EFCC yet to locate refunded billions

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$2.1BN ARMS DEAL

Ex-Airforce chief returns N66 million *AVM Amosu’s wife freed

By Sonni Daniel & Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (left), the Olowu of Owu, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu, at the Olowu’s Palace, Abeokuta, during Ooni’s visit to the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, recently.

L-R: Country Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria, Adebayo Sanni, and Honourable Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, at the Oracle Solutions Government engagement, held in Abuja, last week.

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ne of the Nige rian Air Force (NAF) chiefs implicated in the $2.1 billion arms deal and put under house arrest at Niger Barracks, Abuja has returned N66 million of the N90 million, allegedly traced to him, to the Economic and Financial Cr imes Commission

(EFCC).

Consequently, the officer, a Principal Staff Officer at N AF Headquarters, was released from detention and asked to go and look for the balance of the money.

An EFCC source, however, said this did not mean he is completely exonerated.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the other officers being detained by the NAF High Command, on behalf of the EFCC, were not allowed the privileged because they had refused to cooperate fully with the EFCC interrogation team even though some had re-

turned exotic cars and other valuables.

It was also gathered that an Air Commodore, said to have benefitted from the arms deal and has properties in Dubai, Kaduna and Abuja, has been arrested and is in detention.

One of the detained Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) is said to be the leader of the team that went to buy aircraft with incomplete parts and also inflated the price from $6million to over $30million.

NAF High Command had, on Thursday, stepped up its anti-corruption war with the removal of some officers including Air Officers Commanding and Principal Staff officers fingered in the arms deal and appointed new Air Officers Commanding.

Meanwhile, the wife of a former Chief of the Air Staff, Mrs. Lara Amosu, detained overnight by the EFCC, has been freed.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the wife was detained following certain accounts related to her husband, being investigated in connection with the

$2.1 billion arms cash, allegedly traced to her.

Although the exact figure and details of the accounts were not made public, EFCC was said to have interrogated her for hours last week in Lagos.

But a source close to the investigation confirmed the woman had been released on bail.

“She is not in our custody having been granted administrative bail. She will be asked to report back whenever we need her for further investigation,” the source said.

The source said the money allegedly recovered from the former air chief ’s house in Lagos had been kept as exhibit to be used when the trial of suspects in the arms deal begins.

The source further alleged that some properties belonging to the former CAS were also held in trust for him by Lara and her children.

There were earlier reports that the anti-graft agency had uncovererd N17.5 billion in the accounts of wives of three airforce chiefs.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 5

From left: Vice Chairman, BOT, Murtala Muhammed Foundation, Mrs. Ajoke Muhammed; President Muhammadu Buhari; the Chairman of the BOT, Lt. Gen. Theophelus Danjuma; CEO, Murtala Muhammed Foundation, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode; member BOT, Mr. Risqua Murtala Muhammed; and Governor Darius Ishyaku of Taraba State at an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the passage of General Murtala Muhammed, yesterday.

From left: Mr Gbenga Akinrinade, MrTunde Akinrinade, Mr Soji Akinrinade and Mr Elliot Akinyele, during the burial of Deacconess Julianah Omolara Akinriinade,held, yesterday, at the Christ Apostolic Church, Yakoyo, Osun State. Photo by Dare Fasube

HALLIBURTON $185M BRIBERY SCANDAL

EFCC yet to locate refund

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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r. Damian Dodo, a Se nior Advocate of Nige ria, SAN, has told interrogators how five lawyers, who prosecuted multinational firms implicated in the $185 million Halliburton bribery scandal, were paid close to $26 million as legal fees.

Dodo, who was interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for over eight hours, last Thursday, said the five lawyers were duly engaged by the Federal Government to handle the case and bring culprits to book, having been indicted by their respective home countries.

Dodo’s defence is contained in a response he made to the EFCC, a copy of which Sunday Vanguard obtained last night.

Meanwhile, EFCC operatives were said to be scrutinizing government accounts, last night, to ascertain where the refund was made. The four other lawyers involved in the case, it was also learnt, may be grilled by the anticorruption agency.

In his response to the EFCC, Dodo maintained that he and the four other lawyers carried out their job so successfully that the Federal Government, in appreciation, conferred on some members of the legal team national honours.

The SAN explained that the five top lawyers involved in the prosecution of the companies reached an understanding with a former

Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to be paid from fines imposed on the indicted companies since he had complained that the Federal Government did not have a budget for their legal fees.

He pointed out that they followed the precedent set in the case involving Pfizer and Kano State Government on one hand, and the Federal Government on the other, in which the drug manufacturing company was made to pay the legal fees of the lawyers involved in the amicable settlement of the matter.

In the response to the EFCC, it was stated that the legal team, raised by Adoke, was led by the then President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Joseph B. Daudu, with Mr. Emmanuel C. Ukala, Chief Godwin Obla, Roland Ewubare and Dodo as members.

The companies involved in the bribery scandal, and which opted for payment of heavy fines and non-prosecution by Nigeria, were: Halliburton Energy Services; Siemens AG; TSKJ, Technip of France: Snamprogetti of Italy; Kellog, Brown and Roots of the U.S; Japan Gas Corporation; and Julius Berger, JB, which was accused of acting as a conduit for the illegal transfer of $5 million.

To avoid prosecution, JB immediately opted to pay a fine of $35 million to Nigeria and, accordingly, was left off the hook.

The professional fee in respect of the settlement by JB was paid into the account of JB Daudu and

Co on behalf of the legal team.

Siemens similarly opted for out of court settlement and paid •30,000,000 to the Nigerian government.

The legal fee from the company was paid into the account of Godwin Obla of Obla and Co on behalf of the legal team.

The settlement with Snamprogetti was reached by the legal team on December 10, 2010, and the sum of $30 million was recovered from the firm and paid into the account of the Federal Government while the legal fees for the lawyers were paid into the account of Godwin Obla for and on behalf of the team.

In the case of Halliburton Energy Services, the settlement attracted $32.5 million for the Federal Government while the legal fee went into the account of D.D. Dodo and Co. for and on behalf of the team.

Japan Gasoline Corporation attracted a settlement fine of $26.5 million for Nigeria and the legal fee for the settlement went into the account of D.D.Dodo and Co. In the statement to EFCC, Dodo said,”But in all, the professional fees and costs due the legal team as received by the trio of J.B.Daudu, Godwin Obla and D.D.Dodo were disbursed to members of the legal team as directed by their leader, J. B.Daudu.”

The statement went on: “It is worth pointing out that relevant agencies of government were involved in the settlement agreements including the offices of the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“The Secretary of the EFCC, Mr. Emmanuel Akomaye, witnessed three of the agreements, n a m e l y , Snamprogetti,Halliburton and Japan Gasoline Corporation on behalf of the Federal Government.”

The senior lawyer defended the payments made to them, arguing that the fees were legal.

Quoting clause six of the agreement reached with the Japan Gasoline Corporation, Dodo, said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria confirms that the reimbursement of the government legal costs to the designated counsel in the terms of the agreement is lawful under the Nigerian laws and regulations, and the

government counsel has confirmed to the Federal Government of Nigeria that no proceeds of such reimbursement will be provided to any government officials”.

However, the EFCC, set to invite all the lawyers involved in the case separately for their statements, does not seem satisfied with the submission by Dodo.

The anti-graft body, Sunday Vanguard discovered, is trying to ascertain how the lawyers arrived at the legal fee of ten percent and, if indeed, the $200 million said to have been recovered from the culprits, was remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government.

EFCC in search of accounts As at last night, the operatives were combing records to confirm which accounts of government the Halliburton fines were paid

into and when.

There were indications also that the former ministers and other top players in government linked with the matter may be invited to state their own side of the story.

Irony of Halliburton case The irony in the case is that while the different countries, whose the multinational companies paid bribes to get major contracts for the construction of the LNG trains in Bonny Island in Rivers State, have since been convicted for bribery, Nigerian officials, who aided and abetted the scam, are still walking free and enjoying their loot.

The top officials are said to be wielding both political and economic power, thereby making it very difficult to bring them to trial.

Most of them are said to have threatened to descend on the system if any move is made to prosecute them.

But the current Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has warned that the Halliburton case and other criminal cases have not been closed.

Malami said that given the zero disposition of the Buhari administration, it would be impossible to close such cases.

Julius Berger abandons Vice President’s N7bn residence project •••As Reps query FCT for spending N55m to build gate house, CSO, ADC houses for N288m each

By Emman Ovuakporie and Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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HE House of Representatives CommitteeonFederalCapital Territory, FCT, has queried the Minister of the FCT, Muhammed Bello, for spending N55 million to build gate house in the official residence of the Vice President.

The Committee also flayed the FCT administration for building a mosque that could accommodate only 12 persons for N96 million and a small chapel which will take care of only 20 persons for N86 million at the VP’s residence.

Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Rep Herman Hembes, who expressed worry over what was described as reckless expenditure in the award of contracts in the FCT when the minister appeared before the committee to defend its 2016 Budget proposal, ordered the stoppage of some of the alleged bloated contracts.

The Hembes Committee noted with regret the proposed contract for the building of the Vice President’s aide-de-camp, ADC’s

residenceforN288million,thesame amount also to build the residence of the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of the Vice President.

The Committee Chairman wondered what was spectacular in the gate house to warrant the N55 million even as he expressed dismay that work had stopped at theVicePresident’sofficialresidence

by Julius Berger after allegedly collecting about N6.8 billion out of the contract sum of N7 billion.

The Committee further alleged that the multi-national company abandoned the National Assembly principal officers official residences awarded for N24 billion after about N12 billion was alleged to have been paid.

But the FCT minister, who was not part of the award of the contracts, said that his administration would abide by any decision taken by the committee especially as it concerned the continuation or stoppage of work at the Vice President’s residence.

He, however, said it would be very difficult for the FCT administration to change everything over night.

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Brig General Mobolaji Johnson (sitting) being condoled by members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Chairman South West, CAN (4th left) on the death of his wife, Dame Obafunmilayo Johnson, their Obanikoro residence Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, during the President’s visit to Ogun State to commemorate the 40th anniversary celebration of the creation of the state.

CIVIL WAR RELIC: Police recover bomb at building site in Enugu

By Francis Igata

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HE Enugu State Police Command, through its Explosive Ordinance Department, EOD, also known as Anti-Bomb Unit, on Saturday, recovered a bomb that had not exploded, from a building site, being part of the civil war explosives buried in the

ground in the affected areas.

The object was recovered from the building site located around Nigeria Television Authority,NTA, Hostel axis of Ogui, in Enugu metropolis.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that artisans working at the site dug up the object which caused mild panic. The workers were said

to have quickly alerted the state police command.

Meanwhile, the area has been certified safe following a thorough sweep of the area by the operatives.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident in a statement to newsmen adding that it has embarked on sensitizing members of the public to the need not

to tamper with unexploded objects when found either during farming, road and building construction work, among others.

“The public should promptly alert the state command operatives or the nearest police station, so that operatives can come and evacuate the object and render the area safe with their equipment”, the Police Spokesman appealed.

Cultists on the rampage as 18 are feared dead in Omoku

By Jimitota Onoyume, Port Harcourt

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BOUT 18 persons were killed by suspected cultists in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area on Friday night.

Community sources said some of those killed were beheaded by the assailants.

They said the suspected cultists, who were heavily armed, shot into the air in the community between the hours of 8pm till about 10pm unchallenged.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the death of six in the sad incident, saying it was largely a battle for supremacy among rival cult groups in the area.

“The incident is reasonably believed to be a battle of supremacy between rival cult groups in the town.

As it is now, the situation is under control as more antiriot policemen were drafted to reinforce the existing security in the town. As for casualties, six bodies of the suspected cultists were recovered”, he said.

The shooting created tension and panic in the council headquarters as many residents reportedly ran indoors.

“When we came out this morning, we started hearing wailing in several

homes. A man and his wife were among those killed.

Some were even beheaded “, one of the sources said.

This incident came barely twenty four hours after a former member of the 5th House of Assembly representing the local govern-

ment area and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Hon Monday Eleanya was shot dead on Ada George Road, Port Harcourt, while driving out of his compound.

Media aide to the Care-

taker Committee Chairman of the local government, Mr Hopeson Dike, also corroborated preliminary findings by the police that the incident was a fall out of inter cult rivalry.

NIMC’s registration will afford Nigeria opportunity of knowing actual population — Olu of Warri

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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HE Olu of Warri King dom, Ogiame Ikenwoli, has said that the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, registration will afford the country the opportunity of knowing the exact population figures of its citizens.

The Olu made the statement in a chat with Sunday Vanguard shortly after he and his immediate family, comprising his wife, Olori Ikenwoli, Prince Oyowoli Emiko; Princess Emiko, and Omamuli Emiko registered for the National Identification Number being championed by the monarch at his Aghofen Palace Secretariat in Warri on Friday.

While noting that the reg-

istration is good for Nigerians, Ogiame pointed out that Nigeria is not sure of its population figure.

“Some people say we are

170 million, some say we are 180 million and others say we are 160 million people in Nigeria,” he stated.

Former UNIBEN students union leader endorses Ogiemwonyi for Edo gov race

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FORMER President, Student Union, University of Benin and Chairman League of Patriotic Lawyers, Barrister Abubakar Yesufu, has thrown his weight behind the governorship aspiration of Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi in the Edo State.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, the ex – union leader described Chris Ogiemwonyi as an unbeatable brand that can maintain the tempo of success Oshiomole’s government has achieved.

He further said the state deserves a trusted and tested man adding that Ogi-

emwonyi would transform the state from a predominantly civil service state to the corporate world of business.

His words: ‘’Ogiemwonyi an alumnus of the University of Benin has been involved in empowering indigent students in Edo State right from my days in the University. Here is a man who has consistently identified with the “wretched of the earth”, author of “local content” during his 34 year stint at the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), urbane and cosmopolitan.’’

Murtala Muhammed wanted a better Nigeria — Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu, Abuja

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RESIDENT Moham madu Buhari yesterday said that the utmost desire of the late former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed was to make Nigeria a better country.

He said that Mohammed upon assumption of office in 1975, demonstrate rare courage and necessary leadership skill, saying that his preoccupation was to fast-track decisions to herald the progress of Nigeria.

According to the president, two major developments of the late military leader were “prominent among his legacies: the move of the capital to Abuja from Lagos; and the creation of seven new tates to make 19”.

President Buhari, who spoke at the 40th Memorial Lecture of the former Head of State in Abuja, also enjoined Nigerians to emulate his life and character.

He said: “On assuming the role of Head of State in 1975, Murtala set out with a single-minded determination seldom seen in Nigerian leadership. Decisions were on fast-track. Two major developments were prominent among his legacies: the move of the capital to Abuja from Lagos; and the creations of seven new States to make 19. The shadow of his death still somewhat hangs over Nigeria.

“On the 13th of February 1976, Nigeria suffered a grievous blow with the assassination of Murtala Muhammad in a failed coup d’état.

The country mourned, and rightly so, because Murtala had been on his way to putting Nigeria back to the path of order and discipline, after years of drift, corruption and near despair. It would not be over-stating the case to say that Nigeria lost its newlyfound momentum with Murtala’s demise.

“His life, short though it proved to be, was marked

by an extraordinary passion, energy and determination to do better, and to make Nigeria better. These are values that young and old alike should all remember – and celebrate.”

President Buhari while recalling the military exploits of Mohammed during the civil war said he had great respect for him.

“By the time Murtala was given Command during the Civil War, the Federal side was on the defensive. The rebels had over-ran the then Mid-West, and reached as far as Ore, just 100 miles from Lagos. By dint of sheer bravery, improvisation and resourcefulness, he mustered a rag-tag group of soldiers, integrated them into an entirely new division, knocked them into fighting shape, recovered Mid-West and ventured across the Niger. Alas, there were terrible casualties on both sides.

“But Murtala’s motto was to get the job done as quickly as possible; sacrifice and loss were part of the risks of war. Relations between Murtala and some other senior officers were not always easy. But no one could doubt his inspirational qualities or call into question his love and dedication in the service of Nigeria.

Also speaking at the event, the Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, organizers of the annual lecture series, Retired Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma thanked President Buhari for recognising the leadership qualities of the late Head of State.

Similarly, the Head of the United Nation’s Office for West Africa (UNOWA), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who also served as the Representative of United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, and former President of Namibia, Mr Lucas Pohamba, extolled the virtues of the late leader, saying that his death, 40 years ago, created a big vacuum yet to be filled.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 7

Before Kaduna State explodes – 1 All religions must be tolerated…For everyman must get to heaven his own way.

Frederick the Great, 17121786. VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 212. ur country is bleeding profusely from the blows inflicted on it by the apparently unending Boko Haram insurgency; another possibly prolonged round of blood-letting has started with the pro-Biafra movement which recently claimed reportedly over twenty lives in Aba on February 7, 2016. The last thing we need now is another religious conflict; and certainly not in Kaduna state.

Yet, the stage is being set, even if inadvertently, for one. That would constitute the mother of all tragedies to befall Nigeria.

Some of the readers might be wondering why a Lagos state indigene and Christian is interfering in what is happening in Kaduna State?

The matter is simple. When Boko Haram started out as a minor incident in Maiduguri, before spreading to the entire state and to other parts of the

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North, most southerners assumed it would stay there.

Soon, it engulfed people of all faiths in several parts of Nigeria. Today we all know what can happen when small disagreements escalate into major conflicts and then wars.

But, apparently, we have not learnt enough. For unknown reasons, some of us still take steps that will bring great calamity to this nation if carried too far.

Throughout the history of the modern world, religion had played a great part in peoples’ lives –quite frequently destructive ones, if allowed to get out of hand.

Growing up in the Campos area of Lagos Island, where religious tolerance had been taken to its highest level, it was easy for me to take religious tolerance for granted. A full year course in C O M PA R AT I V E RELIGION, as a mandatory study for International Relations, in my third year at the university in the USA opened my eyes to how explosive religious conflicts can be. When Jean Jacques Rousseau, 1717-1778, wrote that All sects have tormented

Bob Bamgboye "If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them"— Bruce Lee have known Bob Bamgboye for many years, and for all the years I have known him, he has always been into martial art in a big way. He is a man on a mission: he wants to get more Nigerians involved in martial arts.

Bob Bamgboye is Nigerian with mixed heritage, his mother is English and his father is Chief George Akanni Bamgboye from Abeokuta.

Bob spent his formative years in Nigeria,then came to the UK for further studies. In 2000,he returned home to Nigeria where he is a company director in the hospitality sector. He also describes himself as a student of SHOTOKAN KARATE. He tells me that Shotokan Karate is a life time study. Who am I to disagree?

I asked him why his interest in martial arts? He said:" like most people of my age, we all got involved with the martial arts after watching martial arts films which starred the likes of Bruce Lee (Big Boss) and David Carradine in the

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Kung Fu TV series. I was intrigued by all the fancy moves and wished to practise and master these which led to me enrolling in my first martial arts club in the UK in 1978.I quickly realized that it was going to be a long journey.

I was so impressed and overwhelmed with the discipline in the dojo which reminded me very much of my boarding school days in Nigeria" His fascination grew with time and he joined a martial arts club that has its origins in Okinawa, Japan under the tutorship of karate Master Gichin Funakoshi whose pen name was used to identify his style of karate called Shotokan. You see, Bob does not do half measures, he goes all out and he is very determined to expand and increase martial art clubs across Nigeria.

Bob went on to explain to me the different styles (I seriously cannot tell one martial art style from the other):"Karate is just one of the forms of martial arts and it encompasses many different styles which include Kung Fu, Judo,Taekwondo, Kick boxing, Aikido, and Jujutsu and so on ".

He said that the study of karate has three main elements: the basic karate

others, all have offered God the sacrifice of human blood” (VBQ, 212), it sounded lunatic in 1965, but by the summer of 1967, visiting a few nations in the Middle East and after wading through over twenty books, including the three Holy Books of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as their histories, it became clear that religion is more dangerous than nuclear weapons and had killed more people than died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when America dropped the bombs. No religion, if it is big enough, had failed to be responsible for genocide.

Anyone reading the atrocities committed in the name of Jesus Christ, in the 13th and 14th centuries, would be forgiven for thinking that the current global villains, ISIS, are rank amateurs when it comes to inhuman brutality.

Yet, every major pogrom starts with one or two leaders of a sect who are determined to force the entire world to worship their own way – which they call the TRUE RELIGION. One year of study 1966-67, including summer, cleansed me of religious bigotry forever and taught me to caution others about handling issues which are basically religious in nature.

So, not only me, but all Nigerians are involved in the impending escalation of hostilities in Kaduna.

Furthermore, Kaduna, as a former regional capital is the second most cosmopolitan city in the north and the third in Nigeria. Only Lagos and Abuja surpass it in the diversity of people living there. It will be difficult to find an extended family in Nigeria which does not have one of their own in Kaduna. And, it is so centrally located that any outbreak of continuous techniques, (Kihon), partner practice of the karate techniques and sparring (Kumite) practice of formal routines, karate techniques made in to a routine for selfpractice (Kata) And that Karate is known to use the majority of the muscles of the body more than any other sporting activity. Like I said, this man knows his Martial art!

When you talk to Bob, you know that being a martial art master is a way of life for him and there is no wonder, he is keen to extend martial arts in Nigeria. He is determined that any age can learn. He wants to do all that he can to help young people get involve in martial arts and he does not think that money should be the obstacle. He strongly believes that introducing young people to martial art club in different parts of Nigeria, will benefit so many young people in particular, their social and physical health will improve.

He envisioned making martial art clubs accessible and properly regulated to meet international standards.

He is determined that martial art should not be for the privileged few, the benefits will be far reaching and he knows that the martial art clubs would attract goal oriented people who enjoy learning.

During the practice of karate, the level of concentration required all the everyday challenges are forgotten during the session and when the session is over, the learner, will help to put the person in a better state of mind and enable them to make right choices and to better deal with life challenges as the pressure has been lifted. I can see why Bob is always chilled

conflict will involve more states and more investments. Finally, at least ten years of my life were spent in various parts of the north living and working there and it is indisputable that Kaduna is the one city where all northerners feel most at home irrespective of their state of origin.

The real fear prompting me to sound this note of caution is connected with that nagging feeling that the leaders might be going about the Zaria clash

It is almost certain that the Shiítes are already prepared for a verdict casting them as villians; they expect the worst.

But, like most embattled religious groups they are also ready for the worst

the wrong way and might be paving the way for another insurgency in the north. I was in Kano during the Maitasene uprising; now, the Boko Haram affront is ruining vast areas of Nigeria. We don’t need another one. But, we might stumble into it.

“In every community there is a class of people profoundly dangerous to the rest. I don’t mean the criminals. For these we have punitive sanctions. I mean the leaders. Invariably the most dangerous people seek power.”(Saul Bellow in VBQ).

Sometimes they create havoc out of ignorance or good intentions. But, all too often, the calamity results from their failure to think through the

When you talk to Bob, you know that being a martial art master is a way of life for him and there is no wonder, he is keen to extend martial arts in Nigeria and calm. The benefit of Karate is one that keeps on giving.

The learners will have so much to learn through the martial art grading system and by attending competitions or just learning something new each session. Now you see, why Bob said martial arts is a lifelong study!

The benefit of martial art is numerous: it gives the learner a level of the discipline,there is a "code of behaviour" so as to remind the leaner to strive to better oneself both in and outside of the club, to be faithful, sincere, patient and respect others whilst refraining from dangerous and impetus behaviour. The practice of Karate also improves coordination, balance, memory, flexibility, confidence, muscle conditioning, physical and mental fitness, heightened awareness of ones surroundings and of course, there is the selfdefence aspect. Karate can be studied and practised by any one from a young age to older age, from a full able and restricted body, various fitness levels, sizes and heights, male and female, there are no restrictions, so there is no excuse for not joining a club!

And as for the young people: it will help them develop their

consequences of their actions. But, before proceeding to the reasons for this warning on Kaduna, it is important to observe that Nigerians should consider ourselves fortunate indeed that the Boko Haram war is taking place in the Northeastern corner of Nigeria and had been largely confined there. Had it been more central the damage would have been far greater and it would have consumed more of us.

The Federal Government, the army and the Kaduna State government might take the attitude that they are confronting criminals challenging constituted authority; but the followers of El Zakzaky don’t see the matter that way. For them the issue is religion; or, more precisely the practice of true religion which they are enjoined to propagate. One of the most difficult conflicts to resolve is one in which the parties to the dispute cannot agree on what the disagreement is all about in the first place.

The army and the Federal Government regard what took place as purely criminal and the leader of the group, the Shiítes is being held without bail; perhaps to be charged for offences still to be disclosed.

Several members of the sect died in the shoot-out with the army, including members of Zakzaky ’s family. The Governor of Kaduna State is on all fours with the army and Abuja. And he has established a Judicial Inquiry which the Shiítes have rejected. Ordinarily, this would not have been alarming. The extraordinary thing about this face-off is that it has attracted international “tag

team”partners – especially in the Arab -- World where Saudi Arabia and Iran have been squaring off for war – Sunis versus Shiítes. It will amount to a mistake of monumental proportions if the majority Sunis in Nigeria expect the Shiítes here to be destroyed.

At the same time, it will amount to a suicide bid for the Shiítes to want to confront the majority. Unfortunately, the rest of Nigerians who don’t belong to any of the two sects will suffer collateral damage if the conflict escalates.

Neither shooting nor imprisonment, especially if imposed by people recognised as enemies will settle the matter. It will merely be seen as more provocation. Right now, the Shiítes regard Governor El Rufai as their enemy on account of some illadvised comments he had made. They will not partake at the inquiry. Then what? You find them guilty in absentia?

It is almost certain that the Shiítes are already prepared for a verdict casting them as villians; they expect the worst.

But, like most embattled religious groups they are also ready for the worst. For the most fanatical among them, dying for their cause is a price they are ready to pay. Against such fanaticism the rest of society is helpless because we don’t want to die; even soldiers shy from confronting martyrs and those who have nothing to lose. A typical soldier is trained to kill for his country, not die for her. When confronted with death-defying opponents their blood runs cold. At any rate, we should avoid sending our soldiers out on another mission to kill fellow Nigerians – even if those people are bent on suicide.

natural persistence, determination, dedication, resiliency, work ethic, leadership skills, confidence and connecting with others not just in the club or at competitions but socially and at schools. The skills they learn in martial arts is transferable to their everyday life.

Although, Bob does not look his age, he has been studying karate for the last 38 years and he said it had saved his life once and prevented him from receiving serious injuries in a couple of unpreventable negative situations that he found himself in. This man is the real deal and he is as calm as a cucumber. Bob has every reason to talk the talk ,he has after all, walked the walk. He told me that Karate has given him the strength to recover to return after a hip replacement and a hand rebuild after a very serious car accident. He credits his martial art for continuing to give the opportunity to meet and work with other like minded people and has attended competitions and seminars all over the world. In the UK ,he competed locally, nationally and and internationally and one of his achievements was competing in the WSKF championship in Mexico where,he won a bronze medal .

I asked him for what he has planned for Nigeria? he told me that :"Short term plans in Nigeria - we are presently doing our ground work and researching the terrain, meeting other students of karate with whom we are intending to collaborate so that we can enrich karate in Nigeria

with a view to us becoming one of the stronger nations in the world of karate, not just in terms of winning competitions but for us all to have a very in depth understanding of the fundamentals of karate. In addition, the practitioners will have the opportunity to experience other flavours of Shotokan karate, to this end we are running a seminar in Port Harcourt on the 20th of February in collaboration with ASKA".

And in the "first week of June 2016 we will be supporting the "Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship" event in Lagos by inviting one of highest graded woman Japanese instructors (Tomiko Sensei 8th Dan WSKF) to Nigeria who will conduct a 2 days open seminar for all grades , male and female.

Following that event we will be hosting the Chief Instructor of WSKF Kasuya Sensei in Nigeria for a seminar for all karate groups".

His long term plans in Nigeria:" our main goal is to spread and popularize karate among the adults who presently do not appreciate the benefits and believe that karate is primarily a pursuit for children and not for adults by working with all other well established bodies in Nigeria.

Bob intends to take a team of karate-ka to the next WSKF World Championship in Japan in 2017;" I am convinced that we would do very well and bring back quite a few medals and receive global and national recognition"I have no doubt , Bob will make it happen.

If you are interested, please contact Bob : WSKF Nigeria - www.shotokan-nigeria.com NKA.

To be continued…

PAGE 8—SUNDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 Aluko. It takes a lot of balls to come out, raise your hands and confess to "crimes" as serious as these.

But his love for the people of Ekiti seem more than his own political future.

Aluko, tell us something new about Ekiti

E

ver since Channels TV made its foray into the United Kingdom broadcasting industry via Sky, I have been hooked on it. I am not the only convert for this station, as many Nigerians in Diaspora tune into Channels TV to keep abreast of events in motherland. The quality of programmes, video, audio and balanced news reports compared with other Nigerian TV stations have endeared diasporans to the station.

As usual, the station measured up to expectations when Dr. TKO Aluko, the former "right hand man" of the Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, came calling for his "mother of all revelations".

In a few minutes, the Internet was agog with information about the programme and everybody was watching it. It was particularly of interest to me because I am from Ekiti State which happens to be the subject matter.

Ekiti State has been kept permanently in the news in recent times. Not for any major development or breakthrough, but by the antics of the state governor, who has unofficially become the opposition leader to the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government of Muhammadu Buhari. In an almost embarrassing manner, Fayose offers opinion on virtually everything that concerns the Commander in Chief.

Ekiti State more or less gained notoriety during the 2014 Gubernatorial Elections when a one time impeached run away former governor, Fayose defeated the incumbent Kayode Fayemi in all the local governments of the state. The emergence of Fayose as the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the election was not without controversy, with accusing fingers pointed in the direction of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

There was also the angle of financial inducement of voters by the powers that be, led by Jonathan. He was said to have been told that Fayose's victory in Ekiti State held the key to his return as President for the second term. It was a fallacy.

Prior to the elections, Ekiti State was referred to as the "hotbed" of Nigerian politics, which necessitated the government to draft as many soldiers, policemen, etc to the state to ensure "peaceful conduct of the election". The role of these security operatives in the election is still being debated, but the opposition party in the state has argued many times that they were used to intimidate the electorates. The secretly recorded "Captain Sagir Koli Tape" that

surfaced immediately after the election which implicated military top brass and politicians had been accepted in evidence by a military tribunal.

There was also the allegation that Photocromic ballot papers were used for the elections to identify the votes for the APC and instantly wipe them out. As ludicrous as this may sound at that time, the recent revelations in Nigeria (e.g Dasukigate) are lending credibility to anything.

Aluko has not said anything new or different from what the people of Ekiti State or Nigerians knew about the election.

What has made it alarming is the fact that he was part of the process of all these allegations.

Infact, according to his self confessions, he was the arrow head of what has been termed as "coup against the Ekiti people."

Watching Aluko, you tend to wonder if he had written his PhD Thesis on "How to Win Election By Intimidation".

Aluko came on TV with one mission - to portray Fayose as a "damaged good". He laid it out bare.

No hold barred. He was the "bad man" in the "movie" while the benefactor, a friend and boss, was Fayose. He was the strategic man in all the meetings planned against

Hopefully Aluko's mind would be free of any guilt now. He has spilled the beans that probably has kept him sleepless for days, weeks, and months. He has atoned for his sins against the people of Ekiti

the will of the people of the state. According to him, he was the kingmaker who went to all troubles to make sure that his favoured candidate at the time won the election. He mobilised rough necks, intimidated, roughened and harassed innocent citizens to vote in Fayose.

For the first time in the history of elections in Nigeria, a "patriotic citizen" had come forward to publicly confess his role in the manipulation of the will of the masses. I salute the courage of Citizen

It's been a while I saw a confident "criminal" confess his acts like I saw TKO Aluko did on television. And to think I had seen it all on my favourite TV programme "First 48 Hours" on Criminal Investigation Network. Aluko was bold, unashamed of his past, showed no remorse but readiness to atone for the evils he committed against his people.

Mr Aluko, immaculate in his dressing and well spoken, was oozing with the "love" of Ekiti State. A new found "love, though."

He confirmed what we already knew how huge sums of money was allocated for the prosecution of the "war" on Fayemi and the Ekiti people. So as not to hurt our sensibilities, Aluko was silent on how much (if any) amount passed through his "Agbada" pockets. But he let us know that he was an important "leg" in the cash exchange "tripod".

My admiration of Aluko since this TV interview has been sky bound. A man of "integrity" who sinned in his time of ignorance but saw the light and decided to come clean of his sins. Hail Aluko, but do not crucify him. He is human. He thought he had signed a Gentleman's Pact with the master of the game of deceit - Ayo Fayose - but not knowing there would be underhand deal. He did not realise that in Nigeria, politics is a ruthless game reserved only for the heartless. Like a small child Auko was promised heaven on earth and a juicy post to ensure Fayose's victory. He fulfilled his part of the deal only to be pushed aside on one flimsy excuse, that he could no longer be trusted.

What do you expect him to do? To keep quiet and watch Fayose enjoy the loot that he played a major role in delivering? No. The Yorubas say "ka ka ki eku ma je sese, a fi se awadanu" (literally - instead for the rat not to eat "beans" it would rather pour it away). For God's sake, if the people condemning Aluko are in his shoes, they would have done same thing.

Hopefully Aluko's mind would be free of any guilt now. He has spilled the beans that probably has kept him sleepless for days, weeks, and months. He has atoned for his sins against the people of Ekiti. He has exposed the evil governor and cleared himself while "re-arranging" himself with the people. Will this immunise him against any prosecution? I don't think so. We learnt his former boss and friend has instructed that he be put "forward" for perjury.

The masses of Ekiti State do not seem bothered by the revelations of Aluko. They have been going about their duties as if nothing really happened because they cannot differentiate between Aluko and Fayose.

They knew what happened during and after the elections and Aluko's new song makes no good music in their ears. They concluded "ija lode, ti orin dowe".

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 9

Prologue

•President Buhari

The price of rigidity •Why APC leader s should engage Buhari more

BY JIDE AJANI

I

N the evening of August 26, 1985, Muhammadu Buhari’s pain was not because he lost out in the power game; his pain was, according to insiders in that highwire military politics, that those who made him Head of State did not have the courtesy to tell him it was time to step aside. He was simply booted out of Dodan Barracks. And for good humiliating measure, he was locked up and the keys kept away for about two years. According to Ibrahim Babangida who took over, one of the reasons for the coup was that: “It turned out that Major-General Muhammadu Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitudes to issues of national significance.

Efforts to make him understand that a diverse polity like Nigeria required recognition and appreciation of differences in both cultural and individual perceptions, only served to aggravate these attitudes….”

Today, and as recent and unfolding events are showing, President Buhari is in danger of being labelled as repeating the same mistakes of the mid-1980s.

Sunday Vanguard discovered, from Aso Rock insiders, that whereas the President has not been known to pooh-pooh suggestions from top-ranking members of his administration, the real tragedy is that “many people are reluctant in coming forward to respectfully engage the President and, therefore, send the wrong message that President Buhari is too rigid”.

Worse still, those who appear upright and who hold court with Buhari do him more harm because themselves, not imbued with broad knowledge of governance, merely sop to and ape him in conversations and engagements.

It was (and is) this singular

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Vice President Osinbajo and multi-million naira books Books for Mr Osinbajo N4,906,822 Books for 11 out of 22 Federal Polytechnics N3,832,038.

University of Technology, Owerri N6,886,157; National Open University of Nigeria, N6,466,895.

Last year, N7,525,135 was also budgeted for the same purpose.

