to be ready to end his political ambition in order to become speaker, a position that might disappear should Democrats once more regain majority in the House of Representatives.

The big irony in all this is that as the political uncertainty continues, guess who the die-hard Republicans would still have as their Speaker? John Boehner.

Meanwhile, as Republicans wonder how to wriggle out of the quagmire they created for themselves, Democrats are enjoying the political spectacle.

Later today, their candidates for the presidency will face one another in their first of six debates. Their picture of a united front will certainly contrast with the broken pieces of China which the Republican Party is increasingly striving so hard to resemble.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

— 21

C

hief Operating Officer, African Industries Group, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the steel sector to avert imminent collapse of the industry.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, Kumar, said: “There are over 30 private steel plants producing various steel products in Nigeria with an investment that is well over N100 billion since inception.

But the industry is in danger if nothing meaningful happens soon to revive the plants.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria under the present leadership can reverse the trend for the survival and resuscitation of the steel industry which is currently facing serious challenges with measures such as creating local content policy of using made in Nigeria iron rods in all small and big government projects and prevention of dumping of steel products in the country.”

Continuing, he said: “Government should also create a special power tariff for the steel industry and make available an intervention fund at lower interest costs to prevent the immediate collapse of this private steel industry where many are operating below 30 per cent capacity and overburdened with high interest costs, while waivers/concession may not stop completely for certain infrastructural development, the portion of iron rod importation in any waiver should be expunged. Government should curtail multiple taxation imposed by the Federal, State and Local Government agencies and review the high cost of Gas considering that Nigeria has huge gas reserves. The cost of gas in Nigeria is US$7.31/mmbtu as against US$4.2/mmbtu in USA.” According to him, the African

PRESENTATION – From left:Winner of Union Bank’s Activate & Win promo, Miss Lucy Uwaezu Udeogu; Group Head, Aba Retail Cluster, Mr. Friday Okosun; and Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs. Grace Chinyere Chukwu, at the prize presentation ceremony held in Aba.

Steel industry in danger of total collapse —INDUSTRIALIST

By YINKA AJAYI Industries alone has invested well over N20 billion in Nigeria, adding that after agriculture, the steel sector in Nigeria is the highest employer of labour, insisting that the livelihood of more than one million people depend on these private steel companies.

He however, regretted that the steel industry is currently at the verge of total collapse just like what happened to textile industry if government does not come to her rescue urgently.

“Already about four steel plants have completely shut down and more will follow soon because many are currently

Government should also create a special power tariff for the steel Industry and make available an intervention fund”

High tariff killing outdoor advertising industry — OAAN

By Princewill Ekwujuru

O

utdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, said that the billboard tariff of Lagos State government is killing the industry.

President of the Association, Babatunde Adedoyin, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode.

He said that over 70 percent of outdoor advertising billboards have become vacant due to the hike in tariffs by the government.

Consequently, he appealed to the governor for urgent review of billboards tariff as most advertisers have abandoned the medium by diversifying to other media as a result of high tariff.

Adedoyin noted that the high rates regime imposed on members during the tenure of former Managing Director of LASAA, Mr. Makanjuola Alabi, has remained, noting that the high rate has

C M Y K

sent most members out of business.

He however placed on record efforts by the current Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, during his tenure as LASAA helmsman. He expressed appreciation to Bello for his listening ears when he was LASAA boss.

The OAAN boss noted that though business has dwindled over time for the practitioners, members are still being forced to pay 50 percent surcharge on vacant boards that are not generating any revenue.

He said that a downward review of the rate is necessary to encourage most advertisers to return and patronize the medium again. The association also appealed to the state government to create an enabling business environment for its members.

He assured the state government that as partners in progress, “it will be a thing of joy for us to see your administration excel’’. The state stands to enjoy increased revenue from OAAN, which can be done, if the

current high rates are reviewed downward so that most advertisers can be encouraged to return and patronize the medium again.

During the visit, Adedoyin announced the conferment of patronship of the Association on Governor Ambode, saying the appointment is in line the tradition of the association.

“The governor of Lagos State occupies the exalted position of patron of our association and our own Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains our key patron by virtue of the love showed us during his administration. To this end, on behalf of all members of OAAN, I would like to invite you to please accept our invitation to become our Patron and be decorated accordingly”, he said.

Oluranti Adebule, commended the group for appointing Ambode as their patron and also assured them of the state government’s continued support.

On some of the specific requests by the body, the deputy governor assured that the requests will be conveyed to

operating below 30 per cent of production capacity. Most of these steel plants are now operating two weeks a month and are closed for the remaining two weeks of the month due to lack of demand. Cost of restarting each time is very high and adds to the cost burden of the ailing steel companies. Steel consumption is largely driven by government initiative on infrastructure projects.

“There is complete neglect of the involvement of the players in the steel sector in the formulation of the Nigeria industrial policy.

Governor Ambode whom she said operates an open door policy and a forthright leader desirous of moving Lagos State to greater and higher heights.

134.10 $3,047.00

-2.00

$14.29

-0.05

52.75

0.10

49.50

0.03

CURRENCY

BUYING

DOLLAR

196 300.664 222.7148 203.9542 1.6289 0.3171 275.4689 30.8871 52.2611 276.7128 29.8503

POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL SDR KRONA

2.50

CENTRAL 196.5 301.431 223.283 204.4745 1.633 0.3271 276.1717 30.9664 52.3944 277.4187 29.9264

197 302.198 223.8511 204.9948 1.6372 0.3371 276.8744 31.0456 52.5277 278.1246 30.0026

CBN Exchange Rate as at 12 /10 /15

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

,

If the Commission wants to live up to its responsibility of informing the public about the status of operators in the market, it should publish the list of non-compliant operators

INVESTOR'S ,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

Top 10 performing stocks

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

HE top 10 performing stocks last week were the shares of Unity Bank Plc, Cutix Plc, Champion Breweries Plc, Glaxosmithkline Plc, Neimeth Plc and A.G Leventis Plc. Others were United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, NASCON Allied

Industries plc, Beta Glass Company Plc and Unilever Nigeria Plc. Unity Bank Plc topped the list, rising by 24.62 per cent or N0.32 to close at N1.62 from N1.30 per share. Last year, the bank set out to raise about N39 billion through rights issue to its existing shareholders and private placement to boost its working capital, branch development and to also improvement its information technology system.

Early this year, the bank undertook share reconstruction to reduce the number of its outstanding shares. Before the reconstruction, Unity Bank had outstanding shares of 116.89 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each. With the one-for-10 exchange ratio, the bank was left 11.69 billion ordinary shares by the end of the share restructuring, cancelling about 105.2 billion ordinary shares. Also in 2014, the bank returned to profitability having recorded N13.6 billion in profit before tax for the year ended December 31, 2014 from a loss position of N33 billion as at December 2013 under the management of the erstwhile Managing Director, Mr. James Semenitari. Building on the success story, the bank achieved an 11 per cent growth in profit before tax for the half year ended June 30, 2015 as the figure grew to N8.774 billion from N7.898 billion a year earlier. Similarly, profit after tax grew by 11 per

cent to N7.897 billion up from N7.108 billion the previous year, while the bank’s revenue inched up to N33.56 billion from N30.85 billion in the same period in 2014, indicating eight per cent increase. The bank emerged the

“Best Bank in Agriculture Financing” at the BusinessDay Annual Banking Award last year.

Cutix Plc trailed far behind with 8.43 per cent or N0.14 increase to close at n1.80 from N1.66 per share. The company has consistently won the NIS Quality Certificate Award of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria SON every year since 2003. Recently, the company ’s quality management system was certified by the SON as conforming to the ISO 9001: 2000 standards. For the high quality of its business practices, Cutix has also won the Annual President’s Merit Award of the Nigerian stock exchange for corporate Excellence – a record seven times.”Its first quarter financial statement for the period ended July 31, 2015 showed significant improvement in all measurement indicators; profit before tax and interest expense for the period grew by 45.6 per cent to N102.55 million from N70.44 million in the same quarter in 2014. Similarly, profit after tax rose to N43.518 million from N29.004 million in 2014, indicating 50 per cent increase, while its revenue at N665.56 million was 15.7 per cent increase over N575.02 million posted a year earlier. Its basic earnings per share rose from three kobo to five kobo within the same period.

The company manufactures insulated power cables, PVC insulated power cables, polyester aluminium enamelled wire, speaker wire and cable, bare aluminium strand wire and cable, and irrigation cable.

Champion Breweries followed with 5.50 per cent or N0.24 price appreciation, closing at N4.60 from N4.36 per share. Last year, the company sourced N11.7 billion through a Rights Issue to its shareholders. It issued 6.30 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each on the ratio of at N1.85 per share. In the same year, Consolidated Breweries Plc completed divestment from the company through the sale of 513 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to Raysun Nigeria Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heineken International BV. Raysun now owns a 57 per cent equity stake in the total issued share capital of Champion Breweries following the transaction.

By Babajide Komolafe

A

T the close of business on Wednesday th September 30 , 3015, some stockbrokers and other capital market operators lost their licence to operate in the market.

This was due to their inability to comply with the new minimum capital market requirement stipulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

But who are these unlucky stockbrokers? Only the top management of SEC can answer this question. On Tuesday September 29th, the Commission published the list of capital market operators who had complied. And on st Thursday October 1 , advised investors to check the list to ascertain whether their preferred capital market operator is among those that met the requirements.

By so doing, the Commission is transferring the responsibility of discovering non-compliant operators to individual investors. This, however, is tantamount to regulatory irresponsibility.

As the apex regulator in the capital market, it is the responsibility of SEC to inform the public about companies operating legally and illegally.

In recent times, the Commission has stepped up efforts to inform the public

Revealed: The de-lice about companies operating without licence. In addition, the Commission also informs the public whenever it suspends any company and its directors. It also informs the public whenever such suspension is lifted.

Thus, the expectation is that, SEC would not just publish the

list of capital market operators that met the minimum capital requirement; it would also publish the list of those who did not make it.

When the Commission advised investors to visit its website to confirm whether their stockbroker is among the compliant ones, it was indeed

From left: Head, Marketing, Spectranet 4G LTE, Mike Ogor; Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet 4G LTE, David Venn and Head of Sales, Spectranet 4G LTE, Devendra Singh at the Launch of Spectranet Premium Mifi in Lagos.

MARKET NEWS

Court jails fake capital market investor 18 months

By Peter Egwuatu

A

MAGISTRATE Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced one Mr. Attah John Akpan to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for attempting to impersonate a capital market investor.

The 54-year old Akpan was apprehended at the offices of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS Plc) on 15 December 2014 during routine biometrics data capture exercise for investors as he attempted the crime. His plans were foiled by the vigilant team of the CSCS Customer Care Centre after which he was handed over to the Police and was subsequently charged to court.

In a ruling delivered by His Honour, Mr. L.A. Owolabi of Senior Magistrate Court, Tinubu Square, Marina,

Lagos, Akpan was found guilty of a two-count charge for attempting to steal shares worth over N12,000,000.00 (twelve million naira) belonging to an investor (name withheld). The sentence takes effect from 2 October 2015.

CSCS had been prompted to consider and implement strident measures to stem incessant occurrences of identity theft in the capital market while upholding the company’s values of security, efficiency, confidentiality, uprightness, resourcefulness and excellence. One of such measures includes the launching of a central, robust and secure biometrics enrolment and verification solution in March, 2015.

The biometrics solution, which evolved through several stages of design, development, and testing, provides the capital market with the benefits of having a central database of

all capital market investors and reinforce identity management across the market.

These laudable measures, which have been put in place will undoubtedly boost investors’ confidence in the market as well as result in considerable increase in public investments.

CSCS had been prompted to consider and implement strigent measures to stem incessant occurrences of identity theft in the capital market

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—23

nsed stockbrokers admitting the fact that these noncompliant operators may want to continue in business illegally. But by not publishing their names, the Commission is erroneously aiding such illegality. By not publishing their names, SEC is erroneously protecting and hiding their identity, as de-licensed and illegal operators. While this may not be the intention of not publishing the names of non-compliant operators, the fact, however, is by not doing so; SEC is giving them regulatory cover, to operate illegally.

This error is, however, based on

While this may not be the intention of not publishing the names of non-compliant operators, the fact however is, by not doing so; SEC is giving them regulatory cover, to operate illegally

another error- the belief or assumption that investors in the capital market have internet connectivity or are internet savvy to know and visit the website of SEC.

Capital market investors This is an overestimation of the capital market investors in Nigeria. The reality is that many investors are not informed to know about the existence of SEC, not talk of its website. Also, even out of the investors that are aware of the existence of SEC, many of them do not have internet access, and many are also not internet savvy. Another reality is that many retail investors are not even aware of the recapitalisation exercise.

Unfortunately, SEC believes that once it has published anything on its website, it would be accessed by everybody. If the Commission wants to live up to its responsibility of informing the public about the status of operators in the market, it should publish the list of noncompliant operators, not just on its website, but also in the mass media. In fact, it should embark on massive publicity campaign to call the attention of the public to the status of all the companies operating in the market.

(Please send comments, complaints and suggestions to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com)

Fidelity Bank’s ‘Save4 Shelter’ promo produces winners

By Nnenna Joseph

F

IDELITY Bank Plc’s on-going promotional campaign, tagged ‘Save 4 Shelter ’ promo has produced first set of winners.

A total of 21 customers drawn from the six geographical zones of the country won different cash prizes and consolation prizes of six refrigerators and generators sets at the first draw conducted at the bank’s head office in Lagos.

The draw saw a customer carting away N2 million, two customers won N1 million each; six customers won N500,000 each, to bring the total cash prize to N7 million. Also, six customers won refrigerators, while another six emerged winners of generating sets.

The promo, according to the bank, ties well with its drive to give extra value to its customers and bridge the housing deficit in the country.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said: “The purpose of the promo is not for people to win houses; yes, that is the end, but that is not why we are doing it. We are quite focused on increasing financial inclusion, which means that we want

a lot more people to come into formalised banking arrangement, rather than keeping money in funny places.

“We want people to save part of what they earn; that is to encourage savings culture and if in the process of doing that, you end up being a landlord of landlady; I think it is added incentive for people to save.

So, the overriding consideration is to increase savings culture of our people and to also increase financial inclusion, because a lot of our people don’t even have bank account. If this is one way to encourage them to start banking, even if it means starting with savings account, then we would have achieved something important for economic development.”

Mr. Joshua Ogaga, Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Zone, who was present at the event, commended Fidelity Bank for the promo, saying that consumers that are loyal to their companies ought to have this type of benefit because it encourages savings culture.

Meanwhile, 200 winners are expected to emerge throughout the duration of the promo and it is open to all Savings Account customers of the bank.

,

S FORUM

The entrepreneurs we are talking about are not those who are not matured, all entrepreneurs cannot come to the market to list but the government can encourage them by giving them soft loans to start from somewhere

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Incentives, tax holiday will encourage entrepreneurs —Shareholders

By Providence Obuh

The only thing that can e n c o u r a g e entrepreneurs to come and list their companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is to give incentives and tax holiday, said Shareholders.

Stockbrokers have identified entrepreneurs participation in the capital market as a key to boosting activities and repositioning the market for global competitiveness. As the stockbrokers clamoured, they also maintained that the capital market cannot do without the participation of the entrepreneurs who have the capacity to bring their

•Owolabi

how it is done all over the world to encourage entrepreneurs to access at least the equities for the benefit of the investing public and that would also create job opportunities for young graduates who are looking for employment and roaming the streets.

The entrepreneurs we are talking about are not those who are not matured, all entrepreneurs cannot come to the market to list but the government can encourage them by giving them soft loans to start from somewhere. If you do not have a capital base, there is no way you can get fund to start with.

Young people who have gone to school after parental care and struggle have to do something, so government needs to set up a pool of fund for them to have access without collaterals. With that you can encourage them to become entrepreneurs and be on •Okezie their own. When you say companies for listing on you have an infrastructural the stock exchanges. bank, that is where it starts from, when their business Mr. Boniface Okezie, Let me assure begins to flourish, then they National Coordinator, can start thinking of P r o g r e s s i v e you that the removing those incentives S h a r e h o l d e r s from them.

Association of Nigeria Nigerian Mr. Olusegun (PSAN): Owolabi, President, capital Entrepreneurs coming to Western ICON the market are a plus and a market S h a r e h o l d e r s boost to the market, but they without the Association of Nigeria: need to be encouraged and The Nigerian entregiven incentive. It is that entrepreneurs preneurs coming to take incentive that will attract their positions in the capital them to the market, some cannot go too market are going to help waivers have to be given far boost the standard of the and listing charges have to capital market, more so that be considered. These are the Foreign Direct people aspiring and it is not Investment is so maximised an easy task to run a that it has even drown the company. Incentives would motivate local investment. So the indigenous them to bring their stock to be listed entrepreneurs coming to the market are on the floor of the stock exchange going to help the change mantra of the and that is the only way to boost federal government under President market activities. The first thing is Muhammadu Buhari. One of the things to get them to participate and on the that the change mantra wants to achieve long run you can charge what ever is to involve and integrate Nigeria you want to charge. On the part of entrepreneurs into the capital market. government, they have to relinquish Let me assure you that the Nigerian tax and give tax holiday, these are capital market without the things that motivate people to want entrepreneurs cannot go too far and that to list and thereby create job is one of the problems we have been opportunity for Nigerians. Governencountering in the capital market. The ment alone cannot create jobs the coming of entrepreneurs or encouraging private sector has to be encouraged them to the market would be highly by giving them tax holidays, that is beneficial.

24— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

we can get rid of this 200 million barrel overhang,” Badri said.

“I am really disturbed,” he said, referring to the wave of investment cuts announced by oil companies this year in response to the price plunge.

“You will see the result. This means less supply and higher prices in the future.”

He explained that overall global investment in oil could drop by $130 billion this year from $650 billion in 2014. He noted that non-OPEC supply growth was slowing and was expected to be zero next year, while the call on OPEC crude was rising.

Badri said he expected Iran’s full return to the market to be discussed at OPECs next meeting on December 4, in Vienna, Austria. Iran has said it expects to boost its crude exports by one million barrels per day within six months of the lifting of sanctions.

.Depleting crude

OPEC forecasts oil price falls till 2017

By Sebastine Obasi, with agency report

H

OPE of seeing a rebound of oil price from its current low level may not materialise soon, as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, has predicted that the price will not rise untill 2017.

The Secretary-General of OPEC, Mr. Abdalla El-Badri,

said at the Annual Oil & Money Conference in London, that the decline in global crude oil prices may not abate until 2017, as the market is expected to rebalance within two years.

Badri, who expressed concerns over the impact of low oil prices on investment and the consequences for future supply, insisted that rebalancing the world oil markets was the responsibility of all producers

and not a burden to be borne by OPEC alone.

He however predicted that oil prices would rise from current six-year lows of below $50 per barrel in the next few months, although he did not say how much improvement he expected.

“We have an overhang of 200 million barrels in the market. All of us should work together, OPEC and non-OPEC, all of us have to work together to see how

Lifting of sanctions Oil prices have almost halved in the last year on oversupply in a drop that deepened after OPEC in 2014 changed strategy to protect market share against higher-cost producers, rather than cut output to prop up prices as it had done in the past.

OPEC expects global demand for its crude, under pressure in recent years because of rising supplies from outside the group, to rise to 30.3 million barrels per day in 2016, about one million bpd more than in 2015.

FG, TE Connectivity to boost power supply

By Michael Eboh HE Federal Government has entered into a partnership with an original equipment manufacturer, OEM, TE Connectivity, to cut down on technical losses in the electricity sector and boost Nigeria’s quest for the attainment of 20,000 megawatts by 2020.

The agreement which was entered into by the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, NAPTIN, will see experts from TE Connectivity train NAPTIN’s facilitators and technical workers of electricity distribution companies, DISCOs, by providing technical training on the connectivity required to enhance power systems.

Once completed, NAPTIN and the DISCOs will organise training sessions at its facilities for local installers.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership in Abuja, Head, TE Energy Project in Nigeria, Mr.

T

C M Y K

Ronnie Fotheringham, described the partnership with NAPTIN as a significant step in human capacity development.

He added that this will bring proven solutions, technical know-how and broad application experience to NAPTIN and those being trained.

He said: “As the government of Nigeria invests in upgrading and expanding the power network, the country also needs to invest in its people - developing the skills and expertise required to develop and maintain that network.

“The partnership with NAPTIN is a significant step in that direction. It furthers the mission by bringing the proven solutions, technical know-how and broad application experience to NAPTIN and those being trained.

We view this partnership as beneficial to the Nigerian power vision and to TE, building deeper connections throughout the

country.”

He added that in the long run, the company is committed to running a hub for West Africa from Nigeria, adding that the company is seeking local value addition in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Director General of NAPTIN, Mr. Reuben Okeke, said the partnership will

We need professional hands in the power sector to be able to achieve our 20,000 megawatts target

help the country conserve its foreign exchange reserve, reduce technical losses in the power sector, and play a critical role in its attainment of 20,000MW 2020.

According to him, TE Connectivity is a major producer of electricity installations and equipment, which need to be professionally handled to get the best value from the products.

He said: “We need professional hands in the power sector to be able to achieve our 20,000 megawatts target. This can be achieved with the training of electricity workers on how to use world class products, especially products of TE Connectivity.

“We are committed to ensuring that the workforce that would handle these products do so professionally, especially as the training would be done with better equipment than was obtained in the past, going by ongoing advancement in technology.”

Experts back Buhari’s decision to hold petroleum ministry

By Chris Ochayi & Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA: Experts in the petroleum industry have endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to hold on to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Recently, Buhari said on the sidelines of the annual meeting of world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York that “I intend to remain the minister of petroleum resources.”

Reacting, some experts said at the public presentation of a Book: ‘Structuring of Innovative Finance Scheme for Funding Petroleum Production in Nigeria; Legal and Tax Issues,’ by Dr Perisud Dema, in Abuja that it was a welcome development.

In her remarks, a former Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said the President’s decision is good for the development of the energy economy, given his antecedents in the petroleum industry.

She said: “For me, I think is a great idea, talking very frankly, taking cognisance of the peculiarity of Nigeria, he is not the first president to be the minister. He is probably the first to openly say I will be minister of petroleum. Right from the beginning, President Obasanjo was de facto Minister of Petroleum, and so was the President Yar’Adua.”

Speaking on the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, Omorogbe, who is an internationally recognised professor of energy law, said the industry cannot thrive without a robust legal reform of which the PIB was an integral part. “The country cannot run without the legal reform and the PIB is about legal reform; you can call it what you like. I am a believer of reform, I don’t care what you call it, and I don’t care what is inside provided that it stimulates and allows us to have a strong industry that impact positively on Nigeria.

That is the most important thing.

“Legal reform is an intrinsic part, reform is intricate; there are many aspects of it, but legal reform is the most important. You cannot say you are doing something without having the law as the bed rock. “The first step to have a vibrant legal reform is the political will. Once you have a President with a political will, something good will come up.

President Yar’Adua did have the political will but for a different reason, the reform did not go as far as it should.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 —25

By Clara Nwachukwu

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T was a game of chance for the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRe, Effurun, Warri, when it decided to participate in the 2015 Shell Eco-Marathon Competition, which ended recently in Pretoria South Africa.

The FUPRe, team, which was a part of the four- some Team Nigeria, kept faith with destiny when it came tops by producing Africa’s current most fuel efficient car.

The FUPRe built prototype car emerged winner, running about 55.9km with just a litre of premium motor spirit/ petrol.

As additional icing on the cake for FUPRe, which started preparations for the completion in May 2015, the team also won the best off track technology innovation by designing a technology which makes it impossible to steal the vehicle.

Although the University of Benin could not finish its race, the team’s urban concept diesel run car, also emerged winner as the only competitor in its category.

