How elections were rigged, by PDP, APC

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62383

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Pgs 54 & 55

One year after, anger remains over Chibok girls

How elections were rigged, by PDP, APC z APC wants elections cancelled in Abia, A-Ibom, Rivers zINEC, securitymen manipulated polls in favour of APC, says PDP z60 CSOs urge Jega to probe Abia, A-Ibom, Rivers results

By Chidi Nkwopara, Henry Umoru, Gbenga Oke, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Caleb Ayansina & John Mkom

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AGOS — THE struggle to win more governorships between the political parties, continued yesterday, with the two major political parties accusing each other of conspiring with the Independent National Electoral Commission,

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST: Finally, Hillary Clinton joins the race •P.44

Mr & Mrs CELEBRATIONS: TOP LEFT: From left: Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Deputy Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State; Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor-elect, Lagos State; Chief Henry Ajomale, Chairman, APC, Lagos State and Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor-elect, celebrating victory in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

TOP RIGHT: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right) and Akwa Ibom State Governor-elect, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel during a victory rally in Uyo, yesterday. BOTTOM LEFT: From left: Delta State PDP Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Delta State Governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith celebrating shortly after Okowa was declared winner by INEC in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini. RIGHT: Kaduna State Governor-elect, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (2nd right) of the APC and Senator-elect for Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani during a victory rally at their party campaign headquarters in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

The women behind SouthSouth govs See Inside C M Y K

Presidential transition c'ttee promises smooth hand-over on May 29 9

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POCKET CARTOON

PRESENTATION: From left: The Press Officer, European Union Election Observation Mission, Eberhard Laue; Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas and Deputy Chief Observer, Hannah Roberts, at the presentation of the second preliminary statement on governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

How elections were rigged, by PDP, APC Continues from page 1 INEC, and security agencies to rig the governorship elections against them where they lost out.

The recriminations came as INEC declared governorship contests in Abia, Imo and Taraba States as inconclusive.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of 60 civil society organisations, yesterday urged INEC to clinically scrutinize results from Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.

The coalition in a statement, yesterday particularly affirmed that there was sufficient reason to “question the credibility of the elections results in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.”

Echoing the CSOs, the

European Union, EU, Election Observation Mission, EU EOM, pointed at Rivers and Akwa Ibom States as the two most outstanding states where the elections were marred by violence and deliberate interference.

How elections were manipulated in Akwa Ibom, Rivers —APC

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, on the outcome of the elections, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, painted a picture of how, according to him, the elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom were manipulated by the Presidency and the Peo-

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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HANGE how you look at things and the things you look at will change — Take Heart Quotes

The key is to get your attitude (or real feelings and thoughts) to match the thoughts you want to think in order to attract your ideal life. One of the best ways to do this is to ‘Act as if ’.

You run into trouble when we visualize internally, but then are faced with ‘What seems to be true’ externally. The best thing to do when your ‘Outer mind’ is trying to prove to you that what you want doesn’t exist is to ‘Act as if ’.

Try visualizing a better outlook at life by seeing yourself in the place you want to be. For instance, you want a promotion, see yourself in that office acting and being, but more importantly see whoever is there before you in their appropriate place too, you cannot displace another and expect to be successful in a more fulfilling way.

There is always one more step to move into your place more meaningfully. When we ‘Act as if,’ you are being at that very moment your reality. You must become the person you need to be first in order to have all the things you want. When you change your attitude, your reality will change.

"Irked by AIG Ogunsakin’s directive, the Presidency ordered him to leave Rivers State within six hours, and a pliant replacement was asked to take over from him. From then on, unimaginative terror was unleashed on the electorate particularly on APC members and supporters. It was a straight fight between the police, the militants and the PDP on the one hand and the APC on the other hand.

“Contrary to the directive from INEC that card readers be used for the elections, the machines were discarded in Rivers and that is why the voters turnout for Rivers, as announced by INEC stood at more than 75per cent compared with the national average of between 25 and 35 per cent.”

Election materials ples Democratic Party, not supplied to most polling units PDP. He said the party was in A-Ibom

General of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, who was in charge of elections in the state.

He thus called on democracy enthusiasts and civil society organisations to join APC in calling for the outright cancellation of what he described as phoney elections conducted in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Abia states.

INEC, security operatives Speaking on the rigging manipulated polls left with no option than to call for the cancellation of method used in Akwa in favour of APC the election conducted in Ibom State, Mohammed —PDP the two states.

Explaining how the elections were manipulated, in the two states, he said: “As you would recollect, our party’s chapter in Rivers had written a petition complaining of the crass partisanship of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police in the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on March 28. Because of this petition, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba posted three Commissioners of Police from the Force Headquarters to oversee the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State but as soon as the President learnt of this development, he directed the IGP to reverse the decision and instead requested that AIG Tunde Ogunsakin be posted to oversee the April 11 elections in Rivers State.

“As soon as electoral materials were distributed, the DPO for Akukutoru Local Government Area simply handed over the election materials for this local government to the militants. Upon learning of this development, AIG Ogunshakin ordered that the materials be recovered and given to the Electoral Officer for the local government within the next hour.

said election materials were not supplied to most of the polling units in the state.

He said: “In former Governor Victor Attah’s ward in Ibesikpo Asutan, three contiguous polling units did not receive election materials while most of the polling units in Oruk Anam, which is the home local government area of Atuekong Etiebet and Chief Soni Udom, Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Organisation, most of the polling units did not receive election materials.

"In areas where polling materials were received, hordes of deadly armed thugs escorted by men in Nigeria Police and Army uniforms stormed the polling units and carted away the election materials midway into the accreditation process."

Killings in A-Ibom

According to him several cases of ballot snatching were reported in the state in the course of which, according to him, several members of the APC, who were seen as being in the way of the alleged PDP thugs, were killed.

According to him, the killing of an APC member in Ini Local Government Area was acknowledged by the Assistant Inspector

The PDP in its retort also accused the APC of collaborating with INEC and security agencies to rig the elections across the country.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, flayed INEC and security officials of having succumbed to the intimidating propaganda of the APC. According to the party, “evidences abound of widespread irregularities across the country with INEC rejecting results from the strongholds of PDP candidates for no just cause while accepting the figures of the APC. "In Lagos, Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Imo states, there are proofs of electoral manipulations ranging from under-age voting, ballot stuffing and intimidation of PDP supporters to alteration of some aspects of the process in favour of APC. “In Abia State, but for the outcry of the people and timely intervention of the INEC headquarters which rejected the illegal cancellation of results from three local governments and strongholds of the PDP by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC,

even after they have been announced by the returning officers, the PDP would have been robbed of its well deserved victory in those areas.

“As a responsible party committed to national unity and democracy, our members have remained peaceful and orderly; our candidates have been conceding defeat in the interest of peace while we elect to channel our protest to the appropriate quarters.

The same has not been seen of the APC, which has unleashed its members to cause mayhem and harass our supporters in states where PDP candidates clearly won, such as Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Ondo, Rivers and Gombe states.

“While we urge INEC to take disciplinary actions against its erring officials, we strongly call to question the sincerity of some of the observers especially regarding their failure to raise issues on the irregularities that characterized the voting pattern in most of the states where APC candidates have been declared winner.

“Finally, we invite Nigerians and the international community to note the emerging dangerous trend in our country. There are rising concerns that the APC may have commenced a systematic destruction of democratic institutions and culture, which the PDP successfully nurtured in the last 16 years. Indeed, we wonder if there is a deliberate attempt to also erode the discipline and professionalism of our security forces and entrench the culture of impunity in our society.”

The party, however, urged the citizens not to despair but to brace up and resist all anti-democratic and dictatorial tendencies, noting that it is repositioning to stand by the people by providing a credible opposition and returning to power in four

Continues on page 53

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Okadaman docked for allegedly killing colleague

Torture couple jailed 3 years for child abuse

By Esther Onyegbula

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By Bartholomew Madukwe, Victor Ogunsola & Jane Echewodo

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motorcyclist, Okechuckwu Uchenna, 41, was yesterday arraigned before a Kirikiri Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly driving recklessly and causing the death of another motorcyclist, Mr. Emmanuel Asuquo.

The accused, whose residence is unknown, was said to have committed the alleged offence on March 28, at Fin-Niger Junction along Marwa Road, Lagos.

Uchenna, the accused, was also said to have ridden the motorcycle without a driver's licence.

He was arraigned on a three-count charge of reckless and unlawful driving, contrary to Sections 18 (1), 20 and 7 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, Cap 124, Vol 6 Laws of the Lagos State of Nigeria, 2012.

However, when the charge was read to the accused before Magistrate Ademola Adesanya, he pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Adesanya granted the accused bail in the sum of N350,000 with two responsible sureties with evidence of tax payment and a verifiable address.

Damilare, 8 (left) and Michael Odebunmi, 6.

AGOS—SEUN and Adepeju Odebunmi, father and step-mother, respectively, of tortured siblings, Damilare and Michael, have been sentenced to three years in prison without an option of fine.

The family court in Ikorodu Magisterial District, Lagos, handed down the sentence for emotionally, psychologically and physically abusingtheir children and inflicting severe injuries on their bodies.

The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Femisola Azeez, who delivered judgement on the case, found the defendants guilty of gross child abuse and sentenced both accordingly.

Vanguard had reported that residents at Owutu, Ikorodu, raised alarm over the abuse suffered by the children when eight-year-old Damilare Odebunmi was found unconscious, lying in the sun with blood dripping from injuries on his back, after he was beaten by his father and step-mother for taking Vitamin C. It was also reported that the

Man, 42, charged for attempted rape of 11-yr-old daughter

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A 42-year-old teacher, Mr. Mufutau Ganiyu, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court over alleged attempted rape of his 11-year-old daughter.

The defendant, who is facing a one-count charge bordering on attempted rape, was

charged before Magistrate O. Oshin.

Ganiyu, who resides at 6, Kubolaje Street, in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on April 9, at about 5pm on Lagos Island.

The prosecutor alleged that

the defendant attempted to have unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

However, Magistrate O. Oshin adjourned the matter till April 16, to hear the bail application of the defendant.

siblings had, before the rescue, consistently suffered abuse in the hands of their father and step-mother, who had made it a habit of starving them; an act that led the children to beg other tenants for food.

During the arraignment, Seun and Adepeju Odebunmi admitted to committing the crime and pleaded guilty to the charges.

They told the court: “It is the work of the devil. We did not mean to cause the children any harm. All we did was discipline him for stealing.”

When Policemen rescued the children, they discovered that apart from several bodily injuries, they were seriously malnourished.

The children were rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital, where they received treatment for two weeks before they were discharged.

At Owutu Divisional Headquarters, on March, 24, the two defendants admitted the charges levelled against them through their written statements.

The Magistrate then tendered their statements, statements of witnesses and pictures as evidence.

Judgment

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Azeez said: “In view of the plea of guilty taken by the defendants and the facts duly stated by the prosecution and duly admitted as true by the defendants and the exhibits admitted for identity purposes only, the defendants are hereby found guilty as charged.

“The defendants are, hereby, sentenced to three years in prison.”

The court granted Mojisola Faniyi, biological mother of Damilare and Michael, custody of the children.

FIREARMS CASE: Magistrate raises alarm over threat to life

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—MAGISTRATE Adeola Adedayo of an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, raised an alarm over alleged threat to her life and that of her family in a case of illegal possession of firearms levelled against two brothers brought before her.

The magistrate alleged that the case of the two brothers, Sulaiman Sanusi and Kehinde Sanusi, had exposed her life to danger.

She said the two defendants had written three petitions to her, while the complainant had also written one over the issue.

Adedayo also alleged that the defendants in their

petition, stated that they knew where she lives and the people who do come to visit her.

She said: “I feel very threatened. Let the world know about it so that if anything happens to me and any member of my family, the whole world will know who to hold.

“I do not know why a defendant should know my house; my life is at risk.

“Somebody is alleged to be in possession of firearms and he wrote petitions to threaten my life, analyzing my marital status, my family background and where I live, who I live with and how I move in and move out every day.”

During the proceeding, the magistrate also threatened to charge the defendants'

counsel, Gbolu AgbajeAkadiri, with contempt of court due to his disposition to the court.

The magistrate said: “I want the world to know about the threat so that I will not be killed like others killed in the past. If anything happens to me they would know who to hold responsible.”

The case

The arraignment of the defendants received a setback due to the defect on the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP’s legal advice, as what to do with the second defendant was not clarified.

Earlier on, the state prosecuting counsel, S. Dawodu, urged the court to

grant a short adjournment to enable the prosecution correct a minor mistake on the legal advice.

She had told the court that a legal advice issued on February 19 had a defect to which the second defendant's status in the charge sheet was not stated in the DPP’s advice.

However, Magistrate Adedayo adjourned the matter till May 11 for regularization of the DPP’s advice.

In the DPP’s advice, dated February 19, it was stated that “after a careful consideration of the facts in the duplicate case file, this office is of the opinion that there is sufficient evidence in the case file to substantiate the offence of unlawful possession of firearms contrary to Sections 3

(1) and 5 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms Special Provision Act 1990 against the defendant.”

It also stated that facts contained in the duplicate case file revealed that on October 16, 2014, police recovered one shotgun from Sulaiman Sanusi and he confessed that the gun was in his possession and that his confession was consistent with the facts established in the duplicate case file.

It further held that in Adebayo vs. AG Ogun State (2008) 7, NWLR PT 1085 page 201, where an accused person makes a free and voluntary confession, which is direct and positive, the accused could be convicted on the strength of that confession.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—7

We're trying to raise ransom, says father of abducted children

By Evelyn Usman

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EVASTATED parents of the three siblings kidnapped by their maid last Wednesday, yesterday said they were still struggling to raise the N13 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers for the release of their children.

Vanguard gathered that, yesterday, the abductors refused to bring down the ransom, maintaining that they

TAKEN:

Adedamola.

would only release the children when the ransom was paid.

The abductors, who initially demanded N15 million, reportedly reduced it to N13 million last Friday after passionate pleas from parents of the kidnapped children.

Their mother, Mrs Adebisi Orekoya, said she wished the whole scenario would turn out to be a dream.

The children, Demola,6; Adedamola, 4, and Aderomola,

11 months, were abducted by their househelp, one Mary Akinloye, 24 hours after she was employed by the family via OLX, an online sales portal, with an agreement of N10,000 to N15,000 monthly salary.

Akinloye, who claimed to be 23 years old and hailed from Ibadan, Oyo State, according to the family, resumed work on March 7, when the former nanny did not show up after her annual leave.

From left— 11-month-old Aderomola,6-year-old Demola and 4-year-old

Youths attack Ondo Deputy Governor's convoy

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE convoy of Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, was yesterday attacked by youths, who called for his resignation.

His security personnel had to shoot into the air before his convoy was able to drive into his official residence within Government House grounds.

He accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of instigating the attack. But in a swift reaction, the governor’s media aide said the people reacted because they were harassed by the deputy governor’s convoy.

Stones, sachet water and eggs were thrown at the convoy by the youths, who called him names for defecting to the opposition party.

Olanusi defected to All Progressives Congress, APC, 48 hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28, but refused to resign.

Vanguard learned that the deputy governor, who was returning home after last Saturday ’s election, was waylaid at the entrance of Government House by the youths.

He was said to be coming from his home town at Supare Akoko when some youths, who

carried placards, blocked the convoy.

The Deputy Governor accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko as the masquerade behind the attack.

Olanusi said: “The thugs he hired would have attacked me if I had not come with my convoy.

“I will call on the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of this zone, and the Inspector General of Police to protect me more for God’s sake.”

However, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr.

Eni Akinsola, denied that thugs were used to harass Olanusi.

Akinsola said: “Some people were trying to reverse the trend of peace the state has been enjoying in the past six years.

“Olanusi came to the town shooting sporadically into the air and it was the aggrieved residents, who had never witnessed such scene in the past years, that protested against the deputy governor.

“People should accept democracy as a normal way of life; accept when their calculation went wrong and learn to accept defeat.”

Auto crashes kill 85 persons at Easter

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA—THE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has said 85 persons lost their lives, while 463 others sustained various degrees of injuries from about 115 road traffic accidents during the last Easter celebrations.

The Public Education Officer of FRSC, Imoh Etuk, who disclosed this via a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the rate of deaths recorded under the period increased by five percent compared to 2014.

Etuk said the corps also

recorded 25 percent reduction in the number of vehicles involved in auto crashes within the period, which stood at 172, in comparison with 230 vehicles in 2014.

He said 13 percent reduction was also recorded in the number of people involved in road traffic crashes in 2015 with 885 persons, against the 2014 figure of 1,012.

He said: “Details of the 2015 fatality figures indicate that while 85 deaths were recorded in 2015, the 2014 Easter patrols posted 80 deaths, translating to five percent increase.”

Nightmare begins

However, trouble started for the family next day, after Mrs Orekoya, who was at work, received a call from her eldest son of age 10, at about 1pm, informing her that Akinloye (maid) had left the house with his siblings.

She reportedly did not give the children lunch before leaving the house with the 11 month-old baby strapped to her back, while she held others by the hand.

Tension heightened when neither the new maid nor the children were seen at about 4pm.

By Friday last week, the maid reportedly spoke with the family on phone, where one of her accomplices gave the family a two-day ultimatum to produce the N13 million ransom, threatening that they would lose the children if they failed to make the money available.

A source said: “The whole family has been thrown into untold trauma. As at Friday last week, my brother received a text message, where the kidnappers threatened to waste the children if the N13 million ransom was not paid within 24 hours.

“In fact, their exact word was that they would ‘delete’ the children if they failed to pay the money.

“The children's mother is a shadow of her old self. She is devastated. She loves all her children no doubt, but she is concerned more about 11 months old Aderomola.

“She never ceases to call out to him everyday, wondering what type of food he was being fed with. During one of the conversations, she was allowed to speak with the children, who claimed they were being taken care of.

“But the issue now is how to raise the requested amount.”

On his part, father of the abducted children, Mr. Leke Orekoya, who spoke with Vanguard on phone, said they were still trying to raise the money.

He said: “We are still trying to raise the money. They have not shifted ground. The amount is still what they demanded for (N13 m).

“My wife is devastated at the moment and we are praying and hoping that we would be able to reunite with our children soon.”

Police's promise

When contacted, spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, Kenneth Nwosu, said investigation into the abduction was still ongoing, adding that effort was on to rescue the children.

8 escape death as electric pole falls on building in Bayelsa

By Emem Idio

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ENAGOA—A family of eight escaped death as an electric pole fell over a residential building along Otiotio road, Yenizue-Gene a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.

A member of the family, Mr. William Amalagha, said his family members were inside the building oblivious of the danger when a neighbour raised the alarm that the electric pole erected beside the building was falling.

Although no life was lost during the incident, the building was, however, seriously damaged.

Amalagha, who lives with his mother and six siblings, attributed the collapse of the electric pole to decay and heavy rain and thanked God for sparing the lives of his family members.

Ogudu mayhem victims identified as APC supporters

By Esther Onyegbula

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NE of the two persons killed in Sunday ’s mayhem in Ogudu area of Lagos has been identified as a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Ojota.

The deceased was identified simply as Stainless. The second victim was also identified as Femi.

They were reportedly supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC. When Vanguard visited the scene yesterday, normalcy had returned.

But residents still appeared worried over a reprisal attack.

A resident, Mrs Adebambi Modupe, said the entire area was thrown into chaos immediately the result of Lagos State House of Assembly election for Kosofe Constituency 1 was announced in favour of APC candidate, Bayo Oshinowo, over that of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Moyo Ogunlewe.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL14, 2015

POLLS FALLOUT:

Dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Taraba

BY John Mkom

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ALINGO—A dusk to dawn curfew was imposed on Taraba State, yesterday, by the Acting Governor, Alhaji Sani Danladi, following violence that engulfed the state after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the governorship election in the state inconclusive.

A statement by the Acting Governor said total compliance with the curfew, which will be from 7pm to 6am would help curtail the political crisis.

No fewer than six persons have been killed at Sunkani, headquarters of Ardo Kola Local Government Area of the state as a result of the post-election crisis.

A younger brother of Mark Useni, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, was said to have been killed by some gunmen in Takum Local Government Area of the state.

A number of suspects were also said to have been arrested by a team of military personnel on patrol in the state capital.

Declaring Saturday’s governorship election in Taraba inconclusive, INEC Returning Officer for the election, Professor Muhammad Kariey, said there had to be a supplementary election because the total number of votes rejected and cancelled were more than the total votes with which the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Darius Ishaku, led the runner-up, the All Progressives Congress’, Aisha Al-Hasan.

According to the returning officer, the difference between PDP and APC is 54,881, while the rejected votes from some troubled areas are over 100,000 votes.

He said a supplementary election must be held within 30 days.

PDP had scored a total of 317,198 votes to APC’s 262,386.

The elections in Donga, Wukari and Zing local governments were cancelled following alleged irregularities.

London judge adjourns Ibori's case to June 6, 2016 J

UDGE Anthony Pitts of the Southwark Crown Court, UK, yesterday, adjourned the confiscation hearing of Chief James Ibori, former Delta State Governor, till June 6 next year.

Judge Pitts granted the adjournment to allow him time attend to a case of attempt to pervert the course of justice brought against Ibori’s co-defendant, Mr. Bradresh Gohil.

Gohil’s counsel alleged in court, at the hearing yesterday, that a British Police Officer, Mcdonald, who is a lead investigating officer in the case involving

Gohil and Ibori, had been involved in collecting money for information involving Gohil and Risk Management company.

While pressing home his demand, Gohil’s counsel said: “There are new evidence indicating that DC Macdonald exchanged 22 telephone calls, which have been traced with Risk Management at key stages of the investigation of Ibori.

“They coincided with unexplained payment into DC Macdonald’s account.”

Judge Pitts, while granting the request of Gohil’s counsel in the trial, said: “Justice must not only be done, but must be

seen to have been done.”

This is a second abrupt ending in the Ibori confiscation case.

The first ended last year, after it abruptly ended James Ibori’s confiscation hearing late last year on the grounds that the judge lacked enough evidence to arrive at a decision in the confiscation hearing.

Asking that the case be adjourned again on two grounds, Mr. Gohil’s counsel, Kamlish, a Queen’s Counsel, said: “Your Honour, I seek to have this case adjourned on two grounds: “Gohil is not being represented at the hearing as

the former counsel and solicitor have withdrawn and the second ground being that it will be improper to have a confiscation hearing before Mr. Gohil’s trial.”

The judge, in accepting his request, adjourned Mr. Gohil’s trial till January 16, 2016.

This adjournment of Gohil’s trial affected Ibori’s confiscation hearing as the prosecution sought an application to join Ibori’s and Gohil’s cases together.

Ibori’s case should have lasted for just six weeks, but will now be linked to Gohil’s case, which will begin January next year.

WINNER: Senator Bukola Saraki, leader, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kwara State (right) and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, after the governor was declared winner of Saturday's governorship election in the state.

Thank you, APC tells Lagosians

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HE All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State, has thanked Lagosians for voting for its candidate in last Saturday’s governorship election and consequently renewing its confidence and trust to the party and the leaders they have known in the past 16 years.

In a statement by Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the State Publicity Secretary, the APC said: “Words are not enough to express our depth of gratitude and satisfaction for the boldness and courage displayed by Lagos voters in voting for continuity in the centre of excellence.

“In the face of harassment, intimidation and brigandage from the powers

that be, APC lovers showed infectious and contagious love to the party and its leaders they have known for years now.

“APC lovers in Lagos did not succumb to blatant lies, hate campaigns, politics of the stomach, ethnic and tribal politics and politics of naira, dollars and pounds sterling.

“They were not swayed because they understand what is at stake. They did not see these inducements as low hanging fruits to take advantage of.

“They were smart, courageous and determined to use the power of votes to sustain the intelligent leadership and governance in Lagos.

“If money was the

determining factor in this election, Peoples Democrtaic Party, PDP, would have won.

If police, Army, Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies were the determining factor, PDP would have won the presidency and governorship in Lagos.

“If lies, hate campaigns, newspaper, TV and radio adverts, and so on were their determining factor, PDP would have won the election in both the state and federal levels.

“But there was no meeting point between light and darkness. We relied heavily on common sense revolution.

“We appreciate Lagosians for understanding the urgent need at this critical point in

the nation’s history to connect Lagos effectively to Abuja.

“Lagosians saw this great opportunity and grabbed it with both hands and the rest is now history.

“We have no doubt in our minds that the synergy between Abuja and Lagos will add great values to the Nigeria project and consequently make our country to remain credit positive in many years to come.

“Lagos APC appreciate Lagosians for their unflinching support; we celebrate their courage and steadfastness, we honour their patriotic disposition to continuity, we value so much their sense of judgement and the power of their strategic political decision at a time like this.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 9

Naira loses N3 against dollar at Bureaux De Change

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AGOS—THE value of the Naira yesterday depreciated against the dollar by N3, to close at N208 at the Bureau De Change (BDC) from the N205 it sold for on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development was an appreciation following the N224 it sold for before the March 28 presidential election.

The Naira, however, at the parallel market, otherwise known as the black market, remained stable at N206 to the dollar since Friday.

The currency traded against the pound at N301.50k at the BDCs and the black market, respectively.

The Naira also exchanged for the Euro at N228, from the N230 it traded for on Friday.

Meanwhile, the official rate is still N197 to the dollar at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Presidential transition c'ttee promises smooth hand-over on May 29 ...As Pastor Bakare denies leading screening c’ttee

By Dapo Akinrefon, with agency reports

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B U J A — T H E Presidential Transition Committee says it will ensure smooth transition of power between President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29.

Its Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim,

disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the committee’s inaugural meeting yesterday in Abuja.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the meeting, presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, was attended by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke.

Others at the meeting were the Ministers of Police Affairs and Transport, Jelil Adesiyan, and

Idris Umar, respectively as well as the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii.

Anyim said that the committee would collect handover briefs from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), analyse them and prepare the President’s handover notes before May 29.

“Ours is to prepare the hand over briefs, and prepare the President’s handover note. By the time we are ready, then we will interface with the president-elect’s

Bakare denies leading screening c’ttee

MEETING: From left; Minister of State for Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, during transition committee meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja yesterday.

Energy experts fault NERC’s new directives on electricity tariffs

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AGOS—SOME energy experts yesterday faulted the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) recent pronouncement that Distribution Companies (DISCOs) could now use the cost of operations to peg their tariffs.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the suggestion could create anarchy because the DISCOs would implement policies that favour their operations.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, had on April 8 said that DISCOs could fix their tariffs in consultation with consumers and subject to the approval of the commission.

Amadi made the pronouncement in Abuja at the end of the commission’s monthly meeting.

Mr Adekunle Makinde, the immediate past President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said that NERC was deviating as a regulator if DISCOs were allowed to fix electricity tariffs.

“NERC is not doing their work of regulating the electricity tariffs again; instead, they are given the investors free hands to fix the tariffs and this can lead to disorder in the sector.

“Presently the consumers all over

transition committee.

“Whatever clarification they need to know from our own briefs, we will provide those clarifications and then bring them at the same page with us.”

Anyim said the terms of reference of the committee include “to collect from all the MDAs the handover briefs, prepare them and interface with the in-coming administration’s transition committee. We will then prepare the president’s handover note”.

He explained that the Federal Government committee is aware that the in-coming administration also has its transition committee and promised that both groups will collaborate and harmonise their positions for a smooth handover exercise.

“After we have collected our own briefs from the ministries, we will put it together and interface with the other committee so that whatever clarifications they want, we will be able to address them,” he said.

The SGF said everything about the transition committee’s mandate would be executed and completed before the inauguration of the presidentelect on May 29.

the country are complaining that the present tariff structure is unacceptable and you are delegating your functions to DISCOs. “These are investors who will not stop at making profit at all cost. This directive will definitely result to anarchy because the DISCOs would want something that will favour them, while consumers will not want to be cheated,” he said.

Mr Yomi Kolawole, the Chairman, Topean Energy Solution, Ikeja, Lagos, said that it was not possible for DISCOs to

consult consumers before fixing tariffs because it would not work.

“I don’t know how they will achieve this because it is not possible to gather all consumers together and be fixing the price of tariffs with them.

“I think NERC is not sincere with their new directives.

“In March, the chairman told consumers that they have slashed the tariff by 50 per cent and now the DISCOs will fix it.

“This has indicated that they do not know what they are doing in that place,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Pekun

Adeyanju, the Assistant General Manager of Ikeja Electric, told NAN that the DISCO had not received any directive from NERC on the new electricity tariffs.

“We only heard it on television and read it on newspaper; we are still awaiting the NERC directives.

Mr Godwin Idemudia, the AGM, Public Affairs Division of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), also said that they had yet to get any directive from NERC, adding that he could not comment further on the new tariffs fixing system.

Meanwhile, Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare has denied being appointed by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari as head of his transition committee.

When Vanguard called Bakare on phone, he simply said “You are the one informing me, I do not know anything about it.”

Asked if he would accept the offer if he was called to head the committee, he said “you are the one informing me, don’t ask questions on the information you are giving me. Thank you.”

Bakare was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election.

Buhari reportedly said at the weekend that only credible, patriotic and knowledgeable Nigerians would make up the transition committee, as part of the first steps to chart an entirely new path for the country.

FG implements ECOWAS Common External Tariff on imports

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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HE Federal Government has approved the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) 2015-2019 and 2015 Fiscal Policy Measures.

The approval for the implementation of the new Tariff was conveyed in a statement signed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

In a press statement issued by the Deputy Controller of Customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, the implementation of the ECOWAS CET together with its Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM) and 2015 Fiscal Policy Measures occurs concurrently and will take effect from April 11 after the expiration of the 30 days notice required under the provisions of the ECOWAS CET. With this development, all imports arriving into the country

beginning from Saturday, shall be subjected to the rates contained in the CET 2015- 2019 and 2015 Fiscal Measures without recourse to the rates applicable before the coming into effect of the ECOWAS CET 2015 – 2019, according to the statement.

Adeniyi added that the approved Supplementary Protection Measures (SPM)/ Fiscal Policy Measures comprise an Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) list which involves additional taxes on 177 Tariff Lines of the ECOWAS CET.

It also includes a National List consisting of items whose Import duty rates have been reviewed to encourage more development in strategic sectors of the economy and an Import Prohibition List (Trade), applicable only to certain goods originating from nonECOWAS countries.

The Comptroller-General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi, the statement added, has directed immediate enforcement of the tariff provisions by all Customs Controllers.

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Buhari won’t probe ex-leaders – AIDE zFarunkanmi tasks president-elect on cabinet members

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO–THE Buhari Support Organization, a group that championed the campaign activities of the President elect, General Mohamodu Buhari has declared that the incoming administration of General Buhari will not probe previous administrations in the country.

Also, the group has disclosed that General Buhari will not probe any of the country’s former leaders, stressing that his administration will focus on human and societal development for the overall good of the country.

The Director, Research, Planning and Strategy of the organization, Mr Jamal Tijani-Bello in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo said General Buhari is concerned with how to develop the country and not on how to probe his predecessors.

According to him “Buhari’s policy is to serve the people first. His philosophy is about people first. He is not concerned with those who had ruled the country before but his major concern is how to serve the people and develop this country to the admiration of the former leaders and the upcoming ones.”

He disclosed that the incoming administration will focus on economic development, youth employment and social stability in

the country, adding that “Buhari believe in given maximum care for the masses, especially the downtrodden ones.”