State House Clinic, and a VIP wing State House Medical Centre, SHMC N3,890,629,221 Construction of New VIP wing at SHMC N308million Equipment and supplies for SHMC N3.21 billion Drugs, medical supplies, State House Clinic HQTRS N203,273,602 Construction of hospitals nationwide N2,666,853,303 only Cables, the Lightings Cable to drivers’ restroom @ the Villa N322,421,971 Cable from Guest House No 9 generator house to gate. N213,873,953 Electrical lighting and fittings at the villa N618,604,265 Installation of electrical distribution boards and other cables N371,733,964

modus operandi that allowed Buhari the embarrassing luxury of five months without a cabinet, after being sworn-in by end of May, 2015. The consequence is the scandalous document passed off as Budget 2016. To think the President, on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, was sheepishly led to present it to Nigerians as his ‘BUDGET OF CHANGE’, boasting that “we are determined to ensure that our resources are managed prudently and utilized solely for the public good” and that “one of our early decisions was the adoption of a zero based budgeting approach, which ensures that resources are aligned with government’s priorities and allocated efficiently”, simply related to a classic example of how not to lead a nation.

And belatedly sensing the embarrassment the budget was bound to cause, the government attempted to put a spin on the document by declaring that Buhari had ordered that it be published online so that Nigerians can critique it. Perhaps, had the Pres-

Buhari’s Guest House The renovation of Aso Rock N387,980,200 Furnishing the rooms in the Guest House N45million Annual routine maintenance of villa facilities N3.91 billion A breakdown of this amount equals N10.72 million daily Rent for Aso Rock?

Residential rent at the State House N22,321,880 Meals and refreshment N436,054,626 Sporting and games equipment for the Presidential Air Fleet N20,260,300 Recreational facilities at the State House N39,075,000 Recreational facilities for Head of Service of the Federation N193,513,097 New automobile fleet and maintenance equipment N904,015,000 Houseboat for officers Procurement of a houseboat in Abuja N1.39 billion Ministry of Communication Technology Purchase of chairs N585,000,000 The purchase of tables N415,500,000 Procurement of Equipment and Accessories N2.9 billion projected

ident known the quantum of crookedness embedded in the document, he may have declared differently. In the next piece, Dele Sobowale brings into sharp focus the outcome that was expected of a budget that was shoddily prepared. Even discoveries at the budget defence sessions in the National Assembly - embarrassing discoveries - are also presented in the subsequent pages.

For instance, the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, discovered that in this same troubled budget, a mosque to be built in the residence of the Vice President would cost N96m, a chapel, N86, a gate house for N55m, and ADC’s residence to be built for a whopping N288m.

Apart from the many dark spots noted by many observers, perhaps the most profound analysis of the budget has been that prepared by PREMIUM TIMES. The online publication went to great lengths not just to pour invectives on the document but painstakingly, with a fine toothbrush, exposed

the fraud that Buhari was caused to present to Nigerians. (See box) Mind you, it is not that Buhari has been bitten by the bug of corruption and, therefore, knows about this. But this is what you get when an individual proposes to micro-manage a system as complex and diverse as Nigeria’s. For the senior members of the Buhari administration, it is time to constantly engage the President in the art of fine governance.

Anti-corruption propaganda and media trial of alleged crooks, serial disobedience to court orders and a disposition to conduct the affairs of state as and when convenient to Buhari, do not fine governance make. Neither does pure misguided latching on the stoic uprightness of one man, the President - and his deputy - translate into good governance. The budget debacle could have been avoided had leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, summoned enough courage to make the President understand that allowing for seven months before forming a cabinet (his cabinet was formed by late October), after having been elected and declared winner by the end of March 2015, was nothing more than stockpiling of wood for the bonfire that has now consumed the 2016 Budget. APC and Buhari should not let Nigerians run away with the impression that they were never ready for governance.

Interestingly - and this is a topic for another day - there appears to be a chasm, contrary to denials, between the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, wing of the ruling party, and the Buhari presidency, which some uncharitable observers have pointed to, as being responsible for the shambolic approach to governance that is emerging.

PAGE 10—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

BY DELE SOBOWALE “In a sick country, every step to health is an insult to those who live on its sickness” - Bernard Malamud, in the FIXER.

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RESIDENT Muham madu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; advisers and ministers still operate in the belief that good intentions and reputations are all you need to run a new government successfully. Buhari, especially, must still be thinking that his former reputation as a tough guy will cow all those who had cooperated with previous governments in wrecking the nation’s economy. Little did the old general realise that with three military Heads of State succeeding him and a recycled former military ruler returning as civilian President, Nigerians are now as scared of the men in khaki as before. He is just now beginning to realise as late President Harry Truman, 1884-1972, remarked when General Dwight Eisenhower, 1890-1969, was elected President in 1952, “You give an order as President and nothing happens”; nothing, unless you virtually sit on the necks of the officials who are supposed to get the work done and the way you want it done.

Buhari, imbued with the innocence associated with having served as a military Head of State, gave orders that a budget be prepared, in one month in November 2015. And sure enough, there was a budget before the National Assembly, NASS, proceeded on its Christmas break in December.

The Federal Government congratulated itself on a feat almost equivalent to using mere words to move mountains. But, by the second week in January 2016, there was a mild drama about a missing budget. This was followed by arguments about two budgets and doubts about which was the authentic one. The President was forced to write a letter apologising to the NASS for the confusion created by the Executive branch. For a while, everything appeared settled.

The first week of February brought more problems for Buhari and the budget he solemnly presented to the NASS. Various committees of the NASS discovered discrepancies in the budget presented to them for verification and alarm bells were ringing all over the nation.

Then, on February 8, 2016, the Federal Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, went before the Senate Committee on Health and made history. He almost totally disclaimed his Ministry’s budget when he declared that the original budget of his Ministry had been distorted. His words: “We have to look into the details of the budget and resubmit it to the committee.

This was not what we submitted. We will submit another one.” With that statement, Adewole confirmed the alarm raised a few days before that a mafia had taken control of

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ABUJA MAFIA AND BUDGET 2016

How Buhari's inaction aided a crooked process

•Education Minister of State Anwuka... his ministry accused of inflating budget. the Federal budget and distorted it.The Buhari administration is finally waking up to the reality that long entrenched interests in the civil service and collaborators among long serving NASS members are not about to allow the changes the government desires to occur so quickly because it threatens their selfish interests.

One example will illustrate the point.

When late Chief Bola Ige assumed office as the Federal Minister of Power and Steel in 1999, he promised to bring an end to power failure by December of that year. Long term watchers of the Federal Civil Service establishment warned the Minister not to repeat the statement or risk tarnishing his reputation as a performer. Ige was adamant – power failure must end by December 31, 1999. On January 1, 2000, as several Nigerian communities were covered in darkness, Nigerians started grumbling. They did not stop until Ige was removed from the Ministry.

What went wrong? Ige himself provided the answer – the Civil Servants working with him. His redeployment to Ministry of Justice was a relief.

But, he had learned his lessons. The first thing his enemies within did to undermine him was to distort his budget proposal. But given our new experience with civilian rule, the NASS, in 1999, rubber-stamped everything presented as budget.

Later, Ige discovered that what was approved by the NASS was totally different from what he sent for typing. It could not be implemented.

Fast forward to 2015 and how a new mafia took over from the gang of 1999. The first discovery is that President Buhari provided the mafia with the best opportunity in

Buhari compounded that error by taking almost five months to assemble his cabinet. Even for a country under siege, five months is a world record, and not one should be proud to claim, to form a cabinet

•Finance Minister Adeosun.... expresses optimism about fate of economy. years to operate on account of two decisions he made, before and after he was declared winner of the 2015 presidential elections.

Every modern President is called upon to manage two primary areas of governance very well – the economy and security of the state. Other functions, though important, are totally dependent on how well the first two are managed.

Some, like former President Clinton of the United States, even start early to consider how to handle those two key aspects of governance. The very day Clinton decided to run for President, he posted on the door of his campaign office a notice about his top priority stating JOBS STUPID! For him, the economy was going to be number one. He then proceeded to assemble a team of economic advisers who eventually developed a road map for his economic policy if he eventually got elected; and he was. Among his first three appointments were the Secretary of State and the Treasury Secretary (Minister of Finance). This was followed by the establishment of an economic policy team to address the first budget Clinton was going to present to Congress. It took almost five months of back breaking work for that document to emerge – after going through about four drafts.

No mafia can smuggle anything into that budget because all the framers had all the relevant facts in the budget at their finger-tips.

In case anybody wants to dismiss the Clinton example, by saying, as we often do in Nigeria, that “that is America”, there is a local example to consider.

President-elect Obasanjo, in 1999, before his inauguration made two appointments first. He appointed a Chief of Staff and Chief Philip Asiodu as the Chief Economic Adviser. Then, he

appointed a National Security Adviser. That immediately sent a clear message to the world that his priorities were the economy and security; and each sector had a Field Commander.

Umar Musa YarÁdua and Jonathan also appointed, very quickly, the people who would manage the economy on their behalf. That is the global standard. Even the President of war-torn Syria had managed to keep the economy of the country relatively untouched because he knows that economic chaos is another war by itself; and perhaps the biggest one.

By contrast, Buhari was declared President on May 29, 2015, and on that day he had no Economic Road Map to work with.

Most of the twaddle that was pronounced during the short campaign by the APC cannot constitute an economic blue print in any serious country.

Certainly, there was no Council of Economic Advisers assembled to start preliminary work on the outlines of the first budget of this government immediately the results were announced and Jonathan accepted defeat.

Buhari compounded that error by taking almost five months to assemble his cabinet. Even for a country under siege, five months is a world record, and not one should be proud to claim, to form a cabinet.

Encouraged by the flatterers of everyone in power, Buhari proclaimed that he was doing it to avoid making mistakes.

Meanwhile, he was making a monumental one. National budgets are very serious businesses; they affect the lives of nationals and foreigners alike. If no serious multi-national business enterprise can expect to produce a credible budget in one month, how on earth could

Continues on page 11

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 11

Budget crisis puts foreign investments on hold

By Emeka Anaeto & Babajide Komolafe

F

OLLOWING the controversy over the alleged padding and errors in the 2016 Budget, some corporate economics have raised concern on the implication for national economy recovery and foreign capital inflow.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that some Nigerian companies that have been in talks with their foreign partners over counterpart funding of joint ventures have been forced to hold action since mid last year over policy uncertainties following the election of new government.

While many of them expressed satisfaction with the process and outcome of the election, they were non- •Senator Udo Udoma, Budget and National Planning Minister committal over prospects of funding their Nigerian investments preferring to wait for a clear policy direcdelayed their decision up till tion from the new governnow. ment. ‘’It may also delay the The first shock was the implementation of the long delay in rolling out the projects in the budget which cabinet which elongated will not make an average policy positions while also Continued from page 10 Nigerian to feel the impact of elongating the waiting time the current for foreign investors’ comgovernment,”Akinwunmi Buhari and his praisemitments. said. singers have expected to Economy observers were of However, another notable deliver a national budget, the view that while there is with foreign operations economist, Mr. Bismarck massive decline in governcomponents, in one month?

Rewane who is the ManagClearly, if the blame for the ment revenue following the ing Director/Chief Executive, current budget fiasco is to be oil price crash, 2016 Budget, Financial Derivatives Comlaid on one table, it must be which provided for massive pany, is more concerned with economic stimulus, gave the assumptions of the hopes of economic recovery budget which he sees some amidst the dwindling reveproblems than the issue of nue. errors which he believed However, a top executive of would easily be resolved. a Nigerian company whose ‘’The errors in the budget foreign partners have are not an issue, they can be adopted the waiting posicorrected. The real issues are tion, told Sunday Vanguard, the assumptions of the at the weekend, that the budget. The crude oil price, companies had thought they the production target, would wait for about three exchange rate and inflation months after the take-off of rate, these are the real the new government but issues, that determine the lamented that ‘’we are now effectiveness of the in the tenth month and our budget,”Rewane stated. partners are still saying they In the same line of arguwill wait for some more ment, the Deputy President time”. of Nigerian Labour ConAccording to him, the ongress, Mr. Issa Aremu, going controversy over the pointed out: ‘’The President 2016 Budget has further has said they (errors) would complicated the relationship be corrected, and those with their partners and the responsible would be punfate of the joint venture as ished. What we should be they had hoped that the concerned about is if the budget, which they saw as a budget would be used to good one with clear policy boost the economy and then positions, appears to have strengthen the Naira. Will run into a glitch. the budget be used to boost Analysing the situation local production through further, chief economist at patronage of locally proFSDH Merchant Bank, Mr. duced goods, or it would be Ayodele Akinwunmi, said spent on imported goods and the controversy over the hence weaken local producbudget creates more uncertion? These should be our tainty for investors who had concerns’’.

•Senate President Saraki... pledges to do a thorough job

How Buhari's inaction aided a crooked process

Yes, the mafia is striking back; and it has drawn its first blood by getting the Federal Government into this horrible budget embarrassment.

But, government has provided the rope with which it is now hanging because of errors made in the presidency

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Buhari’s. Given his reputation for integrity, amply demonstrated by his first apology to the NASS, he should issue another apology to Nigerians. He gave those charged with writing the budget an impossible task and the nation is now faced with a budget crisis.

Even, the intrusion of the saboteurs was made possible and easy because given the rushed work, the new Ministers were no match for the long-term civil servants ready to undermine the budget process. A normal budget process, allowing for first, second and third drafts,would have been more difficult to infiltrate because by then every Minister or head of agency would have gone through the documents more than once.

Even now, there is no Chief Economic Adviser; no Council of Economic Advisers; no Minister is solely responsible for implementation of the budget. The VicePresident had intervened several times but his role is not clear. Incidentally, it was the Vice-President who announced five months ago that the government was considering an N8trillion budget for 2016. That figure represented about 85% more than the 2015 budget and 110% over the projected actual figure for last year. The figure was alarming; yet, a call to the Presidency confirmed that indeed the government was thinking of N7-8 trillion according to the source. Given the rapidly declining price of crude, most economists and budget experts regarded the figure as totally unrealistic. Still, the

figure was defended strongly at every fora. The figure for the 2016 budget turned out to be N6 trillion. The same VP announced that the 2016 budget would be based on the Zero Sum platform. He ignored warnings that budgets using zero sum model take months to prepare; not one month. Today, ignorance about the application of zero sum budgeting is being advanced as one of the causes of the mess in which we find ourselves. Who is responsible? This government has yet to learn that its VP is not an economist, but, he can do a lot of damage with his utterances on the economy.

Yes, the mafia is striking back; and it has drawn its first blood by getting the Federal Government into this horrible budget embarrassment. But, government has provided the rope with which it is now hanging because of errors made in the presidency.

Clearly, two steps need to be taken urgently. Unlike those asking for the budget to be withdrawn, the best advice would caution something different. First, make amendments as necessary to the budget because there is no time to write a new one.

Then, urgently assemble an Economic Management Team with a leader to take charge of the situation before government’s credibility is further damaged. Neither Buhari nor Osinbajo is an economist. The sooner they realise that the better for us all.

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Budget padding, scandalous votes and eagleeyed senators

By HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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HEN Ministers began the defence of their budgets, last week, errors in the document made the Senate to express worries over what has now been described as padding by the Executive arm arising from high overhead and personnel costs, just as this development led to the lawmakers asking the Ministers and heads of parastatals to go back and rejig the budget document and return for representation.

It was a case of lack of coordination between ministries and the Office of Budget and National Planning against the backdrop of some ministers’ claim that what they presented was different from what the Office of Budget and National Planning approved which Bed to the confusion that characterized the budget defence.

As the defence progressed, almost N10 billion was discovered to have been illegally inserted into education budget.

The Senate Committee on Education, chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko, uncovered N9,982,258,479 hidden in the budget of the parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Education.

The committee discovered that allocation to the ministry’s per annum increased at geometric progression by almost N10 billion while the personnel cost for the ministry reduced.

Consequently, the committee Chairman ruled that the ministry officials should go back and come up with realistic overhead costs, saying its discovery was that the huge sum was deliberately hidden under the parastatals’ personnel cost.

As seen, the ministry’s parastatals’ personnel cost rose from N88.1 billion in 2015 to N98.1 billion in 2016 estimate proposals while the personnel budget of universities reduced C M Y K

by as much as N16.245 billion, declining from N227.2 billion in 2015 to N211.0 billion in 2016.

Similarly, colleges of education budget decreased from N40.2 billion in 2015 to N37.6 billion, while polytechnics’ personnel cost, which previously stood at N61.44 billion in 2015, was trimmed to N58.23 billion just as unity colleges’ budget had been cut from N288.7billion to N7.588 billion. The ministry reduced its budget by only N244.9 million from N3.768 billion in 2015 to N3.523 billion in 2016.

UNESCO was the worst hit with the drastic reduction of its budget from N288.3 billion in 2015 to N7.588 billion in 2016.

Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka,who appeared before the Senate Committee on Secondary School Education for the budget defence, accompanied by his ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan, gave account of the education budget performance in 2015.

Anwuka said N483.183 billion budget was earmarked for education in 2015, with only N13.279 billion released. He added that only 50 per cent of N23.5 billion, amounting to N11.9 billion, was released for capital education.

However, after his submission, a member of the committee and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, queried the rationale behind the increase in votes to parastatals by about N10 billion while the budget of universities reduced by as much N16 billion.

Adeyeye wondered why parastatals, which were meant to support the institutions, should have their personnel budget increased by such a huge volume. He, therefore, demanded for an explanation.

Meanwhile, senators were shocked when the Health Minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, disowned the 2016 Budget document, raising the alarm that it was not accept-

•Speaker Dogara.... Reps raise fresh alarm.

However, after his submission, a member of the committee and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, queried the rationale behind the increase in votes to parastatals by about N10 billion while the budget of universities reduced by as much N16 billion

able to him because the original document had been distorted and strange figures smuggled in.

The Health Minister, who appeared before the Senator Lanre Tejuosho-led Committee on Health to defend the allocations to his ministry, told the committee members that they should discard the votes.

Adewole, who noted that the provisions of the budget before the National Assembly were in contrast to the priorities of the health sector as contained in the original budget it prepared, stressed that some of the votes earmarked for the ministry for some activities had been redistributed while important fields in the sector had been excluded.

He pleaded with the senators to wait for new estimates that would be re-submitted, adding that the new estimates would reflect the programmes of the health sector in 2016.

In the course of the budget defence, it was discovered that only N29 billion was voted for the Ministry of Agriculture in an era of diversification of the economy.

Other scandalous allocations in the 2016 Appropriation Bill include N3.87billion allocated for capital projects at the State House Clinic while the country’s 16 federal governmentowned teaching hospitals individually got a fraction of the allocation.

The Presidency also proposed to spend N322,421,971 to link a cable to the drivers’ restroom at the Presidential Villa. Another N213,873,953 was proposed for linking of a cable from Guest House No 9 generator house to the gate.

The draft document allocated

N618,604,265 for the installation of electrical lighting and fittings at the Villa, which means spending N1.6 million daily installing lighting and fittings and another N371,733,964 for the installation of electrical distribution boards and other cables.

In the draft budget, N436,054,626 was allocated for meals and refreshment, canteen/kitchen equipment, foodstuff and catering materials for the President and the Vice President. While N20,260,300 was proposed for sporting and games equipment for the Presidential Air Fleet, another N39,075,000 was proposed for the purchase of recreational facilities at the State House. Meanwhile, the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation proposed to spend another N193,513,097 for recreational facilities.

In the draft document, the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing proposed to spend N140,000,000 for the construction of a single solar borehole, and N161,500,000 for the construction of a motorised borehole, just as the Ministry of Interior budgeted N576,500,000 for the construction/provision of electricity, N595,606,148 for repair/ rehabilitation, and N6.2 billion for research and development and the Nigerian Prisons Service to spend N500,000,000 for capacity building.

Following the confusion on the budget, the National Assembly said that the passage of the Appropriation Bill, earlier fixed for end of this month, was no longer feasible.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 13

Charly Boy’s message to single ladies on Valentine day

Governor Oshiomhole’s aide, Efex set to launch book ”More than Comedy”

BY ROTIMI AGBANA

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s the Valentine’s day is upon us, veteran celebrity, former TV show anchor and presenter, Charles Oputa popularly known as ‘Charly Boy, has sent out a message of •Charly Boy encouragement to ‘single and worried’ ladies. In a carefully chosen set of inspiring words, the controversial celebrity took to his Facebook page to soothe the hearts of single and worried ladies who may not find a male partner to share the sentimental lovers day with. He wrote: “Few days to Valentine’s day and some lady out there is arrested in her thought.

In her thought she has this running in her mind “ I don’t have a lover, I don’t think any man will want to buy me gifts or take me out on that day’. My special advice for you young lady “KNOCK IT OFF”!!!!!!! Don’t let that thought make you feel like a crap. Valentine’s gifts and outings don’t validate how cute, sexy and appreciated you are lady. Take away that mind set from your beautiful soul because the worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself. No matter how you feel, GET UP, DRESS UP, SHOW UP AND NEVER GIVE UP. I hope this speaks to any lady out there who feels like a loner, be your #WCW”. Well, even if he can’t meet all of them in person to present a Valentine’s gift, this message is gift enough, I’m sure you’ll agree with me.

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he Executive Director on Protocols to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Efosa Emmanuel Iyamu, popularly called Efex De Comedian, is set to launch his long awaited book titled MORE THAN COMEDY. This bundle of talents, who has made name for himself as one of the finest comedians in the South-South of the country before being called upon by the comrade Governor to be part of his administration, was promoted last year as Executive Director on Protocol to the Governor.

The book is not just all about comedy but to show the other side of Efex as a complete entertainer, change agent who loves to impact his society positively, as a role model to the younger generation and as means of giving back to the society. The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole will grace the occasion as special guest of honour. The book launch will take place at Imaguero College Hall, Sapele Road, Benin City, February 19, 2016. It is good to note that Efex as he is fondly called by his admirers, hosts a monthly show tagged SERIOUSLY FUNNY WITH EFEX on every last Friday of the month.

Illusion nightclub set to take over Nigeria’s night life

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nvestigation has revealed that one of the biggest clubs will soon open in the country. A popular socialite is reportedly behind the new club.

Work has already commenced on site, and available information shows that the club if completed will be about the best in the country.

The club with the name Illusion has been rumoured to be targeting an entire region of the country as there will be no club currently operating that can compete with it.

A source told journalists at the unveiling of the name that if completed, all socialites and club patrons from across an entire region

will gladly head to the state where it will be situated to enjoy their weekends.

We gathered that a renowned club owner is behind the new club.

Illusion, like the name implies, appears like an impossible dream, but those behind it say it will be an unbelievable sight to behold if completed. The architectural design as well as other packaging of the club definitely informed the name Illusion.

Is Illusion real or another form of illusion? The answer will come in few months or weeks.

•EfEX and Gov Oshiomhole

The sitcom tells the story of Kayode Kings, who left Nigeria to acquire a higher degree in the US 18 years ago, and eventually got married to Helen, his London girlfriend, a Nigerian, who had a permanent stay in the US. Kay finally returned home to serve motherland, when his kinsman, a governorship candidate was sworn in as State Governor, Kay Kings was appointed as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to His Excellency.

Within 6 months of assumption of duty, he had owned a duplex at choice location and other luxury items and thus, he makes plans to relocate his family to Nigeria. However, 2 years into His Excellency’s tenure, he became critically ill, and died while on medical attention abroad. When another Governor was installed, he reshuffled the cabinet, and many appointees were dropped. In the circumstance, Kay Kings lost his appointment. His preoccupation is geared towards pushing the frontiers of culture and tourism in Nigeria.

The family has relocated to Nigeria, the wife and daughter are still skeptical of the new arrangement, but the son is excited at the prospects of the new adventure. The lifestyle of this nuclear family and their domestic staff, neighbours and extended family makes for an exciting television viewing experience.

‘Dear Diary’ urban family sitcom debuts on AIT network D

‘

ear Diary’, a new urban family sitcom, created by the very creative content maker Sola Fajobi is set to air by 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on AIT network starting from February 16, 2016.

Targeting a demographic age of 1055years, comprising the young, elitist, upwardly mobile audience, the sitcom is developed with the audience trends and expectations in mind. The content was well researched and thus gave birth to both the kind of story to tell and the characterisation.

‘Dear Diary’ is funny, consistent in characterisation, hilarious, realistic, and educative and with a strong positive message.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

I had an awesome night — Ruth Eze

Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Cossy spoils self with new car on Val’s day

N

ollywood sultry actress, Ruth Eze has been telling whoever cares to listen that she was misquoted in an interview that claimed the actress said only Genevieve Nnaji could make her turn a lesbian because of the fondness she feels for her.

“I was misquoted. She can never make me ollywood diva, Cossy Orjiakor has never hidden her love wet. In fact, I can never be sexually aroused for pink colour. Most of her priced by any woman, whosoever. The reporter that possessions are pink in colour. From her house, to her interviewed me blew it out of proportion. It’s shoes, to dresses and even her panties, Cossy certainly has a so embarrassing. My mother, sisters and other thing for the pink colour. When Potpourri asked her if she had had concerned members of my family have been any unforgettable St. Valentine’s day experience, the hugely busty on the case. They are so disappointed” actress replied : “ I can’t remember but I will be spending my she said of the interview.

Valentine in my new pinky.” For someone who has almost all of For those still doubting whether the her things in pink, it was a confusing answer but she was quick to actress is straight or not. She shares her •Ruth Eze explain with a picture of a pink sport car, “That’s my new pinky most memorable Valentine’s day because it’s pink”. When I teased her if it was a Val’s gift from a experience with Potpourri. love-struck lover or should I say a boobs-struck lover, “I entered my room in 2013 and my bed “Hahaha, I just bought it. It’s manual , so by February 14, I will was filled with red roses, red wine by the spend it inside my pinky,” she told me. corner, a beautiful red and white dress by my bed side and as I made to turn back, my boyfriend was wearing the same colour of t. Valentine’s da dress he bought y is here again. It is different people for me. That was da y th at is a day to celebr. But one thing everyone seemmeans different things to so romantic and at s e to love. Most peop be in synch with yearning becaus le sexy. That night is lo e th ok th at fo ey believe som Not everyone is ething out of th rward to it with so much rest, it was awesome” lu ck y le e th ss or ou di gh but those in na savour. Here ar •Cossy Orjiakor relationships ar ry is going to happen to them she beamed e some confessi e sure . ons of some Nol and her new car lywood damsels to have something to on St. Valentine’ s day

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Romantic St. Val e n t stories of Nollyw ine’s ood damsels

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My boyfriend gave me best shock ever

—Folorunsho Adeola B

My brothers pulled a fast one on me —Enitan Odugbemi

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usty and beautiful Yoruba actress, Enitan Odugbemi, who once slapped a fan who got out of turn by grabbing at her boobs has a unique Valentine’s story to tell. A Valentine’s experience she would never forget wasn’t one orchestrated by a boyfriend or a lover but by her brothers who pulled a fast one on her to express their love for her.

“I had the most memorable Valentine experience when I received a request from an unexpected source. I had slept on the 13th and woke up just after midnight on Valentine’ s day. On the table in my sitting room, was this colourful flower with its sensational aroma, a Valentine’s greeting card and a perfume in a transparent case” she told Potpourri “No name on the card and wondering who might have left the gift items in my house. I went to my junior brothers’ room to inquire, but both of them claimed not to know who dropped it. Within myself, •Enita Odugbemi I suspected my brothers knew the person who dropped the flowers and the card but didn’t just want to disclose the person’s identity. So, I went out with my friends until I received a call from Ahmed, my kid brother who asked me if I had seen the perfume, card, and flowers he left for me. I was speechless. It dawned on me that my brother was my Valentine. I headed home immediately. It was spending Valentine’s day like no other,” she added gleefully.

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udding Yoruba actress, Folorunsho Adeola, known in the industry as Arikegold has everything going for her; good looks, brains and the talent to be one of the best in her chosen trade but somehow she has not been lucky with the opposite sex. Though she’s now in a thriving relationship but she told me she finds it hard to trust completely since her experience with a guy who broke her heart by impregnating two girls at a go. She confessed that her work has mostly been her Valentine’s except one experience she had some years ago.

“My most romantic Valentine’s and sexiest one was when I was in school,” she said “ My boyfriend in school then, I think 2009 or 2010, can’t really say precisely. He planned everything with my room-mate. He bought lots of gifts -Nokia phone, cake, chocolate, flower, and cards. The moment everybody shouted ‘Happy Valentine’, he called me and asked me to close my eyes which I did and he asked my roommate to bring the gifts. He told me how much he loved me, it was so romantic and memorable for me.

Unfortunately, we are not together anymore.

And since then, my •Folorunsho work has been my Adeola Valentine,” she quipped.

•Hannah Ogundare

Guys run away from me — Hannah Ogundare Tall, beautiful and curvy Yoruba actress, Hannah Ogundare would unquestionably stand out in any crowd.

She’s a type of girl you would never expect to be on her own, any day, let alone on a St. Valentine’s day. But the bitter truth is that Hannah is almost always alone on Valentine’s days and even now it is not looking like the tide will turn for her either.

Asked to share her unforgettable Valentine’s experience, the actress gloomily replied that she had never had one worthy of note. “Nothing romantic yet. Looking forward to experiencing it soon and I can’t wait. Most guys assume I have a boyfriend. So what they do, is run away. They believe a pretty girl cannot be single” was her crisp reply.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 15

My boyfriend washed all my clothes

Onikoyi68@gmail.com

My fantasy night in Dubai

—Patience Erdoo Yisa

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– Uche Elendu

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•Uche Elendu

t is a widely known fact that pretty Nollywood actress and singer Uche Elendu married one of her fans some years ago. Since then it has been a roller-coaster ride of joy and memories for the actress and her hubby.

Even several rumours of break-up have been able to leave no dent on her matrimony. Time has come to prove it is founded on true love and understanding.

But for Uche and hubby their love story started long ago and the most memorable Valentine’s day she could recall was spent with her hubby in the most th exquisite situation.

“It was February 14 of 2006 and 2007 respectively. My husband had a surprise engagement party for me in the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj al Arab in Jumeirah, Dubai. It was the most romantic event of my life and the year after, on the same Valentine’s day, I had my court marriage.

What more can a woman ask for?”, she asked giggly.

My ex gave me engagement ring — Mimi Ubini T

ruly, some memories live long and die but there are those, no matter how long they live they never die. Such is the Valentine’s experience actress, blogger and video vixen, Mimi Ubini had with her ex boyfriend who proposed to her on Valentine’s day even though they were to go their separate ways later. But for Mimi, the memory lives evergreen in her heart.

She shares the moment : “My best Valentine’s experience was the day my ex boyfriend surprised me with an engagement ring.

It was such a big shock because I never saw it coming” “He just called me to meet him in a restaurant in Victoria Island and I was like “babe’, why are we eating out?, I have just prepared Egusi soup “ but he insisted and I quickly put on a jean and top. I drove to the restaurant. On getting there, I noticed he has already placed for our orders. And when I was having ice cream, I noticed a shining object. As I was about calling the attention of the manager, I discovered it was a ring and my ex went down on one knee. My heart beat faster and he said “Will you marry me?” I couldn’t keep the tears from flowing down and said ‘yes’. He had the band play romantic songs for us. Afterward, we headed home and made sweet love. Unfortunately, we are no longer together”

•Mimi Ubini

I got my first real diamond watch – Ella Mensah H

•Ella

ot and wild as they come, Ella doesn’t set rigid rules for herself. As an actress, the Ghanaian beauty takes on roles many of her colleagues wouldn’t dare. Getting really romantic and sensual on set is to Ella what candy is to a child and she has even played as a lesbian, a role many wouldn’t touch.

She’s one of the most popular Ghanaian actresses in Nigeria. In fact Ella seems to spend more of her time in Nigeria than in Ghana and it seems to be paying off for as she has become a darling of many movie producers.

Trust the hard-partying, girl-about-town Ella to have had a number of blissful St. Valentine’s days but the one she holds most dear to her heart is one she got a real diamond watch.

“My most romantic Val ever was the one my ex boyfriend bought me my first real diamond watch,” she gushed.

•Patience Erdoo Yisa

ormer beauty queen, Patience Erdoo Yisa, from Benue State, who made her mark in modelling before taking Nollywood by storm is single but will be quick to remind you she’s not searching.

When it comes to the matter of the heart she is no cheerleader as she has seen a bit of it. Though she’s not looking forward to this Valentine’s day with any unusual enthusiasm but she recalled one she would never forget in a hurry.

“My most memorable Valentine was like three years ago. My boyfriend is usually a very proud person but on that day, I remember I wanted to take my clothes to the dry cleaner and he was like “sweetie, let’s do this at home”. He washed all my clothes while I sat next to him. Few minutes later, a lady walked up to me and asked. “please, are you Miss Erdoo Yisa?’’, I said yes, she said please, I have a message for you from Mr........, and guess what it was, my favourite flower – a white rose, with some candies, and a gold chain. It was basically a goodies’ bag. Although, it was an all home affair but it was sweet. Please, don’t ask me what happened next”, she said with a mischievous wink.

Hot Val’s gift from a stranger — Oma Iyasara

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eautiful, buxom and bold Oma Iyasara once told Potpourri she would not take lies, disrespect, violence, arrogance and stinginess from her man. “Well some guys can be •Oma disrespectful in the sense that they can speak Iyasara to you anyhow, even in front of friends and family.

When it comes to arrogance, maybe I should substitute that with ego. I can’t stand being in a relationship with one who is proud and sees himself as superior, and never admitting when wrong.” she had explained.

For her, a Valentine’s day worth remembering was that of last year when a stranger sprung a surprise on her by turning out to be her mysterious Val. “I got a hot Valentine’s gift from a guy I never knew before. I made my hair a day before and then he teased me about it saying “ you are getting ready for Val”. I laughed and said I had no boyfriend, so no Val . He asked for my address and I got a gift pack delivered to my house from him. This melt my heart that some gentlemen are still out there,” she beamed.

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PAGE 16 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 Edited by: Morenike Taire

Nothing can quell my passion for vocational skills — Bawo, Microbiologist turned entrepreneur

*Bawo Onabanjo

By JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

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N 2005 when she suffered a first-degree burn in her booming bakery and was grounded for two years, nobody imagined Bawo Onabanjo would ever step a toe in a bakery as her hands were practically rendered useless.

Today, the Microbiologist turned Event Management Consultant isn’t only back to her first love but also teaching others every single skill she is adept at. Bawo who is married to Dr. Stephen Olumuyiwa Onabanjo, a medical practitioner and pastor, speaks on her forthcoming training holding in Lagos

from 22nd through 27th of February, 2016, in this interview, and much more.

What inspired the shift from Microbiology to business?

I actually delevoped passion for business while still a teenager. My father was an agricultural consultant. He was a Director at the Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Reasearch, NIFOR, in Benin City, Edo State. So, we had gardens around the house which I tended and grew to love. After practicing as a microbiologist and management consultant for some few years, I discovered I had passion not just for gardening but baking, events management and empowering people.

Tell us about the idea behind your forthcoming training…

It’s actually a one week empowerment training in which we will be teaching different vocational skills such as bead making, cake & bread making, balloon artistry, dress making, graphic design & photography, and more. I believe that national transformation starts with impacting one person at a time, and women are the best people to begin with because empowering a woman means empowering a family and nation in general.

This is the second edition.

The first edition was done in June last year and it was so impactful that participants were empowered to start up their own businesses which are thriving today. That was however a one-day event.

The training has been extended to seven days this time because of the feedbacks we got.

As a Pastor and entrepreneur who has experienced good and bad times, this training is an expression of gratitude to God for the privileges of life which I have enjoyed. I’m easily moved by people’s inadequacies, hence the reason I want to be a blessing.