The Shell Eco-marathon challenges student teams around the world to design, build and drive the most energy-efficient cars.

According to the competition organisers, “After a successful launch in 2014, Shell Ecomarathon came back to South Africa to see 12 teams from South Africa and Nigeria take to the track to battle for ultimate energy efficiency.”

We prepared to win An excited team leader for FUPre, Ebijakpo Efemena, told Vanguard on the sidelines of the race track in Pretoria that the team was confident of its capacity and ability to win.

“We were the first team to go through the technical inspection and the second team to make it immediately into the competition.

Also, our first attempt was valid,” he said.

Efemena, a final year student of Information Technology Department of the University said: “We came with our smart car in order to win the competition and to prove that we can design a car that is much more fuel efficient and take a long distance.”

He disclosed that the team was inspired by the head of a snake and the aero dynamic of its body.

“And so we thought of nature and came out with a design that worked,” he added.

Notwithstanding that it was self-sponsored by FUPRe management unlike the other three teams from University of Lagos, University of Benin, and Ahmadu Bello University, who were sponsored by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, but the team was not deterred.

According to him, “We were not

FUPRE excels at Shell Eco Marathon … Produces Africa’s most energy efficient

.2015 Shell Eco Marathon results sponsored by Shell, but it was the school management that did. We applied for the gasoline and fuel category, and we made three valid attempts but one was not valid. Eventually, we are the team that has made it through the competition.”

Efemena also said the team’s faith in God gave members the confidence to enter for the competition, adding, “We also believed in ourselves that we can make it and so we did. Also, we appreciate the efforts Prof. Akin Ibadode, who without doubt had confidence in the team and for inaugurating the team on the 27th of May 2015. This move has made Nigeria proud and the team as well.

“So our preparations actually began in May. It began with the help of by our professor. It is the first of its kind and we are proud that we made it here. We had 10 members but two was unable to make it because of some financial issues.”

With regard to sourcing the components for the car, he said that these consisted about 80 percent locally made materials, while the balance of 20 percent, comprising the engines, wheels, and tyres were bought outside the country.

In view of its resounding success in the Pretoria meet, Efemena said the team will prepare for the UK Competitions in May 2016. “Immediately we are done with this competition, all effort will be made to build another car that will compete in the Europe Competitions.”

Going forward, Efemena said his team’s plan is not just build and design smart cars, but to providing solutions to challenges.

While thanking the Federal Government for granting him a scholarship when he built the first car in his second year, he equally urged corporate organisations like Siemens, BMW, Shell and others to sponsor such projects.

“If we could achieve this with the little help from our school, we believe we can also achieve greater heights when we have other sponsors.”

Best outing for UniLag team For the University of Lagos, UniLag team, which competed with a prototype, plug in electric car, the Pretoria Competition was its best outing, even as it had participated in both the Europe and South Africa competitions in 2014.

According to Adebayo Joseph, the team leader, “This is one of our best performances so far since we had been involved in this competition. In 2014, we did not pass through the technical inspection. Also, in South Africa, we had a bad record. However, this year was an improvement setting a benchmark for us to improve upon.”

Describing the prototype, he said: “The design we came up with was a battery electric vehicle that has a front wheel drive. We are using a brushless GC motor for efficiency and the weight is about 63 kilogramme. We have done so well because our efficiency is about 120.1 kilometres per kilowatts hour, and we are so happy about that.”

Although the team came fifth in its category, Adebayo disclosed that the team was particularly challenged with sourcing for materials that were suitable for the design, saying, “…the design and what you eventually manufacture is

Activities within the university environment can wax strong if the industry can collaborate with the universities

.

Team FUPRe on the race track

different due to the unavailability of materials. We used aluminum and the body is made from fibre glass.

“Initially we wanted to do a robot design, but considering the availability of materials, cost, others, we had to make use of what we had.”

With regard to getting assistance from vehicle manufacturers, he disclosed, “We applied for some of these materials from manufactures.

Presently, we have different subteams from our teams. However, our communication department which is saddled with seeking sponsorship had met companies like Coscharis and others. We are hopeful that we would be able to partner with other auto companies.

“For now, we are focusing on making sure that we build a vehicle that is fuel efficient. If that is done, that will be our selling point to enable us to hit on a large scale to manufacture commercial vehicles for Nigeria.”

In terms of disappointment on the track, Adebayo said this was unexpected, as the team had test run the car several times before leaving for South Africa, without any glitches. “But when we were to kick off, we had some electrical failures.”

He however noted that this was not peculiar to the team alone, as even the best made cars also pass through some of these challenges before they eventually became a world class.

Against this backdrop, he expressed Team UniLag’s immense gratitude to Shell for supporting members participation in the competition, even as its vehicle “worked at the last minute.”

Total schools that participated were 17 schools. About 11 of the battery electric category, three came out in gasoline and 2 on fuels. On the 11 teams in our category, we came out with the fifth position.

Scarcity of raw materials frustrate Team UniBen There was nothing else more frustrating for the University of Benin, UniBen Team, former

2014 champions than sourcing for the raw materials to build its diesel engine car.

Denis Iyekedinoya an Associate professor, in Mechanical department, UNIBEN, who supervised the team said members were faced with lots of challenges.

According to him, “This ranges from the inability to get the right materials from Nigeria; a lot of people run away from the diesel category, but we had chosen this to prove the opposite. However, we had the challenge of getting the right materials to be used.

“The engines that we used were adopted. The crush and other things were equally adopted. We adopted an existing diesel engine, but with few parts that we had to do by ourselves.

Base on the terrain, we had come to compete.”

Corporate organisations In view of the foregoing, he urged corporate organisations to support academic ingenuity. “If you understand what academic environment is like, you would discover that activities within the university environment can wax strong if the industry can collaborate with the universities.

“There are a lot of things that can be done by students in the university but less support often comes to them. If we get more supports, we can do more than what is done,” he said.

For this reason, he commended Shell for their continued support for the team to enable it participate and exhibit their talents. “That is quite great and motivating to us,” he added.

He also recalled that last year, the team had won in the prototype category. “We have a motor vehicle in a Toyota category, and we would have won if it had been used. But at the last minute, we were told that they could only sponsor one team.”

Proudly hosted by the School of Electrical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, the Shell Eco- Marathon took take place at the Zwartkops Raceway.

26— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Subsidy claims: Oando will continue petrol imports •Invests $3 million in roads, terminals

By Ediri Ejoh & Prince Okafor

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OTWITHSTANDING agreements with oil marketers to distribute fuel brought in by the Nigerian

National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Oando Plc said it will continue to import Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol despite the huge debt owed marketers.

The oil company also said that it had put in place measures to

ensure tranquillity in the system, since marketers have been promised that they will be paid.

The Chief Operating Officer, COO, Oando Marketing, Mrs. Olaposi Williams, reiterated the company’s commitment to

From left FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Raphael Osondu; Chief Executive Officer of Oando Marketing Plc, Abayomi Awobokun; Oba of Ijora, HRM. Fatai Aromire; Executive Secretary of Apapa Iganmu ,LCDA, Alhaja Funmilayo Akande and Col. Aliyu Abbas Idris, during the commissioning of Sapara road rehabilitation by Oando Marketing Plc, In Lagos.

PTDF commences domestication of capacity building

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By Michael Eboh

he Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, has commenced the processes leading to the domestication of its scholarship and capacity building programme for the petroleum sector.

This, according to the Fund will be done through the creation of a strategy aimed at promoting collaboration amongst key stakeholders in geosciences and petroleum engineering training, as made known at a workshop organised by the PTDF and Strat-Kol Consult Limited, in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary, PTDF, Mr. Femi Ajayi, also disclosed that going forward; its partnership with foreign tertiary institutions in the area of training of Nigerian scholars will be done in two ways. This will be based on the ability of the institutions to set up shop in Nigeria, or in their ability to partner with Nigerian universities to train scholars locally.

He, however, said that the PTDF is not considering the outright cancellation of foreign scholarship programmes, saying that patronage of foreign universities will continue to be important and relevant as a way of ensuring some kind of intellectual intercourse among

Nigerian tertiary institutions and their counterparts abroad.

He said: “We want to as much as possible increase capacity building locally here and because of that we have told our training partners abroad that going forward, the people that we would be favourable disposed to are those partners who are ready to encourage our domestication drive.

Domestication drive “We are asking them to come and set up shop in our country, to do what they are doing for us over there, locally. Of course you know the spin-offs that would bring to us. We are not likely going to cancel the programme out rightly, because there is a need for intellectual intercourse and diffusion even within the country.”

To this end, the stakeholders’ workshop was organised to provide a platform for linkages between its centres for excellence, PTDF upgraded universities and universities abroad where it has memoranda of understandings.

Ajayi further noted that the partnership that will ensue will engender training that will effectively drive capacity

development for the oil and gas sector.

“The PTDF will therefore achieve greater industry buy-in and participation in capacity development through the centres as well as cost reduction in training budget,” he explained.

enhance fuel supply and distribution in the country, during the commissioning of the Terminal 2 and Sapara Road, in Lagos last week.

She said: “We meet with the government regularly, and our Chief Executive Officer and other executives are always in Abuja. We are speaking with the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on this, and we are not going to down tools.

Recall that a couple of months ago, Oando and other Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, had threatened to discontinue the importation of petrol due to outstanding debts of over N40.6billion in subsidy claims owed by the Federal Government.

Continuing, she said: “Yes, we want to get paid, though we are going to continue to push.

We are not going to suffer the community, the people of Nigeria, because once we stop importing, which won’t happen, then the country is going down to a halt because two wrongs cannot make a right.

“We will continue to dialogue with the government, and we are hopeful. We are not oblivious to what the situation is in the country, and we will continue to support the government to turn it around.”

Furthermore, Williams said Oando Marketing will be commissioning two terminals in a bid to ease the constant traffic gridlock along Apapa Road, due to fuel trucks parked indiscriminately on the road.

She said that the road leading to the terminals will house over 90 trucks upon the completion

of the Phase 1 in two months.

According to her, “If trucks want to load, they come into the terminals against the next day of its loading with a standard operating procedure. So if you have to load tomorrow you will have to park here a day before.

This is to discourage road side parking of our trucks.

“We spent about $3million on the projects. This is our community, our families; this is where our business is and so we are not going to stop here and we will continue to give back to the community.

“Right now, we have stakeholders meeting which Oando is championing with the community. We put some of the students in the community through college and have also helped them for small menial jobs as well as employed some of them in our parks.”

“The need for the terminals came as a result of the persistent heavy gridlock and congestion on the Apapa axis.

We’ve met with the government, the local government and also the state government to see how we can decongest Apapa Road.

“We don’t condone them parking on the road and it’s not just tanker drivers, we also have the container drivers as well.

Oando is part of the larger picture.”

Also commenting, the Chief Executive Officer, Oando Downstream, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun, said: “Our company is at the forefront in ensuring that Apapa is restored to its former glory, where sanity, tranquillity was the standard practice.

“We have invested billions since two years ago, and we are looking forward to commissioning the Apapa Jetty in the next three months which is worth over $150 million on completion.”

Forte Oil introduces e-payment system

By Sebastine Obasi

C

USTOMERS of Forte Oil Plc no longer need to buy fuel at their filling stations with cash, as the company has introduced the FO Advantage Card.

Launching the card in Lagos weekend, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, said the concept is a smart-fuel card which qualifies as a better alternative to cash transactions and provides a secure mode of payment.

He also said that the card, which was done in partnership with First Bank and Interswitch, will be issued as part of Forte Oil’s customer loyalty and reward programme.

He said: “At FO, we treasure our customers’ patronage and our aspiration is to always offer excellent services at all times.

And it is in pursuit of providing

customer-centric service to our discerning customers that we came up with the initiative to introduce a loyalty prepaid card, designed to reward the patronage of our customers.”

According to him, the FO Advantage Card offers a customer the opportunity to turn his/her purchases into an advantage, as the card can also be used anywhere the verve card

We are asking them to come and set up shop in our country, to do what they are doing for us over there, locally

is accepted.

Akinfemiwa explained: “The launch of the FO Advantage card is significant to us and just like the theme of this year’s customer service week; we are celebrating “our everyday heroes” by giving them a product that is convenient and secured. Permit me to say that we are in business because of our customers and our service mantra is to always meet and surpass their expectations at all times.”

He listed some of the advantages of the smart card to include: · Reward – get rewarded as you make your fuel and lubricant purchases at all designated Forte Oil service stations; · Convenience – No need to carry cash around, just get an Advantage card; · Secure – Your transactions are safe and secure.

27—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Egbin Power targets 1320MW capacity

By Sebastine Obasi

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GBIN Power Plc, Nigeria’s biggest generating company, said it is focused on reaching its installed capacity of 1320 megawatts, MW soon, as it is committed to carrying out its transformation and expansion programme to accelerate the nation’s drive towards sustainable power supply.

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Kola Adesina, who said this also said that the company planned to double Egbin’s generation capacity.

Generation capacity

.Power station

Shell insists on comfort letter for lifting Nigerian oil

By Sebastine Obasi, with agency report

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HE transparency gospel of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration appears to be garnering adherents among the international oil cpmpanies, IOCs, as Royal Dutch Shell has asked ship owners exporting its Nigerian oil to sign a “letter of comfort”, LoC, to guarantee it is not stolen.

In July, state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, banned about 113 tankers from Nigeria’s waters, citing a directive from President Buhari, who wants to trace and recover what he calls “mindboggling” sums stolen from the oil sector.

Last month, the NNPC lifted the ban but asked ship owners to sign a letter of comfort as “guarantee to indemnify” it against any illicit use of their vessel. This led some owners to reject pending bookings.

“Please be informed we expect LPG & Products ship owners to sign the NNPC LoC for any future Shell loading voyages,” the email said, referring to liquefied petroleum gas.

“Shell (is) putting (its) reputation on the table that warrants the cargo is not stolen and this should remove any concerns ship-owners have around bad title down the oil chain,” the email said.

Shell said it was looking to mitigate any negative impact that the requirement to provide the letter might have.

“What we are doing is to ensure that our business is not

adversely affected by working with our own vessel owners to provide this letter in the legal language that everyone can live with,” Shell Nigeria country Chair, Mr. Osagie Okunbor said last week.

Traders said that oil companies, trading houses and tanker owners were ensuring

actions taken by Nigeria to prevent oil theft did not affect the market. They said other companies and trading houses had drafted similar letters to ensure trading continued without disruption.

“I’ve not seen any vessels waiting around (outside oil loading terminals) because of the measures,” one trader said.

Adesina, who was speaking on the plant’s post privatisation report and recent developments, noted that “significant progress” had been recorded in the power company. Our greatest achievement apart from the upgrade we have done on the six units of the plant is the new attitude to work by every member of staff as they have all bought into the dream of delivering sustainable and reliable power to Nigeria by going the extra mile,” he said.

He explained that the recent amber security alert declared by the management was unavoidable in the light of security reports that linked illegal occupants on the facility with plans to disrupt operations and destroy property.

He said the undocumented residents had continue to occupy the plant’s housing estate illegally since the new management took over on November 1, 2013, a development he said was a huge setback to the housing needs and productivity of the company’s bona fide staff.

“Egbin is quite critical to the operations of the power sector as it contributes about 25 per cent of total power generated in the nation. We can report that although the amber security alert is still in on, the situation is under control. All relevant stakeholders are working towards ensuring hitch-free operations and engendering an enabling environment for meeting the timelines we have in place for completing the unfolding transformation of Egbin Power Plant.”

He also enjoined all stakeholders to work together in the national interest for progress to be made in a sustainable manner.

Ikeja DISCO rolls out 12,000 meters monthly •Proposes 50% tariff cut

By Sebastine Obasi

R

ESIDENTS and corporate bodies within the Ikeja Distribution Company, DISCO, are in for a good bargain as the Ikeja Electric, said it is rolling out 12,000 free meters from October.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, who disclosed this at an interaction with journalists in Lagos, also said that the scope of the metering project is to deploy approximately 300,000 electric meters between September 2015 and December 2016, with installation of about 12,000 meters monthly in already mapped out areas in all the Business Units of the Company.

“Energy accounting meter installation at feeders has been completed, mass meter roll out commenced in August, and 6,000 units have already been installed. Our target is to achieve monthly installation of 15,000 units,” he said.

Explaining the nature of the meters, the CEO said they are

designed to enhance efficient energy usage and transparent billing in real time, adding that the roll out represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector.

He said: “This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to create

...the scope of the metering project is to deploy approximately 300,000 electric meters between September 2015 and December 2016...

value for our customers. Ikeja Electric’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure, AMI, is a state-of-the-art technology that enables utilities to read, disconnect and connect meters remotely and to detect individual customer outages quickly using a wireless communications network.

Communication network “The metering project will replace today’s meters with “next generation” electronic meter technology that improves customer service and enables customers to proactively manage their energy use and save money by giving them the power to control how much electricity they use against how much electricity they pay for.”

Apart from more frequent and accurate energy consumption information, Ajifowojabe also said the advanced metering system is capable of collecting a variety of other data such as power outages, restoration alerts

and meter tampering data to detect theft of energy.

He further explained that the company chose to introduce smart meters because of its immense benefits to the customers, as it will guarantee accurate reading (no more estimated bills) as well as improved security and tamper detection on equipment.

Tariff cut

Ajifowojabe also said that a proposal to reduce monthly tariff by 50 percent has been sent to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, for approval.

The reduction, he said, is being initiated in view of the planned increase in energy charge per kilowatt/hour (Kw/ h).

“Customer number and the percentage growth rate as presently determined is based on the anticipated outcome of the enumeration project currently in progress,” he added.

28 —Vanguard, TUESDAY,

OCTOBER 13, 2015

Affordable housing: Firm showcases rent-to-own option •Targets middle-income owners

By Jude Njoku

A

N innovative ‘ rent-toown’ scheme aimed at reducing the number of Nigerians who live in rented houses, has been initiated by Messrs Natanel Florens Limited, Lagos-based company which prides itself as a premier player in alternative assets management.

Presently, Nigeria is believed to have about 14 million residential houses, out of which about 12million units representing a staggering 85 percent, are on rentals.

The company is also planning to assist those who already own houses to effectively optimise the value of such property investments.

Unveiling the novel schemes at an interactive session with newsmen, the Managing Director of Natanel Florens, Mr Olalekan Abiola explained that the rent -to-own option is targeted at middle-income earners who cannot afford the cash and carry system in property transactions nor the high interest rates demanded by mortgage banks.

“Natanel Florens owns the

•Honeywell Gardens, Agbara-Ogun

The rent -to-own option is targeted at middle-income earners who cannot afford the cash and carry system in property transactions

Private Property Investors Trust, PPIT, franchise in Africa and with it, offers a high yield, additional returns of 80 percent on investment, plus whatever is the current yield on your property portfolio over five years, “ Abiola said.

According to him, PPIT is a risk-free, wealth creation,

property equity release/ property development scheme franchised by Bishoptrade of Mauritius. The franchise allows property owners to invest and optimise returns by participating in the growing property market across Africa with or without investing in cash.

Why prospective investors should invest in real estate business —Developer

P

By Kingsley Adegboye

ROSPECTIVE land and home owners in Lagos have been assured that they don’t have to have millions in their bank accounts before they can be landed property owners or home owners as the case may be.

Making the assurance in Lagos last week at home launch and book presentation, Raphael Adekunle Moneyin, an engineer and chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Tobykemsworth, a real estate development firm and organisers of the event that took place in Igando area of Lagos, said with little down payments for either plots of land or for housing units developed and owned by his firm, anybody dreaming of becoming a home owners can be become one with flexible payment structure of the company which allows prospective investors in real estate business to make instalmental payments after the initial down payments that last for several months. The event had several packages put in place by the firm for prospective home and landowners which include the launching of a book on real estate related matters such as the intricacies involved in land transactions and buying of houses from developers among others.

Underscoring the importance of C M Y K

understanding the intricacies accompanying transactions in real estate sector, in which many prospective landowners are ignorant of, the firm has taking it upon itself to assist in educating stakeholders in order to avoid the identified pitfalls.

Among the measures put in place include a document put together as handy book which is like a dictionary of some sort that spells the ‘do’s and don’ts’ in real estate’s transactions.

According to Tobykemsworth’s boss, the book became imperative in order to assist the unsuspecting members of the public that usually fall prey of the antics of fraudulent developers and land speculators, pointing out that many prospective land/home owners are less painstaking in making the necessary enquiry on what to do not in order not to be duped which informed the firm’s decision to embark on the publication of the document as part of its annual public awareness programme.

“Besides, we equally want people to benefit from our products that we packaged in a way that those who have never thought that they are capable of owning a home would have it with relative ease”, said Moneyin, urging the public to take advantage of the ongoing opportunity by investing in

Tobykemsworth real estate projects.

The company’s Legal Adviser, Dr. Akinola Akintayo, of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos while extolling the exploits of Tobykemsworth in real estate sector, stated that firm is not only property development firm, but also, a firm that is desirous of making housing an affordable commodity for the generality of Nigerians, both at home and abroad.

He however regretting how unwary Nigerians are falling victim of fraudulent, or practitioners, who are not ready to do what is necessary to ensure that their clients have a secured tenure of their properties.

“It should be understood that it is the law that define title to a land. Law and legal transaction is to ensure that documentation is not only imperative, but would also ensure security of tenure and that is exactly what is happening in Tobykemsworth Investment”, said Akintayo, urging those who are in need of their personal home to take the advantage of the current offer by the firm.

Commenting on the activities of the firm, Mrs. Titilayo Ezekiel, Head, Local Staff, Canadian Embassy, said when the

Continues on page

Explaing how the schemes work, Abiola said : “Our focus in real estate ;is to help people that are already investing in real estate either wrongly or rightly, to reshape their investments to give them optimal yields. To be able to allow people that want to own homes to do so and earn returns on them . What we are saying is, don’t sell your house. We have a mechanism under a structured trust that will allow us to unlock the value (we call it equity release ) of your property so that over a period of five years, you would have earned about 80 percent return on your asset without selling it and you wlll still be able to collect your rental. In return, I take away the equity in this property to develop a new set of property which I can only sell via a 10-year plan of rent-toown. I can only build in those areas as long as they fit into the rental value of that area.

Affordable mortgage If by any chance I go to Ikorodu and I can not build to fit into Ikorodu price, I won’t build in Ikorodu. The objective is to ensure that over 12 million people that are renting can leave where they are renting and move to a new place and still continue to pay that their rent and in ten years, the house becomes their own”.

“Our model is to allow people to be able to own houses via a flecible, authentic rent- to-own option. What we mean by rentto-own is that I live in Gbagada and my rent is N2 million per annum and I build in Gbagada and say, come and pay this same N2million and in 10 years, you will own the house. But if you say I should come and take mortgage and pay this interest rate because it is affordable every month and say it is rent to own, to me that is mortgage, “ he said.

To give fillip to this initiative, Abiola disclosed that his company has built three residential estates at Lekki and Ogudu, all in Lagos. He disclosed that a pilot excerise to test-run the acceptance of the scheme using Praiseville Estate, Ogudu, was over subscribed.

Natanel Florens, he said, has started identifying existing property or land owners who will pledge their property title deed to a Trust created and managed by UBA Trustees and Union Trustees Limited.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 29

Vitapur acquires new equipment, set to commission fabricated buildings

A

Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin presenting documents on the Rammed Earth Technology for the construction of houses for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to the Borno State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Ahmad Lawan when the Authority commemorated the 2015 World Habitat Day with the IDPs in Maiduguri

FHA unveils plans to rebuild Boko Haram-ravaged North East T

By Jude Njoku

HE Federal Housing Authority, FHA has pledged its willingness to play a major role in the post insurgency reconstruction of communities destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East as well as in the rehabilitation of millions of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPS. This pledge was given by the Managing Director of the Authority, Professor Mohammed Al-Amin in Maiduguri, Borno State when he led FHA’ top management staff to mark this year’s World Habitat Day with the estimated two million IDPS in their various camps in Maiduguri.