Bello who is a close associate of Buhari said members of the Buhari’s kitchen cabinet are not worried by the influx of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress APC, saying “Buhari is too principled to be misdirected by anybody.”

He assured that the government of General Buhari will not jail any individual, but focus on how to restore the lost glory of the country and make Nigeria a pride of the people.

He also hinted that a committee had been set up to ensure the proper implementation of all the campaign promises of General Buhari, assuring that the incoming government at the

centre will not disappoint the people, but will not condone corruption at any level of government.

Meanwhile, a second Republic Senator, Chief Olorunnimbe Farunkanmi has advised the President elect General Mohammodu Buhari to be conscious of those he will appoint as members of his cabinet for the good of his administration.

He admonished Buhari to put tested and trusted people with impeccable character in offices in order not to tarnish his image.

ARIBISALA VISITS VANGUARD: Dr Femi Aribisala (right) and Mr Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers during Aribisala's courtesy visit to Vanguard Media Ltd headquarters, Apapa, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

AMBODE: Lagosians have chosen service – FASHOLA

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has said that Lagos residents have chosen service, competition and choice over

very banal patronage a few weeks to an election by voting for All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, even as he urged the governor-elect to stay connected with the people.

NUPENG sets agenda for Buhari in petroleum industry

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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IGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday in Lagos, set an agenda for the incoming government of General Muhammed Buhari, GMD, retd, in the Petroleum industry, saying the government must end importation of petroleum products within a record time.

This came as the union urged the outgoing National Assembly to pass the protracted Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, before its tenure elapsed in June.

At a briefing, NUPENG president, Mr. Igwe Achese, noted that the incoming government must also ensure the safety of the nation’s pipelines network to reduce the haulage of products by roads with its negative consequences including loss of

lives through road accidents and traffic gridlock especially on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway which had been causing untold hardships for road users among others.

According to him, among the expectations of NUPENG from the incoming government were that the “government must ensure job security in the sector, as the cardinal programme of the party is job creation. The four refineries must be rehabilitated and new ones established to end or reduce massive importation of petroleum products into the country. ''Government must also protect the nation’s pipelines from vandals because if the pipelines are effectively protected, with public depots scattered across the country, products will move through the pipelines to all the major depots across the country.''

Fashola, in his reaction at the Lagos House, Marina after the formal declaration of Ambode as winner of the state governorship poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commended residents for keeping faith with the model of common widespread development that gives people the dignity to compete and be the best that they can be rather than be a model of patronage a few days to an election.

The governor added that the people have chosen service, competition and choice over very banal patronage a few weeks to an election.

He expressed happiness that “all the hard work in the last eight years has been vindicated and that the people of Lagos with this mandate to Ambode have connected with the choice and model of governance and have chosen the accelerated development where one doesn’t need to know anybody before he gets an opportunity.”

On his advice to governorelect, Fashola said he would not advise him in the open rather his advice for him would largely be privately given and that the important thing is that he should stay

connected to the people.

Earlier in a tweet on the declaration of the results, Fashola had tweeted; “Lagos wins. Congrats Ambode. Well done Jimi. Eko oni baje ooo”.

LUTH refutes Ebola threat rumour

By Chioma Obinna

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AGOS—THE Management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, yesterday dismissed rumours that two Chinese nationals infected with Ebola Virus Disease, EVD died in the hospital.

A report on social media had claimed that two foreign nationals infected with Ebola were admitted in LUTH on Sunday April 12 and subsequently died in the hospital.

Refuting the claims at a press conference in Lagos, Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, said no Chinese national came to LUTH recently and no case of Ebola was detected at the hospital’s emergency ward.

According to him, “Our attention was drawn yesterday to a malicious piece of information making the rounds on social media which purported that two foreign nationals brought to LUTH on Sunday 12th April, 2015 died of the Ebola virus decease. This is to swiftly deny any such rumour and inform members of the public that no such event happened.

“We have combed our records at all point of entry in LUTH for the past two weeks and have no such incident to report. Our professionals at the Emergency Services, various lines of responders to any such event, laboratories and nurses all reported no such cases in our hospital.''

N25.7BN THEFT CHARGE: EFCC wants ruling on Atuche’s application adjourned

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday asked a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja to adjourn indefinitely its ruling on an application filed by a former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche,seeking to quash the theft charge preferred against him and two others.

Atuche, alongside his wife, Elizabeth and a former Chief Financial Officer of Bank PHB, Ugo Anyanwu, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly stealing N25.7 billion from the bank.

The presiding judge, Justice Lateef-Lawal Akapo, yesterday,

was to deliver its ruling on Atuche’s application but could not after EFCC counsel, Mr Dele Adesina (SAN) informed the court of the commission’s pending application.

Adesina said the EFCC had filed an appeal against Court of Appeal judgement of November 21, 2013 at the Supreme Court, adding that the matter has being granted expeditious hearing due to its importance.

The appellate court had in the judgement struck out the theft charges preferred against a former Managing Director of Finbank Plc, Mr Okey Nwosu and others for lack of jurisdiction of the State High Courts in criminal cases relating to matters listed on the exclusive list in Section 251 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution as amended.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—11

FAYOSE’S IMPEACHMENT: Factional speaker threatens APC lawmakers

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor & Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI—THE factional Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Dele Olugbemi, has raised the alarm that his All Progressives Congress, APC, colleagues in the House are working tirelessly with outsiders to ensure that a state of emergency is declared in Ekiti State Olugbemi told newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday at a press briefing that the APC lawmakers have a ‘Plan B’ against the governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, should the move to impeach him fail.

Olugbemi, who boasted of being a member of the Odua People’s Congress, OPC, said there was no where in the constitution of Nigeria where it was stated that persons can not belong to voluntary organizations or practice traditional medicine.

In his reaction, Dr Adewale Omirin, through his media assistant, Wole Olujobi, told Vanguard: ‘’All these things Dele Olugbemi is saying are not true.

Nobody is planning anything to instigate a state of emergency. ‘’Olugbemi is barely educated and so he knows little about representative governance. It is good that he confessed that he is a member of a militia group, OPC, that thrives in arbitrariness and mob tactics in resolving issues. ‘’That is what he has been demonstrating and Governor Fayose was so impressed because they are the same. ‘’That is why the governor baptised him with the name of Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker and he is so happy to be so called without acting the character of a Speaker. ‘’How does a party that is not in power instigate action or actions that will lead to a declaration of a state of emergency? Olugbemi is acting loud, calling public attention to himself. ‘’ This is a man who on a live television programme last week castigated Fayose for running a one-man-show government and virtually asking Ekiti people to warn the governor to change his style. ‘’ I will advise that Olugbemi be ignored because he is an unstable character who in one minute is befriending you and the next moment he turns your enemy. ‘’ Olugbemi who allegedly emerged the Speaker of the House last year November after the seven PDP members claimed to have impeached Omirin, said his APC counterparts in the House are working in concert with certain politicians in both Osun and Lagos States, adding that they have made an overture to him to dump Fayose and support the 19 APC lawmakers in their bid to impeach the governor

The lawmaker, however, stressed that he and the other six PDP lawmakers in the House have promised to sink or survive with Fayose since they are convinced that he is for the masses Olugbemi, who warned that no group of people or politicians would be allowed to plunge the state into chaos, disclosed that he had accepted to play along with the APC group by holding nocturnal meetings with them in Lagos.

“They want me to turn my back against Fayose by thinking I would resign my current status as Speaker so that their man, Dr. Adewale Omirin, could automatically step in as ActingGovernor immediately the governor is removed, and I will retain my position as Speaker.

“But I, along with my other patriotic colleagues on the side

of truth and justice have vowed that we will rather sail or sink with Fayose, whose interest we are ready to defend with the last drop of our blood,” he said.

The factional Speaker, therefore, warned that both the APC lawmakers including their sponsors would be in trouble should they go ahead with their planned impeachment or any other anti-democratic move that would not make him complete his four-year term.

He also insisted that Omirin was no longer Speaker of the Assembly, having been impeached and his impeachment challenged at a Lagos Court, declaring that the status quo remained whether or not the suit he instituted in court to challenge his removal had been withdrawn or not.

The move by the 19 APC lawmakers in Ekiti State House

of Assembly to impeach the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy, Dr Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola may have suffered a temporary setback The lawmakers, through the embattled Speaker, Hon Omirin, had announced through a letter sent to the Chief Judge of the State last week, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to set up a seven member panel to investigate allegation of gross misconduct against the governor, Mr Fayose and his Deputy.

But the move has been denied by the state judiciary which yesterday claimed ignorance of any letter from Omirin.

There was uneasy calm in AdoEkiti, the state capital yesterday as news filtered into town that the Supreme Court would be delivering judgment today, in the disputed June 21, 2014 Ekiti gubernatorial election.

VISIT: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, (2nd right), his wife, Olufunso (3rd right), Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (left), Olori Kemi (2nd left) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during the governor's Thank You visit to the Awujale in his palace in IjebuOde after his re-election, yesterday.

Amosun invites opponents to join in Ogun devt

By Daud Olatunji

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GUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has extended his hand of fellowship to his opponents in the Saturday’s governorship election, describing them as stake holders in the Ogun project.

In his acceptance speech during a special broadcast following his re-election, the governor asked them to join hands with him to build the state.

He said: “We are all winners.

There are no losers. Our unity is our strength. We, therefore, have to continue to march forward

together.”

Meantime, the leadership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Ogun State, yesterday, said, its governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Senator Akin Odunsi, has sent a congratulatory message to Governor Amosun, who emerged winner in the election.

The party, however, said it was still studying the results of the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, saying, it would come up with its decision after the completion of its scrutiny.

But for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, he is still studying the polls that produced

Amosun and his party "will react at the appropriate time.’’

Amosun reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue with its policy of non-discrimination against any person based on ethnicity, gender, religion or party affiliation.

“The policies, programmes and projects of our administration in the next four years shall continue to be for the benefit of all. Indeed, we shall pursue with more vigour, determination, honesty of purpose and courage, our five cardinal programmes as contained in our administration’s Mission to Rebuild Ogun state," he said.

Osun APC to PDP: Stop killings in Ile-Ife, Ilase

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has called on the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, to prevail on its members in Osun State to stop forthwith, the killings going on in Ile Ife and Ilase in Obokun Local Government Area of the state by people suspected to be PDP thugs.

The APC, in a statement by its state Director of Research and Publicity, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, in Osogbo, yesterday, is also appealing to security forces to be more pro-active and robust in its engagement “ with suspected PDP criminals in both towns who have resorted to unprovoked violence and murder of Osun citizens simply because the PDP has been rejected by the people at last Saturday's election.”

In a swift reaction to the allegation, a chieftain of PDP, Chief Francis Fadahunsi, denied the allegation that PDP was engaging in criminality in the state saying that hired thugs suspected to be working for APC were those that launched attack on PDP members and supporters in Ilase in Obokun Local Government Areas.

Fadahunsi stated that shortly after the thugs had attacked his members, the state government effected the arrest of his orderly, his wife’s driver and some PDP members for no just cause.

He also blamed the Police for taking side in the matter alleging that those that caused the trouble in the area were allowed to go scort free.

Fadahunsi appealed to the State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Marafa, to investigate the cause of violence and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

Reacting to the killings in Ile-Ife and the violence allegedly orchestrated by PDP leadership in the state, the APC said that “violence and murder are crimes against humanity and society which are which are not tolerated in a democratic setting.”

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

I'll revive Rivers State, says gov-elect

By Jimitota Onoyume

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IVERS State governorelect, Mr Nyesom Wike, has commended the people of the state for overwhelmingly voting for him as he promised to revive the state and give it a new lease of life.

He also said that the only winner in the governorship election is Rivers State, noting that no candidate lost the election.

Speaking during a victory thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, Wike said that with the release of the results, all attachments to party affiliations will be obliterated across the state.

He said: “With the release of the governorship election results, there is no loser in the election because Rivers State has won. I want to appeal to all our members to set aside all political differences and embrace all Rivers people irrespective of their political leaning.”

According to official results declared by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Wike, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled 1,029,102 votes, to defeat Dr Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 124, 846 votes. Wike won in 20 local government areas, while Peterside won in two local government areas. Results from Emohua Local Government Area were cancelled.

Addressing journalists earlier at his residence, yesterday, after his declaration by INEC as the governor-elect of the state, Wike assured Rivers people that he will live up to their expectations by delivering on the cardinal programmes contained in the New Rivers Vision 2015.

He called on the people of the state to unite and work as a collective in the coming months,

saying that it was imperative to forge ahead on all fronts despite the challenges the state is facing.

Wike noted that the electioneering phase was over and the phase of development has set in. He extended a hand of fellowship to all his opponents during the elections, urging them to join hands with him to develop a new Rivers State where every resident will be accommodated in the growth process.

He said: “I will, to the best of my ability and with the fear of God, develop a new Rivers State where opportunities for growth will be open to everyone resident in the state. Under my leadership, we shall all form a common front to ensure development for all communities.

“We will not persecute anyone,

but we shall remain focussed on the urgent needs of development across the state and the need to empower the vast majority of our people. We will run a transparent administration that will be fully accountable to the people, ensuring that Rivers people get value for their resources.”

He said that he will settle down with other Rivers State stakeholders to quickly address critical areas that require immediate attention for the revival of the state.

Also speaking, his wife, Justice Suzzette Wike, assured the people of the state that she will provide the needed support to ensure that her husband remains focussed in the delivery of developmental programmes for the state.

Former Rivers State governor, Sir Celestine Omehia urged the governor-elect to unite all political interests in the state as the new father of the state for the expected revival of the state.

PDP Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, congratulated all Rivers people on the emergence of Wike as their incoming governor, assuring that he will bring the dividends of good governance to their door steps.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Ambassador Desmond Aka who served as the Director General of Rivers State PDP Campaign Organisation, assured that Wike will redefine development in the state through the diligent execution of programmes contained in the New Rivers Vision 2015.

ELECTION: The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Velaria Ebe, during the governorship and state House of Assembly Election at her unit in Ikot Edege, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

Okowa’s victory heartwarming —UTUAMA

By Charles Kumolu

D

ELTA State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, SAN, has described the victory of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the governorship election in the state as heart warming and delightful.

Utuama, in Asaba yesterday, explained that the victory was an eloquent testimony to the fact that democracy can only thrive where there is no imposition.

He said: “The victory of our governorship candidate, Senator Okowa, is very heart warming and delightful. It shows that, one, democracy can only thrive where there is no imposition. To emphasis a little more, Okowa was not a product of imposition.

That is why he won the primaries hands down.

“Two, the election just held also demonstrated that Delta State has become one because Dr Okowa’s votes spread all over the 25 local government areas. He won in the North where he comes from; he won in the South and he won in Central."

African Bar Association pledges to partner Buhari in fight against corruption

....As lawmaker, lawyers call for cancellation of Rivers poll

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— FOLLOWING the declaration of Rivers State result, the lawmaker representing Ikwerre constituency at the state House of Assembly, Mr. Azubuike Wanjoku and a group, Lawyers Network for Change, have called for the cancellation of the state elections, alleging that the electoral processes were violated by the umpire in the state.

Recounting the incidents that played out in the course of the elections, they said that the call for the cancellation of the results was based on the level of rigging, intimidation, violence and hijacking of electoral materials in the election, adding that the result was cooked and did not reflect

the will of the people.

Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Wanjoku said the election was a sham and should be cancelled. He alleged that there was no election at all in the state, adding that what played out was just a connived rigging orchestrated by the Resident Electoral

Commissioner, REC, Mrs Gesila Khan, security agents and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Meanwhile, Lawyers Network for Change blamed INEC for the illegalities that played out during the election for refusing to change the REC before the election,

saying that the whole electoral process was breached.

Chairman of the group, Ifeanyichukwu Dike, called for the immediate prosecution of the REC for ill-conduct of the election in Rivers State. He said Khan claimed the election was peaceful while about seven people were killed.

APC candidate calls for cancellation of polls in Delta LG

By Daniel Gumm

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O M A D I — T H E candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Preye Okaba, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to cancel the April 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections held in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, over alleged “ widespread irregularities,” which he said characterized

the polls.

Reacting to the outcome of the polls, Okaba accused the member representing Bomadi/ Patani federal constituency, Nicholas Mutu and the chairman of Bomadi council of hijacking election materials at Akugbene wards 7, 8, and 9, where he said has the largest votes in the council as well as other wards and units, adding that the figures that gave the incumbent the purported victory do not reflect the

number of accredited voters on the card reader.

The APC candidate, who lost in the contest alleged that thugs loyal to Mutu and Karetimi hijacked the result sheets in all the units, adding that collation of results was done at the private residence of the federal lawmaker.

He said: “We are in possession of a clip as evidence of our claims. Results were collated at one of Mutu's private residences."

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AFRICAN Bar Association, ABA, has promised to partner the administration of the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the realization of his mandate to rescue the country from the shackles of corruption and ineptitude that had pervaded the affairs of the Nigerian state in the past.

In a congratulatory message by its President, Hannibal Uwaifo, the association said that Gen. Buhari can count on its support at international fora in his resolve for global reformation and identity.

It added that it would ensure that the voice of his government was projected always in the propagation of the fundamental dictates of law and justice.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 —13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

W/Bank cuts Africa growth projection to 4%

GOV POLL: Security agents manipulated

results in favour of APC —PDP

By Henry Umoru

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE WORLD Bank, yesterday, announced a downward review of its 2015 Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth rate projection to 4.0 percent.

The organization had projected a 4.5 percent growth in 2014 but said the region’s economy was facing difficulties owing to the fall in prices of commodities, making 4.5 growth rate unsustainable, this year.

“This downturn largely reflects the fall in the prices of oil and other commodities,” the bank said in a statement at the commencement of its 2015 Spring Meetings, which will draw the world’s finance and development ministers to Washington DC, for talks on the state of the global economy and international development.

The 2015 forecast is below the 4.4 per cent average annual growth rate of the past two decades.

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BUJA—THE national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday picked holes on last Saturday’s governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, saying they were characterized by widespread irregularities, with alleged support by some security officers of Independent National

Electoral Commission, INEC, to the advantage of All Progressives Congress, APC. PDP in a statement yesterday

by National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, questioned the conduct of some INEC officials and security agencies, wondering if such officials were intimidated by APC’s blackmail and propaganda to deliver its candidates in the polls.

The PDP, however, urged

Nigerians and its supporters not to despair, but brace up and resist all anti-democratic and dictatorial tendencies.

The party said it was repositioning to stand by the people by providing a credible opposition and returning to power in four years time, and directed all its elected and appointed officials to be ready to make sacrifices, ensure judicious use of resources and gear up for

....Violence, interference most pronounced in Rivers, Akwa Ibom —EU

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA — THE European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM), yesterday, identified Rivers and Akwa Ibom states as areas where violence and deliberate interference with the electoral processes were most pronounced during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The position of the EU is contained in the second preliminary report released by the international body in Abuja

yesterday by the European Union Election Observation Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas.

The mission noted with concern that there was an increase in security threats during the last election than the previous presidential election, resulting in the killing of no fewer than 30 persons.

The mission said that although it did not find evidence of centralised systematic manipulation, the results from Rivers State included what it called ‘highly implausible data’

while other election monitors had doubts about the data posted from other states in the South South. They did not, however, name the other states.

The mission said that collation was the weakest part of the election day process, particularly at the ward level.

The EU accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, of misuse of incumbency power in the just concluded governorship and State House of Assembly (SHoA) elections across the country.

a rescue mission in the overall interest of Nigerians.

It said: “Evidences abound of widespread irregularities across the country with INEC rejecting results from the strongholds of PDP candidates for no just cause while accepting the figures from those of the APC. “In Lagos, Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Imo states, there are proofs of electoral manipulations ranging from underage voting, ballot stuffing and intimidation of PDP supporters to alteration of some aspects of the process in favour of APC. “In Abia state, but for the outcry of the people and timely intervention of the INEC headquarters which rejected the illegal cancellation of results from three local governments and strongholds of the PDP by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even after they have been announced by the returning officers, the PDP would have been robbed of its well deserved victory in those areas."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—15

Governors-elect Okowa, Ahmed, Ajumobi celebrate

From left, Delta State PDP Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Delta State Governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, celebrating shortly after the governor elect was declared winner by INEC, in Asaba, yesterday. Photos: Henry Unini & Nath onojake

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From left, Governor-elect, Senator Okowa; Governor Uduaghan, Chief Uzor, and Senator-elect, Delta North, Mr. Peter Nwaboshi.

Senator Okowa, acknowledging cheers from party supporters.

From left, Senator Stella Omu, Chief Uzor, Governor Uduaghan, Senator Okowa, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Dr. Joseph Otumara, and Dr. Pius Senebe.

From left, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Dr. Joseph Otumara, Dr. Festus Okubor, and Senator Patrick Osakwe,

From left, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, Delta State Deputy Governor-elect, and Mr. Hillary, Special Adviser to Governor-elect, Okowa.

Leader, All Progressives Congress, Kwara State, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki (left), and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a joyous mood after Gov. Ahmed's being declared winner of Saturday's governorship elections.

Supporters of re-elected Governor Abiola Ajimobi of APC, jubilating on the streets of Ibadan, Sunday, after the declaration of the result by the INEC. Photo: Dare Fasube

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Ngige unhappy over card reader failure, alleged poll manipulations

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA — FORMER governor of Anambra State and leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Sen. Chris Ngige, has expressed disappointment over the continued failure of card readers and manipulation tendencies of other opposition parties during the March 28 and April 11 elections in the South East and South South zones of the country.

He said it was quite unfortunate that while the APC was relying on card readers and free and fair election, the opposition parties conspired with INEC in the two geopolitical zones to manipulate the elections at the presidential, national and state assemblies, as well as gubernatorial election against APC.

Cancel Imo gov election, PDP urges INEC

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—THE national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to cancel the results of the governorship election in Imo State and order for fresh poll over alleged manipulation, electoral malpractice and harassment of officers.

This came on a day angry supporters of the party

demonstrated against what they tagged ‘irregularities’ which marred the governorship and state assembly elections in Imo State.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, noted that the election was rigged in favour of the ruling party in Imo State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, by INEC officials, alleging that there was massive violence in Owerri North and South local councils.

The Independent National

Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared the results of the election in the state inconclusive.

According to Metuh, INEC officials were forced to alter results in Ideato North and Oru local councils at gunpoint, and wrote fake results in favour of the APC. He added that with the development in Imo State, ominous signs of dictatorship loomed in the air, if not nipped in the bud.

Metuh, who warned that if INEC failed to produce what they requested, they should give the

Anambra REC under fire over delay in issuing CTCs to losers

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA— THERE have been complaints by many candidates who lost the March 28, 2015, National Assembly elections in Anambra State, following alleged non-issuance of certified true copies, CTCs, of results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Some of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, had stormed

INEC office in Awka to demand for the CTCs, only to discover that they were not available.

Party candidates, who were demanding for the CTCs, were mainly from Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Onitsha South local government areas, all in Anambra North senatorial zone, as well as those from Anambra Central.

The unsuccessful politicians said the alleged delay by INEC to issue them the CTC two weeks after the National Assembly elections was making it difficult for them to file their cases at the

tribunal.

Unconfirmed reports said, yesterday, that the national chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, had already queried the state REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatalari, over the matter.

people fresh elections in Imo State.

He said the party would not sit and allow the APC take over its strongholds, alleging that in collaboration with INEC, the APC tried to rig in Abia and other strongholds, but was resisted by the people.

The PDP spokesperson noted that Nigeria’s 16 years of democracy must be sustained and noted that unfolding scenarios was not in the interest of the hard-earned democracy.

Metuh said: “We demand the immediate halt to the announcement in Imo, cancellation of the elections and ordering of fresh elections in Imo. ‘’Our reasons is as follows: In Oru East LG, the electoral officers and other officials of INEC have confessed that indeed the APC forced them at gunpoint to rewrite the result of the local government."

DOD holds 2015 women’s confab

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HE ANNUAL women conference of the Daughters of Destiny Interdenominational fellowship, DOD, coms up on 17th and 18th April, 2015 at SEE event centre, Lekki-Epe expressway, Lagos.

The conference Tagged:

Empowering Women for Global Impact, will feature speakers from within and outside the country such as Mrs Tara Fela-Durotoye, Rev. Yinka Badejo, Rev. Gbemi Olaleye, Rev. Obil Pax-Harry and Apostle Busola Jegede, the founder of DOD.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

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— 17

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 IF you passed the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in the last two weeks, you would recognise it. The tankers were gone, the beauty of the repaired road was visible and a trip to Apapa and parts thereof, did not take eternity. Though such normalcy should be expected on a road that its importance included being part of the trans-African highway and the link to West Africa’s busiest ports, it was absurd. The tankers are back with a vengeance that seems meant to cover their two-week absence.

For over seven years, Nigerians have lived with the agony of using a road that connects the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the rest of the country. It also links ECOWAS through Badagry and through its spurs at Oshodi connects ECOWAS again from parts of Ogun State. Simply put, it is an important road. Its importance does not depend on how often we say it.

Ministers have visited and made policy pronouncements about the road. Its obvious dilapidation remains. Debates about the importance of the road diminish the foresight of Nigerian leaders who built it more than 40 years ago and others who tried

The return of the Monsters to build new extensions to it through Badagry.

None of the nuisance on our road matches what trailers and oil tankers do on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. They regard it as theirs. It was not always that way. Trailers were the usual fare on the road as they made their way to the seaports. Later on, oil tankers joined them, and took over the road. These tankers represent in graphic terms the chaos called Nigeria, and some consequences of the collapse of its pipelines and transportation system, especially death of the rails. Nothing can forgive the nuisance the tankers have become. They have appropriated the road, live

by their own rules and take offence if they are corrected.

What can explain the taking over of the entire expressway in a manner that underlines the immunity they have created for themselves? Why do our governments make different laws for different people?

The rapidity with which tankers are back to the road and the impunity their action depicts are responsible for the monstrosities they dump on the expressway and its adjoining bridges. Where were the tankers parked during the elections?

None of them was left on the road during the elections. Why should they be permitted to return? Important, as the service the tankers provide is, it is time governments made rails the major means of distributing petroleum products. More urgently, the Lagos State Government owes its residents a duty by clearing the tankers from the road. They should return to where they were parked during the elections – and remain there.

OPINION

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By Sunday John

HE recent verbal threat against Ndigbo in Lagos by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has brought to fore, once again, the endangered position of Igbos in Nigeria. It is foolhardy for anyone to pretend about this. For the Igbos themselves, it is selfdeception not to face the reality of this precarious situation. From the North, and now down to the West, hangs the foreboding cloud of hostility against them. It has always loomed, hence they are made scape goats at the slightest displeasure of their fellow Nigerians.

I am not an ethnic jingoist or apologist. I do not believe in ethnicism, as a matter of fact.

I am not writing this article because I am an Igbo, not even because I am a Nigerian. I am writing it because I am a civilized human being who understand and believe in the ethos of a civilized society. The records of the victimization of Ndigbo since after the independence of Nigeria is very glaring.

From the holocaust against them in Northern Nigeria preceding the civil war and during the war to the abandoned property saga in Port Harcourt; from the infamous twenty pounds to every bank account holder irrespective of how much was in the account before the war to the post war intermittent riots and ensuing massacre and destruction of properties in the North, the Igbo man has been the sacrificial lamb of Nigeria. Count all that the Igbos have gone through in Nigeria and it will be surprising to many that they are still existing and surviving.

The only thing strange about the appalling C M Y K

Who

will

help

utterances of the Oba is that it came in a democratic era and bothers on the inalienable rights of the people to vote according to their conscience. Voters are wooed by every legitimate means to vote for candidates in election but not by threat. A ruler at his level and in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos is expected to be up to date with prevailing social realities. There is nothing wrong for him to summon Igbo leaders and solicit for their votes for his candidate, but to resort to threat belies all civilized norms. It smacks of primitivism for anyone, no matter how highly placed, to arrogate to himself the power of life and death. It is also shameful when a despot announces to the whole world that he single handedly picked a candidate for a position as big as a state governor. It makes mockery of APC’s internal democracy.

The so-called power brokers, it does not matter in what guise they operate, are the problems of Nigeria. They pretend to be benefactors but they are rather destroyers.

What message was the Oba sending across to Nigerians with his unguarded utterances against a section of the country? He thought he was helping his candidate, but he was unknowingly hurting him, creating enemies for him, robbing him of some

The conspiracy of silence that has followed the threat of the Oba is quite worrisome

Ndigbo? valuable votes. Some decent Lagosians who would have voted for him might have had a rethink. When a person in authority refuses to recognize the limit of his power, he becomes a nuisance to himself and others.

There are some questions that should beckon on us at this time. What happens to the polity if Sultan of Sokoto, Emir of Kano, Obi of Onitsha, Oba of Benin, Obong of Calabar and all notable traditional rulers in Nigeria issue the same threats to nonindigenes in their domain? War drums will sound everywhere and our democracy will become a charade. Those who should be guardians to all Nigerians in their domain should not succumb to divisive tendencies to denigrate their offices. Covert partisanship is not known to traditional institutions like obaship.

The conspiracy of silence that has followed the threat of the Oba is quite worrisome. Since the hate speech was made last Sunday, I have been following Nigerian papers to see the reactions of people. Apart from Lagos state chapter of PDP, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ohaneze Youth Council and a section of the Catholic Church, no notable Nigerian or organisation said anything about it. Newspapers and columnists have not commented on it.

Shallow minds may give political or ethnic interpretation to it, but discerning minds will give realistic perspective to it. If Lagosians from other ethnic groups are silent because they are not involved, they are living in a fool’s paradise. It can be their turn tomorrow.

If all Nigerians had read, or rather understood, the hand writing on the wall in

1966, the country wouldn’t have been at the crossroads it is today.

The ever loquacious APC media team is quiet because the Oba campaigned for them.

Self-delusion, isn’t it? The bane of Nigerian politicians who think about themselves only and not about the country. They are insincere at keeping quiet about evil when it benefits them, forgetting that they may be at the receiving end in future. This hate speech is not about Ndigbo, it is not about politics; it is about a Nazist, a Hitler endangering the rest of the world because of his obsession for superiority. This is about the tyranny of one man which can compromise our electoral process and the unity of the country. Nigerians should arise to condemn it so that it does not happen again.

I just imagine if this threat had emanated from an emir in the North or an Eze from the East,by now the papers would have been awash with reactions and calls for the arrest of the Emir or Eze. Where are the Lagos based human rights activists and lawyers? Where are the newspapers and their columnists?

Where are the commentators on public affairs? Are the Igbos not part of Nigeria?

This conspiracy of silence over this “verbal holocaust” as someone called it, is a grim reminder of how endangered Ndigbo are in Nigeria. Sadly enough, they do not seem to realise this. The Oba feels threatened by a people that have come to own more than half of Lagos. It is only a blind man that stumbles twice over the same stone. *Mr.John, a social critic, wrote from Cheenai, India.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015— —19

Carpetbaggers of Nigerian politics

By Sunny Ikhioya

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HEY could not wait for the elections to be over. They could not wait for the incoming government to be settled and analyze what they have to offer the people, and they could not wait for a brief period to savour the aura of the projected change people have longed for. They are the carpetbaggers of Nigerian politics, the ones jumping ship from one party to the other at this period; nothing matters to them but their selfish and pecuniary interest. They are the ones who are in any government in power, as long as it favours them and their interest. They do not stand for anything and have polluted our politics. They have fouled the air of our present mood, the real victory of our democracy is about to be undermined and we must watch them very closely. They are politicians in wolves clothing, the undertakers, they help to bury you and move on. It is normal with them to flow with any government in power, such are the type those in control of the APC party presently should be wary of, otherwise, it will be PDP all over again.