Our target is a 100 women, and after the training, I’m trusting God to give them

Je wel TTa aylor or Jew ylor,, Amb Onipede, Emordi, Dabiri ffor Ita Giwa’s symposium in Lagos

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

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global organisation of black women, African Women in Leadership Organisation, AWLO, has concluded plans to honour and celebrate former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters and political leader of the Bakassi people, Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa, with an intellectual symposium on the 15th of February, 2016, in Lagos. *Senator Florence Ita-Giwa Tagged “Women in Politics Leadership Symposium”, the the Children of Bakassi red event will herald her 70th ball and awards concert. birthday celebration slated for According to Mr.Elisha February 19th, while the 21st is Attai, Founder, AWLO, dedicated to her Foundation for delivering the keynote

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address will be the former First Lady of Liberia cum third-term serving Senator, Mrs Jewel Taylor, as well as a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo and former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ekiti State, Ambassador Jolaade Onipede.

Other notable personalities expected include the former Deputy Gvernor, Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan; former Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Titi Oseni; Alhaja Kaflat Ogbara; Chief (Mrs)Oluremi Olowu; Hon. Abike Dabiri and Senator Joy Emordi, amongst others.

start-up tools, to enable them start their businesses. To achieve this, I’m also trusting God for sponsorships. To that effect, we’ve written to corporate organizations and banks, including Diamond Bank, since we, sometime ago, opened its 100 account, a special account, for our women.

You’re training people to be entrepereneurs. For you, what was it like starting your business and how has it been?

It was not easy, I must say; but today, I’m grateful. I had just left my job as a Microbiologist with the Ondo State Water Corporation because I needed to join my husband in Sokoto. That was over 10 years ago. So, in Sokoto, I started with bread making and was using my hand to mix manually because I didn’t have a mixer at that time. I had an electric oven and was always stuck when there was no light. I was practically making the best home-made bread in Sokoto back then. It remains a memorable experience.

Later on when we moved to Lagos, I expanded the business but eventually experienced a fire incident from which I came out with a first-degree burn. I was hospitalized for almost a year and was grounded for two years. It happened in 2005 when an engineer was servicing one of my ovens in the bakery and we didn’t know there was gas leakage somewhere. So, immediately we struck a match, the whole place was engulfed in flames.

It was while recuperating that I began to appreciate nature and flowers the more. The

sight of a rose unbudding really ministered to me and contributed to my healing. It was during that period I got the inspiration for my events consulting firm, Celebration Gardens International.

Celebration Gardens started in 2008, out of a desire to create an excellent platform for social interaction, networking, and also meet the ever increasing demand for exquisite and cozy halls for social ceremonies like weddings, birthdays, bookclubs and conferences.

What’s the greatest lesson life has taugt you?

I’ve learned over the years that passion cannot die. My hands were almost useless and it took the efforts of physiotherapists and God for me to be able to use them again, but here I am, still baking, decorating and using my hands for different vocations. That’s because I didn’t give up.

What immediate action would you take if you were President of Nigeria?

I will declare agricultural revolution that will lead to food security, huge exportation of agricultural produce and massive employment of labour.

I will partner with countries that are accomplished in providing alternative power like solar panels and wind energy. I will wage a massive campaign against unemployment because it ahs resulted in increase in social vices like prostitution, fraud, arm robbery, kidnapping. I will launch a nation wide job creation revolution. Also, I will reinforce War Against Indiscipline, WAI.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 17

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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orldwide, Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers and traditionally, everyone goes all out to let their special someone knows how

Networking/ Sponsorship •Adebayo, needs a financial help of N50,000 from kind hearted Nigerians to start up a business acct number 3331458543 Diamond Bank.

09090432229, 08060308241 •Sandra, from Delta state needs sponsorship for her education.

08124229548, 08130263436 •Ann,30,a BSc graduate and reside in Lagos, needs good and God fearing individuals who can help her in getting a job or assist her financially in starting up a business.

08081093279, 08052575814 •A guy, from Owan East in Edo state and a graduate, needs a kind hearted person that can help him get a job.

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Happy Valentine's Day much they are appreciated on this day and every day. Some will say it with flowers while others will bring on the bling.

Others will get creative with customized dates while some will play it low-key with an at-home dinner date and together time.

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08162044618

DISCLAIMER! Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking.

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Whatever you plan to do for Valentine’s Day, you will be faced with finding the right words to express your feelings.

08100009058 •Matanmi, 34, employed and from Ogun statew, needs a lady, aged 26-32. 08138480145 •Toni, 20, resides in Delta state, needs a matured, caring and serious lady, for a serious relationship, within Delta, Anambra, aged 16-19.

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07066244461,08068227140

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

Breaking free from restrictive religious doctrine

R

ose grew up in a devout family home - an upbringing that had guided every part of her life. When she was in secondary school, her parents joined a religious group that forbade television and radio - the devil’s ‘ work the weired-lookingbeared leader of the sect roared. Naturally, all the usual teenage vices smoking, drinking and illicit gropes with the opposite sex-passed her by. Instead, her teenage years were spent at prayer meetings and monthly vigils. It was expected that she married a member of the sect and a ‘fiance’ was rammed down her throat when she went to the university. Yomi, her ‘brother ’ had already graduated and a parttime pastor. “What’s the point in furthering your studies?”, he wanted to know. “When we are married, you will have to give up whatever job you would be doing so that we could have a family. “ But Rose was determined to explore another world away from the one her parents had brought her up in.

“Unknown to my parents’, Rose said, “I had started reading a lot of magazines in my friends’ house and was fascinated by all those lovely clothes I saw in them. I would venture inside a few boutiques but wouldn’t buy

anything as I had no money and if I did, where would I wear them to? I was 19, waiting for some sort of adventure, when I got into the university. And I was determined to turn my life around.

“Within months of getting in, I made a couple of wild but decent friends who wore all sorts of outrageous clothes and drank wherever they went on a date. My first grown-up party ever was when one of my mates dragged me to a birthday bash. I had nothing decent to wear but she lent me a slinky black dress. Plunging at the front and clinging to my curves, I didn’t believe the reflection that stared at me in the mirror after my friends finished dressing me up especially with my hair fixed and some jewellery adoring my neck and ears. I was trembling with excitement as, heart pounding, I joined a chattering group of very lively party freaks.

“I had never tasted alcohol in my life, so one of my friends arranged a brandy and coke for me.

I-t.-tasted lovely and within minutes, I felt relaxed and giddy with booze and happiness. As I watched mates dance, a cute guy pulled out the chair opposite mine and started making small talks. When he asked if I wanted to dance, my first reaction was to say no.

Instead, I had to confess

had a couple of relationships before I met and married my current husband. He’s not a religious freak and we go to church because we want to not because we have to. It is a good orthodox church - not one that preaches fire and brimstone!”.

to him that I wasn’t much of a dancer. But he said I shouldn’t worry - just relax and move with the flow! So it was another girl, certainly not me, that cuddled up to male flesh for the first time in my life and let him run his hands all over me. He wasn’t doing. anything the other blokes weren’t, so I relaxed.

“And that was how Gordon came into my life. He was a final year student and wasn’t religious at all. He told me he believed in God but that religion has been so politicised to such an extent that he found all the different sects quite confusing. When I told him the name of the religious sect I belonged to, he looked shocked.

He had heard a lot of weird things going on amongst the sect

members and said it was about time I used my own discretion in finding out what was best for me. It didn’t help either that there were so many religious groups on campus. In the end I decided to just relax and enjoy Gordon’s company.

He was a decent, wellbrought up guy and a delight to fall in love with.

What would it be like making love to him?

Wicked, bad thoughts, a voice whispered in my head, but I didn’t care. It finally happened and thought it wasn’t fantastic at first, it got better and better. Gordon was the responsible type and took precaution - he didn’t want me to go on the pill in case my parents found it.

“I felt no remorse, I chucked my ‘fiance’ from church. I told him I wasn’t ready for marriage

sex especially if you gonna make noise about him cheating.

Y

OUR column to express your loving thoughts in words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel.

Write now in not more than 75 words to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark your envelope: “LOVE NOTES"

10 CRITERIA FOR LADIES.....

1. He loves sex. He's a man, so stop pretending that you're surprised that he is always horny for you, it's normal. Given a chance, he would do it anytime and anywhere. So you better stop denying him that

2. Your man may have a small organ, it's not about how deep he can go in you, it's about how deep his love is for you.

3. You shouldn't be acting up every time he comes too quick, you should thank God he came, because that simply means you are too awesome to delay.

After all, it's not about how long he can last in bed, it's about how long the relationship will last?

4. Don't ever compare him with your ex. If he was so good, what are you doing with your present lover?

5. If he's good in bed. Then don't spread the word to your girlfriends, sisters and female cousins. So that you don't later complain that people are disturbing your man with love texts .

6. Never attack him verbally in public. It's a huge offense!

7. His phone is his. The stuff that goes on here is

and was quite amused when he ‘reported’ me to my parents. We had some fierce ‘arguments before they left me alone.

I’d started wearing make-up and jewellery which they vehemently opposed, but I didn’t care. I am their first child and they threatened to disown me because they believed I was setting a bad example for my siblings. It was. then I opted to stay with my aunty - a business woman. My parents were shocked to say the least, but she was family and there was nothing they. could do to stop me. I was already 21. My aunty was the liberal type and left me to my devises.

“Well, that happened some years back. No, I didn’t marry Gordon because he travelled abroad for his masters. I

With Children Like These .•• (Humour) Two men were talking about their sons over a bottle of beer. “My son must be the laziest bugger in the world,” complained Alan. “He never does a thing.”

“No,” argued Bob. “My son is the laziest.” After discussing this problem for a while, they decided to go to each other ’s houses to check it out.

When they got to Alan’s house, they find him lying on the sofa, watching TV and surrounded by sweat papers. “Hey son, pop down the road and get me an evening paper,” “No chance,” replied the boy.

“Go on, I’ll give you a couple of quid for going.”

“Leave me alone, go away,” came the reply.

So the two men went over to Bob’s house and discovered his son lying on the sofa, watching the TV, the fire full on, the boy dripping with sweat, but also crying. “What’s up son?” asked his father.

It took a while for his son to answer but eventually he replied: “I can’t change channels, dad, the remote’s fallen off the back of the sofa.”

crazier than you can imagine, leave it alone it's not yours. And never answer his calls, if they wanted to talk to you, they would've called you instead.

8. If he has money, he'll spend it on you, if he's broke, kneel down and pray for him.

9. Don't start acting up, because his wallet is empty. He came into your life to love you, not to bail you out.

10. Always remember that he came to attend to your heart affairs, not financial affairs. .

Nobody is perfect, meet him halfway Ladies learn to Appreciate..

Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015. #KriSpiratiOn2016

SUND AY Vanguard , FEBRU ARY 14 , 2016, P AGE 19 SUNDA FEBRUARY

Could this be you on Valentine’s day?! Getting down and dirty with the boss’ daughter!

I

t’s a known fact that every man has a treasured possession,” said Julius. (Mine is my newly acquired jeep, Seyi, my best friend loves his state-of-the art music equipment with his vast CD collection and our managing director adores his daughter, Juwon.

The one major rule with treasured possession is look, admire, desire - but never touch.

Mr. T. (that’s what we call him) is nearly 55, as happy-go-lucky as any of us guys and divorced – the last person you’d expect to have a twenty something year old daughter.

“I know he had two children but judging by the photographs on his desk, they were much younger, I’d never seen them, or his ex- wife. but he had a gorgeous girlfriend, Gina, an up-and-coming actress who’d starred in the fantasies of almost every man in the office.

Especially mine. When she arrived at the party with .Juwon, I thought they were friends or even sisters. I’d worked at the architectural firm for over four years, so I knew the annual general meeting is always rounded off with a bit of pump.

Go for lunch at a near -by restaurant, then off to a posh club until the early hours. By the time Juwon turned up, most of us were smashed. I noticed her instantly. So did every other guy. She was even more

stunning than Gina. My friend Seyi went over to have a chat with the two ladies but I didn’t think he, I or anyone else in the firm stood a chance.

“The bar was a bit packed and when I went to get another drink, I found myself almost squashed right next to her. I came out with the only silly comment that came to my head: ‘Crowded here, isn’t

it?’ but it got us chatting. She was 24 and just finished training as a pharmacist. I asked how she knew Gina, and she replied, ‘Oh, she’s a friend of my dad.’

Unfortunately, the penny didn’t drop. Looking back, she assumed I knew who she was. I noticed the MD looking over a few times, but I innocently smiled back. Seyi was further along the bar, trying

to catch my eye. I deliberately didn’t look at him, I thought he was trying to give me the thumbsup. But what he wanted to do was to tell me Juwon was the MD’s daughter.

“Juwon was so flirtatious and I was amazed she was even talking to me. She had a cute perk breasts and when she saw me starring at them. she licked her lips and ran her fingers up and down my arms.

I put my hand in my pocket trying to hide my erection, but she noticed. Urging us to go get some fresh air, we went outside and near the vast car park. She bragged about the car her dad bought her for her graduation, insisting I come with her to have a look.

Luckily. it was parked well away from other cars and Juwon opened the car. We climbed into the back seat. I couldn’t keep my hands off her and she covered us with the skimpy shawl she brought with her. She then kissed me. I made for her boobs, massaging and licking them .

“After a while. she pushed my head between her legs - she was clearly one of those girls who know what they want and are used to getting it - and I gave her oral sex under the shawl, using all the skill at my’ disposal. She went really wild as I resorted to masturbation. I came within seconds of her. She looked like the cat who got the cream. We’d better straightened ourselves out before my dad gets in later,’ she said. ‘Is

your dad at the party?’ I asked her.

She looked incredulous. ‘Don’t you know?’ she said. I shook my head. ‘My dad’s the MD.’ No matter how good sex with Juwon was, it wasn’t worth that feeling of horror I felt. I thought I was going to throw up.

“He’s going to kill me’ I said.

But Juwon laughed. ‘He won’t know because I won’t tell him - I know you won’t either. This is between us, Ok? By the way, that was an amazing session!’ I kissed her goodbye and got out of her car, not caring whether she’s used me or not, praying word wouldn’t go out - the boss always heard the office gossip. The thought of going back to the club was too much, so I walked down the road where my jeep was parked and raced home. I spent the weekend dreading Monday, and getting both terrified and turned on by what we’d done.

“Seyi was already at work when I arrived. I told him I’d gone home after throwing up then quickly asked him for the latest gossip.

There was plenty of it, but he didn’t know mine. Now it was down to the MD,. He breezed past my desk as usual. grinned and said. ‘I hear’you weren’t too well at the party. My daughter said she was going to take you up on the offer of a dance until you ran off to throw up. Can’t take your drink, eh Julius?!” If only he knew ...

08052201867(Text Only)

Long lasting use of legs

T

HE other day, a lady student of mine in the presence of her sister asked me how come some people who look so trim from working out in the gymnasium don’t seem to be able to sit in the lotus posture or any posture that requires a bending of the knees?

The other sister cut in with the statement that though people might look great from the outside, they may not be necessarily fit in an all-round sense.

Well, my answer to the question was that most people think that it’s of most importance to workout the musculature to the neglect of the joints. That’s a pretty sad mistake, seeing that when old age begins to set in, it’s the joints that give the most trouble. Little wonder most aging people require a third leg in the shape of walking stick.

I’m not against the use of walking stick,s it’s just that people allow themselves to need them too early after middle life.

The ankles, the knees and the hips seem to be the first to go. Most elderly people have trouble with one or more of these areas.

If grandpa and granny have locomotion problems, how do

* The Spinal Twist we ensure we do not go the same way at their age?

The sensible thing I think is to start to take care of the legs long before old age overtakes us.

This care should mean eating right and exercising right.

Exercising right in this sense means ensuring the workout we engage in should include

ankle bends, knee bends and the spinal twist which affects the entire waist. For some, the ability to do such exercises will come easy, while some of us might have to work a little harder. Whatever the case, it will be reassuring to know you have attained the situation where your joints do not creak from the slightest demands.

As youngsters, we allow our bodies to get into all kinds of postures when at play. But when we soon grow up and are supposed to pick up all kinds of things which never seem to serve us right. Taking ourselves too seriously, we do not ‘play’ enough and gradually we acquire a grown up’s body. And what kind of a body is that but one that is less responsive and almost a dead weight.

The body is wonderfully made. We can only help ourselves by making changes in ourselves our habits and beyond! We regain a fitter body.

Here are some yoga exercises to help you regain suppleness in the joints.

Vajrasana or the deep knee bend is done by simply getting down on your heels with the foot lying down with soles up and toes pointing backwards.

Arrange the hands neatly on the thighs. Good to practice while watching TV or something. Remember, this is one exercise you can o even after a heavy meal. Sit in the posture for as long as possible.

The Supta-Vairasana or the fish is done same as the previous one. The difference being that with this one, you fall on your back, arch your neck and put the dome of the head on the floor with the

hands arranged as if in prayer on the chest. In this posture, the stretch on the joints is a lot more intense.

The Horizontal Thigh Squat is performed by standing straight with the feet about a foot apart and lowering the upper body till the knees are fully bent and you’re on the balls of your feet. Stretch the hands in front. Do that twice or thrice and for the duration of a minute each time.

Matsyendrasana or the spinal twist is done by sitting down with both legs outstretched in front of you.

Now bend the left knee and bring the right foot across the left thigh. Bring the left hand to clutch the left knee. The right hand must be placed across the back. Now twist the upper body as you look over the right shoulder. Keep your head up. Do this for some 15 seconds and change legs to twist the other way.

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

PAGE 20—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Fashola! Deal first with Nigeria’s many 419 metres!!

O

n February 01, 2016, new electricity tariffs approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) came into force. In a quick response, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) issued an ultimatum for a reversal of the new tariffs or else they would shut down the nation.

One week later, precisely Monday, February 08, 2016, the three bodies made good their threat by shutting down Abuja and virtually every state of the federation over the new tariffs. To argue that the bodies should have shown better understanding by appreciating the current efforts by the Buhari administration to place the nation on sounding footing; makes some sense but it is an exceedingly simplistic argument

because based on where we are coming from, a trend of once beaten, twice shy has since been created.

Our new power minister, Babatunde Fashola has no doubt taken giant strides in governance, for which he has now and again been commended in this column and elsewhere but we can hardly stand behind the Minister where electricity is concerned. The rationale is simply that Fashola and power reforms can never mean the same thing to a people that have been so short changed over the years on the subject. For as long as the sharp practices of generator suppliers coexist with fake diesel dealers in the system along with the multiplicity of insider abuses by staff and contractors of electricity outfits, only action would convince people, sermons will not; irrespective of who the new preacher is.

Against this backdrop,

PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758 opuruiche2000@yahoo.com

President Buhari: The bigger the head, the bigger the headache (1)

W

hen I read in the newspapers that the President, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, was complaining in Ethiopia that our judiciary is his major headache in the highly dramatised programme of anticorruption directed largely towards members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I remembered late Chief M.K.O. Abiola's witty remark that "the bigger the head, the bigger the headache." This is not the first time the President had said something negative outside the country about Nigeria, about the immediate past government, or about the institutions of state. Last year, while on a visit to the United States, Buhari hammered repeatedly on the high level of official corruption in Nigeria allegedly perpetrated by the then ruling PDP under the leadership of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Some months later, at a forum in France, he told the entire world that Nigeria was broke, and blamed it once again on corruption by the immediate past government. At every opportunity, President Buhari and his subalterns, especially Lai Mohammed,

Adams Oshiomhole and Nasir El-Rufai, do not waste time washing the dirty linen of Nigeria in public by telling the whole world how corrupt key members of the previous administration were, how they had stolen billions of naira and dollars from the public treasury.

When some Nigerians criticised the President for projecting an overly negative image of Nigeria and Nigerians to the world, thereby making our country seem risky and unattractive to foreign investors that his government claims to be encouraging to do business in Nigeria, Buharimaniacs both in government and outside of it were infuriated.

They argued, falsely, that Buhari was telling the whole truth and that there was nothing strategically wrong in the President declaring to the entire world that corruption has reached epidemic level in Nigeria.

Of course, astute managers of state know that "truth", especially in complicated socio-political context, is multidimensional and perspectival. It cannot be captured completely within a two-valued logic in which every proposition is either true or false. Therefore, the sensible strategy for a leader to manage information that

government needs to deal with some of the avoidable issues on ground before singing the old song of a broken gramophone.

Otherwise, whether with new or old tariffs, electricity metres would be handled the way the card reader for elections which works everywhere else has been bastardized in Nigeria.

To start with, an electricity metre is like any modern

Why would people pay new tariffs before getting the metres they paid for long ago? We refuse to believe that because Fashola is now a Minister, he is unfamiliar with our unique electricity dilemma technology that can be procured with ease by anyone that can afford it. I happen to know a few Nigerians who are yet to be supplied with metres paid for two years ago. If so, why is it that in Nigeria, electricity metres that have long been paid for are hoarded? How long does it could have adverse international repercussions in a country such as ours currently facing serious economic challenges is to refrain from assertions that would send alarming signals to prospective indigenous and foreign businesspersons. In other words, Buhari ought to be mindful of what he says about Nigeria, because as President he is the number one product from Nigeria, and his words carry a lot of weight. Smart leaders use words and expressions to describe their countries in a manner reminiscent of a bikini. It is clear, by just thinking of a beautiful woman in a bikini, that what the bikini reveals is interesting; but what it conceals is even more interesting.

Information management is a critical component of good governance and proactive foreign relations, which explains why governments all over the world spend huge sums of money to either suppress or neutralise information that might be detrimental to their geopolitical and economic interests; they also spend considerable resources in spreading information that projects positive image of their countries. To take just two examples, despite the hydraheaded challenges of life in the United States, President Barak Obama consistently tries very hard to project the image of America as the greatest country in the world. In India, chronic poverty, preventable diseases, and obnoxious antiquated cultural practices make life extremely difficult for millions of people. Yet, no Indian Prime Minister would dream of presenting that image to the world. On the contrary, the Indian government spends millions

take to produce a metre? Is it likely to be as long as that of a whole television transmitter that our broadcasters order, receive and install in a matter of weeks? It is therefore important to tell Minister Fashola that the new tariffs have been rejected not only because they are high but because no one has faith that they won’t produce the old 419 results. Why would people pay new tariffs before getting the metres they paid for long ago? We refuse to believe that because Fashola is now a Minister, he is unfamiliar with our unique electricity dilemma. For instance, is our Minister friend unaware that in Nigeria, metres keep running when the electricity they are supposed to regulate stop functioning? Are we all not witnesses to the trend where people are asked to pay fresh bills when the value of their last payments is yet to be exhausted because of incessant power failure?

Metre magic is not just about electricity, the ones for water supply often perform even greater miracles. Here is my testimony. At about Christmas in 2014, my colleagues and I, who live in our premises having become tired of buying tanker water during festive periods, raised funds to sink a borehole. Early the following year, we wrote to of dollars in global television advertorials highlighting the image of an "Incredible India."

Therefore, Buharimaniacs who see nothing wrong in President Buhari repeatedly denigrating Jonathan's government, raising alarm on the state of our economy, and casting aspersions on

President Buhari's wry identification of the judiciary as his major headache in the attempt to deal with those accused of corruption can be interpreted in different ways

the judiciary so publicly and especially in foreign lands, are either naive or are so consumed by the desire to see the former President humiliated that they cannot comprehend the serious public relations damage their "truth-telling messiah" is doing to Nigeria and its people. If the President and Buharimaniacs think that by telling the whole world, particularly the West, that his predecessor's government was neck-deep in corruption and that the country is facing economic crisis as a consequence in order to elicit sympathy and unalloyed support from America and European countries, then they are poor

Abuja Water Board that we no longer required the public supply and as such should be disconnected and bills to us discontinued. To be able to locate the “correct officer” that can deal with the request was a tug of war.

Luckily our prayer was eventually answered and we were disconnected by March, 2015.

Our argument that the workers of the Board deliberately cut supply to us to compel us to buy water from “private” tankers did not bother the officials. We were however grateful that our metre was disconnected.

But as at the time of this article, that is, February 2016, the Board is still reading and sending to us every month, the meter its officials formally disconnected a year ago. It is only God that knows whose metre they disconnected and which one they are reading now to produce bills to us. So, no sermon is likely to persuade us about new tariffs concerning that metre or indeed any metre by whatever name called.

In like manner, all those who have appealed to labour to employ dialogue in the present conflict, have a point although whether it will persuade the protesters is a different ball game.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki is one of such preachers who last Monday, spoke at length to the protesters who marched students of contemporary history. The West, in general, and America, in particular, cannot help us, notwithstanding the pathetic picture Buhari is painting about Nigeria, because our country is not of strategic interest to the West anymore.

Nigeria's contribution in trade with Europe and America is low, and it is tilted heavily in favour of the West anyway because the country is a chronic importdependent country. More importantly, crude oil, which gave Nigeria some advantage in the international arena for the first four decades after the civil war, has lost a lot of its economic and diplomatic significance.

Nothing exemplifies the dwindling influence of Nigeria in the international political economy now than the steady decline in the price of crude oil in the international market. In my opinion, any support from Western leaders for the Buhari administration would be mere tokenism since, in their reckoning, Nigeria is no longer as important as she used to be due to the decline of crude petroleum in shaping the architectonic of diplomacy worldwide.

Keep in mind the subterranean racial undercurrents and inequalities in international politics. Notwithstanding the declaration, in relevant charters of the United Nations, that all peoples, irrespective of their differences, belong to one human family, some key decision makers in Europe and her cultural colonies in North America still believe strongly in the racial inferiority of the black race when compared with the white race. Nigeria contains the biggest concentration of black people in the world. As a result, it would be a mistake for any Nigerian

to the National Assembly.

Senator Saraki renewed his earlier pledge that lawmakers would ensure that the hike was resolved in the interest of Nigerians.

He reiterated the position of the 8th National Assembly to collaborate with the executive in entrenching policies that are people-friendly, stressing that the promise would not be taken lightly.

The Senate however needs to go beyond persuading workers and protesters to give government a chance.

They should in addition help government to do two things.

The first is to negotiate with greater vigour and sincerity with financial institutions to put more into their investments in the power businesse. If that is done, people may not mind paying bills for the resultant quality service.

That is no doubt better than seeking to finance public projects through getting the people to part with their widow’s mite. The second is to lead by example. As it is today, our power sector is in a state of emergency which we should all contribute to resolve. If all public offices are not allowed to use generators, until our electricity improves, our big men will get more serious with the subject just as their sacrifices will encourage everyone else to get involved. leader to bend over backwards, to the extent Buhari is doing right now, in the hope that the West would look at Nigeria with kindly eyes and help our leaders to rebuild the economy and political institutions to meet global standards.

President Buhari's wry identification of the judiciary as his major headache in the attempt to deal with those accused of corruption can be interpreted in different ways.

To begin with, it can be interpreted as an indictment of the judiciary as complicit in allowing corrupt VIP Nigerians to escape justice.

Some respected jurists have lamented the fact that the virus of corruption has penetrated the judiciary, with devastating effects on the justice delivery system nationwide. From this point of view, the President is largely correct. There are indications that nowadays, judgment goes to the highest bidder. No doubt, there are excellent magistrates, judges and justices of the Supreme Court who are performing their duties in accordance with best global practices. Unfortunately, there are judicial officers for whom justice is determined by the size of the bribe you are willing to give.

In addition, the President is venting his frustration with a system which he believes truncated his first three attempts to lead the country in a democratic setting. He narrated his harrowing experiences, beginning with his first attempt, thus: "I ended up in the Supreme Court and for thirteen months I was in the court.

The second attempt in 2007 I was in court close to twenty months and in 2011, my third attempt, I was also in court for nine months."

To be continued

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 21

rexmarinus@hotmail.com

was sworn in to office.

The result is a collage of claims that found their way into the budget. The embarrassment continues to reverberate among the public, and this incident more than anything else

Buhari’s 'Egunje' Budget

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t is actually to the credit of the National Assembly that the gross errors of Nigeria’s 2016 Federal budget were spotted and brought to quick light. I have been a critic of the inaction and complicity of the legislative arm in the defrauding of Nigeria since 1999 by the various elected governments of the federation. This certainly is true. But on this occasion the legislators can stand up and take a well-deserved bow for spotting a fraud in progress by the executive arm, and questioning the ridiculous paddings in the budget request submitted to the National Assembly by the Buhari administration.

Kudos to the Finance and Budget Committees of the two houses.

Such consistent scrutiny and oversight of the executive arm by the legislature may yet salvage Nigeria from the corruption that has long built its nest and headquarters in the executive arm of government.

There, they say, reside the “Budget Mafia.” There is no point rehashing the circumstance of this doomed budget to the readers of the “Orbit,” but it is important to simply

note that it is disaster of epochal proportions. The administration’s response to these questions of how such an incompetent document passed the muster of presidential scrutiny and snaked its way to the National Assembly, remains befuddling. The president’s spinmeisters have accused a “budget mafia” in the government of orchestrating the fraud.

If this were so, it must then be quite clearly noted that it is a felony to forge the seal of the president, for which anyone found guilty faces time in jail. It amounts to a crime against the state particularly to falsify presidential document, as has been claimed by the office of the president, which has disavowed the padded items in the budget.

The president has even launched a probe to fish out the perpetrators of the fraud. But I think that the president and his men are only scrounging for scapegoats and are not truthful enough to accept that the process that led to the current fiasco has much to do with the urgency required to produce a document in the time frame in which the president formed his cabinet more than eight months after he

SocialEtiquette With Janet Adetu info@etiquetteconsortium.com JSK Etiquette & Image Training Janet@JSKEtiquette JSK Etiquette Consortium — 08188135000

‘Love’ Unshaken “Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you”

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t’s another season to express your love, whether you are in a long term relationship or a new found love. Whether it is to a family member, friend or colleague. It is a day that is supposed to transpire thoughts of happiness, gratefulness, kindness and consideration. “ They say to love is nothing, to be loved is something.

To love and be loved is everything!”

Love is not about how much you say “I love you” But how much you can prove that it is true!

Why do we always assume that Valentine’s Day is about romance?

In the midst of it all, it is the occasion to always remember your nearest & dearest. In reflecting on this special day it is also important to render acts of random kindness, bouts of consideration and basket loads of respects. This is also the time to have an etiquette filled day, there is C M Y K

no time for rudeness or incivility if you can help it.

So why not splash out and paint the town red be part of that powerful colour that speaks Strength, Courage, Power, Integrity, and love.

It is amazing how much love is in the air before, during and after the 14th February. It can never go by without you sensing the atmosphere. We see the florists cash in on flower power, selling roses by the dozen, boutiques are quick to display everything red on offer soliciting your patronage for you to take part in the season of love.

Restaurants bring out the best of their gourmet talents with juicy menus while hotels splash out their best offers all for you to pamper yourself and feel good. Let’s not forget the card sellers, the winners of the day selling big, small, funny, and romantic cards giving you a reason for the season to express that love. Be careful though, it is not the time to break the bank and run into debt just to impress. Be your true self, be original, and love yourself in the spirit of the season.

Valentine’s Day Protocol

that has happened in the short life of this presidency, demonstrates the incompetence of this administration, and the limits of an ersatz government. There is increasing loss of faith in the ability of the APC to govern. There is suggestion that the president does not read the documents, and merely appends his signature on important instruments of state based on faith alone.

This is dangerous for Nigeria in this moment of serious challenges. But beyond the question of the ridiculous paddings in the budget is the real significance of the spending schedules of the budget. Very clearly, Buhari’s budget plan is not designed to create jobs; it is designed to continue the same old, same old process of servicing overheads rather than capital programs. There is more about replacing office computers and electricity cables than in creating jobs or building infrastructure.

Last week, Mr. Lai Mohammed, Minister for Culture flatly rejected any knowledge of N368 Million in the budget item of the Ministry of Information for the

procurement of computers.

But beyond his denials, there is a rather crazy logic behind a national budget that allocates more money to the manufacture of propaganda than to the Ministry of Trade and Industries for the activation of a national small business credit and loans program for young entrepreneurs, or to the Ministry of Labour, for new job training programs. There

The imaginative quest of that era spoke precisely to this new moment, and in the attempt to articulate its nationalist spirit.

The writers and artists gathered at Ibadan

is inexplicable logic in budgeting more money for servicing of the presidential office than for the programs of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), even when this administration has claimed that one of its cardinal goals is to push back on unemployment. What could have been a better place to start than a work program, using the NDE as the basis of a National policy on unemployment? Reposition the NDE and redirect its mission beyond its current straits – that would be innovative policy.

That should be the way to go. It would require the collaboration, I have made clear on another occasion, between the Ministry of Labour (using the NDE) with two other key ministries of government - the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Science and Technology to push back the terrible unemployment under an imaginative work program that could reactivate the economy through strategic skills retraining programs, guaranteed star-up credits, and tax-holidays for new ventures. But the Buhari budget has no such plan.

How can this administration be expected to be taken very seriously, when its budget for the Ministry of Defence is greater by far than the budget of the Ministry of Science and Technology given Nigeria’s current circumstance? To be fair to President Buhari, he would not be the first to make that mistake. But given Nigeria’s current circumstance, it is a cardinal mistake.

Even overlooking the crazy padding in the budget of the ministry of Defence, one particular example being that the MOD’s budget for procuring sporting equipment for the Army, exceeds the budget for the same item for the entire federal ministry of Sports and Youth development, the Defence ministry depends on importation of Arms and military equipment.

There is very little local

Valentine’s Day itself is reflective of the level of relationship you have with others and them to you.

Your show of love indicates how much that person truly means to you. Let me give a few strategies on what you can do on Valentine’s Day. STEP 1: Appreciate the Day: Remember your loved ones, be good, be kind be friendly.

STEP 2: Send a message of love: Regardless of your

Dress in an impressive way that is comfortable for you and makes you feel good. This will help boost your confidence level for the day as well as aid your efficiency capacity situation, why not wish everyone around you a happy Valentine’s Day. Boost your relationships both personal and professional; be mindful though that you don’t come across too patronizing or send a wrong message if it is at work. Interact more, engage more, and communicate more.

STEP 3: Step Out in Style When it comes to stepping out in style I do not mean

do damage to your bank account all in the name of being noticed. Dress in an impressive way that is comfortable for you and makes you feel good. This will help boost your confidence level for the day as well as aid your efficiency capacity. You will need to be sensible about your dress sense for the day. Do not sabotage your image by wearing something too transparent, sexy, revealing or simply inappropriate.

STEP 4: Send a Card A card on Valentine’s Day is one of the most favored gifts of all. There is so much protocol around buying and giving a card. Many may find it difficult choosing a card to buy, at times some men are shy to go into a shop and search. It’s not about the size of the card or the price.

The cover of the card reflects who you are, the style of the card indicates your personality while the wordings tell your true feelings.

STEP 5: Give a Gift A purchased gift is not compulsory; at times the gift of a welcoming smile is all it takes. In choosing a gift the following tips: •Flowers: Roses are the favorites but watch out for thorns, order them fresh to avoid buying those that are truly worn out and will not last. Go for other flowers if your budget is lower, some have lovely scents, for the occasion have them professionally arranged.

• Chocolates: Lovely idea but watch out for the calories for durability

content in Nigeria’s National Defence equipment procurement.

First thing Nigerians should then ask: where is the defence money going?

Overseas of course. How much was budgeted for local Research and Production for Nigeria’s national defence needs, which should be a great reason for establishing a Ministry of Science and Technology? Nothing.

The logic is not clear to the likes of me. Well, there is clearly nothing much else to say than that this budget as presented by the Buhari government is what we would call an “egunje budget.” It is budget for the boys. It is procurement budget rather than production budget. It shows no promise; no change from the past. It in fact makes the immediate past of President Jonathan more and more photogenic. For a president who has made a fetish of anti-corruption, this budget scandal puts president Buhari in a pickle.