The World Habitat Day is an annual event marked on the first Monday in October to draw attention to the state of the world’s cities and town and to the right of all to adequate shelter.

The FHA delegation, accordijg to a release by the Authority’s spokesman, Mr Tunde Ipimosho, visited the IDPS housed in Dalori camp, the National Youth Service Corps camp and at the Yerwa Government Girls Secondary School all in Maiduguri.

The FHA boss said his team was in Borno State to empathize with the IDPS as well as use the occasion of the World Habitat Day to pass to them the message of hope that the Federal Government was committed to the reconstruction of the ravaged communities and total eradication of insurgency in the North East .

He regretted the painful effect of dislocation suffered by the people who had lost their homes and their

Previous efforts made to overhaul the existing benchmark for elevation to this highest class in the NITP have failed to yield the expected results

means of livelihood as well as the thousands of children whose education had been disrupted by the insurgency. Prof Al-Amin said President Muhammadu Buhari has a personal and official passion for the rehabilitation of the destroyed communities and the quick resettlement of the IDPS to their normal lives.

According to him, the FHA is working hard to translate that passion into quick action that would redeem the extreme conditions to which the IDPS had been exposed.

The FHA chief executive who presented various relief materials to the IDPS said the Authority was introducing to them the Rammed Earth Technology by which a four bedroom house could be completed in four days.

The Zonal Coordinator, National

Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar said the Authority was the first organisation to visit the IDP camps in Maiduguri and praised the Managing Director for his concern for the plight of the displaced persons.

The FHA delegation also visited Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

Professor Al-Amin told the Governor that the FHA decided to commemorate the World Habitat Day in Maiduguri to reassure the people of the state that the government was committed to restoring normalcy in the affected areas.

The State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Ahmed Lawan who stood in for Governor Shettima lamented that many communities in the state such as Bama, Monguno, Gwoza and Dikwa had been totally destroyed.

He said the state government had created a new Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement to handle the post insurgency redemption of the damage.

The government, he explained, has produced over one million blocks and was moulding 300,000 more per day towards the rebuilding of the affected communities.

At the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Professor Al-Amin praised the traditional ruler for his concern and his efforts towards alleviating the suffering of the displaced persons.

FRONTLINE manufacturer of rigid polyurethane products, Vitapur Nigeria Limited has acquired a world class new sandwich panel, just as it has concluded plans to commission two fabricated buildings at Ibadan, Oyo State towards the end of this month.

The newly acquired multi-million Naira equipment, the first of its kind in West Africa is expected to increase the company’s production capacity, enhance product quality, open a new vista of an array of innovative products in line with the global best practices to boost its profitability.

Speaking at the commissioning of the new sandwich panel in Lagos last week, the Supervising Director, Vitapur, Alhaji Abbagana Abatcha, described the equipment as one of the best things that has happened to Vitapur Nigeria Limited in recent time, explaining that the company operates with a network of professionals who consistently put quality products and competitive prices on the priority list.

According to Abatcha, the new European manufactured panel could be used for prefabricated structure such as cold room, equipment shelter, wall cladding, quick shelter deployment, office partitioning, shopping malls, drop temp ceiling etc. He noted that in line with its customer-focused approach, the company offers free professional advice to its clients.

The new sandwich polyurethane panel has capacity to produce a length of 14 .7 millimetres with varying thickness of 40 to 150 millimetres. Besides, the panel can produce width in the range of 100 to 1200 millimetres. Its installed capacity is 1350 square meter in addition to the initial production capacity of 300 square meters, thus bringing the total capacity to 1650 square meter.

The formal commissioning of the sandwich panel was done by Vitafoam Nigeria Plc’s Former Chairman, Chief Samuel Bolarinde.

Chief Bolarinde commended the board, management and staff of Vitapur Nigeria Limited on the acquisition of this new equipment.

Vitapur’s Head, Sales and Marketing, Mr. Yemi Mofikoya explained that the new equipment will be used to produce sandwich polyurethane panels for walls, ceillings, roofs and floors application with an additional offering of a fire-rated product. The same production line can be used as insulation board (ISOboard) production. Mofikoya also stated that fabricated building is firerated as the building can be secured for ninety-minutes before it gets burnt in the event of fire disaster.

According to him, the panels produced by Vitapur has acoustic sound and it’s insulation reduces cost of logging among others.

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc’s Chairman, Dr. Dele Makanjuola expressed optimism that the new equipment will take Vitapur to the Global Market. Makanjuola commended the staffs for being innovative and stressed the importance of communication in every organization.

Vitapur’s sandwich polyurethane panels come as plain or ribbed while customized length and width can be produced according to client’s specification. This stems from the panel’s versatility. Also, the company can produce swing and sliding doors. By this attributes, Vitapur stands out as one-stop-shop that provides necessary accessories such as stripe curtain, U-channels and relevant installation accessories.

BUILDMACEX Conference & EXPO 2015 holds

P

LANS have been concluded to hold the largest gathering of stakeholders in the Building & Construction industry that features exhibitions and seminars on building, machinery, construction and interior decorations known as BuildMacex & Interior Conference & Expo 2015.

According to Atlantic Exhibition, the organisers, the three-day forum that is expecting over 70 exhibitors from Turkey, USA, UAE, India, Nigeria, Germany, Italy and China is billed to take place at the new Exhibition Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, between October 20 and 22 with a grand raffle to be drawn in the three days of the event.

Industry experts are expected to speak at the exhibition endorsed

by NACCIMA and sponsored by Airtel and Vconnect, and supported

by Nigerian Institute of Architects, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. The forum will be declared open by Executive Governors of Lagos and Kaduna States, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai., “The Expo will be a buzzing place to feature special promotions, exhibition presentations and conference by eminent speakers like presidents of Nigerian Institute of Building,, NIA, NIS, IDAN, NIQS and Managing Director of Arend Industrial Consultant Turkey, Mr. Cem Ergun.

“Dedicated to green building and to fast track housing technology, the Expo is a perfect single umbrella to provide unlimited opportunities to find new business leads and showcase innovative products to regional and international customers”, Mr. Ayo, Managing Director, Atlantic Exhibition said.

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30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

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IGHTEEN birds of prey species have been listed at an international meeting of government representatives and experts last week in Trondheim, Norway. Seven of these species under threat are critically endangered according to the meeting.

The 2nd Meeting of the Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey (Raptors MOU) was held between October 5 and 8 in Trondheim at the invitation of the government of Norway. The Raptors MOU was concluded under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals as a special instrument to address threats to these species.

Countries agreed to list twelve vulture species, including the Hooded Vulture, White-rumped Vulture and the Lappet-faced Vulture, to Annex 1 of the agreement as a response to the current African vulture crisis.

Vulture crisis Vultures are suffering serious declines caused by illegal take and trade, and poisoning with toxic chemicals, which present serious risks to human health too.

CMS Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers said: “Vultures are nature’s garbage collectors. These scavengers prevent the spread of disease and thereby directly protect human health. In order to prevent yet another crisis, we must preserve animal and public health in Africa by maintaining this unique selfpurification capacity of nature.

In Norway, countries agreed this week on a coordinated international response led by the CMS Raptors MOU to tackle the African vulture crisis.”

Efforts to stop the dramatic

•Vultures

Nations list 12 vulture species to tackle population decline in Africa decline of vultures were supported by Iran which announced its decision to ban diclofenac, a drug which almost wiped out vulture populations in India.

The development of a MultiSpecies Action Plan for all Old World Vultures was initiated to halt the decline of vulture populations. The initiative to develop priority species action plans via the Raptors MOU is

The development of a Multi-Species Action Plan for all Old World Vultures was initiated to halt the decline of vulture populations

also included in CMS Resolution 11.14 on Migratory Birds and Flyways.

Illegal killing, taking and trade, conservation action for the Egyptian vulture, as well as national and regional raptor conservation strategies were on the agenda.

department was looking at how its local staff would have the opportunity of having their land, they came across Tobykemswoth, “and today, we can say the firm is reliable”.

Testifying to the integrity of Tobykemsworth, a representative of Dangote Company, Mr. Fred Ahowa stated that when the Cooperative section of Dangote Group of Companies was looking for land to build houses for its members, Tobykemsworth was introduced to them.

“At present, the firm was able to sell to us 30 plots without any problem. We are at the verge of buying at least 1000 more plots for our members”, he said, stating that the entire cooperative members are 5,000, who are ready to do business with the firm.

Speaking on behalf of Alafin of Oyo , who was represented by his two wives, and other chiefs came the admonition that young men and women should invest in real estate. “If C M Y K

stone by stone.”

Countries that have signed the MOU have agreed to work together to better protect vultures, eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. At the meeting, Comoros added its signature bringing the number of signatories to 53.

Tenant accuses landlord of fraudulently obtaining court judgement

By Abdulwahab Abdulla

A

TENANT, Mr. Adekunle Raji who was forcefully evicted from his 3-bedroom apartment has accused his landlord of obtaining the court order by false, thus, praying a Lagos Magistrate’s Court to set aside the eviction order, alleging that the said court order was

Developer explains why prospective investors Continues from page 28

The Chair of the meeting, Øystein Størkersen, Norway, said: “There is room to be more proactive, especially in specific fields, such as involving different sectors in addressing the key threats to migratory raptors. We shall reach our goals by building the palace

one buys a car for N10 million, it will continue to depreciates, but land will continue to appreciate. We are very proud of Tobykemsworth and all what it stands for.

We wish the company very prosperous and worthy services to the good people of Nigeria”, the monarch concluded.

Other professional services offered by the firm include provision of customized fitted kitchen cabinet, finished wardrobe, crafted bed and interior door, among others.

Besides, it also offers laboratories for architectural design and concept, furniture engineering, equipment supply, mechanical design and construction works. Its flagship project is Honeywell Gardens at Agbara phase1,2,and3. Other housing projects by the company include Honeywell Gardens Mowe-Ofada, Abuja and PortHarcourt.

Also in attendance were representatives of Canadian Embassy, business groups such as Dangote group of companies and others.

obtained fraudulently by his landlord, Dr. Julius Okesola An Igbosere Magistrate Court had on July 28, 2015, in a suit filed by Dr. Okesola ordered the applicant (Raji) to vacate possession of a 3-bedroom flat at No. 3, Chris Onyimade Street, Ogidan in Ajah area of Lagos State following his alleged refusal to appear in court.

Magistrate Mrs. O. Martins had in her judgement ordered the applicant to vacate the flat on or before August 10, 2015.

The court also ordered the applicant to pay N458, 334 as arrears of rent from June 1, 2013 to April 30, 3014.

But, in his application to set aside the judgement, the applicant through his lawyer, Mr. Tunde Tijani told the court that being a yearly tenant, he paid the sum of N500, 000 from July, 2011 to June 2012 but because the property was inhabitable, he carried out some repairs. Consequently, his tenancy did not commence until December 2011 and that his landlord was aware.

The applicant said he was shocked that his landlord purportedly claimed to have issued him a 7-day notice and thereafter commenced legal action in court in October 2013

without serving him with necessary court processes.

He further told the court that, unaware of the of the suit, he continued to pay his rent every 6 months both directly to the landlord’s account or to his solicitor chamber’s account.

He stated that he only became aware of the suit when the sheriff of the court came to execute the judgement by evicting him out of the house and carted away his properties.

The applicant in a 21paragraph affidavit in support of the Motion on Notice urged the court to set aside the judgement and determine the suit in its merit.

The applicant stated ‘’ I was not served with writ of summons personally or any hearing notices as evidence by the proof of service before the court as I was not in Nigeria. I am a law abiding citizen and will never disrespect the court. If I was served with court processes, I would have immediately entered appearance and file my defence to the suit” He stated further ‘’the claimant is not entitled to the judgement because the true and correct facts relevant to the determination of the suit was concealed/ misrepresented by the claimant.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 31

By Theodore Opara

GAC cars take centre stage at Lagos Airport departure hall D

ETERMINED to take the GAC brand of cars to the next level in Nigeria, CIG Motors, distributors of GAC vehicles in the country, is displaying the GA3 and GS5 car models at the departure hall of the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

The two models which are strategically placed at the departure hall of the airport, is already attracting a lot of enquiries from prospective

buyers. According to the Chairman of CIG Motors, Diana Chen, many prospects are delighted with the captivating designs of the sporty GA3 and the compact GS5.

She noted that the decision to display the vehicles at the airport was to bring them to the notice of travellers so they can fully appreciate the trendy, safest and aerodynamic features of the cars.

Diana Chen said: “The airport is a place our tar-

geted customers pass through all the time, and GAC vehicles will certainly catch their attention, as they pass through the airport. We are confident of what we are offering Nigerians because they are cars for people who want to stand out, no matter the crowd.”

According to her, the GAC brand of vehicles are highly rated in China because it is the official car in China, and used by government of-

ficials. “It represents the government image anywhere and a symbol of Chinese brand and quality worldwide,” she

said.

In building the GS5, the manufacturer fused both European and Japanese technology, even as the vehicle which was designed in Italy has a top-notch European high performance SUV chassis, ultra-precision four-wheel independent suspension system among other features.

The GS5 is available in 2.0L DCVVT engine and comes in automatic and manual transmission.

The GA3 comes with a 1.6 litre engine capaci-

ty, offering uncommon features in its category.

The powerful shape and high-end sense are illustrated by the dynamic front face, fluid car body and the design of Z shape lines.

It should be recalled that the GAC brand was the foremost Chinese model to be exhibited at the North American Auto show early this year.

This, no doubt, shows the confidence the car maker has in competing with the very best in the world, even the American market.

Nissan discounts Altima, Sentra in special sales offer

S

TALLION NMN Limited, the Nissan Sales Company has marked down prices of Nissan Altima and Sentra sedans in a special season sales to induce prospective buyers and admirers to buy choice Nissan cars in a limited offer that terminates as stocks last.

Stallion NMN Managing Director Parvir Singh made this pronouncement in Lagos last week when he unveiled the offer entitled: "Enjoy the most affordable opportunity on Nissan sedans."

"Starting from as low as N5.99m for Nissan Altima and N3.99m for the Sentra sedans, prospective customers can now walk into any Stallion NMN accredited dealership to purchase one of Japan's most precision engineered cars,” Mr. Singh affirmed.

He said: “The evolving needs and preferences of prospective vehicle buyers prompted this markdown, which aims to lessen the burden of owning a serviceable car such as Altima and Sentra.

“We will as part of our philosophy, continue to

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provide the best products and services to our customers to enable them to enjoy value-added experience.”

"Nissan Altima is a favourite choice among family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy and a rare blend of comfort and exceptional capacity that compares to most premium sedans," Edmunds.com, a foremost American online journal for automotive information was recently quoted.

Mr. Singh said: "Altima is distinctively tailored for stylish and confident individuals as well as responsible adults seeking personal and professional fulfilment on their terms.

"This class of people want more out of life and do not want a conservative or dull midsize sedan.”

On the other hand, the Sentra is a mid-to-upclass sedan that unlike competitors, has distinguishing features with approximately 15.2-footlong, ample rear-seat legroom, measuring 37.4 inches, which is more than the back-seat legroom of a typical mid-toup-scale car.

32—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

All New Mercedes-Maybach Mercedes Maybach S-Class is here L

IKE the Rolls Royce Phantom, the new Mercedes Maybach S-Class redefines luxury in every respect.

Mercedes Benz sometime ago discontinued the production of the Maybach with the aim of repackaging the car as the epitome of luxury in the automobile world.

The all new Mercedes Maybach S-Class is the result of a well-articulated home work by the world renowned luxury car automaker- a well-designed high-end sedan with luxury, safety and comfort raised to the highest level.

Mercedes broke new barriers in luxury with the all new Mercedes Maybach S-Class. It is target set and surpassed, hence Mercedes' desire to create a new class of customers with the Maybach has been achieved.

The new Maybach has just arrived Weststar Associates showrooms, the general distributors of Mercedes Benz in Nigeria.

Exclusive details The car is 5453mm long with a 3365 mm wheelbase, which makes it 20 cm larger in both dimensionsthan the S-Class Saloon with long wheelbase.

Rear passengers will benefit from this increased size as well as from standard equipment that includes executive seats, and other exclusive details such as innovative voice amplification. In the rear,the MercedesMaybach S-Class is also the world's quietest production Saloon car.

The Mercedes-Maybach SClass combines stylish, effortless superiority with trend-setting exclusivity. The model has retained sweepy, domedshaped rooflines from the SC M Y K

Class but a number of exterior features have been adapted to take the Maybach to a new level of luxury.

An extension between the C and B pillar makes the Maybach 207mm longer than the SClass and increases the level of comfort. Inside of the newly transferred arch triangle is the double M engraving, which means from first glimpse you instantly know it’s a Maybach.

The architecture captures clear elegance creating the very best from the very best.From an exclusive look, the front centre armrest is covered with Nappa leather up-

holstery which features embossed Maybach crests (and also the armrests in the rear in conjunction with the First-Class rear suite).

Another special feature in thedashboard is the analogue clock with an IWC design. The numbers and indicators are individually milled and applied, underlining the analogue clock are exclusive design.

Both the numbers and indicators are made of fine metal adding to the lavish interior.

Following the standards of all Mercedes-Benz cars the Maybach door’s trim has been hand stitched as part of the standard equipment in Nappa leather

but there is also the option to add more personalisation and choose from a range of exclusive leathers. Additional exclusive features include trim parts in wood/chrome and leather at shoulder height in the door panels, chrome-plated tweeter grilles and fibre-optic cables for the ambience lighting to the

side on the armrest.

The vehicle’s remarkable V8 biturbo engine has an output of 335Kw(455 hp), a maximumtorque of 700 Nm available from 1800rpm, 207g/km CC02 emissions, and perfect acceleration with a speed of 250 km/h.

Peugeot, Access Bank partner on easy car acquisition

P

AN Nigeria Limited Nigeria’s leading automobile manufacturer and Access Bank have entered into a partnership, aimed at making the acquisition of brand new Peugeot vehicles easier for its customers in Nigeria.

The two companies signed an MoU recently at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, where they stated that making brand new Peugeot vehicles affordable was their priority since it had become almost impossible for people to buy cars with their savings over a long period of time.

According to the scheme Access Bank will assist interested prospective Peugeot customers with the funds to purchase their choice Peugeot model at a low interest rate which will be repaid over a period of four years.

The scheme according to the companies enables the customer to take possession of his choice Peugeot car, just three days after

completing all the necessary paper work.

Speaking during the ceremony, Managing Director PAN Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi explained that the choice of Access Bank was informed by the pedigree of the company in providing support to customers.

“It is a marriage of two great brands. Access Bank has won lot of accolades over the years. It is a dynamic and innovative bank with broad reach throughout the country. It reaches many of our broad customers especially women,” the PAN boss stated.

Peugeot offers value to customers. It is a rugged brand, built for Nigeria road

Continuing, he said “Peugeot offers value to customers. It is a rugged brand, built for Nigeria road. It is tested and trusted, comfortable, safe, and extremely elegant and comes with three years real warranty.’’

The Managing Director, who appealed to the Federal Government to fully implement the new national auto-policy, also disclosed that Peugeot warranty covers every part of the car including engine, gearbox. It is competitively priced with amazing fuel efficiency as some of their models can travel 100 kilometres with just five to six litres of petrol.

He explained that the fuel efficiency of Peugeot cars was recently put to the test by motoring journalists from Lagos to Kaduna and it was confirmed to be as claimed by Peugeot.

For instance, the new Peugeot 301 travelled the Lagos-Kaduna route, a distance of over 900 kilometres without refuelling on

the road, a feat that was only achieved by the old Peugeot 306.

Another advantage of the Peugeot model is that unlike other brands that has service circle of 5,000 kilometres, Peugeot brand has service circle of 10,000 kilometres and affordable parts which makes them very cheap in the long run.

In addition to these benefits, the PAN boss disclosed that the Peugeot 301 and 508 sedans are now assembled at their Kaduna plant with over 40 years experience and qualified technicians and engineers to back up the brand.

He said: “We are on the semi knock-down stage and have signed the complete knock-down contract (CKD) which will commence in 2016.”

According to him, PAN was ahead of other local manufacturers with in three years.

“We are the only one that has Continues on page 33

SECURITY ALERT: Dilapidated Benin road, which every crown prince visits before installation

PAGE 5

VOL. 1: No. 70

Kidnappers, oil thieves take over Ethiope West — Chairman

PAGE 8

TUESD A Y, OCT OBER 13, 20 15 TUESDA OCTOBER 201

BY IKE UCHECHUKWU

E

DIM OTOP— THE people of Edim Otop/Owok Nyama (EDOCOM) community in Cross River State are at daggers drawn with the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, a development facilitator, over the quality of work executed by the contractor handling the erosion control project in their area.

Though the community said it was indebted to NEWMAP for intervening in their plight, the villagers said they were constrained to cry out because the job so far executed was below standard and could do more harm than good if not reviewed to specification and design.

Already, the community had petitioned the World Bank, which is the sponsor of the project, NEWMAP and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, calling for re-evaluation of the project, as despite the state- of –the- art technology the contractor claimed to have used, erosion had destroyed over 50 houses with more than 150 others under serious threat.

At the mercy of nature Chair, Landlords Welfare Association in the area, Mr. Henry Igwe, who voiced the fury of the residents, a fortnight ago, to Niger Delta Voice, asserted that the people were living at the mercy of nature and might wake up any day to see their houses completely submerged by a landslide.

Pointing to a collapsed structure, he said,” What you are looking at down there was a building standing erect as at yesterday, but before we woke up this morning, it was gone, completely washed off by landslide. However, we are glad the people had already vacated the place two weeks before now.”

His words, “We are neither trying to indict anyone nor are we ungrateful for the intervention that has been carried out already, but we appeal for a holistic coverage of the area in the new design and evaluation that will be carried out.”

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•Affected houses

•Where the former contractors stopped

•The site at EDOCOM

Members of the community

ALLEGED SUBSTANDARD EROSION PROJECT:

C-River community, firm at loggerheads *Youths pursue workers with cutlass from site *EDOCOM not part of design, we’re only being bighearted — NEWMAP *Our work not inferior — Contractor Stinging matters Secretary of the community, Joseph Edet Esq. alleged that NEWMAP brought in some people to inaugurate the yet to be completed project to which the community objected, adding that the project committee has a preponderance of nonresidents as members and in such situation, the interest of the residents was not a key

priority.

His words, ”Most of the members of that committee do not even live here, how will they know the plight of the people and what we are going through, just because there is a little money and politics is now involved, nobody minds the good of the generality of the area and its inhabitants.

“We really appreciate what

they have done for us but it was not standard enough. For a project of that magnitude, it should not have been carried out that way. They should please come back and finish what they have started if not they would have done more harm than good.

A resident, who preferred anonymity, said: “If NEWMAP claims it knows nothing about

the topography of the area, why did they pay some people compensation. We know that gabion, which is the technology they used is good, but it should have been higher than what it is now, so we are also appealing to them to further look into the job.”

He, nevertheless, rebuked those who had collected Continues on Page 7

2 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Residents panic as flood submerges Delta, Rivers communities •Threatens Bayelsa coastal villages

BY EMMA AMAIZE, SAM OYADONGHA & DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

Y

EYE—FLOOD has overrun several communities at Delta and Rivers States in the last few days and pushing worryingly to riverside localities at Bayelsa State, weekend.

At Yeye community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, flood rendered hundreds of residents homeless and destroyed the community ’s health centre, civic centre, sixclassroom blocks and teachers quarters built by the state government and Shell Petroleum Development Company, fishing nets and boats.

Secretary of the community, Prince E Onaro, said the disaster occured because of heavy rainfall, which forced practically the entire community, including teachers and pupils to relocate to neighbouring towns.