There is no one line solution to governance and parties are formed according to lines of thinking, what people call ideology. If your thinking is not in line with the people around you, you move on to identify with those of like minds. It is not about power, it is not about money, it is about belief in a line of thought that will solve societal problems. Goodluck Jonathan through Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has tried the Bretton Woods system in Nigeria and have not been successful at implementing their programmes. The APC team have said that it is the wrong approach, that they have a better idea. People who believed in Ngozi Iweala have queued up for some time now behind her, claiming that she is the best thing to happen to Nigeria at the economic front. The APC party has been consistent that she is not the solution to our economic problem. They have remained in the opposition and have been expressing their opinion under the broom forum. I did not notice that any of them left to join the PDP government and that is how politics should be played. Now, the beat has not even started at the APC end and they are all

rushing there to take positions, very shameful indeed.

After elections, in a normal democracy, everybody stops the bragging and the talking, work begins. There is nothing that we did in Nigeria during the elections that is new; bullying, name calling, threats, propaganda, etc. In the last United states of America presidential election, some opposition members went to the extent of calling Barak Obama a terrorist, a member of the Tea party did that. So, nobody should be ashamed of the role he

The time for backslapping and celebrations are over, it is now time for Buhari and his team to go to work

What's next after Buhari's victory

By Adewale Kupoluyi

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NE of the happiest moments for many Nigerians was when the coolheaded Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, finally announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari, as the winner of the just-concluded presidential election in the country. Buhari, after a fourth attempt at becoming president, polled a total votes of 15,424,921 to defeat Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the incumbent President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 12,853,162 as well as other aspirants who contested the election. Apart from the agile voters, there was also doggedness on the part of special class of electorate - the aged, the sick and the physically-challenged - who defied the heavy rain, scorching sun in many places and trooped out to exercise their civic obligation. Some community were said to have provided generating sets to recharge card reader while INEC officials used car headlamps to count votes at polling stations when it became too dark.

The election has been described as the most keenly-contested in recent times in the annals of the nation because the opposition party gave the ruling party, described as the biggest party in Africa, a hot chase for the highest position in the land. The electioneering was certainly not without its low periods that almost derailed the efforts put in place to have a successful exercise. The postponement of the polls, the adoption of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), smart card reader and the purported removal bid of the INEC Chairman, were some of the controversies that almost truncated the process and eroded people’s confidence in the credibility of

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the elections, aptly described by the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as the ‘most vicious, unprincipled, vulgar and violent’. When eventually, the people’s resoluteness prevailed, an attempt by a PDP agent, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to stop the announcement of results resurfaced. Interestingly, Orubebe, a former federal Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, who sought the stoppage of the release of the results, allegedly cited partisanship against the INEC chairman. All of that is now history!

The quest by the opposition party to wrestle power from the ruling PDP was largely hinged on poor performance that is evidenced with the high level of insecurity, unemployment, decaying physical infrastructure, corruption and impunity pervading virtually every sector of our national life. The victory of the APC should, therefore, be a turning point for the common man that have suffered from many years of neglect and deprivation. The reality today is that many people live in abject poverty.

Buhari should be wary of people who will now pretend to be his friends. This is the period when sycophancy would be at its peak

or she played in the course of the elections, it was all part of the game that brings the excitement and attracts the electorates's attention. All that matters is that, the whole exercise ended peacefully and to the benefit of our democracy. It is time to work.

A party must stand for something. It is clear that the majority of people in the PDP are just there for themselves. A window of opportunity has now opened for the PDP to re-examine itself. The situation has created an avenue for the real carpetbaggers to exit the party.

It is a time to start afresh, right from the ward level, they should begin by conducting fresh elections into party positions, in very clear and democratic manner, no imposition, no god fatherism. Taking a cue from there, they should extend it to the regional level and then to the national, that is how true democracy is practiced. They have been in government for sixteen long years. We have seen their performance, another party is there now, let us see how they, too, will perform.

The nation needs a very strong opposition party. The officials of the PDP should not allow the party to go into oblivion, else, we risk the situation of a civilian dictatorship, where the ruling party can do whatever it likes without any challenges, like it

Earning a decent living in Nigeria is almost a mirage. The cost of living is extremely outrageous as workers’ wages cannot really take them home. The economy is so much distorted, mismanaged and emaciated that only the rich can now afford the basic comfort of life while a majority comprising the working class and the dependency stratum including senior citizens - continue to live under untold hardship and abject poverty. Many people have died as a result of hunger, the poor state of our health institutions and complete absence of social security.

Unfortunately, the Jonathan-led government seems to be cut-off from this reality. It is this disconnect between the government and the governed that the opposition party has struggled very hard to bridge by taking over governance the nation that is abundantly blessed with human and material resources.

Rather than punish public officers found to have compromised their positions, they are even rewarded with national recognitions and appointments. It is in our dear country that abnormality is celebrated as the ideal. The zeal for patriotism, selfless service and excellence no longer have a place in our national life again as mediocrity and god-fatherism seem to have taken over. Upholding high moral values is no longer a big deal to many people. It is this desire for bringing sanity into the nation’s affairs that spurred the imperative for change through the ballot. Rather than revamping the ailing economy, as a winning strategy, the Jonathan administration decided to toe the wrong path by dissipating energy and enormous funds on winning re-election through the back door by using people with little or no political weight and relevance. The outcome of the presidential poll has vindicated this. In the process, he was misled into believing that he still enjoyed large political support.

Now that the wishes of the majority of people have become a reality, it is time for the President-elect to make a difference by turning things around for the better. He should prove cynics wrong that he is neither a religious bigot nor a dictator - the two appellations that

was in the old PDP. Therefore, the survival of the PDP as a strong opposition party to the APC is very essential to our democracy and people must not take this for granted.

If the Tinubu’s, Buhari’s, Ogboru’s and the rest have not stood firm in the opposition, I wonder if we will witness what we have today.

I must stress that the APC must be careful of such carpetbaggers, they contributed to the failure of the PDP and they are all, presently, flowing in the direction of the APC. To get to the top is easy, but remaining there, at the top, is the true test of resilience and success. Managing the Nigerian nation is not a tea party; it requires a lot. It is therefore incumbent on all of us to allow Buhari and his team to concentrate on the task ahead; the challenges of the economy, power, security, infrastructure, ethnic and religious sentiments, etc.

The time for backslapping and celebrations are over, it is now time for Buhari and his team to go to work and I am wishing them good luck.

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

nearly cost him the votes of Nigerians.

He should avoid taking decisions based on religious, tribal and parochial persuasions. He should serve the people with fervour within the ambit of the law. He has a lot of work ahead of him especially in the areas of revamping the economy, ending the Boko Haram insurgency, curbing unemployment and ending epileptic power supply, among others. More importantly, he should be careful in choosing his cabinet by ensuring that only sound, committed and qualified persons are appointed into the various positions. This should not be limited to politicians and card-carrying members of the APC. He should search for experienced, committed and hardworking professionals and technocrats with proven integrity.

Buhari should be wary of people who will now pretend to be his friends. This is the period when sycophancy would be at its peak. Many leaders fail and fall because they are surrounded by sycophants, who ward-off genuine people having the passion to serve. The APC should also be wary of politicians who would want to decamp into its fold in a bid to joining the winning train. This should be discouraged otherwise, the party could end up losing focus and this will be a great disappointment to many Nigerians. APC should not allow carpetcrossing of politicians into the party for now. It will be unfair to allow new entrants to hijack power and displace old and committed members. Jonathan’s magnanimity of conceding victory should be lauded considering the fact that it signaled the first time an incumbent Nigerian leader will be defeated at the polls. His display of sportsmanship is impressive. He should commence without delay, the process of handing-over preparatory to May 29.

The efforts of the INEC Chairman, his team as well as international observers are highly commended while carrying out this sensitive and important national assignment.

•Mr. Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 14, 2015

Mason: How decision to defend vote ended in death

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

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N March 30, 2015, two days after the nation-wide presidential and national assembly elections, Mohammad Bello, a mason, left his home for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, office reportedly to protect his vote. But unknown to him, it was his life that needed protection rather than his vote. The sad news is it was a journey of no return for the 28-year-old resident of Wunti , a suburb of Bauchi as he was shot by a soldier.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that on the fateful day, the deceased told his father, Alhaji Yahaya Wunti, that he heard that results of the presidential election were being brought to the INEC office from the 20 local government areas of the state. Like all die-hard supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mohammed did not want to leave anything to chance because a 24-hour curfew was imposed in Bauchi, his local government of residence, along with Kirfi and Alkaleri local government areas of the state because of reported insecurity challenges.

Insecurity challenges This imposition of curfew, however, did not go down well with APC supporters. Their suspicion was heightened following alleged reports that the PDP in the state were trying to rig the election results.

Mohammed Bello was said to have responded to a clarion call by the governorship candidate of the APC, Mohammed Abubakar, to all his supporters to come out to protect their votes.

According to some eyewitnesses, Mohammed threw a stone at some soldiers who had a hard time trying to control the surging crowd of Buhari supporters at the INEC office at Ahmadu Bello Way in the state capital the day after the general election. Infuriated by the act, one of the soldiers shot Mohammed in the head.

Another account said Mohammed Bello was just among the crowd and was not a threat to anybody and neither did he constitute a nuisance before the bullet hit him. A friend, who accompanied him to the INEC

•Alhaji Yahaya Wunti ... father of the deceased. office and witnessed what happened, told VM on condition of anonymity that the soldier actually shot with intent to kill Mohammed Bello.

He said: “I was standing very close to Mohammed, away from the place barricaded by the security agents. My friend never threw stones at the soldiers because he is not a troublesome person. All of a sudden as we were just standing, a soldier just came from behind and shot Mohammed in the head. He died due to huge loss of blood.

“If he did not have the intention to kill, he would have shot Mohammed on the leg instead of his head,” Mohammed’s friend said.

Speaking to VM in the wake of the tragedy that had befallen him, Alhaji Yahaya Wunti said he was yet to get over the shock of the news of the death of his son whom he said was brutally killed by a soldier while defending his

My friend never threw stones at the soldiers because he is not a troublesome person; all of a sudden a soldier just came from behind and shot Mohammed in the head; he died due to huge loss of blood

vote for the President-elect, Gen Muhamadu Buhari during the last presidential and national assembly election in the state.

The 78-year-old bicycle repairer said that his son Mohammed Bello who is single left their house at Wunti that morning with

his permission to go to the INEC office.

Yahaya Wunti who was receiving sympathisers at his house when VM visited, said he was yet to understand what pushed the soldier to shoot his son. According to him, Mohammed was going to INEC headquarters at Ahmadu Bello Way in Bauchi to join other supporters of the APC, all of who were passionately rooting for General Muhammadu’s success in the March 28 election.

He said his son had told him that he heard that results of the presidential election were being brought to the INEC office from the 20 local government areas of the state and was going there to protect his vote.

“Mohammed always asked for my permission before leaving my house. He came to me at around 11 in the morning and informed me that he wanted to go to INEC and I asked him whether he was not carrying anything on him that could be deemed dangerous, he said no. Not up to 10 minutes they brought my son’s dead body, informing that he was shot by a soldier” In a grief-stricken voice, he said: “Muhammadu was a good

boy who did not like making trouble. He was a mason and he was hard working. That day a colleague had come so that they could go to site because there was a job for them to do, but he declined. My son was very passionate about Buhari but I know he wouldn’t break the law because of his love for Buhari.

So I wonder why the soldier chose to waste a promising person like Mohammed. He was standing with a lot of people and some friends when the soldier shot him. They said he was standing on one side with some prominent party members of the APC.” He did not stop there.

“No soldier has come to sympathise with me except the APC leaders. May God bless them,” the distraught father said.

The Senator-elect representing Bauchi South, Mallam Ali Wakili of the APC, Bauchi South, was one of the early sympathisers, who paid a condolence visit to the bereaved father to express sadness over the loss. Wakili, who defeated Yuguda for the Senatorial seat, said he reported the incident to the Army, adding that the Army promptly arrested the triggerhappy soldier.

For the visually impaired, a new lease of life

By Onozure Dania

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HIS is indeed a time to cheer for the visually impaired primary school pupils in the Ikorodu area of Lagos state as the Ikorodu Golden Club has said that it would spend N10million to provide specialised materials and equipment for them. The club is a non-governmental association under the (District 404A-1 Nigeria) international Association of Lions Club.

The president of the club, Mr Abdulwaheed Oyetunji, said that the aim of the project is to improve the lives of the visually impaired in primary schools and also to assist them to cope academically.

He said that the club would partner with the special school in Ipakodo by giving the pupils hope through their humanitarian service in the community.

“We will also provide stipends to support transportation fare of the students because some of them come as far as Ijede to the school in Ipakodo.”

Oyetunji said: “In every corner of the world, people are waiting for someone to give them hope, our projects will touch people’s lives in a deep and lasting way.

In keeping with this vision, we have chosen as theme for this Lionistic year,”Beyond Sight, Creating a vision for the future”.

•Members of the Ikorodu Golden Lions Club at the presentation of Lion Abdulwaheed Shola Oyetunji as the club’s President and the installation of other club officers 2014/2015, in Lagos.

He said: “Though we are in the midst of an economic recession, we still face a vast ocean of possibilities and opportunities to serve the less fortunate.”

Oyetunji further stated that the club would also sponsor cataract surgery and distribution of eye glasses to some residents of Ikorodu. According to him, the club will also distribute exercise books and educational materials to schools, items to orphanage, treated mosquito nets to health centres and General Hospitals in the community.

He said that the project which would be funded by fund raising and donations from club members would be carried out before June.

A patron of the club, Mr Batare Akpomejero, said the society is a product of a joint responsibility of all citizens, as government alone cannot develop the society.

He added that helping the needy in the society “is our first responsibility to God, ourselves and also to contribute our individual quota to our nation’s growth and development.”

Mr Niyi Lawal, Charter President, Ipakodo Lion’s Club, called for more women’s active involvement in humanitarian service in the community. “ We need to have more women as members of the lions club considering the population of Ikorodu and for more service to be rendered. Women are more caring, they have softer heart than, we believe their impact will be significant when more of them join us. “ The Lions Club International was established in 1917 with a membership strength of over 1.3 million members worldwide.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

— 21

Dangote Cement plant in Cameroon to stimulate East African economy

By Peter Egwuatu

T

From left: Anabel Leadership Academy's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicholas Okoye; Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB. Engr. Ernest Nwapa, at launch of Youth Empowerment Strategy,Oil and Gas Sector, in Abuja.

Industrialisation through trade can fast track Africa’s devt —ECA

By Omoh Gabriel

E

CONOMIC Commission for Africa’s (ECA) annual report has advocated the use of industrialization through trade to develop resources in the continent. The report which was released in Addis Ababa said that “innovative strategies to mobilise domestic and external resources are needed for Africa to bridge the domestic resource gap.”

$137.20

2.10

$2,791.00

10.00

13.00

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

0.17

$58.38

0.51

$51.92

0.28

CURRENCY BUYING 196 291.648 212.3268 203.2984 1.6332 0.3054 271.1366 31.9986 52.2291 28.4111 270.6172

The report said that “Some of the challenges that Africa faces in the midterm are the slowdown in oil and commodity prices, slow recovery in developed countries, tighter global monetary policies, weather-related shocks, and political instability.

“However, Africa’s underlying fundamentals for long-term growth remain robust. To ensure resilient economic performance through industrialization, Africa must adopt social development strategies that are consistent with the expansion of modern services and industrial sectors” the report said.

Explaining that trade can be a tool to promote industrial development and structural transformation, Mr. Stephen

CENTRAL 196.5 292.392 212.8685 204.817 1.6374 0.3154 272. 8283 31.0807 52.3623 28.4836 271.3076

197 293.136 213.4101 204.3356 1.6415 0.3254 272.52 32.1627 52.4955 28.5561 271. 9979

CBN Exchange Rate as at 13/4/15

African firms appear to be increasingly connecting to global value chains, but are mainly confined to the lower-end activities with limited domestic value addition

Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, ECA said, “A successful trade-induced industrialisation should be interactive and coherent with a country ’s development strategy.”

He added, “African firms appear to be increasingly connecting to global value chains, but are mainly confined to the lower-end activities with limited domestic value addition. The scope for global value chains to support structural transformation is, hence, largely untapped, particularly for what pertains to regional value chains and intraAfrican trade.”

Dr Oqubay said, “In regard to achieving structural transformation, financing for development is critical. For specific examples you can look at the Ethiopia’s current experience (especially the practice of Development Bank of Ethiopia).” He concluded by suggesting the formation of an alliance to stand against the unfair world trade order and renegotiate.

The 2015 edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA), “Industrialising through Trade”, was launched by Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ghana and Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, Minister and Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, during the Conference of African Ministers of Finance and Economic Development in Addis Ababa.

This year’s report builds on the key messages of the previous editions of ERA and focuses on industrialisation and structural transformation.

Launching the report, Dr. SpioGarbrah commended it for its in-depth analysis and recommendations.

HE management of Dangote Ce ment Plc has said that the production of its $150 million Cameroon plant will create employment and boost East African economy.

The General Manager of the Cameroon Plant, Mr. Abdullahi Baba, who disclosed this during a facility tour to the factory in Douala, Cameroon, said the planned consolidation of the Africa expansion drive of the leading cement manufacturers in Nigeria, Dangote Cement remains on course.

According to him "The commencement of production in the Cameroonian commercial city of Douala came in the wake of the inauguration of another 1.5 million tonnes capacity per annum Senegal plant in Pout in January. The management of the company had last year listed some six plants across five African countries scheduled for completion this year."

Continuing, he said "The plants at vaious stages will add about 13.5mmt of cement per annum to the existing capacity, when completed." The on-going plant projects according to him then, were Zambia, 1.5mmtpa; Tanzania, 1.5mmtpa; South-Africa 3mmtpa; Republic of Congo, 1.5mmtpa; and Gabon 1.5mmtpa and Senegal 1.5mmtpa.

Back home, Dangote Cement ramp up capacity adding additional third and fourth production lines to the existing 6mmtpa in Ibese, Ogun state to bring the total capacity to 12mmtpa and another 3mmtpa line currently being added to the Obajana cement plant in Kogi state.

Initial production Baba further explained that the 1.5 million tons per annum capacity plant in Cameroon commenced initial production at one million tons per annum before productions would be stepped up to maximum capacity level. According to him " The Douala plant would revolutionized the cement industry in Cameroon and help stimulate the Eastern African economy as Dangote Cement would be churning out its known quality grade of 42.5 at a very competitive price."

He explained that the plant remained the most modern in Cameroon because of the latest technologies used in the construction from Germany, USA, France and put together by the renowned plant engineers, Sinoma. Baba stated that the company started by Importing Clinker and that production is being carried out at the most environmental friendly level pointing out that the dust emission by the plant is lower than the 50mm international standard.

He explained with excitement that the Cameroonians were eager to see Dangote Cement commence operations at the Douala plant because of the exploits the company recorded in other countries and that Dangote had enjoyed cooperation both from the host communities and the government of the country.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

The time allowed just to acknowledge complaint via email encourages and promotes laxity, tardiness and insensitivity to the plight of complainants. This contradicts the vision of the commission

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

nvestors’ appetite for small cap stocks not exposed to vagaries of foreign investors’ bargain hunting led to significant increase in the shares of some of such stocks with three of them leading on the top 10 performers last week. Analysts had said at the turn of the year that small cap stocks are rarely patronized by foreign and institutional investors for lack of liquidity and hence they are less susceptible to capital flight and global investor sentiment.

According to them, they will continue to deliver positive returns to investors/shareholders in the current year.

The shares of Costain W/A Plc, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Learn Africa Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plc and Airline Services and Logistics, ASL Plc therefore closed as the top five gainers during the week.

These were followed by the shares of FCMB Group Plc, Nestle Foods Nig. Plc, Glaxosmithkline Plc, Beta Glass Co. (Nig.) Plc and A.G Leventis (Nig.) Plc.

C

ostain (W/A) Plc, which has been enjoying investors’ patronage despite some negatives surrounding it emerged top on the list with 34.29 percent or N0.24 price appreciation, closing at N0.94 from N0.70. The company is known for its failure to update the investors with information regarding its financial position.

As it is, Costain is yet to publish its

audited 2013 full year financial reports and accounts, while its 2014 quarterly financial results are yet to hit the market. The only positive news on the company in almost two years was the refutal of receivership claims on the company by First Bank of Nigeria in 2013 over a trade debt. First Bank had obtained a court order for the appointment of a receiver manager against Costain in respect of a trade debt that arose in the normal course of business.

N

eimeth came second on the list with 19.18 percent or N0.14 increase, closing at N0.87 from N0.73. The company has just commenced construction of a N5 billion Pharma Complex in Anambra State. Available 2014 full year financial result of the company was not tasteful as it recorded loss

before tax (LBT) of N198 million, loss after tax (LAT) of N228.5 million and eight percent decrease in shareholders’ fund. According to the company, production difficulties arising from replacement of obsolete/ nonGMP(Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant machines jointly contributed to the bad financial position in 2014.

L

earn Africa ranked third with 18.90 percent or N0.24 price increase from N1.27 at the beginning of the week to N1.51.

Two years ago, the two majority shareholders – Pearson Education Limited and Longman Group (Overseas Holdings) Limited divested their combined 51 percent holdings in company. However, the company has overcome the initial challenges arising from the divestment and is ready to return to profitability. In 2013, it announced 42.89 percent decrease in revenue to N1.044 billion from N1.803 billion in December, 2012.

Though the cost of sales improved slightly, the company ended the year with a pretax loss of N132.397 million from profit position of N8.008 million in 2012, representing 1,753 percent decrease.

D

angote Flour Mills trailed far behind with 14.75 percent or N0.63 increase to close at N4.90 from N4.27. The company’s 2014 audited reports and accounts showed that it is continuing in its streak of losses as it recorded N2.99 billion loss before tax for the year ended December 31, 2014 as against N2.88 billion loss before tax achieved in the same period in 2013. Similarly, it posted loss after tax of N2.92 billion compared to N2.81 billion recorded during the previous year. Also, the finance cost rose by 10.2 percent to N761.538 million from N690.928 million in the previous quarter.

ASL advanced by 14.71 percent or N0.25 to close at N1.95 from N1.70; FCMB rose by 13.52 percent or N0.43 to close at N3.61 from N3.18; Nestle went up by 11.47 percent or N107.45, rising from N936.60 to N1, 044.05; GSK added 10.23 percent or N5.22 to close at N56.26 from N51.04; Beta Glass appreciated by 10.22 percent or N2.42 to close at N26.11 from N23.69, while A.G Leventis advanced by 9.68 percent or N0.12 to close at N1.36 from N1.24 per share.

,

INVESTOR

Why SEC’s Complaint Management framework may not work (3)

By Babajide Komolafe

W

HY should it take two days for an organisation to acknowledge an email message or five days to acknowledge a message received by post?

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) need to provide answers to these questions, and failure to do so is tantamount to encouraging operational

latitude and insensitivity to the plight of investors in the capital market.

Otherwise, it would not have designed or introduced a Complaint Management Framework for capital market operators that allows a whole two working days to acknowledge complaint received via email. Note that the two working days is not to resolve but to acknowledge receipt of complaint send via

email.

The Commission stated, “Capital Market Operators (CMOs) and public companies shall acknowledge receipt of complaints received by email within two (2) working days.

Where complaints are received by post the CMO and public companies shall respond in writing within five (5) working days of the receipt of the complaint. Copies of the complaint and the

MARKET NEWS

Share reconstruction: NSE places Unity Bank’s shares on suspension

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has placed the shares of Unity Bank Plc on full suspension following the planned reconstruction of the bank’s shares.

From left: Public Relations/ Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Asiwaju; Joshua Ogboko; Oreoluwa Adamo, both winners, Indomitable Sticker promo, and Brand Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Amber Kumar Yadav, at the prize presentation for Indomitable sticker promo, in Lagos.

The Managing Director, Mr. Henry Semenitari, had during the listing of supplementary shares of the supplementary shares from its combined rights and special placement offers on the NSE that the bank would undertake share

reconstruction given the size of its current outstanding shares.

The share suspension, according to Exchange, in a statement followed a directive from the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 23

acknowledgement letter shall be forwarded to the relevant competent authority.”

The above implies if the complaint was sent on a Friday, the capital market operator has the laxity, yes, laxity, of four days just to acknowledge the email.

It is even worse in the case of complaints sent to SEC itself.

The commission stated, “In the case of (a) the SEC shall acknowledge receipt of complaints received from complainants by email, within five (5) working days. In the case of (b), once a complaint is lodged at the SEC, the SEC shall; (i) Assess the complaint and decide whether the subject matter falls under the purview of SEC or whether it needs to be referred to another entity. The SEC shall assess the complaint within ten (10) working days.

In other words it would take up to five working days, Monday to Friday, or Friday to Thursday, for the commission just to acknowledge receipt of a complaint. And it requires 10 working days to assess its jurisdiction over a complaint sent to it.

The above indicates that SEC does not see the need for, it does not practice, and neither does it encourage prompt attention to

complaints. The time allowed just to acknowledge complaint via email encourages and promotes laxity, tardiness and insensitivity to the plight of complainants.

This contradicts the vision of the commission.

The vision of SEC is, “To be Africa’s leading capital market”, and its brand driver is, “Towards a world class market”. If indeed the Commission is committed to this vision of being a leader with the aim of achieving a world class market, it should not encourage laxity towards the plight of investors or any complainant.

We are in an era where regulators and organisations leverage on technology to enhance service delivery or achieve instant response to service breakdowns. That is what SEC should encourage.

For example, in the banking industry, in the past, it could take banks weeks to respond and correct ATM dispense error, but due to the insistence of the Central Bank of Nigeria, such errors are now either auto reversed or corrected within 24 hours.

That is what SEC should emulate.

and will continue from Monday, 13 April to Friday, 17 April 2015.

Consequently the qualification date (last trading day before the share reconstruction) is Friday 10 April 2015, while the ratio of reconstruction is one new share for every 10 shares already held.

“The suspension is for the purpose of permitting Unity Bank Plc to conclude its scheme of capital restructuring.

Normal transactions in the shares of Unity Bank Plc will resume on Monday, 20 April 2015,” the NSE said.

The bank’s chairman, Prof.

Akin Mabogunje, had told shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting that the reconstruction would give room in the future for the bank to raise money from the market at a good price without ballooning the capital structure.

Mabogunje stated that although the number of shares held by each shareholder would have been reduced with the reconstruction, their percentage holding and value would still remain the same.

Giving further justification for the exercise, he said: The possibility of bonus shares would be more assured under a moderate equity level and volume of traded shares of the bank would be reduced, hence the share price should be enhanced.

In line with the board’s recommendation, the 44.21 billion issued and fully paid ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in the capital of the bank were approved for reconstruction into 14.74 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each by converting the 44.21 billion issued and fully paid ordinary shares of 50 kobo each into stock of N14.7 billion and reconverting the stock into 14. 74 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The suspension is for the purpose of permitting Unity Bank Plc to conclude its scheme of capital restructuring

,

S FORUM

The market will start nosediving but clearly, the whole thing depends on the pronouncements and the policies because if you assemble a team of technocrats that will pilot the affairs of the economy, people will know the direction of the economy within one year

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INVESTORS SPEAK

Post elections: Stock market will bounce back, but …

Now that elections are over, especially the Presidential and Governorship, shareholders in this interview are of the opinion that the market will bounce back but not recover immediately, just as they said that the foreign investors that left the market to see the outcome of the elections will return back to the market.

•Anono

By Providence Obuh

•Okezie

Insurance stocks have the characteristics of “seat down and look.” But some penny HAIRMAN, Nigeria Professional stocks will still surprise the market.

Shareholders Association, Mr. National Coordinator, Progressive Godwin Anono: The stock market Shareholders Association of Nigeria expectation is high because it has been (PSAN) Mr. Boniface Okezie,: Stock market moving up and down before election and will go up but basically after the majority of the investors have been inauguration of various members that had involved in profit taking and the foreign won various offices in the election. So, the investors are taking a peep to see how the policy direction of the president elect and market will look like, but since the his party is important to the market. But elections are over I believe the market will after swearing in, we are going to see soon start to return to rallying and the capital normalty but one still have market is expected to to watch, it is not bounce back. The market something you put all your will bounce back definitely Since the elections eggs in one basket. , but not to recover Also the regulators have are over I believe immediately, we are going to do their jobs very well to see the positive signs and this time around, and they the market will acceptability of Nigerians are still trying to introduce soon start to return will add change, we will see some products like bonds, response to it . to normalty but one derivatives and other The market will improve products but the equity still have to watch, it and that will depend on the market will have the lion is not something pronouncements and the share. Some of the policies of the giovernment companies have declared you put all your egg because if you assemble a results, but the shocker of in one basket team of technocrats that will all the results is First pilot the affairs of the Bank, giving 10kobo economy, people will want to dividend ; how can you get shares for know the direction of the economy within one N9.00 and then you get 10kobo dividend year before they take investment decision. and they are also giving bonus, they don’t Basically, the market will bounce back despite need to give that bonus because already decline in oil price globally, but if we know the their share capital have become so robust. policy direction of the government that will also So many companies are not suppose to be help to persuade people to embrace the market giving bonus because their share capital and a lot of people who have been out of the is already filled up. market will now come back to access the market Many investotors will dump First Bank because they have no other market than this. shares because their dividend discouraged But I believe after all and said and done, the everyone. It is a stock that when you buy market will bounce back but not in the immediate you can easily sell but it has now become but gradually we will see the outcome. a stock that you find very difficult to sell.

The winners and losers of elections will go back Zenith Bank declared N1. 25, Zenith stock and strategise, people who have left outside the is one stock you are sure of getting shores, the foreigners who went back to their dividend. Other banks that have declared various countries as a result of the elections will dividend include: Diamond N10kobo and come back into the market and local investors Fidelity N10kobo. There is something will now have confidence built. The economy is wrong with the banking sector, the ex[pected to improve after the elcetions and the onlysector one can actually buy shares now people’s will would have triumphed. is manufacturing. Manufacturing would have been better if not for dollar issue.

C

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

APRIL 14, 2015

Demand for Nigerian crude drops in Asia •More cargoes shipped to Europe

By Sebastine Obasi

E

XCEPT it finds buyers as soon as possible, the Federal Government’s capacity to finance the 2015 National Budget has been further reduced, as demand for Nigeria’s crude drops in the Asia market. The development increases concern of higher budget deficits in the current financial year.

Thus, a glut of unplaced Nigerian crude is expected to flow to Europe after weak buying from Asia for Nigerian and West African light sweet crudes over the past month has left a large overhang of March, April and May cargoes.

This was the finding of Platts, a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information, and a premier source of benchmark price assessments.

According to Platts, demand from Asian buyers especially India, the biggest buyer of Nigerian crude has been on the wane for May cargoes, and traders expect more Nigerian crude to land in Europe in coming months.

•Oil refinery Recall that Vanguard had exclusively reported last month that Nigeria risked losing its Asian crude market to the Arab oil producing countries, warring over market shares in the wake of the crash in oil prices, thereby offering huge discounts to either retain their shares or attract new buyers.