The president is fast losing the only thing he came into office with: moral authority. Some of his critics are already saying, it may not be too long now, and Nigerians may yet finally see that Buhari is all wind and straw, and does have feet of clay. If the president is to regain the fast-sliding confidence of Nigerians and his international friends and supporters, he needs to make quick and bolder moves to stir the economy, and demonstrate that he has a full-rein of his government. The president must produce results – quick, precise and clean. present them on the day.

Watch out for dates of expiration and exposure in the shop.

• Booked Romantic Dinner: Choose a place that is highly recommended, If possible a place you have eaten before, depending on the type of relationship. You can be as posh as you like but if a simple eatery is what you can afford, go for it; the company is what matters most.

•A Movie: A lovely way to start the evening with a date out, build your relationship by having fun in relaxed atmosphere leaving all your inhibiters behind you. Let your choice of movie have a romantic theme, no scary movies for the night.

•A Romantic Getaway: If you are up to the task why not check out of town for a couple of days. Use it as your rest or relaxation moment. For married couples this could be the moment you needed to restore and rekindle the old flame. Book in advance and leave all your travel documents checked beforehand.

• A Spa Day: A day of pampering is a great gift.

Surprise your loved one and have it all planned out as a couple retreat. I recommend a facial spa, a massage and a pedicure spa if you can. Look out for those special offers too. Go for a recommended place and check all facilities in advance.

Wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day!

PAGE 22—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

45 percent electricity tariff hike will not stand, labour insists •Expect more increases – Power sector workers •NERC defends action

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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S the nation begins to come to terms with the private-driven power sector following the recent 45 percent hike in electricity tariff, workers in the sector have warned that for allowing privatization of power sector, Nigerians may have unwittingly played into the hands of private sector shylocks and collaborators in government whose stock in trade is to maximize profit at all costs.

However, organized labour and its civil society allies are perfecting plans to make good their threat to lay siege to the office of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, if the hike is not reversed.

NERC had imposed the increase in spite of the opposition from consumers and a court order against it.

The two labour centres in the country, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, alongside civil society allies had, on Monday, during a nationwide mass protest against the tariff hike, picketed Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, Generation Companies, GENCOs, and NERC, issuing a 14-day ultimatum to the commission to reverse the hike or its office would be taken over by workers.

Recall that after a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, labour and its allies, including the Electricity Consumer Protection Forum, ECPF, on Friday January 29, rejected the new electricity tariff expected to begin on February 1, and had, vowed to fight it.

Reading the text of the communiqué by the stakeholders, factional NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said: “We collectively regard as illegal, unfair,

unjustifiable, a further exploitation of the already exploited Nigerians the intention to increase electricity tariff com February 1, 2016.”

According to him, the increment was rejected because due process in the extant laws for such increment was not followed in consonance with Section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.

“There have been no significant improvement in service delivery, upon the fact that most consumers are not metered in accordance with the signed privatization Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, of November 1, 2013 which stipulated that within 18 months gestation period, all consumers are to be metered. There is a subsisting court order dated 28 May, 2015 by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in the case of Toluwani YemiAdebiyi versus NERC & others, that no increment until the determination of the substantive suit.”

But electricity workers did not take the threat to picket DISCOs and GENCOs lightly, as part of the anti-tariff hike protest, insisting the anger should be directed at the Federal Government and its agencies such as the Ministry of Power and NERC. The workers, on the platform of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, through their General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, contended that Nigerians had just seen a tip of the iceberg of what the private sector drivenpower sector portended.

He lamented that when the union was fighting against the privatisation of the sector, many Nigerians misunderstood the union, claiming it was just interested in the jobs of its members and not stable power supply in the country.

Ajaero stressed: “There was nothing we did not do to stop the privatization because we knew what would happen. But we were called names.

Newspapers kept front and back pages to demonise us. There was no security agency in Nigeria that I was not a guest to. PHCN was the only company in the whole world that was privatised with soldiers, by force. In fact, they took over the headquarters. The Customs were used to intimidate us, the Department of State Service, DSS, was used, the Police, Civil Defence were after us everywhere. So, we went to court and we are still in court, we were in the streets protesting everywhere. We even dragged the government to the international community. We held a workshop in the Villa. There we challenged the issue and they saw they were hollow and they said it must go ahead, not based on any logic, but because of vested interest.”

‘Power no longer for public good’ Meanwhile, while kicking against the picketing of DISCOs and GENCOs, Ajaero said: “The prevalent global socio-economic order, created by neo-liberal philosophy with the principles and structures of the Bretton – wood institutions at its cutting edge, has indeed deeply polarised the world being anchored on the wicked and heartless pursuit of the expropriation, alienation and impoverishment of the majority of the peoples of the world for the benefit of a shrinking minority of the globe’s population. We led the resistance against the privatisation of the power sector and other sectors of the Nigerian economy. The trenches, picket lines and the streets including the various public podiums bear testimony to the struggle by our union to resist the destructive and conquering march of imperial forces of global capital on Nigeria’s economic plane. “Unfortunately, our outcry was misunderstood and we were mischievously accused of trying to protect inefficiency and some other self-seeking allegations but we did our best to educate Nigerians on the impending evil. The privatisation exercise eventually was consummated according to the design and conception of those who were its chief apostles and the outcomes went as we had predicted – in the hands of Nigerian politicians and their cronies. It is better that as Nigerians that we deepen our understanding of the objective realities and the context under which we now operate within the electricity sector. The acquisition of controlling shares in the unbundled companies in the power sector meant that today, the GENCOs and DISCOs are largely in the hands of private entities.

“The consequences and pains of that privatisation exercise as we had predicted are beginning to manifest and Nigerians are groaning expectedly. The increase in electricity tariff as we had also predicted without noticeable improvement in power supplies may be viewed as inhuman and insensitive. Nigerians should know that the power companies cannot on their own increase tariff without NERC which is the regulatory agency under the supervision of the Federal Government.”

NERC defends increase But defending the tariff hike, the NERC claimed the increase was arrived at after wide consultations.

The regulatory body, in a statement by its Head, Public Affairs Department , Dr. Usman Abba Arabi ,insisted it acted in the best interest of electricity customers and all stakeholders in the development of the electricity industry, saying : “The existing electricity tariff order, which became operational on February 1, 2016 (MYTO 2015), was carried out after wide consultations with different shades of opinion,

and in strict compliance with extant rules and judicial pronouncements. The clarification is coming on the heels of a media statement credited to the Nigeria Labour Congress alleging certain infractions against the Commission.

“While the Commission will restrain itself from delving into a matter already before the court, NERC, however, has taken note of the ongoing protest by NLC. In this regard, the Commission hereby states that it is committed to act in the best interest of electricity customers and all stakeholders in the development of the electricity industry. The tariff regulation process entails wide consultation with stakeholders.

In addition, the Electric Power Sector Reform, EPSR, Act 2005 empowers any party aggrieved or dissatisfied by the decision of the Commission to appeal to it within 60 days from the date of the decision. Therefore, the Commission is still open to further consultation.” On the issue of the court injunction, the NERC said, “We wish to state that the Commission is a law abiding government body with respect and regard for the judiciary and the rule of law. The Commission will not contravene any court order. However, we wish to state that we must all exercise restraint to allow the court to do its duty of determining the matter before it.

“NERC has since filed all necessary papers before the court in response to all the court cases.

In the mean time, we wish to state that the Commission is dedicated to ensuring that regulation of the sector is fair and balanced for consumers, investors and all stakeholders in the delivery of a safe, adequate and reliable electricity supply.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD,FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 23

‘A regime of ‘crazy bills’ without power’

By Udeme Clement

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former Zonal Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Folorunso Oginni, says the hike in electricity tariff shows the insensitivity of the government to the plight of the people. “In the past, we paid so much for outrageous estimated electricity bills on what we did not consume, yet these crazy bills keep coming when there is no regular supply of power ”, Oginni stated.

“Look at a country like South Africa with a population of about 42.4million people generating over 40.000Mega Watt (MW) of electricity, while Nigeria with a population of over 170million people is generating between 4,000 and 5,000mw of power. Is this not a shame? Now a large number of Nigerians do not have prepaid meters, yet government wants to increase electricity tariff, instead of providing meters for the people. Is increase in power tariff what government ought to do now, or provision of meters and increase in power generation to attain at least 20.000mw capacity? Now, what is the justification for the hike in tariff?

“In other countries, nobody tells you to pay for meters because that is the responsibility of government.

But in Nigeria, we pay for meters, yet they don’t supply the meters to us. If a transformer is faulty, members of the community will have to contribute money on their own to get a new transformer. Yet, what government does is only to increase tariff frequently without carrying the people along in their plan. Is this government really for the people? They just woke up one day and increased power tariff without wide consultations with the people, labour groups and relevant stakeholders in the sector. Why is this government treating Nigerians like this? “ Look at what is happening in some states of the federation now. Some states say they cannot pay 18.000minimum wage, yet government is increasing power tariff. Uptill now, some states are owing workers salaries up to five months and our government is not concerned about the welfare of the people who voted them into power. Our economy is in crisis, even as our currency is depreciating by the day, yet government is not proffering

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practical solutions to move the economy forward, other than increasing power tariff to further impoverish the citizens. The naira now exchanges about 325 to dollar, yet government is telling us to still pay more for what we are not consuming.

Where are the prepaid meters they ought to have given us since? It is now clear that this government is inflicting more pains on Nigerians. We must stand up to say no, to this exploitation.”

“Those Senators in National Assembly must be removed. They have refused to sign the budget now because people are saying

In the past, we paid so much for outrageous estimated electricity bills on what we did not consume, yet these crazy bills keep coming when there is no regular supply of power

•Comrade Folorunso Oginni they should not allocate a huge sum to buy cars for themselves, at a time our economy is in a slow-down. Look at the new Minister of power, who was just brought in, the first thing he wants to do, is to increase electricity tariff. Is this the type of change we voted for? Is this the type of change that Nigerians want? Is this the type

of change this government promised us during campaign?

We will not pay the new electricity tariff without commensurate output in electricity supply and provision of prepaid meters to measure what we consume. All Nigerians must rise up to say no to this hardship, enough is enough.”

A litany of tariff hikes

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ast year NERC and power distribution companies proposed increase in power tariff across different parts of the country. That time, the power firms emphasised that the increase was necessary to improve their margin in business. For example, the statistics released by the companies showed that the rate of increase needed to improve was 21 percent for commercial consumers to cover those doing businesses, 49.4 percent for residential consumers, depending on the location. Others included 25percent for consumers within Ikeja area of Lagos, 30.1 percent for consumers in Jos, 43.16 percent for consumers in Yola

and 10.99 percent for people in Port Harcourt among other states in Nigeria.

In 2015, another tariff increase was released for residential consumers in houses, flats or residences with electricity lifeline of 50 kWh, and it was explained that consumers classified as R1, would not be affected, as they were to pay N4 kWh for unit of electricity consumed. But residential customers with single and three-phase meters in the houses and residences classified as R2 under the area covered by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), were to pay N23.51kWh instead of the old rate of N13.91 kWh, while the fixed

charge of N702 was removed.

The tariff then covered areas under AEDC like Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa states and the Federal Capital Territory. In the same vein, their counterparts in Eko and Ikeja electricity distribution areas were exempted from paying N750 fixed charges, but were to pay N10 kWh and N8 kWh in their energy charges. The consumers in the two zones, consisting residents in southern part of Lagos state and Agbara in Ogun state as well as northern segment of Lagos State were paying N12.87kWh and N13.61 kWh before that increase.

Also, electricity consumers in Kaduna and Benin distribution areas were exempted from

paying N800 and N750 fixed charges, but were to pay N11.05 kWh and N9.26 kWh. Other charges were N16.90 kWh and N12.54 kWh in Kaduna and Benin zones comprising Kebbi, Kaduna and Zamfara, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo and Delta states.

Accordingly, commercial consumers in Ibadan and Enugu who used their residences as factories for manufacturing goods classified under C2, with maximum demand in electricity consumption were exempted from paying fixed charges of N17,010 and N22,141, but, their energy charges increased

by N12.08 kWh.

Why electricity tariff hike should be viewed objectively – Akabogu

By Akoma Chinweoke

areas of generation, transmission and distribution. Pricing is an excellently effective means of achieving these twin he Chairman,OTL Africa Downstream, imperative”, he stated.

Mr. Emeka Akabogu, has appealed to According to him, paying more for Nigerians to view the issue of the electricity increases earning capacity of electricity tariff hike objectively. operators and the possibility of enabling Speaking with Sunday Vanguard on the their increased investment and also raging issue, Akabogu noted that the hike ensures that users of electricity are more makes absolute sense. circumspect in their use, thereby making “Availability of electricity has been probably surplus available for even more people. the most intractable problem the country has faced. There is limited availability of electricity, More importantly, he added, that such so the use of the limited amount available has appropriate pricing encourages investment in the sector as it assures to be maximised. At the same time the returns on investment. available electricity needs to be increased through deliberate investment in the crucial

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•Akabogu

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PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Sell the refineries for $1— Maduafokwa

BY SEBASTINE OBASI Mr. Casmir Maduafokwa is the Chief Executive Officer, of Tecon Oil Services, and NigerBlossom Drilling Company. In this interview, he speaks about salient issues in oil and gas, as well as the economy, from a problem solving stand point.

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he oil industry is dollardenominated and the scarcity of dollar is prevalent now due to government policy on foreign exchange, FOREX. How have these affected operations in the oil and gas sector?

I want my colleagues in the industry, whether it is oil and gas or banking, to make contributions to current issues from a problem solving stand point.

At Tecon Oil Services Ltd. we provide integrated drilling and Workover Contract Services to the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria, Congo and Angola. We are trying to build a Pan African franchise. We believe that Africa can develop itself with indigenous solutions and resources.

On the policy of government, the oil industry is engine that drives the economy. It is wrong to distort the money flow, especially on the domiciliary end because it has a lot to do with the growth of the banking system.

If you look at countries like India or China with a lot of their people, it is their personal remittances to their countries that help to develop their economies. Also, take the Philippines example, their

biggest reserve comes from the citizens in diaspora. My worry is whether our government understands the imperative of maintaining integrity of domiciliary account system, which provides convertible currency option for long term savings in Nigerian Banks for both Nigerians and residences at home and abroad. Government should welcome the dollar because the bulk of their cash flows from oil sales, the royalty, equity cash flows are in dollars.

You can even assume that for transparency, the budget should be stated in dual currency like Naira and Dollars, especially for those commitments where expenditure or intended budget component is in currency.

The refineries have been producing below their installed capacity for a very long time and the government has hinted about privatisation plan. Is this the solution to the problem?

It is more than the solution, although I have issues with the manner in which government attempts to privatise some of these operations like the former NITEL and then the refineries.

If you look at it, in the first place, the government should not have been involved in the refineries.

What is the price?

I mean the price the buyers will pay. From experience, the results will always collapse invariably because from the government stand point, the value of the refinery is the sum total or the book value of the expenditures.

The problems with that are twofold, the cost may have been inflated due to corruption. In addition to that, the technology

•Mr. Casmir Maduafokwa or assets on ground may have been mal-investments, meaning that they are not fit for the purpose at hand. Therefore, you have a double jeopardy. There has to be a game plan because the downstream sector is very critical to everything, because now we are wasting money importing products. Without solving that problem, even with lower prices, the negative impact will multiply. If we have the refining capacity and the crude oil prices have fallen, the impact will not be as severe. But now with the limited income we have, we use it to import and subsidise and then you have multiple contraction.

I will suggest that each of the refineries be sold for one dollar to a seasoned refiner that meets stringent operational criteria.

The buyer must have access to crude to refine, the government can give some incentives and have some kind of arrangement for profit sharing. But to say there is going to be a bid round for the refineries, it is not going

Economic crisis: African countries need strong macroeconomic fundamentals — Economist

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STORIES BY UDEME CLEMENT

s the economic crisis facing Nigeria and other West African countries deepens, financial experts and policy makers within the sub-region have been trained to build solid macroeconomic fundamentals to drive the economies for optimum productivity.

The Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Prof. Akpan Ekpo, said this while giving his keynote address, at the opening ceremony of the regional course on, ‘Fundamentals of Macroeconomic Analysis’ organised by WAIFEM for experts from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Ghana, National Revenue Authority, Sierra Leone, National Planning Commission (NPC) Nigeria, West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), Ghana statistical service, Gambia, Liberia among other institutions within the sub-region.

According to him, “The recent global economic and financial challenges raise serious concern about the need to develop adequate manpower-base among institutions charged with responsibility of managing the economy. For instance, the recent dwindling crude oil price has adversely affected countries with weak macroeconomic fundamentals. Given the interconnectivity of the global economy, a sound knowledge in macroeconomic fundamentals will adequately equip policymakers with appropriate tools to understand the workings

to work.

The issue of oil price has become a concern to Nigerians.

In fact, at the last count, oil price was about $28. What is the impact of this on the economy?

In the oil service sector where we operate, there has been a problem dealing with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) as regards budget and cash calls. This issue has been there in the last three or four years, even when oil prices were over $100. There were institutional problems that led to this. The vital measurement of the level of activity in the oil sector is the level of rig activity.

The rig count has been shrinking.

In the period 1990 to 1991, the rig count was close to 50. The current rig count is below 30 as at June 2016. We have a lot of stacked rigs. We too have two stacked rigs. We also have four workover units stashed. Even with no income, you have to maintain them. There are lots of idle rigs in the market. The rig activity normally drives a lot of other activities. If you pull a rig out of the system, all these services basically dry up.

How much are service companies owed?

I don’t have the precise figure but some IOCs and JV companies are owing everybody huge amounts of money. That is where we were before the oil price crashed. Obviously, government revenue has been hit badly. The oil companies themselves, their margins too have been hit, may be not as much as that of the government. Most companies have been given some discounts but the problem of course is that if prices go up tomorrow, they are not ready to look at your face to ask you to reverse your prices. It is very tough in two ways. The volume of available work has fallen drastically. Then the payment of the limited work done is severely constrained. The other thing of course is the employment consequences. For example, in Tecon Group, we have over 400 personnel. We have the unions. If you notice, the multinationals started downsizing since mid 2014. They have had these rounds of downsizing. But in Tecon Group, we have not downsized in any meaningful manner because we find it difficult to throw our staff into the labour market. It is tough but we are constrained by the rate of unemployment in the country. But how far can we go on, not much longer.

L-R: Mrs. Modupe Mojota, Commissioner for Education, Ogun State; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Executive Governor, Ogun State; Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, wife of the governor, Ogun State; Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor, Ogun State, and Mr. Barnabas Olaleye, Technical Manager, IT Solutions, Samsung Electronics West Africa, at the commissioning of Samsung Smart School for Teachers, Ogun State as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the state

‘Akwa Ibom will become hub of agriculture in 2020’

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“

From R- L: Mr. Titus Okurounmu, a facilitator for the course, Director, Macroeconomic management department , West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Mr. Christian Kedze, the Director General of WAIFEM, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, Director, Financial sector department of WAIFEM, Mr. Ousman Sowe, Dr. Alberta Hagan, with Bank of Ghana, and the Debt Advisor, WAIFEM, Mr. Sam Omoruyi, at the regional course on fundamentals of macroeconomic analysis, organised by WAIFEM in Lagos. of the economy, and prepare them to appropriately intervene in any uncertain economic environment, thus providing the requisite theoretical and practical background.”

He went on, “The course becomes imperative following the economic challenges facing countries within the region, and the course was practically designed to broaden and adequately deepen the knowledge as well as analytical skills of policymakers involved in macroeconomic management in these countries. In that capacity, the course was designed to cover a number of key macroeconomic topics such as, introduction to macroeconomics, system of national accounts, review of the

IS-LM, AS-AD framework, Mundell-Flemming model, new macroeconomic models, fiscal accounts and analysis, economic policy coordination, financial markets and liquidity management. Other important areas of coverage include financial markets and liquidity management, openness in goods and financial markets, introduction to financial programming, Excel, Eviews and Stata, Hands-on exercises on Excel, Eviews and Stata, among other tools needed to build productive economies. The course was also drawn to deepen professional networking relationships with other fellow participants, to further the course of integration in the sub-region.”

kwa Ibom State will become the hub of agricultural activities in Nigeria and the entire West African sub-region by 2020, when the efforts of the current government in developing agriculture begins to yield positive results within the medium term and in the long-run expectation. Also, output optimisation in agriculture in the state will translate into job creation for the indigenes, especially the youths”, said, an entrepreneur, Princess Gladys Assam.

According to her, “Governor Udom Emmanuel is doing a lot to boost industrial growth in the state through investment in agriculture, which he demonstrated by putting measures in place to revamp the Akwa Palms Limited, an agroallied industry in Esit Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom.

When the industry is fully repositioned, it will generate income and create jobs for the people. For instance, the state government successfully launched the second season planting scheme, which is an important agricultural project capable of stimulating income flow and food production in the state.”

*Udom “With the declining crude oil prices in the international market, it is clear that governor Udom is moving in the right direction by investing in agriculture, which is a sector capable of diversifying the economy to ensure we move away from oil into non-oil sectors like what obtains in advanced countries. Udom said clearly that his government is determined to change the face of farmers in the state, with a vision to ensure poverty alleviation and employment creation for the people. He is mapping out strategies that will turn Akwa Ibom into the food basket in the region. He has been able to set up a committee on Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, to drive agricultural projects in the area.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 27

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OVERNOR Samuel Loraermyi Ortom of Benue State is one of the many governors that had faced many battles in their pursuit to rid their states of corrupt practices and enshrine fairness, equity and justice for all.

Having anchored his administration on the fear of God, Ortom pledged to entrench transparency, accountability, justice, fairness, selflessness, humility, discipline, forgiveness, reconciliation, integration, peace and unity.

Thus, he joined the ranks of agents of the change the people yearned for, with an allinclusive goal to implement a blueprint of ‘Our Collective Vision for a New Benue’.

He told Sunday Vanguard: “Our target in government remains the implementation of the core objectives of ‘Our Collective Vision for a New Benue’. This will be done in accordance with the APC manifesto, while I reassure you of our commitment to leading with the fear of God. “This shall translate to the entrenchment of core values that make development inevitable. These include transparency, accountability, fairness, justice, equity, honesty, selflessness, humility, discipline, integration, forgiveness, restitution and reconciliation.”

Challenges Faced with a number of challenges, Ortom’s zest is to pull the state out of ignorance, poverty and diseases while he is not deterred by the dwindling fortunes of Nigeria’s economy as a result of falling oil prices.

Recounting the situation he met when he assumed office, Ortom recalled, “Most of you here are aware of the situation we met on ground when we assumed office last year and the measures we took.

“We met a deficit treasury with huge debts of over N169 billion with the expectation of more revelations as we continue to verify. We resorted to borrowing to commence the payment of full salaries, implementation of minimum wage to teachers, take-off of our administration as well as the clearing of salary arrears of workers at the local government and state levels.

“The Federal Government also came to our rescue with a loan of N28 billion which has helped to tackle the salary arrears challenge and we hope that help shall also come for us to pay arrears of pensions and gratuities.

“In the face of all these, we have been able to record milestones. These include early constitution of the state executive council which enabled us to hit the ground running, the trimming of government size and introduction of cost saving measures as a response to the financial environment. We introduced an amnesty program to tackle the security challenges we met on assumption of office.

“The first part of the program, the carrot approach, yielded results with the surrender of over 700 youths, 500 assorted

arms and thousands of ammunition. Beneficiaries who have undergone a retreat already are being sorted out into various aspects of the program which includes a return to school, skills acquisition and integration into the information gathering system of the security apparatus. The result of the amnesty program has seen increased security of lives and property in the state even as engagement with herders and farmers has minimized their clashes.

“Following the payment of part of the money owed the contractor of the water works in Katsina-Ala and Otukpo, the taps are now flowing in the two towns even as similar payment has ensured resumption of work on the Daudu-Gbajimba road.

Work is also on-going on the completion of the House of Assembly Complex in Makurdi.

“We must return to agriculture with emphasis on processing and the entire value chain as a way of boosting our economy. Our government has put in place ingenious initiatives to boost agricultural production as listed in the 2016 budget. We must also provide the necessary infrastructure to boost our rural economy. To this end, the Ministry of Works and Transport shall be given the additional mandate of Power and Energy as a way of refocusing on needed power supply for our economic development and emancipation. The ministry shall become Ministry of Works, Transport and Energy.

“The resumption of the Benue State University and payment for accreditation of its program at the College of Health Sciences has led to the graduation of the first set of 27 pioneer doctors who had spent 12 years at the institution, with more to pass out in April this year. There is massive on-going renovation at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Makurdi preparatory to reaccreditation which the school lost for three years”.

On looted funds The governor expressed his desire to change the state’s fortunes when funds allegedly stolen during the last administration are recovered.

We need rural roads, we need electricity, we want our hospitals to work, we want our schools to be functional. This is where this money will go. So we must recover it by the grace of God

•GOV. Samuel Loraermyi Ortom of Benue State

Ortom: There will be no plea bargain on Benue’s stolen N219 billion

By Favour Nnabugwu According to him, a commission of enquiry he set up found that about N219 billion state funds were looted under the past government.

Ortom said: “If I have N219 billion, I will do wonders for this state. It is a lot of money.

Let them bring back this money and even the N802 billion we are talking about.

“We want to pay salaries, we want to pay pensioners their money, we want to pay gratuity and we want to fulfil our contractual obligations, including the ones we inherited.

“With N219 billion, it is enough to solve these problems. Nobody will hear about bailout again. I can even take from there and repay the Federal Government the amount they gave us as bailout fund.

“We need rural roads, we need electricity, we want our hospitals to work, we want our schools to be functional. This is where this money will go. So we must recover it by the grace of God.” He said there would be no plea bargain or political settlement, adding that stakeholders are unanimous on the refund of looted funds.

“If you can make refund, I have no case against you. If you said you took N10 billion and you refund the N10 billion, I will tell you to go and sin no more. But where you cannot, this is when I will have problems with you.”

Good governance The governor said his government committed to

good governance and transparency”. No one would say a kobo is diverted. In fact, the labour unions (NLC, NUT, NULGET etc) were involved in the disbursement of the N28 billion bailout money allocated to Benue. So no one would say this government is corrupt. The issue of transparency, trust and credibility is key to this government. That explains why the proposed budget is tagged Budget of Trust, Credibility and Confidence,”he stated.

Ortom disclosed that he has reduced the cost of governance in the state. His words: “Benue used to have over 50 advisors in the past government, now we have just 20. In the past, special assistants were up to 300, but now we have less than 50”.

Peace and security The governor is also committed to unity and peace and this shows in the cap he wears. It represents the Tiv, Idoma, Igede (the three dominant tribes in Benue).

What Ortom is saying is that he wants to govern a state where all ethnic groups see themselves as one. Remarkably, many people are following him to wear the cap. On infrastructure, he said: “We have no road to Gbajimba but a contract has been signed to build the road. The immediate past governor, Suswam had awarded the contract of that road but it wasn’t started. But now, the building has commenced because we didn’t revoke the contract. We are paying the contractors and they are mobilizing to site. Then in Agatu, there are no good roads.

About N500 million has been

proposed in the 2016 budget to fix roads in Agatu. Agatu and Guma are the only local governments without tarred state roads. During the course of 2016 budget implementation, there will be massive infrastructure development. Roads and bridges will be built in local communities to open up those places. Schools and hospitals would be built. Aso because of the government intervention, water has started running in Katsina Ala and Oturpko. That has excited resident.

On revitalization of moribund industries, Ortom stated: “There are good efforts to revitalized them but we will sell some of them because government wants to provide an enabling environment for business to strive as government doesn’t want to run the businesses. We want to stimulate the economy and allow the private sector do profitable businesses. Even the facilities owned by government will be sold or leased out. For instance, the tomatoaes factory at Wanune, we have someone who is interested in it and discussions are on. The same thing with other industries.

People are waiting to either lease or buy. We want these factories to become operational quickly so the will employ Benue people and stimulate Benue economy. These factories will also provide opportunities to local farmers and other local businesses to supply raw materials and other things.

This will also stimulate local farmers and the economy.”

PAGE 28 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

AYO ONIKOYI 08052201215

Late Molade Okoya-Thomas celebrated at Lagos Lawn

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he “Boys” of Late Chief Molade OkoyaThomas penultimate Friday celebrated one year of the demise of their mentor. Recall Chief Okoya-Thomas was a past President and Trustee of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

Delta SA bags Olorogun title

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he Special Adviser on Political matters to the Governor of Delta State, Chief Okiemute Kent Akigho, was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Olorogun Okiemute 1 of Agbon Kingdom by His Royal Majesty, Ogurime-rime Ukori 1 JP, the Ovie of Agbon Kingdon. The occasion attracted many high net-worth personalities from the State

L-R:Chief Gbenga Obasa and former President Isaac Yinusa.

L-R: Hakeem Alobo- Bakare; Chris Enahoro and Ako Amadi

Chief Okiemute Kent Akigho, as Olorogun Okiemute 1 of Agbon Kingdom

L-R: Capt & Trustee, Yemisi Allan with Barrister Rotimi Edu, President Lagos Lawn Tennis Club

L-R: Deinde Harrison (Ebony); Kunle Taiwo; Deji Okoya-Thomas; Capt. Allan; Hon. Jumoke OkoyaThomas; Bala Yesufu; Tosin Alobo-Bakare; Omolara Osoba and Lucinda Rokosu, squatting is Adetola Odumosun

It ex FFurniture urniture boss, TTon on Ite onyy Ezekiel buries mum

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Mr. Tony Ezekiel (middle) with friends from Edo State judiciary.

r. Tony Ezekiel gave a befitting farewell to be remembered to his late mother, Mrs Emily Onigioeki Ezekiel (Mama Kaduna) who passed on at the ripped age of 92 years. The burial ceremony which was a jamboree of sort th th commenced on February 4 to 5 in Benin City.

Paul IK Dairo and King Sunny Ade were on stand to thrilled guests made up of prominent Nigerians like Arik Airline Chairman, Sir Joseph ArumemiIkhide, Senator Francis Alimikhena, Captain Hosa Okunbor, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, Chief Oseni Elamah, Clem Agba and many others

Olorogun Okiemute Kent Akigho, receiving his certificate of instalment as Okiemute 1 from the palace representative.

Olorogun Okiemute Kent Akigho with other chiefs.

Senator and Mrs Daggashi with Mrs. Deola Ezekiel.

L-R: Pastor Ize Iyamu with Senator Francis Alimikhena, Deputy Chief Whip and other guests

Beauty queens from Edo State with Mr. Tony Ezekiel.

L-R: Prince Eerik Odigie, Princess Theresa Erediuawa , Hon. Patrick Osayimwen and Prince Eweka.

Olorogun Okiemute Kent Akigho with family and friends

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 29

Bill on protection of critical telecom infrastructure coming, says NCC

BY EMEKA AGINAM EFFORT to protect telecommunication infrastructure across the nation will soon start yielding the expected result as the regulatory authority, the Nigerian Communications Commission has disclosed that the Commission was consulting with law makers to finalize a bill on critical infrastructure protection.

The Excutive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta who disclosed this in Lagos recently during a road show campaign against vandalization of telecom infrastructure in Nigeria noted the bill seeks to treat all telecom infrastructure as public property.

The roadshow, he noted provided another opportunity to urge the national legislature to give an urgent consideration In passing the bill into law in order to give more legal teeth in the prosecution of offenders and enable the Commission protect telecom infrastructure for the benefit of the Nigerian citizens.

According to him, the benefits and the useful services the country is currently enjoying now were threatened by the spate of vandalization of telecom infrastructure across the country.

“We are worried that vandalization of telecom infrastructure is slowing the pace of growth, contributing to poor quality of services “Vandalization of

Coscharis, Huawei unveil online UPS in Nigeria

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infrastructure comes in several ways.

Some vandals cut or destroy cables that provide services across geographical distances or communities.

•Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta Some engage in stealing of generators or diesels which are used to power base stations that telecom infrastructure in order make services available at all to extort money from service times. “We have situations providers.

“The industry has continued where local communities or to lose huge sums of money as individuals bar technical staff of the service providers from a result of vandalization of installing equipment or telecom infrastructure and carrying out repair on existing more importantly, the nation systems. We have situations has lost a lot of services as a where people engage in wilful result of this menace”, he destruction or damage of noted.

o provide customers with smart solutions that intelligently address their power needs, Coscharis Technologies, has partnered Huawei Technologies for the distribution of Huawei Online UPS across Nigeria and other African countries.

The Huawei Online UPS is a best-in-class technology fitted with unique Net-Echo features that allow end users monitor and communicate with their UPS systems from anywhere in the world using mobile phones or other internet-enabled devices.

The pre-alarm component immediately alerts users to problems within the UPS environment and provides automatic multiple server shutdown either preprogrammed by the administrator or during critical power events.

Speaking at the product launch held in Lagos last week,

AG Mobile registers footprint in Nigeria, tells African story

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hose who think that African countries cannot develop technology products and solutions for local consumption should have a rethink.

Just recently, African mobile technology brand AG Mobile was launched in Nigeria which is . recognised as one of the continent’s first original design manufacturer, ODM. Meanwhile, Nigeria is the ninth African country where AG Mobile phones and tablets are available, and the first where its launched independently of a retail partner. However, it was the first South African brand to release its own mobile

device in 2007.

According to AG Mobile Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Goodman, this development forms part of the brand’s expansion strategy to provide more Africans with affordable, quality products while investing in markets that offer mutually beneficial opportunities.

“As a proudly African brand we believe that we will bring great value to Nigeria. We’ve started by building relationships with wellrespected brands such as MTN, Etisalat, Ringo and Jumia, creating employment opportunities, and supporting

the networks’ objectives to advance Nigeria’s connectivity from 2G to 3G.” , Goodman said. “While our initial marketing roll-out covers Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano, our reach is national.

Our Android, feature-rich devices are available online via Jumia, from MTN and Ringo outlets, as well as independent dealers across the country.

We’re also completing the installation of our first retail space at the Ringo Arena in the Computer Village in Lagos and will be rolling-out similar outlets where customers can experiment with live devices before they purchase them.

Nigeria, Emomine Mukoro, Managing Director, Coscharis Technologies, said: “We are happy to announce this partnership with Huawei for the distribution of its online UPS in Nigeria.”

“Huawei currently boasts the biggest R & D in the IT world and is heavily invested in the Nigerian market with over 15,000 staff committed to providing local consumers with efficient, cost effective products that sufficiently meet their needs. At Coscahris, we espouse the same commitment to always offer world-class information and communication technology solutions in the most affordable, efficient and convenient manner. It is our belief that the coming together of these great brands will deliver best-value in meeting the power needs of our numerous customers in Nigeria,” he added.

Ken Zhao, Channel Manager, Huawei, stated that the Online UPS successfully passed over one thousand four hundred electrical tests and thirty-three extreme environment tests making it a rugged and reliable system suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

According to Zhao: “Huawei Online UPS is designed to match modern IT loads without distortion. Unlike other brands which may require the support of a stabilizer, the Huawei Online UPS has a high output factor of 1, increase 10%~20% load capacity. It has an Intelligent Battery Management system that extends battery performance and lifespan up to 50%, and Net-Eco isolates the failure module from the normal ones in 0ms.”

2016 Nigeria Cybersecurity outlook

BY TOPE ALADENUSI

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nyone or organization that violates any of the laws should expect to suffer the consequences. Companies will need to share and report threats to the National Computer Emergency Response Team (National CERT) Coordination Center in accordance with the Act. Individuals/organizations that need to prosecute violators will need digital forensics services to preserve data in a manner that is admissible in the court of law. Specialists would also be required to analyse digital data to answer key questions such as “where did the data go?”, “who had access to it?” and “has it been modified?” etc.

Consequently, there will be a rise in the demand for computer forensic professionals.

