MASSACRE OF POLICEMEN IN LAFIA: 103 widowsprotest, get N206m

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61881

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

NIS CONGRESS From left: Minister of Works, Arch. Mike Onolememen; President, Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS), Bode Adeaga, and past President of NIS, Prof.

Francis Fajemirokun, at Gala Dinner during the 27th International Surveying Congress in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

EMERGENCY:

Northern leaders in crucial meeting•P.9

MASSACRE OF POLICEMEN IN LAFIA

Court jails Iranian, Nigerian 5 yrs over illegal arms shipment •P.7 Boko Haram claims responsibility for Baga, Bama killings •P.15

103 widows protest, get N206m •93 widows of slain policemen, 10 of DSS officers •47 mourners killed at burial of 2 policemen in Benue

WIDOWS OF SLAIN POLICEMEN

BY PETER DURU & ABEL DANIEL

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AFIA— FOLLOW ING the massacre of Police officers and officers of the Department of State Service, DSS, in Alakyo village, near Lafia in Nasarawa State, 103 widows of the slain officers were, yesterday, given N2m compensation each by the State government and Police authorities.

With this development, Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST:

•P.19

Mr & Mrs

PROTEST—Widows of slain policemen at the Police Headquarters in Lafia, Nasarawa State, yesterday. Photos: NAN.

10 YEARS AFTER....Police

uncover 78-yr-old woman's corpse in son's cupboard •P.6 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

From Left: Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government Administration, Sen. Kabir Gaya; Elder Statesman and Nigeria's former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule and Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr Elias Mbam, at the Committee's seminar for 36 states and FCT in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

MASSACRE OF POLICEMEN IN NASARAWA:

103 widows get N206m palliative Continues from Page 1

no fewer than 103 security officials including 93 policemen and 10 officials of the DSS, are now known to have actually been massacred

by Ombatse cultists in Nasarawa State.

The new facts emerged from a list of the dead

officers whose widows were given N2 million each as palliative measures to cushion the harsh effects of losing their bread winners until their statutory entitlements were settled by the authorities.

This came against the backdrop of reports that

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Ignorance is so expensive that it will cause you to make unavoidable mistakes and cast unsavoury aspersion to wrong quarters.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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LLOW yourself to think only those thoughts that match your principles and can bear the bright light of day. Day by day, your choices, your thoughts, your actions fashion the person you become. Your integrity determines your destiny — Heraclitus When we are aware of the happenings around us, we are more likely to act consciously without inferences from outside forces. By nature, the group you hang-out with will develop a common behaviour and mindset. This behaviour usually gravitates towards the lowest common denominator. So you may want to choose your friends and your group wisely.

Every moment is an opportunity to make new plans, and that also includes your attitude to life.

Our lives and moments are given to us to move forward spiritually. So bless each experience, and that includes your thoughts, words and deeds. I have come to a better knowing and understanding that I am happier when I let only the pure love of God flow from me to the universe.

Lewis sums it beautifully: “When you are behaving as if you love someone, you will presently come to love them. If you hurt someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself liking him.” It’s always a choice to be better than our previous selves.

the recurring bloody conflict between Fulani herdsmen and Benue farmers took a dangerous dimension weekend, with no fewer than 47 mourners killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.

The mourners were reportedly killed while carrying out the burial rites of two police officers killed in last Tuesday’s attack in Nasarawa State.

Five other police men were reportedly injured weekend, by irate youths who were protesting the the location of a private university by the Senate President, David Mark, at Asa 111 in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar gave the widows of slain officers N1 million each, while the Nasarawa State Government also gave them another N1 million each.

According to the list, 93 policemen, including an Assistant Commissioner, lost their lives just as 10 other DSS officials were also killed by the cultists during the ill-fated operation to arrest the chief priest of the Ombatse cult.

A representative of Governor Al-Makura, of Nasarawa State, Hajiah Zainab Abdulmumuni who was at the state po-

lice headquarters in Lafia, to present the government cheques, described the killing of the officers as not only unfortunate but also "a big tragedy; not only to the widows but also to the entire people of Nasarawa State and the country at large.”

Widows' protest continues Earlier, the widows had continued with their protest which began Friday after barricading the ever-busy LafiaAkwanga Highway, even as they carried fresh leaves and placards and refused to go back to their homes, insisting that the death of their husbands could have been avoided.

Some of the widows pleaded with the AIG to replace them with their dead husbands in the force because, according to them "we do not have any other means of livelihood."

Some of the widows were carrying new babies during the protest while others wore the uniforms of their late husbands. They continuously asked: "Where are our husbands; we want to go home with them," even as some of the male police officers could not hold back tears, on sighting them.

They also pleaded with the police high command not to allow them go through serious hardship in the course of getting their husbands’ entitlements just as others also, pleaded with the government to take over the sponsorship of their children’s education since their fathers were no longer alive to take up such responsibility.

The IGP was reportedly not informed about the operation, which was said to have been sabotaged by two policemen and natives of Alakyo who were detailed to lead the way to the forest where the cultists had their operational base.

Presenting the cheques, on behalf of Governor Al-Makura, Hajia Abdulmumuni, said: "This money is nothing compared to the lives of your husbands.

This is meant to aid you in the burial and other immediate needs pending when the full benefits shall be paid.”

The Assistant Inspector General, AIG, in charge of Zone 4, Mr. Michael Zuokumor, who represented the IGP, while sympathizing with the widows said: “l felt bad and troubled when l heard about the ugly news of the death of the officers,” assuring them that he would do everything possible to make sure the statutory benefits of their late husbands who died in active service were paid them at the right time.

Police, state govt present cheques He further said that the N1million given to the widows by the police boss was meant "to alleviate the suffering of the immediate families of the deceased."

The Deputy Police Com-

missioner in charge of Welfare, Mr. Abiodun Ige who also spoke to the weeping widows, took time to pray to God to take care of them. Ige pleaded with the women not to continue with their protest to the extent of blocking the highways.

What my husband told me — Widow One of the widows who spoke for the rest said: “My husband told me that day when he was leaving home that they were going on special duty to Benue State and picked his box. On getting to Lafia, he called that the plan had changed and that they may be going for an arrest but the place is not known to them yet. The next time the following morning we started hearing that officers from the base were killed.”

47 mourners killed in Benue Meanwhile, reliable sources told Vanguard in Agatu, Benue State, that the Fulani herdsmen stormed Okpachanyi village on Sunday morning, while the burial rites were going on and started shooting at the mourners, and in the process, killed 47 of them on the spot while many escaped with bullet wounds. ”The burial rites of the two slain police men were going on at Okpachanyi village when the armed herdsmen stormed the scene and opened fire on the mourners, killing and maiming the people.

Some escaped with bullet wounds,” the source said.

6 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

51-yr-old man docked over alleged N25m theft

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A 51-YEAROLD businessman, Frank Ezuma, was yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’ Court for allegedly stealing N25 million belonging to Industrial Metal Processing Company Nigeria Ltd. The accused who was docked before Magistrate B .

O. Osunsanmi, is facing a five-count charge bordering on obtaining by falsehood and stealing.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the defendant obtained goods worth N25 million from Industrial Metal Processing Nigeria Ltd with the pretext to pay back and issued a Zenith Bank dud cheque number 36133399 for N10 million dated October 29, 2010 and when it was presented in the bank for payment, it was dishonoured due to lack of insufficient fund in the account.

Emuerhi also alleged that the defendant on October 22, 2010, Ezuma issued a dud cheque of Zenith Bank number 36133397 for N10 million in favour of Industrial Metal Processing Nigeria Ltd and it was also dishonoured in the bank when it was presented for payment.

The prosecutor further added that a dud cheque of N5 million, was also issued by the defendant on October 23,2010, with cheque number 36133398, which was also dishonoured at the bank when it was presented for payment.

Hit-and-run driver kills man in Ekiti

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI— A HITAND-RUN driver, yesterday, knocked down a young man who was trying to cross the road in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The incident was said to have occurred along Dallimore junction in the state capital while the young man was on an errand for his parents.

Efforts by people around the area to stop the vehicle proved abortive as the driver was said to be moving on a high speed Help did not come to the victim until the arrival of the convoy of the new Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who on getting to the scene, immediately ordered her convoy to convey the victim to the state’s Teaching Hospital for medical assistance but he died on the way.

Police uncover 78-yr-old woman’s corpse in son's cupboard ....10 yrs after she was declared missing

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — THE Imo State Police Command has recovered the remains of a 78-yearold woman, Mrs. Lucy Osigweh, who was declared missing in 2003.

Making the revelation, yesterday, state's Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, disclosed that the woman’s lifeless body was found in a large cupboard inside a shrine located in her son’s private room.

Katsina said: “The missing woman’s lifeless body was found in a village called Ezuru Umuagwu, Ejemekwuru, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.”

According to him, “the corpse of the 78-year-old Mrs. Osigweh, earlier declared missing in 2003, was found in a large cupboard inside a shrine of a private room in a circumstance depicting ritual practice.

“The embalmed body, which

was kept in that condition for about 10 years, was believed to have been placed in the warehouse by her son, Chief Chimezie Osigweh, a 64-yearold retired school principal.”

The Imo police boss said there was every reason to believe that the late woman’s son is a member of a sect, adding: “Preliminary assessment of the scene of crime revealed that the late woman must have been murdered by her son for ritual purpose.”

Katsina also said members of the sect used to hold secret nocturnal meetings in the place to enhance their occultic powers.

“The principal suspect, Chief Chimezie Osigweh, who is the son of the woman, has been arrested and is making useful statement to the police,” the CP said.

Although Katsina did not say how the police got wind of the crime, feelers from the late woman’s maiden home, Amakohia, Awa, Oguta local council area,

showed that they made the startling discovery.

A villager, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said that angered by the unresolved and inexplicable disappearance of their relation from her marital home, some villagers decided to double check earlier stories bandied by Osigweh.

According to a villager, “on getting to Ejemekwuru, our people demanded to know why their relations had remained missing for 10 years. Her son told our vil-

lagers that his mother was mad at a point and ran away to unknown place.

"Apparently not satisfied with the response, as well as the nonchalant attitude allegedly exhibited by her son, the villagers went beserk, destroying things in sight and ended up spotting the large cupboard containing the remains of their loved one.

“With this startling discovery, the villagers quickly lodged a complaint with the police who subsequently swung into action.”

Bandits kill pregnant woman over church offering

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

PORT HARCOURT — A pregnant woman, Florence Onu, 28, was shot dead, Sunday night, in Port Harcourt by armed men who attacked her along Ada George Road, Rumueme.

Younger sister to the victim, Ebere Amadi, who witnessed the incident said her sister had a scuffle with the robbers over her handbag containing N50,000 offerings collected during her church’s evening service that day.

She said: “We were returning from church service around 8 p.m when we saw a red Audi coming close to us.

Next thing, one of them grabbed my sister ’s bag.

There was dragging as my sister held to the bag. One of them at the back of the vehicle shot my sister as they made away with the bag. She was already dead before we got to a nearby hospital.

“The N50,000 in her bag was the offering from the evening service. The pastor asked her to take it home because her husband who is responsible for keeping the church's money did not attend.”

Alex Chidah, a youth leader in the area while reacting to the incident said: “AdaGeorge Road has become volatile lately. The police need to take note. There is a

particular gang parading the area only at night and they have been molesting and killing innocent residents.”

The foot of a tree at the premises of the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel at Mgbidi in Imo State, that is producing water believed to have healing power. (BELOW):People at the foot of the tree to fetch the water. PHOTOS: NAN.

Pirates attack passenger boats in Bayelsa creeks

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA — ARMED pirates, weekend, reportedly terrorized passenger boats on the Nembe Creek in the Bayelsa East senatorial district, dispossessing them of their cash and belongings.

The attack, it was learnt, occurred along the SabatoruIgweta-Iwoama-Nembe route between 4pm and 5pm.

No fewer than 10 passenger boats were raided by the hood-

lums who carted away some of the engines, leaving their victims stranded.

The Nembe-Brass waterways in the East senatorial district, it was learnt, had become vulnerable to pirate attacks, which had worsened the plight of commuters to the coastal enclave.

Though no live was lost in the incident, it was gathered that the victims who sailed from the Ogbia jetty were travelling to Nembe for a burial ceremony

when they were attacked some nautical miles from their destination.

Sources told Vanguard that the hoodlums poured fuel on some of their victims threatening to set them ablaze ostensibly to force them to part with their valuables.

Attempts to get the comment of the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, proved abortive as his line was not going through.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 — 7

Address insecurity for FG's reform programmes to succeed — Group

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An Iranian, Mr Azim Aghajani (right) and a Nigerian, Mr Ali Jega (left) being led to the prison by officals of the Nigeria Prisons Service after the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Court jails Iranian, Nigerian 5 years over illegal arms shipment

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AGOS — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced an alleged member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and his Nigerian accomplice to five years in jail each over an illegal arms shipment.

Azim Aghajani and Nigerian Ali Abbas Jega were detained in 2010 when authorities at a Lagos port discovered 13 containers of weapons that had been declared as construction materials.

Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, pronounced the two “guilty as charged” on four of five criminal counts, with the sentences for each count to be served concurrently.

While the crimes in question carried a potential life sentence, the judge said he was swayed by a plea for leniency from the defence and by the conduct of the pair while in detention.

“In sentencing the accused I have taken into consideration the plea for mercy by the defence team, but the law has to take its course,” Okeke said.

The sentence will be counted retroactively from February 2011, when their trial began, meaning the men will walk free in under three years.

Aghajani had denied having links with Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard, insisting he was a private businessman conducting a legitimate transaction.

The defence argued that the weapons were just passing through Nigeria and were ultimately headed to the tiny nation of Gambia as part of a legal sale.

Gambia denied it was the intended recipient and severed diplomatic ties with Iran over the dispute.

The case also sparked a stern response from Senegal, which accused Iran of trying to deliver weapons to separatist rebels in its southern Casamance region.

The United Nations added Aghajani to a blacklist last year, labelling him a Revolutionary Guard member tied to “Iranian support for terrorism and extremism worldwide.”

The United States also put Aghajani on its national sanctions list.

Addressing the court before his sentence was read, the Iranian described his time in Nigerian jails as “agony. It has been a very sad experience for me for

three years.”

Judge Okeke denied a request by Aghajani’s lawyer for the sentence to be served in Iran.

Jega claimed he was told the cargo contained construction materials and said he was hired by the Iranian as a middle-man to help clear the shipment through the Nigerian port.

“I did not know that the container contained arms.

If I knew, I would not have waited to be arrested by the police,” he said yesterday before sentencing. “I ask for leniency.”

The arms, which include heavy weaponry, are to be given to the Nigerian government, the court ruled.

Five killed in Obudu cult war

BY EMMANUEL UNA

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ALABAR — VIO LENT clashes between two cult groups in Obudu, Cross River State have claimed five lives.

Vanguard gathered that Vikings and Klux Klu Klan (KKK) confraternities were responsible.

The conflict which started last Thursday ragged throughout the weekend as members of the warring groups hunted members of rival group with guns and machetes with which they mained and killed with impunity.

The names of three of the five cultists killed include Aniah Ante, Andeshi Inde and Loveday Atiang.

Both sides have remained silent as to the immediate cause of the conflict and residents of the town who are too scared of the attacks have also remained silent.

Vanguard investigation

reveal that the feud was sparked off by a fracas between two students of the Federal College of Education who belong to the two cult groups and had a face-off over a girl. This eventually degenerated into a brawl.

“Two young men were feuding over a girl and this led to a fight and eventually the two cults became involved and this led to loss of lives,” a source said.

When Vanguard visited the school, Saturday, the place was like a ghost town as majority of the students have left the hostel while the few remaining are keeping indoors to avoid mistaken identity or stray bullet.

The Divisional Police Officer for Obudu said the police had brought the situation under control while D S P John Umoh, spokesman of the Cross River Police Command who confirmed the incident said “one person has been officially confirmed dead."

OS — A group, Part ner for Electoral Reform, PER, has called on the Federal Government to address the insecurity problem in different parts of the country for the success of the various reform programmes.

The body said at a press conference in Jos, yesterday, that “the ongoing constitutional, political and economic reforms will have no effect if the nation dwells under the atmosphere of anarchy and violence.”

Spokesman of PER, Ezenwa Nwagun who described the group as a civil society coalition of

bodies working on democratic governance, elections and human rights called for the implementation of recommendations on electoral reforms.

He listed the issues needing immediate attention ahead of the 2015 election to include, the process of selecting the chair and commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to remove the power to appoint them from the president if they are to function independently.

The group also listed the delimitation of con-

Ex-IGP concerned over current security challenges

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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stituencies exercise in order to provide the needed oversight for the success of the election and ensure good governance.

The group also advocated the establishment of Political Party Registration and Regulatory Commission (PPRR) to oversee the voters' registration process, the Election Offences Commission, EOC, to prosecute electoral offences, Centre of Democratic Studies, CDS, and National Boundary Commission to oversee constituency delineation.

While commending the House of Representatives for the release of the collated results of public sessions on constitutional review, the group stressed the need to revisit the age limit for contesting elections into political offices, and called on the Senate Committee on Constitution Review to release a report of the Senate zonal public hearing.

The group also supported the idea of having independent candidates to contest in the 2015 election and expressed its commitment to supporting INEC through a robust voter’s education.