Focus on Europe

Platt noted that the focus on Europe has been further enhanced by reduced interest from Nigeria’s other regular customers like Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa.

The information expert also explained that the European

market is more trading oriented rather than tender based as in the East, giving the necessary flexibility for

Demand from Asian buyers especially India, the biggest buyer of Nigerian crude has been on the wane for May cargoes

sellers to negotiate their outstanding cargoes while afloat.

West African (WAF) crude differentials have been falling in the past month as sellers tried to attract buying interest.

But buyers are holding back in expectation of even lower prices.

More specifically in Nigeria, “values are definitely coming off,” a trader said.

There are still March cargoes on the water and a significant chunk of the April programme is outstanding despite coming close to loading time. “Most of the available cargoes will float to Europe in order to minimise the pain,” the same trader said. “From the moment a Suezmax is loaded, the charterer has 8-10 days before deciding on diverting to the US, without an additional demurrage cost,” a WAF equity holder said.

The current freight rate at Worldscale 72.50 is also boosting the floating storage strategy for companies.

Moreover, others said as long as the land storage is full, these cargoes have to be put on ships. Platts quoted a trader as saying, “I’m extremely bearish and I think

Nigeria loses N27bn to gas flaring

By Michael Eboh

B

ARRING other arrangements, Nigeria lost $133.716 million, about N26.743 billion to gas flaring in December 2014, as oil and gas companies in the country flared 20.11 per cent of their total gas production.

This, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s Monthly Petroleum Information for December 2014, contrasts sharply with the $551.346 million (N110.27 billion) earned from the 183.783 billion Standard Cubic Feet, SCF, of gas utilised by companies in the period under review.

Specifically, the oil and gas companies produced 221.634 billion SCF of gas, utilised 183.78 billion SCF and flared 44.573 billion SCF. The Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, put the average price of gas at $3 per unit of 1,000 SCF, translating, therefore, to $133.716 million (N26.743 billion) for 44.573 billion SCF, and $551.346 million (N110.27 billion) for 183.783 billion SCF. Sole Risk/Independent oil companies were the worst

offenders, flaring 131.58 per cent of their sub-sector ’s gas production and 11.84 per cent of the total gas produced by the oil and gas sector during the period.

Specifically, Sole Risks/ Independents oil and gas companies produced 19.943 billion SCF of gas, utilised 348.26 million SCF and flared 26.241 billion SCF. Marginal oil fields operators followed, flaring 48.61 per cent of the total gas produced in the sector, as they produced 2.275 billion SCF of gas, utilised 1.169 billion SCF and flared N1.106 billion SCF. Production Sharing Companies flared 20.47 per cent of the total gas produced in the sub-sector, while Joint Venture, JV, companies flared 6.93 per cent of the total gas production.

In particular, Production Sharing Companies, PSCs, produced 25.101 billion SCF, utilised 19.96 billion SCF and flared 5.139 billion SCF, while the JVs flared 12.087 billion SCF out of a total gas production of 174.215 billion SCF and utilised 162.303 billion SCF of gas.

Analysis of the quantity of gas flared on a company-by-

company basis in the period under review showed that Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, was the worst offender, flaring 154.13 per cent of its total gas production.

NPDC produced 12.022 billion SCF of gas, utilised 138.045 million SCF, while it flared 18.53 billion SCF. Seplat, First Hydrocarbon, Niger Delta Western, and Prime

Platt noted that the focus on Europe has been further enhanced by reduced interest from Nigeria’s other regular customers like Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa

Energy followed, flaring 100 per cent of their total gas production.

In particular, Seplat, flared 1.187 billion SCF; First Hydrocarbon 46.048 million SCF; Niger Western 5.448 billion SCF, while Prime flared 42.072 million SCF. In addition, Platform Petroleum produced 791.408 million SCF of gas, utilised 2.139 million SCF and flared 789.269 million, representing 99.73 per cent of its total gas production.

Allied/Camac Petroleum flared 92.76 per cent or 338.89 million SCF of gas out of the 365.35 million SCF of gas it produced.

Texaco produced 332.53 million SCF of gas, utilised 36.147 million SCF and flared 89.13 per cent or 296.385 million SCF of gas.

Pillar Oil, on the other hand, produced 29.74 million SCF of gas, flared 26.44 million SCF, representing 88.9 per cent of its total production, while it utilised 3.3 million SCF. Trailing is Midwestern Oil and Gas, flaring 40.45 million SCF, representing 85.46 per cent of its 47.342 million SCF of gas produced, utilising only 6.88 million SCF.

differentials will drag lower this week. Buyers are in control and, as they are seeing multiple offers for the same grade, they are unlikely to get worried about missing their requirements.”

Furthermore, refiners currently had good margins, traders added. The lack of May trading activity was also heard weighing on the market. Only 25 percent of the Nigerian May programme had so far been placed, according to Platts cargo tracking data.

The Nigerian flagship Qua Iboe differential dropped from Dated Brent plus $1.80/barrel March 17, to Dated Brent plus $1.40/b April 8. The arrival of more WAF cargoes in Europe and the Mediterranean may also have an impact on other crude sources.

West African exports WAF exports to Europe are typically refined in the Mediterranean region, but falling Suezmax freight costs and reducing WAF differentials are even encouraging Nordic refineries to look at running the grades, it was noted.

“At the moment, (Nigerian grades) don’t seem to be making it, but they are moving in the right direction,” said one Nordic refiner. “We’re close to having them competitive to other local grades.”

Some Nordic refiners find grades with high middle distillate yields interesting in part because it makes it easier to meet the more stringent environmental regulations they are subject to.

According to Platts, in Norway, ExxonMobil’s Slagen refinery regularly loads Ceiba crude from Equatorial Guinea, a grade in which ExxonMobil has equity.

But the country is generally a low volume buyer of WAF crude compared to other countries. Finnish refineries have not directly imported a cargo from West Africa in the last four years, according to Platts ship tracking software Flow.

It also noted that in Denmark, Statoil’s Kalundborg refinery imported a cargo of crude from Antan, Nigeria, a small niche grade, offloading April 6. It’s first purchase of Antan crude since October 2013, according to Flow data.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 25

Fuel scarcity: NNPC, marketers appeal against panic buying

By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia

F

OLLOWING the perennial scarcity in Abuja, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and petroleum marketers have called on motorists to avoid panic buying of the commodity.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, attributed the persistent fuel scarcity in Abuja to panic buying due to the elections.

He said, “It is the same old story, the same issue of panic buying. If you noticed, immediately after the presidential elections, the queue disappeared. Now because we are going for the governorship elections they have gone into the practice again, because people want to travel, they want to have enough fuel to take them to their villages to go and vote for their governors and so on. That is majorly the problem.

He also queried the role played by petroleum marketers in the supply of fuel to the FCT in the last couple of days, saying the

•Gas plant NNPC and its subsidiary, the PPMC have been solely responsible for the supply of the products in the last couple of days.

He said, “People think that it is only NNPC or PPMC that is responsible for this. This is not so. There are also independent marketers; they also should be asked questions of what is happening.

“Whatever petrol we are using now in the country was supplied by NNPC through PPMC. We should also be asking about the other independent marketers and

He is also said to have frowned at the spate of corruption, which has characterised the subsidy regime to include the trillions of Naira spent on both Petrol and Kerosene subsidy within the past few years

about what is happening to their supply?”

Alegbe, however, called on Nigerians to avoid panic buying, assuring that that there are enough products to meet the demands across the country.

He called on Nigerians to avoid panic buying, assuring that there are enough products to meet demands across the country.

Also, a source, who is a member of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketing Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, blamed the scarcity on the elections, stating that majority of the

depot owners and marketers in the country have enough products to meet demand.

The source said, “I’m not aware that fuel scarcity still persists in Abuja, because I know people are loading and we have products, except that probably people are just slowing down because of the fear of elections and also because people are travelling out of Abuja to their various locations.

“For example if a driver is loading from Lagos to Abuja, and does not discharge, that means he will stay in Abuja until he discharges, this means that he will miss voting which he may not want. This can be a contributory factor to the scarcity in Abuja.”

The scarcity has lasted for over two months despite several meetings and promises ýby the Ministry of Finance, NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, and the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC and oil marketers.

Specifically, directly opposite the headquarters of the NNPC in Abuja, long queues of motorists are constantly stationed at the Total and Conoil ýpetrol stations on a daily basis.

Buhari’ll reduce petrol to N40/L — David-West •as stakeholders call for removal of subsidy

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By Ediri Ejoh

ORMER Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Prof. Tamunoemi David-West, said that Nigerians should expect sharp drop in petrol price from the current N87 to about N40 per litre, saying, “the president-elect, Gen. Mohammed Buhari, will reduce the fuel pump price to N40 per litre.”

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, the former minister argued that Nigeria produces millions of barrels of crude oil daily, and if properly harnessed will boost the performance of the industry.

His words: “I want to assure you that by the time he takes over, petrol will be dispensed at N40 per litre. This is possible and he has the credibility to make it work. The major assignment of the president-elect when he is eventually inaugurated is to restore confidence to the industry.

He noted that the presidentelect is familiar with the petroleum industry, adding that he is a straight forward person that has respect for democratic principles.

“As military head of state, he dealt with the Federal Executive Council with the tenets of

democracy. Buhari will build new refineries to make petroleum products available for the masses. No responsible government will allow the masses to suffer.

“He will strengthen the refineries within a year. It is possible as we won’t spend any amount in setting up a green field refinery. We already have a blueprint as we shall use what we have to get what we want,” he added. He further stated that on many occasions, the president – elect had disclosed that the subsidy initiative is a fraud which has distorted the progress expected in the sector.

He is also said to have frowned at the spate of corruption, which has characterised the subsidy regime to include the trillions of Naira spent on both Petrol and Kerosene subsidy within the past few years, thus inhibiting efforts to properly carry-out the Turn Around Maintenance TAM, for the refineries. He added that on countless occasions, he had argued that the country is forced to pay for scam carried out by oil cartel.

Also contributing, a UK-based economic analyst, Mr. Seyi Odetola, noted that the president-

elect has expressed doubts on the credibility of the subsidy claim.

He added that there may be the need to investigate the several claims made by marketers, which will further reinforce his earlier submission on the subsidy claim.

According to him; “The fact that most filling stations in the country are now dispensing petroleum products after the presidential election, despite the threat by major oil marketers to stop selling the product, in view of the subsidy arrears owed to them by the Federal Government, indicated that most of the marketers have been benefiting from the fraud.

Removal of subsidy He argued that “Where did they get funds to import the product, given the nature of the forex? If after the presidential election fuel is still available as if nothing had happened, it is then apparent that there is no fuel subsidy. “It would be difficult for him, to unitarily remove subsidy without the proper consideration of the plight of the major players in the sector. He will need to reappraise the cause of inefficiency

of the sector.”

He further hinted that the president-elect, with his pedigree and respect for the rule of law, will completely phase out importation by the time the local refineries are working. This, according to him, will totally remove subsidy, adding that subsidy as it is presently constitutes the promotion of corruption and impunity.

“I am optimistic that the president-elect will look into the subsidy regime as soon as he finally settles down for the business of governance.

He stressed that renewed attention will be given to the revamping of the four refineries as well as focus on the construction of new ones.”

He concluded that “In the long term, through the confidence that will be restored in the downstream and upstream sectors, investors will be encouraged to do business which will stimulate the growth from the level it is.

On his part, the Director, Strategic Planning, Research Intelligent, Mr. Olubunmi Martins, argued that the subsidy regime is riddled with corruption, a sign post of the present administration.

He said the challenge before the industry is the gradual restoration of the local refineries, which will take care of the local consumption for petroleum products.

He insisted that if activities at the various refineries are up scaled up, subsidy will no longer be a major concern in the country.

He however urged the president-elect to scrutinise the various marketers, as most of the companies were floated solely for the sake of benefiting from the subsidy regime, thereby snowballing into cartels that have held the sector back.

Olubunmi maintained that subsidy has distorted all the major economic activities that should have taken place in the country. “I am still at a loss with the concept of the whole subsidy, what is being subsidised and who are the beneficiaries? But it will be unwise for the presidentelect to remove the subsidy immediately he takes over the mantle of leadership, as such an action could force him into a trap set by the oil cabals.

“Notwithstanding, Gen. Buhari will have to do a complete evaluation of the sector to properly understand areas of non-performance and take appropriate action,” he added.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

APRIL 14, 2015

•Power plant

NLNG spends $9.3bn on 6 trains …Delivers 7% of global LNG supply

By Sebastine Obasi

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HE Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, said it has spent over $9.3 billion to develop its six trains, which put it in good stead to deliver about seven percent of the global LNG supply.

In a publication made available to Vanguard, NLNG stated that the amount was spent between 1990, when train one, the base project was started to 2007, when train six came into operation.

A breakdown of the figure shows that trains one and two cost $3.6 billion and was financed

by NLNG’s shareholders. Train 3, including additional tankage,

cost $1.8 billion. The financing was carried out in a manner similar to that of the base project, while much of the cost of the new LNG tankers was borne by third party financiers.

Excluding ship acquisition, the cost of trains four and five (NLNGPlus Project) was said to have cost $2.2 billion. These were funded with a combination of internally generated revenue and third party loans amounting to $1.06 billion.

The final investment decision, FID for train six was taken in July 2004 for the sum $1.74 billion. It was principally financed from internally generated funds.

Crude Production:

By Ediri Ejoh & Mildred Ibrahim

N

IGERIA’S quest to attain four million barrels daily of crude oil production by 2020, will remain a mirage as report projects a slight improvement in Nigeria’s crude production to 2.48 million barrels per day, bpd.

Business Monitor International, BMI, in its latest report obtained by Vanguard , said the development is as a result of the “staggering onshore production, continued instability and investment delays/cancellations due to regulatory uncertainty and the falling oil prices.”

The report, in its seven year forecast 2012 – 2018 of Nigeria’s production further stated that “Both downside and upside risks exist, and are largely dependent on improvement in the business environment, and the content and adoption of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.” The report also warned that:

With six trains currently operational, the entire complex is said to be producing 22 million

Excluding ship acquisition, the cost of trains four and five (NLNGPlus Project) was said to have cost $2.2 billion

BMI projects slim growth

“Should the current situation endure without an adoption of the PIB, project investments and cancellations could see Nigerian production head downwards in the mediumto-longer term, as new production fails to offset decline rates at mature onshore and shallow-water fields.”

It added that “A more substantial increase in production is unlikely until the passage of the PIB.” The BMI however noted that “It is unlikely that Nigerian production will fall further than it currently has, given the interest by companies for divested assets, the moderate role played by onshore production, the increasing importance of offshore production and the continued presence of large international oil companies, IOCs…” Below is a breakdown of the BMI forecast for Nigeria’s crude, liquids, natural gas and refined products for the seven year period:

tonnes per annum, MTPA, of LNG and five MTPA of liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, and condensate from 3.5 billion standard cubic feet, SCF, per day of natural gas intake.

But final decision is yet to be taken on train seven, seven years after train six became operational. No reason was given for the delay. Vanguard however gathered from reliable sources that the project has been delayed due to lack of political will.

As regards local content, NLNG stated that it has partnered with Hyundai Heavy Industries, HHI, and Samsung Heavy Industries, SHI, to promote the development of a ship repair yard in Badagry, Lagos. According to NLNG, the aim is to bridge the gap created by the absence of an operational dockyard to cater for the repair and maintenance of Very Large Crude Carriers, VLCC, LNG carriers, large and medium size carriers, drilling rigs and support vessels.

In reaction to the shortage of gas for domestic use, NLNG said it has committed to delivering 250,000 metric tonnes of LPG into the Nigerian market annually and has signed sales and purchase agreements, SPAs, with 15 off-takers (all Nigerian companies) for the lifting of LPG for the domestic market.

NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49 percent), Shell (25 percent), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 percent) and Eni (10 percent).

Sahara Group optimistic over prospect

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AHARA Group said it is making good progress with its activities in OPL 274, in which it has 100 per cent working interest, even as it presses on towards optimising opportunities in the block where it hit “first oil”.

Enageed, the Sahara upstream company operating OPL 274, last year doubled its certified 2P reserves in the Oki-Oziengbe South field in Edo State, Nigeria, making a new commercial discovery with the Oluegi-1 exploration well.

According to the Managing Director of Enageed, Mr. Segun Ogunwumi, was quoted as saying in a statement that the company has continued to witness steady positive outcomes in OPL 274 preparatory to moving on to the phase of commercial production from the field.

“We are doing very well with our timelines and remain focused on the target ahead.

We have an amazing collection of staff who are working alongside our regulators and key stakeholders, and we remain confident that we will achieve our timelines and ultimately extract maximum value from what has been a historic success so far in OPL 274,” he said.

Ogunwumi noted that whilst the focus on OPL 274 has since taken precedence over other assets where it has interests, the company remained resolute in its commitment to activities in other fields, adding that it would review its position on others following strategic consultations. “We are working closely with the regulatory body and all stakeholders on this,” he stated.

Recall that the Chief Operating Officer, Sahara Upstream, Mr. Cohen Curtis Cohen, had at discovery of oil in OPL 274 described the feat as adding to a number of firsts for Sahara.

“We shot our first onshore 3D seismic, drilled and operated our first onshore wells, made our first oil discovery and first appraisal, and tested first oil at rates in excess of 5600 barrels of oil per day. We drilled the three wells back-to-back in just 10 months, from a common location and a minimal environmental footprint, and all three wells found commercial hydrocarbons,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 27

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28 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Experts seek land reforms to make housing provision less cumbersome •Infrastructure, housing provision and land reforms top list •As built environment experts set agenda for Buhari

By Jude Njoku & Kingsley Adegboye

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ARELY 45 days to the inauguration of MajorGeneral Muhammadu Buhari (retd) as Nigeria’s next President, built environment experts have called on the incoming administration to give urgent attention to the provision of infrastructure and housing development. The experts who set the agenda for the incoming government, in separate interviews with Vanguard Homes & Property, said Gen. Buhari should focus on rebuilding the nation’s ailing infrastructure and reducing the housing deficit currently put at a staggering 17 million housing units.

In a congratulatory message to the President-elect, the President of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy, CASLE, Mr Segun Ajanlekoko enjoined him to provide the enabling environment that will attract foreign investors into the country.

“Based on your antecedents, we have no doubt in your ability to lead the country aright on the path of sanity, probity and accountability and the general well-being of the entire citizenry.

One area that needs urgent and immediate attention is our infrastructure and housing. As professionals in the built environment whose expertise is in the sustainability of the environment, we would urge you to place this on high priority and deploy the much needed resources to accomplish this which will no doubt give confidence to foreign investors and guarantee investment flow into the country,”Ajanlekoko said.

•Modern housing estate..can the incoming government focuses on this? inaccessible due to acute deficit in road infrastructure.

“Notwithstanding these observations, the Federal government can indeed play a significant role in shaping the emergence of a sustainable housing delivery system for Nigeria. While recognising the huge expectations of the Nigerian people in the area of housing, the government must admit to itself that it cannot solve housing •Mr. Awobodu

A Lagos-based private estate developer, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi, called for land reforms to enable private investors to come in to provide shelter for the millions of homeless Nigerians. Ajayi who is the Managing Director of Propertygate Development and Investment Plc, noted that housing is heavily dependent on land, but regretted that land ownership is vested in various state governments, except the Federal Capital Territory where the Federal government has

•Mr. Ajayi control.

Noting that planning determines land use, Ajayi further regretted that planning rests exclusively in the hands of state governments, hence the registration of title which is vital in the housing delivery chain is seldom given.

In addition to housing reforms, Ajayi posited that roads are supremely important in acceleration of housing delivery.

He however observed that vast developable land remain virtually

Recognising the crucial position of state governments, it must devise ways to successfully sell its vision and goals to this important stakeholders

Ajanlekoko elected CASLE president

By Jude Njoku

A

FORMER President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, Mr. Joseph Olusegun Ajanlekoko has been elected the President of the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy, CASLE, the umbrella body for all the surveying professions in the 54 countries that make up the Commonwealth.

Ajanlekoko who is also a

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past President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN and Africa Association of Quantity Surveyors, AAQS, was elected the president of the 52-year old CASLE in Takoradi, Ghana. He becomes the second Nigerian to be elected the President of CASLE. The first was Senator Ebenezar Ikeyinna.

Also elected were five regional presidents. They include Mr. James Dadson, a Ghanaian for African region,

Dato Lau Wai Seang for Asia, Dr Charisse Griffith for Atlantic, Mr Brian Waldy for Europe and Mr. Buddley Ronnie for the Pacific.

The President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, M Bern Omo Akhigbe was elected the Vice President for the West African sub-region. Also elected were Mrs Susan Spedding from the UK as Secretary -General and Mr. Tony Westcott also from the UK as Treasurer.

•Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko

problem overnight. It will take time. This will be an honest and humble stand to take.

“Descending into the arena to quench an inferno without proper planning may be grand standing, but it hardly secures real success.

The government must therefore come up with its vision for housing. This should be accompanied by clearly articulated and measurable goals.

This will give the administration focus, ability to effectively allocate resources and gain credible followership. The clarity of vision and goals will also provide a reference for the assessment of the administration’s performance,” he said.

Mortgage finance Continuing, the Propertygate boss said: “Recognising the crucial position of state governments, it must devise ways to successfully sell its vision and goals to this important stakeholders. It must then proceed to lead, while prepared to accommodate the individual differences of the various states.

It must truly believe that mortgage finance is the life wire of massive housing initiative no matter how much you attempt to make houses “affordable”.

Therefore sustainable mortgage finance system must be built with readiness to make a break with currently unhelpful policies and approaches”.

“It should embark on deliberate infrastructure, especially major transportation-infrastructure to stimulate massive housing projects. Deliberate policies and incentives to drive investment into, and strengthen the subsector. Avoid the temptation of getting the government to go into Continues on page 30

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—29

CLIMATE CHANGE:

Lagos takes stock, prepares for the future

By Jude Njoku

A

S the annual Lagos State International Climate Change Summit enters its seventh year, environmentalists and climate change experts have begun to take stock to evaluate grounds gained as well as set an agenda for the future.

The annual forum which seeks to explore the challenges and opportunities of climate change in Lagos in particular and the world in general, is slated to hold between April 21 -24, 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The three-day conference which has “Seven years of Climate Change Governance in Lagos State: Celebrating Success Stories, Reviewing Challenges and Setting Future Agenda” as its theme will chart the way forward for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s “”Centre of Excellence In its seven years of existence, the summit has addressed various measures of combating climate effects through various mitigation and adaptation actions. It has also shared best practices across boundaries, and explored inherent business opportunities.

The summit has also focused on the vulnerability and adaptability of climate change in major facets of life.

The outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola explained that the input of the Lagos State Government in environmental regeneration and infrastructural development are in furtherance of sustainable

environment.

“In Lagos, we have continued to landscape and beautify hitherto open spaces and loops that were then hideouts for miscreants. We have also modernised parks and gardens, as well as established an agency named the Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK) whose major role is to oversee the parks and gardens in the state and to continue the greening initiatives in order to assure modern town planners that the state is methodically planned with all its resources for an enviable regional national development,” he said.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello quoting Governor Fashola declared: “Gone are the days when we could

High level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has been greatly reduced as a result of our numerous greening programmes, as the plants use up carbon dioxide and release oxygen as waste

•Reclamation of Bar-Beach … one of the major achievements of the Fashola administration. succinctly draw a line between the rainy season and dry season; gone are the days when harvest was predictable and bountiful; gone are the days when select species of certain fish were readily available on the menu table”.

Bello observed that most of the goals and targets set by the summit within the last seven years have been to a large extent achieved.

His words: “High level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has been greatly reduced as a result of our numerous greening programmes – as the plants use up carbon dioxide and release oxygen as waste – such that Lagosians now breathe in cleaner air than before. “The government has also built five Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in Lagos Island, Alausa, Akute, Mainland and Peninsula, leading to the decommissioning of several hitherto active industrial generators across the state, and

•Gov. Fashola greatly reducing air and noise pollution as well as conserving and ensuring energy efficiency,” he said.

Among the numerous achievements of the summit, according to its organisers include the draft Lagos State Climate Change Policy Document and Action Plan,

Le’ Venue Property repositions to take over real estate industry

By Kingsley Adegboye

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S part of its effort to take over the real estate industry in Nigeria, Le’ Venue Property Development Company Limited, a real estate development and construction firm has completed the registration of contractors, appointed a marketing company and a PR Firm to drive publicity for its numerous real estate developments across Nigeria.

Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Jemine Adollo said the company will be in the UK for the Property Investor and Homebuyer Show holding at the Excel Center, London Docklands later this month to showcase its various estate developments to Nigerians in Diaspora.

This is in a bid to further encourage them to start coming back to their father land.

“The company will also be at the GRI AFRICA 2015 holding in Johannesburg, South Africa. The GRI Africa is a meeting

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of top level real estate executives, investors and lenders in Africa,”Adollo said.

He listed some of them as Hakeem BeloOsagie, Ronald Chagoury of South Energyx the developers of Eko Atlantic, Bonang Mohale of Shell Africa, Ruth Obih of 3invest Ltd, Hakeem Ogunniran of UACN Property and Jameel Verjee of Diar Capital.

Land tenure system “The idea is to form an alliance with the best institutions/businesses in Africa for our eventual takeover of the real estate industry in Nigeria”, Adollo said.

Le Venue Property, he said, will sponsor a bill at the National Assembly to get the land tenure system reformed. . “It is awkward and counter-productive for the trusteeship of land to be vested in one

person in the state. This has not helped investors to do more and needs to be changed. Our plan is to have our lawmakers take a very good look at the provisions of the Land Use Act with a view to radically amending the Act to making housing affordable for Nigerians and investor friendly.

“We are eager to contribute to the development of land resource in Nigeria and to effectively contribute to the economic development of the country.

Around 58 million people will move to cities in sub-Saharan Africa in the current decade, according to a report by the United Nations and Nigeria is at the heart of this urbanization.Obviously there is an urgent need for more residential and commercial properties to meet up the towering increase. There is a growing middle class that needs housing to stay. We are prepared to play a significant role in satisfying this need”, Adollo said.

Lagos State Adaptation Strategy Documents produced to reinforce actions to address the challenges of climate change; the heightened collaboration with various nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), Vulnerability Study on Coastal Areas to Climate Change in the state in conjunction with the United Nations International Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Eko Atlantic Project, Shoreline Protection of the Bar Beach and Rehabilitation of the Drainage Infrastructures in Lagos.

Climate change Others include the introduction of mass transportation systems including Bus-Rapid Transit, BRT and Light Rail Project, School Advocacy Programme, Yearly School Exchange Programme to Germany (where students from Lagos State public schools are sponsored to join their counterpart abroad), as well as participation of various government officials at international climate change conferences and events.

Additional achievements include establishment of wasteto-wealth programmes (such as Nylon Buy-back, Waste-toCompost and Waste-to-Energy), Annual Tree Planting Campaign, Car Horn-free Campaign, the Greening Programme, and passing of laws to protect the environment.

For example, it is now an offence to fell a tree in Lagos, as doing so attracts a fine and the planting of five trees for every fallen tree. Amid the enactment of fresh laws (such as on noise pollution), environmental laws are likewise being harmonised, even as the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) has been elevated to the status of an Agency to enforce environmental laws.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Houston EB-5 offers investment opportunity in real estate in US

By Kingsley Adegboye

3

INVEST, a real estate development advocacy firm has struck a partnership deal with Houston EB-5 in order to raise capital for Marlowe in the Houston area of Texas. Houston EB5 is a real estate investment company offering potential investors, the opportunity of investing in real estate development in Houston Texas.

The CEO of 3invest, Ruth Obih who disclosed this, explained that “in addition to the prospect of a good return on investment on the project, investing in this project will qualify investors for permanent residency in the United States through the EB-5 programme.

Marlowe, which is located in the heart of down town Houston is a 20-storey building comprises 100 residences in contemporary tower with one, two, and three bedroom floor plans.

“Ideally situated, Marlowe provides the very best living experience the down town Houston has to offer to professional sports venues, parks, shopping centres, restaurants all within less than 200 metres.

Outstanding services With sophisticated finishes and a host of outstanding services and amenities, Marlowe is the pinnacle of an eat, sleep, work and play lifestyle,” she said.

Orbih noted that in 2010, Houston EB-5 tapped a federal programme targeting wealthy foreigners to fund their real estate projects, a $70 million residential tower in the vibrant Houston Galleria area called Astoria and a $48 million 8-storey, 240unit apartment building in the heart of down town Houston called Block 384.

Astoria was completed with $30M from EB-5 investors and the raise for Block 384 was actualised with $12M, she said, pointing out that Houston EB-5 boasts of a 100 per cent success rate on Green Card approvals.

“Like the previous Houston EB-5 projects, Marlowe has received C M Y K

great support from the City of Houston. A ‘TEA’ designation has been assigned to the project, lowering the minimum investment amount to $500,000 as opposed to $1,000,000. Through the marketing of previous projects, Houston EB-5 has established strong investor pipelines in both Latin America and Africa, helping to assure complete capitalization of projects”, said Emilio Guzmán, Chief Investor Relations of Houston EB5.

Randall Davis, a Houston luxury condominium developer and his partner in

Houston EB-5, Mexico City native and Houston

For future projects, we plan to attract more investors from Nigeria because they have comprised a large part of our past developments

entrepreneur Roberto Contreras, are completing construction on the Astoria building, and are excited about the development of Marlowe; a 20-story of 100 residences of condo tower in down town Houston.

“Given its ideal location, Marlowe will provide the very best living experience in down town Houston has to offer in terms of professional sports venues, parks, shopping centres, and restaurants all within walking distance”, Randall Davis said. ”The majority of the investors Houston EB-5 has in its previous projects

Experts seek land reforms to make housing provision less cumbersome Continues from page 28 housing construction in its zeal to accelerate housing delivery. It will lead to regression and breed corruption.

The government should rather focus on helping to build a strong housing and mortgage systems with the private sector serving as the engine of execution.

Genuinely drive the industrialization of Nigeria, with the attendant benefit of reversing the dependence of the subsector on imported building materials. Position the country and the economy to attract foreign investment into the housing sub-sector with right policies, transparent administration and sound management”, Propertygate boss advised.

Transparent administration Also advising the incoming administration on how to ensure a sustainable housing delivery in the country, a former chairman of the Lagos state branch of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOBMr. Kunle Awobodu posited that the housing sector which has been in crisis for a very long time, needs to be addressed by the incoming government.

Awobodu who is the National Chairman of Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG also wants the incoming administration to tackle corruption in the housing industry. He called on the new government at the centre to improve on the established due process to guarantee sustainability in

the housing sub-sector.

While calling on the government to address the issue of high cost of cement in the country, Awobodu equally called on the government to ensure that cement is readily available in the country at affordable price to encourage individuals’ efforts towards

building their own houses.

He further called on the government to place priority on the training of artisans as a way of addressing the dearth of artisans in the nation’s building industry, a situation he described as disturbing.

Firm completes interior design of One Africa Media

By Kingsley Adegboye

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E S S R S Eezyoffice.com has completed the corporate office design of One Africa Media, an international conglomerate comprising Jobberman, Nigeria’s leading internet recruitment and job search Company, ChekiNigeria and Private Property website.