Residents called for aid from the federal, state, local governments and oil companies to provide relief materials and intervene with erosion control projects.

At Adia –Obiaka community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, the River Niger overshot its banks and inundated scores of houses and farmlands.

Monarch sacked, pupil dead in Delta The councillor representing

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

Umuolu, ward 6, in NdokwaEast Legislative Arm, Mr. Major Azubike, said, “It is a very big problem, we visited the community on Wednesday and we assembled the people and gave them up till Sunday to prepare to be evacuated to the IDP camp at Ashaka.”

In Ughelli South Local Government, where flood sacked a traditional ruler, the councillor representing Jeremi, Ward 3, Sunday Apah, confirmed that it inundated more than 30 houses at OtuJeremi community.

“I am surprised at the level of destruction of my constituents’ property. Many of them have been rendered homeless, but as a member of the Ughelli South legislative arm, I will do my best to see how the situation could be managed, pending when help will come from the state and the Federal Governments,” he asserted.

At Oko Ogbele, Oko Anala and Oko Amakom in Oshimili South Local Government Area, inhabitants sleep with their eyes open because of the rising water level, but many residents of Infant Jesus area, by the riverbank in Asaba, the state capital, have relocated after flood overran some houses.

Besides an 11 –year-old child, who allegedly drowned at Okpai community in Ndokwa East, much of the ruin in the state had been confined to houses, farmlands and other property.

• Part of the area affected by the flood in Rivers

system in the state and careless dumping of chippings by a road construction company in the area.

A woman, simply identified as Mummy Karita, reportedly lost her life in the disaster that displaced many families.

A source said the carelessly dumped heap affected the natural flow in the area and forced water into the premises of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

“Water covered the church compound and could not flow out through any means. It pushed down the church fence, which fell on the nearby building where the woman, her husband and family members reside,” he added.

Husband, children relocate When Niger Delta Voice visited the scene of the collapsed building, the husband of the deceased, Mr. Bruce Ibikarigbo, had moved out of the wrecked building with his three children.

His neighbour told Niger Delta Voice, “the flood was a terrible experience which I have not seen before in my life. I and my wife went to work and before we got home, our room

Rivers ambush In Rivers State, residents of Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area blamed the flood ravaged the community on poor drainage

•The Church premises in Rivers

Every day, the water level is rising and if this continue, we may be heading for another crisis

had already been covered with water.

“Till now, I am still drying my documents, foam, upholstery and other things that were soaked in the water. What happened was that from the main road, there was a heap of chippings that the people constructing the Rumuolumeni Road dumped, so when the rain came, the water diverted into the church because the waterway was already blocked,” he said.

Contnuing, Mr Ibikarigbo said, “The water was so much and the church does not have any outlet. Had it been it has outlet, any water that enters there will flow out, but because there was no gutter to let the water out of the compound, the water piled up and pulled the fence down.

“When I got to the compound it was already 7.00 pm, I saw the damage. I was still in shock

Continues on Page 3

•A family drying their property after the flood in Rivers

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 3

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

Residents panic as flood submerges Delta, Rivers communities

•Empty room of the deceased family in Rivers

The building and part of the fence destroyed by the flood in Rivers our communities, many of time, we cannot rule out which are low lying and Continues from Page 2 another deluge this year due vulnerable to flooding. I have since relocated my family to Port as I opened my house, it was to the reported cases of Harcourt following the havoc flooding in communities in the filled with water and I have wrecked on communities in the been bailing water for days,” North where the River Niger upper River Niger."“Also and Benue comes from. he added. ”Remember when there is speaking, an indigene of excess flooding the North, the Kaiama, Madam Douye, whose Uncertainties in Bayelsa community is also being In Bayelsa state, the water pressure is always felt here (in threatened by the rising water the lower River Niger area) level is gradually snaking its level, said, "Every day, the way towards residential when the water is receding water level is rising and if this there (North). “"Already, the settlements and displacing the water level has surpassed that continue, we may be heading kids from their playgrounds. last year," he for another crisis. My worst fear It has also caged many in of is that most of the farmlands said.

“Residents take flight their homes and contact is have been submerged and this At Sagbama, another floodthrough makeshift bridges. may lead to high cost of food prone town, many residents A concerned resident of stuff in the state."“The situation had deserted the community.

A Adagbabiri in Sagbama council is not different in Yenagoa, the resident, Oyinkuro Preye, said, area, who gave his name as state capital where the rising "The rate at which the water is John, said, "Though the water water level is also threatening rising has heightened panic in level has been static for some those residing along the waterfront and Epie Creek.

DELTA COMMUNITY TO OKOWA:

Call SSG to order to forestall fresh crisis DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

O

DIMODI—THE people of Odimodi community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, have urged the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to call the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Festus Agas, to order before he creates fresh crisis in the community in the name of the state government.

The community in a letter to Governor Okowa signed by the secretary/spokesman, Amadiwei-in-Council, Elder Anthony Pudie, said what the SSG spewed out, as supposed resolutions of the meeting with Odimodi community on September 29 were unilateral decisions he took with his cronies.

Pudie said leaders of the C M Y K

community reviewed weekend the outrageous resolutions conveyed to the chair of Burutu council by the SSG and rejected the directive in very clear terms.

According to the community, “We are constrained to reiterate our position that we reject in totality the bid by your SSG to change the leadership of the Odimodi Community Council as presently constituted in line with the constitution of the Odimodi community, 1995.”

Odimodi community stated, “We reject also the unconstitutional tendencies and undue corrupt political interference of your SSG in the leadership and internal affairs of the Odimodi community with a view to favouring the political associates and personal aides of Mr. Ebikeme Clark…”

“This letter is also to inform you that, we, as Odimodi

•Governor Okowa community, have resolved, this time that not “anybody or group of persons” as anticipated by your SSG to violate his skewed and unpopular resolutions and threats as expressed in the letter of 7th October, 2015. We wait for your SSG to deal, albeit

ruthlessly, with us because we say no to perversion of justice, which was deliberately executed to favour the individuals who took up arms against our community.

“A man or a community that is already down, by the unprovoked attack on the community on 31 August 2015, fears no further fall. Note that we have endured over twelve (12) hours of unbridled and relentless acts of terror with explosives and prohibited firearms, suffered the carnage of arson and the bite of armed robbery perpetuated by some people parading themselves as agents of government. These people are the persons you have unwittingly put in charge of the issues leading to the burning down of our community,” it added.

The community asserted, “If not, it is difficult to comprehend the high level of

insensitivity and callousness displayed by your SSG and Mr. Ebikeme Clark to the plight of the Odimodi people, who have been terrorized and traumatized by a handful of criminals,” It said the criminals “want to commence the business of oil theft by hijacking the leadership of the community, which the community had successfully resisted and ousted vide a resolution of the Special Eluwe Congress of the Odimodi community held on the 26th July, 2015,” The community, therefore, wondered why rather than providing palliative for the Odimodi community, government officials were “hobnobbing with these common criminals and trying to use the machinery of the Delta State Government to install their friends back to office.”

It noted that the community never agreed with the SSG in the resolutions he claimed that all parties agreed.

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 without question and they started to beat me again with fists and gun butt”, he said.

From friend's burial to handcuffs in hospital:

*You 're an armed robber, Army tells Belgium-based Nigerian *Lie; I only wanted to help — Victim *Petitions IG over brutalization, shooting *Military hospital rejected him over soldiers' inconsistent story T EDO… HEART BEA BEAT

OF THE NA TION NATION

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—A Nigerian citizen resident in Belgium, Mr. Daniel Owie, who returned to Nigeria to attend the funeral ceremony of his friend, had a raw deal in the hands of soldiers, who pulverized and shot him on the street, and also handcuffed him at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, where he is on admission.

Narrating his ordeal to Niger Delta Voice on his hospital bed, Owie said his offense was that he had the impudence, early this month, to inquire why the occupant of a vehicle, who unknown to him is an army captain, wrongly parked on the road, obstructing traffic.

To his mortification, he said the captain, who ordered soldiers to beat him up, turned around 24 hours later to accuse him of attempting to snatch his car.

Owie said he was returning from the funeral ceremony of his deceased friend in company of a mutual friend on October 3 when the incident occurred.

They reportedly noticed a vehicle parked on the only passable side of the decrepit Ihama road, off Airport road, obstructing smooth flow of traffic and he came down

to find out what was amiss and render any possible assistance.

Public Relations Officer, 4 Brigade Garrison, Captain Joseph Unuakhalu, however, dismissed the victim’s story as tissues of lies, saying it was a case of armed robbery.

Good Samaritan turn adversary Owie’s spellbinding account: “On noticing the car, I decided to alight from my vehicle to find out what was wrong with the vehicle and to see if there was anything I can do to assist them or push the vehicle off the road.”

“However, when I got to the

vehicle, the occupants ordered me to get back to my car and the way and manner they spoke to me led to exchange of words. Before you know it, they descended on me and gave the beating of my life.

“I was surprised when one of them introduced himself as a captain in the army and further identified himself by branding his service pistol,” he asserted.

They were strangling me and the said captain wanted to blow me on my face. His finger entered into mouth and was injured by my teeth.

“After the beating, the said captain called his military boys , who came in a Hilux Pick-Up and

Military Hospital rejected me Owie said soldiers shot him on his left leg on the instruction of the captain, who later took him to the Military Base hospital, along Airport Road, Benin, adding that the doctors on duty refused to admit him on grounds that the military men were not consistent in their statement on how his bullet wound came about.

He disclosed that from there, they took him to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, where doctors put him on admission.

According to him, “Clearly an afterthought, at about 10.00 am on Sunday, 4th of October, the said captain led other military officers to the UBTH to handcuff me to the bed and detailed two military officers to watch over me.”

“They also alleged that I was shot because I wanted to snatch their car from them. They took away my KIA Jeep Sportive car with registration number, EDO BEN 190 BR, two handsets and eye glass” “I was not armed and they did not find any gun or dangerous

weapon with me as they now alleged that I was an armed robber trying to snatch their car from them,” he said Petition His counsel, Benjamin Iloube, has sent a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, urging him to investigate the alleged murder attempt on the life of his client and breach of his fundamental human rights by a group of army officers, led by a yet to be identified captain.

Owie in the petition to the IGP wants him to direct the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, to investigate the abuse of power by the army captain and his gang.

Why he was shot — Army However, Public Relations Officer, 4 Brigade Garrison, Captain Joseph Unuakhalu, described the incident as a case of armed robbery.

According to him, “At about 10.30 pm on 3rd October, 2015, troops of 4 Brigade Garrison responding to a distress call, rescued an army officer, who was attacked by suspected armed robbers, along Ihama Junction, off Airport Road, Benin City. During the attack, the officer’s index finger was cut-off by the suspected robbers.”

“Earlier, the gang robbed two policemen from Lagos Command, who came for their colleague’s wedding. Prior to the troops’ arrival, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force closed to the scene responded and arrested one of the suspected robbers, Mr. Daniel Owie, while others ran away abandoning a Kia Sportive Jeep with registration number, EDO BEN 190 BR. “He was handed over to our troops on arrival. However, the suspect attempted to escape and was shot on his left leg, suspect is currently receiving treatment at the UBTH while investigation is ongoing,” he asserted.

•Accused

Agbor group gives N10m equipment to health institutions DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

BY THERESA UGBOBU

A

GBOR—SONS of Agbor, Ika land, Delta State in Diaspora, have donated hospital equipment and office furniture worth N10 million to the Central Hospital, Agbor and Healthcare centres across Ika land.

Representative of Agbor- USA Association, Patrick Ogbomah, who handed over the items at Agbor, said the group would continue to bring in more facilities because it was determined to move the community forward.

Items donated included examination beds, bedside lockers, cupboards, shelf, theatre chairs, surgeon chairs, tables, wheel chairs, delivery beds, instrument trolleys, blankets, gojo neutralizers, weighing scales for adult and children, screens, injection C M Y K

syringes, cotton wool and lab coats.

Others were refrigerator, digital multipurpose photocopier machine, printers, executive tables, polished office tables, swivel and reception chairs.

He said the association was already preparing for a free healthcare service programme scheduled for November and solicited for relevant information on areas of need to the people.

Chair, Ika South local government council, Hon Fred Ofume, who attended the ceremony, commended the association for the kind gesture, saying the equipment would boost learning at the School of Nursing, Agbor.

He assured that the Central Hospital, Agbor and Primary Healthcare Centres in Ika land would put the hospital equipment to effective use.

Principal of the School of Nursing, Agbor, Mrs. Tessy Onwuka, who also extolled the group, said, “The chair I use in

my office was donated by the group before now in addition to books to enhance learning.

We are immensely grateful and urge other Ika sons to emulate the Agbor USA Association.”

•Equipment donated

•Patrick Ugbomoh handing over the hospital equipment to the Chairman of Ika South LGA, Mr. Fred Fume. With him are Vice Chairman and Principal, State School of Nursing, Agbor, Mrs Tessy Onwuka.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 5

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

U

SEH— ENOGIE of Useh community, Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, His Royal Highness Otamere Olomuza Eweka, has lamented the ramshackle condition of the access and internal roads in his domain, which harbours the historical traditional ground that every crown prince of Benin Kingdom must stopover before ascending the throne.

Last week, the royal house of Iwebo, one of the many palace societies headed by the Uwangue initiated the crown prince of Benin kingdom, Prince Ehenede Erediauwa into the famous group I conformity with Bini custom. He is to proceed on pilgrimage to Usen in no distant time.

However, the troubled HRH Eweka, told Niger Delta Voice, “My community is not in good order. From Ogida Police Station to my palace, there is no good road. The governor tried in building the Uselu road, but there is no road in Useh.”

He rued, “If we talk of Benin Kingdom today without Useh, it is not complete. In the history of Benin Kingdom, the crown prince of the Benin Kingdom cannot be Oba of Benin without Useh and today, there is no road in Useh. Useh and Egbarioba are very important to Benin Kingdom but we have no road and that has crippled economic activities here.”

“Useh has a traditional ground that any crown prince must visit before becoming Oba of Benin. As the Enogie of Use Ilumoza, I know that part of the Benin kingdom is here and that is why I believe we must have good roads to ease our traditional activities,” he added.

His words, “Useh traditionally is very important in the traditional history of Benin Kingdom, we have one of the highest traditional grounds in the state, we need to make this traditional ground accessible to our people. For instance, it is even going to be difficult for any traditional matter to be handled in Useh today with the bad state of the road and that is our problem.”

Request The Enogie asserted, “I am appealing to the Comrade Governor and other relevant authorities to maintain the traditional ground in Useh because it is very important. I have been doing my best using our private funds to make the roads motorable. In fact, the member representing Egor

Ramshackle road to Useh C M Y K

•Enogie of Useh

•Useh road

Dilapidated Benin road, which every crown prince visits before installation *Enogie appeals to Gov Oshimohole constituency in the House of Assembly, Crosby Eribo, has been very helpful.”

“Sometimes, he will bring his bulldozers to come and make the roads motorable but as you know, that can serve as a palliative and after that, the rain will wash away what we have done. “Our people, who are farmers, can no longer leave the community to market their products because we have no roads. Even as Enogie, I am trapped here because I do not have roads to pass to the other neighbouring communities,” he bemoaned.

He stated, “As we speak,

economic activities in this area have been paralyzed because of the bad state of the roads.

We identify with the developmental programmes of the Oshiomholeled administration and that is why we are appealing that he come to our aid now”.

The ruler said, “I am aware that the Comrade Governor is building the Benin water storm project, which will take care of this place, but they should intensify work in the area because the situation is making life very unbearable for our people.”

•Traditional ground

6 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

PODIUM… 3 Bayelsa LG hqtrs inaccessible by road *Indigenes travel through Delta state by boat to get to homelands *Gov Dickson moves to link creek to land BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — N AT I V E S o f Brass, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State cannot reach the headquarters of their local governments: Brass, Ekeremor and Oporoma by road, investigations by Niger Delta Voice have revealed.

Indigenes of the areas, especially Ekeremor, habitually travel to Bomadi in Delta State by road before embarking on a boat trip to their native soil in Bayelsa State.

The situation has been inconveniencing to the villagers, who had stuck it over the years. However, Kaiama, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama and Yenagoa, and the nerve centres of Kolokuma-Opokuma, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama and Yenagoa Local Government Area are accessible.

projects have been on the drawing board of the Federal Government since the 1970s.

Lamentably too, while the country's oil companies operating in the area, including Shell Petroleum Development Company and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, reap fortunes from oil

exploration in the territories, the natives, predominantly farmers and fishermen, have no road to take their farm produce to the markets in the urban areas.

In 2000, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, commenced work on the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road.

The project is designed to connect the several isolated communities in the hinterland of West Senatorial district to boost economic activities, but the high expectation of the people turned into a nightmare, as starved of funds for many years, the contractor eventually abandoned the project.

Paradox Regrettably, some of the road

Fresh optimism However, the state government has given the people cause for hope. Aside Ekeremor, which it has rekindled the hope of linking by road, Oporoma in Southern Ijaw is also likely to follow in no distant time as work on the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road has progressed beyond Ayama.

Knowing the importance of linking connecting creek to land and opening up the Atlantic, the Seriake Dicksonled administration asked NDDC to take its hands off the road project and awarded contract for construction of the road to Setraco.

An official said the state government would have completed the project by December, but for sharp drop in the allocation from the Federation Account.

We’re indebted to DicksonResidents An indigene of Ofoni community, Richard, said, “Though the road is yet to reach Ofoni, with what is on ground, I am convinced that it is a matter of time for me to drive home. Already fourwheel drive vehicles can access our community, something we never dreamt would be possible during our lifetime. We are eternally grateful to Governor Seriake Dickson for making this come true.”

Douglas Koroye said, “The governor has repeatedly said his dream is to see the Atlantic fringe of Agge in Ekeremor accessible by road and has successfully kept this vision alive. We have never had it so good; the fear of travelling by river to our community is no longer there. I can now drive conveniently from Yenagoa to Toru-Orua.”

A’Ibom communities furious over abandoned road project *Demand explanation from Gov Emmanuel AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

BY TOM MOSES

E

DE IDIM— RESIDENTS of Edem Idim, Ikot Odiong and Ikot Ukpong communities in Ukanafun Local Government Area, Akwa-Ibom State, are enraged that the state government has dumped the construction of Edem Idim- Ikot Odiong- Ikot Ukpong, which contract a former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, awarded over 16 years ago.

They also said the new government led by Governor Udom Emmanuel seems to have relegated them in its ongoing massive reconstruction drive as well as in the provision of infrastructure to communities in the state.

C M Y K

The embattled villagers, therefore, called on the governor to go back over the plan, as they feel deprived and neglected with no pipe borne water, epileptic electricity and dilapidated access road that has made it impossible for farmers and traders to convey their produce and wares to bigger markets outside the locality.

Sense of belonging

• Akwa Ibom governor's lodge

They urged the governor to find out why the contractor abandoned the road project, reassess and re-award it to a competent contractor to give the people a sense of belonging.

A leader from one of the affected communities, Ikot Odiong, Elder Ubong Otu, said: "The dilapidated state of roads coupled with epileptic supply of electricity and non-availability of pipe borne water have not only

crippled our business efforts and activities, but skewed us from modernity.”

Another community leader, Elder Monday Umoh, also complained that the decrepit road linking the three communities has made the natives vulnerable to flood and exorbitant transport fares by motorists.

"In as much as we appreciate the industrialization initiative of

•Road project

Governor Emmanuel, we need his urgent intervention in the construction of the road linking our communities because as it is now, it is as if we are not part of this state.

“As he is going about to spread and locate industries elsewhere and constructing roads and bridges, he should extend similar gesture to us here, who I think need his intervention more than any other place,” he said.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 7

RIVERS FARMERS TO GOVT:

We’re tired of crude equipment RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR, JENNIFER EMENGO & GIFT NWANPKA

O

KOBE— RURAL farmers in Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State, have complained that they were exhausted farming with crude equipment and called on the local government council to provide them modern agricultural equipment to boost agricultural productivity in the area.

The farmers made the call at an interactive meeting with rural farmers in the three clans of Ahoada-West, convened by the chair, Caretaker Committee, Mr. Ikechukwu Obuzor.

Chair, Farmers Association in Igbudiya clan, Pastor Evidence Ekpete, asserted: “The farmers here are suffering too much. There is no good cultivation, but we are applying all the traditional means to make sure there is sufficient food in the market.”

No incentive “We are using our physical energy and trying to do things the best way we can. Like myself, I know what I am doing in my plantain plantation, I am putting extra energy to make sure I gather

the grass, keep them until they become fertilizer. There are no incentives, no encouragement whatsoever, we are really suffering, we expect the government to come and support us through this system and by so doing; we shall enhance agricultural production."

"There should be financial incentives, material incentive and thirdly, entrepreneur management. Farmers should be continuously motivated, they are the last resort, and therefore, they need to •LG representative taking names of be encouraged. The government has farmers in Ahoada West promised heaven and earth, yet nothing is happening," especially for us the farmers, some he said. of us are unemployed, this is the Ekpete asserted, "We are best way for them to help us make expecting a working agreement a living. There is no money to and understanding between the improve farming system. With local government and farmers at finance, we will be able to buy this meeting, we are lacking a lot enough seedlings and tools for as farmers, which is the reason we planting." want to address the issues."

Similarly, one of the farmers, We can make it better — Mrs. Helen Pette, who described Obuzor the interactive meeting as timely, Responding, the council chair, said lack of government attention Mr. Obuzor said the essence of to rural farmers, indeed, caused the meeting was to resolve the the poor agricultural production underlying cause of the issues in the area. faced by farmers.

Pette said, "The way things are "Farming is a business and can getting hard in our community, be an avenue for prosperity. We

•Igbudiya farmers at in Okobe Town Hall

•The Chairman of Farmers Association, Igbudiya in Ahoada West LGA, Pastor Evidence Ekpete

are aware that in developed countries, the richest people are farmers. People who are into agriculture or agro- allied businesses."

"We are ready to share the knowledge we have with our people. It is part of the new Rivers vision of our governor, Chief Nyesom Wike. He has this plan to eradicate poverty from our

•CTC chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Mr. Ikechukwu Obuzor

communities through agriculture," he said.

Obuzor added, "Agriculture is going to be used as a tool to eradicate poverty and empower the people. It is not only for rural dwellers. It is something I want to be part of on my own as a person; we are going to share this information with the people on how to make money using agriculture."

C-River community, firm at loggerheads Continues from page 1 compensation from NEWMAP and continued to reside in affected houses, saying, “They are

doing so at their own detriment, if what NEWMAP offered was not good enough, they should have protested but some have collected money and have not vacated the place. See what our kindness caused us.

Contacted, coordinator of NEWMAP in the state, Mr. Fidelis Anukwue, disclosed that community in question was not part of the project design until date. He stated that the agency extended the job to EDOCOM out of magnanimity pending formal approval of the site.

“We are not an emergency response agency, this process takes a lot of time before monies will be approved and all that must follow due process no matter what, so the people of the community in question must realize that their place was not part of our design,” he emphasized. A source close to NEWMAP hinted, “Gabian technology still remains the best to be used in such a site and the agency will never cut corners in whatsoever manner because every penny must be accounted for.

Every payment is well

C M Y K

documented, this is a World Bank project and we have different stages of payment and execution and evaluation, there is no way you can collect money from them and do something else and so far, we have followed due process.

But I can assure the people that the job has

•The gabion already covered by sand on the left side

not been completed, the contractor is still on site and will continue work after the rains subside,” he added.“ No cause for alarm Project manager of A.G Vision Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, Engr. Patrick Ochui, told Niger Delta Voice that the job was still in its first stage, which was the concrete work and the company still has to do earthwork, filling, landscaping and planting of trees.