Biometric Data Harmonization A presidential order was issued in 2015 to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that request and retain biometric data, to expeditiously harmonize their biometric databases. It

is expected that the data harmonization will effectively link all MDA databases.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo explained that government’s interest in the citizens’ data harmonization is to assist the government in its quest to improve the socio-economic landscape of Nigeria, particularly targeting the poorest and most vulnerable persons, as well as to issue unique identification numbers to every Nigerian and legal resident for the improvement of national security, among others.

Upon successful completion of the data harmonization process, it is expected that the government will be properly positioned to track and investigate cyber criminals. As it would be able to accurately tell for most citizens who they are, their age, home address, work place, phone numbers, bank details and a whole other information in just one database.

Cyber Insurance Organizations in Nigeria will begin to explore cyber insurance. This will

likely begin in the financial services industry which is the major target of cyber-attacks in Nigeria. Cyber insurance is designed to mitigate losses from a variety of cyber incidents, including data breaches, business interruption, and network damage. This should hedge a firm from cyber losses and curtail recovery costs in the event of a cyberattack. The coverage also protects against third party liabilities a business might suffer as a result of a failure of system security. Cyber insurance has not been a popular insurance policy in Nigeria but in 2016, there is a high possibility that insurance companies will see this as a premium policy to deliver once clients start requesting for it.

Outsourcing of Information Security services Information Security specialist skills are limited in many companies. With the ever-changing threat landscape and the need for 24/7 monitoring and response on technological platforms especially in financial institutions, organizations will need to continually invest more in

implementing additional security infrastructure, security training for their personnel and active recruitment for currently skilled professionals. There is a high likelihood that more organizations may choose to outsource their information security function rather than investing heavily in a cyberintelligence center. For companies that are willing to keep things in-house they will be constrained to explore tools and techniques that have capabilities for machine learning/artificial intelligence to prevent, detect, predict and respond to cyber threats in order to improve their cyber incident response capabilities.

The unending battle in cyberspace continues, criminal actors, policy makers, ethical hackers, innocent bystanders have all been drawn into a battle. Each second lays the plane for a new battle field. Let’s see what 2016 brings.I wish you a cyber-prosperous New Year.

•CONCLUDED

•Tope S. Aladenusi Aladenusi is a Partner at Deloitte Nigeria.

PAGE 30 —SUNDAY VANGUARD,FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Holy Spirit moved Jonathan to handover - Primate Ayodele

•Primate Ayodele... 'I don’t feel comfortable seeing people kneeling down for me. I am not God' BY

BASHIR

ADEFAKA

PRIMATE Elijah Babatunde Ayodele is a year older today, Sunday, February 14, 2016. He started heading church at the age of 16 and has made tremendous successes in the last 39 years in that he now has churches in Nigeria, Europe and the United States. Ayodele, who prefers to be best called “servant of the most high God” as against primate, bishop or a general overseer, did not start off as white garment church man as he was born into the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos where his father was a front runner and which the Junior Ayodele attended until 1972.

He had his primary and secondary education in LCC and MTC, both in Mushin, during the days of morning and afternoon school system in Lagos. He then moved to Annunciation Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti and, from there, to the Nigerian College of Aviation, Zaria, after which he joined the then Okada Airlines owned by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

Ayodele had been an SU, Deeper Life, gospel church man and had served as reverend father in Catholic Church. He had also been to other churches like Methodist, Anglican, Celestial, Cherubim and Seraphim. A church administrator, church manager, counsellor, evangelist, apostle and a prophet, the founder of Inri Evangelical and Spiritual Church Wolrdwide has no less than 250,000 who have benefited from his microcredit initiative scheme for widows and has empowered over one thousand youths while assisting his church members to own properties. An instance is where he bought a car of about a million naira and sold it to a member for N20,000.

Recently, he built 10 units of self-contained apartments worth N250,000 per rent and gave them out to less privileged members of his church at one thousand per month. He has also so much invested in education, which is why he donated gifts to schools, both public and private, on the occasion of his birthday this year. His is the first white garment church to have satellite television called Golden TV. In this interview, he speaks on his life, step mother, church and his warnings to the nations as instructed by God. Excerpts:

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ince over 39 years that you have been in the Lord’s vineyard, what have been your major challenges and consolations?

I don’t believe in challenges.

Everything I have seen on earth since my days in the Lord’s vineyard is just experience, not any challenge. Working for God has given me a wide experience to understand what life is all about and to take life easy. And from my experiences, I teach a lot of people. I must confess to you that if I did not work in the Lord’s vineyard I might have died. My plan was to be a military man, a lawyer or a journalist. Honestly, I must say that it is a privilege and honour that God called me to work in His vineyard and I so much appreciate God that, if I would ever come again, I want to work as a prophet of God. And, on the strength of God, I want to serve people. I don’t want people to serve me or take me the way people take pastors.

How do people take pastors which you don’t want and how should a pastor carry himself?

A pastor must be humble. Yes, because you are anointed of God people want to respect you and they want to do anything to honour you. I don’t feel comfortable to see people kneeling down for me. I am not God; so that they don’t need to worship me. This is just a gift from God that any other person can have. Yes, people kneel down in admiration of you but they are only respecting the anointing in you. I appreciate my church members and I am more comfortable relating with them at their own level. I can even hold you in the hand so that you feel free and happy. It is not only when you kneel down that you respect me. You may be a traitor and still kneel down for me. I want a respect that is transparent and sincere.

I wasn’t born as primate. It was in the Lord’s vineyard that they started calling me primate.

Some people call me doctor; in fact different titles, bishop and so on. My own is to humble myself before God and I am human. Just call me the Servant of God. You can even call me Brother Ayodele, I don’t mind because it has no value to me.

So, I don’t want to believe in challenges as problems. They only end up giving you strength and courage in order to forge ahead. The work of God has made me to have a lot of experiences and I thank Him for having made me to be one of the servants that work for Him. Could you share with us some of your experiences in life, even outside the Lord’s vineyard?

At the age of 10, I started doing hard labour but hard labour, is not punishment but for you to grow strong. Like at that age, I would wake up very early, about five o’clock in the morning, during harmattan and start going to farm. Today you call that punishment. And that is why I owe a very huge service to my

step mother because I was trained and brought up by my father and step mother. My step mother did so well in my upbringing.

What happened to your mother?

My mother died when I was age 10 and my step mother took over from there and taught me every good thing that growing up child needed to know about life. It is very rare to have such a step mother. She taught me to be strong,which some people saw as punishment but it was not. My step mother was a woman like man, very courageous. She is still alive.

Now that you are celebrating your birthday?

I don’t believe in birthday celebration. Birthday is a day for reflection and appreciating God and I say, ‘God, I thank you for making me what I am today. It is a day you sit down to thank God, your parents, those who have added value to your life and even those who have not added value to your life.

How about your prophecies, considering your birthday in retrospect?

I didn’t know that I would be a man of God. I started making prophecies at the age of 16, precisely to the nations and God started blessing me at age 18. I don’t know the magnitude of what God has done for me but I am just thanking Him and appreciating my wife, my children, my church, my friends and my friends in the media.

Prophecy is what God uses you for and not you using yourself for.

So, when my prophecies that are negative which I have warned against come to pass, I am not always happy. For instance, there was a train accident in Germany and there was a boat tragedy, both of which we spoke about on November 23. They don’t make me happy. Devaluation of Naira, we said it much earlier and, states breaking down economically, we said it ahead of time. And we said people should seek the face of God to avert the misfortunes. See the case of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. When they sought the face of God, see how it went with them.

Like Sunday Oliseh is now having problem with NFF whereas, in the beginning, we said he would have challenges that might frustrate his efforts. He didn’t take it serious. Taking the Super Eagles to AFCON, this may not be the best time for the team.

Oliseh will have to seek the face of God, otherwise, he will be dismissed from the Super Eagles.

When we said pray so we don’t lose anybody in the NFF, it didn’t mean a message of doom. What do we do should be the next thing.

You can call your pastor or your Imam that is the warning that has been sent to me, please come and pray for us. What matters most is that you must seek the face of God. See the recent helicopter crash in Lagos, we said it that we should pray and we thank God it didn’t claim lives. When a prophet warns people, let them take heed. Warning is not to create panic, to alert you danger so as to avert it.

In my first interview with you, you said Nigerian leaders were failing because they moved away from God. Is that still the situation now?

They are still facing that challenge now. Buhari should seek the face the of God for him to run his government successfully because there are challenges ahead for him and his

second term will be faced with a lot of challenges. That is why I have to warn (Abubakar) Atiku that he must take precautions and seek the face of God before he takes any (political) step, otherwise, he will be rubbished.

Also, Tambuwal and el-Rufai should seek the face of God before doing anything pertaining to 2019. There are a lot of things that will happened ahead of 2019 but national unity must not be taken for granted. The unity of Nigeria is paramount at this time because issues will come up.

Our leaders fail to listen because they are deceived by many pastors. I smile when some people (pastors) talk about an issue which happens when there are already signs that that issue would come up. Go and check our records, past and present, we give warnings two, three, four years ahead.

Some people want to trouble Buhari’s government and he has to be steadfast on the issue of the economy. There is going to be more retrenchment this year and so, Buhari needs to take a very bold step and, again, he needs divine intervention to get things right. APC needs to seek divine intervention and take caution because elements that will crack the party have infiltrated it.

Journalists too need prayers. I told you about the Nollywood artistes which is what is happening now. Senators need prayers and the Senate President must not ignore my warnings. He needs to seek the face of God because enemies are running after his bright ambition.

People who look out for your warnings, what message do you have for them this year?

Generally, we need prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari because he has genuine mission.

Jonathan also had genuine mission but he didn’t prepare for presidency. But he had done what no Nigerian leader had ever done before.

What was that?

For an incumbent President to leave power just like that? It has not happened before in Nigeria.

Even when he knew that he was defeated by popular votes?

Yeah. But he could have turned things around. He had the pencil and the eraser. Nobody could question him.

Do you agree that God used Jonathan to save Nigeria?

Yes. Nigeria was at the verge of disintegration and you know all the things that had been said about Nigeria breaking. It was not saved by soothsayers or anybody. No. It is God that used him to save Nigeria and so, we should be grateful to Jonathan for being able to avert crisis that could put Nigeria asunder. It is difficult to see somebody like that, a Nigerian who would vacate the seat peacefully the way he did.

Are you judging?

I am not here to judge anybody.

But nobody is a saint. It was God that masterminded all that Jonathan did during the election that led to the peaceful transition.

Holy spirit moved Jonathan to surrender because, if he said he would not surrender, Nigeria would not be the same today as we would be in crisis. So, we must salute his courage. So, Buhari also must learn from his own past experiences, losing elections three times and, at 73, God now made him President. For Nigerians, their role is to be prayerful.

SUNDAY VANGUARD,FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 31

A

RE you joyful? What is the basis of your joy?

Is it based on something you have? Is it based on something exciting that happened to you? Is it because your grain and wine increased? (Psalm 4:7). If so, beware, because that is building a house on the sand. When the storm comes and the wind blows great will be the fall of your house and your joy.

The basis of our joy must be Christ. Jesus is what makes all the difference between the abundant life and a life of intermittent misery, dejection and occasional happiness. Therefore, our joy must be exclusively in God and in the things of God. The psalmist describes God as “our exceeding joy.” (Psalm 43:4).

When barren Hannah finally had the child she wanted, she did not rejoice in Samuel; she rejoiced in the Lord: “Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.” (I Samuel 2:1). Indeed, immediately Samuel was weaned, Hannah gave him back to the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord What are your goals and objectives in life? Moses prayed to God: “Establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17). But the truth, dear Moses, is that God only establishes the work of his own hands. (Psalm 127:1).

God cannot establish the work of a man's hands unless those works are the works of God.

THE JOY OF THE LORD Every work of man will ultimately be destroyed.

The people of God are a people who have rested from their own labours.

Christ is for them the Lord of the Sabbath, and they have entered into his rest.

Paul says: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Paul wrote this even though he was in prison.

This is because the man who rejoices only in Christ cannot be discouraged.

Neither can he be depressed. Heads or tails he is victorious. If we rejoice in the Lord, we can do so always. The Lord does not change. He is not good today and bad tomorrow. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

However, if we rejoice in anything or in anyone outside of the Lord, we cannot do so always. The joy of the world is transient; it does not last. The same thing that brings us joy today will easily bring us grief tomorrow. The wine and corn will finish. The money might grow wings and fly away.

However, the blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22).

Joy of the Lord

Many Christians have been led to expect that Jesus gives the joy of the world.

However, nothing could be further from the truth The joy of Jesus comes from the steadfast love of God. This makes it immune to changing situations and circumstances. The kingdom dynamic here is to be focussed on the joy ahead, and not on the difficulties of the moment. Accordingly, because of the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2). There is joy that comes from the certainty that every sorrow of the disciple of Jesus will be turned to joy. (John 16:22).

Therefore, he admonishes us to replace our joy with his so that we are not at the mercy of the vagaries of the world. He says: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11).

Jesus tells us two important things here. He says the essential character of the joy of the Lord is that it endures and is complete. All other joy that people talk

about comes and goes and is not fulfilling. The gospel of the kingdom of God is the good news that never becomes bad news. If we have received the Holy Spirit, we have received everything God promised us in this world. It means God has given us himself. He has given us his Son, Jesus.

He has given us his eternal life. He has given us his peace and joy. He has given us his word. He has given us his divine nature.

Surely, this is more than enough.

Therefore, we should thank God for earthly things, but be careful not to feed our souls on them. We should enjoy the things of this world without setting our heart on them. Our hearts must be reserved for the Lord. We cannot belong to the kingdom of God and still continue to yearn for the things of the world.

Jesus says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves

break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).

No more sorrow

transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we ourselves are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5).

Jesus has given us beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Since he has carried away our grief and sorrows, then we no longer have them or need to carry them. The only thing worth grieving about was our separation from God as a result of our sins.

But now Jesus has shown us the way the truth and the life that leads back to God. Joy of the World

Jesus also says we are sorrowful because our joy is not full. If your joy were full, there could be no room for sorrow. When we truly appreciate and understand the love of God, deposited in our hearts at the instance of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, we are completely satisfied. We no longer yearn for the vainglories of this world. Jesus says: “No one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. The water I give is like a flowing fountain that gives eternal life.”

(John 4:14).

Our redeemer rose from the dead never to die again. In which case, sorrow has been removed from our lives. Isaiah says: “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our

When we really know Christ, the pleasures of this world lose all their charm.

But if it is the world we want and prefer, then we should not blame the Lord if we remain unfulfilled.

Many Christians have been led to expect that Jesus gives the joy of the world. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The joy of the world is something the gospel is eminently unable to provide. It only provides the joy of the Lord.

Truly, the joy of the world is one big lie. How many wonderful marriages have ended in divorce? How many new cars have ended up wrapped around lampposts? How many beautiful homes have ended up burgled? Therefore the Lord once said to me: “Femi, if you appoint the wrong person or the wrong things, you will be disappointed.”

Adeboye proffers solution to current economic crisis BY

G

OLAYINKA

LATONA

ENERAL Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has called on Nigerians in leadership positions at different levels to imbibe the fear of God and depend absolutely on Him for the country's economy to witness a divine turnaround.

Addressing leaders in government as well as business executives at a special prayer session for the nation's economy at the church's national headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Pastor Adeboye averred that Nigeria would move from a prostrate economy to witness a flood of abundance if those managing the nation's economy as well as business owners will be righteous in their dealings and let God be their source.

He argued that God has the power to transform a period of famine to that of plenty within 24 hours, pointing out that "what we call minimum wage in Nigeria is not enough to meet the needs of the workers but with the power of Almighty God, things will turn around for good in Nigeria. If we are to move from not enough to flood of abundance, we must fear God, draw closer to God, honour Him, seek Him in whatever we do. The Bible says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom."

Speaking on the thme; "Flood of abundance", he emphasized the need for all Nigerians to give God priority attention in everything we do by serving Him with all our hearts and give to Him those things He demands from us for Him to bless us; like paying our tithes and honouring God with our first fruits.

Adeboye further assured that there can be instant turn around for Nigeria, if the nation's leaders at every level would turn to God with all their hearts, stating; “nothing goes for nothing. The price for breakthrough is giving God the first position in our lives, our endeavours and our businesses and our breakthrough is guaranteed.”

In a similar development, Special Assistant to the General Overseer, (Admin. & Personnel), Pastor Johnson Odesola said the special prayer is not the first time such a prayer meeting would be held, this special one was premised on supporting the new government on what it is doing.

He lauded the present ad-

ministration for the recovery exercise of stolen money from those that indulged themselves in such selfish and wicked acts, adding that God who opposes every inordinate ambition and commanded that ‘man should not steal’ cherishes the steps being taken by the government and prayed that God would see it through.

Change is not near, says Prophet Owonibi BY &

G

TARE YOUDEOWEI CHRIS ONUOHA

ENERAL Overseer of Christ Fire World Evan gelism Ministry, IgbeeIkorodu, Lagos, Prophet Israel Owonibi has declared that true and meaningful change will not come if leaders at different levels continue to enrich themselves to the detriment of the masses.

The cleric made the declaration at the church's 2016 prophetic night, saying: “The nation is in chaos because of sin and God is not happy with us. The foundation is faulty. Poor people are suffering while sinners are enjoying. Peace may continue to elude this nation because of much sin.

The situation may even get worse because there is no fear of God among politicians.”

According to Owonibi the best way out of the current socio-political crisis is attitudinal change at every sphere of human life. “It’s only God that can bring positive

change to the nation. God will always fight for his children, and that’s why I declare this year, ‘My Year of Release’ and I pray that God will satisfy all the marginalized and oppressed people in this country, this year with favour.”

Owonibi blamed the current situation on the activities of some clergymen who had failed to declare the counsel of God because of filthy lucre.

“Some Christian leaders are not telling the truth because of materialism. Why should a pas-

tor be involved in politics? It is wrong. A pastor should be content with his pulpit from where he can play an advisory role to the government. God’s office is different from secular office.

That’s the reason God is mute over our problems, ” he argued.

Crawford University gets new spokesman

C

RAWFORD University, a baby of the Apostolic Faith Church has announced the appointment of Mr. Layi Olajumoke, a veteran journalist as her new spokesman to replace late Mr. Yomi Ojo, who died last year.

A prolific writer and tested journalist, Olajumoke cut his journalistic teeth in 2001, with the now defunct The Comet and later the New Age where he rose to become a Senior

Correspondent. It was at New Age that he was recognized with an award by the Nigerian Media Merit Award, NMMA for his work on environment in 2003. He was nominated in different categories including Photography and Tourism. He was part of the pioneer production team of the Nigeria Monthly magazine, the official organ of the nation as published by the Federal Ministry of Information.

He worked as the Publications and Copy Executive for Taijo Wonukabe Limited, a Surulere, Lagos-based PR firm before being invited to the Tell magazine as Senior Writer in 2007. He left Tell to assume duties as the Media Secretary to Prof. Pat Utomi, then presidential flag-bearer of the Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP. In 2011, he left to head the Imagin’ Media, a publication support concern.

32 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 PAGE

$2.1BN ARMS DEAL

Dasuki, others should be tried for treason

– AVM Ararile (retd) Says Amnesty Programme cannot run in perpetuity

•Lucky Ararile

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, ABUJA Air Vice Marshal Lucky Ochuko Ararile (retd) is the Ovie of Umiagwha Abraka Kingdom, Delta State. Before he retired from the military, he commanded many formations including the Operation Restore Hope for the Niger Delta. He was later appointed the Coordinator of the Amnesty Committee that midwifed the Amnesty Programme for ex-militants by former President Umar Yar’Adua. In this interview, the retired air force officer bares his mind on the $2.1bn arms deal involving a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), and some top military officers, among other national issues.

W

hen the former administration left and the new administration came in, nobody thought that, by now, we would still be fighting Boko Haram. What do you think is responsible?

Let me say that the present administration has done very well on the war against Boko Haram. Boko Haram is not one war. If you look at how it started, it started with terrorism; the terrorists were bombing churches, mosques, killing people. Initially they were capturing the Igbo in the North-East, they were killing them and I said, at that time, that when they were done with the Igbo and the Igbo run back to their states, they (BHT) were going to face northerners and, of course, the most popular person they killed was Major General Shua, one of the most prominent persons we had in the military who performed heroically in the civil war. Now when they became bold enough, they went to the next level which is insurgency. Insurgency is attempt at regime change. You want to impose your culture on a certain territory. But the sad thing with us at that period is that with all the resources we had committed to defence all these years, it was disheartening that a group of insurgents could actually capture one inch of the Nigerian territory. And for those people at the helm of affairs at that time, from the President down, they committed treasonable felony, treason, to allow it happen. For Nigeria’s territory to be so whimsically lost to a group of insurgents, a population of more than

C M Y K

170million people with one of the best militaries in the world, is regrettable. I participated in the ECOMONG campaign, I was involved for more than ten years, we didn’t have incidence of Nigeria soldiers chickening out of battle. But in the North-East, it got to a point that they (our soldiers) had to run to other countries. It is unimaginable; it is so painful. And for people (officers) to be identified to have diverted the money provided for them to supply arms is treasonable.

People are talking about bail for former NSA Sambo Dasuki. All these things are contrived. As far as Dasuki is concerned, the main issue is that it is treason. If he is tried for treason, we won’t be talking about bail. These people are still subject to military law, so, after they finish with the EFCC, they should be handed over to the military so that we will sort it out the military way. We cannot be given that kind of responsibility and fail the country to the extent that two million Nigerians are internally displaced; to the extent that pilots flew planes that were unserviceable; to the extent that Nigerian troops were running to Cameroon, Chad. They have brought the country to serious ignominy.

What is your take on the issue of lack of transparency in the Civil Service?

It is not only peculiar to the armed forces. What is happening now in the $2.1 billion arms deal is just by accident. I don’t think the President actually thought that he will start the anti-corruption war from the

NSA’s office; it just happened; otherwise, what we are talking about now is just the beginning.

We have not started with the Ministry of Defence; we have not started with NIMASA; we have not started with the NNPC, we have not started with the NPA, we have not started with the Civil Service; so this is just like what you call, in table tennis, toss for game. So whether people are transparent or not, it is across the board. So, let us wait and see.

Like you said just now, the image of the military has been dragged down. How do you think the military can get back the trust of the people?

The truth is that the average Nigerian knows the Army. They know our capabilities; so getting our image back is not the problem because we already know the problem. Why we got to this sorry pass is because the monies that were voted for defence were not used for the purpose and it is not necessarily only defence, it is across the board. That is why I said that when the anti-corruption war continues, we will see how Nigeria has been run. So, once this processes, arms purchases, payment of allowances, etc; when everything is cleared up, and I am happy that this is happening because, at the end of the day, we will have a better military.

Coming to the Amnesty Programme which you midwifed, are you satisfied with the way

I don’t think the President actually thought that he will start the anti-corruption war from the NSA’s office

things are going on there?

Unfortunately, not many Nigerians remember that I headed the Amnesty Programme, they have forgotten. The scheme, from conception, was supposed to last for not more than ‘five years’ and it was supposed to be winding down gradually by the fifth year. It is only those who are at the university that will still be attended to. By this time, those who have acquired some skills would have gone out of the programme. So if you went to a skill acquisition centre, for instance, to learn to become a welder, that programme is supposed to be for nine months or one year maximum; so, at the end of that period, you would have been out of the programme. But what we have today is that almost everybody that was captured in the programme, from the beginning, is still there, because they were talking about different groups and I said, at that time, that there was a window through which all ex-militants should surrender. Those who chose not to surrender at that period were supposed to be on their own but, later on, being a Nigeria matter, they started talking of Batch 2, Batch 3. And I said the batches will not end and it is compounded with the fact that the whole programme has been bastardized. The Amnesty Programme is not about the people that were disarmed only. It comprises of the whole Niger-Delta and Niger-Delta by definition includes nine states. Now, when you start a programme, even the main people themselves were carried along. During the initial interface, Henry Okah came, at a point, to say, as far as MEND was concerned, they didn’t have more than 5,000 militants.

Later on, politics came into it and they now made it 10,000. From 10,000, it went to 15,000, 20,000 and finally

Continues on page 33

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 — PAGE 33

‘Amnesty Programme cannot run in perpetuity’ Continued from page 32 30,000. And even after 30,000, we still have some people saying they have not been captured. So if we have such a flexible definition of who are militants and the time frame, then even Boko Haram will join and say after ‘I am a Niger-Deltan’. So, a line has to be drawn, a decision has to be taken because what we are talking about now is that, at the last count, we have 30,000 people in the programme, but that is not the number of youths that are unemployed in the Niger-Delta. We have millions of them. And the original programme had them in view, people who do not carry arms.

Yar’Adua was very passionate about that, that we could not be addressing only those people that carried arms; let us equally address those who did not carry arms. So that they won’t think that the government only reacts when you resort to violence, which was the strategy, but that other aspect was not addressed when we left. If the original programme was followed where you terminate your own training, you won’t be talking of paying stipends to 30,000 people today. Probably at best, we won’t have more than 500 and I challenge anybody to bring the data. We don’t have up to 200 people in the whole of that list that have the prerequisites to go to a university. So people going to flying training, unless it was done in the concept of addressing the whole Niger Delta issue, militancy or no militancy. But what I am hearing is that those people who went to South Africa to learn to fly, who went to SriLanka to learn to do whatever were militants, no. We didn’t have up to 200 people who had five credits to qualify to do such types of learning at the time I left.

Is that then justifiable reason for the present administration to contemplate scrapping the programme?

Well, I don’t know whether that is the plan of the present administration. But the fact is that, as I have alluded earlier, this programme was designed for five years. And, indeed, if we continue the way we are going, we will encourage those who are not militants to go into militancy and Yar’Adua’s fears will be validated that the government attends only to those who are militants, those who carry arms. But that programme cannot run in perpetuity.

What is the way forward?

Well, we have a new government; the President must have his own

C M Y K

plans and programmes. His own attitude to the Amnesty Programme, I cannot suggest now. I have been out of the Amnesty Programme since 2010. So, if the government plans a review and needs my input and suggestions, I an available.

I think I have always agreed with the President on most of what he does and what he says; you know if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us

This brings us to the issue of attacks on pipelines. What do you attribute to this because this was why the Amnesty Programme was introduced?

Like I said, the programme was all-encompassing, to address the issues of the Niger-Delta and what were the issues? One, militancy, restiveness not necessarily associated with militancy. Those were people carrying guns, unemployment, environmental degradation. That is why I look at what is going on today and I just keep to myself and the media has not helped matters because you know people who drove the programme and were aware of the structures of the programme. I read in the papers, Kingsley Kuku was called the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Chairman of Amnesty Committee. Who are the members of the committee? When we were running that programme, we had a committee. The man at the helm of affairs of the programme is a sole administrator right from the time Timi Alaibe took over, to the time of Kingsley Kuku.

How do you reconcile the Niger-Delta amnesty and the call for amnesty for Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East?

I don’t think the President has said anything about amnesty for the North-East. What I have heard from the media is that the NorthEast is going to be developed and people are going to be resettled. I don’t think the President is going the way of the approach of Yar’Adua.

Talking about economic challenge, it seems that the government devotes more time to fighting corruption than other issues facing the country, especially the economy. What do you have to say on this?

From my financial background, let me say this: I think it was one American Senator (McCain) that said that he knows how to fight war, knows how to politic but knows nothing about economy. I will suggest that attitude to Mr. President that he should play to his strength namely, the competent ability to fight the war against

insurgency. He has the passion to fight the anti-corruption battle and, in any case, even if he has the ability, he cannot fight so many battles at a time. I think it is time for him to set up an economic team to help us. We are in a very downturn state; policies are not being articulated. So, I will beg him to set up an economic team and leave the economists to tackle this issue. Immediately he said he will not devalue, I knew we would have problems. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor, has been very creative because even the delay in appointing the Finance Minister was problematic for the economy. If not that he was creative enough to bring out 42 items not valid for foreign exchange, the value of the Naira would have been worse than what it is today. Also, removing the Directorate of Budget to National Planning, to me, is uncalled for. What will the Finance Minister be doing? She will just be signing cheques because there is nothing to do. So, my take on that is that we need an economic team.

On the trend of kidnapping, especially of traditional leader, what are traditional leaders in Niger Delta doing about this?

We (traditional rulers) are meeting, we have not come out with a strategy, but let me correct the view that traditional leaders are being targeted. It is just a coincidence that two of them were involved in a matter of two weeks and, if you look back on kidnapping, you will see that not many of them are actually traditional rulers. So, it is not as if it is a plan that kidnappers just sit down and say, ‘okay, let us kidnap traditional rulers’, no. Most of the kidnapping are actually opportunistic. Having said that, whether it is a traditional ruler or a school child, it is worrisome for us in the Niger-Delta. It started as part of militancy in ‘quote’, but I knew even at that time, when I was Commander of the Airforce in Benin and I was involved in Operation Restore Hope, that one day it will get to this. I was advising the militants at that time, I said, ‘Look, when you keep kidnapping all these white people, when they run away, you will start kidnapping your fathers and your mothers’. And that is exactly what is happening and Nigeria is an environment of copycats; so a lot of people see that in the NigerDelta they are kidnapping and getting money, the youths elsewhere will copy. Whether it’s in Lagos or Nasarawa, they will copy.

So, that is the stage that we are in.

But the most worrisome thing is that of the Fulani herdsmen. I think in all the anti-social activities that are happening in the NigerDelta, the Fulani herdsmen top the league. Whether in terms of rape, murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, destruction of people’s farms, name it. I think regarding this phenomenon, we have not done our analysis very well. I am of the strong view that this Fulani menace is linked to Boko Haram. I will give you a simple explanation.

For instance, there is this phenomenon we refer to as climate change. Before, in the North, our fears, as Nigerians, as far as the environment was concerned, were desertification. With climate change, we are now having flood in Sokoto, Maiduguri. The whole of the North is now having rain more than before. The phenomenon,

when I was growing up, is that just, by December, you have these Fulani cattle rearers. In fact what told us that they were coming was the presence of cattle eaglets. Once you see cattle eaglets, you knew that Fulani people were coming. Now, there is rain even in December in the North, so there is grass there. So, why are they trekking thousands of kilometres to the South to look for grass? In our analysis, we must think outside the box and think deeply. It is not the traditional Fulani herdsmen that we are seeing. In fact, most of them are not Nigerians. The average Fulani herdsmen are not violent. I have been seeing them since I was growing up, they were not killing people, they were not carrying AK 47, they were not raping, so, why all of a sudden, 2012 to 2015, that the Fulanis have just metamorphosed into a very violent group?

What is the way forward?

The way forward is what I cannot articulate here. I will articulate it at the appropriate forum, but to give you an idea, I think those that are not Nigerians should be sent back to their countries. They have abused and misused the goodwill and the open handedness of Nigerians. People will hide under the ECOWAS protocol.

ECOWAS protocol allows the free movement of people across borders.

They didn’t say you should come and start trespassing and damaging properties or killing because you have the right to move from point A to B. What is your advice to government on moving Nigeria forward?

I think I have always agreed with the President on most of what he does and what he says; you know if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill us. That is why I am advising that he should leave the economy for a group of economists and he should face this anti-corruption war he is pursuing. I am 100 percent in support of him. Currently, I am not unemployed but I am ready to do anything as far as anti-corruption is concerned. So I think if we can fight corruption to a standstill, we will be great again. I remember when I was joining the Airforce, I didn’t know anybody. I just saw the advert and applied, did the interview and was taken. When I was to go to England to learn how to fly, I went to the Nigerian Airforce Headquarters and the corporals then will call me; at that time, I wasn’t even an officer yet but they knew I would become an officer: ‘Sir, have you gotten your warm clothing allowance?’ If I said no, they will say, `Okay, go to that room and fill the form’, and they would give me my allowance. 36 years later, when I retired, as a twostar general, an Air Vice Marshal, up till today, I don’t even know what my entitlements are, nobody is telling me.

And you are not asking questions?

There is no place to find out, even with my knowledge of finance. I read the Pensions Reform Act and my calculations of what I am entitled to, but when, eventually, I got what I was given as gratuity, I almost had heart attack. As an Air Vice Marshal, I am not going to hide it, my gratuity was N5.33 million. N5.33million after 36 years? There is a cousin of mine that worked with Shell as auxiliary police, he worked for only five years; when he decided to leave on his own, he was paid more than five million. I am telling you that when I got that money, I almost died, I couldn’t believe it.

Meanwhile, my friend retired from the NNPC at that time and collected hundreds of millions.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Use of card reader didn’t violate any law—Igini SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY Barr. Mike Igini is a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo and Cross River States. In this interview, he expresses shock over the judgments of the Supreme Court on the card reader and warns that the verdicts could spell doom for the nation’s electoral process.

Excerpts:

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s one who publicly can vassed the use of the card reader for election, what do you make of its rejection by courts?

It is a tragedy for Nigeria because it will reverse our democratic fortune. Any answer I give to this question will not be complete without contextualizing the need for the card reader and the consequences of the latest development. Elections in Nigeria have often times been bedeviled by efforts to ensure predetermined outcomes. Whereas the essence of the design of election is to make the outcome as uncertain as possible to increase the credibility of the process, due to the constant attempts by contestants/candidates and their sponsors to diminish this uncertainty by manipulating the election process, management structures and managers have undergone many reforms. For instance, between 1959 and 1999, the name of the election management agency in Nigeria has changed five times from ECN in 1959, to FEDECO in 1963, then NEC in 1986, NECON in 1993 and INEC in 1999. In addition, the governing body of the institution has been reconstituted 13 times between 1958 and 2004, making it about 18 times if you add the reconstitution of the leadership since 2004 to 2015, namely Maurice Iwu, Chief Soyebi, Professor Jega, Mrs Zakari and Professor Mahmood Yakubu. Furthermore, the process has undergone many changes to voter registration, voting in the form of, hidden balloting (pre-Nwosu era), open balloting (Humphrey Nwosu period), and currently modified open balloting (postNwosu era). We have also had modifications in the ballot papers and result sheets with customization LGA by LGA to polling units, modifications in time of delivery of materials, release of results from wide time frames to immediately after vote counting at the polling unit, collation of results, changes to collation and returning officers as well as presiding officers to graduate cadres and federal civil servants and university lecturers. We have equally had changes to duration of dispute resolution. In these process

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changes, the introduction of the card reader was meant to reduce subjectivity and increase the fidelity of voter verification from the voter register, a previous weakness that allowed for multiple voting and inflated election results. In all of these changes, we can see that one thing has been missing. We have been modifying everything, election process, election management structure and election managers, without modifying the behaviour of participants. This is the one and only remaining weak link.

If the card reader and all other reforms must make sense and endure, the time has come to concentrate on modifying the behavior of election participants through the creation and institutionalization of an Electoral Offences Commission to identify, investigate and punish electoral offenders, until this is done we will continue to have controversies. The control of human behaviour is usually in two forms, normative and descriptive.

Normative control involves voter education which INEC has been doing, cultural sanctions and ostracism, but descriptive control requires laws and statutes prescribing punishment such as prison terms, and prolonged or life ban from participation in politics.

If we have been doing that, maybe our system would have weeded off many negative elements by now.

Doubts have been cast on the legal status of the card reader for the 2015 elections and its possible future use for elections given the judgment of the Supreme Court. Can we clear these equivocations in simple clear terms for the voting public to understand what is at stake?