Managing Director, Eezyoffice.com, Mrs. Nwamaka Okoye who disclosed this, said the One Africa Media office project which has been variously described by professionals as refreshing and ingenious was a defining moment in the company’s operations.

“When One Africa Media came to us and asked if we could design an aesthetic open space office for their staff of mostly young people in their 20s, we knew we had to come up with something vibrant and authentic. We had to resolve the complexity of the functions, with the simplicity of a modern tech-

nology company that is world-class,”she said The new office has a panoramic view of Lagos Marina and laced with brand new furniture, a cosy lounge and a themed café.

The overall ambience is comparable to those of top technology companies in San Francisco and New York”, Okoye said.

The successful completion of the Africa One Media corporate offices is coming on the heels of other achievements including design and furnishing of the Tetra Pak West Africa headquarters in Lagos, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority in Abuja, Terragon Group Ltd among others. Eezy Office offers brand-conscious organizations value-priced office furniture and accessories.

It is a brand of House Accessories Limited, an emerging space Solutions Company determined to carve a niche for itself in the furniture manufacturing sub-sector of the economy. Other brands include Refined Cabinets and Ergon Design.

are from Mexico and other Latin American countries with Nigeria close behind”, said Acho Azuike, Managing Director of Houston EB5 Regional Centre. “For future projects, we plan to attract more investors from Nigeria because they have comprised a large part of our past developments. Nigerians are familiar with the Houston area already and we now have a track record of success because

of our Astoria and Block 384 projects”, Azuike added.

The EB-5 investment programme is administered by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services under the Department of Homeland Security. It allows investors who make a qualified investment to fast track permanent legal residency in the United States for themselves and their immediate families without the usual roadblocks or red tape associated with the immigration process.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 31

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32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

GAC plans assembly plant in Lagos G

UANGZHOU Automobile Company, GAC, is at the verge of opening an assembly plant on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to a statement made available to the press, a preliminary inspection was carried out on March 19, at the proposed assembly plant.

Leading a high level team from the National Automotive Council for the inspection exercise was the Council’s Director of Policy and Planning, Mr Luqman Mamudu. The team also had Engineer Joke Oniteri of NAC and an official of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. The GAC team that received the NAC/NCS was led by the Administration Director of CIG (representative of GAC in Nigeria), Mr. Felix Lee. It would be recalled that CIG recently set up an ultra-modern auto facility on Victoria Island to offer GAC models to its numerous customers as well comprehensive after-sales services and auto assembling.

CIG Motors is the sole authorized distributor of the GAC brand of vehicles in Nigeria, which won the Nigeria Transport Award, as the Best New Chinese Auto Brand 2013/2014.

CIG motors, with its headquarters/parent company (Choice International) in Guangzhou city, Choice International has operated in Nigeria for about 17 years marketing the Lontor brand of products, gaining managerial experience and understanding what the Nigerian market needs.

G u a n g z h o u Automobile Group Co., Ltd. was founded in 1997, and in 2005 became a holding of Guangzhou Automobile Industry group, and a joint-stock company.

GAC is one of the top five biggest Chinese a u t o m o b i l e manufacturers with their headquarters in Guangzhou, China. Its world class factory was finished in September

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Kia global sales rise by 3.0%

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2010, manufacturing 100,000 vehicles and accessories annually.

The features available in the GAC brand of vehicles represents world, leading power and energy saving technology. The front double wishbone and rear 7 link chassis

GAC is one of the top five biggest Chinese automobile manufacturers with their headquarters in Guangzhou China

•The Administrative Director CIG Motors, Mr. Felix Lee, representative of GAC in Nigeria, (middle), with Mr. Luqman Mamudu (right) and other officials of NAC and Nigerian Customs Service during the inspection visit to the CIG office in Victoria Island, Lagos, rccently. technology, for instance, is comparable with high end Luxury models.

GAC Motor vehicles have exceptional features that cut across the stylish, safety and

elegant design. Distinctive features like the integral front grille with flying wings, a roomy and sleek meticulous interior design along with a paramount exterior dimensioning.

These are among many other features like the efficient fuel consumption, intelligent technology with high tech active and passive safety features.

Tests that made new Land Rover Discovery Sport

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HE new Discovery Sport is every bit a Land Rover, and to ensure

that it lives up to the company’s rigorous standards

it underwent a thorough series of tests during development.

Highlights from testing include a total driven distance of 1.2-million kilometres– more than three times the distance between planet Earth and our nearest orbiting satellite, the moon.

Discovery Sport was also tested at extreme altitude, and it ran reliably at 4,000 metres above sea level, where the air is 40% thinner than it is at the coast.

To test its class-leading off-road capabilities, made

possible by short overhangs and Terrain Response®, Discovery Sport was driven up 40º inclines, and down even steeper, 45º descents – gradients more extreme than those faced by Olympic downhill skiers.

In total, more than 181 prototype vehicles were used to complete more than 11,720 unique tests, ensuring that the Discovery Sport is as durable and capable as all other members of the Discovery family.

IA Motors Corporation has announced that its March 2015 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles, RVs, and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 269,749 units sold.

This figure represents 3.0% year-on-year growth compared to the same month of 2014.

In March, Kia posted year-on-year sales increases in China (11.3% growth with 61,431 units sold), the domestic Korean market (8.5% growth with 42,305 units sold) and North America (7.9% growth with 65,426 units sold).

Cumulatively through the first three months of 2015, Kia’s global sales totalled 690,775 units for a year-on-year increase of 0.5%. Korea (114,512 units sold), North America (155,659 units sold) and China (166,641 units sold) have seen a 6.0%, 5.8% and 2.0% rise in sales, respectively.

Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets in March 2015 was the B-segment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) with 39,934 units sold.

JLR SSA appoints new Marketing Director

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ISA Mallett has been appointed Marketing and Communications Director for Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and Sub Sahara Africa, JLR SA and SSA. A part of the JLR team since 2012, when she started as the Product and Pricing Manager for SA and SSA, Mallett steps into the vacancy left by Peter Biven, who returned to the UK last year.

With a B.Comm degree in Information Management,a B.Comm with honours in Marketing Management, and extensive experience in the local motor industry, Mallett has helped JLR change its image during a crucial time in its history.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 33

By Theodore Opara

Rolls-Royce Wraith special edition ready for order R

OLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars has unveiled the new Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ edition, which debuted on April 1st at the 2015 New York Auto Show, and is now available to order for Rolls-Royce customers in NIGERIA for a limited time.

Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ celebrates Rolls-Royce’s long heritage in film, with the pinnacle of automotive luxury taking leading roles in movies since the dawn of film-making, featuring in hits such as Goldfinger (1964), The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964), The Thomas Crowne Affair (1968) and The Great Gatsby (both the 1974 original and its remake in 2013) to name a few.

This limited edition also celebrates the acceptance of the groundbreaking Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Wraith launch film, ‘And the World Stood Still’, into the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive, the world’s most significant collection of film and TV. The film, The Cockpit which won a Gold Award at the 26th International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) Rolls-Royce in history.

Awards, caught the at- Filmed at a secret locatention of the BFI’s Se- tion near Barcelona, the nior Curator for Non- shoot included an innoFiction Films, Patrick vative ‘Timeslice’ (froRussell, who considered zen time) sequence creit a striking piece of con- ated using 100 SLR camtemporary cinematogra- eras; the longest purphy and so decided to pose-built camera rig in accept it into the archive. Europe; an award-win“We are delighted to ning film director; 36 see Rolls-Royce’s Wraith computers; 1.5km of calaunch film enter the bles and one prototype BFI’s collection,” com- Rolls-Royce Wraith. A mented Russell. “We se- behind the scenes film lected it for preservation was also launched after as it is an outstanding the Company was inunand award-winning ex- dated with requests from ample of modern corpo- fans across social media rate promotional film- networks worldwide.

Wraith ‘Inspired by making. It’s a powerful use of the film medium Film’ Continuing the theme for product launch purof “And the World Stood poses, executed with impeccable craftsman- Still”, this Wraith is a true hero car, hinting ship.”

Marc Mielau, Global gently at the (film) noir Head of Marketing, through a number of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, unique Bespoke touchsaid, “It is a great honour to see ‘And the World Stood Still’ accepted into the BFI National Archive. It is testament to Rolls-Royce’s unique position in the public This limited consciousness as the makers of ‘The Best Car edition also in the World’ and the celebrates the passion, innovation and acceptance of creativity of the entire the groundteam involved.”

The film, ‘And the breaking RollsWorld Stood Still’, introduced Wraith as the Royce Motor most powerful and tech- Cars Wraith nologically-advanced

launch film

C M Y K

Rolls Royce Wraith

The Interior es. Life imitates art as the silver screen is reflected through a unique two-tone Silver and Jubilee Silver paint scheme, whilst a solidsilver hand-cast Spirit of Ecstasy plays the femme fatale to the leading man, as he follows in her wake on an unexpected adventure every time he takes the wheel.

Wraith’s coach doors open to reveal the hero’s interior life, which

proves more colourful than its exterior would suggest. The Anthracite leather interior accented with Casden Tan exudes confidence and power like a modern super-hero’s costume, whilst its steely character is sug-

gested by a pin sharp aluminium band shooting through the Maccassar Ebony open pore panelling.

Wraith is the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever made. Performance complements the drama of

exterior styling as a shorter wheelbase, wider rear track and 624 bhp/465 kW derived from the twin turbo V12 and a 0-60mph of 4.4 seconds (0-100kph, 4.6 seconds) give expression to the car’s dynamic looks.

Minister rates Kia assembly plant in Lagos high

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N a bid to further strengthen its position in the Nigerian auto industry, Kia Motors has unveiled a new assembly plant, United Vehicle Assembly Limited (UVAL) in Lagos. The newly commissioned plant has the capacity to produce 25,000 vehicles per annum. Located, along Oshodi Apapa expressway, which is fast becoming the preferred location for auto manufacturers in Lagos, the plant has produced its first set of cars, Kia Cerato and Optima which were displayed at the last Abuja Motor Shows.

In a working visit to the assembly plant recently by the Minister of Industry, Trade and

Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga expressed delight and appreciation on the successful completion of the new plant. Aganga who spoke to the media after the inspection, stated “I am pleasantly surprised at the level of success and the advance technology of this plant.

I have visited different auto assembly plants across the globe and I can tell you that with the level of the quality assurance control and the sophistication of the equipment of this assembly plant, it can compete with international standard.”

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of United Vehicle Assembly, Mr Jacky Hathiramani,

stated at the event that, “the move to establish an assembly plant stems the tide of investment aimed at Nigeria and also keying into the country’s automotive policy. We are committed to making Nigeria a leading auto manufacturing country in Africa and also to contribute immensely to the development of the nation through this multibillion naira investment.”

He further stressed that the plant has employed engineering graduates from Nigerian universities and will continue to provide employment for more Nigerians.

“With today’s opening of our plant in Lagos, we have taken our growth commitment to a greater

height in Nigeria and reposition our brand to the teeming publics by supporting the proudly Nigeria dream” further says Jacky.

In a statement by the Chief Commercial officer, Kia Motors Nigeria, Mr Sandeep Malhotra, “the unprecedented stride of Kia brand in the automobile industry in Nigeria has continued to outpace competitions in offering best in class automotive technology to its customers. Premised on our increased acceptability among our valued customers in the last decade, we are now looking at further strengthening our foothold and expanding our reach in the Nigerian market with the new assembly plant”.

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

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APRIL 14, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

— 35

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THIS WEEK April 12-17, 2015

7th World Water Forum to mobilize creativity, innovation, and knowhow around water, owards global collaboration on water challenges

April 17, 2015

World Hemophilia Day to raise awareness about bleeding disorders and the need to build a family of support for those living with them.

April 18, 2015

Rotary Club of Lagos, Palm Grove Estate is organising free eye screening and cataract surgery for 2000 persons. The exercise begins 9am - 2pm at 1, D ‘Alberto Rd, Palmgrove Estate, Lagos. It continues May 1st, 2nd, 9th and 16th 2015.

Science World

Houston scientist hatches plan to prevent next Ebola

H

AUNTED by the public health community's failure to prevent or contain Ebola, a top Houston expert is spearheading a government-sponsored effort to prepare North Africa and the Middle East so that the region doesn't spawn the next infectious disease epidemic.

Dr. Peter Hotez, named a U.S. science envoy in December, fears the next virulent outbreak of a neglected tropical disease or emerging infection could strike ISIS-occupied territories in Syria, Iraq, Yemen or Libya, all of which fit the historical mold for such a disaster. He is working to identify institutions in the region that could send scientists to train in Houston, then ramp up back at home to produce vaccines in time to prevent an epidemic.

"We can't wait for catastrophic epidemics to happen and only then start making vaccines," Hotez, an infectious disease specialist at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital.

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•Cross section of orphans and vulnerable children at the Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home

Fending for orphans has turned me into a beggar — Elsie Akerele, orphanage proprietress

By Gabriel Olawale

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ESPITE setting out very early, the heavy traffic along OrileBadagry expressway, Lagos, ensured that this reporter did not get to Araromi, Badagry, location of the Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home before 1pm. On entry into the premises which is fenced, the sight of the three building inside, comes as a bit of a shock.

A first time visitor to the Home would have no cause to cheer. Right from the gates, the feeling of despair, desolation and despondency is immediately apparent.

The initial observation is that while the place is not particularly rundown, it nevertheless habours an eerie aura of neglect and palpable lack.

This is a home quite right, but it is not homely. It is a place of wants that does not want you.

Inside the expansive compound, infants and little children, scattered around. Some are orphans, physically or mentally challenged.

Others are abandoned at birth; call them unwanted children or children of wants, and you would not be wrong either way.

This reporter, who spent 24 hours on the premises, had an insight into the world of goings on in an orphanage. Lady Atinuke Home is a place where child die for want of just N1,500 to access medical treatment Just one visit to this Home is a revelation about the harshness of life for Nigeria’s special child; besides the trauma of not being able to express their feelings and needs, coupled with the disappointment they suffer from parents who gave birth to them and the lack of care and attention from government makes life even tougher.

It’s a stark illustration of the hardship children often undergo when conditions are not favourable.

About 23 of the children were seen inside one of the buildings. The building in question was said to have been donated by a philanthropic American lady, Mrs. Laila Peison who visited sometime ago and saw them in squalor.

HEALTH INSURANCE:

Lagos plans social mobilisation Page 37

At that time, just one building was on the premises and the whole thing look congested and dark and out of her kindness ensure the realisation of the building.

Lady Atinuke Home is a place where a child dies for want of just N1,500 to access medical treatment

Several of the children were on wheelchairs. A few were crying, many playing and one or two just looked on in helplessness. In the building next to this one, staff of the Home were seen cleaning up and dressing some of the children.

The situation was not particularly palatable to behold, but some children had a semblance of hope boldly written on their face.

Investigation by Good Health Weekly revealed that some of the children were abandoned at a crusade ground after their parents waited in vain for a miracle.

There are children who were found in other places such as the pigsty, by the road side, a small number at the hospital premises while some where brought in by their parents and abandoned to their fate. who didn’t want to have anything to do with them again because they deliberately left wrong forwarding addresses with the Home and have not been traceable.

For eight years the Home has existed, the survival of these children Continues on Page 37

Hope rekindles for 500 MDR-TB patients Page 38

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—37

• L-R: Mrs. Elsie Akerele and Ruka, one of the children at the Home.

Fending for orphans has turned me into a beggar Continues from Page 36 has being a tug of war. It was gathered that on a particular occasion, one of the children died as a result of the inability of the Home to raise a paltry sum of N1,500 for treatment. The situation of the children has deteriorated so much that some of them whose homes could be traced are being returned to their family.

Even as this persists, it is alleged that the Lagos State government still calls on the Home for child rescue without offering assistantce to it, on the excuse of having no provision for such assistance in the budget.

It was rather disturbing to discover that every child in the Home wears diapers that are changed every three hours. Aside the fact that it takes more than an hour to feed a child, their clothes need to be changed after each meal.

Special learning: Their own mode of learning is a bit different from conventional learning alphabet and numerals. They first concentrate on survival, some were seen learning to sit, others were still sucking their thumbs.

Many of these special children are unable to eat the normal food provided for others simply because they are unable to swallow or chew. This compels the staff to liquefy or mash the food before the children are able to take it down their throat.

Much later, as this reporter went around the premises, a woman approached the entrance gates carrying two nylon bags. The staff of the Home became excited and welcomed her warmly.

From indications, she was wellknown, as children in the building painted blue also welcomed her and even manged to show some sign of appreciation, The visitor was moved to tears when Ruka, one of the older

children in the Home, got up to appreciate her. Ruka’s story is worth telling. She was found with her mother at Ketu market by Missionaries, about eight years ago. The duo had been taking refuge there because of inability to rent an apartment. Ruka was 16 at that time.

The mother was later given some money to start her own business, selling sachet water and two crates of empty bottles for selling soft drinks while Ruka was left in the home.

So after eight years at the Home, Ruka’s condition has now changed for good and she is now a supporting care giver.

Elsie Akerele’s story

Ruka’s story was quite interesting and intriguing but it was the encounter with the Proprietress, Mrs. Elsie Akerele whom the children look up to as their benefactor.

Akerele told Good Health Weekly that a day cannot pass without her looking for one or two churches in the environment to seek help for these starving children.

“Even when I am on sick bed, I still have to stand up and go round the churches in this environment to beg not only for money but anything they can assist us with. My huge debt in the neighbouring market has made me popular,” she explained.

Akerele who set up the Home about eight years ago could not have imagined things would turn out so bad. Her passion for the survival of special children prompted her to sell her house at Idimu in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos State to build a proper Home where challenged children would take refuge.

Currently, her inability to meet up with payment of the staff salary

has caused some to shun their duty. With 13 staff left providing service, Akerele still owes them four months salary.

“When we had meeting about an hour ago, I admitted that I owe them and promised to pay. But my greatest scare is if they all refuse to show up one day, what will happen to these children?”

She wondered.

The Home’s effort to get the support of two local health workers from the Local Government Area proved abortive as several letters written were not attended to.

To meet up with feeding the children, Akerele explained that it has been a real challenge.

“There are times we would not have common milk in the home to give the children. I would wake up very early to begin looking for reverend fathers or sisters who will give us milk to make them look attractive a little bit. Their immunity is very low, you can see a child playing now and within a blink of an eye, he or she might start losing strength and become weak. That is why we have being in and out of the hospital.

Even when I am on sick bed, I still have to stand up and go round the churches in this environment to beg, not only for money but anything they can assist us with. My huge debt in the neighbouring market has made me popular

“On several occasions, I have written to the government to give us two nurses to support us, but no response till date. A child has died here because we were unable to raise N1,500. This is very sad and I don’t want to lose any other one.

“We wear only second hand clothes that good Samaritans bring to the Home. Early this year when we experienced serious hunger, the clothes that my daughter bought for me during her wedding, were sold. I had to sell them. All my grandchildren have an impact on this Home because they give us most of their clothes along with ones that people brought for us.”

Mental growth To ensure they grown mentally, the Home employed two special education teachers - one for speech therapy and the other for physiotherapy, but due to their inability to meet up with the charges , the speech therapist stopped visiting.

“Ideally these children need a physiotherapist at least four times a day, but due to lack of support the Home could not afford more than once or twice a week.

“It depends on the child’s case but if we are to pay a physiotherapist alone it will be about N30,000 per week because it is charged per session.

“For speech therapy, one session per child is N3,000 that is, if they are many. Some weeks if we don’t have donation of food, we normally leave physiotherapy and look around for what to eat.

That is why these children are still like that, assuming we have consistent therapy for them, things would have improved.

To ensure their stomachs are not empty, the staff blend plantain for them to eat due to its richness in iron among other things. Some were seen taking blended maize

with milk. Those learning to swallow were observed taking their food.

Continuing, Akerele said she discovered during the care for the children that they need enough iron-rich food. “That is why we give them a lot of unripe plantain and draw soup for those learning how to swallow.”

OVC challenges in Nigeria: The last available statistics put the World population of orphans at 143 million and Nigeria 17.5 million (UNICEF, 2008).

Currently, population of orphaned and vulnerable children is believed to have topped 25 million, yet 80 percent of institutions taking care of orphans in Nigeria are private Homes and orphanages while state owned orphanages are very scanty all over the nation. This makes the bulk of providing care and psycho-social support rest on the shoulder of private homes and orphanages.

Uncertain future for OVCs: The Secretary General, Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria, ASOHON, Dr. Gabriel Oyediji who is the founder of Compassionate Orphanage, Lagos and Docas Adunola Oyediji Motherless Home Ibadan, Oyo State, said OVCs, in Nigeria face an uncertain future as the availability of funds for their care and support continues to dwindle.

Tangible support Oyediji predicted that failure of tangible support to address the current financial predicament of orphanages over the next decade, could potentially spell doom has many OVCs are likely to die off as a result of lack of placement and rescue opportunities.

“The private homes and orphanages provide nutritional support, educational support up to tertiary institution, medical support even surgeries when needed, clothing and all forms of physcho social support, building maintenance, staff salaries, transportation among others without the government offering any financial grant to reduce the financial stress.

“This is a wound, a tragedy and a shame of our nation. And if the government continues to show nonchalant attitude towards the financial predicament of orphanages, it is predictable that in another 10 years many orphanages will close down.

“Many abandoned and vulnerable children will die due to lack of placement; there will be increase in mortality in existing orphanages for lack of good nutrition and medical care.

Oyediji warned that many abandoned babies in gutters and dustbin will also die due to lack of rescue opportunity. “Many brilliant children in orphanages will have half education or will be out of school, facilities in homes will be deplorable for lack of funds to put them right.”

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Health insurance: Lagos plans social mobilisation campaign

By Chioma Obinna

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AGOS State Council on Health has announced plans to launch a comprehensive and sustained social mobilisation campaign for health insurance with a view to promoting universal health coverage in the state.

The Council met recently in Lagos to showcase the progress made in the State Health Sector

over the last seven years while identifying areas for consolidation and intervention in the sector.

In a communiqué issued at the end its 2015 Council on Health with the theme: "Celebrating Excellence in Healthcare" and signed by the State Commissioner for Health, it noted the need to ensure legal backing for the use of alternative health financing strategies in providing health care

and subsidising health care services for the people.

The participants said to ensure better health package for Lagosians, insurance contributions should be mandatory but based on ability which by extension would be tied to a bouquet of benefit packages.

They said the success of any health insurance scheme is dependent on adequate funding,

•R-L: Bolaji Abbas, Finance Manager, Ephraim Nwaimo, HR/Admin Manager; Benediction Sadare, Rep, S.E Nomudja & Co Secretaries to McNichols Consolidated Plc; Olusegun Layode, Chairman of the company; Chimaraoke Ekpe, MD/CEO; Christopher Nwachukwu, Sales Rep and Kingsley Ezem, Sales Rep all of McNichols Consolidated Plc, during the company's 10th year anniverasry at their offive in Ogun State, recently.

strong advocacy and effective social marketing strategies.

"The Social Health Insurance should be compulsory to promote universal coverage.

Contributions should also be mandatory but based on ability which by extension would be tied to a bouquet of benefit packages. Payment structure for the Health Insurance Scheme should be flexible with payment frequency options i.e. monthly, quarterly or annually and the benefit packages should be made robust and simple to understand to be attractive to prospective clients and ensure ease of access, the communiqué stated.

"There is also the need to develop a blueprint for Quality Assurance amongst participating

The Social Health Insurance should be compulsory to promote universal coverage; contributions should also be mandatory but based on ability to pay

healthcare facilities and operational guidelines developed to operationalise impending Law." On issues bordering on maternal and child health, the participants stressed the need to strengthen newborn services as well as provide admission packs for every newborn admitted in the public health facilities.

The participants agreed on improving family planning services by developing the Lagos State Family Planning Policy, establishing a strong distribution system for family planning services in the State and strengthening emergency obstetric services at all levels.

The participants also decried that 70 per cent noted the significant proportion of the disease burden due to maternal and child health lamented lack of synergy between the paediatricians and gynaecologists, adding that 1520 percent of pregnant women require specialists' attention.

They said neonatal mortality was not on the downward trend as compared to Under-5 and maternal mortality rates, due to insufficient emphasis on babies' survival as well as family planning.

"There is need to expand the scope and improve the quality of maternal and child health services at the PHC level, strengthen 2way referral system and implement the policy on compulsory referral amongst others."

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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ELLO Mr Edochie, recently I have noticed a rise in the number of cases of female teachers in particular having sex with their teenage students. As a mother of two teenage boys I am concerned and thought it will be good for you to shed some light on this topic for every parent’s benefit – MrsOyedepo Thanks for your mail and yes I have observed this as well. It comes as a bit of a shock because for many years, we were led to think that sexual predators are generally men. But female sexual predators exist in every society.

Parents should be aware of this.

Unlike their male counterparts, female sexual predators are not violent or forceful but they are still dangerous.

Instead of being violent they employ the tool of seduction and unfortunately, many horny teenage boys often fantasize about having sex with their female teachers.

So the chances of an affair occurring between a random teenage boy and a female teacher are very high.

That is why female sexual predators can very easily start multiple sexual affairs with under age boys. I guess the best thing any parent can do is to let their children know what the rules are and hope they abide by them.

This is a very tricky situation. When the victim is also a willing participant, it is difficult to prevent. Boys brag about such affairs and those who are not involved often want to be part of that activity.

One of these incidents in America reported the story of a married female teacher that used to have a lineup of underage boys waiting to have sex with her, in the basement of her house. They were as many as five boys waiting in line and they were happy to be there to participate.

So we must raise our kids to make better choices when faced with this kind of temptation. Sexual molestation can also take place in our home between nannies, female relatives and young boys. So the threat is everywhere and parents need to be vigilant – Uche Ever since I was young, I have always experienced premature ejaculation. I am 36 years now and it is still

happening to me. Can I really overcome this? I thought I was going to outgrow it – Chris Premature ejaculation can happen to anybody at any age. Some men learn to overcome it as they get older while others continue to suffer from it. But you can get help. Use a delay ointment like the Prolonging Delay Spray for men. It is very effective and can help you last longer – Uche Sex is painful and unenjoyable – Onyinye Have you tried using a lubricant during intercourse?

Your problem could be a simple case of vaginal dryness.

Use the Mood Arousal Gel. It is very good for eliminating vaginal dryness and it is also an arousal gel that can help you enjoy intercourse – Uche Good day sir. I hear that there is a way to keep my erection strong even after ejaculation. Please I need to know how. It takes me too long to get a second erection after climaxing - George Yes it is true. You can achieve that through the use of a Cockring. A Cockring has the unique ability of retaining blood within an engorged penis in order for a man to maintain his erection for up to twenty minutes, after ejaculation – Uche I use Extenze Plus penis enlarger and I like it. But I now hear there are better products like X Again Platinum Enhancer. Which one should I continue with? Bruce Extenze Plus is a good product. I always tell people to stick with what works for them. Yes X Again is superior mainly because it also stops premature ejaculation and gives strong erections and performance for days. But if enlargement is all you want, Extenze Plus will do it for you – Uche Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—39

By Tom Moses

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HE elections which had earlier appeared to have been well-planned and pruned of covert and overt dangers became awry just in no time.

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Accord Party (AP) and Labour Party (LP) appeared to have expected free and fair elections where the eventual winners would be ultimately embraced and celebrated even as they also appeared to have had a mindset to resist any attempt from any quarter that would oppose strict implementation of the Electoral Guidelines for the elections.

All the agents of the respective political parties and stakeholders therefore demanded that election materials including result sheets brought to their polling units must be inspected and their authenticity ascertained before the commencement of electioneering exercise so as to check fraud.

The reason for this position as canvassed by some of the governorship aspirants such as Obong Umana Umana, Bishop Samuel Akpan and Senator Helen Esuene stemmed from the fear of possible repeat of the allegations which trailed the presidential and Senate elections of March 28, 2015 where many Electoral Officers allegedly released results sheets or colluded with influential political elements in the state to commit electoral fraud in favour of their candidates.

Extra-ordinary meetings Ostensibly irked by the ugly reports concerning the misdemeanour of the electoral officers, the Resident Electoral Commissioner-REC in the state, Barrister Austin Okojie summoned an extra-ordinary meeting with the Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) and the Electoral Officers where they were warned against conducts that would bring the reputation of the commission to disdain.

They were warned not to take any of the commission’s election materials to the residence of politicians for any reason or they would be made to face ugly consequences.

Even the elders of the state led by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Atu-Ekong Don Etiebet, paid a courtesy call on the REC on Thursday April 9, 2015 where they enjoined him to persuade his electoral officers against a repeat of the misconducts that shadowed the presidential and Senatorial elections.

To give credence to his promise, Okojie ensured that all the electoral materials delivered to the commission on Tuesday April 7, by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the

•Umana: APC candidate says there was no election

•Udom: Governor-Elect

AKWA IBOM GOV: The crisis that trailed the polls THE quest for the control of political power by political gladiators in the various political parties in Akwa-Ibom State on Saturday April 11, 2015 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections has surely left very little to be desired. governorship and House of Assembly elections were distributed to the electoral officers before the full glare of the media, security agents, International Observers and the respective political parties’ agents.

Unfortunately, many of the Electoral Officers did not appear to have complied with the directive of the REC as many of them did not go to polling units with the complete election materials they received just as some of them presented results sheets that were not the certified copies the REC handed over to them.

The situation was not different in Uyo, the state’s capital and perhaps, worse as many of the polling units were not provided with election materials at all, hence, elections did not take place in many units in the area.

Equally, in many polling units in Onna Local Government Area especially, the strong holds of Bishop Samuel Akpan of Accord Party, result sheets and other materials were said to have been hijacked and elections did not hold in those units.

However, in Etinan, the local government of Obong Paul Ekpo, chairman of the state chapter of the PDP, elections went on smoothly as accreditation commenced early as scheduled

just as voting commenced promptly and before 3 p.m. everything had been concluded.

It was the same story in many polling units in Onna, the local government area of the PDP governorship candidate, Udom Emmanuel.

Udom even commended INEC for improving upon its facilities thereby making the elections smooth and classical.

In Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District where Governor Godswill

Unfortunately, many of the Electoral Officers did not appear to have complied with the directive of the REC as many of them did not go to polling units with the complete election materials

Akpabio holds sway, elections were said to be smooth and orderly in many of the polling units.

However, it was not the same in many other areas and disturbed by the negative reports reaching him, the REC immediately held a briefing with the media where he lamented over the anomalies in the elections in many polling units.

“So far, we have found out that violence took place in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area Ward 11, Unit 3. A Corper’s head was broken and his APO’s leg was also broken.

But the disappointment experienced by the electorate in Uyo Senatorial District and some parts of Eket culminated in public disorder in Uyo on Sunday April 12 while the collation of election results was going on, causing the collation officers to temporarily abandon duty for a few hours until the security operatives came back to assure them that the protesting youths had been chased away and normalcy restored.

One of the speakers of the youths, Uduak Effiong vowed that they would do everything possible to resist the imposition of a governor and any other political officer on them.

Speaking on the Planet FM, Uyo, Obong Umana said the APC would accept nothing other than the cancellation of the election alleging that everything about the election was fraudulent and aided by INEC staff.

Bishop Sam Akpan is also peeved up by the biased conduct of the INEC staff and demanded that the INEC Boss, Professor Atahiru Jega should do something urgent about it to restore unity to the commission.