He said the firm would go back to work immediately the rain stops, adding, “there is no cause of alarm, we know how the people feel, but we are professionals and we know our onions, there is no way we can leave the job halfway or leave that site, we will surely complete

•Affected houses the job.”

“Attack on workers While appealing to the people to be patient, he bemoaned a situation where some hoodlums were already vandalizing the

•The gabion technology used at the site

gabion by removing stones from it. Ochui said, “I am using this medium to call on the members of the community to give us all the needed support and cooperation so that we can a c h i e v e optimum results.

We have been chased away many times with machetes by the youth of the community just because we wanted to put a gutter in the middle of the road, which would have reduced pressure on that soil but they refused. “We tried to explain the effect of that gutter,

they started demanding for compensation that they knew was very unrealistic and instead of negotiation with our client, NEWMAP, they chased our workers away from the place with cutlass,” he informed.

“He explained that the hostile nature of the people was a major challenge to the firm and the resort to vandalism might affect the period for the completion, by now 40 per cent completed.

We’ll amplify gabion The project manager, however, assured that the company would increase the height of the gabion to two feet, saying that it had been included in the “new proposal” that was sent in view of a revaluation of the whole project.

8 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

AGENDA

•Mr Solomon Golley, Ethiope West LG Chairman

these vans, we shall corroborate the efforts of other security men to flush out criminals from across the state and by extension, the Niger Delta region. That is one of the objectives of the Mr President, to ensure peace in every part of the country,” he asserted.

Ofik added, “I will call a security meeting of the security agencies around this area, as this task shall be carried out by all of us that make up the security arms. We have to comply with it, and we must cooperate and synergize to achieve the task. I therefore enjoin all the armed forces to work handin-hand, which is one of the ways to keep this country together as one united and peaceful country.”

security agencies in the area to rein in unwarranted killings, kidnappings, bunkering and vandalism of oil facilities in the area currently forcing residents to flee the area in droves.

The CNS, who spoke through Rear Admiral Ofik when the officers and men of the command paid a familiarization visit to the Oghara monarch, said, “I shall meet the governor, who I heard is an understanding person. I shall let him know that we have the human, logistic, material and intellectual capacities to flush out all forms of criminalities from Oghara and environs.

“All we need from the state government or the Oghara Traditional Council of Chiefs or anybody, are two Hilux vans with which my men will patrol all the nook and crannies of the area. With

Suspected kidnappers trail bereaved Mrs. Ogedegbe, son Some months ago, kidnappers seized the national chair of Buhari Support Organization, Dr Isaac Ajueshi, at this Oghara home.

They unshackled him only after a mouth-watering ransom was paid, but the abductors refused to release his Jeep.

Soldiers lately shot dead the chair of the Oghara vigilante group, Benson Ogedegbe, in circumstances linked with his refusal to succumb to the intimidation of oil thieves in the area.

His widow, Mrs Endurance Ogedegbe, told our reporter: “Those who killed my husband are currently trailing me and my eldest son, Brorie. He has even escaped from the community and is now taking shelter elsewhere to avoid being killed like his father.”

SECURITY ALERT:

Kidnappers, oil thieves take over Ethiope West — Chairman *Police, local security overwhelmed; Nigerian Navy gives condition *Residents flee for cherished lives; Council operations in disarray

BY GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE—CHAIR, Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Solomon Golley,

has sounded the alarm that kidnappers and other criminals have overawed the local security system and police in his area, causing unparalleled havoc to residents and the government.

The embattled chair, who led a delegation from the council and prominent members of Oghara to the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Logistics Command, Oghara, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik, pleaded that the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe, should direct the Nigerian Navy to chase away the hoodlums.

Midnight chase of kidnappers He said, “I personally led the vigilante group in Oghara in pursuit of some dare-devil kidnappers, last Monday. For over three hours, we did our best but still

could not achieve the intended result. It was in the midnight, they escaped through the waterways. We are here to seek the assistance of the CNS in curbing the rising wave of kidnappers in my Council Area.”

He continued: “Kidnappers, armed robbers and crude oil thieves have turned the area to a haven where they operate in broad day light. They have overwhelmed us; the Police have tried but have not been able to crush them. Their number is growing by the day. We need the assistance of the CNS before the area becomes empty because the people are packing out in their numbers for fear of being kidnapped.”

He added, “We want the navy to assist us reconstituting the water ways security committee of this council and to participate fully in it because the perpetrators of kidnappings in my council area have overwhelmed us in this area.

They often use the water routes.”

Four infamous criminals

According to the council boss, “For now, there are four criminals, who we know very well. The challenge in arresting them is that they are at large from where they still perpetrate several heinous crimes in this area.

“We are trying very hard to get their pictures; thereafter we shall publish their identities with a view to tracking them down. They cannot escape totally. The police will surely apprehend them so that they can face the wrath of the law,” he said.

Navy pledges assistance Rear Admiral Ofik, who also expressed the preparedness of the Navy to curb the high crime rate in the area, said, “I want a synergy of the security forces in the area as well as a good armed forces/ civilian relationship, above all we need two pick-up vans from any legitimate authority for our patrol men.”

Meanwhile, the CNS, Vice Admiral Ibas, has assured that the navy would join forces with other

Group picture of Council Chairman and Navy Officials, 5th from left, FOC of the Oghara Naval Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Gumiriwu Ofik, 6th from right, Council Chairman, Solomon Golley

•HRM Noble Eshimetan, Orife III, Ovie of Oghara (5th right); Rear Admiral Emmanuel Gumiriwu Ofik (5th left)

PDP nervous over Akpeki’s exit to APC— Egbo Jaro *‘APC to return 10 buckets of excreta for every cup of mud thrown at it by PDP’

A

FORMER Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart, now an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Delta State, Olorogun Egbo Saro, said, weekend, that PDP was jittery over the defection of veteran politician and former Chief of Staff, COS, to the Delta State Government, Chief Paulinus Akpeki and others from the party, hence the stone-throwing from the party.

Egbo, who is one of the national leaders of Urhobo Nationality Council, UNC, however, warned that if the PDP persisted with its blackmail, it would get 10 buckets of excreta for a cup of mud thrown at APC. Excerpt.

•Jaro Egbo C M Y K

What is the UNC about?

Urhobo Nationality Council UNC is a coalition of progressive and politically minded Urhobo people, who are desirous of bringing the much-needed change to Urhobo land and, indeed, Delta State, which I am one of its national leaders. The truth is that because of the need to bring about the change, most of us are in APC,

although some are still in PDP. Before now, many consider APC in Delta State to be weak with no formidable structure, what is the magnetism after its poor showing in the last general election?

“To be honest with you, many people are embarrassed with the happenings in governance and impunity of PDP, thus the APC became a veritable alternative platform to realize our political aspirations. That is why we crossed over, to build a formidable political structure that can stand the test of time, we are fully committed to doing that and we are doing well in that regard. For me, I am in for the long haul and as you know too well, the end of one election calendar is the beginning of another. “ The PDP in Delta state had made it clear that the decampees to APC are political liabilities, who failed in assignments and contracts they were given in the past, what is your take?

I was at the press conference

where the PDP state chair give a genuine reaction to the dumping of PDP by the trio of Akpeki, Ijomah and Ukubenyinje with their supporters, the truth is that the PDP is jittery and I can proffer a reason for that. You have been around for some time, the practice has always been people moving to PDP after elections to seek for appointment, but for the first time in 16 years, people are dumping PDP in droves for the APC in Delta state. We have not recorded a single member leaving our party to PDP, which alone tells you that the people are tired of the rudderless PDP government.

How would you rate Okowa administration and the prosperity mantra for all Deltans?

No matter how astute Okowa is as a governor, it is his policies and the benefits to Deltans that will count at the end of the day. I can see intolerance from his hoard of aides and they have started throwing stones from that glassfrosted Government House, but I

assure that anyone who throws a cup of mud at us, we shall reply with 10 buckets of excreta and they know our capacity.

To me, I am focused on building a solid APC structure in Delta State and I do not want to be distracted by stories of indiscriminate award of contracts to cronies and illfounded appointments that will cost tax payers over a billion naira to service.

If the governor is doing, I am not EFCC or Code of Conduct Bureau to check that, so I do not want to be distracted for I know in the fullness of time, they will be accountable to God and the people.

What is your general view on Buhari administration?

I believe the President is taking Nigeria on the right path to recovery after the years of decimation and as you can see, the anti corruption crusade is gathering momentum, so I ask Nigerians to continue to pray for Mr. President in his onerous task of salvaging the nation.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—33

By Theodore Opara

S

TALLION NMN, the authorised Nissan sales company and owners of the Nissan vehicle assembly facility in Lagos, has unveiled its first ever locally armoured sport utility vehicle the Nissan Patrol.

The redesigned 5.6litre V8 Nissan Patrol SUV is armoured in collaboration with foreign experts to certify B6 arm ouring to protect cabin occupants from ballistic threats up to the 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition as well as explosives up to 2x DM51 hand grenades.

Stallion NMN Limited Managing Director, Parvir Singh who gave this hint in Lagos while presenting the Patrol equipped to certify level B6+ CEN armourning, said: “the Nissan armoured Patrol Y62 series is an emerging global leader in discreet armoured vehicles and ideal base unit for diplomatic, humanitarian aid and international organisations operating in harsh terrain and dangerous regions is throughout the world.”

This adaptation of the Patrol brings to four the numbers of Nissan models that were assembled locally at the multipurpose VON Automobile plant including Nissan Patrol, NP300 Pickup and Almera sedan, Mr. Singh affirmed.

He said Nissan’s performance since 2013, when it was re-inaugurated with the Stallion dealership has been remarkably appealing with key milestones

Stallion NMN armours Nissan Patrol to B6+ level achieved.

“We have so far launched seven Nissan models including Almera, Sentra, Altima, Urvan, Pathfinder, X-Trail and Quashqai crossover vehicles,” Stallion NMN helmsman recalled.

In his presentation, Stallion NMN Limited head of sales and marketing. Mr. Amit Sharma described the redesigned Nissan Patrol Y62

series as unprecedented amongst discreet armoured vehicles with inconspicuous exterior appearance that looks like normal vehicle with completely OEM interior upholstery and storage area built to accommodate full seating capacity.

Sharma said: “The Nissan Patrol Y62 platform is longer, wider with more passenger room than the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 series, flaunting more horsepower, luxury and rides like an OEM vehicle.” Other distinctively attractive features of the armoured Patrol include, all round heavy duty upgraded compensated braking system, anti-

MTN synergises with Abuja Motor Fair M

TN Nigeria Limited, one of the leading and widest telecommunications companies in the country will be playing a significant role at the forthcoming 17th Abuja International Motor Fair.

Announcing this at a synergy meeting between MTN Nigeria and BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, organiser’s of the event said: “In our continuous bid to ensure that participants always have good value for their participation and also enhance the development of the automotive sector in Nigeria, we have in this edition secured the support of MTN Nigeria.

The telecommunications giant is using the event to support the rapid development of the automotive and road transport sectors of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, this unique global platform will be used to reach out to more Nigerians as well as government, so as to drive more traffic for increased businesses for participants and interaction with policy makers.

It is therefore imperative that all stakeholders should tap into this beneficial opportunity.

MTN Nigeria, which was represented by Mr. Richard Iweanoge, General Manager Consumer Marketing and Strategy Division disclosed its readiness to use the platform of the 17th edition of the Abuja International Motor Fair to showcase its (MTN Nigeria) commitment and support towards enhancing the progress of both the road transport and automotive sectors of the economy.

The GM decried the state of road transportation in the country, which he said was the major means of transportation for most Nigerians, describing it as terribly inadequate.

He noted that the road transport is overburdened due to the comatose status of the rail system and the costly nature of air transport system which is beyond many Nigerians. He however, explained that MTN’s interest in supporting the road

sector is to help in utilising the sectors development to make life easier for millions of Nigerians as well as contribute to the nation’s economic development.

Mr Iweanoge promised that a lot of MTN freebies would be given to visitors at the fair aside all other MTN activities like free SIM registrations to their numerous customers and other services.

The partnership of MTN Nigeria in this year's Abuja International Motor Fair is ex-

explosion exhaust insert; back door configuration manual/electronic egress system; battery armour protection, door restrains, reinforced hinges and run-flat tyre systems.

Mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and a variable 4x4 system, the Patrol comes equipped with proprietary suspension and braking system upgrades that is developed and installed on the vehicle to support the additional armouring weight for improved vehicle handling, Sharma added.

The Nissan armoured Patrol which is not mass produced is priced from N28m and is currently available at the Stallion NMN showrooms and on request, the company head of sales and marketing affirmed.

pected to add to the bouquet visitors are looking out to enjoy at this year fair and, resident within Abuja and its environs cannot afford to be absent at this grand fair.

Thanking MTN for the partnership, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu expressed gratitude to MTN Nigeria for having much belief and confidence in the fair.

He explained that considering the past successes of the fair for the last 17 years, it has remained a major platform to position participants and other stakeholders to access and harness the abundant potential of the growing and viable Nigerian automotive sector.

Peugeot, Access Bank partnership Continued from page 32

From left: Franca Igwe, Head Marketing, BKG Exhibitions Ltd, Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, Chairman Organising Committee Abuja Motor Fairs, Richard Iweanoge, GM Consumer Marketing and Strategy Division, MTN Nigeria and Njideka Ken-Odogwu, Event and Sponsorship Analyst MTN, Nigeria at the partnership meeting between MTN and organisers of Abuja International Motor Fair in Lagos.

achieved this CKD stage while others can attain stage three years after,” he said.

He added that PAN presently produces 16 cars daily in its Kaduna plant and can double this figure on double shift.

Also speaking at the occasion, Executive Director, Personal Banking of Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu explained that what they were doing was in support of the Federal Government’s auto policy and fulfilment of Access Bank support for economic development.

According to him, Peugeot had the oldest and best plant in the country and Access Bank was excited to partner with a truly credible big company like Peugeot.

In addition to that, he said the partnership was the coming together of two institutions that were concerned about the wellbeing of the people.

“This scheme provides opportunity for those who cannot raise the huge amount at a go to buy brand new cars and what we are doing today is the first step in aiding them achieve that," he said.

2015: KOGI DECIDES

KOGI WEST: How

tribunal upheld Melaye's election

•Melaye

By Boluwaji Obahopo

T

HE National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday, upheld the election of Senator Dino Melaye as the winner of Kogi West Senatorial polls.

The Justice Akon Ikpeme-led tribunal while delivering judgement on the petition brought by Senator Smart Adeyemi challenging Melaye’s victory, said the petitioners failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the March 28 election was fraught with irregularities and conducted without compliance with the Electoral Act. Ikpeme refused to grant the petitioner ’s reliefs that Dino was not duly elected with the majority of votes cast; that Smart Adeyemi scored the majority of vote cast and ought to be declared winner; an order to declare Adeyemi as the winner; an order to withdraw and nullify the Certificate of Return issued to Melaye, and an order that Adeyemi be issue the Certificate of Return.

She said though the report of the recounted votes ordered by the tribunal shows that there were 2247 invalid votes counted for Melaye as revealed by the recounting exercise, it is not substantial enough to cancel the result initially declared by the Independent National

•Adeyemi Electoral Commission, INEC, as the petitioners failed to produce an alternative result sheets.

“The petitioners have not justified the arithmetic manner they compute their votes; the petitioners also failed to plead their case voting unit by voting unit, ward by ward. there are 562 polling units in Kogi West Senatorial axis, and only 56 polling units were disputed by the petitioners.

"The petitioner could not prove that they scored the majority of votes cast and the disputed figures in the disputed polling units are not substantial enough to affect the result initially declared by the 3rd respondent - the

The petitioner could not prove that they scored the majority of votes cast and the disputed figures in the disputed polling units are not substantial enough to affect the result initially declared by the 3rd respondent - the INEC

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34—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

INEC. “The onus lies on the petitioners to prove beyond reasonable doubt the issue of criminality in the conduct of election and the non-compliance with the conduct of the election by the 3rd respondent (INEC) in non-compliance with the electoral act”.

On the alternative relief sought by Adeyemi over the no-conduct of primary by the All Progressives Congress, APC before presenting Melaye as itsr candidate, Ikpeme said though the State INEC presented that there was no primary by APC, but it based its judgement on the submission of the Abuja INEC witness, Ibrahim Sanni Mohamed, who presented the result of the primary election.

She said the issue of presenting the primary election on ordinary paper by the witness could not be substantive as the result presented by the witness was duly signed by the APC electoral officer who conducted the primary election.

She said not admitting the statement of the Abuja INEC witness will amount to basing the case on technicality against the directive of the Appeal Court, which ordered for it to be heard on justice and merit.

Ikpeme therefore ruled that all the five reliefs and alternative reliefs sought by the petitioners are refused as they are lacking in merit and doing otherwise will amount to futile academic exercise.

Day eminent Nigerians remembered Tunji Otegbeye

By Prisca Sam-Duru

T

HE sixth anniversary of the demise of the late front line politician, Dr. Olatunji Otegbeye, was a platform for various stakeholders in the country to honour the man many described as a great Nigerian.

It was also an avenuefor the launching of a book written by the deceased entitled: The Restoration: The Life and Times of Dr Olatunji Otegbeye.

Held in Lagos, the event was attended by friends, families and others, who benefited from Otegbeye’s philanthropic gestures.

It was gathered that the authour was about concluding the book which documented his life and times when he passed on in 2009.

Launch of restoration Eventually, the autobiography was concluded by his son, Dr. Deji Otegbeye.

Most of the attendees described the late Otegbeye as a spirited Nigerian with the interest of others at heart.

In his remarks, Deji said: ’’The launch of Restoration was just to keep his legacy going and promote what he stands for. He was a man who lived with great ideas, great ideals, and he was very principled.

He had written a lot of the things he had gone through in life which will help younger people who are coming up.

I was a beneficiary of Otegbeye’s scholarship, he facilitated scholarships for thousands of young students in diverse studies

‘’The idea of the book launch is to allow people to learn from the progresses he made so that we can make Nigeria a better place.

So, it is just to keep his legacy alive. We also intend to keep his foundation going. So, it feels good celebrating the sixth anniversary of his death today. The last part of his autobiography will immensely be useful to the younger ones.”

The reviewer of the book, Professor Kayode Soremekun, of the National Open University, NOUN, said the book, which consists of nine chapters, a number of epilogues as well as reminiscences and tributes, focused on the life and turbulent times of Otegbeye.

The title of the book,

he explained, is mystifying but both the author and Femi Dada who wrote the foreword demystified it.

Soremekun also pointed out Otegbeye’s disappointment over his prison experience.

Dr Philip Asiodu, who was the chairman of the occasion, described the late Otegbeye as a great Nigerian, who was very committed to the struggle for the emancipation of the black man.

"He was a good friend, who showed great optimism that the future will be bright,’’ he added.

Also, General Oladipo Diya, retd, described the author, who passed on six years ago, as a gentleman, who was loyal to his friends.

“I appreciated my association with him though it was towards the end of his life,” Diya added.

Senator Bode Olajumoke, on his part, noted: “I was a beneficiary of Otegbeye’s scholarship, he facilitated scholarships for thousands of young students in diverse studies. He was a torch bearer to the youth of his time and an enigma to his contemporaries.”

Those in attendance were former Chief of General Staff General Oladipo Diya, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, retd, General Tunji Olurin, retd, former Senate President; Senator Adolphus Wabara and former Governor of Ogun State; Otunba Gbenga Daniel among others.

•The launching of the book: ''Restoration'' writen by late Dr Tunji Otegbeye took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs Victoria Island Lagos, Friday. from left Chief Phillip Asiodu, chairman of occasion; Senator Bode Olajumoke, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Prof Femi Otubanjo, book reviewer at the event. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—35

BAYELSA DECIDES

•Hon. Fred Agbedi (right) meets with Deputy Governor retired Rear Admiral John G. Jonah (centre) and Chief of Staff of Govt. House, Hon. Talford Ongolo (left) during a strategy meeting of the Dickson Restoration Campaign organisation of which he is the Director General. Photo: Lindsay Barret.

Real change 'll come through Dickson not a challenger — Rep Agbedi

By Lindsay Barrett

E

VENTS in recent weeks have placed Bayelsa State squarely in the public eye as far as the future of the democratic experience in Nigeria is concerned. The new federal ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be determined to make an unprecedented impact in the state in December when an unseasonable governorship contest will be mounted there.

More than 20 former stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state announced that they were going to seek the APC ticket and eventually about 19 of them actually bought the party’s declaration of intent form.

Intent form When the APC mounted its primary elections in the state, however, internal rivalry and indiscipline emerged with such vehemence that the exercise was aborted amid allegations of violence and fraud levelled against one another by the key competitors.

A few days after the first APC primaries were cancelled, the PDP mounted its own contest in the same venue, the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, and the difference between the two events was remarkable.

The PDP contest was certainly the least rowdy of such gathering that Yenagoa has witnessed for years. Although the crowd was large the level of organised discipline displayed there is not usually associated with political meetings in Bayelsa State.

It was clear that the ruling party

in the state wanted to send a message about its continued relevance and ability to exercise control in spite of the challenges that it faces as a result of the loss of power at the centre and the defeat of the state’s most prominent son, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, at the last elections.

A giant poster was prominently displayed outside Yenagoa APC Headquarters until a few days after the APC primaries when it was torn down by an irate crowd protesting the outcome of the contest. The outcome of the APC contest even after it was re-run has continued to generate controversy and acrimony in communities around the state.

In the confusion provoked by the fall-out from the APC imbroglio the PDP is faced with the task of influencing a voter populace that has been negatively sensitised and even intellectually brutalised.

The sitting Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s detractors have mounted a campaign of misinformation and critical dissent against him to an extent that no previous governor has had to endure.

In addition to this the opponent who has emerged as the champion of the APC cause is none other than Chief Timipre Sylva the very adversary whom he bested in 2011/12. The resurgence of Sylva is a phenomenon that cannot be treated lightly.

This may play no small part in explaining why one of the most experienced and capable political managers in the state, Hon. Fred Agbedi has been appointed the Director General of the Dickson Campaign Organisation even

though was recently elected to the House of Representatives and has a full plate to deal with.

Hon. Fred Agbedi, a one-time Bayelsa State chairman of the PDP, had in fact been a member of the House of Representatives in the Administration that was aborted by the June 12 imbroglio in 1993.

Although he is now regarded as having been one of the most important pillars of the Dickson Administration’s first term (he served as Political Adviser to the Governor until his decision to run for election), he has not always been considered a member of the political elite.

He is noted for his attachment to populist sentiments at the grass roots and has in the past actually been victimised for supporting causes that were considered to be based on idealism rather than party privilege. However the news that he had agreed to be the director

The call for change is not new in the polity and in fact we can argue that the election of Governor Dickson in 2011 ushered in much more farreaching change in the governance of our state than any promised by the APC

general of the Dickson Restoration 2015 Campaign Organisation has convinced a broad section of the political class and the public at large in Bayelsa that the ruling party is fully aware that the forthcoming battle will not be an easy contest.

When we met for a chat recently even though the House of Representatives had just returned from its recess Hon. Agbedi was commuting from Abuja to Yenagoa more than once a week to hold crucial meetings with the supporters of the sitting Governor.

We raised pertinent issues in our discussions and he gave us some very interesting answers: Hon. Agbedi we have heard it said that the people of the SouthSouth Zone have always depended on close ties with the central government to enhance their fortunes in the Nigerian political arena. Will this influence their voting in the December election in Bayelsa State?

We are aware that this is one of the arguments that some opportunistic politicians have put forward as justification for abandoning a party that they have benefited from for nearly two decades.

Puerile arguments However, it is clear that the majority of our people are not fooled by such puerile arguments. It is true that we have always sought to influence the course of national politics by supporting leaders of government business at the centre, but we have also always endeavoured to ensure that those leaders put policies in place that were beneficial to us.