LORIN— FORMER Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, yesterday, expressed concern over the current security challenges facing the country, saying it was threatening its corporate existence.

Coomassie, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the College of Humanities Conference, Al-Hikmah University at Ilorin, Kwara State, said the responsibility of any serious government was to ensure the maintenance of law and order with a view to creating conducive atmosphere for socio-political and economic development.

The theme of the conference was, “National Security and Development in contemporary Nigeria.”

Coomassie, who is the Pro-Chancellor of the university, said: ”It is very IRNIN KEBBI — ABOUT 5,120 disturbing that today security challengintending pilgrims from Kebbi es facing our dear country have reached the dangerous level of threatening our State will perform the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, Chairman, Kebbi Pilcorporate existence.

"Many things have surely gone grims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Abdulwrong, this is not the Nigeria that we lahi Shema, has said.

Shema, who is also the Special Adall knew. Primarily, it is the duty and obligation of any serious government viser to Gov. Saidu Dakingari on Religious Affairs, disclosed this on Monto tackle this menace.

“The nexus between security and day in Bunza while briefing newsmen.

He said that arrangements for the development has made the goal of entrenching and maintaining law and smooth conduct of the exercise had order a major challenge of most gov- commenced, and that the agency had secured accommodation for the pilernments across the globe.

"Today, bomb explosion and sporadic grims in the holy land.

He promised that screening and gunshots have continued to endanger the polity and threaten the corporate transportation of the pilgrims within the country and in Saudi Arabia would existence of Nigeria "Communal clashes, tribal hostilities, be made hitch-free.

He urged the pilgrims to ensure kidnapping, religious bigotry and postelection violence stagnate and retard prompt payment of their air fares and socio-economic activities and develop- to ensure that they participated in all the required medical examinations mental processes."

Diagnosing the situation, he said: “In needed for the pilgrimage.

“We would ensure that the challengaddition, structural violence which is es faced by pilgrims in the past were expressed in social deprivation, social inequality, high level of poverty aris- overcome,” he said.

The chairman, who also addressed ing from unemployment and mass illiteracy and ignorance constitute de- graduates of Nurul Islamiyya School, bilitating conditions that pose serious Bunza, said government would encourage Islamic education among the threat to security and development. youth.

5,120 from Kebbi to perform this year's hajj

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8 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— JUSTICE H.A. Nganjiwa of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, yesterday, ordered the Police to immediately vacate Obio Akpor local government secretariat for work to resume at the place.

In his ruling, Justice Nganjiwa said the Police should allow workers and the Caretaker Committee access to the secretariat pending determination of the matter before the court.

This came as Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State declared yesterday that he would continue to rely on the power of prayer and intervention from God to overcome his political opponents.

The governor who spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt during a solidarity visit and celebration of Holy Mass led by the Catholic Bishop, Diocese of Port Harcourt, Most Reverend Caminus Etekudor said he had always turned to God in the heat of any political crisis.

The judge further said the action of the Police was like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly, adding that the police should provide security for the property in the place. He also ruled that the court had jurisdiction on the matter.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, Mr Chikordi Dike had among other things urged the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the Police from sealing off the place.

At press time yesterday, the Police had not complied with the court order. When Vanguard spoke with the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Angela Agabe, she said the police had not been served any order by the court on the development.

It would be recalled that Police sealed off the secretariat about two weeks ago over allegations of plans by some hoodlums to wreck havoc, an action that caused the Caretaker Committee of the council to approach the court to ask the Police to vacate the place.

I 'll continue to deliver on my promise —Amaechi

Governor Amaechi told the visiting Catholic bishop that it took God’s intervention for him to be Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, adding that it was the same prayer that made him governor of the state.

While noting that the intraparty crisis in the state's Peoples Democratic Party was a mere distraction, Amaechi said: “I believe in the power of prayers. If you look at my political history, you cannot divorce God and prayers from it. If you remember how I became speaker, it was through prayers.

Before I became speaker, I was

Court orders police to vacate Obio Akpor secretariat •As Amaechi accuses political opponents of distraction •Says ‘God is behind us' already married to my wife (Dame Judith Amaechi) and she knew how we prayed and fasted together to be speaker.

You know the story of the governorship race. What I ask God is that: Why should I go through crisis like this all the time? Why are people not honest in life?

“When I am asked a question, people expect me to tell a lie or bend it a bit, and suddenly it comes out straight. And when it comes out straight, people don’t like it. My Catholic Priest told me that I will account for my soul before God, not even my wife will help me to account for my soul. So if because of you, I bend it a bit, how will I answer to my God?” He commended the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt for their solidarity and promised to deliver on his promise to God and man describing the activities of his political opponents as a calculated distraction against his government.

He also urged members of the State Executive council to remain focused in service delivery to the people of the state.

On the solidarity, Amaechi noted: “The solidarity you have shown to me and my wife today, we can only take it to God. We thank God for your presence. One promise I will make to you is that I will continue to deliver on my promise to God and man, that they can’t take away from us. They are just trying to distract us. You know, usually governors begin well and sometimes end badly.

If you allow them to distract us, we will end badly. So don’t you ever listen to anybody, they can’t do anything, know that God is behind us.”

The Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Most Reverend Caminus Etukudo thanked members of the church for their large turnout for the solidarity and celebration of mass in honour of Governor Amaechi.

“We are not part of politics, but we appreciate that you are not disturbed again, but we will continue to hand you over to God, because your best friend today can become your worst enemy tomorrow and that is politics. But have the courage to change what you can change, and also the serenity to accept what you can not change, ask from God, the wisdom to know the difference”, Caminus said.

Youths protest suspen-

sion of LG boss, others Meantime, hundreds of youths again protested the suspension of the elected Chairman, his vice and councillors of the local government.

The youths who caused heavy traffic around the secretariat said they would continue to carry out protest until the State House of Assembly reversed the suspension.

The youths had last week

embarked on similar protest to the state House of Assembly where they were addressed by five anti -overnor Chibuike Amaechi lawmakers who also condemned the suspension

REPORT—President Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving the 2012 annual report of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform from the Chairman, Prof. Peter Adeniyi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: State House.

FG's amnesty committee lied against me — Kabiru Sokoto zSays I never met or discussed with them

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BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA—ALLEGED king pin of the Boko Haram sect, Kabiru Umar, a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto, yesterday, accused the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, of feeding Nigerians with lies, insisting that contrary to reports widely circulated in the media on Friday, he never met with any member of the committee.

Sokoto who was accused of masterminding the Christmas day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State, in 2011, maintained that as at the time the committee said it met him at Kuje Prison, he was standing trial before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

While refuting the report, the accused person who spoke through his lawyer, Mr. Sheriff Okoh, after Justice Ademola Adeniyi adjourned his trial to Thursday, accused the committee of “brandishing lies.”

According to him, “I think the press is supposed to pick information, investigate such information before making it available to the public. But I think what they have been doing in this regard is to sit down and wait for people to feed them with lies.

For instance our client has pleaded not guilty in this matter and we are doing our best to see how it is established that he is not guilty as he has pleaded.

“For those of you that were in court, it is clear that our client never masterminded the Madalla bomb blast. They have told the whole world that they have visited Kabiru Sokoto at Kuje prison.

"In fact that he was in the prison together with more than 40 other people who were under arrest or detention and that they have discussed.

"Sincerely, Kabiru Sokoto, we have asked him and he has confirmed again and again that no member of the amnesty committee, or anybody who is their privy or agent visited him with respect to the issue of amnesty or otherwise.

“That means that these hon-

ourable members of the Nigerian society have been brandishing lies about a process that they have on their own initiated and agreed to carry on.

“This is very wrong because we expect that they will be honourable men and state exactly, things that have taken place and what they have experienced, and not lying to Nigerians.

“Now, most fundamentally, we want to state categorically that our client has said he is not guilty.

We will wait for the trial to be concluded then we will go ahead and follow everything up accordingly. But for now we believe in the integrity of the Judge, we believe in the integrity of the court and we believe in the sanctity of our democracy,” he added.

It would be recalled that a 17member committee led by its Chairman and Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, had on Friday, disclosed that they had met with some suspected members of the Boko Haram sect detained at the Kuje Maximum Security Prison , among whom reportedly included Kabiru Sokoto.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—9

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH & HENRY UMORU

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LARMED by the grim pros pects of the declaration of a state of emergency by the Presidency in five of their states, Northern elders are converging on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with a view to taking far-reaching decisions to halt such a move, which they see as punitive.

Meanwhile as the northern leaders were putting heads together to come up with a decision, the 36 state governors under the aegis, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore those agitating for state of emergency in some troubled states There were reports that the Presidency was contemplating the declaration of a state of emergency in five states of Borno, Yobe, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states following escalating violence.

But the Presidency said on Saturday that it had not yet taken a firm decision on what to do in those states with rising violence.

The Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said: “The Federal Government is studying the situation in the affected states and will take a decision that would be in the overall interest of the security of not just the people of the states affected but the whole country.”

But Vanguard learnt that the northern elders were worried that the Presidency had concluded plans to slam emergency rule on those states and jettison the peace move already initiated by them.

A source said the imposition of emergency rule in the affected states by the Presidency was a foregone conclusion, which would take the north unawares.

Although it was unclear as at press time what the elders would do to stop the move, Vanguard learnt that the meeting would discuss strategies for boosting the position of the north to take back the Presidency in 2015.

Discourse to focus on amnesty for Boko Haram, Northern Presidency in 2015 The elders, it was also gathered, would review the amnesty being worked out for members of the Boko Haram sect and also take a critical look at the recent nomination of the wife of the Leader of the Northern Political Leadership Forum, NPLF, Adamu Ciroma, Maryam, as the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan last week nominated Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma along with others to head strategic parastatals in the country, a move seen by many in the North, as an attempt to lure Ciroma towards supporting Jonathan’s reelection in 2015.

The north has openly opposed Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015,

State of emergency: Northern leaders in crucial meeting zNGF appeals to Jonathan to ignore calls for emergency rule zNorthern leaders slam Ciroma for allowing wife to take NIWA's job

AGM—From left: Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mrs. Chioma Madubuko; Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Managing Director, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; Director, Mr. Olakunle Alake; and another Director, Mrs. Bennedikter Molokwu, during the seventh Annual General Meeting of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday.

saying that one of its own should be elected in accordance with the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party.

A top northern leader, who confirmed the meeting to Vanguard yesterday, said the northern elders would adopt a common position on the rumoured imposition of a state of emergency in the north.

The source, which spoke in confidence because the northern elders had not taken a position on any of the issues listed for discussion, said the north would not support the imposition of a state of emergency in the area.

“We will never allow them to destroy the north by imposing emergency rule when policemen and soldiers are being killed daily in Bayelsa and other parts of the country without any discussion of emergency in those states of the Niger Delta", the source hinted.

We 'll not support state of emergency —Northern leaders “We are convinced that there are some people in this government, who deliberately want to destroy the north and then provoke the people to revolt by always talking about imposing emergency rule in the region at the slightest provocation while overlooking massive killings, kidnapping and oil bunkering

in the South-East and SouthSouth.

“We want the government to perish the thought of emergency rule and concentrate on how to bring about genuine peace to Nigeria,” the northern elder said.

Reacting to the offer of the post of managing director of NIWA to the NPLF, Adamu Ciroma, the source described the appointment as an attempt to weaken the former Central Bank Governor’s opposition to Jonathan but quickly added that he did not believe that offer would change anything.

“But we do not think that Ciroma would be cajoled by the offer to change his position towards Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 but we are going to discuss the matter during our meeting as we have always pointed out to him that he is on his own as far as allowing his wife to take key jobs from the government of President Jonathan,” the source explained.

Inna Maryam Ciroma was the Women Leader of the PDP at the peak of the confrontation between the President and the NPLF led

by Alhaji Adamu Ciroma. That notwithstanding, Ciroma opposed the nomination of Jonathan for the Presidency and stood against him to the end of the election, which Jonathan won with a wide margin.

Ciroma has not spoken about the re-election of Jonathan in 2015 but the Northern Elders’ Forum, NEF, of which he is a member, has made it clear they will not be

backing Jonathan in 2015, even though Jonathan has not officially declared his interest in the polls.

However, his foot soldiers have spoken for him and threatened to make the country ungovernable if he is not returned as President in the next election, a declaration that has been roundly condemned by wellmeaning Nigerians.

The 36 state governors have meantime pleaded with the President and the Federal Government not to allow itself to be distracted by calls for emergency rule in the troubled states, especially against the backdrop that all hands were on deck to find a solution to the insurgency.

Ignore calls for emergency rule — Govs tell Jonathan In a statement signed yesterday by Chairman of the forum and governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the governors who condemned in totality the recent violence and killings in Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and other states, said, "We also call on the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for a state of emergency in some parts of the country.

"These requests are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are

bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis. The Federal Government should not allow itself to be distracted from our collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of our country once and for all.”

Amaechi in the statement continued, "We in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, hereby condemn the recent violence and killings in some parts of our country – Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and some other states. We also commiserate with the people and government of those states, our security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

"While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.

"It is gratifying that government – Federal and State – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip these orgy of violence in the bud.”

Govs hail Jonathan on amnesty Hailing President Jonathan and the government for the planned amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect, the governors said, "We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect. It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.

"We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.

"We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

157 LASTMA officials sacked

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS—NO fewer than 157 officers of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, have been dismissed from service over various offences.

The sacked officers were alleged to be involved in cases of corruption, certificate forgery, bribery and dereliction of duty, among others.

The dismissed officers, whose pictures were published in the Lagos State News Letter, Alausa Alert, were made to face Personnel Management Board, PMB, the disciplinary organ of the government, to prove their innocence, to no avail.

The Civil Service Commission subsequently issued sacked letters to the affected officers.

It was gathered that the names of 50 LASTMA officers had been forwarded to PMB over alleged gross misconduct.

Launch

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ERMANENT Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, will, Thursday, launch the Code of Conduct for Private Employment Agencies in Nigeria at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, House, in Lagos.

Director-General of NECA; International Labour Organisation, ILO, Director for West Africa; European Union, EU, representative, are among ddignitaries expected at the launch.

Transition

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RS. Lydia Ovikuomaroyingbe Ogisi (nee Atsebinoma) is dead.

Service of Songs is May 24, by 3pm at her residence, Umukoro Lane, Community Road, Oghareki, Oghara, Delta State. Funeral service is the following day at 1st Baptist Church, Oghareki.

Internment follows at her residence, while entertainment is at Oreki Primary School, Cemetery Road, Oghareki.

Late Lydia Ogisi.

Fashola, Philips, Agbakoba, others condemn Rhodes-Vivour family's kidnap

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips, and other eminent legal practitioners, yesterday, condemned the kidnap of the wife, daughter and driver of a Supreme Court Judge, Justice Bode RhodesVivour, as the whereabout of captives remained unknown four days after they were abducted.

Chairman of the National Human Right Commission, NHRC, Professor Chidi Odinkalu; former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba; Mahmood Magaji, Sebastian Hon and Dr. Ameachi Nwaiwu, also expressed shocke over the kidnap.

It will be recalled that Justice Rhodes-Vivour’s wife, daughter and driver were kidnapped on Friday, along Benin-Ore road, on their way to one of his daughters’ wedding in Benin, Edo State.

While Fashola and Justice Phillips spoke at a two-day workshop organised by NBA for legal practitioners in the state, with theme The Rule of Law: The Bedrock for sustainable democracy and development, others spoke to Vaguard in Abuja.

Fashola said: “What is this country turning to? It is time for the lawyers in this country to stop theory and be practical in our activities in the society.

... as PENGASSAN says insecurity's revolt

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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AGOS—PETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has described the upsurge of violence in the country, especially the recent killings and attacks on security personnel in Bayelsa, Borno, Nasarawa and Benue states as acts of revolt against the Nigerian state.

Speaking in Lagos, President of PENGASSAN,

Catholic cleric tasks journalists on ethics

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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AGOS—ARCHBISHOP of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Archbishop Alfred Martins, has urged media practitioners to remain steadfast and committed to the ethics of their profession and to avoid dissemination of information that could cause anarchy.

He spoke during the celebration of the 47th World Communication Day, on Social Network: Portal of Truth and Faith: New Space for Evangelisation, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

He said: “For 46 years, the Catholic Church has not relented in celebrating the role of mass media in the world.

"They have been in vanguard of disseminating information and entertainment of the masses. We could imagine the world or society of no newspapers, radio or television stations."

Pay Lagos your debt, CNPP tells FG

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"I know that this will not be easy because majority of the impunity that we see in the country benefits some people.”

He urged the judiciary to urgently formulate strategies that would help deal with issues affecting the country.

On her part, Justice Philips said “The beauty of the lawyers is to ensure that the laws of the country are protected. Law. In most society, people are always

scared of committing crime because they know the repercussion of it. But the situation isn’t like that in Nigeria, where everything seems to have since gone worst.”

Magaji said: “They kidnappers should, in the name of whatever they believe in, release them. He is just rendering his own service to the nation and to the advancement of the law.”

Odinkalu said: “I would rather not comment at this time. I just pray they are found and returned safe.”

ONFERENCE of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Lagos State chapter, has urged the Federal Government to pay the N51 billion it owed Lagos State government, being the amount the state said it expended in the rehabilitation of federal roads in the state.