First, nobody has shown us the provision of either the Constitution or the Electoral Act that card reader has breached, except this constant confusion over the card reader with respect to voter authentication and voting that are separate procedures; as seen in the decisions of the tribunals on many state Houses of Assembly election cases across the country that did not attract the attention of Nigerians until recent governorship matters. I have been worried since last year and l voiced my concern over the future of our elections if the card reader is not given its prime revolutionary place in our electoral system. My colleagues both in the Bar and Bench involved in election petition matters should remember that the accreditation process is different

•Mike Igini from actual voting carried out at different times and should not be confused or mixed together, as it appears has happened, leading to the decisions reached by the courts most unfortunately. The act of voting begins with handing the identified/authenticated voter a ballot paper to cast a ballot. But before a person qualifies to express that choice, a presiding officer by law must first be satisfied that the voter is qualified or eligible to vote, and is in the place where he/she is duly registered as required under Section 49(1)(2) of the Act. It should be noted that by virtue of the combined effect of the powers conferred on INEC under paragraph 15(a) of the Constitution to “organize, undertake, supervise and in particular Section 153 of the Act; the power to issue regulations, guidelines and manuals for the conduct of election, the Commission, in its determined efforts to strengthen the integrity of the voter register, designed and produced the permanent voter card (PVC), with a lot of security features to be used with the card reader for accreditation. Voter authentication and the use of the card reader, therefore, is only important for the identification or verification of only those voters who actually turned out for accreditation instead voting on behalf of people who didn’t come out to vote that is made possible with manual register alone that one can tick to justify returns. Card reader has not in any way violated any known law but rather strengthened the provision of Section 49 of the Act. In effect, you are saying that the card reader’s use did not violate Section 49 of the Act now in contention?

Absolutely not. The card reader verification of identity helps to objectively satisfy the presiding officer to qualify the voter at the time of accreditation to be issued a bal-

The card reader verification of identity helps to objectively satisfy the presiding officer to qualify the voter at the time of accreditation to be issued a ballot paper, so that he or she can cast a ballot at the time of voting

lot paper, so that he or she can cast a ballot at the time of voting. It is a condition precedent to voting as stated in Section 49 of the Electoral Act and not the actual voting as has been interpreted wrongly. Section 49 talks of the satisfaction of the presiding officer and issuing ballot to a voter to proceed and vote. But its common knowledge that accreditation usually precedes voting and all the processes regarding accreditation are contained in the guidelines and manuals. Frankly, in terms of legality, I don’t see where any confusion should come in. INEC introduced this process of verification because it is an operational process during an election; it doesn’t need to go back to the National Assembly to seek approval for the development of an operational process for voter identification, since the National Assembly, by the instruction of the Act, has already said the Presiding Officer should be satisfied that the voter is authentic. It is left to the election managers to devise an objective way of ensuring that satisfaction is reached with minimal equivocation using a simple device like the card reader. In fact, let me take you through stages of realizing the road goal of a free, fair and credible election because it may be easier to understand this from a policy process analysis. We have to look at it from the three types of policy, from policy formulation to implementation. The Constitution and political leaders express a broad vision that, as a nation, we should conduct elections to elect people to occupy the offices created by the Constitution in Chapters 5 and 6 and the time-frame to do so and nothing more. This is a political policy statement that is generic, it does not go down to explain details of how it would be accomplished; it gives the broad goal, namely, the need to conduct elections and the body or institution like INEC charged with that responsibility.

The legislature then gives more specific directions in form of an executive policy on how to meet this goal, in form of an Electoral Act, that spells out how to verify the identity of a voter, creating role players in the form of a presiding officer to be responsible for this.

To operationalize an executive policy, affected departments make departmental policies, through its powers to issue and use guidelines and manuals. The affected department, in this case INEC, creates and circulates the guidelines,

Continues on page 35

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE35

Why I left Labour Party —Ajulo, ex-scribe

BY DAPO AKINREFON Mr Kayode Ajulo, until recently, was the National Secretary of the Labour Party. In this interview, he explains why he left the party and debunks speculations that he may have been picked to succeed the outgoing governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

What prompted your resignation as the National Secretary of Labour Party? know that voluntarily res ignation seems strange in our culture, but I see nothing wrong in bowing out if situation demands it. I contested for the exalted office based on certain projection, understanding and specific goals to give the Nigerian people, masses and workers a platform to actualize their political expectation. However, in life, there are times when the environment may not be conducive; where things seem to be out of order and not working out the way you projected it.

How true is it that Gov. Mimiko is considering you as his successor?

Successor to Dr Mimiko as the governor of Ondo State should not be a thing that should be shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. I doubt the news as I have not been informed by Dr Mimiko in any of our conversations.

In any case, is it the governor that solely appoints a successor or the party or the people of the state?

Yes, Dr Mimiko is the primus in the state, a leader who has given a good account of himself and a leader of men, and I know he must have a say in who his successor is, but Governor Mimiko

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Mr Kayode Ajulo that I know won’t just unilaterally call ‘A or B’ and say I am considering you for governor. Certainly, he won’t play god in this manner. I think we need to outgrow this idea of godfatherism.

People need to understand that leaders emerge through a process of thorough-going, self-criticism and self-development.

A process that is progressive will surely throw up many potential leaders out of which one will ultimately emerge. So that process and the legacy being put in place, as well as the footprint is more important. So nobody should begin to bother their head over whether the governor is grooming a successor or not.

In your view, what type of personality do you think Ondo State needs as Mimiko’s successor?

The state is made of dynamic, industrious, egalitarian, progressive, enlightened and sophisticated people. We are discerning in my state; my people are accommodating, and whosoever that should be the next governor must have the combination of these

There are serious allegations of corruption emanating from states against some of the APC chieftains, even those serving in the present government which nobody is talking about. qualities. He must also have the courage to break new grounds in the area of economic diversification and social engineering, more especially in this era of dwindling oil fortunes.

Are you contesting the Ondo State governorship election?

We are all political animals. I must say I have received in recent time unprecedented calls to contest the poll, but nothing is as good as using your tongue to count your teeth and I have made it clear to my people at several fora that my present preoccupation is to face my law practice, lecture my students, engage myself in projects that promote humanity and positively develop my world.

What is your take on the ongoing war against corruption?

Let me begin by saying that corruption is a cankerworm that must be dealt with in our system.

As the founder of Egalitarian Mission Africa, one of my motivations was excising this cankerworm. Any government that fails to address the issue of corruption does not deserve to be taken

seriously by the people. However, some important baselines have to be established.

The fight against corruption cannot just be limited to the immediate past regime, just as it must not be limited to past civilian regime, while shielding past military leaders some of whom were actually the architects of corruption in Nigeria. The civil service has to be close marked and scrutinized in order to stamp out this scourge.

Another important aspect of the ongoing war and which some of us are still watching closely is that it would appear as if it is directed more at members and allies of the PDP, while APC members, as well as members of the PDP and other parties that have jumped ship seem to enjoy a kind of immunity. There are serious allegations of corruption emanating from states against some of the APC chieftains, even those serving in the present government which nobody is talking about.

Government cannot fight it alone; individuals and organisations have roles to play. Our legislators need to pass laws to open the space. In Ghana today, they have a novel Whistleblower Law, with which some corrupt judges were recently exposed through intervention of a lone masked journalist. Allow people to watch themselves, let them watch the watchers. Let’s open the space for private prosecutors and come and see how the mighty would be falling.

Finally, we must not also wait until when somebody commit crime before running after him like what of some of our traffic wardens are doing, but we must

create a system that makes such crime impossible and undesirable like the new salary paying system.

Are you surprised with the revelations emanating from the arms deal probe?

In Nigeria, we have been through a lot and nothing should surprise anyone again. Maybe, the way to put it is whether one is angry at the level of impunity.

We have not succeeded in building enduring institutions. Government, its functions and funds are often personalised. We only pay lip service to the rule of law and separation of power. So, it is not surprising when you hear of a National Security Adviser barging into the Central Bank to cart away billions of Naira in the name of security and money being shared recklessly to cronies. The truth is, it was done in the past, they did it and we must never allow anybody to bamboozle us that it was a novel invention under Jonathan. What we must demand is an end to this and prosecution of those found culpable in accordance with the law.

Again, understanding that the money was purportedly meant for electioneering campaign, I think it will be interesting for EFCC to look into the books of all the parties. The major parties spent huge sums of money on campaign, billions and billions of naira. Where did they get the money? Where for instance did those state governors that funded APC campaign get the money, when they could not pay salaries? Were there cases of money laundering at state level, just as we are now being told took place at federal level?

Use of car d reader didn’t violat card violatee an anyy law—Igini Continued from page 34 manual or codes of practice to stakeholders for comments as was done, and when all doubts and objections have been cleared, the governing body of INEC approved it for use as the Commission’s policy guiding the extant election. What law has been violated and, what is wrong with this ? I have taken time to explain these processes of policy formulation from political to executive and then departmental policy, to appreciate the legal basis of the card reader as it relates to the verification of the identity of a voter prior to offering the voter a ballot paper. This hierarchy of policies is necessary to allow for flexibility in operations because the higher the order of laws, the more difficult they are to adapt to required field changes, hence greater specificity and details are required from the departmental policy makers who are the operational implementers. Historically, the identification/verification of eligible voters has been a serious operational issue that has undermined efforts to create a credible voter register. The introduction of the card reader to strengthen Section 49 of the Electoral Act has helped to minimize the historical problems of massive election manipulation characterized by bogus moonlight and landslide figures that some folks want us to return to at this stage. Above all, we must not forget that the card reader was funded under the law and that is the 2013 and 2014 Appropriation Acts passed

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by the National Assembly. The card reader was taken to the Senate for demonstration and subsequently tested in 12 states of the federation successfully with no objection. Why now?

But there are those who insist that the card reader is a violation of the Electoral Act as some of your colleagues have argued in court and the recent position of the Supreme Court appears to justify their position?

I don’t agree that the Supreme Court judgments prescribe a redundancy for the card reader. We must make that distinction because, in law, the distinction of meaning and hermeneutic clarity is very important. Although the Supreme Court explanatory notes for its judgments is yet to be released as l speak to you now, however, excepts from the Ebonyi governorship judgment delivered on February 5, clearly shows that there is a serious misunderstanding of the process as contained in section 49 and the usual accreditation process carried out separately at different times from actual voting that Section 49(2) refers to partly and here lies the misdirection about compliance with the voting process in totality as against compliance with voter identification or the accreditation process. We must not forget that in the last elections, a number of people who were accredited, some went home and never came back to vote, while others didn’t show up at all. Now, with just a manual register alone, an induced and satisfied presiding

officer can tick all the names at any time as having voted, but with a card reader this is difficult if not impossible because the card reader records the time every voter was accredited on the memory and here lies the distinction between accreditation period which is different from voting time. Compliance with voter identification/verification has two options: The use of the card reader with the register and, where this is not possible for technical or other cogent and verifiable reasons, the use of an incident form and the ticking of the left hand side of the register against the voter without denying him/her. Eventually, total votes cast would always be reconciled with the incidence form.

Therefore, compliance with either is compliance, provided these verifications were satisfactory to the presiding officer and they correlate with other audit trails. The audit trail which should be provable in dispute resolution should include the evidence that the affected voters did present themselves at the polling unit, were duly registered with a register of collected PVC to prove this, listing in the manual register on same date, corroborating evidence of card the reader indicating the total number of accredited voters as an audit trail report.

What would be the fate of future elections, now that the Supreme Court has shut down the use of the card reader?

No, the apex court has not shut down the use of the card reader

in our elections though that appears to be the overwhelming and very disappointing feeling of Nigerians, except something contrary and categorical in the expected reasons is stated to that effect. The confusion l see from the given reasons of the Ebonyi guber election case appears to indicate that people are mixing up the verification/accreditation process of Section 49, which is separate and ought to be separated from voting process. The number of accredited voters must be ascertained, announced and recorded in the form EC8A at the close of accreditation before voting that commences at 1:30 pm and, at the end of voting, the total number of votes cast should tally with the number of accredited voters; it could be less but cannot be more, it should not be far less than total votes recorded for candidates and must not exceed total number of accredited voters or number of registered voters, otherwise, it will be canceled in accordance with Section 53 of the Act. The introduction of the card reader is within the autonomy of the Commission as an independent umpire to organize and undertake the process of conducting election in Nigeria.

The Electoral Act says that for a voter to be given a ballot paper to vote, the presiding officer must be satisfied that the voter is an authentic voter. In our daily life, when you present a cheque in a bank, the paying officer does not go back to the financial regulators or legislature to direct how to verify your

identity as an account holders.

Similarly WAEC, JAMB and so on do not require the legislature to redirect them on how to verify the identity of exam candidates. These are done in the most effective manner through departmental policies in the form of operational codes or practices, guidelines and manuals. The difficulties with our people in complying with a simple method of digital verification as it affects voters is because people want to rig elections and are determined to avoid transparency in the process of identifying voters. Some of us are not fooled by the deliberate hurdle or road-block being mounted against the use of the card reader and do not expect this resistance to die without a fight. We should not forget our terrible and shameful electoral history all through the first republic when we had just one frame of reference which is the manual register, and has been been used serially to declare fake and bogus figures of “moonlight” and “landslide” victory votes until the current efforts to clean up now with the use of the card reader. Today, there is an electronically compiled national register of voters with the biometric data of each voter to corroborate the number of voters in any one polling unit, which makes such ballot stuffing a joke in today’s scenario.Going forward, what we should be thinking of is how to strengthen the use of the card reader with technology and not how to make it redundant.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

EDO 2016: Why I want to succeed Oshiomhole – Edebiri

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

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HIEF Solomon Edebiri was the revelation during the 2012 governorship election debate organized for candidates in Edo State. His policy plans and what he would do to bring the state out of the woods when elected then endeared him to the people of the state. But then, he was contesting the election on the platform of the now defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a party that was not so popular in Edo. He however came third in the election that was held that year on April 22.

Buoyed by the outcome of that election, Edebiri has once again thrown his hat into the Edo governorship ring for the July 2016 election. Asked why he has decided to contest again, he had this to say, “I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). My first and primary assignment now is to convince leaders and members that I am best suited for the governorship position.

“Looking at where the PDP is coming from, the party certainly needs a man that can bring the unity of the party back, a man who can create hope for the people, a man who can re-build the party. If you look at the party against the backdrop of where it is coming from, the party needs a unifier. PDP does not needs anybody that will divide the party into factions.”

He went on: “So, our primary focus now is to ensure that we go to the primary successfully and then to the field. I enjoy a lot of public support and I am very confident that if the PDP can trust me with their mandate, Edo people will trust me with their larger mandate to govern the state. That informs my

commitment to this struggle, that, yes the people have watched me over the years; they have seen my antecedents, and believe that this is the time.”

When asked to comment on how the PDP can avoid the mistakes of the past which caused it to remain in the opposition for almost eight years, he said that every political party has challenges.

“So, if APC is having one or two problems, I don’t see it as crisis and, before you know it, everybody will come together and they will continue to work as a party. So, to me, APC has done eight years, PDP had served their eight years tenure before; so the people of Edo are the best judge and analyze the state of the state and now agree, if this party did this and that, who should we trust with our mandate in the 2016 election?

“I also want you to know that it was Adams Oshiomhole’s name that won him the mandate in 2007 and 2012, not the name of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The party used Adams’ name and rode to victory. PDP should also look for a name that can sell the party and use that person to sell the party. PDP must be very careful not to select anybody that the people may not want. I am not here to speak on behalf of other candidates; I am here to say that if they can trust me with the mandate, the people will be grateful to the PDP by voting the party.”

As a man who has interests in several business concerns, the aspirant believed the best thing any state can enjoy from a very good government is to become an income generating state not just through VAT. “We seem to be limiting our IGR to VAT, taxing people; market women, taxi drivers and hotel

•Edebiri owners etc. The best way to generate income for the state is to make it an export, manufacturing state, a production state. If Edo State becomes the largest producer of rice in West Africa, is there something wrong with it? It is simple mathematics. If I ship out ten millions of bags of rice every month and I tax each bag N500, do you know how much billions of naira is that every month and do I need to tax anybody?” he said.

Edebiri promised to introduce in the state an agro-system based on one local government one crop system if elected governor.”If we can endow them with one commercial crop, for instance, cassava in Uhuwmnode, timber in Ovia North-East, groundnut in Akoko-Edo etc, and we now harvested and commercialize it, bringing in the factories, we are producing and selling outside, then Edo State will be industrialized and become a tourism destination,” he stated.

“You cannot find a five-star hotel in Edo State. So, how do you host an international conference? There when there is no hotel; there is no conference centre that can take 5000 people. So, why would people bring an international conference here. There

is no exhibition hall that can properly take 500 exhibitors at the same time.

So, why do we bring in international exhibitors? These are changes that we will bring into governance and we will not remember that woman in the market to be taxed N50, N100 per day, Our major focus is to bring in fresh things to the state and make sure that they are utilized.

“That is the only way we can fight unemployment; that is the only way we get the youths engaged and that is the only way we can reduce youth restiveness, crime and fight poverty.”

Commenting on money politics that seems to be a challenge in the country, Edebiri said, “We will continue to fight the political virus and, to be honest with you, it is going to be difficult to eliminate it. But we will do the best we can to reduce it to the barest minimum.

I have had a lot of people come to say they want to work, they don’t want my money and that is a change for me.

People are now beginning to realize that there is conscience and we will continue to push for that.”

He insisted that the PDP is deemphasizing god fatherism and wants to return power to the people. “And that was how the biometric registration of party members was introduced. People can be rest assured that those you called god fathers now sit down and listen to the people. They now ask questions.

The era of saying ‘we have said it, go and do it’ is over. The people are now asking, ‘there are five PDP aspirants in the field, who do you think will serve the state better?’If the leader discovers that eight of the ten voters will be one side, he will take the right decision. I sincerely believe that once the PDP National Convention ratifies the Ekweremandu’s report as it is, the party will be on the verge of returning to the people.”

As a sportsman and one man had funded a football club, the defunct Bendel United in Edo state, he advised government to look at sports holistically even though he agreed that much attention should be given to football because it has the highest followership throughout the world.

How we will mak or Kw ar a— Go makee N5billion monthly ffor Kwar ara— Govv Ahmed

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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f the postulation of Governor Abdul fatah Ahmed is anything to go by of ficials of Kwara State government collecting it’s internally generated revenue (IGR) before now have been doing serious disservice to the government by diverting it’s money to private pockets.

According to him,”a desk review of the previous revenue collection process showed we were losing about N5 billion annually, due to inefficiency and leakages”.

Consequent upon the dwindled federal monthly allocations from N3.5b to N1.4b,the governor on Monday, commissioned the state Internal Revenue Service edifice,with the take off mandate to generate the N5billion said to have been stolen annually, now monthly, back to the purse of the government. “Let me also use this opportunity to reassure the people of Kwara that KWIRS was not established to impose fresh taxes”,the governor stated.

Sunday Vanguard checks revealed that the daunting reality that the dwindled monthly federal allocations and the paltry N600million it used to generate,would not in any way make the government meet up with its financial challenges to all stakeholders in the state,made the option imperative as teachers and local government workers in the state have been on strike over non-payment of salaries.

Present at the ceremony were captains of industry in the state,traditional rulers, artisans, transport unions,owners of various private schools and tertiary institutions and other stakeholders who are targets of tax payment.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ahmed explained that the aim of the agenda” is to ensure that

•Governor Ahmed Kwara is economically viable and self-sufficient, rising from our current position to achieve the second highest IGR per capita in Nigeria by 2019.”

He pointed out that it was imperative that the IGR of the state was aligned with current realities, stressing: “The recent fall in global crude oil prices has led to a significant decrease in the funds available for distribution to federal, state and local government from the Federation Account”.The governor went on: “Our allocation dropped from an average of N3.4b to N1.4b monthly.

To put this reduction in perspective, the state government requires N2.4b monthly for workers’ salary alone”. According to Ahmed, when loopholes in revenue collection system are blocked, accruable revenues to the state government accurately and promptly remitted, the target would be achieved. “One of the strategies we identified was to restructure our revenue collection system. Notwithstanding our best efforts, however, the defunct Board of Internal Revenue consistently failed to meet its set target of one billion Naira monthly, despite getting the necessary assistance from

the state government “.

“It became evident that we needed to align IGR with current realities by changing the people, processes and technology for revenue collection. We opted for an automated system that simplifies tax payment, eliminates multiple taxation, ensures greater transparency and blocks loopholes”.

He stressed that in line with this determination, government sponsored a bill to abrogate the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) and create the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS). “Following the passage of that bill, I signed it into law, establishing the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) with the mandate to mobilize revenue, block leakages and expand Kwara State’s revenue base with a monthly target of 5 billion Naira .”

“Aside from changing the people and remunerating them well with the provision of a well conducive environment to work, we have also changed the process with new General Receipts, Motor Licence Certificates, Tax Clearance Certificates and Consolidated Vehicle documents with more security devices”.

The governor maintained that the new IGR target is a significant increase from the N800m Kwara used to generate. “Indeed, some people are of the opinion that this target is unrealistic. I disagree. Kwara state, I am convinced, has the population, commerce, resources and opportunities necessary for achieving that target of N60 billion annually”, Ahmed said.

“Therefore, through the newly established Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) we intend to plug loop holes in our revenue collection system and ensure that all revenues accruable to the state government are remitted accurately and promptly”.

The governor said that by ensuring growth in the various sectors of the economy, and providing a conducive business environment, the state government aimed to attract new investments to Kwara, promote additional economic development and increase taxable revenue.

“Furthermore, we have started broadening our economic base by taking advantage of emerging opportunities in Solid Mineral Development and expanding our agribusiness drive. The subsequent growth in our revenues will not only enhance the lives of our people through better infrastructure, we also expect to see an increase in opportunities for collective prosperity”, he stated. To achieve the set objective, Ahmed flagged off the Kwara Resident Identification Number (KRIN), and Kwara State Revenue Court.

On KRIN, he explained that a unique number would be allocated to Kwara residents to enable them access government’s services while also serving as a form of identification.

He urged residents of the state to take advantage of the free registration for KRIN to guarantee access to services such as education, health and other social goods.

On the Revenue Court, Ahmed explained that it was in compliance with the Kwara State Revenue Administration Law 2015 which created the state Internal Revenue Service. He, however, said,”We have chosen to systematically move our revenue journey from the locomotive train that has dragged it from about N100m monthly to N600m monthly between 2003 and 2010, and to about N850m in 2014.

As we embark on the journey we ask that you tighten your belt and enjoy your flight as we coast on the journey”.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 PAGE — 37

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OMETHING despicable has just happened to over 2,000 poor Nigerians allocated land in Gwagwalada, a thriving suburb of Abuja. The strategic piece of land, measuring over 200 hectares, was allocated to the beneficiaries drawn from all parts of Nigeria in 1992 when the Federal Capital Territory was more of a village than a township. Then, it was like buying poverty to be given a piece of land outside Maitama and Asokoro, the two most developed and preferred districts of Abuja. The mighty and powerful who control the levers of government flock around the two areas while the poor seek solace in Nyanya, Suleja and Gwagwalada and other slumps that have sprung up near the FCT. However, the land allocated to these ordinary Nigerians was properly laid out and advertised by the Federal Government under its Site and Services Scheme through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (FMLUD). That was in 1992 when Gwagwalada was nothing but a thick bush burnished by searing sun, ravaged by insecurity and desecrated by land speculators.

But the ever optimistic and patriotic Nigerians, who had unwavering faith in the system, damned the negative factors and invested their money in the said area. As a result, as soon as the FMLUD advertised for the sale of the land, the allottees went forward, filled the papers and paid for the land.

In one of the allocations made with Ref No: FCT/SAS/GWAL/LD/ 73, the then Lands Allocation Committee approved and released allocations to the over 2,000 Nigerians for the building of houses. To underscore the importance attached to the project, the Federal Government specifically designated the estate as a low density facility and clearly marked out the area from other programmes slated for Gwagwalada.

All the allottees were given the land for an initial period of 99 years and to pay premium ranging from N1000 to N3000 depending on the size of their plots while the ground rent, due for review every ten years, was pegged at N100 only.

It was a thing of joy for most of the beneficiaries, who are civil servants to be granted such allocations by government and their joy knew no bounds, especially as the price of land and house rents began to hit the rooftops as the years went by and owning a house in any part of the FCT became a status symbol.

Although the allottees might have found it difficult to clear their premium at once due to the paucity of funds at the time the land was given to them, most of them had paid up their premiums and collected their title deeds such as Certificates of Occupancy.

Armed with their papers, many of them also began building on their plots to change their status from mere tenants to landlords in Abuja.

For such persons, they hold the former Minister of Works and Housing, Maj. General Abdulkarim Adisa, who signed their CoO in the year 1998 in high esteem and will always be grateful to him for his benevolence and vision to assist them poor and the weak to own houses in the FCT. But laudable as the scheme was meant to be, the high hopes and expectations of the allottees were cut short sometimes in 2014. At that time, the then Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development summoned all the land owners to report at the headquarters of the ministry with

•A bulldozer at work at the disputed site

Fashola must hear this: 2,000 indigent FG land allottees in Gwagwalada swindled by officials

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor their original letters of allocation, acceptance letters, payment of premium and any other documents that would ascertain their ownership of the land in question. The allottees complied, producing all the documents required and thanking their stars for having fully paid for their plots. For this class, they were merely waiting for the government to provide the promised Site/Services like access road, power and water to enable them to move into the site and fully develop their houses and move into them. Some others, who did not want to wait for the government had gone ahead and erected houses on their plots pending when the needed infrastructure promised by the government would spring up in the massive estate.

But how wrong were they believe that government was serious with its promise to provide services for them after allocating them the said plots of land? Perhaps, looking at the strategic location of the land and considering the value it has acquired over the years and coupled with the amount of money it can make in real terms, the FMLUD quietly confiscated the said plots of land and converted it to a strange programme called Public Private Partnership Mass Housing Scheme.

In doing so, however, none of the original allottees was informed that his land had been taken over by the same government that allocated it to them.

They were not also considered as beneficiaries of the new PPP Mass Housing Scheme, which was put in place on the last administration.

By the time the owners of the plots reported on their land a few weeks after verifying their ownership, the story changed. The land owners saw strange things on their site which crushed their spirit and made them to smell a rat at once.

In place of their property, the allottees saw huge bulldozers clearing the site and pulling down any structures on sight without uttering a word of comfort to them. They are dazed and short of words.

One of the allottees, a widow and retiree, who gave her name as Mrs.

Work was still in progress when the former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development directed us sometime in 2014 to come forward for what they called “VERIFICATION OF TITLES” and we all appeared with our title deeds and were duly verified and ascertained as the bonafide allottees

Fasat Niagwa, said she had hoped to complete her house and move in before long, told Sunday Vanguard that what had been done to her could be likened to a rape and robbery.

Another disappointed allottee, Fashade Lola, complained that her building, nearing completion, was pulled down by the bulldozers sent in by the former minister of lands and her officials.

In a strongly-worded petition to the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the complainants asked him to urgently intervene and recover their land for them.

They accused the former minister of taking their allocations and giving them to politicians.

They said: “We had fully paid for these plots and were duly issued with relevant titles deeds including the certificate of occupancy and many of the allottees had moved to their plots and started some preliminary construction work at their own pace.

“Work was still in progress when the former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development directed us sometime in 2014 to come forward for what they called “VERIFICATION OF TITLES” and we all appeared with our title deeds and were duly verified and ascertained as the bonafide allottees.

“Surprisingly, we later got to know that the then Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had confiscated the entire plots under the National Site and Services Scheme in Gwagwalada and converted it to a strange and illegal so-called ‘Public Private Partnership Mass Housing Scheme’ without the knowledge and involvement of the allottees. As if that is not provocative enough, agents of the former Minister moved into our already developed plots and bulldozed the structures on ground to give way for their illegality.

“Our plots were never revoked but illegally encroached upon and confiscated by the former minister and her agents. They have commenced development on the land, destroying existing structures on and have bringing untold hardship on us the valid owners of the plots.

Turning to Fashola, they stranded allotteess said: “We know you are a man of unquestionable pedigree with zero tolerance for impunity, injustice and flagrant abuse of the right of Nigerian citizens under any guise such as has been meted out on us by your predecessors in office.

“We write this letter in protest to draw your attention to our plight and the injustice we and thousands of other Nigerians who are beneficiaries of this scheme have suffered in the hands of the past administration. Our cursory investigation shows that our plots were illegally seized and allocated to political cronies at the expense of the real allottees with valid titles.

“We aware of your antecedents as the Executive Governor in Lagos State for eight years and we strongly believe that you are still the same incorruptible, fearless and God-fearing BRF who cannot stand by and watch this happen to helpless Nigerians.

“We plead with you today to kindly step in and restore our plots to us in the interest of justice, equity and fair play which are the hallmark of this administration,” the allottees pleaded with the minister.

However, when contacted on the development, the immediate past Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, said she did not do anything personal on the said land and that whatever might have happened there was done in the national interest.

Eyakenyi told Vanguard that she could not have taken anybody’s land and converted to her personal use given her desire to make more houses available to Nigerians when she was at the ministry.

“I could not have done anything against my oath of office and there was no way I could have taken a decision against the overall national interest,” she said.

But as the dire situation confronts the poor land allottees, clipping their hopes in the balance, fear, anxiety and desperation have enveloped their troubled lives. And all they ask is: “Can Fashola remove this burdensome nightmare from their necks and make them smile once again?”.

Attached, are pictures of the bulldozers clearing the land with property of the original owners for the PPP Massing Housing Scheme.

PAGE 38 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Blame Borno people for prolonged Boko Haram attacks — Magoro

By Ben Agande, Abuja.

E N E R A L G Muhammadu Magoro (rtd), former

Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR (c), the Thailand Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Chailert Limsomboon (2nd left), Chief of Staff to the Katsina state Governor, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda (1st left), SA Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr. Lawal Usman Bagiwa and an official of the Thai Embassy when the Thai Envoy paid a courtesy call on the Governor at the Katsina Governor ’s Lodge, Abuja last Tuesday

Minister of Internal Affairs, has blamed the people of Borno State for the continued menace of the Boko Haram group, saying that if the people had exposed members of the group, they would have been defeated.

In an interview with journalists in Abuja, General Magoro said since over 80% of members of the Boko Haram sect are of the Kanuri ethnic group, the onus is on the people of the state to expose them since they know who they

are.

According to him, the military can only perform optimally if they are provided with credible intelligence by members of the public, especially the people of Borno state.

“When I was in the National Assembly we went to Borno State and we had discussion with the governor of Borno State. He disclosed to us that of the members of the Boko Haram, 80 percent of them are Kanuris.

Now if 80 percent of them are Kanuris, then we should make the best use of the Kanuris to penetrate and get intelligence on the sect.

The big question is why have we failed to do that?

We should be able to do that if they are Kanuri.

Almost 90 percent of the indigenes of Borno State are Kanuris. If we make use of them, get intelligence report, we would have gotten over this issue. but above all is the participation of the citizen. They must be prepared to contribute their quota,” he said.

According to him, members of the sect drive brand new cars, how do they come in, how do they get them? These are the kind of information we need which is intelligence but why can’t we get them? This is the big question, we should ask ourselves. If there is any failure, it is on our own part as the citizens. So I want to call on all Nigerians to take part in (tackling) this insurgency by making available information which will be intelligence for the security agencies,” he said.

He however praised the present military onslaught on the members of the sect, saying that members of the military have changed their orientation and are now committed to fighting the insurgents without fear.

Rev Adetoro admonishes on good conduct

N

IGERIANS, irrespective of religion, tribe, creed, discipline or political leanings, have been admonished to live in God’s honesty, faithfulness and genuine service to God and mankind in order to turn around positively the society and the nation even as they were also enjoined to honestly love one another, genuinely starting from home,society and the nation at large.

These remarks were made by Rt. Revd Hezekiah Adeleke Adetoro, Bishop of Agege Diocese,in his sermon at the 9th Annual Conference Thanksgiving Service and Merit Awards of the United African Methodist Evangelical Cathedral Church, Lagos.

The cleric bemoaned the unfortunate decadence in the society and the nation largely due to gross dishonesty, loss of social values and greed.

Adetoro reiterated the need for Nigerians to key their lives and destiny to the dictates expectations and adherence to His rules even as he enjoined couples to be honest with one another. He therefore reminded all concerned to justify God’s expectations for a better society,disciplined nation and transparent Leadership.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 39

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I was promised N300,000 to blackmail Abiara, 11 other pastors, ex-convict confesses

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

I

T was a job that was to fetch him N300,000. But the table was turned and, instead, a 44-year-old ex-convict, Festus Balogun, ended up in police detention where he is cooling his feet. For months, the suspect had been on the wanted list of Ondo State Police Command as detectives tried to smoke him out of his hideout, following complaints by some pastors of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) that someone was blackmailing them for pecuniary gains.

A dragnet was set for the suspect and he was apprehended. Balogun confessed to the police that he was lured into the act by a marketer who ended up duping him.

The suspect, aka “Smart”, released from Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons in December, last year, had released a compact disk (video) in which he allegedly blackmailed the 12 pastors of the church.

Balogun said he was lured into the blackmail by the marketer, who promised him an initial reward of N300,000 with more to come subsequently.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the marketer, in conjunction with the suspect, rolled out the CD, titled, Asiri Tu (secret exposed), in which he claimed that 12 prominent pastors engaged him to kill for them to gain spiritual power.

The suspect alleged that the pastors were involved in ritual killing and other fetish acts.

“Some prominent men of God, numbering 12 and namely: Pastor Samson Olueamodede of Prayer Centre Church of God, Idanre Road, Akure and Pastor Samuel Kayode Abiara, the General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide and ten others, engaged him to kill for them to gain spiritual power ”, a police source said.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard when he was paraded by the police in Akure, the suspect confessed to the alleged crime and admitted that he was convicted for cultism and imprisoned in the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons in the past.

Balogun said he had never been in contact with any of the men of God he made the allegations against in his video and had never killed in his life. He said that all what he alleged in the video were lies in a bid to make money from the victims.

The suspect denied that he was sponsored by other pastors to tarnish the image of the CAC pastors. The suspect said he saw it as a means to make quick money for his survival after his jail experience.

Balogun claimed that he was induced by a marketer in Ibafo, Ogun State, who promised to reward him with N300, 000 for the CD. A source said the suspect had given useful information on how the fleeing marketer and producer would be

•Balogun, suspect

apprehended by the police. He regretted that the marketer, after the release of the video, went underground. Balogun explained that “ the marketer has not given me anything after the video was released”.

He however pleaded that the pastors that were blackmailed should “ find a place in their hearts to forgive him” One of the 12 pastors that were blackmailed, Oluwamodede, who came to witness the confession” of the suspect, declared that he had forgiven his blackmailer. The pastor said God had vindicated him and his colleagues. He, however, urged security agencies to ensure that people who engage in such blackmailing acts are dealt with as specified by the law, so that it will serve as deterrent to others.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard after the suspect was paraded, the state Police Commissioner, Mike Ogbodu, said the “ video CD was released and sold within and outside the country.”

Urhobo HOSTCOM insists on handling pipeline surveillance contract T

he leadership of Host Com munities of Oil and Gas Nigeria, Urhobo chapter, has maintained that only indigenes of Urhobo oil and gas producing communities can effectively secure oil facilities in their land.

This was contained in a resolution dated February 9 ,2016, which was signed by Comrade Efe Okowvurie, chairman, Urhobo HOSTCOM, Rev Richard Erhurhore, sec-

retary, and chairmen of over 90 Urhobo oil and gas producing communities.

They said the Federal Government will do the needful to award the pipeline surveillance within Urhobo land to “ Urhobo Oil and Gas HOSTCOM Limited” to engage indigenes who will effectively secure the facilities because they live in the communities.

Urhobo HOSTCOM, also use the

medium to congratulate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on his Supreme Court victory and prayed that his tenure as will be a blessing to all Deltans.

It further urged all Commissioners representing Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to maintain cordial relationship with Urhobo HOSTCOM to speed up developments in Urhobo land.