We will continue to follow this course and our duty now is not to claim membership of a party that we have not helped to build but rather to articulate our needs and objectives effectively to the new leadership and convince them to heed our advice.

We cannot abandon the direction that the Dickson Government has already embarked upon especially in areas of development and empowerment for the people of our state, and the fact that the APC seems to be determined to foist the failed ex-Governor Timipre Sylva on us is an indication that it is not ready to embrace our true development agenda at least at the state level.

Our job is to stand firm in defence of the rights of our people at home while doing our best to convince the new leaders at the centre that our values are not inimical to national unity. I believe all true Bayelsans

understand this objective and that will motivate their voting in December.

The mantra of change promoted by the APC has apparently caught the imagination of a wide spectrum of the populace in the country.

Won’t many Bayelsans feel left out of this movement especially now that they have lost the Presidency?

Let me make it very plain to you; for many ordinary Bayelsans although the Jonathan Presidency was a thing of pride to them they did not particularly regard it as being the justification for their participation in national politics.

Many of us participated in national politics for decades prior to the emergence of Dr. Jonathan and our objective was never to produce a President but rather to achieve equity and fairness in our relations with the rest of the nation. While Dr. Jonathan was President we supported his efforts to install such values in the polity as a whole not just because he was our son but also because we felt it was our duty to serve the nation as best as we could. Dr. Jonathan’s loss was given an honourable aspect by the decency that he displayed in conceding defeat without any bitterness.

We were all touched by this as it has shown that we are a people who place stability and order before personal ambition and President Jonathan’s example is a lesson that we must all imbibe.

However the call for change is not new in the polity and in fact we can argue that the election of Governor Dickson in 2011 ushered in much more farreaching change in the governance of our state than any promised by the APC. The real shift in the political climate has been from elitist strategies to populist values. He has confronted the challenge of infrastructural debility head-on and focussed on developing the human capacity of the state. He has made it plain that he believes in working hard for the people’s collective good rather than building individual fortunes.

The APC has made it plain by its conduct that it does not subscribe to this agenda. Real change has already been put in place by the incumbent and the challenger has proven to be the enemy of change in the past. It is unlikely that Sylva will change his attitude simply because now he is coming under the aegis of the APC. The PDP and Governor Dickson are still the best option for self-determination for the people of Bayelsa State going forward. I believe they know that we support their cause.

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Engr. Suleiman Adamu Engr Suleiman Adamu (Hussein) Ministerial Nominee From Jigawa State.

Previous Occupation/Public Offices Held: · Principal Consultant with AfriProjects Consortium, Management Consultants to the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, where he was actively involved in the planning and preparation of several national infrastructural projects in the health, education, transportation, agriculture, water resources and energy sectors. · At implementation stage he served as Project Manager on several projects, notably under the PTF Urban/SemiUrban, Regional and Rural Water Supply Programmes, National Farm Power Machinery Rehabilitation Programme and National Waterways Development Project (Dredging of River Niger). · Seconded to Afri-Projects Consortium (APC) under a special IEA/APC partnering agreement as Principal Consultant and Head of Planning, Directorate of Engineering Services, for the PTF Management Consulting service. Was actively involved in the planning, coordination and management of the following PTF programmes. · No records of public office held by Engr. Sulaiman Hussein Adamu.

Qualifications: Achievements; Quotable quotes; Trendsetting · B. Eng. (Hons.) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1984· M. Sc. (Project Management) Univ. of Reading, UK, 2004 Professional Qualification · Registered Engineer (COREN)· Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE)· Council Member, Association of Consulting Engineers, Nigeria (ACEN)· Council Member, Council for the Regulation of Engineering, Nigeria (COREN)· Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (MASCE) · Project Engineer - Structural Engineering design of WRECA Headquarters building, Kano.· Project Engineer - Design of Wudil Water Treatment Plant civil works. · 1985 - Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Abuja · Supervision of roads and bridges construction, Abuja Central Area Project. 1984 - 1985 National Youth Service Corps, Kano · NYSC Engineer with Kano State Ministry of Education supervising renovation and construction of primary and secondary schools and access roads.· Zakirai-Gujungu Hadejia Road (Jigawa State)· Jigawa Roads Rehabilitation and Development Programme (Jigawa State)· Achilafiya-Dandi-Yarkirya Road Project (Jigawa State)· Zamfara State Rural Roads Construction Programme (Zamfara State)· Kwaita-Yebu Road Project (FCT)· Bwari-Kuchiko Relocation Project (FCT)· Dungurawa-Tattarawa-Jalli Road NAME

Project (Kano State)· Guzape District Infrastructure Project (FCT)· FERMA Phase II Project - Katsina State (FERMA)· Dutse-Suntilmawa Water Supply Feasibility Study (Jigawa State)· Zungeru-Wushishi Water Supply Project (FMAWR)· North East Rural Water Supply Project (FMAWR)· Water Supply and Sanitation Baseline Survey - NW Zone II (IBRD/FMAWR)· Sulma Dam and Irrigation Project (FMAWR)· Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme: Study on Alternative Water Resources of 4 Urban Towns (European Union/Jigawa State)· Community Based Urban Upgrading Project - Hadejia (IBRD/Jigawa State)· Hadejia Valley Irrigation Project Landuse Mapping (HJRBDA)· Jigawa State Schools Rehabilitation and Construction Programme (Jigawa State)· Kano State Schools Rehabilitation and Construction Programme (Kano State)· Kaduna State Schools Rehabilitation and Construction Programme (Kaduna State)· Condition Survey of Physical Facilities and Equipment in Federal Polytechnics Northern Zone (NBTE) · 1995 - 1999: Afri-Projects Consortium (APC) · Several years professional experience of which 7 years was gained in the public sector. Has been in the consulting industry since 1989. Cofounded Integrated Engineering Associates (IEA) in 1987, a leading firm of civil/ structural, electrical, mechanical and environmental engineering consultancy based in Kaduna, Nigeria. · Has been involved in the planning, supervision and management of several building and civil engineering projects in Nigeria, mainly office/commercial structures, roads and water supply schemes. · “Our mission at IEA is to attain and sustain a strong leadership position in the engineering consulting industry with a global outreach, continuously breaking into new frontiers of technology and dedicating our professional gains and talents to the general well being of our immediate society and humanity at large.”

Amina Mohammed Name Amina J. Mohahmmed Dob 1961 State Gombe Marital Status /Children 6 Children Background: British Mother; Nigerian Father.

Education Interests Economic / International Development, Policy Forumulation, MDGs, Sdgs.

Occupational History · Ongoing: Special Adviser Of The United Nation’s Secretary General On Post2015 Development Goals· Ongoing: Ceo/Founder, Center For Development Policy Solution· Ongoing: Adjunct Professor, Columbia University, New York· 2006 – 2012: Senior Special Assistant To Nigerian President, Millenium Development Goals· 2002 – 2005: Coordinator, Task Force On Gender & Education United Nations Millennium Project· 1991 - 2001: Executive Director, Afriprojects Consortium; Engineering Firm· 1981 –1991:

Archon Nigeria Other Occupational History: · Governor, International Development Research Center, Canada· Chair, Advisory Board Of The United Nations Educational, Scientific, & Cultural Organization (Unesco) Global Monitoring Report On Education Notable Achievements · 2005: Coordinated Debt Relief Funds (US$ 1 Billion Per Annum) Towards Achievement Of MDGs In Nigeria· Designing Virtual Poverty Fund· Coordinated Development Of A Fully Participatory National Action Plan (Included Areas Like Hiv/Aids, Macroeconomic Strategies)· Development Of Strategies To Empower Community Participation At Government Level· Notable Awards · Order Of The Federal Republic (2006)· Nigerian Women’s Hall Of Fame (2007) Public Offices Held Special Adviser To Un Secretary General On Post-2015 Development Planning Organizations / Affiliations · Global Development Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation· UN Secretary General Global Sustainability Panel· Africa Women’s Millennim Initiative· Millenium Promise Initiative · Institute Of Scientific & Technical Information, China· Hewlett Foundation On Education· Actionaid Internation “Right To Education Project”

Abubakar Malami (SAN) Name Abubakar Malami (San) Dob State Kebbi Marital Status /Children Background Education · Nasarawa Primary School (1973-1979)· College Of Arts And Arabic Studies (19791984)· College Of Legal And Islamic Studies, Sokoto (19841992)· Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto (19871991)· Nigerian Law School, Lagos (1992)· University Of Maiduguri (Mpa) (1994) Occupational History / Notable Achievements · National Legal Adviser, Cpc· Chairman Legal Team, Cpc Presidential Campaign Organisation (2011)· Chairman Legal Team, Cpc Presidential Campaign Organisation (2011)· Member, Pdp Legal Team, Election Petition (2003)· Member, Kano State Lg Election Tribunal (2004)· Resource Person, Manifesto Drating Sub-committee Of The Inter-party Merger Committees Of The Cpc, Acn, Anpp, Apga, Dpp Towards To Formation Of The Apc· Member, National Convention And Congress Committee (2013)· Member, Apc Electoral Committee For Anambra State Gubernatorial Election (2013)· Member, Kebbi State Committee On Federal Government’s National Conference Of 2013· Chairman, Apc Kano State Congress Appeals Committee (May 2014)· Member, Apc Constitution Subcommittee (June 2014) Interests Law; Politics Notable Achievements 2008: Conferred With Senior Advocate Of Nigeria

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOMBER 13 , 2015—37

Lawmakers fault Amaechi's indictment •Say he deserves commendation over prudent management of funds

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— LAWMAKERS in the Rivers State 7th Assembly have said former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, deserved commendation for prudent management of the state funds, dismissing alleged misappropriation of funds levelled against Amaechi’s government as unfounded.

Members of the assembly also faulted purported indictment of Governor Amaechi by Justice George Omereji-led judicial Commission of Inquiry, for the disbursement of N53 billion of reserved fund, saying the the state commission “is pedestrian and its alleged findings grotesque, preposterous, absurd and antithetical with the magnanimity synonymous with good governance, fair determination of issues and totally perverse."

A statement by Chidi Julius Lloyd in Port Harcourt, on behalf of members, contended that motivated by the need to ensure utmost financial frugality, especially, save for the rainy day, the administration of Amaechi, conceived and proposed several bills to promote fiscal responsibility to the 6th House of Assembly of Rivers State, including the Rivers State Reserve Fund, RSRF, Bill 2008 as it then was.

According to the statement, the bill was extensively deliberated upon and passed into Law and was subsequently signed into law on May 3, 2008, by Governor Amaechi, of Rivers State as he then was.

Giving detail of the reserved fund, the statement said the fund known as the RSRF “consists of (a) a capital contribution of not more than 10 per cent of monthly net total revenue but not less than N1billion paid monthly by the state government from its said monthly net total revenue. (b)

Such sums as may be paid voluntarily by any person whether by way of gift, bequest or such other voluntarily donations made from time to time, (c) Reserve accruing periodically from approved investments made out of the capital in the fund; (d) Other revenue legitimately accruing to the fund by means not provided for in the Law; and (e) such other sums as may accrue to the capital in the fund from time to time.

“Skye Bank Plc, was dully nominated as the Bank for the fund and as at February, 2014, the state government has religiously made an unprecedented savings of N53billion in the fund."

looting of public funds in high places. Thus the Rivers State government like other states of the federation began to experience grave challenges in fulfilling its capital and re-current expenditure demands. After exhausting all available sources of funds, the state government was constrained to resort to the reserved fund.

“Accordingly, and in strict compliance with extant Laws, Governor Amaechi made two requests in writing to the House of Assembly for a resolution to access the fund. The House after extensive deliberations gave approval for the withdrawal of the first tranche of N30 billion, 2014 and another N19 billion in October, 2014."

Withdrawal from the fund

Commission set up to rubbish Amaechi — Okocha

Continuing, the statement explained that “sometime in 2013, funds accruing to state governments in the country from the federation account began to dwindle as a result of mismanaged economy occasioned by monumental

Meanwhile, former Chief of Staff to ex-governor Chibuike Amaechi has reiterated his position that the Rivers probe panel was essentially set up to rubbish the former governor so that he would not be appointed a minister by President

Muhamadu Buhari.

Okocha who spoke against the backdrop of the white paper released by the government two days after the Chairman of the panel, Justice George Omereji submitted his recommendations, said the timing of the whole exercise confirmed his view that rubbishing the former governor before President Buhari was the target.

Insisting that the former governor was not corrupt, Okocha said Justice Omereji was consciously chosen to head the panel because they allegedly knew he would never be neutral on matters of the former governor before him.

“We have been talking that the essence of the commission was to stop Rotimi Amaechi from participating in the government of President Muhamadu Buhari. And a lot of people does not seem to understand what we have been saying. When that commission was set up we raised objection."

QUEENSHIP: From left: HOD, General Administration, Purchase,INEC, Rivers State,Mr. Lynus Kpokpo; Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Rivers State, Mrs Gesila Khan, and Coordinator, Rivers State Traders Association, RTA, Prince Edi Chinedu, after Mrs Khan was decorated as Queen of Rivers State, during the RTA's visit to Rivers INEC in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

N-Delta leaders fault fraud allegation against Mutu

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ATANI—BOMADI/Patani leaders have faulted allegations that over 67 contracts had been executed in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, by companies allegedly owned by a member representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Nicholas Mutu.

A civil society group had alleged that over 67 contracts had been executed by companies allegedly owned by Mutu in the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC. But, Bomadi/Patani leaders at a meeting in Bomadi, Delta State, said: “It was not possible for Mutu alone to have awarded to himself over 67 contracts as alleged by the

groups”, contending that the group was being sponsored to tarnish Mutu’s image.

General Francis Muturu, who

spoke on behalf of the leaders, pointed that; “hard work, competence and diligence demonstrated by Mutu made him

to have retained the position of Chairman, House Committee on NDDC, for 12 years, such person should be commended."

WARDC urges Buhari to consider more female ministerial nominees

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AGOS —W O M E N Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to increase the number of women nominees for ministerial positions and other public offices, in fufillment of his campaign promise.

In a statement in Lagos, yesterday, WARDC’s Founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said: “Increasing the number of women in any democratic government is reaffirming commitment to democratic ethos and constitutional provisions for an all-inclusive government.

“During the President’s campaign at the Lagos town hall meeting with women, he promised Nigerian women better representation in his government. He should fulfill this promise.

“Demanding the appointment of capable women, is not asking for favour but a legitimate democratic requirement for any people-oriented government.”

The WARDC boss lauded Governors Ibikunle Amosu of Ogun State and his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, for nominating women of integrity and competence.

Akiyode-Afolabi also called on the Senate to ignore the argument in some quarters, asking that Ms Amina Ibrahim be dropped from the list of nominees because she was from Gombe State, noting that women could not be made stateless in their own country.

FRCN DG counsels media practitioners on ethics

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—MEDIA practitioners have been advised to place professional ethics above any other consideration, to serve the society better.

The Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr. Muhammad Salihu, who gave the advice at FRCN Awards celebration in Lagos, contended that the society expected media practitioners to

be above board to educate, inform and entertain effectively.

Talking to the award recipients, he said, “I am very impressed, very proud and blown away by the emotions of my colleagues whenever somebody that won was called and that tells you that we are on the right track. As a management, we are going to stick to the best given to Nigerians and we will continue to motivate the staff. We will continue to inspire them to achieve and attain greater

heights. FRCN right now is on the reset mode.”

20 staff of corporation received various awards of excellence and they are Humphrey Moses (Presenter of the Year), Femi Farawe (Sportscaster of the Year), Akintunde Oluronke (Newscaster of the Year), Roseline Babs-Jonah (Veteran Presenter- Female), Ajani Tajudeen (Veteran Presenter- Male), Nnamdi Ezeokoye (Producer of the Year) and Elizabeth Anyanwu (Reporter of the Year).

Others are Ifeanyi Okoye (Administrator of the Year), Gloria Istafanus (Nurse of the Year), Sanusi Hameed (Accountant of the Year), Ikechukwu Orji (Security Personnel of the Year), Fabian Njoko (I.C. Technologist of the Year), Damilola Onifade (Studio Manager of the Year), Margaret Onoh (Secretary of the Year), Gloria Okoli (Librarian of the Year), Oyewole Omosule (Cleaner of the Year), Toyin Akinwale (Driver of the Year) and Aniete Uwak (Engineer of the Year).

38 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Tinubu not under security watch —Osun APC

UMAHI’S MOTHER FOR BURIAL: Ebonyi money

won’t be spent, says gov

By Ikechukwu Iruoma

EBONYI STATE Governor on Sunday night said the remains of his late mother; Deaconess Margaret Umahi would be buried in March 2016 and no kobo belonging to the state would be spent on the funeral.

The governor, who on Saturday received sympathizers, political associates, friends and wellwishers at his Uburu country home, said the Umahi family had met and was ready to give their matriarch one of the best funerals ever to be witnessed in the South-East.

He therefore advised all public officer holders, especially the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen and Coordinators, desirous of giving him gifts not to use public funds.

The governor said, “I want to be quoted and I want it to be on record because of evil people.

Mama will be given a befitting burial, but the State Government money will not go into it “I will like to be quoted and I like it to be on record, if you give me a gift, make sure it is not government money. No instrument of the state will be deployed.

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he ALL PROGRESSIVES Congress, APC, in Osun State, has rejected as false, a publication in a national newspaper, which claimed that the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was under security watch.

A statement by the party said: ‘’There is practically no basis for such an action because the relationship between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed and the President and other senior members of the party remains excellent.’’

The APC described the desperation by some media houses in the country to create bad blood within the APC leadership in order to discredit the party as laughable, adding, ‘’for any of the news outlets to systematically demonise the national leader of our party is an unpatriotic act against a leader, who put his life on the line in conjunction with others to save Nigeria from the brink of collapse."

“The Lord has blessed the family with enough to eat. So, whatever a good mother will get, our mother will get. Local government chairmen and coordinators should take note. If you do otherwise, I will wash my hands off.”

On Saturday, a former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim; members of of the House of Representatives from the state who were led

by Sylvester Ogbaga; some members of the state House of

Assembly led by the speaker, Francis Nwifuru and some members of the state Executive Council were among those that paid a condolence visit to the governor.

Others were the 13 local government caretaker chairmen and 64 coordinators of development centers in the state; the leadership of the Ishiagu Community Development Union led by Chief Stanley Anyim; the state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,

OAAN seeks better business relations with Lagos govt

By Ikenna Asomba

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U T D O O R ADVERTISING Association of Nigeria, OAAN, has called for better business relations with the Lagos State government for the mutual benefit of both parties.

The President of OAAN, Mr. Tunde Adedoyin, who stated this during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State

governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, at Alausa, Ikeja, said the association had always supported the government of Lagos State and would want a stronger relationship with the government, particularly over the review of the rate being charged by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, to save its members’ businesses.

Mr. Adedoyin said:

Community battles Imo govt over plans to concession medical facilities

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—MBAISE people are spoiling for war over Imo State government’s plan to concession its medical facilities, particularly the Aboh Mbaise General Hospital.

Most of the people, who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, on the issue, vowed that patriotic Mbaise sons and daughters would not allow the state government to concession the

medical facility, especially as it was entirely built through their sweat and handed over to government to manage.

They cautioned the state government to note the difference between social service establishments and commercial oriented agencies, before taking what they termed “ rash decisions”.

All the respondents were of the opinion that hospitals should be treated as a social service to

led by Chief Silas Okoro; the Nigeria Union of Journalists correspondent chapel led by Jacob Ogodo and the Zonal Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Ofoma.

Expressing his condolence, the former Imo governor, Chief Ohakim, described the late Deaconess Umahi as a fulfilled woman whose sojourn on earth brought good tidings, peace,unity and progress to the Umahi family and Ebonyi state.

the people and not a money making venture, even as they urged Governor Rochas Okorocha to immediately rescind his decision to concession medical facilities in the state to shylock business moguls.

They advised Governor Okorocha to “go ahead and concession the hospitals he prides himself of having built to his preferred businessmen, instead of the ones built by the people.”

As at the time of going to press, yesterday, the villagers had already installed fresh palm leaves, which is a sacred leaf in Igbo custom and tradition, at strategic positions around the Aboh Mbaise Hospital premises.

Vanguard recalls that one of the nagging labour issues currently be-deviling the state, was the planned concessioning of medical facilities by the state government.

“During the tenure of Mr. Makanjuola Alabi, a former Managing Director of LASAA, our members were charged very high rates to operate in the state, and in spite of several calls for reviews to be made, the situation has remained the same.

“Every company in the outdoor advertising business is practically trying to survive because we are all struggling, due to the heavy burden of the extremely high rates we have to pay.”

He commended the current secretary to Lagos State government, Mr. Tunji Bello, who he said, gave listening ears to the association during his tenure at LASAA. In his remark, Governor Akinwumi Ambode thanked OAAN for honouring him, which he described as a great privilege.

He said the Lagos State government was committed to partnering with relevant bodies to enhance a business friendly environment in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, promised to look into the issues raised by the association in the interest of both the state and members of OAAN.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Oliseh, Enyeama disagreement

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nyeama withdrew from our last international friendly, but unfortunately he featured in his clubside match. Do you think Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo will do such nonsense to their national team? -Mr. Auwalu Tukur, Marketer

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do not know why, we, Nigerians, like supporting bad things? And that is why most of us are not disciplined. Oliseh has the right to suspend Enyeama, if he fails to follow due protocol to exit the camp for his mother ’s burial. -Mr. Mac Don, Self Employed

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think Enyeama needs to watch his ego. He is not in charge of the team, the coach is. We all watch football at different levels and we see how captains deal with issues with their respective coaches. The truth must be said. -Mr. Hamzat Kazeem, Worker

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nyeama represents the interest of his team-mates. He is meant to have issues with the coach, if truly he represents the team, except we want him to be a ‘yes sir’ man. Or we just say no need to have a team captain. -Mr. Ubong Uman, Businessman

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iscipline is the watchword in this game of soccer. No player is bigger than the Nigeria national team. Enyeama led a rebellion at a time they rejected an aircraft that was to convey them for a national engagement. -Mrs. Morayo Simeon, Trader

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nyeama should have respected the coach when he was asked by him to sit down. His years of service do not warrant disrespecting the coach.

If Oliseh takes his disrespect likely, how would he caution others when they misbehave? -Miss Rose Okonta, Student

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 39

KOGI: PDP accuses APC, Audu of hate campaign

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi State yesterday accused the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Prince Abubakar Audu, of inciting hatred and violence during his campaigns.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Bode Ogunmola, while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, alleged that Audu had been going about inciting his supporters to “kill” members of the PDP that he (Audu) branded as thugs.

The party expressed worry that the peaceful atmosphere existing in the state is once again being threatened due to the assignment given to the supporters of the APC by its governorship candidate.

“We in the PDP are excited that this season offers us a rare privilege to give account of the tenure of our governor of the state, Capt Idris Wada and to showcase his superlative achievements in the year under review despite the daunting challenges of perilously reduced resources.

“It also offers us an opportunity to unfold our programmes for the people of Kogi for the next tenure, which we have resolved to do responsibly and within the confines of law regulating electioneering campaigns in our country.

By Suzan Edeh

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LAUNCH: From left; Chairman, Ferretti Holding, Alberto Ferretti; celebrity designer, Agatha Moreno; MD, Ferretti Construction Services Nig Ltd, Andrea Cortinovis and Consul General, Consulate General of Italy, Andrea Pompermaier during the launch of Regents Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“We are however jolted that one of our challengers, the APC has adopted incitement, hatred and violence as a fulcrum of their campaign. It is more disturbing that this gospel of hatred and violence is being propelled by no other person than the candidate of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu.