A statement by Mr. Akinola Obadia, Chairman of the state’s CNPP, entitled An Appeal to the Federal Government to Settle N51 Billion Expended (On Agreement) by Lagos State Government on Federal Roads, the conference said the unpaid debts were slowing down the pace of development by the Fashola-led administration of building a mega-city.

It said: “To continue to owe a state like Lagos debts of over N51 billion in road rehabilitation in the face of the gargantuan expenditure of Lagos State to meet the yearning of over 21 million people from all over the country resident in Lagos, is an unpardonable political misadventure of the Federal Government."

Babatunde Ogun, charged the Federal Government, especially the service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and the Director of the Department of the State Security, DSS, to ensure that perpetrators of the evil killings were brought to book.

He called on politicians to stop heating up the nation’s polity by their utterances and actions,but concentrate on issues that could bring development and improve the standard of living of the

citizens, Ogun advised politicians to let their actions be people and development driven rather than witch hunting and campaign of calumny.

PENGASSAN President argued that the wrangling among politicians was unnecessary and tasked them to channel their efforts and strength towards developmental projects and ending criminal attacks and other insecurity issues threatening the stability and survival of the Nigeria entity.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—11

VISIT : From right— Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Prof.

Banji O y e l a r a n Oyeyinka, Director, Global Monitoring and Research Division of UN-Habitat, and Mutinta Munyati, Programme Officer (Youth) of UN-Habitat, during a visit to the governor in Akure, yesterday.

Ekiti Dep Gov resumes, calls for diligence

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KITI State Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu, has called on her staff to be diligent and work in unity of purpose to ensure the success of the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement by her Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mr. Lekan Fadeyi, the Deputy Governor made the remark at a special prayer programme organised to usher her into her office on assumption of duty, yesterday, in Ado-Ekiti.

She added that her appointment was divine and, therefore, had nothing to fear because God who ordained it will surely work with her to make meaningful contribution to the success of the present administration.

She urged all the political appointees and civil servants not to allow any any form division, but to work in synergy now more than ever before.

Gunmen abduct Ondo ex-Commissioner's mother

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—SIX gunmen have abducted the octogenarian mother of Ondo State immediate past Commissioner for Education, Mrs Remi Olatubora.

The abductors reportedly stormed Madam Olatubora’s residence located at Iyansan in Irele council area of the state, at 1a.m. on Sunday and whisked her away.

Eyewitness account had it that the kidnappers arrived the town a day earlier, to study the environment before they struck early, Sunday.

Vanguard learnt that the abductors fled with their victim through the high sea with

a speed boat. Other inhabitants of the house were not molested.

Police image-maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the abduction of the old woman, saying details were still sketchy.

Ogodo said that the Police authorities in the state have deployed detectives to the area to ensure the release of the former commissioner’s mother.

He said police in the state would fight the criminals to a standstill, urging the people of the state to be vigilant and to promptly give any information to the police.

Ogodo promised tough times for criminals out to disrupt peace in the state.

Aide’s statement

Calls made to Olatubora went unanswered, but his aides said that the kidnappers have not contacted him.

Olatubora’s aide, who spoke with Vanguard, said that the abduction of the old woman was well planned by the kidnappers.

He said that they arrived the town a day before they struck, having made provision for a speed boat which they used to ferry the old woman out of the area before help could come.

He added that the victim was asleep when they struck.

Report said the old woman was taken to the creeks.

No more imposition of candidates in PDP — Tukur

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—NATIONAL Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bamanga Tukur, has declared that the era of imposition of candidates in the party was gone.

Tukur also siad that the report of the reconciliation committee set up for South-West PDP has described the party in Ogun State as one and united, commending the party financier, Buruji Kashamu, for his role.

He spoke while addressing about 2,000 members that defected from Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to PDP in Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the state.

Tukur, who was represented by the party's National Auditor, Chief Wole Adeyanju, urged members of the party to work hard to oust ACN from office in 2015.

According to him, “PDP was now one in Ogun State. We have received your report on reconciliation efforts and we noted that members of PDP have remained together and ready to work together.

“I have seen that PDP in the South-West is ready to take over the government come 2015."

State of emergency: Govs appeal to Jonathan

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO-EKITI—PROGRESSIVE Governors’ Forum has cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan against declaring state of emergency in some states in the northern part of the

country, saying such move would further worsen the security problem in the country According to a statement signed on behalf of the governors by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State in AdoEkiti, yesterday, any attempt

Osun tackles malaria

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BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has said that the prevalence of malaria in the state had been drastically reduced from 500,000 annually, on assumption of office to 200,000 through various interventions embarked upon by his administration.

He said the major focus of preventive medicine is environmental sanitation and personal hygiene.

He spoke, yesterday, at a one-day UNICEF zonal sensitisation meeting for First Ladies on expanding community-led total sanitation campaign in Lagos Field Office held in Osogbo, the state capital.

to force emergency rule on these states would be considered as looking for an opportunity to remove the governors at all cost.

The statement said: “We believe the presence of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the affected areas is capable of restoring peace if properly coordinated.

“Thus any attempt to declare a state of emergency would be seen as a mere excuse to remove the governors by every means.”

The governors urged the President to be consistent and adhere strictly with the combination of dialogue and mediation which it has already set in motion They said: “The Progressive Governors’ Forum implores Mr. President to be consistent with the combination of dialogue and mediation, which he has already set in motion, and stay action on

the planned declaration of state of emergency in the affected states, which we believe would be counter-productive.

"The forum further advised the President to consult widely with religious leaders and leading traditional rulers across the country with a view to solving the problem.

"It is also suggested that the Presidency, in addition to the committee, consults extensively with the leadership of the Christian and Muslim communities."

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Why I initiated N30m Assembly complex renovation —Bayelsa Speaker

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—SPEAK ER of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson, has explained that the House leadership embarked on the N30 million renovation work on the structures at the state Assembly complex to make it conducive for legislative duties.

The roof of the old complex was at the verge of caving in with several leakages during rainfall, due to years of neglect before the renovation work started.

He said that the poor environment contributed to low productivity among Assembly employees.

Delta NBA flays assassination attempt on pioneer Chair

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—NIGERIAN Bar Association, NBA, Ughelli branch, Delta State, has condemned what it described as the deliberate shooting and attempted assassination of its pioneer chairman, Chief Peter Wanogho, by soldiers deployed in Orogun, on April 17, during the community's annual festival.

The NBA, in a statement by its branch chairman, Mr. Austin Icheghe, urged “the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army to investigate and bring the perpetrators to book, together with their sponsors within two weeks, failing which the NBA, Ughelli branch will initiate legal action against the security agencies.

He said: “The NBA also condemns the spate of insecurity in Delta State and failure on the part of security apparatus to rise to the occasion by protecting the lives and property of citizens, par-

ticularly in Kokori, Isiokolo, Agbarha-Otor and Orogun communities.”

Contacted, the Commanding Officer in charge of the 222 Battalion, Lt. Col. Victor Ibeh, said: “I personally led the team that went to Orogun that day and there was no firing of any sort by my men. We only went there to assist the police because of the

move by some persons in the town to disobey the order of the state government on the postponement of the festival.

“Prior to the day of the festival, I went to see the traditional ruler, community leaders and other stakeholders on the need for them to obey government directive on the

postponement of the festival and I was told that they had bought cows and other items in preparation for the festival.

“Those who defied government directive on the festival were arrested by the police and released after a day or two. So my men did not shoot at anybody.”

Ijaw youth, Ekubo alive —IYC

BY SONI DANIEL

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BUJA—A MEMBER of the Ijaw Youth Council, Edolo Ekubo, from Tarakiri, in Bayesla State, who was reportedly shot dead by security men attached to a presidential aide during the constitution review meeting of the council, is hale and hearty, the IYC said yesterday.

Tension had flayed over the reported killing of Ekubo by soldiers attached to Mr. Kingsley Kuku, the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, following a sharp disagreement with Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw

Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolor.

But spokesman for IYC, Mr. John Owoupele, in a statement in Abuja, described the alleged killing of the IYC member as false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the council and its leadership.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the report is absolute falsehood, as no one was shot and killed during the said meeting, which took place over a week ago.

“As spokesman of the council, I am fully abreast of all our activities, including the meeting in question and I

state unequivocally that Mr Ekubo Edolo is hale and hearty."

Admitting that there was a minor skirmish during the IYC meeting to review its constitution, Owoupele, warned those he described as mischief makers to desist from dragging the name of Kuku into the mud, as he had not done anything to warrant such attacks.

The spokesman noted that as a founding member of IYC, Kuku reserves the right to attend all IYC meetings and make necessary contributions towards its growth.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—13

C M Y K

C M Y

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

UK moves to end party revolt over EU B

OPENING: From left: Mrs. Josephine Aligwe; Head, Communications, Heritage Bank; Rev Basil Ndubuisi, Officiating Minister and Mr. Wumi Adeniyi, Group Head, Business Services, Heritage Bank, during the official opening of the South-South Regional Experience Centre of Heritage Bank in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Reps order NNPC to cough out N236bn

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday, ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to return N236 billion to the treasury of the Federal Government within a month.

The order was given by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Adeola Olamilekan.

He said the order was in line with the query of the Auditor-General of the Federation which the corporation failed to defend before the committee.

Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Andrew Yakubu, was billed to appear before the committee, along with the heads of the Federal Inland Revenue Service,FIRS, Petroleum Products Pricing Agency,PPPRA, and Accountant General of the Federation, among others, over the Auditor -General’s query on the fuel subsidy regime but delegated the General Manager, Process and Procedures, Mr Abdullahi Kalami, to represent him.

The committee turned back Mr Kalami on the ground that he was not competent to defend the corporation on such a sensitive matter and ruled that it should pay the N236 billion to the consolidated accounts of the federation within one month.

The PAC chairman advised that the corporation could approach a court of competent jurisdiction once the ruling was passed to the

entire House for ratification, if not satisfied.

Adeola explained that the Committee took the decision as the last resort since the Corporation had refused to provide necessary documents or defend itself and that the PPPRA and other relevant agencies had appeared before the committee and submitted that the money was with the corporation.

However, Executive Director of Finance and Accounts,Mr Otti, made a sudden appearance at the Venue of the sitting about three hours after the ruling of the committee and

claimed that he was on medication but the committee turned down his request to make his presentation and advised him to liaise with its secretariat to enable it to attend other agencies that were already hours behind.

The Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN which also appeared before the Committee on Monday clarified that the expenditure of N2.8billion which PAC had queried was used for the reconstruction of a new office complex for its Port Harcourt branch and not for the renovation of the old complex as earlier stated.

We need more philantropists in Anambra —Obi

BY OKONKWO EZE

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N E W I — ANAM BRA State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has said the state was in dire need of more people from the private sector and philanthropists who will complement government’s efforts by channeling their resources in rebuilding public institutions.

Obi stated this yesterday while commissioning a brick six class room blocks built and handed over to the government by Nnewi born Information Technology Expert, Mr. John Chuma Nwosu at Odida Central School, Nnewichi, Nnewi.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Educa-

tion, Dr. Mrs. Uju Okeke, the governor said Nwosu’s kind gesture has boosted government efforts in reclaiming the lost glory of education in Anambra state.

The commissioner said: “Our governor is a great lover of children and education. When he called me to go and represent him in this occasion, he expressed great appreciation for this noble deed by Mr. John Nwosu and said the state needs more people like him. The governor has done much in the education sector and we are happy when we see philanthropists doing us proud by contributing and complementing efforts of government” she said.

RITISH Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday moved to end a damaging revolt over European Union membership in his ruling Conservative party , saying his ministers all backed him on the issue even though two had expressed more skeptical views than his own.

Cameron’s promise to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the EU and hold a plebiscite on membership if he wins the next election in 2015 has failed to end his party’s divisions over Europe or halt the rise of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP). Cameron is keen to unite his party on Europe, an issue that helped bring down Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher and dogged her successor John Major, another Conservative.

Two cabinet ministers suggested on Sunday they would vote to leave the EU if a referendum were held today, while Cameron has always said

he wants Britain to stay in a reformed EU. A powerful wing of his own party worried about losing votes to UKIP is pushing him to enshrine his promise of a referendum in law now.

However, Cameron cannot do so because his pro-EU junior coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, oppose such a move.

Despite a growing clamor in his party to harden his line on Europe, Cameron stuck to his pledge to try to reform Britain’s EU role, saying it was “very, very strange” to

give up before renegotiation talks have begun.

“I don’t think that the status quo in the EU is acceptable today,” Cameron told reporters in Washington, where he was meeting President Barack Obama to support the case for a U.S.-EU trade deal.

“I want to change it and, having changed it, I then want to ask the British people a very simple in/out question.”

Cameron said all his ministers were “confident we’ll be able to deliver those changes”.

•Cameron, British Prime Minister

Nigerians in China want consular office in Guangzhou

By CHIOMA OBINNA

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ORRIED about the delay in processing travel documents, Nigerians in Guangdong province of China, have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to establish a consular office in the province to reduce their plights in the Asian country.

In a press statement signed by the President of Nigerian Community in China, Pastor Basil Ukaere, the group also urged President Jonathan not to ignore their plight like in the past when the issues were ignored by the Obasanjo administra-tion.

Ukaere said that Nigerian community in China had made a frantic effort to get Obasanjo establish a consular office in Guangzhou, but all to no avail.

The statement reads; “We want to draw the attention of the Federal Government to our plight in the Guangdong province in China where majority of Nigerians reside or come to do

business but have to travel a long distance of 24hrs by speed train and 3hrs by air to Beijing to process documents because that is where Nigeria consular is.

“We appeal to President Jonathan to come to our aid by establishing a consular in Guangzhou to alleviate our sufferings.”

In his reaction,

Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Mathew Nwagwu, said the matter has been debated by the senate, stating that the challenge of going far to process documents by Nigerians in the Diaspora is not peculiar to those in China but also to those in Texas, USA.

Turkey calls world action against Syria after bombing

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URKEY accused a group with links to Syrian intelligence of carrying out car bombings that killed 46 people in a Turkish border town, saying it was time for the world to act against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The two car bombs, which ripped through crowded shopping streets in Reyhanli on Saturday, increased fears that Syria’s civil war is dragging in neighboring states, despite renewed diplomatic moves to end it. Damascus denied involvement, but Turkish

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said those behind the attacks were from an “old Marxist terrorist organization” with ties to Assad’s administration.

“It is time for the international community to act together against this regime,” he told a news conference during a visit to Berlin.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech broadcast later on Turkish television: “We will not lose our calm heads, we will not depart common sense, and we will not fall into the trap they’re trying to push us into.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 —15

Insecurity: Again Jonathan meets with service chiefs

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan again met with the National Security Council for the second time in four days apparently in continuation of assessment of the security situation in the country.

The National Security Council, made up of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chiefs of Army, Airforce and Navy as well as the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of Department of State Security met last Friday to brief the President on the attack at Bama in Borno and Nassarawa states that led to death of over 50 policemen and other members of the security services.

It would be recalled that President Jonathan cut short his visit to South Africa and cancelled his state visit to Namibia, following the attack on policemen in Nassarawa State.

As usual, yesterday’s meeting ended without any formal briefing on its outcome but may be connected with fashioning a way to deal with the worsening security situation in the country, especially the wanton killing of members of

the security services.

Though the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, had denied speculation that government might be planning to

declare a state of emergency in some of the worst affected states, there had been growing concern that government must respond strongly to the attacks to restore the citizens’ confidence in the armed services.

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, whose men were gruesomely murdered in Nassarawa State, has vowed to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade has,

WEDDING: From left: Groom’s parents, Elder James and Mrs Bola Okinbaloye; the couple, Mr and Mrs Oluwaseun Oloruntoba Okinbaloye and bride’s parents, Dr Dele and Grace Sobowale, during the wedding reception of Arinola Omoihefe, daugther of Dr Dele Sobowale, Vanguard Columnist, at the LTV 8 ground, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

Boko Haram claims responsibility for Baga, Bama killings K

ANO—THE Boko Haram Islamic sect yesterday, claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on Baga and Bama communities in Borno State, which claimed several lives including more than 22 policemen, prison officials, soldiers and civilians.

In a video obtained by AFP yesterday, which also depicts women and children apparently being held hostage, the sect leader Abubakar Shekau, was seated on a rug with a kalashnikov resting behind his right shoulder.

He said in Hausa language: “We are the ones that carried out the Bama attack,” referring to the May 7 assault that killed 55 people, mostly soldiers and police. “We also carried out the attack in Baga,” he further said of the April 16 raid in the town near Lake Chad that sparked clashes with soldiers which killed nearly 200.

“It was you, the security agents that went into town the following day and burnt homes and killed people at will,” Shekau said.

Some seven minutes into the 12-minute video message, the screen splits, showing Shekau on the left with a group of uniC M Y K

however, ruled out a reprisal attack by the police on the community where the crime was perpetrated, saying such an action would not help in building people’s confidence in the security services.

dentified women and children on the right.

The Islamist leader claimed this group is being held hostage in retaliation for the wives and children of Boko Haram members detained by the military.

“As long as we do not see our women and children we will never release these women and children,” Shekau said.

The group set out a similar condition for the release of seven members of a French family who were kidnapped in February in Cameroon near the Nigerian border. The Moulin-Fournier family were released last month.

In his latest video, Shekau restated his opposition to any such pact.

“You talk of dialogue…You are free to say whatever you want to say but we will never stop our struggle,” he said.