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in the state in a media briefing presided over by its Chairman, Martins Inyang also called for cancellation of the elections.

Speaking with Vanguard, the INEC Chief Returning Officer for Akwa-Ibom State, Professor James Epoke expressed the opinion that those who protested and refused to go and vote, made costly mistakes because according to him, results sheets are sensitive materials that ought not be displayed on the table so as not to be destroyed by aggrieved politicians or snatched away by desperate politicians or political thugs.

Ekpo, chairman of the state chapter of the PDP, however, lambasted those who did the protest saying the supremacy of his party in the state ought not be doubted.

By their protest, the chairman said the people had tacitly conceded defeat because numerically, the supporters of the PDP were superior to those of other parties.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

will continue to support Onyishi for his unique leadership qualities and service oriented mind. The interest of the party is paramount and has prevailed,” the Onyishi campaign had said.

PDC, APGA alliance for victory The Peoples Democratic Change, PDC, registered by a former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, also backed him on the claim that the candidate is a member of the Ebeano family.

Possible missteps

•Ugwuanyi: Governor-Elect

•Eze: Challenged Uguwanyi's nomination

ENUGU GOV: Universal conspiracy for Ugwuanyi’s victory THE lull in political campaigns by the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, in the days leading to last Saturday’s governorship election had betrayed the strength and structure deployed by it to usurp power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

By Francis Igata

T

HE advent of the PDP in 1998 which had had a free reign in Enugu had entrenched a bandwagon followership for the party putting other opposition parties as merely existing in the portfolio of its backers.

This again, was demonstrated during the just concluded March 28 presidential election where the candidate of PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan polled 553,003 while the APC, scored an insignificant 14,157 votes out of about 602,000 voters accredited.

PDP’s candidate for the governorship, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Mu’azu had described as, “the party’s most popular candidate since its inception” had traversed the 17 council areas of the state preaching the gospel of, “Consolidation and Continuity”.

He had also embarked on a door-to-door campaign as a last minute push to woo the electorate and that was despite his blistering popularity and the dominance of his party in the state.

Beyond canvassing for votes on the streets and markets, Ugwuanyi and his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeillo also met with Tricycle and Taxi Cab operators

promising to end the woes they encounter in the course of business.

Ugwuanyi had expressed displeasure over the approach of the insurance companies in dealing with the tricycle and cab operators.

He assured them of a better deal ahead, adding that his administration will set up a committee to address all the problems relating to their operation to enable them make a

living from the business and salvage them from further suffering.

Ugwuanyi’s path to victory was

Beyond canvassing for votes on the streets and markets, Ugwuanyi and his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeillo also met with Tricycle and Taxi Cab operators

also helped by the spate of adoptions he got from stakeholders including Coalition of Political Parties, CPP, the Enugu State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Onyishi withdraws suit, supports Ugwuanyi Just days to the contest, one of his fellow contestants for the PDP ticket, Dr. Samuel Onyishi who was aggrieved by the processes that led to Ugwuanyi’s emergence and had taken him to court withdrew the matter unconditionally in support of Ugwuanyi and asked his supporters to vote for him during Saturday’s governorship election.

“The campaign organisation

Also, the state chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, also resolved not to field a governorship candidate in support of Ugwuanyi’s ambition.

APC banking on PDP's missteps Rather than campaign for votes in the state, APC, had waited on the wings to cash in on possible missteps of the PDP. The mood in APC’s camp when an Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Evoh Chukwu upheld the candidature of Ugwuanyi against the suit brought before it by Senator Ayogu Eze who prayed the court to declare him the authentic flag bearer having emerged from parallel primary was sombre.

APC had hoped that the litigation would not terminate before the election date so that the PDP would not have a candidate to enable them have a field day.

Their plot to curry votes was again at play when they led a protest to the Enugu State House of Assembly seeking the rejection of N 11billion loan request from the state executive which the House threw away.

PDP coasts to victory PDP’s umbrella was strong enough to ward-off the threats of the APC to pierce through what many have described as a universal conspiracy to entrench Ugwuanyi as the new governor of the state.

BENUE: Impunity upturned The routing of the Peoples Democratic Party by the All Progressives Congress in the presidential and governorship elections in Benue State marked an end to the 16 year dominance of the PDP over the politically conscious people of the state.

By Peter Duru

O

NE remarkable fact from the governorship election in Benue State was the fact that the people were decisive in their resolve to effect change in the polity for reasons which may not be farfetched.

The expectation of change was on the basis of bitterness by many civil servants against the outgoing administration’s failure

to regularly pay the entitlements of civil servants.

Benue being a predominantly civil service state, the failure of the Suswam led government to offset the salaries of its workforce and pensioners which piled for close to five months contributed in no small measure to what is now referred to as ‘the political Tsunami of Benue State’.

In fact the situation got to a point where aggrieved civil

servants, pensioners and their close and distant family members took it upon themselves to campaign against the administration and all it stood for.

Unfortunately, the PDP led government perhaps took the resolve of the people for granted and this invariably led to the demystification of the party in the state.

Reacting to the outcome of the polls, the Benue State chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan stated that, “Governor Suswam and the PDP ought to have seen the defeat coming, when about five months salaries

of workers and pensions in a purely civil service state like Benue, was not paid before the elections.

“Perhaps they took everyone for granted but failed to realize that the women, traders, students, workers, pensioners at both the state and local government levels were deeply aggrieved and the only way we could openly vent their anger was by voting out the PDP,” Agan said.

Another major factor that affected the fortune of the hitherto ruling party was the perceived imposition of candidates and

Continues on page 41

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—41

PLATEAU: How Jang was brought down GOVERNOR Jonah Jang’s bid to exchange positions with Senator Gyang Pwajok comes unstuck after voters shot down his proposal to position his alter ego as his successor

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

M

ANY residents of Plateau State are still basking in the euphoria of the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Barr. Simon Lalong in last Saturday ’s governorship election as they go about celebrating the victory with drums and songs waving brooms as they go round the city.

Residences of the winner at the Federal Low Cost area and that of his deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden at the Rayfield area are being besieged by supporters who dance to various tunes in celebration of the election victory.

Besides the politicians, citizens also show solidarity waving brooms as they stand in front of their houses cheering the convoy of vehicles carrying supporters round the city and discussing the factors that led to the upset victory of Lalong over the establishment candidate, Gyang Pwajok of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Many who are unhappy with the defeat of Pwajok blame incumbent governor, Jonah Jang for “bringing the APC to Plateau State because of his selfishness.”

It would be recalled that several pleas for the governor to rescind the decision of making Senator Pwajok his successor fell on deaf ears hence the decision of the people to give their votes to the APC candidate.

However, the chances of the candidates were not unconnected with different affiliations the people had as reflected in the manner in which the votes were cast.

As the results were announced, it showed clearly that sympathy for Pwajok came mostly from his Berom kinsmen with paltry votes coming from the Kanke speaking region of his running mate and Langtang South local government area.

Pwajok won five local government areas from the Plateau North Senatorial zone which he represents as a senator but lost Jos East which had traditionally been in the opposition.

Out of 17 local government areas, results showed he won only six local government areas

•Pwajok: PDP candidate including Bassa, Langtang South, Riyom, Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Kanke.

His opponent won 11 out of the 17 local government areas including Jos North, Mangu, Pankshin, Jos East, Kanam, Langtang North, Bokkos, Mikang, Shendam, Wase and Qua’an Pan. These votes came because generally, the people are said to be disenchanted with Governor Jang who saw Pwajok as his sole

•Lalong : Governor-Elect project. The people it was said wanted a change and the yearning for the next governor to come from the Southern zone also garnered votes for Lalong.

Apart from Jos North which gave the highest number of votes to the APC, Mangu local government area where Prof.

Sonny Tyoden, the running mate of Barr. Lalong hails from also contributed to the Party’s victory, Tyoden’s tribe, the Mwaghavul has not had the position of either

the deputy-governor nor the governor since 1999 so they saw the Lalong/Tyoden ticket as an opportunity hence the overwhelming votes believing that if both end well, Tyoden stands a chance of being the governor after Lalong thereby confirming the arrangement that Southern Plateau should handover to someone from Central Plateau before it comes back to Northern Plateau.

Though Pwajok’s running

mate, Yilji Gomwalk is Ngas from Kanke local government area, Lalong’s wife, Regina is also Ngas from Pankshin local government area. These factors also influenced the giving of Kanke votes to PDP and Pankshin votes to the APC but Jos North votes for the APC was mainly due to party affiliation. Jos North predominantly occupied

by Hausa Fulanis has traditionally been the base of the opposition.

But some from the HausaFulani area said they could not have given their votes to Pwajok because as one of them said, “Governor Jang has always told us GNS is the architect of his administration and our people were marginalized during the administration. That means he will continue in marginalizing us and that is why we are seeking a change.”

Some Ngas also felt that it was better for them to hold the position of the First Lady than to get the seat of a Deputy Governor which they saw as a spare tyre.

Meanwhile, citizens have urged the winner to carry everyone along irrespective of the previous differences and ensure he does not disappoint the mandate they gave to him.

Lalong on his part appreciated the people of Plateau for supporting him promising to carry everyone along.

He assured that on assumption of office, he will clear all arrears of salaries owed the civil servants in the state.

BENUE: Impunity upturned Continues from page 40 particularly, the decision of Governor Gabriel Suswam to contest for the Benue North East senatorial seat being occupied by former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade.

Also related to that issue was the decision of Governor Gabriel Suswam to allow close to 30 aspirants to jostle for the governorship position in the PDP. After spending huge sums to curry the support of party members at the party ’s primaries, these embittered aspirants were asked to jettison their aspirations in the collective interest of the party; and this certainly did not go down with the outraged aspirants.

That accounted for the decision and resolve of Chief Barnabas Gemade to leave the party alongside Dr. Samuel Ortom both of whom formed a resolute alliance with the enigmatic Senator George Akume.

That alliance certainly contributed in no small measure to deal a devastating blow to the wining streak of the party in the three senatorial zones of the state. It would therefore not be out of place to emphatically state that most of these aggrieved

aspirants and their supporters also contributed to the routing of the party.

Information gathered on good authority clearly revealed that the infuriated aspirants and other erstwhile PDP stalwarts and their supporters worked against the interest of the party in order to express their disaffection and also, to make the governor pay for the perceived sins of the party. The outcome of the polls in the state was unarguably a crushing defeat waiting to happen even when the leaders of the party pretended that all was well with the once bubbling family.

The minister of interior, Mr. Abba Moro who is from the state in a remark on the spate of defeats suffered by the party in recent times spoke as much when he alleged that some members of the party, in the state sabotaged the party.

“It is regrettable that what happened on March 28 was an accident that was aided and abetted by some PDP members,” he said in an interview. The Minister also acknowledged the adverse effect and challenges posed by the non payment of salaries to civil servants and pensioners, to the fortunes of the

•Ortom: Governor-Elect party.

Pundits also believe that the exit of Dr. Ortom from the party also dealt a devastating blow to the PDP in the state.

Ortom is a renowned grassroots politician whose reach in the entire state could best be described as second to none and this obviously accounted for the double standards some of the PDP stalwarts played during the periods leading to the elections.

It was not a hidden fact that majority of the PDP members who did not exit the party at the heat of the crisis remained in the

•Suswam: Outgoing governor party to work for Ortom whose support base was certainly underestimated but the court jesters surrounding Governor Suswam failed to avail him the true picture of the political situation and the wishes and aspirations of the people.

Suswam while speaking to journalists in Makurdi, shortly before the governorship elections, observed that many of those he trusted and also entrusted with responsibilities during the electioneering period, worked against his interest and that of the party.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Lagos anti-smoking law still prostrate one year after

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

W

HEN Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State signed into law the bill banning public smoking in the state on February 17th, 2014, Kehinde Ayinla, an asthmatic patient jubilated that public smoking will soon end in the state.

But more than a year after, he still waits to see government sensitizing the public on the law or prosecute someone for smoking publicly.

The joy Kehinde and others like him felt earlier was that the anti-smoking bill sponsored Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-Osa Constituency 11 and passed by the House of Assembly in January 2014 will protect Nigerians especially residents of the state who don’t smoke from inhaling smoke puffed by smokers.

Those who don’t smoke but inhale the smoke from the cigarette are described by the World Health Organization, WHO as second-hand smokers.

Walking on the streets of Lagos a year and about two months after, kehinde still watch residents of the state acclaimed to be the fastest growing megacity smoke publicly

without caution.

This is particularly prevalent in motor parks, restaurants and concerts, Political rallies and others, where smokers light up their cigarettes at will. He said, they smoke without minding if it affects the people around them or not.

Kehinde lamented that the joy that enveloped him when the bill was signed into law has faded.

Before the law, WHO said that 600,000 persons die worldwide annually after being exposed to second-hand smoke. And with the increase in smokers lately, more people may be affected.

Vanguard gathered that if nothing is done to address issues of second-hand smokers before 2030, the number could become uncontrollable.

Due to this, the government introduced the law. Blessing Ani said “that was why when it was signed by the governor; I said it was a good idea because some people are just inconsiderate. They do not mind the rights of others to clean air.”

Lack of adequate sensitization The import of the law, with 16 sections, is to discourage and

prohibit cigarette smoking, especially in the presence of people below 18 years, by youths and adults living in the state.

Akeem Alabi, a student, said of the law; “Public smoking is an act we Nigerians have been involved in over the years. So, we cannot stop overnight. We need adequate sensitization.

Over a year after, the government is yet to commit itself to sensitizing the citizens on the need to do away with such practice.

In the same tone, Mr. Anthony Umeh, a trader, said “I am yet to see any enlightenment team in my area

Kehinde lamented that the joy that enveloped him when the bill was signed into law has faded out

to explain the law to us and what it entails. For instance we have questions we will like to ask.”

According to him there is need for adequate sensitization by the government to rescue non-smokers from the hazard posed by cigarette smoke.“

Law yet to be enforced “Immediately the bill was signed into law, the state government received commendation from different organisations for its prompt response to the issue on second-hand smokes.But a year after , the state is yet to enforce the law. Even when section 16 of the law stated clearly that the law could be cited six months after the day of signing.“Even without the six months, Solomon Adebayo, a resident said; “Compliance should be enforced for the anti-smoking law. But we are yet to see any move by the state government.

And I hope that this law will be enforced so that it doesn’t go the way of the Tenancy Law which was never effective.”

Provision of the law For effective ban or control of tobacco smoking in public places, the law compels owners

or managers of public places and institutions to erect a signpost with No Smoking boldly written and other symbols that connote that cigarette smoking is prohibited in such places.

Section 4 of the law states that; “It shall be the duty of those who own or occupy public places to ensure that approved signs are displayed conspicuously at each entrance and in prominent locations throughout the premises to inform smokers about the prohibition.

However, the law provides that in such public places, the owners or managers should create an area outside the public domain where people could smoke without creating harm or hazards to others.

Section 7 (2) states; “Any person who repeatedly violates the provisions of the law shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N50,000 or six months imprisonment or both.”

Section 8 of the law states “For non-compliance by owners of public places, the law states that such offenders shall be fined N100,000 or six months imprisonment or other non-custodial punishment that the judge may deem fit.

“Where the offence of refusal to place the sign or symbol is committed by a corporate body, the director, manager, company secretary or any person concerned in the management of the affairs of the corporate body would be liable.

In this case, he would be fined the sum of N250,000 upon conviction.

Section 11(1) of the law states that the General Manager of the Lagos State Environment Protection Agency, LASEPA shall enforce the provision of the law.

While sub-section 2 added “Whenever the need arises the General manager of LASEPA may call upon Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement unit and other law enforcement agents to aid the enforcement of the provision of the law.”

Why enforcement is delayed —Ipaye Responding, the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said the state government will need the assistance of the police to enforce the law.

He noted that the state government does not have its own police that will enforce the law.

According to him, “if we have our own police, I mean we are allowed to establish state Police, we can designate such responsibility to them.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 43

•Tinubu

•Fashola

•Akinwunmi Ambode

The path of continuity and progress assured

By Akinwumi Ambode

F

ELLOW Lagosians, yesterday, election day, history beckoned. Courage stood tall. Fairness and Justice raised their heads. Democracy blew its trumpet. You, the people, the electorate, answered its call by marching to a victory only you could achieve.

You contested against an old and ancient device, the use of money and power to manipulate the result and thwart democracy.

In the end, the sovereign will of the people proved worthier than money and mightier than brute force. Your collective voice remained the voice of Lagos.

Now, the official announcement from INEC has come.Democracy has triumphed once again. INEC has declared me the 14th governor-elect of our beloved Lagos. I know that it is only God that crowns KINGS. To Him be all the Glory.

I may have won your vote but it is you, the people, who won the election. The true winners are the people of Lagos state. I accept this victory on your behalf. “Let me congratulate INEC for a Job well done and keeping alive Nigeria's hope for a brighter democracy. To my main opponent, Mr. Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, I thank you for a keen contest and invite you,alongside other governorship candidates,to join hands with me in moving Lagos forward.“The people of Lagos have spoken. With one voice they have chosen continuity over an uncertain future. You came out peacefully to cast your vote. Not even the threats of our opponents to unleash mayhem could have kept you from having a date with destiny. And because you have answered our call to come out and vote and handed your party, APC victory at the polls you have

sealed a pact with democracy and good governance.“I am humbled that you have placed your trust and faith in me. The love of this state and our common belief in what we can accomplish, our belief in what this state already is, and in what it is destined to become binds us together in a social and moral contract of high purpose.

I shall honor that contract with every fiber of my being. This day I pledge to you that I shall devote myself to bringing even greater prosperity, growth and development to every inch of this state, that I shall build on the legacy and progress of the Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola administrations, I shall bring the best of Lagos into my government

and I shall make you proud and glad that you chose me as your next governor.

I thank all those who voted for me. And even those who did not vote for me or never voted at all.

To the electorate, I salute and applaud all of you for making this a fine day in the march towards Nigeria’s democracy

To the electorate, I salute and applaud all of you for making this a fine day in the march towards Nigeria’s democracy.

The people of Lagos have demonstrated that Lagos is not about ethnicity or religion but about a common desire to enthrone good governance.

Lagos under my watch will not discriminate. It has not in the past. And will not in the present.

Not even in the future.

There will be no political victimization. Like in the words of the former American President, Abraham Lincoln during his second Inaugural address, “With Malice toward none, with Charity for all …”

In your collective wisdom, you refused to reward a party that

failed at the national level by giving that party the stewardship of our beloved Lagos.

Continuity of progress shall govern this state in the next four years under the banner of the APC. History has been made this day because you have achieved an outstanding feat. By affirming your faith in the APC and in me, you have, for the first time in 60years, married progressive governance at the national level with progressive government at the state level.

Finally, our state government and the federal government will be of one vision, one mind and one accord and that is to govern you wisely not rule over you rudely.

•Being text of acceptance speech by the governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode.

Robbers, hoodlums invade Lagos during elections •As Police arrest 122 political thugs during presidential poll

T

HE Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, at the weekend said some hoodlums were arrested for disrupting the electoral process during the Governorship and House of Assembly polls in the state.

Aderanti disclosed this during a visit to Mr Akin Orebiyi, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Lagos.

He, however, declined to give the number of the arrests made, but simply said that the police had commenced interrogation of the suspects.

Aderanti said that the arrested individuals were involved in electoral offences.

“We have made some arrests; we are trying to look into it.

“To me, the election is reasonably good, if compared with what has been happening

in the past.

“We have started interrogating the suspects,” he said.

He said that the police had not recorded any fatality in the elections. Aderanti commended the officers of the command, INEC and also the people of the state for their peaceful conduct.

He said that the comportment of the politicians was above average.

Meanwhile, the Command in Ikeja arrested a total of 122 suspected political thugs during the March 28 presidential election in the state.

Those arrested included some suspected armed robbers. Also recovered were 18 arms and 492 ammunition.

The police also busted a deadly robbery gang and recovered 492 live AK-47 rifles

and nine AK-47 magazines.

The gang was said to be planning to embark on a robbery operation when the police got a tip-off and nipped their plans to the bud.

Lagos State Police Commissioner Kayode Aderanti disclosed the above during a chat in Lagos on the activities of the command in the week before the Easter holiday.

The police boss also disclosed that the command arrested a total of 122 suspected political thugs during the presidential election including suspected armed robbers and recovered 18 arms and 492 ammunition.

Also, 12 stolen vehicles were recovered from a robbery gang which specialised in inter-state robbery.

Aderanti explained that the inter-state robbers were nabbed

based on information from members of the public.

He said the recovery of the 12 vehicles and the arrest of the gang took the detectives to different parts of the country.

According to him, the gang from whom 492 live AK-47 ammunition was recovered was arrested at Ladipo Market in Lagos, as members were planning how to carry out the attack.

Aderanti, said: “We have arrested all the suspects involved in the robbery. We advise the owners of the vehicles to come forward with proof of ownership to collect their vehicles.

People have begun to have confidence in the police, that’s why information is coming in from the public.”

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Finally, Hillary Clinton joins the race

F

OR a long time, Hillary Rodham Clinton stood by the sidelines and let political pundits stretch their imagination about when she will formally declare her intention to run for the U.S. presidency.

Last Sunday, she ended all speculations and announced herself as a candidate in the 2016 race for the occupancy of the White House. If elected, she will make history in all sorts of ways: the first female president of the United States; the first U.S. First Lady to shatter the glass ceiling of male dominance of politics at the highest level in the United States; the first grandma to become a U.S. president; the first woman to reverse roles and have her husband, a former U.S. president, become the First Gentleman at the White House. The list is interminable.

If the world expected Hillary to launch her bid for the presidency with the loudest bang possible, it somewhat came as a surprise that she chose the least “noisemaking” forum to begin the race: social media! Unlike Republicans Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio who declared their interest in the presidency with a lot of fanfare, Hillary opted to start on a low tone.

Apparently, her calculation is that there is no need zooming off in high gear when the presidential race is more like a marathon than a hundred meters stretch.

She declared her candidacy in a video message that was two minutes eighteen seconds long, with a simple message: “Everyday Americans need a champion. I want to be that champion.” Last Saturday, President Obama endorsed Hillary’s candidacy in unequivocal terms.

According to the president, “she was a formidable candidate in 2008, she was a great supporter of mine in the general election, she was an outstanding secretary of state, she is my friend. I think she would be an excellent president. The one thing I can say is, she’s going to be able to handle herself very well in any conversation or debates around foreign policy. And her track record with respect to domestic policies is I think one Whoever that cares about eventually working families.”

It is reasonable to emerges as wonder why Hillary the decided to launch her presidential bid Republican in this low-key Party fashion.

Her political handlers presidential and strategists could candidate have staged a will discover Hollywood-style event to kick-off her that campaign. Perhaps, campaigning history has been her best teacher. The last against time she stepped out Hillary to run for the presidency, it was all Clinton will fanfare and be a razzmatazz and a sense of mission formidable accomplished even task

before the race began. That inflated sense of self-importance and misguided spirit of courage were to be shattered when a relatively political nonentity called Barack Obama suddenly appeared on the scene and wrecked her ambition. Obama who had little or no name-recognition among the electorate turned the table with a simple catch-phrase known as Yes-We-Can. By the time the Hillary camp adjusted their strategy to put up a spirited fight, the young one-term senator from the state of Illinois was too far ahead in the polls that catching up with him was impossible.

This time, the Hillary camp may have seen the wisdom in some modesty and humility, and working from the bottom up, as opposed to relying on the name “Clinton” to do the magic. Besides, the camp must have learned a lesson from the Obama camp about the power of social media in modern elections, especially in mobilizing the young and young at heart.

If Hillary bases her calculations largely on the support of the older folk, she might witness a repeat of the movie that failed her in 2007-2008. So, while the take-off of her campaign may be seen as muted and low-key, it might in fact be loud and clear to the Internet-social media savvy younger generation whose votes might determine who wins or loses in 2016

Only woman in the race No doubt, Hillary’s entry will enliven the race. She is likely to be the only woman in a race that will feature an all-male tagteam from the Republican Party. The only woman with some credibility who could have challenged Hillary in the Democratic Party’s primaries is Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts. But, she does not wish to run in this election cycle.

So, the likely scenario is to have a lineup of male Republicans, each trying so desperately to outdo the rest of the pack, in hurling all manners of innuendos at Hillary. To win the Republican Party’s primaries, there isn’t much really to talk about outside denouncing Obama and his policies, especially his health care law, upholding Americans’ right to bear arms, pouring more money into the arms industry, fighting terrorism everywhere there is a semblance of it, playing to the gallery with such sanctimonious positions as being anti-gay rights, and of course singling out Hillary for the worst form of vilification.

As a result of the Republican Party’s new majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, whoever emerges as the party’s presidential candidate is assured of allies in Congress who will use their privileged positions to dig up real and imagined dirt in Hillary’s closet. An attractive issue around which the Republican law-makers will sharpen their arms against Hillary includes the fact that she used her private e-mail account to conduct official business while she served as the U.S. Secretary of State.

Whoever eventually emerges as the Republican Party presidential candidate will discover that campaigning against Hillary Clinton will be a formidable task.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—45

PDP faults Amaechi’s call for cancellation of Rivers polls C

HAIRMAN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Mr Felix Obuah, has faulted the call by Governor Rotimi Amaechi for cancellation of the governorship and state Assembly elections in the state, describing the polls as peaceful, free and fair.

“We are satisfied with the conduct of the elections. We hail the outcome. It is the true verdict of Rivers people.

Rivers people have spoken,” Obuah said.

He described APC's call for the cancellation of the elections in the state as unreasonable, provocative and a call for anarchy borne out of desperation by the state governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi to remain in power even after serving his legitimate eight years.

He also condemned attempt

by Amaechi to disrupt the elections held in the state on Saturday.

Obuah in a statement, said: “Amaechi’s attempt to disrupt the polls in the state by

Polls inconclusive in two C-River Assembly seats

C

By Emma Una

A L A B A R — ELECTIONS were inconclusive in two state House of Assembly seats in Cross River State, even as the All Progressives Congress, APC, only member in the Assembly lost his seat in the result announced, yesterday, by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Sylvester Ezeani.

Ezeani said the elections were cancelled in four polling units in Mkpani Ward in Yakurr Local Government Area, where two persons lost their lives in electoral violence during the elections on Saturday while in Biakpan, Biase Local Government Area, the results in the entire units of the ward were cancelled following the snatching of ballot papers and thumb printing of same which were rejected by the Retuning Officer.

The REC said the results of the units cancelled could swing the outcome of the election to either the Labour Party, LP, candidate or the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, contestants.

C M Y K

illegally storming voting units, where he was not registered, in company of his Chief of Staff and failed APC House of Representatives candidate, Mr Tony Okocha, when he was not an electoral staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nor an election observer, was a contravention of the electoral law.

“Governor Amaechi has no right under the law to travel round the state and monitor elections, incite voters and campaign openly on an election day.”

He condemned the alleged brazen act of lawlessness by Amaechi “Whose high level of rascality is unbecoming of a man that holds the exalted office of the governor of a

state.”

The PDP also described as disgraceful and infantile the use of the APC President-elect, Gen Mohammadu Buhari’s name by Amaechi to threaten and harass security officers.

“PDP applauds Rivers people for massively voting for the governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Nyesom Wike and state Assembly candidates of the party,” he said.

VICTORY CELEBRATION: From left: Senator Stella Omu; Chief Edwin Uzor, PDP Chairman, Delta State; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Senator Patrick Osakwe; Dr. Joseph Otumara and Dr. Pius Senebe, during a victory celebration at Okowa's residence in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

APC leadership differs over polls results in C-River

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By Emma Una

ALABAR—CHAIRMAN of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Cross River State, Mr Usani Usani, yesterday, rejected the outcome of Saturday's election in the state, even as the governorship candidate of the party, Odey Ochicha congratulated Senator Ben Ayade, who was announced winner of the governorship poll.

Ochicha, at 11.32a.m., yesterday called Senator Ben Ayade, to congratulate him on his victory, assuring him of total support and promised to work with him to move Cross River State forward.

Ochicha said Ayade's victory was also his (Ochicha's) personal victory and congratulated him on his victory. “What is most important is the progress and development of Cross River State which l am sure you can deliver,” he added.

Meanwile, Usani said the party took the position to reject the INEC result after a thorough investigation showed that the result sheets were tempered with allegedly by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in favour

of their candidates.

“The election was characterized by irregularities and my first demand is the cancellation of the election. My second demand is that the perpetrators of this illegal act should be prosecuted.

“As a progressive party, we demand the immediate release of all our members who have been beaten and kept in detention.

“The information available to me as we speak is that over four persons died during the polls in Mkpani community in Yakurr Local Government Area as a result of electoral violence,” he said.

According to him, in most of the polling units across the state, the use of card reader was not employed contrary to the directives from INEC.

POLLS: Obiuwevbi, Mariere trade blames over violence in Delta community

By Festus Ahon, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

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G H E L L I — COMMISSIONER representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, has accused the lawmaker representing Ughelli North constituency I in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Mariere, of masterminding the

violence that erupted at the collation centre of Agbarha-Otor ward, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

He alleged that he was shot by the legislator who he alleged, stormed the collection centre with over 50 thugs armed with axes and daggers.

But Mariere denied the allegation, saying: “Is he dead now or what happened? Did he sustain bullet injuries or he has bullet proof or what, so you can see he is lying. It is a pure lie.

How can you directly shoot at somebody and the person is not injured with bullets?”

POLLS: Oboro clinches Bomadi constituency in Delta as APC calls for cancellation

By Perez Brisibe

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OMADI—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Bomadi constituency, Delta State, in last Saturday’s House of Assembly elections, Preye Okaba, has called for the cancellation of the elections in the area, stressing that the exercise was fraught with widespread irregularities.

Addressing newsmen on the outcome of the election, Okaba accused some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftains in the area of instigating series of election irregularities, including an inflated number of voters contrary to the number of votes accredited for voting by the card reader.

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer, for the election in the area, Dr. Joel Ureigho, has since declared Oboro Preye of the PDP winner of the election having polled a total of 52, 334 votes to beat his closest contender of the APC who got 859 votes.

Hitler congratulates Okowa, deputy

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N Ijaw leader, Captain Beck Hitler, has congratulated the governor-elect, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, for their resounding victory at the last Saturday ’s governorship election in Delta State.

Hitler, a prominent chief from Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, in a congratulatory statement, yesterday in Warri, said: “The people of Delta State have made the right choice to have voted for Okowa and Otuaro, who have the experience and capability to transform the state.”

He also thanked the people of the state for being peaceful before, during and after the elections, adding that the majority of Deltans have spoken.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

POLL: ALGON congratulates Ugwuanyi, others; blasts APC candidate

INEC scuttles Okorocha's victory dance

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI — THE victory dance of the incumbent governor of Imo State and governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was cut short in the early hours of yesterday as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the poll

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE chairmen of the 17 local government areas in Enugu State under the aegis of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, have lashed out at the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Okey Ezea, over his call for the cancellation of last Saturday’s election on alleged grounds of irregularities and violence perpetrated by the PDP. Acting under the aegis of ALGON, the council bosses in a statement by chairman of the group, Cornelius Nnaji, described the allegations by Ezea as baseless, false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to discredit the integrity of the PDP and competence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in conducting transparent, peaceful, free and fair elections in the state.

Nnaji regretted that the APC governorship candidate, against the advice of the PDP, prior to accepting defeat, went ahead to exhibit his usual trend of mischief, blackmail and arrogance by raising false alarm against a properly conducted election in Enugu State.