“In the two rallies held by the party so far, Audu mounted the rostrum to charge APC supporters to kill those he branded as PDP thugs. The first was at the Demonstration Primary

School rally ground in Kabba on Saturday, October 3, while the most recent one was on Saturday at Okene. We are really horrified that a septuagenarian and two-time governor of the state could charge youths he desperately want to rule to engage in killing citizens he intends to govern.

“This open incitement to violence has exposed Abubakar Audu for who and what he is and has provided an answer to the several unsolved murders of PDP supporters in Kogi State,

who are mauled down in cold blood during electioneering campaigns involving Audu in several parties he has traversed”.

Reacting to the allegations, Audu said the allegations were only meant to tarnish his image, “The allegations were tissues of lies fabricated by the PDP to paint me black before the electorate that had decided to vote en masse for me.”

He said as a statesman he could not have incited his supporters to be killing the people he is aspiring to rule.

...As Kogi youths endorse Wada for 2nd term

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—YOUTHS under the aegis of Ebira/Okun/ Lokoja/Koton Youth for Good Governance, have backed the second term ambition of the Kogi State governor, Idris Wada for the November 21 governorship poll.

The group urged people of the

members of the coalition from the Central and Western senatorial district of the state throws their weight behind the PDP candidate after weighing all the candidates of various party available for the election.

Michael said: “As critical stakeholders in the state, the youth owe it a duty to make their position known on election and candidate already put forward by the parties because youth are been with Glo since the company always at receiving end of the rolled out services in 2003, also actions of any one of them who advised it to take the show to other eventually wins the election. parts of the country. “Every part of the country deserves to experience this unique entertainment package from the proudly Nigerian company, Globacom,” he advised.

By Naomi Uzor In the same vein, Mr. Christopher Adebiyi, Chief ANGOTE Cement Plc Operating Officer of Water Trade last weekend Consultants, Lagos, praised Globacom for coming up with the strengthened the bilateral entertainment package, which he trade relations between said, “ will soon bring more Nigeria and Tanzania as it Nigerians out of their homes as it commissioned $600 million gets more interesting and highly cement plant with installed capacity of three million entertaining every week.”

Ronke Agbaje, a student of metrics tonne per annum at the University of Lagos, Mtwara District of Tanzania.

The new plant, which is part gushed, “I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in a long time. It of the company ’s Africa was really a wonderful show expansion strategy, is the fourth plant to be commissioned after and I enjoyed myself.''

state, socio-cultural groups, labour unions, professionals, artisans and teachers to support the governor to enable him complete the transformation agenda he had started.

Coordinator of the coalition, Zaccheaus Michael, who stated this while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, yesterday said

Subscribers laud Glo's Slide ‘n’ Bounce

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HE Surulere area of Lagos witnessed an unprecedented level of fun and excitement last Saturday when the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert train came to town at the Eagles Club, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street.

It was tribute galore for Globacom as several subscribers from all walks of life who attended the event eulogized the firm for bringing the initiative to their neighbourhood.

Mr. Yusuf Adebayo, a Lagos resident who works as an instructor at Nigerian Civil Defence College of Security Management in Abeokuta commended the company for introducing Slide ‘n’ Bounce music show.

“The concept appeals to all and sundry and it generally helps Nigerians to unwind and create time for entertainment”, he said.

Mr. Adebayo, who said he had C M Y K

Report cases of corruption to police, Bauchi people urged

“We have taken our time to look at all candidates contesting governorship election, their antecedents, their conducts in public and private life, the manifestos of their parties and programme, all have been subjected to thrwough screening.

“The coalition also discovered that the people appreciated development in Agricultural sector, the women and youth empowerment programme, free health care for rural dwellers of the governor and want all these sustained and improved upon” .

Dangote commissions 3.0m metric tonnes cement plant in Tanzania

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Ethiopia, Zambia and the Cameroun plants.

Before the end of this year, the company plans to commission the plants in Senegal and South Africa.

Speaking during the commissioning of the plant, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad elRufai, who represented the President of Nigeria, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari said, the plant is quite significant and one of the biggest investment by African company in Tanzania.

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State police command has urged members of the public to report cases of corruption by any police officer to the authorities in their localities, saying justice would be served.

The State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who stated this during a one-day town hall meeting with stakeholders on corruption yesterday at the NUJ press centre in Bauchi, assured that the police were committed in ensuring that the rights of its citizens were protected.

He said: “The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has initiated a good platform called Operation stop the bribe whereby members of the public can report cases of corruption in the police force.

“Whoever feels he is intimidated, sub-charged, extorted and exploited by the police, should take advantage of this platform in the website and write his or her complain to the IGP and I guarantee that appropriate action will be taken” “Another alternative whereby members of the public can get justice is by reporting directly to the police divisional office or to the police area command and if such a person is still not satisfied, he can report directly to commissioner of police in the state.”

The PPRO noted that bail was free to all citizens in the state, adding that it was wrong for members of the public to offer money to bail themselves or their loved ones.

RETRACTION

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ANGUARD Newspapers published a report, titled ‘’Bello dashes hopes of postseeking politicians in Niger’’, on September 12, 2015, which has since been found to be untrue.

We wish to, therefore, apologise, to Niger State government for the embarrassment this publication has caused it.

— Editor.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

GLO SLIDE & BOUNCE: From left— Mr. Bola Solomon of Fidelity Bank; Nollywood star, Funke Akindele; Mr. Seun Olodeoku of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and Glo Ambassador, Sammie Okposo, at the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce concert in Surulere, Lagos.

ETISALAT'S COUNSELLING DAY: From left— Chief Education Officer, Lagos State Education District 2, Ms. Abisola Gbotoso; Company Secretary, Etisalat Nigeria, Aidevo Odu-Thomas; guest artiste, Seyi Shay; Deputy Director of Education, Lagos State Education District VI, Yetunde Okunniyi, and CSR Manager, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi, at Etisalat's Nigeria Career Counseling Day in Lagos.

BIRTHDAY: Professor Lai Oso of the School of Communication, Lagos State University, LASU (2nd left); his wife Abimbola (3rd right), and his children cutting the cake during Professor Oso's 60th birthday celebration at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTOS: Akeem Salau.

AIRTEL'S FORUM: From left—Head, High Value Experience, Sarwiayt Rahaman; Chief Sales Officer, Godfrey Efeurohbo, and High Value Relationship Manager, Uchechi Awaraka, all of Airtel Nigeria, at the firm's Premier Customer Forum in Port Harcourt. PHOTO: Nwankpa Chijioke.

HONOUR:

Professor Oso (4th right); his wife (3rd right); Professor Idowu Sobowale (5th right); Professor Umaru Pate, Bayero University, Kano, BUK (right); Ag. Dean, School of Communication, LASU, Associate Professor Rotimi Olatunji, (left) and other professors at the birthday celebration.

PCRC: New AIG, Zone 2 Police Command, Balade Hassan (3rd right); Chairman, Zone 2 PCRC, Archbishop George Amu (3rd left); Deputy Chairman, PCRC, Ogun State Command, Alhaji Imam Olaniyan (2nd right); Deputy National Secretary, PCRC, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo (2nd left) and others, during a courtesy visit of the PCRC officers to Hassan in Lagos.

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The Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Osanebi (right) and Ambassador Ozuem Onyebolise, Country Director, Soccer for Peace Foundation, at the conferment of the RHANAS Global P e a c e Humanitarian award on Mr. Osanebi in the United Kingdom.

LAUNCH: From left— Project Manager, Retail Sales, Mr. Akinfolajimi Babajide; CEO, Mr. Aditya Chellaram, both of Chellarams Plc; Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Reuben Onwubiko; and National Sales Manager, Mr. Femi Adeyemi, both of Afrober Distilleries Limited, at the launch of Afro Beverages Range of Wine Liquor Products and Distribution MoU in Lagos. PHOTO: Dran Oshe.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOMBER 13 , 2015—47

NNPC denies reduction in fuel price to N57 per litre

By Michael Eboh

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LAUNCHING: From left: Olumide Ibidapo, Head, Technology, FBN Insurance, Idorenyin Enang, former Managing Director, L'Oreal, Chinyere Chikezie, Chief Superintendent, Nigeria Customs Service, Airport Command, Lagos, Ngozi Nzegwu, President, APPSON, Chairman, organizing committee of Association of Promotional Products Specialist of Nigeria, APPSON, launch, Akindele Semowo, and Funmi Ajayi, Zonal Business, Mainland, Ecobank, at inaugural launch of APPSON in Lagos.

CBN under pressure to exclude more items from forex •As FG plans to set up infrastructure funds

By Omoh Gabriel in Lima

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IMA—THE Nigeria delegation to this year's IMF/ World Bank meetings, led by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, on Sunday in Lima, Peru, disclosed that additional products were submitted to the CBN to be excluded from access to foreign exchange by some manufacturers, arguing that such items were being produced in the country.

In a joint press briefing, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs A. M. Daniel-Nwaobia, said the federal government was considering setting up an Infrastructure Fund

and had approached the World Bank for assistance.

She said this was one of the issues discussed with the Bank at the annual meetings.

Emefiele responds to IMF criticisms

Mr Emefiele, who led this year’s delegation in apparent response to IMF criticism of the CBN policy of removing 41 items from access to foreign exchange on the grounds that it was detrimental to economic activities, said the CBN did not at any time ban the importation of any item.

He said: “What we did was to exclude from access to foreign

exchange items we think can be produced and indeed in the past have been produced in the country in large quantity, and we think that these items, because of the challenges we have as a result of the drop in commodity prices and the revenue that comes from it, that there is a need for us to begin to produce these items in the country.

“That position still stands. I must have been quoted out of context if any body said I am reconsidering the issue. What I said is that the exclusion stands, indeed I have also mentioned in different fora, that we have even received a list of more items that should be excluded which some manufacturing companies think can be produced within the country, but we said no that we need to properly digest these 41 items that have been included in the list.

“The basic issue is this, that there is economic slow down, there is the fact that revenue has dropped as a result of the drop in commodity prices and if that has happened, we need to prioritise, just as Mr. President said we need to reprioritise and make sure that foreign exchange is made available to only those who are importing essential materials. Essential materials, raw materials and products that can not be produced within the country.

“That is the only way we can conserve our foreign exchange, that is the only way we can reduce the demand for foreign exchange for the importation of these items that we are saying can be produced in the country. We will continue to plead and crave every body’s support, we are convinced that these items can be produced locally, I have read and heard at different fora that the Central Bank is preventing people from having foreign exchange, and let me seize

this opportunity to also say that the CBN only intervenes in the foreign exchange market and has tried as much as possible to encourage the broadening of the foreign exchange base so that those that earn foreign exchange from export proceeds can make their funds available in the market for every body to share.

“From time to time, we will continue to do our best to provide foreign exchange to the market to meet the foreign exchange needs of Nigerians.

What is important is that Nigerians should understand that the challenge we are facing now is the same challenge facing all commodity exporting countries world wide.

BUJA—THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, debunked reports that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol has been reduced to N57 per liter.

The NNPC, in a statement in Abuja, described the report as false and advised members of the public to ignore such tales, noting that the price of petrol remains N87 per litre.

The NNPC also promised to work with other downstream petroleum sector stakeholders to eliminate obstacles to the free flow in supply of petroleum products across the country.

To this end, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, has promised to work with other relevant Federal Government agencies to fast track the payment of the outstanding subsidy claims to oil marketers.

In the interim, Kachikwu promised to arrange for a meeting with the relevant creditors (bankers) to ease off pressure on marketers and extend the credit lines.

He added that several financing mechanisms are being explored to offset the commitment to oil marketers.

Alleged corruption: EFCC grills Suswam for 9 hrs, grants him bail

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

A

FTER nine hours of interrogation, former Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, was left off the hook of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, yesterday, but with a condition that he returns whenever he was summoned by the operatives.

Vanguard could not establish the next date of his interrogation but it was learnt that the former governor was shown numerous financial documents relating to the way he allegedly mismanaged the funds of the state and he provided answers to each of the allegations.

He was also confronted with statements earlier elicited from his former Finance Commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, showing how each

financial transaction now under scrutiny, was carried out and what went wrong with such operations.

The former governor, who arrived the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at 10 am, was grilled until 6:45 pm when the operatives allowed him to go on administrative bail. Although details of the amount said to have been mismanaged by the administration of the former governor, were not made public, sources at the commission hinted that the funds were substantial.

Suswam who governed Benue State from 2007 to 2015 is being interrogated for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, embezzlement and fraud but the total amount involved was not disclosed by his interrogators.

But as the EFCC is battling to retrieve the said money from Suswam and those who served under him.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Nigeria to cut gas supply to Ghana over indebtedness

By Michael Eboh, with agency report

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, threatened to cut gas supply to Ghana’s power plants over 100 million Ghanaian cedi indebtedness.

According to a former Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority Dr. Charles WirekuBrobbey, Nigeria’s decision to cut gas supply to Ghana’s Aboadze Thermal Plant was occasioned by the failure of the government to settle its indebtedness to the Nigerian gas authorities and this might worsen power supply in Ghana.

Wireku-Brobbey told a Ghanaian news medium that contrary to expectation, the constant power supply in the country was not dependent on the incoming power barges from Turkey.

He said: “The problem for us is not the arrival or non-arrival of the power barges. As we speak the government owes Nigeria over GHC100 million, which we are yet to settle, and that is the problem that should concern us.”

Currently, Ghana receives in excess of 140 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from Nigeria.

The supply, although not enough, has greatly enhanced power supply in the country over the last few weeks.

Ghana had in November 2014, accused Nigeria of breaching the agreement to supply gas to it, a situation that had worsened the country’s power supply.

OKORCHA FOUNDATION: From left— Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Alhaji Maitama Sule at Rochas Foundation College's students' graduation in Kano.

Drama as Buhari, Auditor-Gen disagree on Lake Chad report

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—THERE was drama yesterday as President Muhammadu Buhari and Auditor-General of the Federation, AGF, Samuel Ukura, disagreed over the environmental audit report on the drying up of Lake Chad.

While President Buhari noted that the report did not take into account the feasibility study conducted by a team under the tenure of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, which cost Nigeria $5 million, the AGF insisted that was outside his supervision, saying Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC, had that responsibility.

The President then insisted that the AGF should explain the omission.

The development caused a minor stir in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, where the presentation was made. Silence followed, before the President requested that someone interpret what the AGF meant, and later asked the Executive Secretary of LCBC, Ambassador Sanusi Abdullahi, to give his side of the story.

Abdullahi said the report of the study was already a public document.

Obasanjo gave $5m for study—BUHARI

Buhari said: “I have to digress here based on personal knowledge of this. I saw an article in a journal in 1978 that a professor in the University of London, in 1925, had foreseen what we are just seeing.

“I handed over the article to Obasanjo and I understand that he took the initiative sometime ago; it is on record that he is the

$13 billion needed to rescue Lake Chad As President urges NAS to ratify Lake Chad Basin Water Charter only Nigerian that has presided over the country for more than 11 years.

“He gave $5 million for the study, and the study reported that unless some of the rivers from the Central Africa Republic are diverted to empty into Chad Basin, Lake Chad will dry up.

“I understand that this report, which was sponsored

by Nigeria, has been submitted. I am a bit disappointed that in the speech of the Auditor-General, there was no mention of this report. $5 million was given.

“One of the recommendations was that at the time the report was submitted, the cost of diverting one of the rivers to empty into Lake Chad would be between $13 billion and $15 billion.

“I will like the AuditorGeneral to comment on this: whether they have received this report or the Ministry of Water Resources. I think this government will like to see this

report and see how we can ask our foreign friends how they can help us.

Effect of saving Lake Chad

“This is because if that river is diverted to empty into Chad Basin, I think it will affect, at least, two million Nigerians and another two million from Cameroon, Chad and Niger to resettle and perhaps that will help us to stop Boko Haram around that area.

“This is because once we identified the enormous number of people there and their activities, we have to check desertification there.”

Responding, the AuditorGeneral said: “The report was not made available to the group. It was only made available to LCBC. Maybe they will be in a better position to comment on it. It was not made available to us during the study.”

Similarly, LCBC anchorman said: “The report is a public

document actually; it has been in the public domain since the study was concluded. Departments of the government of Nigeria and other member states have received copies.

“The situation is that the study had been completed.

The cost estimate for the project is $14.5 billion. We have been consulting the Congo Basin to allay their fears on the environmental impact assessment they want us to add and we need some additional political support to be able to convince them that it is also in their interest to see that this water is diverted to Lake Chad.

Meanwhile, President Buhari had, earlier in his remarks, called on the National Assembly to expressly ratify the Lake Chad Basin Water Charter, even as he expressed optimism that Nigeria would win the war against insurgency.

IDPs in North-East now 5 million—DOGARA

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—SPEAKER, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday said the number of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the North-East had risen to five million. He made the

disclosure when he received the head of United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, Ms. Angel Antangara, in his office.

He told Antangara that the issue of IDPs was dear to the House because they were Nigerians who fell within their representation.

According to Dogara, “as an

indigene of the North-East, it is safe to say the number of IDPs in Nigeria can be up to five million. The UNHCR deals with symptoms of terrorism which is the displacement.”

Dogara appealed for help from spirited individuals and organizations, including UNHCR, to come to the aid of the displaced

persons.

Speaking earlier, Ms. Antangara said her office was providing solutions both locally and internationally.

The UNHCR, according to her, intervenes for people regarded as stateless or borderless, adding that she was in Nigeria to look at the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, UNHCR had with the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015—49 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CAPRICORN: Moon in Virgo will strengthen your belief and hope both in immediate and far future.Yet, there may be lacuna somewhere. Try to be very practical.

AQUARIUS: Moon in Virgo today may bring you unusual co-operation from powerful people in the next few weeks, yet it’s important you don’t take friends for granted.

PISCES: Moon in Virgo may present you with the opportunity to form enduring relationship with the influential people around. If you start a romantic liaison at work today, it would last longer than expected.

ARIES: Moon in Virgo means expansion of your source of income. Even if nothing permanent is established now, you will have good ideas on how to improve yourself financially through work. Be more loving.

TAURUS: Moon in Virgo takes place at a positive angle to your star, thus you can rightly expect success from many angles. The more enterprising you are, the better. Don’t ignore your love life.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

THIS IS YOUR TIME - 1

S

OMETIMES, success in life is about opportunity and the ability to seize it when it comes.

Like the football match, it is possible for a teem to dominate

the play while the other teem that takes its chances do the scoring and ultimately win the

TERROR MUDA

match. As it is with football so it is with life. Learn to take your chances in life.

Seize every moment.

in “Scavenger Elite”

D e l i b e r a t e l y programme yourself to succeed. And as you play your role God will bring an opportunity your way.

When such opportunity comes don’t let it slip...

By Lanre Kehinde

GEMINI: With the Moon and Mars in Virgo, there may be re-organisation within your base of operation that will bring you glory and advancement, yet there will be tension.

Be family minded.

CANCER: Although today ’s placement of the Moon in Virgo will have positive effects on your thinking process, you better be as practical as possible so that you have better opportunities.

LEO: Placement of the Moon in Virgo favours your financial prospects more than before. Yet, you must know the difference between enterprise and unnecessary risky adventure. Be more loving and avoid gambling of all types.

VIRGO: Today ’s placement of the Moon means possible new beginning for you from many directions depending on your priority. Whatever you want, it’s important you are more practical yet, successwillbe yours today.

LIBRA: Your creativity quotient is enhanced today. Yet you will need to remain your practical self so that you will not be misled via bad and/or wrong advice. Keep your secrets.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

SCORPIO: Moon in Virgo can bring your hopes and wishes nearer fulfilement with today’s unexpected support from the influential people around you. Protect your money.

SAGITTARIUS: Moon in your solar 10th house of career and honour signals good things for you today. However, you must be as practical as possible to take maximum advantage.

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,

Who want my marriage dead?

Dear Joshua, I have written you many letters without response, I hope I will be lucky this time around. Although, I am interested in my financial affair and will like to know what awaits me in the future as the ups and downs are giving me concern, what I want you to tell me is: Who is working spiritually against my marriage? I have married four times. Why? Rosemary, Abuja.

Dear Rosemary, If you have spiritual warfare, it is in your financial affairs. You were endowed with special ability to make money for both yourself and other people.

However, three things can militate against your finances namely; inability to hold on to your gains for too long (miscalculation) jealousy and occultic manipulation by those who are green with envy.

Yet, whatever happens, dire financial misfortune is not meant for you, especially if you heed advice from your star; your being spiritual will assist you.

Fortunate placement of the Moon and Venus in Libra and Sagittarius endowed you with charming and magnetic personality which will make it easier for you to attract members of your opposite sex who will be willing to make you happy. But after sometime, your hidden aggressive personality and tendencies to worry will come out to the resentment of members of your opposite sex.

Some other times, you promise more than you can deliver. Then yours is a jealous soul (yes everybody was born with jealous traits) but yours is extraordinary and if you have reason to doubt the other person, you may not be able to forgive.

The summary here is that there’s not much spiritual aspect working against you here but your too strong or powerful personality is what you will need to work on: if at all you have problem with love. One sure bet is members of your opposite sex cannot do without your magnetic pose.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

50

C M Y K

— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 51

C M Y K

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 52

British academic awarded Nobel prize in economics

Oscar Pistorius house shown in ‘bizarre’ video tour

B

T

RITISH academic Angus Deaton has been awarded the Nobel economics prize for 2015 for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare.

The 69-year-old Princeton University professor said he was delighted to have won the prize.

Professor Deaton described himself as “someone who’s concerned with the poor of the world and how people behave, and what gives them a good life”.

His research focuses on health, wellbeing, and economic development.

Torsten Persson, secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences award committee, said that Professor Deaton’s work has had “enormous influence”,

•An enlarged portrait of Angus Deaton displayed in Sweden where he was announced as the winner of 2015 nobel prize in economics particularly in India where the government had reshaped its measurement of poverty. It had also been very influential in the academic community by reshaping various branches of

Turkish PM blames Ankara bombing on Islamic State

T

HE Islamic State (IS) group is the prime suspect in the Ankara bombings that killed nearly 100 on Saturday, Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu has said.

No group has said it carried out the attack, but the government believes that two male suicide bombers caused the explosions, hitting a peace rally.

The official death toll is 97 but rally organisers have put the figure at 128.

Funerals for more of the victims were held on Monday, with some

mourners expressing anger at the government.

Saturday ’s twin explosions ripped through a crowd of activists outside the main railway station in the Turkish capital.

More stabbing attacks as violence grips West Bank

A

series of stabbing attacks have resulted in the deaths of two alleged Palestinian attackers and resulted in several more Israelis and Palestinians being injured as violence

Police end guard at Wikileaks founder’s embassy refuge avoid extradition to Sweden over a rape allegation, which he denies.

The Met said it had cost £12.6m and was “no longer proportionate” - but it would still try to arrest him.

•Founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange

P

OLICE will no longer be stationed outside the Ecuadorean embassy in London where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has sought refuge since 2012.

Met Police officers had been there since Mr Assange sought asylum to

T

intensifies in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld confirmed at least three stabbing attacks in Jerusalem on Monday.

Late on Monday, a stabbing attack in Pisgat Zeev, a Jewish-only settlement in occupied East Jerusalem, resulted in two victims being seriously injured. “An Israeli teenager was seriously injured and hospitalised, as was a 24-year-old [Israeli] man,” Rosenfeld said.

Police shot and killed one of the alleged Palestinian attackers and injured the other.

Former Chinese energy chief jailed for corruption

T

HE former chief of China’s biggest oil firm has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for accepting bribes, state media said.

Jiang Jiemin was previously head of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and its listed firm PetroChina.

He was arrested in 2013,

Guatemalan mayor lynched by crowd HE mayor of a town in western Guatemala has been lynched by a group of locals who accused him of ordering an attack on his political rival.

Mayor Basilio Juracan died after being beaten and set alight in Concepcion,

economics, he said.