The images of Shekau in the latest video resemble those previously released by the group and the message was distributed by email, in a manner consistent with earlier Boko Haram messages.

Flooding: Senate summons Environment Minister

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—AS Nigeria enters the rainy season, the Senate has summoned the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Mailafia, to appear before it today and explain the Ministry’s readiness for the season and how to forestall the kind of flooding the country witnessed last year.

According to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, PDP, Kwara Central, the appearance of the Minister has become imperative against the backdrop of high rain forecast in 2013 by the meteorological agency and

the need to ensure that proactive measures were taken to avert a repeat of flood disaster witnessed in the country last year.

It will be recalled that last year’s flood disaster in most parts of the country resulted in communities being submerged, leaving many families homeless and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

The agency had blamed the magnitude of the disaster on negligence on the parts of various governments, even as it also predicted that this year ’s rainfall will exceed that of last year.

Meanwhile, Senator Bukola Saraki has commended feder-

al government’s proactive efforts towards ongoing erosion control project at Abata Asunkere, Alore area of Ilorin in Kwara State.

He also lamented the structural arrangement of buildings in the area.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media and Advocacy, Bamikole Omishore, the former governor of Kwara State stressed that clustered buildings disrupted free flow of water as well as proper water discharge, adding that a heap of refuse indiscriminately dumped on erosion sites aggravated flood problem in the area.

He said the federal govern-

2015: Group sues AsariDokubo over comment

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU BUJA—ANTI-Cor ruption Network, a non-governmental organisation, yesterday, filed a suit against former ex-militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, for treason over his recent statement on President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.

The Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption Network and former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, revealed this to journalists at a press conference held at the organisation’s headquarter in Abuja.

Melaye said: ”This morning, my lawyers instituted a case against AsariDokubo, that Nigeria will be made ungovernable if President Jonathan isn’t reelected in 2015.”

Meanwhile, Melaye has also accused the Presidency of using oil blocks to woo Rivers State House of Assembly legislators over an alleged plan to impeach Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—17

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18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 THE menace of herdsmen all over Nigeria is spreading like wildfire. The consequences are igniting conflicts in the country. Hardly a day passes without their unsavoury activities being reported in the media.

From Benue to Imo, Rivers to Delta and from Ogun to Oyo States, the story is almost the same. Cattle minders simply run their livestock through farmlands, all year round; they graze on them and destroy what they cannot eat, consigning farmers and host communities to starvation and poverty.

Attempts by these farmers to protest the activities of these rampaging vandals often end in bloodshed because the cattle rearers are always armed with sophisticated assault rifles such as AK 47. They have moved from bows, arrows and daggers of a few decades back.

Apart from damaging farmlands, they also invade villages, kill and steal as well as rape women. Reports to the law enforcement agencies often fall on deaf ears, and villagers and their traditional rulers are forced to cry out to state governors for protection with little succour.

Rampaging Herdsmen These herdsmen clearly violate the African concept of cohabitation between guests and hosts, which says, “May my visitor never bring me harm, and on his way home may he never develop a hunchback”.

Communities are being forced to fight in the absence of protection from the authorities. They are arming their youth vigilantes with equally dangerous weapons to fight back.

If the law enforcement agencies do not rise up to their duties and disarm illegal arms bearers, cattle rearers would cause more challenges in the country’s charged security situation. Illegal grazing should be punished; that the situation has been allowed for years does not mitigate the damage it does and the security problems

for the communities. Proliferation of dangerous weapons in rural communities would result in destabilisation.

Farmers and herdsmen are important to the economy. Both should co-exist symbiotically. That has been the arrangement for ages. The new tendency for the nomads to exhibit terrorist and invasive traits must be curbed before it gets worse.

It is time we designed cattle grazing pathways all over the country or better still, reorient the animal farmers to modern options and confine their animals to designated camps. If they insist on being nomads, they must stay away from farms and commit themselves to the rule of civilised conduct and the law.

The National Assembly made a feeble effort at a grazing pathway law. It should be concluded. We are mindful of the dangers and possibilities of religious terrorists infiltrating new areas of the country as rogue herdsmen to extend their bloody campaigns.

If the security agencies act fast, they would avoid more upheavals across Nigeria at minimal costs.

OPINION

BY ALOY EKWEBIRI

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N September 20, 1940, the 32nd President of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt in an address at University of Pennsylvania said: “We cannot always build the future for our youths, but we can build our youths for the future". It was on the basis of this statement by this great Amercian leader and other successive leaders in the country that America is a great country today. They realised the importance of building their youths for the future instead of always building the future for them. They did not only give the children fish, they taught them how to catch fish because the future is very important for their survival.

In Nigeria, since Independence, the slogan has been that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. This is even when nobody or government had been building the youths for the future. So, the slogan , which was coined by our political leaders, appeared to be mere lip service, as successive governments in Nigeria have failed to properly empower Nigerian youths.

We have seen or heard bogus youth empowerment schemes by successive governments at various levels which were effectively undermined by bureaucratic bottlenecks and political intrigues. This has been the situation for many years. So, how will the youths be the leaders of tomorrow in such circumstances in the country?

But recently I witnessed a different approach to youth empowerment scheme that was unique, realistic and worthy of

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Abia Govt and youth empowerment emulation by governments at all levels. It was the Abia Youth Empowerment Scheme, Abia-YES, summit held at the state capital Umuahia on Wednesday April 24, 2013.

Before then, I have heard and read about how a non-governmental organisation, Ochendo Youth Foundation being coordinated by Chinedum Orji, had been partnering with the state government and public-spirited individuals and organisations to empower youths in the state. Before the youth empowerment summit, the foundation had given out more than 500 vehicles, 300 tricycles, several sewing machines and other gift items to unemployed youths free of charge. Already 4500 youths selected from the three senatorial zones in the state have been on the monthly payroll of the state government with the sum of N10,000 as social safety net for their survival.

I have also read about the houses built for the less-privileged widows by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji.

And the question that readily comes to my mind is, will this be possible in a society where every action is politicised?

So the summit was an opportunity for me to confirm the authenticity of the youth empowerment scheme and poverty alleviation programmes of the government in collaboration with Ochendo Youth Foundation and others. At the summit was the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,

governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who doubled as keynote speaker. In his educative and incisive speech, Sanusi gave a template for youth empowerment and lauded the Abia government for its approach to youth empowerment.

According to him, the youth constitute 18% of the world population but African countries under invest on the youth at great consequences such as breeding an unproductive segment who live under the poverty line of two dollars a day. As solutions, he recommended massive job creation, great emphasis on technical and vocational education, provision of social safety nets like the Social Security Act of the USA which came into reckoning in 1935, huge investment in agriculture, developing the rural areas to check urban migration, and a change of mentality which prefers white collar jobs as the only source of survival.

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rom the Michael Okpara Auditorium venue of the lecture, we moved to Umuahia Township Stadium. Carefully parked and arranged at the stadium were more than 200 cars, some buses, laptops and sewing machines. To my greatest surprise and as well as others present, the arrival of Governor Orji at the venue alongside Sanusi and other prominent personalities marked the beginning of the event. In his emotion-laden speech, he

informed that his administration’s plans for the youths have already taken-off with direct empowerment of them which has drastically reduced the level of crimes in the state. The Governor handed over the keys and particulars of the vehicles and gift items to the beneficiaries, mainly youths from the three senatorial zones in the state.

Beneficiaries were highly elated with their gifts and celebrated with their relations and friends. I was later informed that the state government had done a lot more before now in the area of youth empowerment such as the free education from primary to secondary level and the free transport from home to school and back in Umuahia and Aba cities which started in 2007.

The government has also created employment opportunities for the youths by the reviving the Abia Rubber Company in Abam in collaboration with an international firm, resuscitating all oil palm estates in Abia, starting with Ohambele and Mbawsi Oil mills.

The life-improving Ochendo Liberation Farms scheme in all the LGAs is aimed at impacting survival skills and giving the youths a chance to moderate their destiny and becoming producers rather than consumers.

Indeed, Abia government’s approach to youth empowerment and poverty alleviation appears to be first of its kind in the country and governments at all levels should do well to adopt it to avoid failure and ensure it is not hijacked by the politicians for selfish reasons. *Mr. Ekwebiri, a structural engineer, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY,MAY 14, 2013— 19

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HAVE written this piece to show why the PDP and for that matter all electoral parties must understand the causal connection between the Jihadist Politics and the possible extinction of liberal constitutionalist electoral politics in Africa. It is a must understanding for the BoT Chairman and Mr. President. The trip to Abeokuta to discuss security with OBJ is mere politics. OBJ does not understand security- if he did, the Civil War would have been transformed into statemaking war, not a war to restore the territorial scope of the pre-civil war government. And the U.S need to be informed on the fundamentals of African security in the post colonial period, a knowledgedeficit that only Nigeria can help remove.

At the time the Federal Government is spending “an average of N1 trillion yearly because of the heightened insecurity caused by the insurgency of Boko Haram, the security discourse is now in disarray. In inaugurating the Amnesty Committee, the President enjoins the Committee to “help end excesses of Boko Haram”

(Vanguard Thursday April 25, 2013). The Saturday Vanguard April 27 carries the following explanation of the Presidency’s unilateral decision to offer Amnesty to Boko Haram.

“Defending the administration’s decision to explore the prospects of amnesty for the insurgents, Okupe said it was based on the preponderance of opinion of Northern leaders whom he said have borne the brunt of the attacks of the insurgents. “You have the President of a nation taking a logical, decisive and correct step.

The Sultan of Sokoto is the spiritual leader of the entire Muslims in the entire north. He is also the paramount traditional leader in the entire north and he was the one who spoke first. Later on, virtually all the spiritual leaders in the north except for Sheik Ahmad Gumi, came together and said they supported the suggestion given by the Sultan.

“All the traditional leaders in the north came together to state their position. The leadership of the elite class in the north came together to state their position. Should they be ignored? These are the frontline men; the people who bear the brunt

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and the assault of the insurgency.

These are the people, that common sense tells us ought to know how to handle these issues. … The desire of the government and every right thinking Nigerian is that these hostilities should end.

This carnage and wasting of lives and properties should be brought to an end so that we can return to peace”.

T

he logical question that is suggested by Okupe’s explanation of the President’s decision is Amnesty the relevant peacemaking recipe? Amnesty is a general pardon of offenses against a government; it is a proclamation of such pardon. It is a deliberate over looking an offense, it is the exoneration and acquittal of the offenders.

Government grant amnesty to defeated foes or to encourage the surrender of foes who know their defeat is certain but may prefer to continue the war to their last man

Repositioning FMC Umuahia for effective service delivery

BY JOHNSON AGBUNWA

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HEALTH system is defined in the National Health Policy as comprising all organizations, structures, institutions and resources needed to provide all Nigerians with qualitative, effective, efficient, available, accessible and affordable health services in a manner that is equitable and meets their needs. Accordingly, Federal Medical Centres (FMCs), were established nationwide, for the purpose of providing tertiary level health care. As such, there are a total of 22 FMCs all over the country. As a general rule, most of the centres are situated in the State capital, especially in situations where the apex secondary health institution run by the state does not adequately meet the demands for specialist health care by the citizenry.

One medical centre that has carried this vision of the Federal Government to admirable extent is the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State.

The FMC Umuahia within framework of the law establishing the centre is to provide qualitative, affordable, specialized/tertiary level hospital care to the citizenry and to ultimately reduce the burden of diseases within the communities, through provision of prompt and emphatic preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.

Although established in 1945 as a mission hospital and then named Queen Elizabeth Hospital, it was in 1991 taken over by the Federal Government and renamed Federal Medical Centre, with the mandate to serve the health needs

of Nigerians, especially South East geopolitical zone, particularly Abia State residents where it is situated.

On coming to office, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Dr. Abali Chuku, an ophthalmologist set up a reform agenda in line with President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda to make the medical centre one of the best in the country in terms effective service delivery. This plan has the objective of identifying priority areas in health, attaching some cost to these urgent problems and encouraging all stakeholders in the Medical Centre to buy into this plan. Dr Chuku, the first Nigerian to bag the prestigious American Academy of Ophthalmology International award rolled out a fouryear plan to improve on its existing services and develop new areas, as its contribution to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). According to him, “the centre’s mission is to provide specialized and comprehensive healthcare, using modern equipment, research and training through highly motivated workforce operating in a conducive environment to capture our antecedent as a mission hospital.” He stated that FMC Umuahia has the fastest growing Residency Training Programme in Nigeria with recorded passes in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology, Community medicine, Family medicine, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology and Internal medicine.

There is no doubt that the hospital is gradual becoming the best in the provision of qualitative services in the

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Security precedes defence

Which is the dominant force driving the insurgency? If it is the political and criminal Boko Haram that has rejected amnesty, will the acceptance of amnesty by the Real Boko Haram isolate and weaken the armed insurgents?

in order to avoid shame- it is in this case, a face saving device. Seen in this light amnesty was never the appropriate solution to the Niger Delta Militancy nor is it applicable to the Boko Haram insurgency. The Niger Delta militants’ accepted Amnesty on a quid pro quo basis: it was the cost of a negotiated settlement. The Niger Delta Militants are still capable of resuming their war as was recently indicated by the ambush and killing of the police in the creeks.

Likewise in the case of the Boko Haram in the Baga conflagration in Borno, barely two days after the inauguration of the Amnesty Committee. Surely whether Amnesty is pardon or appeasement it is clear that Boko Haram insurgency is an offensive war and their response will be based on their aims for the insurgency; is their aim revenge or revolution?; are they a wholly local insurgency or they an affiliate of Al-Quaeda?

Are their fighting troops and leadership Nigerian or multinational? Whatever the answers to these questions may turn out to be, the inaugural stance of the presumed spokespersons of the sect is that they have rejected the offer of Amnesty. This rejection has thrown the Amnesty discourse into disarray. The Saturday News of the Saturday Vanguard carries the headline “We doubt Shekau’s existence- Presidency. He is a virtual person”.

“Acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram Islamic Sect. Ibu Abubakar Shekau is a virtual personality, whose real existence remains in doubt, the presidency has declared”.

ThisDay, The Sunday Newspaper, April 28, 2013 quoted Bauchi State Governor Isa Yaguda as telling journalists on April 13

It is projected that FMC Umuahia will rank among the best fertility hospitals in Nigeria, bringing succour to heartbroken women who could not ordinarily conceive and deliver their babies normally

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country. FMC is deepening some of its practices especially in the areas of cardiothoracic medicine and surgery as well as in the area of obstetrics and gynecology. As of now, FMC is said be one of tertiary health institutions where the maternal mortality rate is quite commendable. According to recent media report, FMC under Dr Chuku has been accredited to train gynecologists that is sub-specialist doctors in obstetrics and gynecology by the West African College of Surgeons.

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nother remarkable achievement is effort to deepen practice in the area of assisted fertilization. The hospital is reported to be building an In-Vitro Fertilization( IVF), laboratory. The hospital is working hard to deepen its department of surgery and to provide endoscopic assisted urological surgeries. A doctor has undergone training in this field. He has started the Fertility Clinic which will build up patients in readiness for the commencement of trials in collaboration with the Indian hospital where the

that the group that had spurned the amnesty offer by the federal government was the “criminal and political Boko Haram”. Yaguda said “The amnesty has been given to the real Boko Haram and I believe they are willing to accept that. That is my belief. But you know there is the criminal Boko Haram and there is the real Boko Haram. But the criminal and political Boko Haram are the armed robbers and that arm of politicians that call themselves Boko Haram and they go about attacking people”. The question that is raised by Yaguda is what is the relationship between the two Boko Harams? If the real Boko Haram accepts the offer of amnesty will that bring the insurgency to an end? Which is the dominant force driving the insurgency? If it is the political and criminal Boko Haram that has rejected Amnesty will the acceptance of Amnesty by the Real Boko Haram isolate and weaken the armed insurgents? Most importantly has the Real Boko Haram come out to and accept government’s “olive Branch” of Peace? Will it do so?

Doyin Okupe’s explanation of the issue differs from the Bauchi Governor ’s. “Expressing the administration’s determination to combat the insurgency in any way possible through carrot or stick, Okupe pleaded for patience from the populace. He further said “in terms of feasibility, most of us are very anxious, things take time to crystallize and mature.

Negotiating with terrorists are not things that will happen overnight, they are not also things that will be sorted out at the snap of the fingers. We are in for a long haul, but we just have to be patient and see how things will work out.”

Continues next week

fertility doctor received his training. It is projected that FMC Umuahia will rank among the best fertility hospitals in Nigeria, bringing succor to heartbroken women who could not ordinarily conceive and deliver their babies normally.

Recent media report has it that Umuahia FMC has just acquired a mammogram machine and is digitalizing its X-ray department. The hospital’s management has an arrangement to procure a CT scan and a renal dialysis centre as the health institution veers into medical tourism.

Plans are underway to procure additional six dialysis machines and one of the machines will be dedicated to HIV patients. This obviously will be a welcome development to HIV patients who find this service difficult to access in Nigeria.

In recent interview with the media, Dr Chuku said “We are also on record to have one of the best Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the country according to the West African College of Surgeons and that of the National College of Medicine.

They have commended our ICU quite extensively. We are also trying to deepen our internal medicine practice. We have what we call the Cardiac Echo. It’s a diagnostic equipment for studying the heart and this area has also been fully developed. We have gotten an endocrinologist to help out along with the cardiologist”.