Lagos property developer gets Delta title

BY FESTUS AHON n recognition of his contribution to youth development of Ubulu-OkI iti, Delta State, the Obi- in-Council has

approved the conferment of chieftaincy title on Mr Jude Edemodu, an estate agent and property developer based in Lagos.

The approval was sequel to the ‘Idanzu’ ceremony, a period traditionally approved to give titles to deserving sons and daughters of the community and outsiders who have done well in their various fields and who have contributed to the development of the community especially in the area of youths development.

Idanzu, to the people of the community, also signifies the preparation for the chieftaincy titles.

Edemodu was given the title of “Ejede I” of Ubulu-Okiti, the people’s way of saying “keep doing the good work”.

In his acceptance speech, the title re-

Onuesoke foresees bright future for Deltans

elta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, foresees D bright future for Delta State in particular and

Nigeria in general.

Onuesoke, who made the statement in Ughelli, Delta State while addressing members of Delta Government House Social Media Team on a tour of the ongoing Asaba-Ughelli dualisation project, assured that Nigeria and Delta would rise again.

He enjoined the people of the state to be patient with the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to enable his SMART agenda transform Delta for the benefit of all. The PDP chieftain appealed to the communities along the alignment of the dualisation road project to co-operate with the state government and the contractor handling the project to completion. The Social Media Team, headed by Comrade Dantes Odogwu, was elated by the level of construction work on the road by CCC.

cipient thanked God for making the event a reality.

The Idanzu was witnessed by top government functionaries and officials as well as traditional rulers from within and outside the state.

The Onishe of Ubulu-Okiti, Chief Jasper Edemodu ( R), performing the Idanzu rites on Mr Jude Edemodu on behalf of the Obi, HRM Osamedua Isaichie

From left: Member, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Olanrewaju Tejuoso; Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Chairman, House Committee on Land Transport, Hon. Aminu Sani Isa, during the Senate and House of Representatives committees on Land Transport oversight visit to Nigerian Railway Corporation in Lagos.

PAGE 40 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

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Police arrest ‘ex-Minister’s associate’ over N35m scam

By Esther Onyebula

P

olicemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) Ikeja, Lagos State have arrested a businessman, one Mr. Adelabu Adeniyi Ademola, who claimed to be an associate of a former Minister of Agriculture, over a N35 million scam.SARS officers arrested Ademola following a petition that the suspect allegedly used the former Minister’s name to swindle two

victims of the money.

According to the petition, the suspect was alleged to have informed the victims that he was setting up a pet project on behalf of the former Minister called ‘Cattle Exchange Programme’ and asked Nigerians to invest in the business and make huge returns. According to a police source, Ademola allegedly claimed to be the

manager and facilitator of the project.

“Following the assurances from the suspect, the two victims subsequently started a company which the suspect headed but, after months of investing and waiting for returns, ii was learnt that the suspect became incommunicado after he was paid N10million and N25million respectively by his victims”.

Investigations showed that the police have since arraigned the suspect on a seven-count charge bordering on false pretence, forgery, and stealing.

A Nigerian, Babatope Agbeyo, Invents Patented Multipurpose Mathematical Instruments

By Kennedy Mbele igeria is adjudged as the giant of N Africa considering her vast demography and massive population.

Despite these endowments, however, the country does not have a globally recognized product to its name.

Now, the tide is turning for good. Mr. Babatope Agbeyo, CEO of Cornfield Transnational Limited, a parent company to Media Concept International and Botosoft Technologies, recorded a major milestone through the development of intellectual patented property known as KAPTEK set of mathematical instruments with an in-built scientific calculator. The product is certified to be of high quality that meets international standards with patent number: WO 2015063586 A1, as published by Google.

“The calculator is a nonprogrammable computer having in excess of 400 functions and is manufactured with examination and/ or learning situations in mind”, an analyst familiar with the product told Sunday Vanguard. “Such a computer,

particularly one for use in examination conditions, will be silent with no audio or noisy keys, cordless in the sense of not being dependent on a mains power supply, and including dry nonprogrammable batteries. The computer will preferably have no facility for a magnetic card input or plug-in modules of program instruction. The product seamlessly has the capacity to help examination bodies like WAEC, NECO, JAMB etc, to curb malpractices”.

According to the analyst, the instrument case includes no calculator secured to or built into its lid.

“In this embodiment, the entire upper surface of the instrument case is transparent. The side walls and base of the instrument case is transparent. One main advantage of instrument cases in accordance with the invention is that they assist invigilators in preventing examinees from carrying into an examination unauthorised items which

•Babatope Agbeyo

could provide unacceptable assistance to the examinee to answer examination questions. The transparent lid of such an instrument case will either discourage items being brought into an examination or make such items more apparent to invigilators.

“The transparent lid also has the advantage of enabling a student to

Buhari urged to probe NDDC

By Kennedy Mbele

P

resident Mohammadu Buhari has been urged to probe the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since its creation 16 years ago by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In a statement at the weekend, the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) said the probe was necessary to recover billions of funds allegedly siphoned by successive leadership of the commission.

The rights group said it supports the campaign to ensure equity by appointing an indigene of Ondo State to manage the affairs of the commission but added that such a person must be prepared to probe the NDDC with the aim of recovering public funds believed to have been looted through the commission in the past 16 years.

“The NDDC is the richest agency ever set up by the Federal Government. Over 800 billion naira has been pumped into the institution since its creation 16 years ago. We are convinced that probing of the NDDC will reveal a lot of scam”, the NHRC said in the

•Coalition backs Ondo to produce MD statement signed by the SouthSouth Regional coordinator, Werinipre Buokobiri Noel, and the National Secretary of the rights group, Mr Sola Ademuwagun.

The group, a coalition of 135 civil rights groups, said that the Federal Government has the ability to recover billions of naira tied to alleged corruption in the NDDC. According to the group, the NDDC became a tool for political patronage of the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 16-year period.

“We have received petitions from several community-based groups in the Niger-Delta calling for the probe of the NDDC. These communities lament the lack of project in their domain even though billions of naira has been allocated by the NDDC leadership. This commission remains one of the most corrupt and in fact became the courier for the shady deals of the former PDP leadership,”it stated.”

The NHRC cautioned President Buhari against

appointing politicians to manage the affairs of the commission adding that people with political ambition that have managed the commission in the past end up working solely for parochial political interests instead of serving the people of the NigerDelta. “We advice the President to pick a technocrat, perhaps a civil servant, who is vast in the art of governance and who is honest. The NDDC budget is enough to turn around the Niger-Delta from her slum status into a glorious territory where jobs are created for restless youths and hope replaces despair”.

The group said one of the major sources of violence in the Niger-Delta is the inability of the NDDC leadership to spend the allocated funds judiciously and in a transparent manner.

According to the group, a technocrat at the helms of affairs in NDDC will provide the needed paradigm shift that will address poverty, environmental degradation and the culture of corruption that has been the lot of the commission.

recognise if an important item is missing from his or her instrument case.

It is envisaged that instrument cases in accordance with the present invention containing only instruments relevant to the examination to be undertaken will be handed to examinees as they enter an examination venue, no other instruments not permitted can be brought to the respective examination by the examinees.

“This invention emphatically relates to a closable instrument case for retaining inter alia a calculator and various drawing and other mathematical instruments used particularly by students and more especially for use by students or candidates in examination conditions”.

It would be recalled that the West African Examination Council had once emphasized that it will inaugurate West African Senior School Certificate Examinations “branded, nonprogrammable calculators and mathematical sets” for all its examinations. The initiative, the Council said, was to stop the increasing use of “programmable calculators” by candidates during examinations.

However, Agbeyo’s innovation, the analyst said, has the potential to help WAEC and other examination bodies and even universities that conduct postUME tests to achieve their impervious or foolproof set objectives.

Uvietaire wants Duku to obey court order on Orovworere title

C

hief Christopher Uvietaire and his kins men from Alaka quarters have called on Delta State government and security agencies to restrain Chief Johnson Duku from parading himself as the Orovworere of Effurun Otor Kingdom.

According to Chief Uvietaire, the case was decided in favour of Alaka quarters and “Johnson Duku was perpetually restrained and even fined but he refused to obey the judgement.

“We went to Effurun High Court to restrain the community from installing Johnson Duku when we heard the rumour that Johnson Duku was about to be installed he got the court brief.

On April, 15, 2015, we were informed that Chief Johnson Duku was installed. So, I am appealing to the relevant authorities to do something to prevent breakdown of law and order. Up till now, despite the judgement which he did not appeal, he is still parading himself as the Orovwerere”.

Chief Christopher Uvietaire, Stephen Owofo, Vincent Onoreji and Daniel Omovie for themselves and Alaka quarters were the plaintiffs in the case, while the late Orovworere of Effurun Otor Kingdom, Chief Johnson Duku, Attorney General and the then military administrator were 1,2,3,4 defendants in SUIT/HCO/75/95 Oleh High Court Division which was decided

by Justice Mukoro Marshall in favour of the plaintiffs.

All efforts to reach Chief Johnson Duku proved abortive.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY14, 2016, PAGE 41

Gen. Murtala Mohammed: 40 Years On

BY FEMI FANI-KAYODE

their proper context.

I

f there was one man that had a profound effect on our history, perhaps more than any other, it was Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed. Sadly he was assassinated 40 years ago, on February 13th 1976.

In a clime and a nation in which there are few true heroes, he was certainly one of them.

In any case my take is that you cannot judge a man by one or even two events in his life. You have to look at the whole gamut of activities throughout his soujorn on earth and weigh the good against the bad, In the case of Murtala Mohammed it is my view, and that view is unapologetically subjective, that the good certainly outweighs the bad.

I could write a whole book on this man. It is a pity that the younger generation of Nigerians don’t know much about him or about what he did and achieved for our nation both before and after he became Head of State in 1975. Forty years after his murder his name still brings joy and admiration to his associates, friends and loved ones and terror and trepidation to his detractors and foes.

Of all the former Heads of State and leaders in our country I admire him the most. His courage, focus, brazenness, righteous anger, strength of character, bellicose nature, passion and ability to take the bull by the horns and do what needed to be done, no matter whose ox was gored and no matter what the consequences were, was exemplary and outstanding.

F

•The late Gen. Murtala Mohammed cause the cat was already out of the bag and his legacy had already been established and taken root.

I

n these days of cowardice, guile, deceit, doublespeak, subterfuge and political correctness, Mohammed would not have found much pleasure or joy and neither would he have been fully appreciated. He was blunt, fearless and irrepressible and, as they say, he was ‘’as tough as nails’’. He was all that a real warrior ought to be. Most important of all he was inspirational: he scorned death and he had no fear of it.

What a man this was: truly the first among equals. He was a living example of the veracity of the adage that says “ who dares wins”. His life was a manifestation of the fact that truly “fortune favors the bold”. Our domestic policy under his watch brought positive and monumental changes to the fortunes of our country and the character of our people.

Our foreign policy under him, throughout the six months that he was Head of State, was a sight to be seen.

It was Nigeria at her proudest and her best.

In those days we were rich, loud and boisterous. We could boast of having Africa’s strongest army and her most outstanding and best- educated middle class. We were big, strong and powerful and when Nigeria spoke the world listened. When we sneezed Africa literally caught a cold. When we roared, the world shook. We wielded this great power and influence on the world stage with immense dazzle and razzmatazz. Yet we were also cautious, restrained and deemed as being highly responsible. That is when Nigeria was regarded as the Giant of Africa and rightly so.

W

ithout General Murtala Mohammed the eventual liberation of Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa would not have been achieved when it was.

Though he did not live to see it, he set the ball rolling and he threw down the gauntlet to the western powers and all those that supported racial tyranny and apartheid in the nations of southern Africa.

Some historians have even argued that that is precisely why he was eventually murdered. Yet if that was the motivation for organizing his assassination it did not stop anything be-

His detractors often cite his leadership of and role in the northern revenge coup of July 29th 1966, during which hundreds of Igbo army officers were killed, as his greatest sin, whilst others cite his brutality during the course of the civil war

This is confirmed by the fact that his extraordinary and dynamic foreign policy vis a vis the total liberation of our brother African nations and his unrelenting opposition and resistance to white minority rule in South Africa and Rhodesia (as it then was) continued under the able leadership of his second in command, General Olusegun Obasanjo, after he took over as Head of State on Feb. 14th 1976.

The rest is history.

Permit me to end this contribution with an aside. I am mindful of the fact that many people do not share my views about Mohammed and some regard him as a complete villain. The truth of the matter is that he was not perfect and neither did I attempt to confer sainthood on him in this piece. He was no angel and neither was any other person that has ever ruled this country or indeed any other country.

H

is detractors often cite his leadership of and role in the northern revenge coup of July 29th 1966, during which hundreds of Igbo army officers were killed, as his greatest sin, whilst others cite his brutality during the course of the civil war.

The irony is that those that share that view often eulogise people like Major Kaduna Nzeogwu and Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the leaders of the January 15th 1966 coup, for killing innocent and unarmed civilians in their homes (and in some cases with their family members) in the middle of the night whilst they denigrate Major Murtala Mohammed (as he then was), Major T.Y. Danjuma (as he then was), Major Martins Adamu and others for their reaction to such barbarity.

I do not seek to justify the events of July 29th or to endorse the murder of those that were killed but we must put and see these things in

inally it is pertinent to note that many have attributed to him a tendency and trait that he certainly did not harbor.

The first is that he was a tribalist and a religious bigot. This is false.

As a matter of fact nothing could be further from the truth. If he was either of the two I would be the first to say so and I would not only expose him but I would also vent my spleen on him and his legacy.

Many can testify to the fact that if there is anything or anyone that I despise more than anything else it is those individuals that suffer from the delusion of tribal and racial superiority and religious bigotry. Thankfully Mohammed was not afflicted with that particular malaise.

How anyone can describe him as a tribalist when he married a yoruba woman as his first and only wife amazes me. How anyone can call him a hater of southerners when the greatest beneficiary of his tenure of office was a southerner by the name of Chief MKO Abiola? It was when Murtala Mohammed was Head of State that Abiola managed to secure the numerous ITT communication contracts in Nigeria that made him one of the richest men in the world.

If Mohammed had been a tribalist he would have found a fellow northerner and Hausa Fulani to give contracts to and he would not have given them to a Yoruba man. His numerous friends in the south, which included people like my late fathers law partner, the late and brilliant Chief Sobo Sowemimo SAN, together with many others puts a lie to the suggestion that Mohammed was a northern supremacist. He was far from that.

T

he second allegation which is often made against him is that he was responsible for the infamous Asaba massacre which took place in 1968 during the Nigerian civil war and in which over 1000 innocent elderly Igbo men and young boys were slaughtered. I have written about the Asaba massacre probably more than anyone else over the years and the sheer horror of that event is mind-boggling and chilling. It has always been my view that all those that were involved in it ought to be made to face justice. This is because, apart from the starving to death of over one million Igbo children, the Asaba massacre was probably the greatest war crime and crime against humanity that took place during our civil war.

I

t is true that Murtala Mo hammed was the Command er of the Second Division in the Mid-West but he was not in Asaba when the massacre took place. He was not involved in the killings and neither did he order for them to be carried out. Whilst

the killings were taking place he was at the Divisional Headquarters of his Command in Umunede and he was nowhere near Asaba.

Some notable historians such as the British author John De St. Jorre in his book titled ‘’The Nigerian Civil War ’’ have asserted that the Asaba killings were ordered and personally executed by an individual whom he described as ‘’a young igbo-hating Major from Benin’’ who was outraged at the fact that many of his soldiers were killed during the course of the siege.

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e claims that Mohammed knew nothing about the massacre until well after the evil act was concluded. I accept this narrative because De St. Jorre’s book is probably the most profound and objective historical account of the Nigerian civil war. He was a highly respected historian of international repute. The second reason that I accept his account is because Murtala Mohammed himself often told those that cared to listen that he knew nothing about the murders in Asaba and that once he found out about them he went to great lengths to discipline and sanction the officers that were involved. He went further by urging the then Head of State, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, to apologise for the the killings on behalf of the Nigerian Army and this was done.

One thing is clear: if Mohammed had indeed ordered the Asaba killings he is the type of man that would have said so openly and he would not hide behind a lie. That is the type of leader and officer that he was: he was prepared to take responsibility for his actions, whether good or bad. Given this I think that it is historically inaccurate and most unfair to blame him for the atrocities that were committed in Asaba even though he was indeed the Commanding Officer of the Second Division in the Mid-Western Region.

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he truth is that in military con flicts all sorts of terrible things happen and we must never forget what those that suffered, that were starved to death and that were butchered in their millions were subjected to during our civil war. By the same token we must not forget the hundreds of thousands of officers, soldiers and innocent civilians that sacrificed their lives and put everything on the line to keep Nigeria one. There were angels and demons on both sides of the conflict and our prayer must be that Nigeria never experiences such a civil war again.

We must also acknowledge the fact that it would be a great sin for us to judge any man solely on what we perceive to be his negatives whilst at the same time attempting to disregard or play down his positives. There were many sides to the enigma called General Murtala Ramat Mohammed: some good and others bad. That is what made him human. That is what made him special and unique. I have done the research and I have weighed the man. To me, regardless of conflicting views which are more often than not held and voiced passionately, he remains a hero even though he was cut short in his prime.

May General his courageous soul continue to rest in peace and may those that are in power today resurrect his spirit and build on his great legacy.

•Fani-Kayode was Minister of Aviation in the Obasanjo administration

Page 42— SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

VIEWPOINT

By Onyema Dike

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Twists in the trial of a former gov.

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AMES Onanefe Ibori is fast becoming like the fabled tortoise that is never far from a tale.

The former governor of Delta State was sentenced to 13 years in prison for corruption and money laundering charges at the Southwark Crown Court 9 in London, on Tuesday April 17, 2012.

The case was presided over by Judge Nicholas Pitts. The number of years was reduced to 4 and ½ years.

He was charged with looting over #250m during his eight-year tenure as governor. The sentence notwithstanding, Ibori is also expected to undergo a confiscation trial during which he might lose some of his assets in the UK. That sentence is expected to terminate sometime in March 2016 but recent events are beginning to excite reactions that point to the fact that Ibori, no matter how guilty, may have been wrongfully jailed.

VIEWPOINT

By Olise Abor Paul

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The emergence of a new political leader

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T was the 33rd President of the United States of America, Harry S. Truman who said, “In a period where there is no leadership, society stands still”. He added: “Progress occurs when courageous and skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better”.

In Ndokwa East Area of Delta State, the words of the late US President ring true. For decades, the area has been without a true political leader and has stood-still without a leader to light the path.

All that changed when a material and metallurgical engineer, a youth mobilizer, philanthropist, with double digit

VIEWPOINT

By Francis Ottah Agbo VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The second term of the Bayelsa governor begins

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LL roads lead to Yenagoa for the swearing–in of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for second term today. The Toru-Urua-born governor will be officially inaugurated to complete his good work and consolidate the gains of the restoration he started four years ago, following his first inauguration on February 14, 2012. It has been a long and tortuous political journey for the police man-turned politician.

Dickson’s victory in the recent gubernatorial election was a culmination of a dogged struggle against a coalition determined to stop his return to Creek Haven, the seat of government.

Dickson will be making history for the second time as the only governor ever sworn-in on Valentine Day across the world.

Expectedly, love will fill the air.

There will be a thanksgiving

Revisiting the Ibori case At the heart of the matter is new evidence alluding to what might have been a conspiracy between Nigeria and Britain to railroad Ibori and his associates into jail.

The evidence was presented before Lord Tomlinson at the same Southwark court by Ibori’s defence lawyers who shocked the court, on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.

The case, which had earlier been handled by Judge Anthony Pitts, has been moved to Lord Tomlinson because Pitts, due to retire soon, feels utterly confounded by the sordid turn of events regarding one of the most celebrated cases in the UK justice system.

The court proceedings, convened on February 10 were delayed for hours because the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service team prosecuting the case suddenly developed cold feet and refused to appear for the proceedings ostensibly because their presence would require them to answer tough question that would otherwise expose their complicity

in a rapidly unravelling case of abuse of due judicial process.

Tomlinson, clearly disappointed by the absence of the police and prosecuting lawyers, refused to adjourn the case but instead issued an order requiring the team to appear in court by 2pm.

His order was on account of the importance of the case and the need to deal expeditiously with the serious and urgent issues at hand all bordering on alleged misconduct, dishonesty, perverting the course of justice and criminal non-disclosures as well as lying to the trial court and Court of Appeal.

The curious twist is that Ibori’s erstwhile traducers have become the ones in the dock. How did this happen? And is it possible that Ibori was wrongly tried and jailed and now in a position to demand recompense from the British government and, if it is so, what does this new state of affairs mean for the confiscation trial?

Here are some details that point to the challenges of not just the British police but also its justice

The Osanebi factor number of years experience in the oil, gas and shipping sector, Rt. Hon Friday Ossai Osanebi, arrived the political scene. In just a few years of his active political involvement, the empowerment master, as he is popularly called, has used his courageous leadership skills to steer the area’s political ship calming its tumultuous divides. Today, there is an uncommon progress in the area as all contending political divides have collapsed under his leadership. Within the political terrain of Ndokwa and beyond, the name, Friday Osanebi, is one that rings loud and clear. Whether one takes interest in active politics or not, visits home regularly or not, the positive contributions of the large-hearted entrepreneur

cum philanthropist are sure to reverberate to them. At last count, the Beneku-born philanthropist and Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly has facilitated direct employment for over 300 indigenes of the state into the lucrative oil and gas sector, bought over 150 cars for many other teeming youths and elders, has many students in his scholarship scheme through his foundation, The Friday Osanebi Foundation facilitated over 20 major appointments with hundreds of orphans and widows in his direct care, and has also provided huge financial assistance and capacity building to many more as well as engaged others in diverse skill acquisition programs.

system which appears to have been used to railroad Ibori to jail.

The big issue is an alleged agreement between the British Department for International Development (DFID) and the Nigerian government to the fact that the DFID will be paid 25 million Pounds Sterling from monies that will be confiscated from Ibori, before any penny is ever remitted to Nigeria.

The DFID is alleged to have been bankrolling the salaries of some police investigators on the Ibori case. The question many are asking is why is a multilateral agency funding a corruption trial and why would a multilateral agency be getting such a huge chunk of funds expected to be confiscated from a former governor of Nigeria? Another question is why should money allegedly stolen from Nigeria end up in the UK? Ibori’s former lawyer, Badresh Gohil, who was also sentenced to jail, was first to make the alleged conspiracy public. He was the one who alerted the court to the

Nothing from his humble beginnings in Kwale would suggest that the young Friday would become a colossus.

He was the Beneku Youth President and later elected President of Ndokwa National Youth Movement (Worldwide). He also served as Vice President of South-South Youth Leaders Forum before venturing into politics and won the election into the House of Assembly to represent Ndokwa East Constituency.

It was however during the buildup to the 2015 general elections that the pivotal role of the philanthropist par excellence in politics came to the fore. He supported not a few of the candidates from his party, the PDP, across the state both financially and morally in the elections, but it was in his home local government, that the philanthropist’s

Return of The Valentine Governor service shortly after the inauguration at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa. In consonance with his person and the spirit of the season, the Talk Na Do governor has, once more, extended the olive branch to the opposition. According to a Government House press statement, all governors elected on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the national leadership of the PDP, National Assembly leadership of PDP affiliation, and members as well as speakers and leadership of the state Houses of Assembly controlled by the party will grace the occasion.

It will be a happy occasion, a time to celebrate the pathbreaking achievements of the governor’s first term and to look expectantly to his second. It will also be a time to reflect on a hard won victory. Hard won because the countryman governor faced and defeated an unusually formidable opposition from a cast of internal and external opportunists who vowed to punish

the governor for displacing them.

Without sounding repetitive, Dickson’s against-all-odds reelection victory was divine. It was also a well-deserved reward for years of unbroken service to the people and God. In victory, the governor reaped the bounty of a long period of amassing goodwill with Bayalsans and the Ijaw nation. While the governor and his

It will be a happy occasion, a time to celebrate the path-breaking achievements of the governor’s first term and to look expectantly to his second

party, PDP, banked on God and the electorate for votes which they got overwhelmingly, the All Progressives Party (APC) and its governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, in the recently concluded election, relied on their horses and chariots in the battle field, and yet kissed the ground!

That he wriggled out of the APC’s rigging ocean to emerge victorious in an election the APC had code-named operation take over Bayelsa, speaks volumes of the strength and dexterity of Dickson in surviving the highest tempest in his political life!

Consequently, the governor is being posited as the preeminent factor in the effort to protect the Niger Delta from the political schemes of the ruling APC at the federal level as well as the embodiment of a political courage that was thought extinct in Nigeria’s notoriously opportunistic political arena.

Dickson has shown other opposition governors an example of how to mount an effective challenge against the ruling APC.

document signed by the Nigerian government and the DFID and he was also the one who spoke up about the British police officers who had allegedly been bribed by private detectives.

Gohil’s accusations have already claimed some casualties. two prosecutors especially; Sasha Wass who was very active in the Ibori trial and Esther SchutzerWeissmann have been dismissed from the Ibori case. Emerging information from Ibori’s camp indicates also that “all the prosecution lawyers plus the entire police officers that have represented the British Police have been dismissed from the Ibori case and all other cases stemming from it – following allegations of corruption against them.”

Meanwhile, their activities and actions are now under scrutiny in the hope that if a clear case is made against them, it could lead to an upturning of the convictions of Ibori and his associates.

Whatever happens at the end, one thing has become patently clear; corruption is not a Nigerian phenomenon. It is a global disease. *Dike is based in the United Kingdom.

benevolence was in full throttle as he not only invested heavily in financing the elections, he also played a leading role in harmonizing all the political wards and interest groups in the local government and Ndokwa nation, a role which resulted in the landslide victory for the party at the polls.

There can be no gain emphasizing the fact that the emergence of Osanebi as political leader in Ndokwa land is a loud testimony to his wide acceptability across the length and breadth of the area. With Governor Ifeanyi Okowa leading PDP and Delta State, better times and greater tidings await the people of Ndokwa nation and Deltans at large. Congratulations, our brand new political leader.

*Paul lives in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State.

Significant as Dickson’s victory was, it is important to enter an important caveat, namely, that it would not have been possible without two things — the unprecedented program of holistic infrastructural and human development accomplished by the governor in the last four years, and the extensive grassroots mobilizations that the governor embarked upon as part of his electoral campaign.

Dickson’s scorecard has both breadth and depth: the transformation of the Isaac Adaka Boro Road into a six-lane highway in Yenagoa, the construction of over 450 kilometers of roads, 18 bridges and general hospitals across the eight local government areas of the state, the introduction and funding of free and compulsory education from primary to secondary schools as well as scholarships for the Ijaws, among others.

•Agbo is a journalist/public affairs analyst based in Yenagoa.

Email: francisagbo38@gmail.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016 — Page 43

VIEWPOINT

By Shehu Adamu Kaugama

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

A reply to claims against Gov Badaru

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am shocked at Adamu Muhd Usman’s opinion published in a national newspaper of Monday, February 8, under the title, The emerging political debate in Jigawa, indicating that the suspension of Sule Lamido’s son, Mustafa Sule, as District Head of Bamaina, is unjust. The basis of the write up is the suspension of Sule Lamido and District Head of Kiyawa, AminunWada, the duo standing trial for alleged corruption.

What Adamu failed to understand is that, many times, civil servants are suspended when they are found wanting, or even resign on moral grounds when facing allegations perceived to be grievous?

Re:The emerging political debate in Jigawa Meanwhile, Adamu chose to play to the gallery and kept ranting on the suspension of people who are, by virtue of their portfolios, are public servants, since they are paid salaries from government coffers.

He ought to know that the suspension of the district heads has nothing to do with politics. This is moreso that Civil Service Rules 04301 and 04412 provide that such persons should be suspended from office and they might return if the court acquits them of any wrong doing.

These measures are often taken in order to prevent the suspects from tampering with investigations on the allegations levelled against them or for image control. It happened even during Sule Lamido’s administration, and it will not end with Lamido’s son.

For instance, it was under Lamido’s government that many traditional rulers were suspended based on what the then administration perceived as misconduct.

In the build-up to 2015 electioneering campaign, Governor Badaru made it clear that his administration’s priority will be on agriculture and agric value chain, economic empowerment and employment generation, and industrialization as catalyst for the development of new Jigawa State, thus his foreign trips are geared towards realizing these objectives. The early gains of these visits which Adamu criticized is the sitting of the first Chinese firm in Dutse, GCC Vanguard Nigeria Ltd, that produces tiles, marbles, stone aggregate and

kitchen accessories), an achievements that would generate employment for youths and millions of dollars to our economy as foreign direct investments and internally generated revenue.

Badaru’s tentacles has expanded to other sectors including the launching of out-grower rice production scheme with Lee Group, a Chinese industrial company, showing interest in establishing sugarcane farms and sugar production plants in the state, as well as Erisco, Foods & Beverages at Gujungu, just to mention a few investments generated by the trips of Governor Badaru to China.

Badaru’s administration should not in anyway be compared with Turaki’s or Lamido’s government.

Badaru is a man who entrenched

Okowa’s quest to develop Delta gathers steam VIEWPOINT

By Prince Victor Efeizomor

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The Delta governor on scale, eight months after T is nearly eight months since Governor Ifeanyi Okowa took over the mantle of leadership in Delta State, after winning the April 2015 governorship election and emerging victorious from the tribunal to the Supreme Court.

The medical doctor-turnedpolitician, popularly called “Ekwueme”, was a member representing Delta North Senatorial district in the National Assembly. Since assumption of office , Okowa has shown that he has adequate grasp of the problems confronting the people of Delta among which are paucity of funds, state indebtedness , infrastructural collapse , inadequate human capital development among

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others, amidst high expectations and trust that the people placed on him, and the urgent need to improve on the standard of living of his people.

Okowa is not unmindful of the task and the impediments ahead, hence the need to take pragmatic steps to get around these challenges. In hitting the ground running, he instituted an Economic Management Team to formulate economic policies that will address the Socio-economic challenges confronting the state in line with his campaign promises; to bring prosperity to all Deltans as encapsulated in the SMART agenda.

In driving the initial process of governance, Okowa within one week of his inauguration, sponsored three Executive Bills in the state House of Assembly; Delta State Contributory Health Commission Bill,2015, Technical and Vocational

Education Board Bill ,2015, and Asaba Capital Development Agency Bill, 2015. These agencies have since become operational. Okowa also gave strength to the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Agency (DESOPADEC) law by restructuring the management team.

The result of Okowa’s economic policy recently came to fore when 6,000 youths graduated from a government –sponsored six months intensive skill acquisition and entrepreneurial programme at the Songhai Delta, Amukpe.

Shortly after the graduation, the state government empowered the graduands with starter packs, take off grants and a monthly stipend to sustain their businesses for three months. The governor warned them against the temptation of auctioning the starter-packs.

Since assumption of office, Okowa has not left any one in doubt as to his preparedness at

ensuring that the state’s infrastructural deficits are tackled with appreciable precision. So far, the state government has constructed three technical colleges located in Sapele, Ofagbe and Agbor.

Other decisive steps in the education sector include the completion work of the faculty of law at Oleh campus of the Delta State University. Also, last week the state organized a stakeholders’ summit in Asaba, aimed at repositioning Education in Delta with emphasis on improved teaching methods, innovation, better learning outcomes, community involvement and social transformation.

Rural and urban road development is another area that has received priority attention in the development agenda in Delta, Okowa has embarked on massive development of roads across the state.

The roads include Owa-Eki/

himself credibly and statesmanly since he came into public consciousness as a new breed politician, humanist who always count on his people’s value, need, interest, dignity and freedom; thus his foreign trip is for the public interest and the need to revamp state’s economy to forestall future situation of economic crunch occasioned by volatile oil prices at the international market.

Badaru has left no one in doubt that he came to make a difference and show good examples in the art of active politics. His actions and statements were coated with uncommon wisdom an uncanny decorum that belies his decades of experience.

*Kaugama is resident in Yanleman, Jigawa State.

Owa-Alero road which would be dualized, while the UghelliAfisere-Ufoma road would be reconstructed. Okpare-UmoluKiagbodo Road would be rehabilitated and the Kefas Road, Oleh extended to the EmedeOlomoro road junction.

The completion of the various development projects in the state will no doubt cost money. In the face of revenue drops from federal allocations, Okowa disclosed at the retreat that he has taken steps to shore up internally generated revenue [IGR].

If these achievements can be recorded in just eight months despite the dwindling federal allocation, it follows that there are better days ahead of Deltans because what Okowa has achieved with meager resources in eight months clearly signals hope.

Simply put, if he gets more revenue, he will surely deliver more dividends in pursuance of his prosperity for all Deltans’ agenda.

• Efeizomor is Media Assistant (Print ) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Saga s, Akw Sagayy rubbishes S’ Cour Courtt judgments on River Rivers, Akwaa Ibom go govv elections •Says looters returning Nigeria’s stolen money

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

minent lawyer and Chairman, E Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption,

Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has described the Supreme Court judgments upholding results of the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states as “very perverse.”

Sagay, who spoke in Warri, yesterday, said, “The judgments are very perverse, particularly relating to Akwa-Ibom and Rivers.

Everybody knows there were no elections in those two states.

Everybody knows people like Governor Wike climbed to the governorship seat.

“They wrote the results. Evidence is there. What the Supreme Court has done is to set the clock of electoral excellence, fairness and credibility back. It’s taking us backward to when Prof. Jega came in to sanitise the system”, he said. “We are going to have primitive and barbaric electoral culture from now on. It means kill as much as you can, destroy as much as you can and create as much catastrophe, if you can find yourself in that seat you are confirmed regardless of the means by which you got there. The judgments are major setback to democracy and the rule of law.”

He also disclosed that prominent

Nigerians involved in looting the country’s treasury were returning their loots. “A lot of money has been recovered. The result of that is that such people may be given softlanding”, he said.

The SAN accused accused some senior members of the Bench of frustrating the anti-corruption fight and that such persons need to be removed from the legal profession before they drag the country into

disrepute.

“I agree absolutely with the EFCC boss. Some senior lawyers have totally departed from anything the calling of the law profession requires.

They have thrown in their lots with

the looters and have become fellow looters or enjoy the sharing the proceeds of these looters and now absolutely against the anticorruption war”.

Police arrest six persons over the murder of Delta monarch

BY FESTUS AHON, ASABA

D

elta State Police Command, at the weekend, said it has arrested six Fulani herdsmen for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of the monarch of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State,

HRM Edward Akaeze Ofulue III. Parading the suspects in Asaba, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Baba Usman, explained that they were arrested in Asaba, Sokoto and Adamawa states.

The police boss said: “In the course of investigation, on January 8, the late Obi’s handset

was recovered from one Jamilu Ahmed at Abraka Market, Asaba and was promptly arrested.

“The suspect’s useful statement to investigators led to the arrest of one Umar Abubakar who claimed to have sold the handset. Umar Abubakar claimed that one ‘money dey’ presently at large, gave him the said

Samsung handset to sell for him”.

Usman disclosed that “one Usman Musbau, who deleted the contacts from the Obi’s phone, had been arrested.

He assured that all those connected with the kidnapping and murder of the monarch would be brought to book.

Crisis rocks Bayelsa Assembly over sacked Speaker

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA,YENAGOA

B

ayelsa State House of Assembly is embroiled in crisis over the vacant seat of the Speaker following the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, affirming the annulment of the election of Hon Konbowei Benson, the Speaker.

The court had, on December 9, annulled the Southern Ijaw constituency IV election that returned Benson as winner of the

House of Assembly poll held in April 2015. But there had been claims and counter claims on the ruling of the court. The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Ebifaghe Orunimighe, who dragged Benson to the Court of Appeal, said the Speaker’s victory had been nullified but the Speaker insisted that the Orunimighe’s suit was dismissed.