He insisted the last Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in Enugu State were transparent, peaceful, free and fair.

inconclusive.

Announcing the suspension of the process, the State Returning Officer, SRO, Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, explained that the action stemmed from the cancellation of 144,715 votes in various polling booths in about 23 local government areas.

Ibidapo-Obe also cited complaints of irregularities that emanated from several polling

booths across the 305 wards of the state as part of reason for declaring the election inconclusive.

According to the SRO, Owerri Municipal, Ideato South, Ideato North and Ahiazu Mbaise local government areas would not be subjected to another round of voting.

“All other local government areas had one type of

APC demands cancellation of Anambra Assembly polls

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA— THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State has called for the cancellation of the House of Assembly election result in 12 constituencies in the state.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of April 11, 2015, election in Awka, Anambra State chairman of APC, Mr. Emeka Ibe, said his party was rejecting the result because the exercise was not conducted in substantial compliance to 2010 Electoral Act. APGA won all the 26 seats so far declared in the state, while INEC has ordered a re-run in some polling units and wards in four constituencies.

Ibe, who noted that the election was not free, fair and credible, alleged that the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, allowed himself to be used by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to the detriment of other political parties in Anambra State.

He said: “Most of the presiding officers employed were cardcarrying members of APGA. They were mostly seen either releasing ballot papers to APGA members to thumbprint, or carrying out simultaneous accreditation and voting, even after accreditation ought to have ended, on the instruction of APGA stalwarts.

“Manual accreditation was again used across the state, contrary to the provisions of the INEC guidelines on elections, which provides that where a card reader is faulty and cannot be restored within the period of accreditation, election will be postponed till the following day.

“The state House of Assembly election is fraught with irregularities and it is because the PDP was the driving force of most electoral brigandage experienced

on March 28. ‘’This time, APGA, in a bid to revenge the wounds inflicted on the party, the APC and other political parties in the election, laid plans to out-rig the PDP and of course, all other parties.

“This clash of illegal and illegitimate interests by the two parties pretending to be in alliance was the reason for the rape of democracy, which we have witnessed in the April 11 House of Assembly elections.

infringement or the other,” the SRO said.

“I shall not do any declaration.

We have various cancellations in various units and wards. ‘’The affected polling units in the local governments totalled 144,715.

The margin of lead from the two leading parties is 79,529, and because o this figure, this election is inconclusive,” he said.

While Governor Okorocha said he was prepared to go for supplementary election, the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused INEC of reducing the scores of their flag-bearer, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, in the result collated and declared at Ezinihitte Mbaise.

He said: “In the case of Oru East Local Government Area, while stakeholders were anxiously expecting the result, the INECElectoral Officer, Mrs. Emmanuella Opara, confessed that she was kidnapped and taken to a secret location by agents of the APC candidate, where she was forced at gunpoint to enter fictitious figures.

Sack IGP, Service Chiefs, Police Reform Group urges Buhari

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE NETWORK on Police Reform In Nigeria, NOPRIN, yesterday, demanded the sack of the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, the leadership of the Directorate for State Service, DSS, and all the service chiefs in the country as part of a way to overhaul the entire security system of the nation.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated this while briefing newsmen on their police reform agenda for Buhari.

It listed several sins against Abba, including human rights

abuse and corruption and accused the entire security system of being fully politicised.

Nwanguma said this measure was just a short term reform on the national security agencies, stressing that weeding them out of the system would protect the security profession and democracy in Nigeria.

“There is the urgent need for the newly elected President, upon being sworn in to immediately, and in short term, overhaul the entire security architecture of Nigeria to insulate our military, police and SSS from partisan political control and enhance professionalism.

“The Inspector-General of

police and all heads of similar compromised security services as well as all senior officers who had been politically exposed, should be retired compulsorily to restore integrity in the service.

“The current I-G lacks the will, professionalism, the leadership qualification and competence to lead a police in a modern democracy.

“All service chiefs, the Director of DSS, the Inspector-General of Police and all heads of similarly compromised security services as well as senior officers, who have been politically exposed should be retired compulsorily to restore integrity and professionalism in our security services," he said.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On APC victory at Lagos governorship election

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gbo should learn not to be used as ethnic and religous materials by politicians in the name of money and fake promises. Now Agbaje has congratulated Ambode, I hope the igbo are not going to be given a bad name. Mr TshOut Ayomola, Self Employed

T

his election defines Lagosians. The cost of doing business is very high here such that investors and new factory builders flee Lagos. Whoever voted for APC in Lagos really voted for a drastic change in job creation strategy.

-Mr. Mba-inyi Victor, Businessman

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eating a winning/per forming party like the APC, in Lagos, is not feasible and, therefore, not possible. For any party to have the centre (Abuja) and Lagos, it shows the skills of its leaders.

-Mrs. Loveth Chekwube, Businesswoman

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upporters of the party felt the heat generated by the infamous statements credited to the Oba of Lagos, but many, including myself, were pleasantly surprised by the way and manner the party’s leaders skillfully defused the tension. -Mr. Ogwu Nwachukwu, Student

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DP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has congratulated his APC counterpart, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and figures by the INEC show that Ambode won with 52,206 votes. So I think it is a landslide victory for APC. -Mr. Kazeem Aremu, Worker

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e have not played ethnic politics for 16 years in Lagos State until now. The whole process was really competitive, from presidential to governorship poll. Let us now see how far Ambode will take us to, from where Fashola stopped. -Mrs. Ifeoma Ayambuba, Trader

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—47

Lokoja Court remands man in prison for allegedly killing 6-yr-old son

BOKO HARAM: 800,000 children have fled homes in North-east — UNICEF

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ERLIN (GERMANY) — UNICEF said yesterday that no fewer than 800,000 children have fled their homes in north-eastern Nigeria because of the activities Boko Haram insurgents.

UNICEF’s regional director for West and Central Africa, Manuel Fontaine, told newsmen in Berlin that the number of child refugees has over doubled in 2014.

Fontaine said the children fled to Chad, Niger and Cameroon and within Nigeria.

“Scores of girls and boys have gone missing in Nigeria abducted, recruited by armed groups, attacked, used as weapons or forced to flee violence,” the UN children’s agency said.

The agency ’s report was released a year after the Boko Haram’s kidnapping of 276 girls from their school in the north-eastern city of Chibok, inciting worldwide condemnation.

According to Fontaine, over 200 of the girls remain missing, adding that the abductions were only one of numerous tragedies being replicated on an epic scale across Nigeria and the region.

Boko Haram, which seeks to impose the strictest application of Islamist law, has killed about 14,000 people in northern Nigeria since 2009.

According to UNICEF, the group uses children as fighters, cooks, porters and scouts, rapes girls and women, forces them into marriage and sexually enslaves them.

“The children fleeing the violence are often traumatised, lose contact with their families and are cut off from education and health care,'' UNICEF

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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POLLS: Kaduna State governor-elect under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai (left) with the senator-elect for Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani acknowledging cheers from party supporters at APC campaign headquarters, Kaduna, yesterday. Photo by Olu Ajayi.

NIGER GOV: PDP's candidate Nasko concedes defeat to Bello BENUE: We won't challenge outcome of polls — SUSWAM

By Wole Mosadomi & Peter Duru

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INNA—THE Niger State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Umar Nasko has conceded defeat to the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate Abubakar Sani Bello (Abu Lolo).

This was even as Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has promised that the PDP would not challenge the outcome of last Saturday ’s governorship election won by Dr. Samuel Ortom of the APC. Suswam spoke yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, when

he received Dr. Ortom and his delegation in audience, saying that the decision was to allow the in-coming administration a better platform to embark on genuine reconciliation.

However, Nasko said yesterday in a statement signed by Yahaya Mohammed Usman, a member of his campaign team that he conceded defeat because it was the peoples’ right to decide who should win.

Usman said “for now, the people of our dear state have decided and I submit to their decision which though not in my favour but for my co-contestant and brother Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of the APC. I believe he has

Omu-Aran community begs Gov Ahmed for more devt

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LORIN—COMMUNITY leaders in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara have appealed to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed to give more priority to sustainable development at the grassroots during his second term.

Reacting to the re-election of Ahmed, the leaders told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Omu Aran that their desire was for the governor to address the issue of decaying infrastructure.

“Bad road network remains a critical factor that requires urgent attention by the government under its rural integration initiative,” the leaders said.

They congratulated the governor on his victory at the polls, describing his re-election as C M Y K

demonstration of the people’s confidence in his administrative capability.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, said the large turn-out of voters in Omu-Aran in the last election was a demonstration of the people’s expectation of government to address their developmental challenges.

“First of all I want to congratulate the governor-elect and other winners in the just concluded elections for their God ordained victories.

“The government’s rural integration project has been on for sometime now which cut across health, education, transportation, accommodation and so on.

“I think the initiative deserve

more attention from government in the new dispensation to achieve meaningful impact on the populace.

“There is the need for more funding through adequate budget allocation for the councils which are believed to be the closest to the people to develop the communities,” Ibitoye said.

Similarly, Chief Atolagbe Suleiman urged the governorelect to intervene and facilitate the reopening of commercial banks that had suspended operation in the town over a year ago.

Suleiman, who holds the traditional title of Oloo of OmuAran, said the continued closure of the banks had done more harm than good to the economic activities of the people in the area.

the interest of the state just like me, at heart.

“My hearty congratulations goes to Abu Lolo and his team for the success recorded. I urge him to always put the interest of the people and the state first above all.”

Nasko while commending Niger State people for the support given to him, called on all to give the incoming government maximum cooperation that will lead to his success.

He said that his aspiration was borne out of a fervent desire to move the state to the next level of development following a robust foundation that had been laid by the previous democratic dispensation.

According to him “I have worked tirelessly and timelessly too! For these, I will not despair, I will continue to do this even outside government”.

Meanwhile, Suswam said, “for the unity of our state and the people, we have decided that we are not going to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the polls irrespective of any noticeable irregularities that was recorded at the election.

“Before now we had so much speculations that there would never be a day like this, but people forget easily that an election is a contest that cannot be war but a game.

“I therefore enjoin every person to see the victory of Dr. Ortom as the will of God for the people because I strongly believe that he is capable of taking the state to another level.”

OKOJA—A Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court yesterday ordered a 27-year-old aluminium fabricator, Abdulmalik Aliyu to be remanded in Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe for allegedly killing his six-yearold son, Sadiq Abdulmalik in cold blood.

The Chief Magistrate of the court, Alhassan Husaini gave the order in his ruling on arraignment of the accused, charged with culpable homicide; contrary to Section 221 of the Penal Code law.

According to the police First Information Report, FIR, read by the prosecuting police officer, C.S. Ayabatu, the incident occurred on March 9, 2015 and was reported by one Sunday Akande, (a neighbour to the accused) at the Police ‘B’ Division Station, Lokoja.

According to the prosecution, Aliyu of Zariagi, Kabba Junction, Lokoja had told his wife, Mariatu Akande on the fateful day, that he was taking the deceased back to his grandmother in Isanlu, headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area of the state.

Ayabatu said, “Aliyu had claimed that he had a premonition that something was wrong and needed to be corrected spiritually but on their way, the accused struck the boy on the head and killed him.”

The Prosecutor further said that the accused quickly buried the body of son in a shallow grave in a nearby bush and returned home; but was haunted by the ghost of the little boy.

The accused, who slumped in the dock on arraignment, confessed that he committed the crime saying that the innocent soul of his late son was tormenting him. Aliyu, did not, however give reasons for killing his son.

The prosecution then asked for adjournment to enable the police complete investigations into the matter even as it prayed the court to deny the accused bail as culpable homicide was not bailable a bailable offence.

Chief Magistrate Hussaini who granted the prayer of the prosecution ordered the accused person to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Koton-Karfe and adjourned the case to April 28, for mention.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

VISIT: From left— Mr. Adekunle Oladele, Senior Manager Media, TPT International; Mr. Charles Igbinidu, Managing Director, TPT International; Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Head, Legal/PR Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Mr. Gabriel Omoh, Business Editor, and Mr. Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager, both of Vanguard Newspapers, during a visit by management team of Promasidor Nigeria Limited in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

COMMISSIONING: From left— Lydia Adeniyi, Assistant Manager, Cabin Services, Medview Airline; Captain Geofrey Ogbogu, Head of Flight Operation; Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, Group CEO, Forte Oil Plc and Alhaji Muneer Bankole, MD/CEO, Medview Airline, commissioning the new Boeing 737 - 400 Aircraft acquired by Medview, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

VOTE: Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President, casts his vote in his hometown, Mpu, Aninri LGA, Enugu State, during the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.

GENDER PACT: From left— Mrs Oluranti Adebule, Lagos State Deputy Governor-elect; Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor-elect; Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre, WARDC; Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti and Ms Yemi Adamolekun, displaying the gender pact Mr. Ambode signed with CSOs two days before the April 11 governorship election in Lagos.

FOR PEACEFUL POLLS: Mrs Phil Nneji, Gender &

Child Care Advancement Initiative, G-CCAI, Director (standing) at Enugu East senatorial zone during the April 11 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. G-CCAI, and NGO, was mandated by INEC to carry out voters' education and election monitoring for the 2015 polls.

MONITORING: Bishop Adebayo Akinde, Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Mainland (3rd left), monitoring elections at Freeman Street, Ebute-Meta, Lagos.

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VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (4th right); his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (middle); Alhaji Ali Olanusi, Ondo State Deputy Governor (fourth left); Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul-Rauf Adedeji (third right); Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Abioye Oyebode (third left); Elerin of ErinOsun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye (second left); Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniyan (second right); Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Oladunjoye Oyedele and others, during the congratulatory visit to the governor on General Muhamadu Buhari and other APC candidates' victory at the polls, in Osogbo.

CIVIL SOCIETY: From left— Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform; Mr. Tunji Lardner, Executive Director WANGONET, and Mr. Clement Nwankwo, Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, during the society's briefing on the governoship and state Houses of Assembly elections, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

HONOUR: From left— Mr. Charles Chijide, President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN; Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, President, Advertisers' Association of Nigeria, ADVAN; Mr. Lampe Omoyele, Managing Director, Nielsen West Africa, and Second Vice President, ADVAN; Mr. Niyi Babatunde, First Chairman, ADVAN, and Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, celebrating of Mr. Omoyele's appointment as Nielsen's MD in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015— —49

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50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 14, 2015

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—51

POLLS: Delta APC rejects gov results, heads to court

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has rejected results of the just concluded governorship election in Delta State in which Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner, demanding cancellation of the results over alleged “massive fraud.”

Addressing newsmen in Warri, yesterday, in company of other Delta APC leaders, the governorship candidate in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, accused officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of “conniving with PDP/Labour Party to write and declare results which have no bearing on the will of the Delta electorate.”

Meanwhile, former labour leader and chieftain of the party, Chief Frank Kokori, on his part, said: “The PDP should not rejoice yet, those who are found involved in this impunity to sidetrack the will of the people will go to jail.”

Emerhor, continuing, said:

“Recall that at the stakeholders meeting organised by INEC days before the elections, I spoke out on the fraud that marred the presidential election where results were cooked up and written without reference to the electorate.

“That those INEC returning officers who connived with the PDP/Labour Party alliance to deliver a whopping 1.4 million votes on March 28 remain in the system and unless disqualified from the April 11 elections, will repeat the feat again for the PDP. Of course, as nothing was done, the stage was set for the fraud that just took place.

“As it were, the presidential poll was the practice session for this fraud that has now been uniformly and unabashedly executed in all the South-South states from Akwa Ibom to Rivers and Delta State. In specifics, the fraud was executed at two levels.”

Emerhor alleged that in some quarters, deliberate war was unleashed on voters in most parts of Delta North and Central to disrupt proper voting as

much as possible, accusing PDP stalwarts and their security details of working with thugs to seize result sheets, cart away materials or disrupt voting generally and particularly in strongholds of APC. He added that in other areas,

zAs state govt alleges release of arrested INEC adhoc staff

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ORT HARC O U R T — SOLDIERS in Rivers State have recovered a cache of arms during an operation in Ahoada East, Ogbakiri in Emohua and Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Areas of the state.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government, has alleged that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Amadi has released Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, adhoc staff allegedly caught thumb-printing ballot papers for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates in the April polls.

Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, David Iyofor, in a statement, yesterday, said: “The adhoc staff of INEC were arrested on Sunday, one day after the governorship and House of Assembly elections in a private residence in Rumueprikom, Port Harcourt, (allegedly) thumb-printing ballot papers for PDP candidates.

The INEC personnel were arrested by policemen from MOPOL 19.

“However, as the arrested INEC staff were being C M Y K

moved, the MOPOL team were intercepted by a Divisional Police Officer in Rumueprikom Police Station, who informed Mr Amadi. He came and released the arrested INEC staff. He took them to INEC office."

Meanwhile, Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade Port Harcourt Barracks, Brig-General Koko Essien, who spoke when he paraded some suspected political thugs at the barracks, said: “In continuation of our operation to mop up arms and ammunitions in 2 Brigade’s area of responsibility, we conducted series of operations before and during the April 11 elections in Rivers State.

On April 10, we got information of a stockpile of weapons at a hotel in Ahoada East of which soldiers carried out a cordon

stated above was however, designed as a smokescreen for the real fraud of cooking up figures between PDP and their INEC accomplices. These figures are then allocated whimsically to the three main contending parties."

BRIEFING: From left: Former Labour leader and APC chieftain, Chief Frank Kokori; Delta APC governorship running mate, Peter Abanum; governorship candidate, Chief O'tega Emerhor and Delta APC Chairman, Prophet Jones Erueh, during APC's briefing calling for cancellation of Delta governorship election results, in Warri, yesterday. Photo: Egufe Yafugborhi.

Army recovers illegal arms in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

few local governments or voting points were spared to serve as points to showcase purported free and fair election, adding that even at that, PDP reportedly resorted to vote buying at such voting points.

“The violence and commotion

and search operation on the hotel with discoveries.

“Two suspects were arrested at the hotel with two pump action guns, 41 machetes, 55 cartridges and the sum of N300, 000.00.”

The Brigade Commander who spoke through the Brigade’s Commanding Officer, Intelligence Group, LtCol. Bayo Lawal, said his men have been on mop up operation to recover illegal arms in the hands of suspected political thugs.

“Subsequently, soldiers went after them and arrested two suspects with two AK 47 riffles, three AK 47 magazines and 41 rounds of 7.62mm Special live ammunition. Our troops after a hot pursuit arrested two suspected arsonists who set ablaze a building in Buguma town during Saturday ’s elections,” Essien added.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 14, 2015

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Continues from Page 5 years.

CSOs urge Jega to probe Abia, A-Ibom, Rivers results

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Civil Society Room, yesterday, urged INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to clinically scrutinise the final collated results from Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

The coalition which monitored governorship and state Assembly elections across the federation further decried what it termed as “weak oversight powers of the national headquarters of INEC over Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs.” It urged the INEC boss to specifically pay closer attention to results from the three aforementioned states, insisting that there were “good grounds to question the credibility of the election results in both Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. A country cannot afford to have state level elections held as it has been done in these three states."

Consequently, the CSOs, implored Professor Jega to take steps towards ensuring that the final results returned from the three states were cross-checked with the total number of accredited voters as captured by the Smart Card Reader Machines.

“The machines must be preserved, evidence extracted from them and juxtaposed with the final results”, the observer groups maintained.

The coalition in a statement read by the Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Center, PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo said: “In our view, INEC should concern itself with possible negative public perception of the elections in the three states, as a way of strengthening the trust of the electorate in the voting process.

“The Situation Room also notes and condemns in the strongest terms the leading role played by prominent public political office holders and other politicians as well as some INEC officials in encouraging and actively taking part in organised misconduct and disorderly behaviour that violated the sanctity of the electoral process and calls that action be taken to investigate their activities with a view to prosecuting and sanctioning them, if found culpable under the law.

Weak oversight powers of INEC over RECs

“In addition, Situation Room is concerned about the weak oversight powers of the national headquarters of INEC over Resident Electoral Commissioners and State INEC offices in the management and conduct of elections. This makes it easy for compromised RECs and other state level INEC officers to undermine the credibility of the election sometimes with reckless impunity."

While noting several cases of infraction of the electoral law across the country, the coalition observed “Cases of electionrelated violence in Akwa Ibom (18), Abia (nine), Anambra (seven), Delta (nine), Imo (six), Rivers (16), Benue (six), Katsina (17), Sokoto (17) and Kano State (seven). Killings in Rivers State where seven people (including a police officer) were killed as well as in Akwa Ibom (three), Delta (two), Katsina (two).

“In Rivers State, historically deep-rooted political animosities played out in a brazen, violent and naked manner to subvert the electoral process in many local governments in the state. In Akwa Ibom, there were also serious questions about the veracity of the results because of reports of active and direct partisan interference with the elections. There are also concerns about Abia State, which recorded multiple cases of electoral misconduct.

“The Situation Room hereby calls on INEC to urgently take steps to clinically scrutinise the final collated results from these states (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia) against the polling unit results and make a reasoned judgment about them.”

There was increase in security threats —EU EOM The European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) echoed the observations of the domestic observers as it identified Rivers and Akwa Ibom States as areas where violence and deliberate interference with the electoral process were most pronounced during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The position of the EU is contained in the second preliminary report released by the international body in Abuja, yesterday, by the European Union Election

VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (2nd right); his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (middle), Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi (2nd left), Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul-Rauf Adedeji (right), Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Abioye Oyebode (left) and others, during the congratulatory visit to the governor on the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates, at Government House, Osogbo.

How elections were rigged, by PDP, APC Observation Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas.

The mission noted with concern that there was an increase in security threats during the last election than the previous presidential election, resulting in the killing of no fewer than 30 persons.

The mission said that although it did not find evidence of centralised systematic manipulation, the results from Rivers State included what it called "highly implausible data" while other election monitors had doubts about the data posted from other states in the South-South.

They did not, however, name the other states.

The mission said that collation was the weakest part of the election day process particularly at the ward level. The EU also accused the PDP and the APC of misuse of incumbency power during the elections.

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) in its observation called for the harmonisation of the accreditation and voting processes. The President of CCN, His Eminence Emmanuel Udofia, who gave the organisation’s perspective on the election also lamented the low voter turnout.

“inconclusive” by INEC. The State Returning Officer, SRO, Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, cited the cancellation of 144,715 votes in various polling booths in about 23 local government areas for the action.

Professor Ibidapo-Obe also cited various complaints of irregularities that emanated from several polling booths across the 305 wards of the state.

He said elections would be repeated in four out of the 27 local council areas of the state. He, however, did not give the date of the rescheduled poll.

He identified Owerri Municipal, Ideato South, Ideato North and Ahiazu Mbaise as the four local government areas that would not be subjected to another round of voting.

After announcing results submitted to him, the SRO had said: “I shall not do any declaration. We have various cancellations in various units and wards.

The affected polling units in the local governments totalled 144,715. The margin of lead that we calculated from the two leading parties is 79,529, and because of this figure, this election is inconclusive.”

Inconclusive polls in Imo

While Governor Okorocha said he was prepared to go for supplementary election, the state leadership of the PDP, accused INEC of reducing the scores of its flag bearer, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, in

Meanwhile, the victory dance of Governor Rochas Okorocha in the Imo State governorship election was cut short early yesterday, when the poll was declared

Parties react

the result collated and declared at Ezinihitte Mbaise.

“In the case of Oru East local government area, while stakeholders were anxiously expecting the result, the INEC-EO, Mrs. Emmanuella Opara publicly confessed that she was kidnapped and taken to a secret location by agents of the APC candidate, where she was forced at gunpoint to enter fictitious figures. We hope to reconcile with INEC, areas affected by the irregularities and seek appropriate redress”, the State PDP Chairman, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie said.

While saying that it was time wasting to declare the election inconclusive, Okorocha, however, boasted “if the election is properly conducted, my opponent will not get up to 100,000 votes.”

Vanguard recalls that the same scenario played out during the Chief Ikedi Ohakim era, and it was the supplementary election that sacked the incumbent governor and installed Okorocha.

Taraba, Abia elections inconclusive

The governorship election in Abia State which had the PDP candidate, Okeize Ikpeazu and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA candidate, Alex Otti, in contention for supremacy was also declared inconclusive by the Returning Officer, Prof.

Benjamin Ozurumba.

According to him, the margin of lead between the APC candidate, Okorocha and Ihedioha of the PDP was not higher than the number of votes cancelled or where the election did not hold.

The governorship election in Taraba State was also declared inconclusive by the returning officer, Prof. Muhammadu Kyari.

The returning officer made the declaration in Jalingo, the state capital after collating results from the 16 local government areas of the state.

He said the reason for the declaration was because the number of cancelled votes was above the gap between APC, who came second in the election to PDP who came first.

The tension, meanwhile, spurred violence across some sections of the state yesterday.

Vanguard gathered that the house of the Secretary to Taraba State Government in Gyembu, Sardauna local government was burnt down.

The country home of Abel Diah, the member representing Mbamga state constituency was also razed down by some angry youths who attempted to snatch the election materials from the collation centre of the area.

It was also learnt that two persons were killed in Rankaviri, the headquarters of Ardo-Kola local government area.

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

One year after, anger over Chibok girls remains •Nigeria, international community have not done enough – Malala •BBOG lines up activities •Struggles to free girls Bring back our girls ...protesting in Abuja

By Emma Ujah, Clifford Ndujihe, Laide AkinboadeOriere & Mike Eboh

I

T is exactly 365 days that 276 school girls were kidnapped by the Boko Haram insurgents at Government Sceondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Apart the 57 girls, who escaped on their own, nothing has been heard about the remaining 219 girls. The inability of the government to rescue the girls or tell their whereabouts 12 months after has continued to elicit anger in the polity. Disturbed by the development, Pakistani Nobel Peace Laureate, Malala Yousafzai, yesterday, criticised Nigerian and world leaders for not doing enough to help free the 219 schoolgirls kidnapped on April 14, 2014.

Nigeria, world leaders have not done enough –Malala “In my opinion, Nigerian leaders and the international community have not done enough to help you,” she said in a letter to the teenagers, on the eve of the first anniversary of their abduction. They must do much more to help secure your release.

I am among many people pressuring them to make sure you are freed,” she added, calling the girls “my brave sisters”.

Yousafzai’s letter, which she said was “a message of solidarity, love and hope”, comes as events, including marches, prayers and vigils, are being held to mark the girls’ 12 months in captivity by the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) led by former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili. Following the delay in rescuing the girls, Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau has claimed the girls have all converted to Islam and been

“married off”.

BBOG lines up activities: A couple of days ago, Chairman of the Chibok Community in Abuja, Mr. Hosea Abana, and one of the Coordinators of BBOG group, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, during the group’s walk round the major streets of Abuja, on their second day of global activities in commemoration of the Chibok girls, expressed strong convictions that the 219 female students of Chibok Secondary School are still alive contrary to speculations that they might have been killed during military raid of Bama or Sambisa forest.

According to Abana: “As parents, we believe that our children are still alive and well.

Sambisa forest is a large expanse of land that even extended as far as Bauchi, so I don’t believe that the military has combed everywhere. Our daughters are still being held by their captives.”

Surface of the earth Speaking in the same vein, Ezekwesili said, “Our Chibok girls are somewhere on the surface of the Earth and for as long as we are a country, we have the military, we have the intelligence, we have collaboration, we have cooperation with other nations of the world, we must find our Chibok girls. How can our country move on without 219 citizens that can still be rescued? It just doesn’t make sense. No society grows by abandoning the citizens.

“We are not going to speculate.

We refuse to speculate as to whether they are alive or dead.

People want to think about the

BBOG protesting government's silence in Abuja yesterday

possibility of them being dead. We know we must bring back our Chibok girls, their parents are waiting and they have not lost hope. They are holding on to even a glimmer of hope that their girls would be rescued.”

She stressed that the group would never give up hope over the safe return of the girls even as she insisted that they had not been killed by the solders inside the forest. “We believe that these girls can be rescued, we believe that even before May 29, our Chibok girls can be rescued. So during this week of global action, we have cities all over the world reminding everyone that the girls we began to call for 360 days ago are still not back with their parents.

People want to move on but we can’t afford to move on. We must find our Chibok girls and bring them back home.”

To commemorate one year of the abduction, BBOG lined up different programmes including seven day global countdown to one year, Press briefing, walkthon plus red ribbon, special jumat service, tweet meet, special church service and prayers, seminar, silent protest, global school girls march, unveil Chibok girls signpost and vigil and candlelight procession. According to the group, they organised the programme in order to awaken the minds of people, especially the authorities and international community, about the plight of the

The silence of Federal Government about its effort in the rescue of the abducted is condemnable

missing girls.

In a statement issued in Abuja the group reiterated their advocacy for the rescue of the abducted girls and their believe in the girls still being alive. “We are, therefore, extremely saddened as the first anniversary of this abduction dawns on us.

However, we remain hopeful and expectant of their rescue.

Bringing closure to the issue in whatever way, either rescuing them or telling the parents and Nigerians what happened to the remaining 219 girls that are still in the captivity of Boko Haram, will bring solace. The silence of Federal Government about its effort in the rescue of the abducted is condemnable. More efforts must be in place and it is very important for the government to carry the parents of the abducted girls along and even the management and staff of the school. ''The only thing the federal government has been saying is that they are making efforts, but the community, parents and Nigerians cannot feel the effort made so far in the rescue of the girls, because they are not carried along. Seventeen parents of the abducted girls are dead, it would be sad for the girls to return home and discover the death of their parents.'' BBOG, since it started its sit-outs on April 30, 2014, have continued to condemn the government for its inaction in the rescue of the remaining 219 girls in captivity.

Nigeria’s Chibok girls ‘seen with Boko Haram in Gwoza’ A woman’s account lifted hope that the girls could still rescued alive. She told BBC that more than 50 of the girls were seen alive three weeks ago. She saw the girls in the north-eastern Gwoza town before the Boko Haram militants were driven out of there by regional forces. The Nigerian woman, who lived under Boko Haram’s rule in Gwoza, told the BBC she saw the girls in Islamic attire, being escorted by the militants. “They said they were Chibok girls kept in a big house,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals. We just happened to be on the same road with them,” she added.

Three other women also told the BBC they had seen the girls in Gwoza. Another woman told the BBC she last saw some of the girls in November at a Boko Haram camp in Bita village, also in the North-east. About a week after they were brought to the camp, one of us peeked through a window and asked: ‘Are you really the Chibok girls?’ and they said: ‘Yes’. We believed them and didn’t ask them again,” the woman said, adding “They took Koranic lessons, cleaned their compound, cooked for themselves and they braided each others’ hair.

They were treated differently their food was better and water clean.''

There are more puzzles than answers, we need less talk, more action –Osu Disturbed by the delay in freeing the girls, Msgr Gabriel Osu said: ''It is very unfortunate that one year ago, April 14, 2014, following their sudden abduction from their school, the Chibok girls are yet to be found, not to talk of being rescued. It is more worrisome to note that despite the fact that the Nigerian Army have liberated virtually all the towns and villages occupied by the insurgents, including the dreaded Sambisa forest, no clue has yet been made public on the possible where-about of the adopted girls.

Sambisa forest This makes one to wonder, what exactly is the problem? Is it that the girls have vanished into thin air, or is it that the much publicized story of their adoption was a farce in the first place?