Editor's Note: The story title "How David Mark will take over from Jonathan" by Prof.

Duke was errorneous given a wrong headline on our Viewpoints pg yesterday.

The error is regretted.

* Dr. Agbunwa, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Uzuakoli, Abia State.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Nigeria’s foreign policy: in decline or robust?

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READ the article titled ‘De cline of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy’, published in The Guardian of May 6, 2013 by Dr. Adekeye Adebajo, Executive Director for Conflict Resolution, Cape Town, South Africa. He obviously did not do the basic research to capture activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the last two years, before writing his article. It is curious that a ‘scholar’ could write an article on Foreign Policy and deliberately dish out false information to the wider public, for self aggrandisement. It is, therefore, appropriate to write this article to put the record straight and not allow the dissemination of falsehood, based on intellectual laziness or plain mischief, to triumph over truth.

Contrary to Dr. Adebajo’s assertions, Nigeria did not contest any election with South Africa’s Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, for the post of African Union Commission (AU) Chair person. We also did not campaign against her election or for any other candidate.

All we did was to voice our reservation that the medium and smaller nations within the Organisation should be allowed to fill that post, to make them have a sense of belonging.

Sense of belonging This was necessary, given the great sacrifices which Nigeria had made to develop and nurture the continental organisation and its unity. We had nurtured and provided an appropriate leadership, which was appreciated by all concerned, since the formation of the OAU in 1963, through to its transformation to the AU, in the last fifty years. This was also in line with our policy of promoting and deepening the unity of our continent, as advocated by the founding fathers of the Organisation. We have consistently provided the voice of reason that maintained the unity of our continent, even when crises developed that could have led to the breakup of the Organisation.

Nigeria definitely had its own agenda in the run-up to the elections referred to by Dr. Adebajo.

We decided that it was in Nigeria’s national interest to take a shot to fill one of the posts of Commissioners in the Organisation. The foreign policy machinery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was energised only to that goal. It, therefore, strategized on how best to ensure victory for Nigeria’s chosen candidate, Ambassador (Mrs.) Aisha Abdullahi, former Ambassador to Guinea, Conakry.

It was this team that planned and built alliances across Africa’s subC M Y K

regional groups in order to get Nigeria elected to the post of Commissioner for Political Affairs.

It should be noted that this is the Department responsible for the enthronement of democracy and conduct of elections in Africa.

A ‘scholar’ like Dr. Adebajo should have acknowledged this success. He was no doubt aware of Nigeria’s failed attempts thrice before the elections under consideration, to achieve this feat since the formation of the AU ten years ago. Today, Nigeria and South Africa have put the elections behind them and are working together to advance the cause of Africa, particularly to build a more economically strong continent.

This was attested to by the recent very successful State visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to South Africa from May 6 to 8, 2013.

Furthermore, Dr. Adebajo also represented, even at the topmost level of the UN system, with one Under Secretary General (Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin) and two Assistant Secretary Generals (Mrs Margaret Vogt and Ms. Amina Zubairu).

In the last two years, we have secured, through very tough elections, 14 positions Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb.Olugbenga Ashiru for Nigeria and Nigerians, ingot it wrong on Nigeria’s peace cluding the prestigious position keeping efforts in Africa and the of President of International Fund world at large. Nigeria’s role and for Agricultural Development record in peace keeping opera- (IFAD), based in Rome. This is tions in Africa and outside the the first time in the history of our continent is unassailable. This diplomatic relations that Nigeria was in fact the subject of commen- will secure such a high number dation by the United Nations Sec- of positions in international orretary General Mr. Ban ki-Moon, ganisations in quick succession.

In Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s in his meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador strong voice to uphold democraOlugbenga Ashiru in New York cy, evidenced in the support given to the winner of the Presidenon April 25, 2013. tial election, Dr. Alassane Quattara prevented a bloodbath in that Distinguished country. President Goodluck diplomat Jonathan’s unwavering support The former praised Nigeria’s ef- for democracy made the EU, UN forts to re-equip its forces in Dar- and the US to follow Nigeria’s fur and Mali with modern and lead, while the AU had no choice UN rated equipment. Yes, Dr. but to come on board and supAdebajo is correct that his men- port Nigeria’s position for the tor, benefactor and a distin- winner of the elections in that guished diplomat, Prof. Ibrahim country. Nigeria’s position was a Gambari, after serving for over 10 step taken in line with President years as Under Secretary Gener- Jonathan’s policy to defend deal, lost out in the high wire poli- mocracy in Africa.

With over three million Nigeritics at the topmost layer in the United Nations, but that loss can- ans living in that country, the innot be equated to a sudden de- tervention in Cote d’Ivoire was in cline in our profile at the United our national interest. Today and for the first time in the history of Nations.

Despite the loss of Professor our diplomatic relations, Nigeria Gambari as UN Secretary Gen- and Cote d’Ivoire are on the same eral Special Representative in page, working together to resolve Darfur, we continue to be well the challenges in the continent.

Map of Nigeria

A number of Nigerian businesses have since taken advantage of the very cordial relations between both countries.

As examples of Nigeria’s impeccable foreign policy gains, I will quote what two distinguished statesmen said of Nigeria’s leadership role. First, Dr. Quattara, who made Nigeria his first port of call after his inauguration as President of Cote d’Ivoire said in Abuja in September 2011, and I quote, "but for the role played by President Goodluck Jonathan, my country would have been in a bloody civil war." Secondly, the United States President Barack Obama in his statement to the 66th Session of the United Na-

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BY AMEDUOGBOLE ODE

working from the back, as reasoned by him, but from the front.

Indeed, we were in the driver’s seat all through the negotiations.

Furthermore, Nigeria has committed over 1200 troops to the UNmandated African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) under the command of our own Major General Shehu Abdulkadir. We worked very hard, with France and other members of the United Nations Security Council, to ensure that AFISMA becomes a UN operation and thereby transfer its funding from ECOWAS/ AU to the United Nations. This was no doubt a decisive move to avoid Nigeria ending up with shouldering the financial burden of the military operation in Mali. This was a strategic move by Nigeria.

In post Arab spring crisis and the resultant civil war in Libya in 2011 when the leadership in Africa and the African Union were in total disarray, with no clear path to follow, it was Nigeria’s timely intervention in the recognition of the then Transitional National Council (TNC) that showed the way for other African countries to follow.

Defending democracy Within a few days of Nigeria’s announcement, a majority of Member States of the African Union, hitherto sitting on the fence, followed our lead. The commitment to defending democracy on our continent informed Nigeria’s timely decision to support the aspiration of the Libyan people for freedom and democracy. Nigeria’s position, which was dictated by our national in-

With over three million Nigerians living in that country, the intervention in Cote d’Ivoire was in our national interest

tions General Assembly on September 21, 2011 said "Nigeria must be commended for the leadership role it played in resolving the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire."

Furthermore, and in line with our policy of zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, Nigeria condemned the recent undemocratic changes of government in Guinea Bissau and Mali. In Guinea Bissau, it was President Jonathan that negotiated a peaceful resolution of the crisis and prevailed on the coup leaders from executing the detained erstwhile President and Prime Minister and even facilitated their safe passages out of the country. In Mali, Nigeria was the architect of the peace deal that installed a transitional government. Dr. Adekeye may wish to note that the draft Framework Agreement was initiated in Abuja at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nigeria was, therefore, not

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terest, was very decisive. The immediate result of Nigeria’s action was the protection of our nationals that remained behind in the country, even when we had dispatched an air craft to evacuate our citizens at the outbreak of the country’s civil war.

In a bid to encourage and promote the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into the country, Nigeria has signed bilateral agreements and MOUs with several countries in the areas of trade, technological cooperation, ICT, education, culture/tourism, etc.

The increased exchange of high level visits between Nigeria and other countries of the world have certainly enhanced Nigeria’s bilateral cooperation with these countries.

•Ogbole Ode is Acting Director/ Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs To be concluded

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 — 21

CBN begins second phase cashless policy July 1

BY PETER EGWUATU

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has affirmed that the second phase of the cashless initiative will begin July 1, 2013. Deputy Governor, Operations, CBN,Mr. Tunde Lemo, confirmed this weekend, saying that the planned extension of the cashless policy to five states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from July 1 still holds. The states to implement the cashless initiative include Rivers, Kano, Anambra, Ogun and Abia as well as the FCT. According to Lemo, the states and the FCT were chosen because of the large volume of cash transactions in some of their major cities. He explained that in order to achieve the target, the apex bank and lenders had already drawn a road map, which is being followed meticulously. “We are ready to roll out to the six other states and there would be no change in date. We are not shifting the goal post. We have a road map, which is being followed and we are fully prepared,” he said. It

From left: Head, Human Resources Department, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Ms Pai Gamde; Chief of Staff/Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko and Director/Head of Assets Management, FBN Capital, Mr. Michael Oyebola at the NSE Retail Investors’ Clinic, in Lagos. will be recalled that the cashless policy, whose implementation began in Lagos in January, last year, is aimed at re-

ducing the dominance of cash in the system. The policy specifies penal charges for individuals and corporate organisa-

tions that want to withdraw or lodge cash above prescribed limits.

Under the policy, the CBN

Lekki Port construction project on course —Project Manager

never seen before in the maritime sector, Vanamali said.”

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

A

GAINST the speculation that construction of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise is being delayed by paucity of funds, the Project Manager, Mr. Tejaswi A. Vanamali, has assured that they are on track to meet the Q3 2016 operational take-off date, and are set to complete the financial obligation by third quarter of the year.

Conducting journalists round the 90 hectares of land facility on Thursday, Vanamali said that both Tolaram, which is the lead sponsor of the project and the Lagos State Government, which is also a shareholder, have made their own part of financial commitment, while US$117 million expected from the federal government would be made available before the end of this week.

So far, he said that US$ 800million has been committed to the project, while 33 out of 36 project permits have already been secured.

“Our commitment to ensuring that we meet the scheduled operational date has seen us spare nothing in achieving it.

As at today, we are happy to confidently say that all market engineering and impact studies have been completed over the last six years; likewise the

Lekki port site has been gazetted as port area by the federal government. It is important to note that the Environmental Import Assessment study (EIA) has been fully completed with IFC/World Bank guidelines.

“Container terminal sub-concession has been awarded to International Common User

Terminal Operator, ICTSI, focusing on emerging markets after a tedious competitive bidding. Also shareholders agreement has been signed between the sponsors, NPA and the Lagos State Government. We are very much on course and in no distant time, Nigerians, the entire West African region would witness a revolution

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Mr. Haresh Aswani, emphasised that the deepsea port, which would be located 65 km east of Lagos Mainland would become the gateway to West African region and would be one of the most efficient and modern maritime facilities that would cater to containerised liquid and dry bulk cargo par international standards.

147.65

You need strong data base for development, World Bank tells FG

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU & ALICE FESTUS

A

S Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenge of reliable data, the World Bank has urged the Federal Government to build a strong and reliable data base to monitor its development agenda.

The Country Director of World Bank, Marie Nelly, gave the advice at the stakeholders ‘consultative forum on the production and management of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDA’s sector statistics, in Abuja.

According to her, “In Nigeria, like in any other country, where development strategies are invariably designed to reduce poverty and improve welfare of people, the impor-

pegged the daily cumulative cash withdrawal or deposit limit for individual accounts at N500,000 per day and N3 million per day for corporate accounts.

Lemo had in the first phase said: “When we talk about nationwide roll-out, we are also being careful to ensure that we make use of resources in a smart way. Cash doesn’t flow in the same volume in every state of the federation. What we would do in July is to look at those other market clusters where large amount of volume is transacted and add them to Lagos.”

1.85

2,320.00 -16.00 17.39

-0.08

tant of having strong statistical systems 103.72 -0.75 to enhance countries ‘ability to control and monitor its own development agenda can95.84 -0.55 not be over-emphasized.

“No meaningful design, development, monitoring or evaluation of national strat- CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING egies can take place without quality sta- DOLLAR 154.75 155.25 155.75 242.5183 tistic to identify socio-economic problems, POUNDS 240.9612 241.7398 203.4034 204.0606 204.7178 guide formulation and implementation of EURO FRANC 162.7234 163.2492 163.775 development policies.

YEN 1.5672 1.5723 1.5774 “In other words, in order to foster de- CFA 0.2909 0.3009 0.3109 232.8606 233.613 234.3654 velopment and measure achievements, we WAUA 25.4029 must establish data and the data at the RENMINBI 25.2389 25.3209 RIYA 41.2645 41.3978 41.5311 end-target period. This is Monitoring and KRONA 27.2807 27.3689 27.457 Evaluation, M&E, concept which you are SDR 233.951 234.707 235.4629 all familiar with. This is true at federal CBN Exchange rate as at 13/05/2013 level; it is equally true at state level.”

22 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Cadbury pays N1.5bn dividends after 7 years ...receives N2.8bn EEG grants

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

C

ADBURY Nigeria Plc is paying its shareholders dividend totaling N1.564 billion for financial year ended December 31, 2012.

This was after seven years without dividend paid to its shareholders due to profits ploughed back by the company’s management to rebuild and sustain the business.

The Company also got N2.8 billion as Export Expansion Grants from the Federal Government through the Nigerian Export Promotion Council for promoting non- oil exports in the country during the year under review.

“It’s a dividend of efficiency,” Atedo Peterside, Board Chairman, told the shareholders during their 48th annual general meeting in Lagos.

“We are pleased to be in a position to pay dividend to our shareholders this year; also we sincerely appreciate the support and patience of all our shareholders throughout the years of rebuilding the company when profits were ploughed back to sustain the business and dividends could not be paid,” he said.

He attributed the ability of management to have paid dividend this year, to “Operational efficiencies and cost control programmess of the company, which provided a strong plat-

form to ensure that this top-line performance was not translated into the company’s profitability for the year under review.

“Thus, profit before tax for the year grew from N5 billion in 2011 to N5.5 billion in 2012.

The company recorded a profit after tax of N3.4 billion.

“In view of this strong profit-

ability and concomitant boost to the company’s shareholders’ fund, the Board decided to pay a total dividend of N1.564 billion,” he said.

Shareholders present at the meeting applauded the management of the company for the turn -around and profitability recorded in spite of the external challenges of doing

business in the country.

The company’s Annual Report for the year also showed that it received N2.8 billion exports incentive, granted by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for sales of its cocoa products through its subsidiary, Stanmark Cocoa Processing Limited, Ondo State.

From left: Executive Director, Market Operations Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo; Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mr. Oluwole Oshin; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri and Chairman, Interstate Securities Limited, Mr. Richard Asabia at the Bell Ringing Ceremony in commemoration of the successful conclusion of merger exercise between Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc and Crusader (Nigeria) Plc at the NSE.

UAC, Imperial Logistics sign N4.21bn partnership deal

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

U

AC Nigeria Plc, yester day said that it has entered into a N4.21 billion business partnership with Imperial Logistics, a leading international logistics and supply chain arm of the South Africabased Imperial Holdings Limited.

The agreement will see Imperial Logistics acquiring 49 percent equity stake in MDS Logistics Plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAC. UAC on its own will retain the remaining 51 percent majority stake in MDS Logistics Plc. The Joint Venture, according to a statement signed by the Head Corporate Communication, UACN, Mr. Mike Asuquo, was driven by the need for a strategic partnership with an experienced international operator that would bring technical expertise into the Company.

“Imperial Logistics, a division of the Imperial group established in 1946, is an international logistics and supply chain leader delivering excellence in end-to-end logistics and supply chain management with operations in several Afri-

can countries and in Europe,” the statement added.

Commenting on the rationale for the transaction, UACN’s Group Managing Director/ CEO, Mr Larry Ettah,s said: “We look forward to working together with Imperial Logistics as our strategic partner to engage the underserved and fast- growing logistics market in Nigeria.

We believe this transaction creates an outstanding opportuni-

ty to drive growth in MDS. The combination of MDS’ vital local experience and the value adding international logistics expertise of Imperial Logistics will lead to efficiencies and raise benchmarks in Nigeria for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

Mr Marius Swanepoel, CEO of Imperial Logistics, added: “Our newest acquisition strengthens Imperial Logistics’ footprint in Africa and is consis-

tent with our strategy of focusing on consumer opportunities in Africa and following our customer base on the continent.

MDS has a quality customer base with a strong new business pipeline. Through the transaction, Imperial has also secured a specialist management team which strengthens and complements the group’s existing skills set in the logistics business.”

UK leads trade delegation for SMEs development to Nigeria

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

HE United Kingdom’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Chuka Umunna, has led a joint London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI and United Kingdom Trade and investment, UKTI, North West trade mission to strengthen the Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Umunna said the mission is to give small and medium sized businesses the opportunity to meet prospec-

tive clients, as well as business organisations in Nigeria.

He said, “Emphasis is rightly put on the need to increase our exports to the BRIC economies, but we also need a push to boost trade with the next generation of emerging economies, which include a large number of countries in Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to achieve a growth rate of over five percent over the next two years and Africa’s middle class is forecast to grow to over one billion over the next five decades – that’s a whole lot of demand, which Britain needs

to make most of if we want to compete and pay our way in the world.

“Nigeria is on course to become the leading economy in Sub-Saharan Africa in the next decade. Particularly given our historic links, linguistic ties and the large Diaspora communities from Nigeria in the UK, there is huge potential for us to increase our trade and for British firms benefit,” he said.