Benson was said to have gone back to the court to ask for stay of action but the appellate court, in a ruling,

affirmed its judgment that the election stood nullified and ordered a rerun for March 5, It was, however, gathered that the latest crisis rocking the Assembly was sparked off, last week, following the outcome of a meeting between the Assembly members on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Seriake Dickson over the possible replacement for the Speaker.

Though some members were

identified as leading contenders to replace the ousted Speaker, the decision reached at the meeting that the status quo should be maintained was said to have factionalised the House.

It was further gathered that the implication of the decision reached at the meeting means that the sacked Speaker is only allowed to sign the allocation for the state House of Assembly even while preparing for a re-run election in the Constituency 4 election.

PAGE 44 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Day Dogara Wept In Edo IDPs’ Camp BY TURAKI HASSAN

ADAMU

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unday, Febr uary 7, 2016 will be remembered by hundreds of young children, orphans, widows and the aged who are camping at the International Christian Centre For Missions (ICC) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Benin-City, Edo State.

In his latest outreach to the IDPs from the violence ravaged North East region, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, drove for eight long from Abuja to visit the inmates displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents.

These young people travelled hundreds of kilometres from their ancestral home in Borno and Adamawa States to find refuge in far away Benin-City, courtesy of Pastor Solomon A. Olorunsho who runs the organisation catering for the needs of the IDPs. As early as 9am, the Speaker, in company of his colleagues, arrived at the ICC camp, where a church service was underway under a canopy.

Moved by the sight before him, Dogara couldn’t hold back his emotions as he saw hundreds of young boys and

girls, ages five to 18, mostly orphans whose parents were brutally killed by Boko Haram, assembled in large numbers.

With a gloomy face, the Speaker struggled to control the tears rolling down his cheeks. In an emotion-laden speech, he encouraged the children not to lose hope, assuring that government was doing everything possible to

return them to their communities soon.

“When I came in here I saw a people who are determined not to be broken inspite of the circumstances that surround them. I must encourage you,” he stated, adding, “I am part of the region of the north where you came from. I am also affected. I had to concede one of my houses for

IDPs from Yobe and Borno States to live in.”

The Speaker urged the IDPs, especially the orphans, to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness in their daily lives, saying, “the situation we found ourselves is not just peculiar to us but has been happening in the course of human history.”

“It is painful, very painful.

Speaker House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, consoling 10 year-old Ms. Grace Ayuba during his visit to the IDP camp managed by the International Christian Centre for Missions in Uhuoga, Edo State on Sunday. With him are Pastor Solomon Folorunso of the ICC, Hon. Jubril Satumari, Chairman House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, the Representative of the Edo State Governor, Mrs. Aanaena Fulani-Ojo, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, NEMA personnel, and Hon. Ali Isa, Deputy Chairman of the committee. Picture courtesy Speaker’s media office.

You may remember how you left and the people you left behind. Forty (40) percent of you here are orphans. You may be tempted to always cast your mind back over what happened to you. Once you are stuck in that you will be filled with bitterness snd anger and if that happens you can’t make progress. I know it is difficult but we have to take our minds off it.”

Advising the people to put their trust in God because “there is no situation that God cannot change”, he said some countries have passed through similar or even worse situations than what they are going through.

Citing the 1994 genocide in Rwanda as an example†, he said it was because of faith and determination in God that they emerged stronger.

Dogara told the IDPs that the present administration is committed to rebuilding the North East and further reassured them that “as long as this government endures, you will always be in our hearts. Thank God for the change. If we had continued like before, probably Boko Haram will have taken over Jos, Plateau State, by now.”

Hassan is Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Dogara.

Nigerians are hungry — Anthony Edeh, Satellite Kitchen MD

BY IKENNA ASOMBA hief Anthony Edeh is the C Managing Director, Satellite Kitchen & Bar, Satellite Town,

Lagos. In this interview, he explains how he started the business in 2014, with his wife, Nneka, a caterer and graduate of computer education from the Enugu State University of Science & Technology. Edeh also bares his mind on the level of hunger in the country, advising government to wade into the challenge before it gets out of hand.

How did it start?

The Satellite Kitchen & Bar started in February 2014.

Although we had had the vision for a very long time, it started after observing that several of our friends were traveling far from Satellite Town to Festac Town just to get good food to eat. Most times, they spend hours in traffic gridlock just to access Festac Town. This spurred us to find a way out to ameliorate their plight.

We started and, as God would have it, some of our first callers gave us ideas which we implemented and here we are today.

Did you have any previous experience in the hospitality business?

Yes, I studied food hygiene in ROC, a degree running institution in Amsterdam, Netherlands. There, I worked for National Airline Catering Services, and this was the job I did for six years, where I was in-

charge of their aviation catering services, before I decided to come back to Nigeria to see what I could do. I left Netherlands in 2003, but, during the summer, they called me to come and coach their students.

So, when I came back to Nigeria, I already had the idea that if you make your business unique within your environment, you will make waves. That’s how the whole thing started.

Meanwhile, my wife, Nneka, a graduate of computer education from the Enugu State University of Science & Technology, is a caterer. She is a very good cook and in-charge of Satellite Kitchen & Bar. After doing her feasibility studies, we established the business. If I must tell you, restaurant business is a big and complex business. For instance, some people don’t like salt to be in their meals because of doctor’s prescription. In Satellite Kitchen & Bar, we take this into consideration.

Nigerians are hungry Having been in this business,, since 2014, my experience shows that Nigerians are really hungry, and that is why we make our meals affordable despite the quality services we render. And it is necessary for government to give loans to small-scale entrepreneurs who want to venture into food business. By doing so, we will begin to address the issue of hunger in the land.

Recently, I did a survey. I said that, from 4.00pm until what we had in stock is exhausted,

whatever you eat here is free. The queue we had on that particular day was more than what you see in petrol station during fuel scarcity, which suggests that Nigerians are hungry. But because they don’t have the money to feed, they become helpless. So, if government intervenes, especially by fixing our power problem, the cost of doing this kind of business will drastically reduce, and food will be more affordable for Nigerians.

When Nigerians are well fed, diseases and the aggression shown by Nigerians will go

•Anthony Edeh

down.

Challenges We have really grown in leaps and bounds. But my happiness is that owing to the unique services we render, those who patronise us leave here happy.

They also encourage us to show that they appreciate what we are doing. However, one of our major challenges has been sourcing people to work with.

This is because, most Nigerians don’t consider the restaurant business as a white-collar job, particularly graduate youths.

Rather than work in the restaurant, they prefer to roam the streets for jobs that are not readily available. Again, those that want to work, when we give them our guidelines that make us unique, they feel they are unnecessary.

What are the guidelines that makes you unique?

For instance, we don’t like to expose meat. We don’t unfrozen meat and put the remainder back in the refrigerator. Once you have a fresh meat unfrozen, use them all; if not, what you are having is chaff. This is not a hygienic way of handling meat or fresh foods. Same thing goes with cooked foods. We don’t have left-overs as you see in other places. These are unhygienic practices. But when you tell some of these people, they feel it’s not necessary.

Some of them even query why we do our things the whiteman’s way. I tell them that, should anyone eat here and suffer running stomach as a

result of unhygienic food preservation, they will trace it to this place, which will give us a bad name. It’s cheaper to throw such meat away than to begin to convince large number of customers, telling them we have changed.

We have also taken these guidelines to several hotels that we manage their kitchens, such as the Golden Tree Hotel, Satellite Town. Because of our unique ways of handling our kitchen, hotels bring their staff here for training on how to manage their kitchens.

Given the rising youth unemployment in Nigeria, don’t you think youths can tap into the hospitality business, no matter how small?

It’s a very serious problem here in Nigeria. It’s high time our youths began to realise that there are no more white-collar jobs in the country. They have to start somewhere, no matter how small.

For instance, I once employed a graduate of sociology here. And the young lady worked with all honesty and seriousness, not minding her certification. Today, she is working with an insurance firm, courtesy of a customer.

Even, if you are working as a dish washer, it’s a stepping stone to greater things ahead. Going further, Satellite Kitchen & Bar is expanding. Very soon, we are opening branches in Festac Town and Ikeja. This is part of our plans to ameliorate youth unemployment, as well as render unique services to Lagosians.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016, PAGE 45

By JAPHET ALAKAM INTERVIEW

We’re living our dreams as we’ve touched many lives — Tessy Iyase Odozi, CEO Greenhouse gallery

Princess Tessy Iyase-Odozi is not a new name in art. She is an artist, art administrator, promoter and educator. For her, life revolves around art and that has reflected in the way she has taken the arts beyond artistic heritage and aesthetics. Ever since she opened the Green House Art Gallery, in Olambe, Ogun State,she has touched many lives with her arts.

In this interview, the University of Lagos trained painter speaks on the passion and creativity that have made her stick to art amidst other jobs, how the location of her gallery has affected the community, the motivating factor behind her success in the male dominated art business, among others.

Y

ou were quoted as saying that the gallery was established to enhance and contribute to the society.

Since inception, have you been able to actualise that dream?

GreenHouse Art Empowerment Centre has remained on track in fulfilling its mission. Our focus since inception has been basically to promote Nigerian Art and artists and to empower the youths, women and other disadvantaged groups in the society by providing them with skills in arts and crafts for self and paid-employment.

Every activity that the centre has been privileged to organise, has been worthwhile. Many youth, women and children in Olambe and its environs have benefited from our various programmes. Indeed, we are living up to our dreams.

How do you cope as a woman in the male dominated art business, what is your secret?

First and foremost, Princess Iyase-Odozi is seen as a Nigerian female artist, who paints and produces works of art that stand up to those produced by male professionals. Secondly, she is a promoter of Nigerian Art and Artists through several of her initiatives. Several times the question of how she has managed to thrive in a male dominated profession has been raised.

Be it in Art or in any other fields, there are some simple rules of success which are no secrets. One of the rules or principles of success is to seek to bring out the best in others by helping and empowering them in order that we may be empowered. Thus, in empowering others, I too have been empowered from various sources.

The second rule is practise, practise, practise! By practising regularly, I have been able to hone my skills and gain recognition and visibility in a maledominated business.

Third rule of success is the pursuit of excellence and beauty in all things. Thus, I stretch myself to give my very best and ensure that my best matters. My fourth rule of success is to work in partnership with others and to learn to share honour and praise with others. In pursuit of this principle, I have been privileged to hold joint exhibitions with both male and female artists. I have also been able to make good sales without my buyers caring whether I am a female artist or not.

Indeed, my works have been well received not because I am a woman but because of their substantive appeal and perceived value.

How has the opening of your gallery at Olambe, affected the life and development in the place?

When I go through my comments/remarks book, I have the impression that many people believe that it was a wrong decision to have established a gallery in Olambe. To many, art galleries are meant only for the ‘Wealthy and Mighty’. However, well-informed people know that art is meant for everybody irrespective of their status. Thus, coming to Olambe was not a

mistake.

Guests and visitors who come to Olambe from time to time recognise the benefits and joy that have come to the people of the community through our gallery.

For instance, a representative of Olambe traditional leaders, Otunba Aremo Rahman Ogunremi who described Princess Iyase-Odozi as “a pillar of support for Olambe community ” in his comments said “the Centre is built to take care of students, women and youths in creative arts and culture.”

Indeed, by creating job and service opportunities and enhancing the visibility of

Indeed, by creating job and service opportunities and enhancing the visibility of Olambe, our gallery has positively impacted development and living conditions in the community Olambe, our gallery has positively impacted development and living conditions in the Community.

Has the choice of Olambe against other cities paid off in your business?

From the perspective of business, operating in Olambe has not been a commercial success. However, this place was not set up for profit. So, we have no regrets, no apologies.

However, in terms of serving humanity, it has been worthwhile

beyond our expectations. They i n c l u d e d Community ;eaders and stakeholders, lecturers from the University of Lagos, Creative Arts Students, artists, friends, art enthusiasts, and the general public.

Legendary Prof.

Bruce Onobrakpeya was our guest Artist, amidst twelve other Nigerian Artists who exhibited their works. They include, Stella Awoh; Sam Ovraiti; Evelyn Osagie ; Olojo, Bolaji Ogunwo, Juliet Maja-Pearce; Oke Ibem Oke, Arinze, Awogbade and others.

Overall, the 2015 Group and Solo Art Exhibitions at the GreenHouse Art Gallery were an unqualified success.

Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya added • Princess Tessy Iyase Odozi , enhancing the both class and colour to the Group visibility of Olambe as she displays works Exhibition which during an exhibition turned out to be a and fulfilling. We have been able moment of celebration for him to touch many lives and impart in on the occasion of his 83rd them skills that will take them Birthday. through life. Having the gallery in What of the Moving Art Olambe has made it possible to Exhibition, how far? achieve both national and global The Moving Art Exhibition was visibility not only by my mounting our starting point, which gave a solo exhibition in 2009 but also rise to all we do today. building an Art Gallery and an Art Basically, by definition it is Empowerment Centre/Museum. moving from school to school Last year, you were able to pull participating in educational and crowd to Olambe when you other social events. Presently, our organised the unique exhibition to Art Empowerment Centre is so celebrate Art icon, Bruce organised that instead of our Onobrakpeya at 83, how did you going to schools, we now conceive that and what was the encourage schools to visit us on outcome?

TOUR of our various offerings The opening of the 1st such as: The Educational GreenHouse Group Art Exhibition Museum consisting of both and the presentation of the maiden Ancient and Contemporary edition of the GreenHouse Art sections and the Private and Journal, on September 12th, 2015, Public Museums. which lasted for about four months The GreenHouse Art was great. The number of guests Empowerment Centre (GHAEC) from various facets of life went has engaged in at least one

programme each month, ranging from Youth Empowerment to Women to Community Empowerment.

Earthen Pot introduces magazine celebrating African culture Name: Earthen Pot Magazine Publisher: Earthen Pot Nigeria Limited Date of Debut: January 2016 Reviewer: OSA AMADI

E

arthen Pot magazine is a 40page glossy bi-monthly publication, aiming to celebrate the unique and rich culture of Africa. It also explores the numerous potentials which abound in Africa.

In one brief sentence: Earthen Pot celebrates beautiful Africa.

The exquisitely laid magazine is spiced with beautiful features like family (Parenting & Relationship), health, and tourism (Biznes & Attractions). There is also a singles’ corner which accomodates ‘the young and ready to mingle’ category of readers.

The Wheels and Library column reviews award-winning books, songs and music albums.

Editor-in-chief of Earthen Pot, Chikaodili Onu, told Sunday Vanguard that Earthen Pot is unique in many ways. “ For instance, our Wheels & library column reviews mostly local contents, giving credence to up-coming artistes. Our Singles’ corner forays that section of people, and the entire package comes with lots of gists, gossips and lifestyles. Generally, the content is geared towards promoting tourism and making our own sellable.”

Although it’s already on sale, Saturday March 5, has been slated for the official launch of the magazine at Planet 1 hotel, Maryland, Lagos.

Top Fliers Magazine, positioned to promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage

By PRISCA SAM DURU REVIEW

A

rrangements have been concluded for the official launching of Top Fliers Magazine, a quarterly magazine published by Pysmaco Ltd. Covering areas such as, house warming, social events, pageantry, coronation etc, ‘Top Fliers Magazine’ is unique in that it differs from others especially as regards the content and quality which is of international standard. It is also rich in promoting the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria as portrayed in the fashion pages which showcase local models and traditionally manufactured fabrics representing the diverse ethnic groups in the country.

The concept of the magazine according to the Chief Executive Officer CEO of Pysmaco Ltd, Publisher of Top Fliers Magazine, Musa Yahaya, “Began in Toronto, Canada where its being published but we decided to bring it back home to avail Nigerians the benefit of the

content. The magazine cuts across all spheres; entertainment, interviews, fashion, modelling and pageantry. The calibre of materials are interesting, the colour and state of the art materials are amazing. It is not just distributed in Lagos but Abuja, and all over the country as well as abroad including Toronto where the concept came from. Its already 2 years in the market. The magazine is not centered on the rich but everyone irrespective of position in the society. It is for those with interest in the job we do. It will be formally launched soon in Lagos and Abuja.”

On why pageantry was included in the content, Yahaya explained that it was necessary as the

The magazine is not centered on the rich but everyone irrespective of position in the society. It is for those with interest in the job we do

management saw the need to take the youths off the streets, by engaging them positively. “The pageantry page is known as Face of Top Fliers Magazine and it comes up annually. We made the inclusion after seeing the need to re-write stereotypes of the youths.”

Another interesting inclusion in the Magazine Yahaya hinted, is the ‘Top Fliers Award’ which is geared towards honouring outstanding individuals in the

society. The maiden edition took place last year. We are committed to giving Nigerians a value for their money. I was inspired to do differently from the normal thing everyone is doing like just concentrating on events and publishing colourful photographs of celebrators.

There are varieties for everyone’s reading pleasure and in spite of who is featured, there is no compromising the quality of the magazine.”

Allaying fears that the magazine may face the challenge of not selling due to the existing poor reading culture, the publisher explained that “The question of whether Nigerians don’t read is relative.

We need to know whether it is in terms of school materials, as students or literary materials.

Our reading culture is not bad to an extent if it is that bad, no one would be writing or publishing. Besides, this is why we have creatively included varieties in the content so that everyone’s need is covered. No matter the class you belong, your interest is represented in the magazine.”

46 — S UNDAY Vanguard SUNDAY Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Warri Wolves players in action

ACL: Praia Cruz keep Warri Wolves guessing

By Ben Efe

W

ARRI Wolves’ continental push may have received a boost without the club kicking a ball as Sao Tome’s Sporting Praia Cruz, are doubtful to play the first leg CAF Champions League preliminary rounds billed for the Warri Township Stadium today.

Warri Wolves Chairman, Moses Etu disclosed yesterday that they have had no communication from Sporting Praia Cruz on their intentions for the match.

“They are not on ground here in Warri. The match referees from Ghana are here. I have no

idea, if Praia Cruz will show up.

We tried to reach them on phone but all we heard was a voice saying “No Match” at the other end.

“We have communicated to the Nigeria Football Federation who are doing same to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and we were told to hold on for a while for confirmation.

“We are only waiting for official declaration from CAF that the match is a walkover, before we begin to think of the next step,” Etu stated yesterday.

It was gathered that flight connection may have been responsible for the no show by the club from Sao Tome.

Etu added that Warri Wolves are ready to go far in the competition having gained experience from their CAF Confederation Cup campaign in 2015. They reached the playoffs but narrowly lost to Congolese side AC Leopards on 4-3 aggregate scores.

Warri Wolves were runners up in Nigeria Professional Football League and, according to Etu, they have the ambition to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League.

Rooney: Top four will be ‘difficult’ for United •I won’t ask about Mourinho, says van Gaal A SOMBRE Wayne Rooney conceded that Manchester United will struggle to qualify for the Champions League next season after a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland yesterday.

A mini-revival came crashing to a halt as Wahbi Khazri’s early strike and David De Gea’s late own goal contributed to a damaging defeat for under-fire manager Louis van Gaal. The result leaves United six points off the top-four pace, a gap which could grow to seven with 12 games to play if Manchester City beat Tottenham today.

Rooney was very down in his post-match interview as he surveyed a damaging result at the Stadium of Light.

“Don’t think we created enough chances, weren’t aggressive enough,” Rooney

told BT Sport. “Disappointing result. “It’ll be difficult to qualify for Champions League and the top four now so it’s a sad day for us in terms of losing the three points and we have to somehow move on.”

Under-fire van Gaal said he won’t ask Manchester United officials if the club have been in contact with Jose Mourinho

Fear of relegation fired up Leicester, says Mahrez

L

EICESTER City star Riyad Mahrez believes the club’s relegation battle last season has helped their shock title challenge, according to BBC Sport.

The Foxes are five points clear at the top of the table and their rise has shocked most of the footballing world.

Touted as relegation fodder at the start of the campaign, manager

Gov. Ganduje to grace Ramat Cup final

G

OVERNOR Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State will be the special guest of honour at the final of the 2016 YSFON U-16 Ramat Cup competition expected to be rounded up today at the Kano Pillars Stadium.

Disclosing this to our correspondent, National President of YSFON, Yusuf Gawuna noted that the Governor who will be accompanied by his deputy and other members of his executive will officially declare the tournament closed even as he announced that it will be the first time in the history of the championship that a state Governor will be physically present at the closing ceremony of the tournament.

about replacing him as manager, saying he would be “disappointed” if reports are accurate.

“Then I shall be disappointed,’’ the United manager said. “Because that is the consequence of what I have said. In a football world that is possible, I know, but I do not think that.

Gawuna who also doubles as Kano State Commissioner of Agriculture stated that the presence of the Governor will spur the Federation to do more in its desire to develop grassroots football in the country.

“The Governor has given us his word that he will be present to declare the championship closed and as a sports loving Governor, we are eagerly awaiting his visit which will challenge us to do more for the development of grassroots football in the country,” he said. The YSFON boss while commending Kano State Government for its consistency in organizing the championship, praised the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the various teams.

Claudio Ranieri has masterminded their meteoric upturn in fortunes.

This last time last season, the club looked likely to make a quick-fire return to the Championship under Nigel Pearson.

With just seven games to go, they found themselves at the bottom of the table, though pulled off a great escape.

On course to at the very least qualify for the Champions League, an amazing achievement in itself, the Algerian playmaker believes the episode helped their sensational form this term.

“Last season, it was very difficult with a lot of pressure. This year it is a positive pressure’, revealed the 24-year old.

•Mahrez

Marriage gone sour

O

UR elders say that unless a woman marries two husbands, she wouldn’t know the better of the two.

Not long ago, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF fell out with the national team Chief coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

As a result, it refused to extend his contract, hinging its action on the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2015 Africa Nations Cup which held in Equatorial Guinea.

The decision also got a lot of support from angry Nigerians who were bitter that the Eagles could not qualify from a group which included Congo, South Africa and Sudan.

Many a football fan had called on the NFF to hire a quality foreign coach for the team because, according to them, Keshi who is unarguably the best indigenous coach, has reached his limit.

Nigerians who were once again clamouring for a foreign coach after stints with our indigenous coaches following the unsuccessful voyage of German, Berti Vogts with the Eagles at the 2008 Africa Nations Cup in Ghana were shocked when the NFF hired former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh.

NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, a lover of foreign coaches may have thought along that line but it has been revealed that another influential member of the Board talked him into giving the job to Oliseh.

Pinnick in a move to convince Nigerians that the NFF didn’t make a mistake in hiring Oliseh, described the Delta-born coach as “the Pep Guardiola of Africa”, stressing that they have confidence he will deliver. So he thought.

As if to ensure he doesn’t falter or have any excuse for failure, the NFF reportedly paid Oliseh three months salary upfront, a development that infuriated some of the coaches in the federation’s employ, including Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke. Amuneke’s angst was that he had been working before Oliseh was employed and owed salary for a number of months but was never considered for payment.

Even Samson Siasia was a victim of unpaid salary and just like Amuneke complained. Rather than assuage these coaches, the NFF queried them for asking for their dues. The NFF and Pinnick in particular must be ruing their choice of Oliseh following his recent vituperations, not only against the NFF but to his critics, including journalists and his former teammates whom he addressed as “bench warmers” during their playing days.

However, the sweet romance between the NFF and Oliseh seems to have come to an end with both sides spewing hate words on each other. And the last straw that broke the Camel’s back was the failure of the Super Eagles at the Africa Nations Championship, CHAN which ended in Rwanda last Sunday with the Democratic Republic of Congo beating Mali 30 to win the top prize.

It was shocking when Oliseh blamed the team’s loss on lack of motivation for the players. He also alleged that he had to spend his

personal fund to feed the players who were hungry because the NFF gave them no money.

How come this only came out after the team crashed out of the competition following their 0-1 loss to Guinea in the last group match on a day they needed just a draw to sail through?

Just as the NFF was coming to terms with Oliseh’s accusation of neglect, he posted an interview of self on youtube, lambasting his critics who he described as insane.

This got Nigerians infuriated and the NFF thought of calling it quits with him before the Sports minister, Solomon Dalung intervened last Tuesday.

Dalung’s truce came with a condition, that Oliseh must apologize to all those he called names. The NFF on its part may have agreed to put Oliseh’s ‘insult’ on the federation behind but with a proviso that he pays a fine of N6m.

It is not clear whether the coach will accept the fine offer because the BBC hinted the day after that Oliseh may consider consulting his layers to contest it.

As the crisis of confidence between Oliseh and the NFF simmers, Nigerians are worried on the effect the strained relationship could have on the Nations Cup/ World Cup qualifier between the Eagles and Egypt especially the claim by Oliseh that players may boycott future calls to play for the country.

This is a subtle blackmail which if not nipped in the bud now could spell doom for our World Cup appearance in Russia in 2018. If Amuneke and Siasia’s teams could play with delayed allowances and bonuses and still went on to win their competitions, Oliseh had no excuse for failing in Rwanda and should desist from inciting the players. That is what his statement that players may not answer national call is.

This is also not to absolve the NFF from the brewing crisis because as a federation that gets support from the corporate world outside the ‘pampering’ they get from government, state and federal, they should not complain of lack of fund or frustration because of the Treasury Single Account .

The constant call on sports men and the technical officials to make sacrifices is welcome. This however, should go side by side with the provision of an enabling environment for them to prepare properly for competitions to be able to post podium performances.

This is why the saying that to whom much is given, much is expected should be reversed to read to whom much is expected, much should be given.

It on this ground that I want to thank the House Committee on Sports for taking a bold step towards making other sports have a sense of belonging. During the week it invited the sports that have qualified for the Rio Olympics to come before it to defend the budget for their activities like football does. That means these federations, like football, may get direct appropriation of funds to prosecute their programmes like participation in the Olympics and other international engagements.

C M Y K

S UNDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, FEBRUARY 14, 2016—47

Aigbogun unhappy with Enyimba defeat E

Aigbogun

Pelican Stars get new Management Committee

NYIMBA head coach, Paul Aigbogun is still seething over his side’s defeat to twotime Ugandan champions, Vipers SC in a first leg, preliminary round Caf Champions League game on Friday.

Erisa Sekisambu struck on 63 minutes as the Wakiso club tore the form book to shreds with an unlikely win at the Nakivubo Stadium, Kampala.

Aigbogun reckons his side will however turn the tables in the return fixture when some of the big hitters who missed

Friday’s game will be available for selection.

“We should not have lost this game. We had enough chances to win. I believe we will advance to the next around.

“In the next game we would have our full squad and play very differently from how we did. It’s not over for us. ”Vipers have shown what they are capable of, scoring with a rare chance at goal. We too will show what we can do at home,” Aigbogun said.

L-R: Category Marketing Manager, Olympic, Raphael Agbaje, De Royal FC Skipper, Lukmon Ogidan, MD, Nutricima; Eelco Weber and Brand Manager, Mr. Bamise Oyegbami at the cheque presentation to De Royal FC, winners of the Olympic 5-Aside World Championship in Lagos.

Suarez: I left Liverpool for Champions League glory L

T

HE government of Cross River State has reconstituted the management committee of Pelican Stars Football Club of Calabar. The new committee has Comrade Sam Kombo as chairman, with Honourable Patrick Ifere as his vice.

Other members are Efionwan Ekpo-tem, manager, Eddie Bekom(media), Modey Oguge, member and Mrs Esther Peter Etim as secretary.

The technical crew has Egan Adat as technical adviser, Echeng Esso, coach, John Odey, coach while Etta Egbe is the liaison officer.

Innaugurating the committee, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, honourable Asu Okang charged members to reposition the club and return it the its pride of place in women football in the country. He assured government’s attention and support in that regard.

Responding, Chairman of the club, Comrade Sam Kombo thanked government and pledged to justify their appointment.

Oliseh Continued from back page month to the make or mar 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Egypt.

Our source further revealed that some of the coaches (whom he refused to mention) that were subtly sounded out by the technical committee of the NFF turned down the offer, apparently due to what happened to Samson Siasia who was sacked at the Stadium after the team failed to qualify for the 2015 edition of the championship even as he did not begin with the team in the qualifying series.

However, Sports Vanguard gathered that the NFF is still studying the clauses of the Oliseh contract to see if there is a way out due to the fact that the coach was also not expected

DREAM COME TRUE: Suarez wth the Champions League trophy

Young boxers gear up for GOtv Boxing NextGen Search

A

HEAD of the maiden GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, holding between 17 and 18 February, young boxers have been visiting the Secretariat of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) to obtain forms for registration.

GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, which is being organto engage in any improper conduct.

“Honestly I know that the leadership of this federation is not happy with the recent development but with just one month to the important game against Egypt it is difficult.

Again even if you get away with the issue of claims which Oliseh stands to get if sacked, who will take over the team?

“Remember what happened to Siasia after he came on a rescue bid and was sacked at the stadium the moment we failed to qualify for the AFCON. So I want to tell you that the coaches are afraid because nobody is sure of what will happen again.”

He also hinted that Oliseh may not entirely draw the list of players for the two-legged encounter as both the technical committee and the assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf will be involved.

ised under the auspices of the NBB of C and in partnership with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, is being held to discover a new crop of professional boxing talents and give those who have already turned pro an opportunity in the boxing shop window.

Wenger Continued from back page that special force where teams get into a zone, where teams think: ‘ we can do this.’

“The message they gave out in this game against Manchester City, it looked like every single player was there with belief.”

With Leicester finding so much joy on the counter-attack, Wenger said there was no chance Arsenal would curb their attacking instincts to deny Leicester opportunities on the break.

“No. We will try of course to stop their counter-attacking.

But at home you have to express your strengths and our strength is to have the ball,” he said.

“We have to try to express our strengths and as well try to stop them from hitting us on the break.”

According the organisers, registration is free and intending participants can pick up their forms at the NBB of Secretariat at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The event will hold over the two days at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym, Olatilewa Street, off Lawanson Road, Surulere, Lagos.

According to the organisers, registered boxers will take part in sparring sessions during which they will be evaluated by celebrated coaches, who will select the best performing boxers.

UIS Suarez revealed the de cision to leave Liverpool for Barcelona was to have the opportunity to win the Champions League.

Suarez arrived at Anfield in January 2011 in a £20million move from Ajax, scoring 82 goals in 133 appearances for the club before joining Barcelona in 2014.

The Uruguay international scored 31 goals in the memorable 2013-14 season as Liverpool finished runners-up in the Premier League, two points behind winners Manchester City.

However, despite helping Liverpool get back into the Champions League for the first time since 2009-10, Suarez said he wanted to be at a club where he had the chance of winning it.

“My desire at Liverpool was to help get the club playing in the elite because they had been five years without it. We used to talk about it in the dressing room,” he told the Daily Mail.

“If Liverpool are not in the Champions League, it is difficult to get the best players to come to the club.

Mikel set to break Kanu’s record

J

OHN Mikel Obi could be come the Nigerian with the highest number of appearances in the Champions League, if Chelsea go past the quarter-finals of the competition this season.

The midfielder has 56 appearances so far, four matches behind Nwankwo Kanu, who has 60.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2006, Mikel Obi has averaged 37 games per seaContinued from back page son in all competitions.

The 28-year-old has also won we have a perfect atmosphere all the major trophies in Encome March 26,”Sanusi said. gland and Europe.

The first leg of the Nigeria and Egypt AFCON 2017 qualifier was moved by three days by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), following a request by the NFF. The second leg will now be played on March 29.

The Super Eagles are second on the log with four points from two games, behind Egypt who have six points from same number of matches.

Mikel

AFCON

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

BA TTLE OF THE TIT ANS BATTLE TITANS

Man City v Spurs: We’ll fight like a Cup final — Iheanacho N

IGERIA and Manchester City wonderkid, Kelechi Iheanacho is not dazed by the startling form of the likes of Dele Ali, Harry Kane and others in the Tottenham line up billed to take on title contenders, Man City at the Etihad Stadium. That match comes up 5.15 pm, this afternoon.

Speaking on the match, Iheanacho who is in the

starting line up of the host said,”We have to treat it like a cup final and give everything we have in the game.

On his elevation to the first team the teenageer said he must continue to work hard.

“I need to listen to everybody and work hard,” he added. “I will try to impress everybody — the manager, the team, the

fans — and to do that I have to work hard every day.”

Wenger: Arsenal will attack Leicester A

Ranieri

Wenger

Why NFF can’t sack Oliseh

By Jude Opara, Abuja

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ESPITE the embar rassment brought to bear on the Nigeria Football Federation by the conduct of Super Eagles

Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh who last Sunday took to the social media castigating most football stakeholders, the NFF decided not to sack the coach because of the huge severance money the coach stood to collect should he be axed.

Sports Vanguard can authoritatively reveal that going by the letters of the contract which the NFF and Oliseh signed last June, the coach would pocket a whopping N126 million should he be sacked by the federation under one year of the five year contract.

A dependable source at the secretariat of the NFF told our reporter that

Oliseh apart from the financial implication which the cash-strapped federation could not easily overlook, the other dilemma was the fact that there is hardly any other Nigerian coach that will easily accept the job with just one

RSENE Wenger is out to spoil Leicester City’s party and the Arsenal manager said he will not hold anything back against their unlikely title rivals when they meet today.

Wenger said there can be no doubting Leicester’s title credential after wins against Liverpool and then Manchester City in consecutive games, and claimed the two wins could prove a turning point for them in terms of believing their Premier League dream is a real possibility.

“They had a decisive test against Liverpool and City,” said Wenger.

“If they had lost you would have said no they will not do it [win the league]. But these two games were the turning point in their season.

“Against City they had a kind of dominance in belief in every challenge,

Continues on page 47

Omorodion's SportsGuard —p.46

Continues on page 47

AFCON qualifier: NFF race to get Kaduna ready N

IGERIA Football Federation and the Kaduna State Football Association are taking advantage of the postponement in date, to get the Ahmadu Bello Stadium ready for the Africa Nations Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs of Egypt on March 26.

The NFF sought a change in date to March 26 and it was approved

by CAF.

RARING TO GO: Kelechi Iheanacho

CROSS WORD PUZZLE DOWN ACROSS 1. Sample (5) 1. Governor of Sokoto 2. Niger state town (4) State (8) 3. Observe (5) 5. Assistant (4) 4. Lecture (6) 7. Praise (5) 5. Everyone (3) 8. Upright (4) 6. Use (6) 9. Lantern (4) 10. Inquires (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Exclamation (2) 15. Resistance unit (3) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 17. Coax (4) 18. Agent (3) 19. Rollicked (6) 20. Glitters (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 24. Forward (5) 22. Satisfied (4) 25. Nigerian state (6) 23. Nigerian state (3) 27. Boring tool (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 27 . African country (6) 31. Perform (2) 28. Endure (4) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 29. Child (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 30. Spoke (6) 36. Vow (4) 31. Adorn (5) 38. Musical quality (4) 33. Baking chambers 39. Inclination (5) (5) 40. Eager (4) 35. Asterisk (4) 41. Damages (8) 37. Possessed (3)

According to the NFF secretary-general, Sanusi Mohammed the move was to get the Kaduna Stadium ready. He said there was still work to be done to get the stadium ready for the crucial encounter.

“We have seen every part of the stadium, and it seems ready for the Eagles-Pharaohs clash, but there is still some work to be done to ensure

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RESULTS EPL Sunderland Bournemouth Crystal Palace Everton0 Norwich City Swansea City Chelsea

2 1 1 2 0 5

Man United Stoke City Watford 2 West Brom West Ham Southampton Newcastle

1 3 1 2 1 1

FIXTURES

See solution on page 5

Musa

Today’s Match Arsenal v Aston Villa v Man City v

Leicester City Liverpool Tottenham

1pm 3.05pm 5:15pm

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