While Professor Deaton expected extreme poverty to continue decreasing, he did not want to be “blindly optimistic” because “tremendous health problems among adults and children in India” still existed.

Professor Deaton said that half of Indian children were still malnourished: “For many people in the world, things are very bad indeed.”

The academy said that individuals’ consumption choices must be understood before economic policy aimed at reducing poverty could be formulated.

Solola province, on Sunday.

The residents believed he was behind an earlier attack in which two women were killed and five other people injured.

Guatemala is one of the most violent countries in Latin America and gun crime is rampant.

shortly after taking a government job.

Jiang was an ally of former security chief Zhou Yongkang, the biggest official caught in the ongoing corruption crackdown in China.

A statement from a court in Hubei province carried by local media said Jiang was found guilty of “receiving bribes, possessing large amounts of assets of unknown provenance, and abusing power as a stateowned company employee.”

Media outlets said that Jiang had amassed a total of 14.8m yuan (£1.5m, $2.3m) in assets. Besides his jail sentence, authorities have confiscated assets worth 1m yuan from him, local media said.

HE new tenants of the house where athlete Oscar Pistorius shot dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp have been filmed giving a tour around the house.

In the video, they promise to host parties there, saying: “Oscar built this house to entertain”.

Pistorius family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess described the footage as “bizarre” to the South African press.

David Scott and Kagiso Mokoape have apologised after giving the South African TV channel

Netwerk24 a tour.

However, the pair told the Rekord newspaper they had been assured that they were not being recorded.

“They came to the house to interview us to promote our business. We were relaxed and giving our own opinion as they told us they were not recording,” Mr Scott said.

Mr Mokoape told the paper that the purpose of the video had been to send out a positive message that people “should enjoy and celebrate life”.

The business partners

give the TV channel a tour of the house, including the bathroom where Ms Steenkamp died, whilst holding cans of beer.

At one point Mr Scott says: “This is definitely an entertainer’s house.”

In another part of the video he told the channel: “Hot girls can invite themselves.”

Mr Scott also said they intended to decorate the house “in honour of what happened here”.

A version of the video is still on the network’s English language website.

Zimbabwe clears Palmer the lion killer

T

HE US dentist who sparked an international outcry after killing a lion in Zimbabwe will not be prosecuted because he had obtained the legal authority to hunt, officials say.

Walter Palmer admitted to killing Cecil the lion in July but has always denied that he acted illegally.

Zimbabwe’s Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri said he could not be charged as all his “papers were in order”.

Mrs Muchinguri said Zimbabwe would now

•Cecil the Zimbabwean Lion that was killed in July

•Palmer, American tourist who killed Cecil in July

review how it issues hunting licences.

The environment minister had previously called for

Mr Palmer to be extradited and face prosecution.

However, it appears that Mr Palmer broke no laws when he killed the lion using a bow and arrow.

“We approached the police and then the Prosecutor General, and it turned out that [Walter] Palmer came to Zimbabwe because all the papers were in order,” Mrs Muchinguru said.

Meanwhile the trial against Mr Palmer ’s Zimbabwean guide, Theo Bronkhurst, is due to continue on Thursday.

Mr Bronkhurst denies the charge of “failing to prevent an illegal hunt”.

Opposition demands for re-run presidential election in Guinea

G

UINEA’S opposition is calling for a re-run of Sunday ’s presidential election even before the votes have been counted.

It alleged widespread fraud, including ballot boxes being stuffed and some 400 polling stations staying closed.

This is the country’s second democratic presidential election since it gained independence from France in 1958.

Several people were killed in clashes during the election campaign.

The main opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo, said they will not accept the results, they will not give in and that they will protest.

He was speaking at a press conference attended by the six other

candidates challenging incumbent President Alpha Conde, who was standing for a second term.

Mr Conde became president in 2010 in the country’s first democratic election after decades of fighting authoritarian regimes, during which he was sent into exile and prison.

Burundi asks Belgium to replace envoy over strained ties

B

URUNDI has asked its former colonial power Belgium to replace its ambassador because it has lost confidence in him, a senior official said on M o n d a y. S a l v a t o r Ntacobamaze, permanent secretary in Burundi’s Ministry of External Relations and International

Latest attempt to end Guinea-Bissau’s political crisis collapses

UINEA-Bissau’s prime minister said talks with the G president aimed at forming a new government and ending two months of political deadlock had collapsed on

Monday.

A row between President Jose Mario Vaz and his longstanding rival Domingos Simoes Pereira led to Pereira’s dismissal as prime minister, along with his government, on Aug. 12. Two prime ministers have since been named, but have seen their appointments to the cabinet rejected by Vaz. Many observers fear the chaos will halt reform of the army, responsible for a number of coups since the late 1990s, and lead to a revival in drug trafficking in a country that became a major cocaine transit point after the last coup, in 2012.

Cooperation, gave no further explanation for the action.

A Belgian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Belgium viewed the request as an “unfriendly act” but had yet to decide on a course of action and would keep channels of communication open with Burundi’s government.

Bilateral relations have deteriorated since Belgium said this month it would halt some aid in protest at Pierre Nkurunziza securing a third term as president of the central African country.

“Through a verbal note, the government of Burundi asked its counterpart for the replacement of the Belgian ambassador to Burundi since it has no more confidence in him,” Ntacobamaze told Reuters.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 53

Chukwu, Ekpo express delight at Eagles’ victory T

HE Super Eagles put the sad memories of their 0-2 loss to DR Congo on Oct. 8, to pound Cameroon 3-0 in Sunday’s international friendly game in Brussels.

With goals from Efe Ambrose, Moses Simon and Odion Ighalo, the much improved Eagles, stretched the Indomitable Lions to 3-0 pounding in a major friendly game in Belgiian capital.

Some of the enthusiasts who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, said they were impressed at the team’s present form and hoped they would maintain the tempo in subsequent games.

Christian Chukwu, a former coach of the Eagles said the team played with unison after they had failed in a previous encounter to beat their opponents, DR Congo.

He alluded to the fact that rift between Coach Sunday Oliseh and his former captain, Vincent Enyeama, could have been responsible to the earlier loss “I must say that I am impressed with their game; the most important thing was that we opened scoring and sustained it to the end.

“The boys came out of their situation and played like they actually wanted success, which they did in a “timely” manner, with early goal from Efe

S

Super Eagles midfield duo, Ogenyi Onazi (l) and Mikel Obi were pivotal in Eagles victory over Cameroon Ambrose in the first half of the game.

“I am happy because the game will help to boost their morale ahead of their next match,” he said.

Friday Ekpo, a former Eagles’ midfielder also said the game showed the team listened to Coach Oliseh, their head coach and played to instructions.

“For me, it was a good game, they really impressed me with their good come back after the

Pinnick Continues from BP Thursday.

Efe Ambrose gave Nigeria the first goal through a set piece from Mikel Obi, while Moses Simon drove in from the flank to make it two for the three time AFCON champions.

Watford’s striker, Jude Odion Ighalo came in as a substitute and headed in the third goal for Nigeria.

“I must say that I am very impressed with the performance of the Eagles. It was a good game,” Pinnick said after the match in Belgium.

“I am sure Nigerians were impressed with what they saw. But we have not got there yet, there are still some areas that we need to touch but we should all keep supporting the team because the coach seems C M Y K

Onazi, Ikeme, Balogun celebrate victory over Cameroon added : “Great game

to have a clear direction of where he is going to.

“He is still building a team. And he knows who to add to the team because we do not have a say on who he invites to the team.”

Pinnick said Efe Ambrose’s opening goal – a header off a Mikel free kick – was straight from the training ground.

“All the goals no one was a fluke. Fortunately all the training sessions that I watched, like the first goal Efe Ambrose got, I saw them do that over and over again,” he said.

Oliseh will now switch attention to the CHAN qualifier against Burkina Faso on Sunday in Port Harcourt, where the home-based Eagles have been training since last week.

defeat last Thursday; the boys exceeded my expectations.

“Whatever the coach must have told them to do, they did, and that is how it should be on the

field of play.

“I’ll give kudos to the technical team for a job well done and hope that they maintain and improve on this form,” Ekpo said.

S/Africa

Continues from BP It is going to be very hard and difficult to beat Nigeria,” said the coach.

ThematchagainstZanbia, which ended 3-2 was played on Saturday, at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

Motlhalo found the back of the net just 17 seconds into the match while Mosili Makhoali chipped in with one in the second half.

The first leg ending goalless two a fortnight ago at the Nkoloma Stadium in Zambia.; “FirstofallIamveryhappy for the girls because the away game was very tough and they worked hard. At

training before the second legtheywereveryaggressive and were prepared for the battle and we came out as winners, which is very good for the girls,” reflected Basetsana coach Elisabeth Migchelsen.

The win was sweet revenge for South Africa as Zambia edged them out of the2015FIFAU-17Women’s World Cup qualifiers, which was held in New Zealand.

Basetsana had a few injury concerns from the Zambia game with Chamelle Wiltshire and Bongeka Gumede picking up some knocks but the coach is confident they will make a quick recovery.

Eagles captain Continues from BP gradually coming back to the team Nigerians want us to be, which we also want to be, we understand ourselves better being a new team.

We all put in our best to achieve the result,” Musa said after the match.

The CSKA Moscow forward said that the victory is for fans of the

Eagles.

“The victory is for the team’s fans for always being there for us. They should keep supporting us as we will keep working hard to make them and the entire country proud,” he said Ahmed Musa played for 79 minutes before he gave way to Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi.

UPER Eagles players were pleased that the national team bounced back from their 2 - 0 loss to Democratic Republic of Congo by beating African powerhouse Cameroon in Brussels on Sunday night.

Goals from Efe Ambrose, Moses Simon and Odion Ighalo gave Sunday Oliseh’s charges an emphatic 3 0 win over Les Lions Indomptables at the Edmond Machtens Stadium.

Wolves glovesman Carl Ikeme said : “Great to bounce back with a 30 victory!!! Hope the fans, players and staff have a safe journey home.”

Mainz defender Leon Balogun had one of his best games in a Nigeria jersey but refused to take the credit alone after assisting Ikeme keep his third shutout in four games for the Super Eagles.

He said on Twitter : “ I m p r e s s i v e performance tonight!

That’s how you bounce back! Thanks for all the love, but there’s only one star - the team. “ Assistant Super Eagles skipper Eddy Onazi

guys, we can only get better and better. With God all things are possible, safe trip back guys .”

Nigeria will most likely lock horns with Swaziland in their next competitive fixture, a World Cup qualifier, in November.

•Ikeme

Victory over Cameroon Continues from BP Coach, Sunday Oliseh from critics and Nigerian football fans.

Ogba who is also the proprietor of Ebonyi Angels told journalists in Abuja that Super Eagles 2-0 defeat by Congo in the first match was due largely to the disagreement between Oliseh and former team captain, Vincent Enyeama. He observed that the fracas affected the Super Eagles.

He therefore advised Oliseh and the NFF not to destroy what was on ground before his arrival.

According to him, the outcome of the two friendlies has shown that Enyeama is still relevant in the senior national team.

“We appreciate that Oliseh has said he is building a new team but he should also remember that he must not destroy what he met

on ground. Both the coach and the NFF must remember that we still need Enyeama, there are no two ways about it.

Afterall, most of his mates are still playing.

“Enyeama is very much relevant in the national team, and I want to state that I don’t support Oliseh for that decision.

Anything that should be done to bring back the first choice goalkeeper must be done because we cannot afford to miss out of the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).”

However, the lawmaker expressed his confidence that given the zeal with which the Super Eagles approached the game against arch rivals, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon which resulted in an emphatic 3-0 victory, that the next AFCON qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt will be a victory for Nigeria.

54 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Lewandowski nets 22 goals, credits Klopp with rise R

OBERT Lewan dowski considers Jurgen Klopp to be a key figure in his dramatic rise to becoming one of Europe’s most revered strikers — but if it were not for an Icelandic ash cloud the pair may never have crossed paths.

The 27-year-old is in phenomenal form, hitting 22 goals in only 15 appearances this season for Bayern Munich and Poland, shattering records with every swipe of a boot or nod of a head, in much the same way he has done throughout his career.

But it was Sam Allardyce — then in charge of Blackburn — who wanted to be the manager to attempt to turn this prolific marksman in the Polish top flight into an elite-level forward.

A source close to the player told Sportsmail: ’Jurgen Klopp was very important for Robert’s career and he is very thankful for his trust and co-operation.’ In the past eight years, he has finished top scorer of the league he has played in four times and he is topping Germany’s scoring charts once again.

‘He can spot talent, and he will use talent no matter the age,’ Lewandowski said. ‘He doesn’t just look to buy players, but always he has one eye on the academy players, who are good enough for him to use in his plans.

‘A few years later he is one of the best players in the world, and scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final.

That is not the only example, Jurgen likes to promote from the academy and play local players.’’

Zidane: PSG better than Bayern

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INEDINE Zidane believes Real Madrid and Paris SaintGermain are the two favourites to win the Champions League this season and feels the Ligue 1 outfit are a better team than Bayern Munich.

The French champions have beaten Malmo and Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening two Group A fixtures of this season’s competition but face a double-header against Madrid next.

“For me, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are the two best clubs around in Europe at the moment,” Zidane told Canal.

“Paris know the French league inside out, they are on another level to their rivals.

“They are the best two teams for me, perhaps alongside Barcelona.

Bayern are slightly behind those teams.”

Sanchez to become highest-paid Arsenal player

*Lewandowski

Hodgson: Dele shouldn't think he’s a senior player NGLAND manag- in the England team,” E er Roy Hodgson Hodgson said “It’s not like that at all. strongly rejected claims

*Dele Alli C M Y K

it is becoming too easy to represent the national team following Dele Alli’s debut.

Former England international Jamie Carragher believes it has never been easier to win a cap under Hodgson in the wake of Alli’s international bow after just three Premier League starts for Tottenham.

Alli, 19, came off the bench and played two minutes as England defeated Estonia 2-0 in Euro 2016 qualifying on Friday.

“You have to be careful with that argument because it’s not a situation where, the moment you kick the ball correctly from A to B, you’ll get

If you do make an impact as a young player, and then there are a lot of injuries in the firstteam [you will get a chance].

“I said to Dele Alli that he’s here on merit, and he can handle the pressures, but I did say to him that there’s a good chance you’ll be with the under-21s next time.

“I told him ‘don’t think you’re a senior player.

You’re an England player, but whether you’re in the seniors or in the under-21s remains to be seen’. If he turns out to be one of the best players in the Premier League this season, you’ll all want him in for the finals.”

*Sanchez

ALEXIS Sanchez is in line to become Arsenal’s best-paid player as the club prepare talks over a new deal.

The Gunners are in the midst of a contract renewal drive with signing the Chilean star to fresh terms viewed as a priority.

Plans are at a early stage but the Gunners want to secure the future of Sanchez, who is arguably Arsene Wenger ’s most potent attacking player.

Sanchez currently earns in the region of £130,000-per-week at the Emirates Stadium; but can expect an increase on those terms.

Only Mesut Ozil earns more than Sanchez; the German is paid £140,000-per-week.

But Sanchez could surpass Ozil as the club’s top earner if Arsenal are successful in tying him down to a new contract.

The Gunners, though, are also planning to open discussions over a new deal with Ozil, who himself is likely to net a pay rise.

Arsenal are keen to prevent their top players from entering the final two years of their contracts.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 — 55

Timibra wins NNPC/Chevron Tennis Masters

By John Egbokhan

F

OR 17 year-old Godsgift Timibra , it was a befitting climax as the top seed, emerged champion of the 2015 NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Masters, which ended weekend at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC), Onikan.

After five days of action at the National Stadium, Lagos, it was the turn of the LLTC to host the most eagerly anticipated match of the 16th edition of the tournament, which is unarguably the longest-running and most prestigious junior event in the country and after over three and half hours tennis, punctuated by rain break, the heavens finally smiled on the top seed,Timibra as he defeated John Dickson from Kaduna State in three thrilling sets of 6-2, 2-6, 7-6.

It was the sort of finale that tennis faithful had anticipated as the two best junior players in the land were locked in a tight fight for the biggest prize in their category and how well both players justifiably acquitted themselves to the wild applause of the enchanted crowd, who were thrilled with the serves, volleys, rallies, backstrokes and forehand winners that were the hallmark of the engaging game.

Starting as the favourite, top seed, Timibra served off the first set in imperious fashion, fusing some big serves with forehand winners to sweep aside an unsettled Dickson and take first set 6-2. It was such a bullish start as Dickson looked dazed and confused all at the same time, with the high oc-

OKUGBE: Gumel 'heartbroken'

By Precious Ubani

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RETURN......Godsgift Timibra hits a backhand during the NNPC/Chevron Masters final match against John Dickson at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club on October 11. Timibra won 6-2, 2-6, 7-6. tane start of his rampaging opponent.

Fans saw the expression on his face and thought Timibra was going to deal another hammering on Dickson, who surprisingly, rebounded after the rain break to hand the top seed a dose of his medicine by taking the second set 6-2.

The chants that erupted on the stands of the Lord Rumen’s Centre

Court, when Dickson won the second set was deafening as tennis faithful applauded the Kaduna boy for taking the match to the third set. With the sun fading away, the match that started at precisely 4:35pm, was al;ready heading into the night and organisers had to turn on the flood lights for the decider as both players produced per-

haps the most exhilarating and dramatic moments even seen in the history of junior tennis in the land.

Astonishingly, both players held serves to 66 to take the set in a tiebreak, which Timibra eventually took 7-6 and with it all the glory and bragging rights as the 2015 NNPC/Chevron Junior Master.

S Nigerians mourn the death of Felix Okugbe who before his demise was the president of the Archery federation, president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Engr Habu Gumel has said he was ‘’heartbroken’’after learning the news.

President Gumel described Okugbe ‘’as a man who devoted his life to sports, making people happy and making Team Nigeria work better ’’.

He also added that Okugbe had ‘’a brilliant mind, a big heart and an insatiable appetite to give back, I’m indeed saddened by the loss of such a hardworking man’’ The news of the death of the Archery federation president has also left the NOC secretariat at the national stadium like a grave yard.

NOC scribe, Hon Tunde Popoola was too shocked that he repeatedly asked why, why, why? Popoola could not hold back his tears for Okugbe who toiled to ensure that Nigeria becomes a member of the world Archery as a

•Ndidi C M Y K

ally don’t know how to describe the feelings but I always believe I can be better I still need to work hard,” he said.

Aside being excited in the colours of the Eagles, Ndidi admitted that he learnt a lot from other players in the team. “I have learnt a lot even outside the pitch and also from other players too.

Even before my first kick I was amazed saying that could this be real or dream?”, he added. This season, Ndidi has been a regular with Genk especially in matches involving their rivals in the Belgian league, Standard Liege and Anderlect.

•Late Felix Okugbe

Ambrose dedicates goal to wife

Eagles appearance excites Ndidi, yearns for more action S the Super Eagles ence as I felt great in the A continue their re- colours of the senior naconstruction under its new tional team. For now I reCoach, Sunday Oliseh, debutant Wilfred Oyinyere Ndidi is excited about his Eagles’ appearance and he is yearning for more action if invited again.

Following his appearances in the two friendly matches played against DR Congo and Cameroun in Belgium, Ndidi is still in cloud nine. The former Flying Eagles star, who is a regular with Belgium elite side, Genk came in twice during the 2-0 loss and 3-0 win against DR Congo and Cameroun respectively believes he still has a lot to offer in his kitty.

“Playing for the Super Eagles was a nice experi-

means of putting Team Nigeria in front during international competitions Okugbe died last week at the Lagos state university teaching hospital after a spine infection surgery complications.

Meanwhile, the family of the Okugbes have announced October 22nd to October 23rd for the burial of the journalist in his compound in Lagos.

•Ambrose

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ELTIC defender Efe Ambrose has said that his goal for Nigeria in a convincing 30 win over Cameroon in a friendly is dedicated to his wife, Adenike Sarah Ambrose.

Ambrose scored the opening goal for Nigeria in the 39th minute, when he headed home

Mikel Obi’s free kick on Sunday night in Brussels, Belgium.

“I give glory to God for the goal. The goal is dedicated to my lovely wife, Adenike Sarah Ambrose, this is because of her prayers and support to my career. She is always there for me during good and bad periods,” said Ambrose.

He said the game was not easy and also expressed his gratitude to coach Sunday Oliseh for giving him a second chance in the national team after he was out of the team for more than a year.

His last game before now was a 2015 AFCON qualifier on September 6, 2014, which Nigeria lost 3-2 at home to Congo and he scored a goal in the game as well.

“It was not an easy game, but we play to the tactics the coach told us. I bless God for coming back into the team with a goal after a long time and I appreciate the coach for giving me the chance to play for my country again,” Ambrose said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

S/Africa coach surrenders to wards overcame the Falconets her Zambia hurdle but was

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OACH of South Africa’s U-20 womens team, Elisabeth Migchelsen was happy

Eagles: We’re not there yet, says Pinnick T

HE Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick has said that he was impressed with the Super Eagles’ performance against Cameroon in Belgium on Sunday.

The Sunday Oliseh-led team spanked the Indomitable Lions 3-0, a revival of their disappointing outing aginst Congo last Continues on Page 53

quick to acknowledge the superior fire power of their next opponents, the Falconets. She said, “they would be difficult to beat.”

“We knew that if we went through we will end up with Nigeria, and we also know it will be twice as much a battle as we had against Zambia.

Continues on Page 53

•Dedevbo

Eagles captain promises improvement KIPPER Ahmed

S

Musa has promised the Super Eagles will improve in subsequent matches after they beat Cameroon 3-0 in a friendly in Brussels Sunday night.

“It was a very good game for us. We did well and it served the purpose because we are Continues on Page 53

•Musa

Victory over Cameroon saved Oliseh – Senator

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

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GO ON BOYS: Coach Oliseh (l) rejoices with his players after beating Niger in Port Harcourt.

Football enthusiasts express delight at Eagles’ victory — Page 53

•Pinnick

S Nigerian soccer analysts continue to comment on the double header international friendlies against Congo last Thursday and Cameroon

on Sunday in Belgium, a former member of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Senator Obinna Ogba says the 3-0 win over Cameroon has saved Super Eagles Chief Continues on Page 53

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRIDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS: 1 Decent (6) 5 Shrivel (6) 8 Confessed (8) 9 Temper (4) 10 Crowd (3) 12 Staid (5) 15 Stray (3) 17 Tree (3) 18 Sphere (3) 19 Child (3) 20 Test (5) 21 Prohibit (3) 22 Scull (3) 23 Expert (3) 24 Manage (3) 26 Leaf (5) 29 Owing (3) 33 Jetty (4) 34 Intense (8) 35 Rifleman (6) 36 Roam (6)

DOWN 2 Wireless (5) 3 Bucket (4) 4 Proportion (5) 5 Jam (5) 6 Ripped (4) 7 Keen (5) 10 Engine (5) 11 Club (5) 12 Acute (5) 13 Beleaguer (5) 14 Regal (5) 15 Receded (5) 16 Scope (5) 25 Alliance (5) 27 Go in (5) 28 Pointer (5) 30 Combine (5) 31 Excursion (4) 32 Symbol (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Chic 4, Oaf 6, Lack 8, Prompt 9, Ardent 10, Her 12, Sheep 14, Sever 15, Tenor 18, Allege 20, Urgent 24, Water 26, Final 28, Dally 30, Sty 32, Furore 33, Entire 34, Feat 35, Tap 36, Deem.

DOWN: 2, Harsh 3, Compete 4, Oath 5, Fear 6, Lodge 7, Concern 11, Ego 12, Sea 13, Peg 16, New 17, Rut 19, Leisure 21, Red 22, granted 23, Try 25, Act 27, Aloft 29, Large 30, Seat 31, Yelp.

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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