He added that he has great expectations that the trade mission will help build stronger links between the Nigerian economy and the UK.

BRIEF NEPC sets up cashew processing plant in Enugu

BY HANAH ISIBOR

T

HE Nigerian Export Pro motion Council, NEPC, has set up a cashew processing plant at Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to assist women engaged in business activity.

This renovation was supported by Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The chairman of the local government, Dr Godwin Abonyi, in his statement said, the collaboration was meant to tap the potential of abundant cashew farming in the area.

“The women have been processing the cashew nuts manually for many years, the plant would not only increase their output but also standardise their product.

“The involvement of the NEPC was to ease the export potential of the product, which has become an international commodity.

Speaking further, Mr Robinson Ndaguba, the acting coordinator of Commercial Agricultural Development, said the collaboration would bring out the potential of the abundant cashew nuts in the area.

He said the plant would add value to the processed cashew nuts and make them competitive in the international market.

Abblat launches new ginseng product

A

BBLAT Company Nige ria Limited, makers of popular Yoyo Bitters, has launched a new product, Yoyo Sappiro Lemon Ginseng Liquor, which aimed at ensuring people enjoy life to the fullest.

Managing Director, Dr Abiola Oluwatobi, making public presentation of the product in Lagos at the weekend, noted that the premium herbal blend, beyond being an aphrodisiac, is an alcoholic beverage that is fortified with herbs that boost the immune system and is beneficial to both male and female.

Yoyo Sappiro, which contains 42 percent alcohol, among other ingredients, according to him, was a product of painstaking research which spanned five years. “It is a dream comes true.

Good product requires good plan. Our research and Development Unit has been on it for almost five years and today, we are proud to say that we have a product we are all proud of”, he said.

He listed contents of Yoyo Sappiro to include extracts from natural ingredients for healthy and active life sustenance like water, ethyl alcohol and lemon grass.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—23

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24 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—25

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26— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

PIB: NEITI seeks reduction in powers of Petroleum Minister HE Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, has kicked against certain provisions of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, especially sections that seek to increase the powers of the minister of petroleum, calling for a review of the Bill to limit the powers of the minister.

“In order to ensure transparency in the administration and regulation of the petroleum industry, it is necessary to limit the powers of the minister — who is presently in charge of policy, regulations and operations — to policy formulation, review and monitoring and create strong autonomous institutions that will promote effective governance and controls in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources,” NEITI said, in a report titled, ‘NEITI position on the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012.’

NEITI said the PIB creates a very powerful Minister, even more than under the Petroleum Act 1969, adding that the new Bill has restored and enlarged the powers of the minister which were expunged in the PIB 2009 by the Senate of the sixth National Assembly.

It maintained that the concentration of immense powers in the hands of a political appointee may affect transparency and accountability, and compromise the due process that the Bill seeks to enthrone.

Empower institutions NEITI is of the opinion that the institutions of the PIB must be empowered and given sufficient autonomy, adding that it is in line with best international practice, and in the best interests of the country for the Ministers regulatory and managerial powers in the PIB to be reduced, leaving the Minister to be primarily concerned with policy matters, and not with the dayto-day running of the industry.

“Appointments and removal of heads of institutions created by the Bill should be subject to the approval of the national assembly except where an institution is privatised.

This is to reduce possible interference by the executive, thereby aiding the full functioning of the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” NEITI stated in the report made available to Vanguard.

Continuing, NEITI said, C M Y K

“The office of the Minister is central to the structure of the Nigerian oil and gas industry under the PIB 2012. The Minister formulates and monitors government policy and advises the government on all matters pertaining to the petroleum industry.

“He or she advises the President on the appointments of the Chief Executives of the Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, the National Oil Company, the

“The Minister may, upon the advice of any of the PIB institutions, make regulations necessary to give effect to the provisions of the PIB 2012 (Section 8). The extensive powers of the Minister include the right of pre-emption of all petroleum and petroleum products obtained, marketed or otherwise dealt with under any license or lease granted under this Act (Section 7).

“There are valid fears that this centralisation of decision-making powers will create unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.

SPDC tests five gas wells in Gbaran–Ubie project

S

HELL Petroleum Devel opment Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) is testing the potentials of five gas wells as it progresses implementation of the Gbaran-Ubie project in Bayelsa State. The exercise which began two weeks ago involves brief simulated production to determine the potentials of the wells and flaring of released gas in isolated locations. On completion of the tests, the wells will be hooked up to the Gbaran – Ubie central processing facility which will process the gas for domestic and export markets. One of the recipients of the gas is the Bayelsa State gas turbine at Imiringi.

In line with industry regulations, SPDC had secured permit from the Department of Petroleum Resources and engaged communities before commencing the well tests.

Project lead Gbaran – Ubie Phase 2, Calistus Iwu said: “The testing of the gas wells is standard international practice and the exercise will last about four weeks. As we explained to the communities, the flares from the tests for each well typically lasts only a few days.”

Seplat JV begins 2013 CSR in host communities

BY KUNLE KALEJAIYE

Oil rig National Asset Management Corporation and any other Government agency or corporate entity established pursuant to this Act (Section 6).

“The Minister is the Chairman of the Boards of the Petroleum Technology De-

,

T

BY MICHAEL EBOH

BRIEF

Appointments and removal of heads of institutions created by the Bill should be subject to the approval of the National Assembly except where an institution is privatised

,

velopment Fund (PTDF), Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) Management Board and the Nigerian Petroleum Assets Management Corporation Board, contrary to previous drafts, while the Minister’s representative is a member of the Boards of the Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

“The powers of the Minister are such that several critical functions of the agencies are stipulated to be subject to the Minister ’s approval. For instance, the power of the Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency to develop and implement market rules for trading in wholesale downstream gas is subject to the approval of the Minister (Section 45).

In addition, the processes involved in obtaining the approval of the Minister for key activities of the institutions could hinder the over-all effectiveness of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. “ Furthermore, NEITI kicked against the planned structure of some of the regulatory agencies in the petroleum industry, especially the movement of certain key and sensitive agency to the office of the minister of petroleum as a special unit, saying this move will undermine transparency and professionalism in the oil industry.

PTB’s proposed structure will undermine transparency A case in point is the proposed Petroleum Technical Bureau, PTB, which NEITI said will run contrary to the tenets of reform, especially as it will undermine transparency and professionalism.

It said, “Section 9(3) of the PIB creates the Petroleum Technical Bureau as a special unit in the office of the Minister, stating that it shall, ‘in addition, carry out the duties of the former Frontier Exploration Services of the NNPC.’ “NEITI is aware that this represents a complete departure from what was previously envisaged. Not only is it unknown to any jurisdiction in the world, it is clearly contrary to international best practice, as it creates a weak policy arm for the national petroleum industry.

S

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Limited, a major indigenous player in the petroleum exploration and production business in Nigeria and its Joint Venture partner, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC have commenced its 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiatives in host communities.

The 2013 edition of the free eye health programme tagged Seplat Eye Can See CSR initiative is a concerted effort by duo to help the people in Edo and Delta State who play host to their operations to enjoy good health.

NPDC / Seplat operators of Oil Mining Leases 4, 38, and 41 Joint venture Assets, eye sight correction/ restoration programme is an extension of SEPLAT’s Corporate Social Investment initiatives and continuing community engagement platforms which focus on bringing high quality health care to company’s host and impact communities.

According to statement signed by the General Manager Public Affairs and New Business Development, Seplat, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku said the programme comes on the heels of the NPDC/Seplat’s maternal health care project, Seplat safe motherhood project, which provided first-rate health and counseling services to pregnant women including the distribution of pregnancy kit, bags and insecticide treated nets to them.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—27

PIB and Dodd-Frank 1504 Anti-Corruption Act (1) I

N July 2010, the United States Congress carried out a robust reform of the financial industry with the passage of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) The act is geared towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the U.S. financial system. Section 1504 of the Act introduces mandatory disclosure requirements for extractive companies. The Act requires companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to publicly report how much they pay to governments for access to oil, gas and minerals. It is a powerful tool that allows investors to properly assess risk and the citizens to see the value placed on their natural resources.

In 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted final rules for the implementation of DoddFrank 1504. There are several provisions of Section 1504 with implications for the governance of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The SEC final rules mandates statutory disclosure requirements on oil and gas companies among others in the resource extraction sector to proOil vessel vide information in their annual reports (form 10-K) on pay- mum threshold for reporting form resonates in passing a roments made to the U.S. or for- payments is US$100,000 in the bust Petroleum Industry Bill reeign governments for the com- most recent fiscal year. mains to be seen. mercial development of oil, With the recent hues and cries In spite of its sizable oil and natural gas and minerals on a about the weak transparency natural gas reserve, Nigeria country and project basis. The framework of the proposed pe- remains poor and conflict-ridrules cover exploration, pro- troleum industry bill (PIB), it den. This contrast between recessing, export and the grant- therefore becomes imperative source wealth, slow economic ing of licenses for these activi- to examine the implications of growth and poverty is deties. A wide range of payments Dodd-Frank 1504 for the gov- scribed as the ‘natural resource are to be reported including ernance of Nigeria’s oil and curse’ (Richard Auty 1993). taxes, royalties, fees (license gas sector. Section 1504 of the Transparency in the goverand acreage fees), production U.S. Dodd-Frank Act signals nance of emerging economies entitlements, bonuses and oth- that extractive sector transpar- oil and gas industry such as er material revenues arising ency is now a transnational pol- Nigeria has become a major from commercial development icy issue, how this important re- policy issue, given the impliof extractive sectors. The mini-

Oil & People •FELIX AYANRUOH felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

cations for economic development.

Dr. Rilwan Lukman, erstwhile minister of petroleum resources, while commenting on the botched 2008 PIB said, “Good governance is promoted through the removal of much of the confidentiality as well as creating transparency. Confidentiality encourages corruption. The best way to fight corruption is to remove confidentiality for all procedures, contracts and payments. Every Nigerian including all stake-

holders should have the right to know what is going on. The bill removes confidentiality on a scale not seen in the world before. Nigeria will move in one step from one of the most opaque petroleum nations in Africa, to one of the most open and transparent in the world.

The texts of all licenses, leases and contracts and any of the changes to such documents will no longer be confidential.

Payments to the government of Nigeria will be public information.”

The draft PIB is in conformity with international best practices that prohibit the use of confidentiality clauses in the upstream petroleum industry by proposing changes that will improve transparency, keeping royalty payments and oil company profit taxes public for the first time. However, transparency provisions concerning corporate income tax, hydrocarbon tax, payment to government, including signature bonuses and production sharing are missing from the bill. Also, provisions that would have mandated the government to report how much oil it pumps and all the payments it receives from oil companies – in an industry where secrecy is blamed for corruption- is missing from the bill.

To be continued.

IPMAN advises members to re-strategise on investment plan

BY KUNLE KALEJAIYE

I

N an effort to impro ve the fortunes of the downstream sector of Nigeria oil and gas industry, the Western Zone arm of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has advised its members to restrategise their business investment’s plan.

Engineer Mark Obu, the past Chairman of IPMAN Satellite Depot, Ejigbo gave the advised at the one-day seminar for all elected officers of IPMAN depots and zones, which was tagged “IPMAN past, present and future’’ in Ibadan.

Obu urged executive members to look beyond its present investment and take the association to the next C M Y K

level by re-engineering the association and think of how to empower the members rather than seeking only self interest and personal gain.

According to him, “It is better late than never, but we can still embark on building or buying or taking over a depot that can be controlled

by IPMAN which will be purely owned by us.

The past chairman said that importation of petrol and kerosene should not be a challenge for all members if the association has committed leaders at the zonal level that can muster at least 200 members who will be committed to pay a deposit of N1 million each to fast track importation of kerosene and petrol for the benefit of the members.

Obu said that on arrival of petroleum products, the 200 members should be made to pay the balance while they are given priority in loading, adding that if non-marketers have benefitted so much in product importation why not IPMAN as a body.

He advised executive to look into buying existing depots that solely depend on NNPC product allocation which is currently not coming again as it was in the past, stating that IPMAN can negotiate with any of them, and agree to buy 60 or 100 per cent stake, while executive should work out the funding involving their members.

“IPMAN can still strengthen the co-operative societies in the depots and ploy back

some of the money made in the product allocation in the depot into co-operative society to make funds available to members to buy products at reasonable interest rate.

“We should also be able to buy off members’ stations who have issues with banks, while we turn around the stations, manage it in form of leasing and meeting the demand of such members after settling the banks and making reasonable profit for IPMAN,’’ he advised.

Speaking on a fully deregulated petroleum supply, Obu said that the country has been playing politics on the matter , adding that the highest allocation of products from NNPC depots are 2x 33,000 litres in satellite, 1x33,000 litres in Mosimi,

1x15,000 in Ibadan and most other depots are nil.

“Today, ex depot price for PMS (petrol) is N87.66 per litre while at the private depots it is going as high as N 94 per litre, how then can IPMAN members survive.

Also speaking, Barrister Dele Akinmusuti tasked members on discipline in all their business endeavours, adding that discipline is the bedrock of progress without which no association can be useful to its members.

According to him, “All stakeholders in the downstream sector of the oil industry, NUPENG, DAPMAN and MOMAN, IPMAN appears to be the least equipped and most undisciplined among its rank and file in the sector.”

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Transfer of Shell shares: Facts of the matter

BY VICTOR NWACHUKWU

W

HEN some repre sentatives of five oil communities in Delta State travelled all the way to the National Assembly complex in Abuja late last month, they somehow succeeded in giving life to the over flogged issue of the transfer of Shell shares in some onshore blocks.

The issue of operatorship of the oil blocks in which Shell relinquished its stake is perhaps the most explained issue in

the Nigerian oil industry in recent times. Yet, anytime it comes up, it is packaged to raise storm to obfuscate true motives.

For the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC), the divestment of Shell’s interest in some onshore oil fields was an opportunity for further growth: the operatorship of those fields had to change.

Shell is the operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55per cent); Shell (30per cent); Total Exploration Nigeria Limited (10per

cent); and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (5per cent) joint venture, otherwise called The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.

First, Shell sold its stake in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 38 and 41 last year to the Seplat Consort i u m .

Similar divestment plans, freed the operatorship of OMLs 30, 34, 40 and 42.

Shell, in conjunction with its multinational oil partners, tendered their 45 percent stake in the four oil fields for sale to interested oil companies

under a strategy to downsize its onshore operations in the Niger Delta.

But in this case, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) decided to exercise its right to operate the blocks.

Clause 2.6.2 of the JOA states that in the event of assignment, one of the non-operators in the JV shall become the successor operator, which in this case, is NNPC. The corporation automatically transferred the fields’ operatorship to its production subsidiary – a growth op-

portunity.

Following insinuations, partly fuelled by some people who wished for the operatorship of the fields, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke had repeatedly explained the issues, at length, in various inter-

views.

Eager to ensure that NPDC grows quickly to join the ranks of major national oil companies, the Ministry and the NNPC had developed a strategic growth plan for the subsidiary.

The Minister said, “according to the growth plan, if we followed it, in terms of moving assets or assigning certain assets to NPDC over the next four years or so, by 2015, NPDC should move from a company that was producing approximately 40,000 barrels when we came in last year per day to one that will be producing about 265,000 barrels per day. At which point they would be able to rub shoulders with the Petrobrases and Petronases of this world and that is critical for the country”.

A

nd there was a pre cedence to follow: “the first issue I had was with OML 119, for which NPDC has a service management contract with Agip and a Nigerian indigenous partner. But they now wanted to actually take the block from NPDC, compelling us to go through all kind of issues, and finally, with the support of Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan), I was able to resolve the issues pertaining to OML 119 for NPDC. And because of it, NPDC has gone from 40,000 barrels per day to a company that is producing almost 100,000 barrels a day. So we looked at others blocks and of course the Seplat-Shell issue had already come up. So, we quickly looked at OMLs 4, 38 and 41, and again there was the choice for us to assign (NNPC’s stake) to NPDC.” She continued with the case of the other blocks: “It is for this reason that some of these other blocks - OMLs 30, 42, 40 and 34 - that Shell and its partners are selling were included in the NPDC growth plan just for the main reason of growing NPDC because C M Y K

we consider them national security and economic risks….”

The minister gave additional reasons for transferring NNPC’s stake in the joint venture to NPDC. She said: “Besides, for two of the blocks - OMLs 30 and 34 - before they even started bidding, we looked at both blocks and we realised that they are contiguous and our entire gas supply sources in Utorogu and Ughelli are all there. Some 600 billion cubic feet of gas resides there alone and by 2014 latest we should be producing 600 million standard cubic feet per day…….”

But during the protest by the communities at the National Assembly, they alleged that the minister had secretly transferred production rights in four large oil blocks (OMLs 26, 30, 34, and 42) to Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited. In their petition, the communities alleged that there was “deliberate exclusion of indigenous rights to preemption and/ or first refusal and breach of open and competitive bidding on the four oil blocks.”

T

hey demanded an outright cancellation of “the on-going hand-over of OML 4, 26, 30, 34, 38, 41 and 42 to Atlantic Energy and Septa Energy” and that the deal “be put on hold pending the determination of the issues raised in the petition.”

The alleged transfer of the production rights for four OMLs to Atlantic Energy, which seems to be the basic assumption for the entire group’s other allegations, is flawed. The petitioners also alleged that “by such transfer, 60% ownership of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company’s 55% equity interest in the affected OMLs are transferred to Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept”.