These are just some puzzles plaguing most Nigerians at this period in time. Perhaps there is more to the whole incident than meets the eyes. ''I believe the top echelon of the Nigerian Army is in a better position to tell Nigerians the true situation of things regarding the girls, and the evidences they have (if any) that there are still some possibilities that the girls may be found alive in the near future. But one thing is very clear: Even if the girls are found, many of them Continues on page 55

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—55

Anger over Chibok girls Continues from page 54 would not be the same again.

Judging from the threat by the sect members, many of them would have been married away, sold, or even killed, as the case may be.

It would be wonderful if the outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan can give Nigerians a very wonderful parting gift by ensuring that his government gets to the root of the matter as soon as possible. By so doing, he would have succeeded in entrenching his name further in the hearts of Nigerians. However, the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has also pledged that within a short time, after his swearing in, he would ensure the girls are brought home. Whatever be the case, what Nigerians need at this point in time is less talk and more action. ''As for the families of the girls, my heart goes out to them even as I remember them always in my prayer. They need also the empathy and support of everyone of us, including the government.

However, the big lesson in all of this is that our government must place high premium on security in all aspects of our national life, including educational institutions, and also around our

border towns to guide against such reckless invasion of our territorial integrity by terrorists in the future. May God help Nigeria.''

On July 23 and 24, 2014, vigils and protests to mark 100 days of the abduction were held in Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Togo, the United Kingdom, UK, the United States, US, Canada, and Portugal and following global attention brought by the abduction, the UK, US, France, China, Canada, Israel and the European Union all offered support to Nigeria.

What went wrong What went wrong with the pledges by the international community to assist Nigeria in the rescue efforts remains to be disclosed. It cannot be argued that Sambisa Forest was so inaccessible that the world’s intelligence community, using the best state-of-the-art technologies could not locate the girls.

On March 2015, a 56 year old woman, Mbutu Papka, who was kidnapped in July, 2014 and held by the insurgents for eight months in two locations, said confidently that the abducted girls

•School children protesting in Calabar...but where are the Chibok girls? were being kept under very tight security in a house in Gwoza. But when Gwoza was recaptured from insurgents, the military did not see the girls in the town.

A few weeks ago a senior official of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Mr. Raad Zeid al Hussein, said the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram a year ago may have been killed by the insurgents, just before the military recaptured Bama, (one of the captured town

by Boko Haram). He said he based his belief on the fact that the girls may have been part of the women who were murdered by the insurgents before they fled from Bama and other towns in Borno State just before the Nigerian military and allied forces from Chad and Niger recovered the territories.

This was due to the fact that scores of abducted women who had been forcibly married by Boko Haram fighters were slaughtered in March by the fleeing terrorists

as the military advanced towards Bama and other towns to recapture the territories.

Eyewitnesses said that the women were killed by the insurgents to prevent them from getting remarried to what they termed ‘infidels’ after their release.

Al Hussein also said a couple of days ago that Boko Haram murdered people who were captives, including women and girls who were taken as ‘wives’ in their flight against the advancing forces. The senior official noted that with the UNHCR, various reports which arrived at his department in Geneva showed that the recent recovery of territories in Northeastern Nigeria “has brought to light macabre scenes of mass graves and more obvious signs of killings by Boko Haram.”

These included the “...murder of the wives of combatants, women and girls actually held in slavery. And the use of children

by Boko Haram as ‘expendable

cannon meat’ and human bombs could, if confirmed, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the official said.

Despite this report from UNHCR, BBOG and parents of the abducted girls are optimistic that the girls are still alive and well and with the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the US, China and other foreign powers had promised to help find the girls.

However, the girls have never been traced, and little has been heard of them since they were taken from their boarding school.

The whereabouts of the remaining girls is not clear.

Campaign group Bring Back Our Girls organised a silent march in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Wednesday to raise public awareness about the abductions.

Incoming President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to “crush” the insurgents.

He is due to be inaugurated on 29 May after defeating Mr Jonathan in last month’s presidential elections.

56— VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 14 , 2015

Violence escalates in east Ukraine ahead of talks

US election:Clinton tours U key states Russia opens way to missile KRAINE’S m i l i t a r y yesterday accused pro-

•Hillary Clinton

F

ORMER US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has set out for a tour of key states, at the start of her campaign to become the first woman US president.

She is taking a road trip to meet small groups of voters in Iowa, having announced her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday. She had been expected to declare her candidacy for months.

Mrs Clinton ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 but lost to Barack Obama.

A few hours into her journey from New York to Iowa, Mrs Clinton tweeted: “Road trip!

Loaded the van & set off for IA. Met a great family when we stopped this afternoon. Many more to come. -H.” Mrs Clinton’s team said she would spend the next few weeks building up grassroots support in the early Democratic primary states.

Her first rally, to officially kick off her campaign, is not expected until mid-May. But her trip to Iowa is to be a “listening tour”

where Mrs Clinton will meet voters at low-key events.

Later this week, she is expected to meet groups of students, teachers and small business owners.

On Sunday, Mrs Clinton launched her campaign website and declared in a video that she was running for president.

“Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times,” she said, “but the deck is still stacked in favour of those at the top.”

She added that she wanted to be a champion for “everyday Americans”.

The video features a number of Americans talking about their hopes and aspirations The launch of Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the presidency was meant to be low-key. It was meant to reflect the idea that it was all about ordinary Americans and the everyday concerns of the middle class.

Russian rebels of using heavy weapons that were meant to have been

deliveries to Iran

R

USSIA paved the way yesterday for missile system deliveries to Iran and started an oil-for-goods swap, signalling that Moscow may have a head-start in the race to benefit from an eventual lifting of sanctions on Tehran.

The moves come after world powers, including Russia, reached an interim deal with Iran

this month on curbing its nuclear program.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ending a self-imposed ban on delivering the S300 anti-missile rocket system to Iran, removing a major irritant between the two after Moscow canceled a corresponding contract in 2010 under pressure from the West.

•Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani at the welcoming ceremony during a summit of Caspian Sea regional leaders in the southern city of Astrakhan, late last year

withdrawn under a ceasefire deal, after one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six wounded in rebel-held territories.

With fighting intensifying once more, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany were due to meet in Berlin later on Monday to discuss the next steps in implementing a ceasefire agreement signed in the Belarussian capital Minsk in February.

“The rebels have not stopped firing at Ukrainian positions ...

Over the past day, the enemy has used weapons banned under the Minsk a g r e e m e n t s , ” Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said in a televised briefing.

Under the deal, weapons bigger than 100 mm caliber, including heavy artillery and powerful rocket systems, are meant to have been withdrawn from the front line.

Malawi to repatriate citizens in S/ Africa after anti-migrant attacks

T

HE Malawian government said Monday it would help

Mogherini seeks closer ties between Europe and N/ Africa T HE recent terror attacks in Paris and Tunis have showed that stronger security cooperation is needed between countries in Europe and North Africa, European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini said yesterday.

Mogherini was speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers from the two regions about terrorism and illegal immigration in the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona.

She said she regretted that an increasing number of young people from countries in Europe and North Africa are being attracted by the jihadi call. This has laid bare the need for more cooperation in security but also in culture, economy and politics, she added.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy opened the forum by saying that he believes “the Mediterranean unites us and does not separate us” and that jihadi terror is the biggest threat facing the continent.

Rajoy spoke three days after a Spanish judge jailed seven people arrested in a case involving alleged discussions about targeting a Jewish bookstore in Barcelona.

Spain has arrested some 40 suspected jihadi

militants and recruiters so far this year.

The meeting brought together some 30 ministers and officials.

Mogherini said the seven-year gap since the last such meeting was too long and proposed staging one annually.

South Africa. I was given a bag by a Nigerian to deliver to one Damian Akamelu.

During examination of my bags at the Lagos airport, the money was found inside packs of oats”.

NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade who commended the officers for detecting the money, ordered that the case be investigated to deter-

Low turnout in Sudan vote may extend al-Bashir’s rule

O

•Spanish Primer Minister Mariano Rajoy, center, and Catalan regional government Artur Mas, left, pose for the media with foreign ministers before the informal ministerial meeting in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday.

mine the source of the money. According to Giade, “one of the mandates of the Agency is to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from drug-related offences or property whose value corresponds to such proceeds.

I have therefore directed that the case be investigated to ascertain the source of the money”.

NLY a trickle of voters, some in uniform, showed up at a polling station in Sudan yesterday as the country took part in an election that will almost certainly extend the 25year rule of President Omar al-Bashir, the world’s only sitting head of state wanted on genocide charges.

As polls closed at 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) on the first of three days of voting, election employees counted ballots. In one middle class neighborhood, just 3 percent of more than

3,000 registered voters had turned up.

“This is extremely low,” an election employee said as he locked up the center. “I don’t know what is going on. We didn’t expect that.”

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

The second multicandidate election to be held in Sudan since alBashir came to power in a bloodless 1989 coup has been boycotted by major opposition parties.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015—57

Elechi, Nkwegu beg Ebonyi gov-elect, concede defeat

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—BARELY 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi, as the winner of April 11 governorship election, Governor Martin Elechi and the Labour Party governorship candidate, Sir Edward Nkwegu, have approached him for reconciliation and pardon over the controversies surrounding the election.

Recall that Umahi had during his acceptance speech at Orsbon La Palm Hotel in Abakaliki, yesterday, threatened to probe all the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen for allegedly squandering public funds during the last governorship election.

Elechi was reported to have through former Governor Sam Egwu, initiated a meeting with Umahi to bury the hatchet and accept him, even though he worked against him and the PDP during the election.

At the meeting which took place at Government House, Abakaliki, the governor advised the governor-elect to build effective human relationship across the state, assuring him that he would support him to deliver more democratic dividend to the people

of the state.

Elechi, who was accompanied by the thirteen local government caretaker committee chairmen, affirmed before those in attendance that he actually promised to hand over to Umahi as the next governor but was deceived by his cohorts.

Responding, the governor-elect

promised to consolidate on the developmental initiatives of governor Elechi, stressing that his administration would work assiduously towards the unity of the state.

The presence of the council Caretaker Chairmen in the reconciliatory meeting was connected with the threat by the

governor-elect to probe them for financial misappropriation and embezzlement.

However, Umahi’s victory was an affront to Elechi who anticipated that his successor might probe him on the financial misappropriation levelled against him by the state House of Assembly.

MEETING: Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi (2nd left), and others, during a reconciliation meeting, at the Government House, in Abakaliki, yesterday.

Let's join hands to rebuild Nigeria, Ekweremadu tells Buhari, govs, others ...congratulates Ugwuanyi

By Austin Ogwuda & Francis Igata

E

NUGU—DEPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekeremadu, has advised newly elected office holders at all levels to rise and work together to heal the wounds of the nation he described as fragmented.

He also congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his victory during April 11, 2015 governorship election.

Ekweremadu gave the advice while fielding questions from newsmen at his country home at Mpu, Enugu State, last weekend.

He said: “Essentially, politics ends today and governance will start by (Monday). We should put behind all these things and then begin to think about our state and country and our constituency irrespective of party persuasion.

“So, I think we have seen the end of partisan politics today. We should move forward. We should be talking about governance, about leadership. We are all going to put our head together to heal the wounds and how to heal a country that is fragmented.

“After all, we have one people we represent irrespective of our

political parties, there is one Nigeria. Whatever we are doing, we are doing it for just the same people. The earlier we come together and work as a people, the better for us.”

Recall that South East PDP caucus met at his Enugu residence last week and resolved to remain in the opposition in the new political dispensation effective May 29.

Ekweremadu had a day before

the South East endorsement to remain in the opposition, vowed that he would not defect from PDP merely because his party lost the presidential election.

Meanwhile, Ekweremadu has congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on his victory in the April 11, 2015 governorship election.

Senator Ekweremadu said

Ugwuanyi’s victory was very much expected as the PDP was not only the party on ground in Enugu State, but also because of Ugwuanyi’s overwhelming popularity across the state.

He congratulated Rita Maduagwu and Kingsley Iruba on their victories in House of Assembly election for Nnewi South Constituencies 11 and 1, respectively and other APGA stakeholders in the council area.

Group cries out over alleged Enugu Assembly poll irregularities

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—A group, Save Awgu Forum,SAF, yesterday, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, to cancel the House of Assembly elections held in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State on April 11.

SAF had while addressing newsmen, alleged that the candidate and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, used military officials to intimidate candidates of the Peoples for Democratic Change,PDC, during the poll.

Leader of SAF, Mr. Baywood Ibe, said: “The big politicians in PDP brought military men to intimidate the PDC candidates.

That is why we are calling for a total cancellation of the result by INEC. “The thugs PDP brought snatched ballot boxes,falsified the results in connivance with the military men. We have written a petition to the Chief of Army Staff,Gen. Kenneth Minimah,Department Security Services, DSS and INEC. “We will surely seek redress in court. Awgu people have been marginalised in the scheme of things because of the antics of

these PDP politicians in the Enugu-West senatorial zone.

JOGS 74/79 set meets

I

JEBU-ODE GRAMMAR School Old Boys Association JOGS 74/79 set will on Sunday, April 19, 2015, hold its monthly meeting.

A statement by its General Secretary, Adeola Adelana, said the meeting will be hosted by Adebola Adenuga, an Electrical Engineer with Boulos Group of Company, Lagos, at Abule Osorun, Ibese Ikorodu.

'Why APGA swept Anambra House poll'

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—THE Liaison Officer to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State in Nnewi South Local Government Area, Jerome Ifeanyi Igwe, has attributed the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA's overwhelming victory during April 11 State House of Assembly polls to Obiano’s doggedness and articulated political sagacity.

Igwe said at Ebenator in Nnewi South that the opposition had wished to form the majority in the State House to frustrate the smooth administration of the governor but had been disappointed at the polls by the wishes of the electorate.

He said the same victory would have been recorded by the APGA in the March 28 National Assembly election “except that we were rigged out but we are sure to regain our mandate at the tribunal.”

Enugu indigenes in Diaspora task Ugwuanyi on devt

By Austin Ogwuda

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N U G U — INDIGENES of Enugu State resident in Houston, Texas, United States of America, have called on the governorelect of Enugu State, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to come up with aggressive human oriented programmes and policies on assumption of office.

The indigenes, who acted on the platform of Enugu Remains United Patriotic Transparent, ERUPT, also expressed optimism that the governor-elect would deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

Chairman of the group, Tom Omeh, and Public Relations Officer PRO, Rob Ndu Ofoh, while congratulating the governor-elect on his victory in a statement issued yesterday, attributed the victory to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had been deeprooted in Enugu State since 1999.

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Agunbiade, Iroro call for support for Motorsport

BY ETOP EKANEM

BY JACOB AJOM

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IGERIANS have been called upon to support motorsport and tap into the enormous attendant economic and social benefits associated with the sport.

President of the Nigerian Automobile Sports Club of Nigeria, Abdul Agunbiade made this at a media briefing which held at the Bay Lounge in Lekki, Lagos yesterday.

The conference was centered on Nigerian motorsport youngster, Ovie Ross Iroro who is currently studying M e c h a n i c a l Engineering at University College London and is also active in the sport.

Agunbiade said for the young driver to achieve his dream, Nigerians ought to rally behind him and support him in whatever way they can.

He said his association would do all within its reach to support Ovie.

“We, on our part, will push him as hard as we can to see him compete in international championships and expose him to the best races in the world,” Agunbiade said.

Ovie who is the first Nigerian to compete in the British Formula Ford Championship, said he has set his sights on a higher level. He has made a smooth transition into Single Seater racing cars as part of his plan to work his way towards the highest levels of Motorsport. He wants to move to GP 3, GP 2 and ultimately Formular 1.

Ovie who represented Nigeria in South Africa in the Young Drivers Excellence Academy competition in 2012 called for sponsors to assist him achieve glory

•Agunbiade for Nigeria. “Motor racing is capital intensive. One needs money to take care of a lot of things. The challenge of training to be fit mentally and physically for competitions is enormous,” he said, adding, “one needs funding to hire the car,

•Ovie the tyres, among other things.

Ovie first became attracted to Motorsport by watching the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. In pursuit of his passion, he entered the world of racing in Lagos where he competed and went on to win the first Go-

Kart championship he ever entered in December 2010.

His first achievement was winning the first ever Go-Kart championship he entered in December 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria He won Best Rookie award at Rye-House club championship 2012

ORMER Super Eagles players, most especially those of the USA ’94 and Atlanta ’96 fame, teamed up with sports writers, music stars and other On Air Personalities (OAPs), for a rare appearance in a football match recently, at the Campos Mini Stadium, in Lagos Island.

The novelty match was o r g a n i s e d b y telecommunications and ICT Company, MTN, to commemorate its launch of the MTN Best 11 Promotion.

Speaking on the promo, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Bayo Adekanmbi said that the company introduced MTN Trutalk,to enable subscribers to register 11 numbers and make calls to those numbers at 50% discount.

The match which attracted a sizeable crowd featured notable ex-internationals like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Daniel

Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Celestine Babayaro, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West, Jonathan Akpoborie, Peter Rufai and a host of others. Also featured were top-most football analysts, MTN musical ambassadors and TV presenters such as Charles Anazodo, Wole Opatola, Frank Edoho, Harry Iwala, Praiz, Sound Sultan, Doctor Sid and Harrysong.

•Lawal

Gateway register 26 for new NNL season

Saint-Etienne set to swoop on Enyeama R O EPORTS in France suggest that Super Eagles s k i p p e r, Vi n c e n t Enyeama could depart Lille for a rival team in Ligue 1 in the summer.

The leadership of Saint-Etienne will move for the Nigeria numero uno if they lose the services of Stéphane Ruffier in the summer transfer window, but only if they fail to land Alphonse Aréola ( SC Bastic on loan from PSG ) The other shot stopper being considered by Saint-

•Enyeama

Dream Team Continues from BP 1-0 in Harare; South Africa failed to qualify after they could only beat Sudan 1-0 following 2-0 defeat in Khartoum and Burkina Faso forced Cote d’Ivoire to a 0-0 draw in Abidjan after winning the first leg 2-

USA ‘94/Atlanta ’96 Eagles reconvene for MTN Best 11 promotion

1.

In the women’s event, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will battle with familiar foes Ghana, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, as well as Tanzania, Egypt and host Congo-Brazzaville for the gold medal.

Team arrive Continues from BP then take off for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The Dream Team it will be recalled qualified for the football event of the Sept AAG

by beating their host Zambia 1-2 in a game played at the National Heroes Stadium, to qualify on a 2-1 aggregate having been held to a 0-0 draw in Abuja 3 weeks ago.

Etienne chiefs is Benoît Costil of Rennes.

Vi n c e n t E n y e a m a joined Lille in 2011 from Hapoel Tel Aviv but returned to Israel the following season after failing to establish himself in their first team squad.

That situation has changed now, as the 32- year - old has become one of the most important players at the Stade PierreMauroy in the last couple of seasons.

The glovesman has been nominated for the M a r c Vi v i e n Fo e Aw a r d , w h i c h i s awarded to the best player with African heritage in France.

Vi n c e n t E n y e a m a has to see off competition from Andre Ayew, Jordan Ay e w, Ay m e n Abdennour and MaxAlain Gradel to win the award for the second year running.

GUN state owned s o c c e r outfit,Gateway United have registered 26 players for the forthcoming 20142015 Nigeria National League season.

A statement signed by the Media Officer of the club, Rotimi Oduniyi gave a breakdown which shows three goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and five strikers.

Of the players, sixteen were retained from the previous season while the remaining ten are newly recruited.

They include Nurudeen Amodu from Sunshine Stars of Akure,Tony Omaka and Malik Adoka both from City of David of Lagos, Saburi Omoyayi of 3SC of Ibadan and Eyo Utomobong of Teslim Balogun Academy,Lagos.

The rest are Senbore Oluwatobi of Freeman Academy, Abeokuta and the trio of Ibukun Araromi, Osas Oknuoghae and Saheed Lasisi from Remo Stars of Sagamu.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 — 59

Go for AAG gold medals, Elegbeleye charges teams T

HE Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye has charged the U- 23 national team popularly known as Dream Team VI, the Super Falcons and the men’s national basketball team that have already qualified for the 11th All Africa Games holding in Congo Brazzaville from September 4th to 19 this year to ensure they win the gold medals at stake in the competition.

The All Africa Games which is Africa’s fashion of the Olympic Games attracts about 52 countries of Africa and Nigeria has always been a power house in the competition.

The Samson Siasia led Dream Team VI recently qualified for the AAG beating host Zambia 2-1 in Lusaka on Sunday in the return leg of the final round of the qualifiers having played a goalless draw in the first leg decided in Abuja.

Also the Super Falcons made mincemeat of Mali in the return leg of same final round qualifying series beating Mali 8-0 at the main bowl of Abuja National Stadium having played a 1-1 score draw away to Mali in the first leg. The men’s national basketball team also qualified for the All Africa Games having beating Burkina Faso in the first leg of the final round in Ouagadougou 87-63 and also beat Burkina Faso63-50 in the final leg played in Lagos.

ROAD TO GABON.... Dream Team players receiving instruction from team coach, Samson Siasia (r).

ANNY Pacquiao will win every round against Floyd Mayweather Junior, claims his trainer Freddie Roach.

Roach says he and Pacquiao are working on a strategy to back Mayweather up onto the ropes and hit with him with “flashy flurries”.

Pacman used a similar busy tactic to beat Chris Algieri, Brandon Rios, Shane Mosley and Timothy Bradley in their rematch.

Hall of Fame trainer Roach believes his man can outscore Mayweather in every

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NYIMBA’s Kingsley Sokari has hailed the tactics and fighting spirit of the Dream Team VI after defeating Zambia 2-1 in front of their own fans on Sunday in an All Africa Games qualifier.

The Enyimba midfield maestro has singled out Taiwo Awoniyi for special praise after the United Academy striker netted the game’s winner four minutes from time.

It was important for the Nigeria Under 23s to start the game against Zambia with calm and composure because they could only muster a goalless draw in the first leg, meaning there was no room for error at the

•Awoniyi Heroes Stadium. ‘’It was a good game and we really fought like Nigerians. We lost a little concentration and we conceded in the second half but we scored towards the end,’’ said Sokari.

...Anyansi celebrates teams' qualification C

•Asisat Oshoala celebrates after Falcons AAG qualification.

Osheku ready to spring Okpekpe surprise

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NE of Nigeria’s best middle and long distance runners, Lawrence Osheku says he is ready to mingle with the big boys on the road at the 3rd Okpekpe 10km road race next month in Okpekpe, Auchi, Edo state.

Osheku emerged the best Edo state-born athlete in the first two editions of the IAAF-

Roach tips Pacman to win every round in Las Vegas

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Sokari praises Awoniyi

round and dominate the unbeaten pound-forpound king when they clash on May 2 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

•Pacquiao

sanctioned road race and believes he is ready to step up and challenge the East Africans when the third edition holds on May 16.

‘My training is going well and I believe I can improve on my time.

Last year I ran 34.10 to emerge the best Edo state-born athlete at the event but I feel I can improve to at least 31 minutes which should be enough to put me in the top 10 in the race,’said the younger brother of respected athletics coach,Tony Osheku.

Osheku is convinced he can replicate the form that made him run 31 minutes two years ago in a 10km road race in Lagos.

‘I believe if I run a good sub-32 minutes I will emerge the best Nigerian in the race and give the Kenyans,the Ethiopians and other East African runners expected at the race a real scare. Last year Sadjo (Ismail) ran 31.18 to emerge the best Nigerian in the race and the 10th best overall. My target is to at least beat that time,’he insists and his brother concurred.

HAIRMAN of the NFF Technical and D e v e l o p m e n t Committee, Felix Anyansi-Agwu has expressed joy in the achievements of the U23 National Team and the Senior Women’s Team as both sides qualified for the football event of this year’s All Africa Games.

Siasia’s U-23 edged Zambia 2-1 in Lusaka on Sunday to qualify for the Men’s Football Tournament of the Games on a 2-1 aggregate, two days after the Super Falcons had whipped their counterparts from Mali 8-0 in Abuja to reach the women’s event on 9-1 aggregate.

•Anyansi The member of the NFF Executive Committee was delighted as both teams returned to the football events of the continental Games, from which they were missing four years ago.

“You will remember very well that four years ago, none of the two teams made it to the All-

Africa Games held in Mozambique. Their qualification this time, coming within two days of each other, speaks volumes. This is also a sign of the good and great things coming very soon to Nigeria football,” said AnyansiAgwu.

“I want to put these feats down to the exceptional leadership style of the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who has continuously harped on the need to build sustainable football culture as well as earn good results on the international front, and has been leading us all to work assiduously in that direction.”

Uche dedicates goal to Musacchio

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UPER Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche says his goal on Sunday in Villarreal’s 1-1 draw with Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez is for teammate Mateo Musacchio.

Uche scored from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute to give the Yellow Submarine the lead but the hosts levelled matters 12 minutes later through Diego Castro.

The Nigerian attacker has now taken the time to speak aboutthesetbackwhichbefell his Uruguayan teammate, whofracturedhisankleinthe game, wishing him a quick recovery in a touching act of companionship.

“We are sorry for the injury toMusacchio.Nobodywants their partner or the opposing team to get hurt that way.

From here we send a lot of strengthtoberestored,”Uche said after the game.

•Uche

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Madrid derby lights up Europe Simeone: Ancelotti: It’s 50-50 It’s not a final replay

•Ancelotti

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ARLO Ancelotti doesn’t believe Real Madrid are favourites against Atletico Madrid, and denies his future rests on the Champions League quarter-final.

“I don’t think my future depends on this tie, no,” he replied, AS reports, when asked if that was the case.

“We’re not obsessed with Atletico. We’re obsessed with the quarter-finals. Our goal isn’t to beat Atletico, it’s to win La Undecima.

“We play to win, but we’re not obsessed with winning. We can go through with two draws.

“Atletico are a complicated rival, with a great defensive personality, and we have the utmost respect for them. What do I admire most? They fight to the last minute.

“Diego Simeone? He’s a great Coach and has shown in all aspects he’s one of the best in the world. I’m honoured to face him but it’s also a problem.

“It’s a very close tie and we have a 50% chance, but we won’t change our ideas.”

•Simeone

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•Griezman

•Ronaldo

Monaco can complicate things for Juve — Allegri

•Cavani •Allegri

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•Pogba

Monaco’ll play Juve like Arsenal’— Raggi

IEGO Simeone isn’t thinking of past Madrid derbies, including the Champions League final, ahead of the next meeting of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

“I’m not looking back on previous games because I understand it will be a new, different game, a play-off in the quarter-final, which isn’t the same as a Champions League final,” he said, AS reports.

“It’s a different game, a new round. Not all the players were involved in that game.

“I imagine it will be more like the Copa del Rey semi-final last year, Madrid more active in defence. The presence of Luka Modric gives their football more aggression and more presence in midfield.”

UVENTUS Coach Massimiliano Allegri believes the Champions League tie with Monaco will be ‘much more complicated’ than Dortmund.

“Monaco deserved to make the Quarter Finals.

As for being favourites, you could make us favourites but I think in a Quarter Final one team can be a little more favoured than the other.

“It will be very difficult for us to get to the SemiFinals is we don’t play

with the same intensity and technique as against Dortmund.

“I believe if that’s the case these two games will be much more complicated. This is a team which eliminated Benfica and Zenit [St Petersburg] in the group, conceding just one goal in six games.

“Including the knockout stages they’ve only conceded four goals and have scored seven, they have attributes.

“I think I’m right in saying they have the best defence in France, conceding just 22 goals.

These numbers don’t happen by chance.

“They ’re a very organised team, with a very good, astute Coach [Leonardo Jardim] and we’ll have to play two good games to go through”.

•Blanc

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O N A C O defender Andrea Raggi has urged his side to adopt the same approach as against Arsenal to beat Juventus tonight.

Although they lost the second leg to Arsenal 20, the three goals scored in London allowed them to progress, and the Italian wants a repeat

tonight “We can play like we did against Arsenal,” Raggi insisted in the pre-match Press conference.

“We played with calmness and concentration and that’s what allowed us to overcome the challenge posed by Arsenal.

“I think it will be a difficult game for us, but

Monaco are ready to face Juve and I think we’ll play a great match.

“To play in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League offers great satisfaction, doubly so against an Italian team.

“I’m happy to play here, in my country. As I’ve said before, I don’ have any desire for ‘revenge’ against Italy, not at all.”

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015— —63

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Madrid derby lights up Europe — Pg. 60 Atletico v Real Madrid 7.45p.m.

Monaco v Juventus 7.45p.m.

AAG: Dream Team to face Egypt, Senegal T

HE U-23 National Team, known as Dream Team, will be jostling with Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and host CongoBrazzaville for the gold medal of this year’s AllAfrica Games’ men’s football event.

The Pharaohs conquered Burundi with 2-0 wins each leg, while Senegal reached the games on the away goal rule at the expense of Mali, following a 2-2 draw in Bamako and 11 draw in Dakar.

Ghana edged Mozambique 2-1 on aggregate after a 2-0 win in Accra on Sunday, while Sudan, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso also edged South Africa, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire by the same aggregate scoreline.

•Siasia

Cameroon drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe in Yaounde on Sunday after losing the first leg Continues on Page 58

•Ronaldo

•Mandzukic

•Team arrive today T

HISTORY MAKER: Nigerian motorsport sensation Ovie Iroro poses before the camera after a race.

HE victorious national U-23 men’s football team, Dream Team will be touching down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport this morning.

According to the travel schedule of the team, the delegation departed it’s Golden Peacock Hotel Lusaka last night (11pm Nigeria time), for their Kenya Airways flight from the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Lusaka at about 02. 35am.

The delegation will arrive Nairobi Kenyatta International Airport at 06.15am where they will transit for about 1hour, Continues on Page 58

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S ANSWERS YESTERDAY'S

ACROSS 1 Fashionable (4) 4 Child (3) 6 Creep (4) 8 Customer (6) 9 Modern (6) 10 Lair (3) 12 Outcoming (5) 14 Avarice (5) 15 Leaf (5) 18 Instrument (6) 20 Simply (6) 24 Long (5) 26 Essential (5) 28 Entice (5) 30 Astern (3) 32 Pursue (6) 33 Recluse (6) 34 Discharge (4) 35 Craving (3) 36 Consider (4)

DOWN 2 Throw (5) 3 Defile (7) 4 Nurse (4) 5 Rotate (4) 6 Encounter (5) 7 Hide (7) 11 Epoch (3) 12 Cur (3) 13 Beverage (3) 16 Attempt (3) 17 Meadow (3) 19 Regular (7) 21 Skill (3) 22 Scoffed (7) 23 Still (3) 25 Sprite (3) 27 Apportion (5) 29 Cost (5) 30 Crooked (4) 31 Lean (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Sense 7, Devil 8, Urban Tuni 12, Eat 13, Aimed 15, Donated Headed 19, Wed 20, Deleted 23, Avid Dome 26, Cajoled 30, Wit 31, Decent Bridged 37, Money 38, All 39, Droop Asked 41, Tenet 42, Speed/

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

DOWN: 1, Belie 2, Sited 3, Eluded 4, Said 5, Dreaded 6, Later 9, Bat 11, Cowered 13, Ahead 14, Magic 16, Net 18, Devoted 21, Dozen 22, Deity 24, Dawdled 27, Jig 28, Demote 29, Crash 32, Coped 33, Never 35, Ilk 36, Drip.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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