But as the Petroleum Minister did over a year ago, the NNPC has cleared the obvious misunderstanding on the issue in response to the Senate, which is investigating the claims.

Victor Nwachukwu is a retired oil and gas executive.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—29

Okiro best suited to head the Police Service Commission

BY BARTH OZOANA

Nigeria’s Infrastructure Master Plan underway, says Onolememen

BY LEKE ADESERI

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HE Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, has declared that the country is in the process of developing a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (2014-2043).

According to him the move results from the fact that infrastructure stock in Nigeria today is far from being adequate which becomes even more evident when compared to countries such as Brazil, Turkey, India and South Africa.

Onolememmen said this recently in the United States of America at the occasion of the US-Nigeria infrastructure conference tagged “Building the Infrastructure for Nigeria’s vision 20:2020".

In his keynote address, the minister said: “This conference underscores the importance the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan attaches to the development of infrastructure in Nigeria in pursuit of the nation’s economic well being.

The transformation agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria is anchored on the vision 20:2020, which seeks to elevate the nation’s economy to be among the top 20 economies in the world in terms of growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year 2020.

“The transformation agenda is targeted at creating jobs to reduce unemployment; laying a foundation for economic growth; and improving the well being of Nigerians on a sustainable basis. To achieve these goals, the Federal Government plans

Works Minister, Mike Onolememen

development in Nigeria, by looking beyond its investments in oil and gas and take the lead in infrastructure investment, from transportation to housing infrastructure, from mining to manufacturing, and from tourism to information/ communication technology.

He said: “Africa has become an economic battle field of sort for the world’s economic giants.

In the last two decades, there has been an upsurge in Chinese and European investments in Africa. The United States of America has been a long friend of Nigeria through the efforts of both countries’ past leaders. Nigeria remains a major regional influence with the second largest economy in Africa, south of

,

Public Private Partnership funding mechanism requires the creation of a deregulated and competitive economic environment to attract foreign and local investments

to focus its attention in the next five years on priority sectors such as Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Trade and Investment, Health, Education, and Tourism.

“However, inadequate infrastructure continues to militate against the realization of the lofty objectives of the transformation agenda of the federal government of Nigeria and the nation’s vision 20:2020."

The minister urged American businessmen and investors to use the opportunity as a launching pad to reclaim America’s place of pride in business C M Y K

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the Sahara.

“As this opportunity beckons, America’s businesses should seize the moment and invest in Nigeria’s infrastructure development in order to exert commanding business influence in the Africa continent. When this happens, and I believe it will, not only will American businesses reap bountifully from their investments, but the robust friendship between the United States of America and Nigeria which was first cultivated in the 1960s by former President John Kennedy (USA) and former Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa

(Nigeria) and sustained by successive administrations and leaderships in both countries, and the labor of these past leaders would not have been in vain.

The minister also seized the opportunity to enlighten his audience about the administration’s transformation agenda which he said envisions the mobilization and harnessing of private sector funds for infrastructure development through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), as to supplement the increasingly limited resources of government.

Positive net present values Also, Arc Onolememen put together for his audience, bankable projects with confirmed ability to establish revenue streams, deliver positive net present value (NPV), allocate risks and have sufficient scale for absorbing transaction costs, as well as a high probability of success and acceptability to institutional leaders and financiers.

Pressing the issue further home, he said: “Public Private Partnership funding mechanism requires the creation of a deregulated and competitive economic environment to attract foreign and local investments.

“The federal government of Nigeria has since created such an environment for investors, and this accounts for the success stories of some investors such as MTN of South Africa, and Dangote group of Nigeria, among others who dared all odds to invest massively in Nigeria about 10 years ago.”

M

tors in an appointment of this nature are competence, integrity and dedication to duty.

We submit further without fear of contradiction that Mr. Mike Okiro has all the above qualities, and above all he is a detribalized Nigerian who will always put the country first, and above his personal or group interest. Before the Nigerian Civil War the then Chairman of the PSC, Alhaji Sule Katagum was a card carrying and staunch member of NPC (Northern People’s Congress). Also when the Obasanjo regime came on board Mr. Okeke (popularly called Ochendo) a staunch PDP member from the South-East became the Chairman of the PSC followed by the immediate past chairman of the PSC. It is interesting to observe that the author of the mischievous write-up even conceded that Mr. Mike Okiro is eminently qualified for the post of chairman of the PSC when he stated as follows, “while the former IGP might have qualified for the post on account of his experience in the Nigeria Police Force...” The writer’s reference to Section 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights did not enhance his contention that Mr. Mike Okiro, though qualified to head the PSC is precluded by some provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and a Section of the African Charter on Human

Y reaction to the recent write-up in one of the Social Media “9ja Community” written by one Femi Falana, not my respected learned friend, hardworking, courageous and humanitarian SAN, was to ignore the write-up by reasons of the many inexactitudes in its constitutional citation and wrong inferences therefrom. My further reservations emanated from the fact that the sections of the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights cited in the write-up in support of the fact that Mr.Okiro should not head the PSC were to the contrary i.e in support of Mr. Okiro’s appointment.

For instance, the writer stated in paragraph 3 as follows: “Section 156 thereof (i.e. the 1999 Constitution as amended) provides that a member of any such bodies shall not be required to belong to a political party.” The above statement is not only false but abysmally misleading. Section 156 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states as follows: “156 (1) No person shall be qualified for appointment as a member of any of the bodies aforesaid if- (a) He is not qualified or if he is disqualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives; (b) Within the preceding ten years, he has been removed as a member of any of the bodies or as the holder of any other office on the ground of misconduct.

(2) Any person employed in the public service of the Federation shall not be disqualified for appointment as a chairman or member of any of such bodies; provided Sir Mike Okiro that where such person has been duly appoint- and Peoples Rights (Ratification ed he shall, on his appoint- and Enforcement) Act. ment, be deemed to have reOn the contrary, Mr. Mike signed his former office as Okiro’s appointment by the from the date of the appoint- president had received thunment. derous ovation and approbation (3) No person shall be qual- by most Nigerians, including ified for appointment to any serving police officers. For exof the bodies aforesaid if, hav- ample, on page 13 of The ing previously been appoint- Punch Newspaper of Friday, ed as a member otherwise May10, 2013, it was stated that than as an ex-officio member the AIG Zone two Lagos deof the body, he has been re- scribed the appointment of Mr. appointed for a further term Mike Okiro as the PSC Chairas a member of the same body." man “as a blessing to the force” From the above Section 156 while the AIG Zone 5, Benin of the 1999 Constitution ren- described the appointment “as dered verbatim it will be seen the best appointment in the histhat the provisions do not re- tory of the PSC and he will perquire that the member of such form very well because he is a bodies “shall not be required man of integrity.” The author to belong to a political party.” is looking for cheap publicity The 1999 Constitution does not by being the agent of enemies put any impediment on the of progress and those that do way of any Nigerian. Rather not wish the Police well. on the contrary all such mem•Ozoana, is a Legal Practibers from time immemorial tioner, Notary Public & Retired had always belonged to a po- Police Officer litical party. The important fac-

30—Vanguard , TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

By Theodore Opara

Over-speeding, major cause of accidents — FRSC •Flags off ‘Operation Shield’

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•Toyota RAV 4

BKG boss commends exhibitors at Lagos Motor show M

ANAGING Director of BKG Exhibitions and chairman, organising committee of Lagos Motor Show, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, has commended participants at the ongoing Lagos Motor Show for seeing opportunities where others are seeing problems.

Mr. Agwu who spoke at the opening of the show at Federal Palace Hotel over the weekend, while commending the exhibitors for defying all odds to be at the show said that the competition to capture market is getting tougher.

“Our dear participants, I commend you all for defying all odds to be here.

The competition to capture this important market in Africa is getting stronger and it is becoming a market one cannot play with if we want to stay long in the global automobile,” he said.

According to the BKG boss, “coming this far has not been easy as the challenges have been enormous but we are not giving up.”

Continuing, he said that they were looking at the future, believing that the mission and vision of organising the fair will be realised one day. He noted that, hosting world-class auto shows is highly essential in fast tracking the development of the automotive industry.

This, he said informed the resolve to partner reputable global fairs and exhibition companies in organising the fair.

Mr. Agwu explained that “strategically since the last edition, we have been increasing the tempo on the Spare Parts sector. In conjunction with our foreign partners; we have brought in reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of auto spare parts (OEM’s) across the world to participate in the show. The aim is to leapfrog the development of a viable spare parts subsector to service the rapidly evolving auto manufacturing sector.

C M Y K

According to him development of the automotive sector that we cannot but do all we can to seeing that this important market enjoys the full benefits of having a befitting auto show. We have packaged a show that could effectively be used by the participants and visitors to maximize the benefits derivable in the Nigerian automotive sector.

According to him, Lagos is so central to the development of the automotive sector that we cannot but do all we can to seeing that this important market enjoys the full benefits of having a befitting auto show. We have packed a show that could effectively be used by the participants and visitors to maximise the benefits derivable in the Nigerian automotive sector. The Lagos Motor Fair remains the unparalleled gathering of established brands as well as new entrants and the range is wide. From passenger buses, cars, trucks, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, financial and many more.

He noted that, the importance of continuously staging this show cannot be over-emphasized. To be able to consistently host and take this auto show to world class standard requires the support of the stakeholders in the industry as well as the government. I therefore, call on the government especially the Lagos State Government to support our efforts at hosting this annual auto show to the standard that befits the state’s status as the fastest growing mega city in the world. The opportunities and potentials of the Lagos Motor show is one the state could leverage on to promote ‘economic tourism’ which will give a big boost to her economy.

He however commended the bold

initiative of CC Auto FZE, the distributors of FAW Buses and Trucks in Nigeria- a first time participant in bringing the major city of Changchun Municipal Peoples Government of the Jilin Province of the People’s Republic of China to the 8th Lagos Motor Show, through a Trade Delegation led by the Deputy Mayor of the Province, Mr, GUIGUANGLI.

•Hyundai Sonata •Kia Quoris

HE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has identified overspeeding as one of the major causes of road traffic accidents just as it flagged off a special patrol tagged “Operation Shield”.

Addressing journalists over the weekend at Mowe, Ogun State, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Deputy Corps Marshal, Motor Vehicle Administration, Mr. Danjuma Garba, said that the operation was in line with their determination to reduce road crashes and fatalities along critical corridors of the nation’s highways.

He explained that the special patrol coincided with this year ’s United Nations Global Safety Week with the theme “Pedestrian Safety” which is aimed at drawing attention to the urgent need to protect pedestrians.

The Deputy Corps Marshal who was accompanied by the FRSC Zonal Commander Lagos and Ogun, Mr. Ademola Lawal and the Lagos Sector Commander N. Akpabio stated that the corps is committed to achieving United Nations goal of the decade of action for road safety (2011-2020) which seeks to achieve 50 per cent reduction in road crashes and fatality by 2020.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—31

All-new Porsche Cayman hits Stallion showrooms

•Porshe Cayman: Rear and front views

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he Porsche Centre Lagos has unveiled the modified version of Porsche Cayman, one of world’s most celebrated sports cars of all times.

Completely redesigned the Cayman is in its third generation, A rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive and two-seater sports car, Porsche Cayman is an entirely elitist coupe derived from Porsche’s second and third generation Boxster roadster and the 911 Carrera.

The Cayman, has since it was introduced into the Porsche lineup seven years ago stands out as the most entertaining and engaging sports ever.

Porsche says the all new Cayman promises to set an even higher standard based on series of modifications the automaker has added to make the car more powerful, faster and elegant than its predecessor.

Mr. Julian Hardy, Deputy Managing Director, European Brand, Stallion Motors Limited, owners of Porsche franchise in Nigeria acknowledged these enhancements in his product analysis of the new Cayman.

He said the styling of the new Cayman is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, remarking that the newcomer has been upgraded with new optional features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ADC) for the first time.

ADC controls the distance to the car ahead in traffic and the vehicle speed.

Also adding that the new Cayman comes with optional Entry and Drive Keyless system that can be factory installed, Mr. Wagner said: “though at a glance the coupe looks remarkably similar to its sleek predecessor, a closer inspection reveals it is longer and wider than before, while the sharper edged design gives the Cayman a more aggressive stance.”

For instance, the newly designed tailpipes of the exhaust system visually terminates at a low central point allowing the Cayman to get an oval tailpipe and the Cayman ‘S’ has two-

branch dual tailpipes.

Available in two versions of 2.7litre and 3.4litre, the base (standard) Cayman is equipped with 2.7liter flat six engine that is mounted on a six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed Porsche PDK, producing 275hp with 214 Ibft of toque which is 10 times more than its previous model.

The Cayman ‘S’ on the other

hand on the other hand is mated to an upscale 3.4litre flat six engine that produces 325hp and 273 Ib-ft with sixspeed manual transmission or optional seven-speed Porsche PDK (automatic dual clutch).

Both engines are up to 15 percent more fuel efficient due to their petrol direct injection thermal management, electrical

system recuperation and auto start/stop function.

Mr. Hardy said Porsche engineers placed high priority on turning of the Cayman not just to improve the driving performance and agility of the car but to simultaneously enhance the comfort and everyday practicality.

Electromechanical power steering has also replaced the previous hydraulic system in

the Cayman to allow drivers experience the agility of the Cayman even more intensively, the European brand director affirmed.

These modifications according Mr. Hardy are all intended to enhance the capacity, refinement and comfort of the Cayman thus making it more relaxing in long distance drive.

CC Auto FEZ to roll out vehicles from Calabar plant

C

C Auto FZE, partners to First Automobile Works (FAW) of China has concluded plans to assemble FAW range of automobiles in Nigeria at its the Calabar Free Trade Zone plant.

The company which is currently exhibiting some of its products at the on-going Lagos Motor show at Federal Palace Hotel Lagos said that it will roll out its first set of automobiles from their assembly plant at Calabar plant before the end of the year.

Speaking with Vanguard Motoring, the chairman CC Auto FZE, Mr. Sun Wenzheng explained that FAW is China’s leading auto-maker which churns out millions of automobiles annually with over 300,000 staff in its payroll. The company had joint venture with Toyota, Volkswagen, Mazda, Audi in China and is regarded as Chinas number one vehicle manufacturers.

Their partnership with these companies gave them

an edge in automobile production. The chairman, further explained that their aim is to produce brand new durable automobiles for Nigerians at a very affordable price. According to him, vehicles apart from being affordable and durable would meet the transport needs of Nigerians in their various categories. The company has the capacity to produce highway trucks, trailer, offroad dumper, excavation dump truck, cross-country truck.

Grand Vitara for unveiling, Thursday

C

&I Motors, sole distributors of Suzuki brand of automobile in Nigeria will on Thursday unveil the all-new Suzuki Grand Vitara at the on-going Lagos Motor Fair at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. Acting Managing Director, C&I Motors, Mrs. Maureen Ogbonna who disclosed this during her meeting with the Motoring Press in her Lagos office said that the new Grand Vitara is an SUV in a class of its own, hence, they have decided to unveil it at the Lagos Motor Fair holding in Federal Palace Hotel.

Though Mrs. Ogbonna could not disclose the special features of the car to the Motoring Press, she simply said “seeing is believing. You are about to see one of the best

SUV ever crafted by the Japanese auto makers..”

According to her, Grand Vitara is a premium SUV by all standard with amazing performance, comfort and safety. “It is a desert warrior and grandeur blended with power.” The managing director therefore, urged car buyers to visit the motor show so as to compare the Suzuki Grand Vitara with its competitors from other makers, adding that the customers would definitely see the edge of the Suzuki Grand Vitara has overr competition.

“It is a full time sport utility vehicle with umarched features in its segment. It is competitively priced and has low running cost when compared to its competitors.”

On how she would steer the company to greater heights, Mrs. Ogbonna said that they would make after-sales key in their business.

“Our focus is to be in every part of the country with good after-sales backup, knowing that after-sales is the mainstay of our business she said.”

Other are; self-loader, fuel tanker, pickup truck, minitruck, minibus etc.

The CC Auto boss who could not give a specific date when they would roll out the vehicles, explained that the company intends to start with the production of mini-buses and light tricks, before the year runs out.

CC Auto FZE is a Chinese enterprises found in 2009, based on Chinese Changchun Auto industry Cluster which is the manufacturer of the first Chinese truck. In Nigeria, it is located Calabar Free Trade zone. CC Auto FZE integrates all necessary resources including technique, pats for production and assembly from the birth place of China automobile industry.

In Nigeria, he said, “we are determined to continuously roll out China automobile manufacturing technology that matches international standards which would transform automobile manufacturing in the country.

•Suzuki Grand Vitara

C M Y K

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—33

US highlights procedures for NIV applicants

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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HE United States Mission in Nigeria has advised all prospective nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants who wish to travel to the U.S. during Summer 2013 to process their documentations quite ahead of planned dates of travel.

In doing so, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence Mission warns McCulley applicants against presentation of passports that are not created when they made their valid, as the Immigration regulations original appointment before the of the United States as well as those original appointment date. of many other countries require that Applicants may also contact the passports must be valid for at least country-wide NIV appointment call six months beyond the dates of travel. center by phone, if so desired. It is In other words, if an applicant’s important for an applicant to follow passport is due to expire within six instructions as they are provided on months of planned dates of travel, the said page to avoid unwarranted he/she should immediately renew the delay. passport before making any The printing of NIVs take three appointment. business days from the time of the The NIV appointment system for interview, but due to the volume and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria which logistical necessities present, the is managed by a third-party provider U.S Mission in Nigeria regrets its through the US Travel Documents inability to expedite NIV printing, website, instructs that all Non- and as a result of this, NIV applicants immigrants visa (NIV) appointments are strongly advised to avoid making must be made through the US Travel irrevocable travel plans until they Docs website directly. Applicants have their passport and NIV in hand. who seek detailed instructions on Prospective NIV applicants who may how to book a visa appointment in have individual questions in relation to the NIV The U.S. Mission in Nigeria application process should contact the strongly encourages US embassy by prospective applicants to book mail.

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appointments themselves and not endorse the use of thirdparty services, which includes touts or fixers

Lagos and Abuja as well as detailed information concerning costs and documentation procedures, should endeavor to “visit ustraveldocs.com”.

Updated instructions on the NIV appointment process are also available to applicants at the ‘nigeria.usembassy.gov,’ under the “Visas” tab, that is provided on the link. In view of the above, therefore, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria strongly encourages prospective applicants to book appointments themselves and not endorse the use of third-party services, which includes touts or fixers.

Applicants are, however, better of when they book or broker NIV appointments themselves so that they would be able to provide the interviewing officer with the exact information they filled online during interview.

Applicants are also advised to note that the current wait time for an NIV appointment in both Lagos and Abuja is approximately two weeks, and those who wish to reschedule, expedite or cancel an appointment, should ensure they visit same website to log in to the account they

Documentation procedure for U.S citizens While wishing Nigerians an enjoyable summer and safe travels to the U.S, the Mission uses this opportunity to highlight the procedures that U.S. citizens should observe in the process of passports renewal. Herein, U.S. citizens are reminded that all non-emergency U.S. Citizen Services such as U.S. passport renewal are provided by appointment only.

Appointments for U.S. passport renewal as well as for all other nonemergency citizen services can be made by visiting the Mission’s appropriate link. The citizens are also provided with complete information on U.S. passport renewal requirements, as well as downloadable forms at www.travel.state.gov.

For the fact that U.S. passports are printed in the United States and expectedly take two to three weeks to prepare, U.S citizens who plan to embark on a trip back to the States are encouraged therefore, to always make travel plans as far ahead as possible in order to avoid unnecessary delay.

consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

A world without scruples

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how far will you go to get out of a situation?

The story below is narrated by a young, Public Relations executive named Cynthia who after an affair with a charming, young man went into depression for almost two year. How did it happened? Find out as she shares her story below: Dear readers, Please do write and share with us if you or anyone has fallen victim or escaped from the clutches or traps of these Internet predators or fraudsters.

From your own experience, how do you think Internet predators can be curtailed? Your contribution might be the saving grace for other unsuspecting Nigerians. Send your contributions to: thehumanangle93@yahoo.com or P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Kirikiri Canal. I’m looking forward to read from you.

He was the sort of guy most girls dream to have as husband and I considered myself extremely lucky to have gotten him. He is everything that you will want in a man.

Added to that is the confidence and charisma that oozed from him. He was loaded to the teeth.

We had met at a bachelor ’s eve party of one of his friends. I had attended to help out with the food and serving being a friend to that family.

Everything just clicked perfectly. I was a bit younger than him and I guessed I must have been younger than most of the girls he had been with.

So, I think he found it somehow fascinating dealing with me. It was

very late before I realised that all those rumours I’d been hearing about his activities with women were true.

When I look back at everything that happened, I think he just wanted to have his fun and move on.

However, in my case, he did not know how to go about it. He called me his baby and treated me with much respect, care and love. He spoiled me silly and I was the envy

weekend. I would have insisted that we held the wedding almost immediately but he told me he was busy with a project and needed a lot of money to execute it.

He wanted to have his dream wedding and would rather wait for the money. Which girl would not like to have a Cinderella wedding?

So, while I was praying and waiting for the completion of his project, I never knew my fiance had other plans.

You will not believe the shock of my life when one Friday night, a guy walked up to me and planted a kiss right on my lips as I stood beside my fiance. We had gone to have fun at a club in town. I had been so happy that everything was going fine between us. After strug-

You will not believe the shock of my life when one Friday night, a guy walked up to me and planted a kiss right on my lips as I stood beside my fiance .

H

i,

young. Maybe not in age but psychologically. Little did I know that all those times he would tell me he was working late, it meant that he was seeing someone else.

Or when he says he is going out of town and that I should go home so as not to be lonely, it meant he was bringing someone else home for the

of all my friends.

We had been dating for two years and I was going away for the service year when he proposed to me. I was delirious with joy. I went to serve, knowing it was just a matter of time before I became Mrs. Duke.

He would come to see me almost every other week, sometimes just calling after he might have checked into a hotel in town. In fact, we were almost as good as married.

After the Service year, our families met for the formal introduction and we were advised to pick a suitable date for the wedding. By this time, we were practically living together. I was playing the little wife while he went to work, just like married couples would do.

Sometimes, if he comes home early in the evening, he would take me out for dinner or ice cream. You know, stuff like that. He was a very romantic man.

I think perhaps I was too

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gling for what seemed like ages to free myself from this stranger’s grip, I began shouting, demanding to know what the kiss was about. Who the hell was this guy and was it supposed to be a joke? As expected, Duke shoved at him too, demanding to know what was going on.

You will not believe that right before my eyes, the guy told my fiance that I was his girlfriend.

That we had been dating for over three years and had plans to get married. That we were together even the previous day at his house.

Suddenly, he turned to me while I was still gaping with my mouth open, he accused me of cheating on him because he was not as rich as Duke. That with time, he will have his own money too to splash on girls like me. He said he was not surprised that I am denying him in the presence of people.

In fact, he had always suspected that I was not faithful to him but did not know that I could deny him because of money. I stated hitting him with my purse, asking him to stop and that he was lying. I have never seen this guy before that day and I cannot even recognise him if I were to see him any other day. Duke who had appeared to be in a trance finally woke up and sprang at the guy. The stranger raised his hands up in the air as if to say he was surrendering to him.

He said he would leave as he has accepted his loss, however, Duke should not believe any story I tell him. He also warned him that it was obvious that I could not be trusted and was not a good wife material, so, he had better use and dump me as well. He told him of the little scar on the right cheek of my bum insisting that we are lovers.

To be continued

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07067489372 •Dele, 34, resides in Lagos, needs a successful lady, for a relationship, that will lead to marriage.

08129970347 •Obison, needs a loving, caring and employed lady, for a serious relationship. 08185727007, 07067005750 •Felix, 40, comfortable, self employed and resides in PH, needs a decent lady, aged 37-45, who resides in Port Harcourt, single, God fearing,

intelligent and comfortable, for a warm relationship.

08162094807 •Eze, 29, a graduate, from East, needs a Calabar girl, aged 20-25, who is a graduate, fair in complexion and God fearing, for a relationship .08065778657 •Dear readers, please note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests on the Lovezone that may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public.

Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

In love with someone you can’t have?

BY ONOZURE DANIA

G

ETTING over someone can sometimes appear to be impossible.

It feels really bad when you fall in love with someone you can’t have.

It feels even worse when you are sure that the relationship can never work out. That is the worst thing that could ever happen to someone.

To forget someone is one of the hardest “assignments” given in life, especially if you had this gut feeling that he/ she is the one. To get over someone you love, you have to realize that there are no easy answers. No matter how ready you think you are, the fact that you are asking yourself how to get over someone you love, means that it is going to be a painful process. It can be a slow process.

You might think you are over someone and a year later, being reminded of that person, you feel sad again. That does not mean that you have not overcome loving the person. If you are emotionally invested in a “ s u p p o s e d ” relationship and it ends, it could make you feel sad for years. Maybe even for the rest of your life. But that does not mean the sadness has to make you feel depressed. You can get over your loss and still know that it made you sad.

It’s the period of time soon after the loss that will be the hardest to get passed.

This is the period where you ask yourself “how to get over someone you love and he/she does not love you

back. If the break up is a fresh one usually the only way to get over the pain is to face it straight out and let time pass. It is going to hurt, no matter what you do.

However, there are some things you can do to lessen the pain.

Start with removing noticeable visual reminders of the person if possible. Pictures of them can be put away, gifts they gave you can also be put away and avoiding the places you used to go together is a good idea as well.

This tip can be found in lists everywhere on how to get over a lost love so it is at least a popular idea that is worth trying.

Figuring out how to get over someone you love can be one of the most difficult things that any of us will ever have to do. The pain of loss can be very intense and finding the answers can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

You need to know that it will take a lot of time and some days will be harder than others.

If you have been with someone for a long period of time, their absence can make you feel like a part of you is missing, like you just had your heart ripped right out of your chest.

But once you discover how to get over someone you love, the pain in your heart will lessen and you will start feeling more like your old self again.

If you are having difficulty living your life after the breakup, it might be a good idea to seek counseling.

Simply let the counselor know that you just went through a break up and ask the counselor how to get over someone you love.

•Bright, 19, needs a girl, aged 17-20, for a serious relationship.08093013174, 08109958095 •Pascal, from Delta state, needs a girl for a relationship, either in Delta or Benin.

08163599195, 08094168700 •Danny, 40, a graduate, needs a rich middle age woman, who is busty, plump and resides around Delta or Edo state; tribe is not a barrier.

08160819981, 07037555104 •A guy, 22, fair in complexion from Anambra state, needs a sexy, beautiful and romantic girl within Anambra, for a relationship. 08128998143, 08134222934 •Gabby, good looking, from Delta state, needs a lady, aged 35-45, to finance his farm project, for a lasting relationship.07087788146,08033862398 •A guy, needs a rich lady of any age, for a relationship. 08108356821 •A man, 49, needs a fair in complexion lady as second wife, who is ready to have babies, for him, for a relationship. 08105351650,08063534323,

Vanguard Vanguard,,

TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

— 35

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before mid-morning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you. Your love life is favoured.

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging.

Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be fully stretched tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed.

By Richard Eromosele

M

AN has only one enemy in his life. I guess you want to know who that enemy is? Supposing I ask you to tell me who your enemy is, who would you point your finger to? I am pretty sure your next door

Never be less neighbour will be your target.

Supposing I tell you, your answer is far from the truth, what will be your reaction? The truth is that you are your own worst enemy. Even if the whole world is

against you, If you don’t surrender to them, you will maintain your greatness and dignity even in death.

Only two things can happen to a man in life — he is either greater or lesser, big-

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

ger or smaller, in peace or in pieces, but if he keeps the good fight, remain loyal to his cause, he will never be diminished. Truly, he will be counted among the great.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star . That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

GEMINI: THE Moon makes an ingress into your star sign and INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

LEO: THE moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody-morning period especially along your career/business lines.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

How do I succeeed?

Dear Joshua,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck.

I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them. Would my own be like them too?

Titilayo- Kaduna

Dear Titilayo, You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/ rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for you.

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you.

Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities. Once again women can be helpful here If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-self-hood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success.

And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Rivers crisis: More protest in Obio-Akpor

Ndokwa indigenes to benefit from Sure-P

A

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

BOUT 300 participants are to benefit from Ndokwa East Sure-P E m p o w e r m e n t Programme in Delta State as the local government begins the implementation today.

Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Transition Committee, Mr. Alex Aniche, said the participants in the programme were selected from the 20 state wards in the council.

P

ORT HARCOURT — PROTEST over the political crisis in Rivers State continued, yesterday, with placard carrying demonstrators, causing

traffic in major streets of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The protesters at Obio/ Akpor council secretariat, insisted that they will continue with the protest until the suspended

Asaba is being transformed — Uduaghan

BY EMMA AMAIZE

A

SABA — DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, said weekend, that Asaba, the state capital was undergoing transformation, as government will soon award contracts for the tarring of roads in the new layout in the capital city.

Uduaghan, at the Annual Feast of Ascension celebration of the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba, reiterated his administration’s policy of even infrastructure development of the state.

He said: “Asaba is being transformed to be a developed state capital. We may not be able to tar all the roads in the new layout but we must begin from somewhere, we must ensure that Asaba is made a befitting capital city.”

The governor, accompanied by his wife, Roli; Head of Service, Mr. Okey Ofili and other top government officials, decried the penchant for rumour mongering, gossips and other negative tendencies, which hamper infrastructure development.

He noted: “While some people are building, there are others who try to pull back

Jonathan acknowledges GE’s contribution to power sector BYADEKUNLE ALIYU

L

AGOS — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathon has commended General Electric, GE, for its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through various initiatives, including investments in gas turbines and partnerships with other stakeholders.

The commendation came at the Presidential Power Reform Transactions Signing Summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Other partners of GE commended include Transcorp, Geometric, Honeywell, Oats Global and Ibom.

the hands of the clock, and there are so many ways of pulling back the hands of the clock by gossiping, rumour mongering and other negative ways."

chairman of the council, Timothy Nsirim, his vice and 17 councillors were reinstated.

Prince Collins Onunwo, Chairman, Obio-Akpor Grassroots Development Initiative, who led the protest said: “We are here again to pass the message that Governor Rotimi Amaechi has no power to tell the people of Obio-Akpor, who to govern them.

“We want the recall of the legitimate government in Obio-Akpor. Our people take exception to the state government unsettling and turning the council and its enviable resources into a

Prove that Oshiomhole begged to join PDP or shut up — EDO ACN SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY —THE leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Edo State, has challenged the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, to disclose the evidence that Governor Adams Oshiomhole begged to join the party or shut up forever.

This came as the leadership of the party

FG urged to quickly tackle flood challenges in Niger Delta BY ONOYUME

JIMITOTA

P

ORT HARCOURT — FEDERAL Government has been urged to take steps to tackle flooding challenges in the Niger Delta region Director, Institute of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, INRES, Prof. Enuvie Akpokodje, who made the appeal, at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said his institute will carry out regular survey of flood

heights in the region.

According to him, this will help address the flood problem, adding that the institute had formed four research teams currently developing proposals on environmental challenges.

He said the research team on environmental hazards, pollution and global warming impact had come up with its proposal on production of flood risk/ vulnerability map of the Niger Delta states.

warned elected local government area chairmen, that they must reciprocate the developmental strides of the governor in their respective councils and show absolute loyalty to the leadership of the party or be sanctioned.

State chairman of the party, Mr. Thomas Okosun, during a meeting with the council chairmen in Benin City, said the PDP was deceiving themselves by alleging what he described as “their normal story telling.”

He noted that they "lack what Oshiomhole will beg for, particularly when it comes to the politics of Edo State.”

He insisted that PDP failed in the just concluded local government elections because they were not in touch with the people, saying, “it is funny because they only exist on the pages of newspapers in Abuja, but nowhere to be found in Edo State.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

business centre and we are saying no to that.”

In another development, media aide to the Speaker, Jim Opiki, has denied reports that his boss had gone into hiding for fear of being arrested.

Opiki said: “The Speaker cannot abdicate his office.

The man has raised alarm that some persons were bent on arresting him and creating tension in the state. So far, no relevant authority had demonstrated any concern for this alarm. Under the circumstance, the man has a right to act wisely for his personal safety.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Should crude oil theft attract death penalty?

O

IL theft should attract death pen alty because by stealing the oil they are depriving Nigerians of God's blessing for living a better life. This is tantamount to killing Nigerians economically as things are now difficult.—Miss Nenye Chinenye, Corps member.

T

HE nation needs to have a law that would provide for severe sanctions to serve as a deterrent; if not, much more oil will be lost to these thieves.

Why should they be allowed to walk freely later after apprehension?

— Dr. Amos Chima, Accountant.

W

ELL, Nigeria is estimated to lose crude oil worth about $6 billion to oil thieves annually. But that does not mean that death is the best way of correcting somebody.

Death is just a judgement and not correction.— Miss Anita Williams, Communicator.

O

UR senators should first make corruption in public office a capital offence. I think that is when the other sectors will sit tight. Oil thieves are definitely linked to some of our ‘ogas at the top.’ — Miss Chimezie Nnenna, Student.

O

IL thieves are a reflection of our decadent economic system. Finding the cure for that decadent system is what our Senate should be focusing on. Every time you listen to news public office stealing is always mentioned.—Miss Alice Udoh, Student.

H

ONESTLY, I don’t like talk ing on such vexatious issue. Even the judiciary and our lawyers are not helping matters at all because these oil thieves are wicked. But I would prefer something else and not death penalty. — Mr. Stanley Okafor, Corps member.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—37

DELSU VC doles out N4.7m to students

V

ICE-CHANCELLOR of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Professor Eric Arubayi, has given financial assistance worth N4.7 million to deserving students of the institution.

He also presented a Siena Bus to the Students Union Executive for 2012/2013 academic session, while students on the work-study programme got money for their hard work.

Twenty students benefitted from the DELSU work-study programme while financial assistance was given to 80 best undergraduate students in various faculties.

Presenting the bus and financial award to the students, Arubayi said; “The school since 2010 has been assisting students with N30,000 for first category of best students in each faculty,N20,000 for second and N10,000 for third. But in 2012/2013 section, management decided to review upward to N50,000, N30,000 and N20,000 considering the current economic realities and so today, we are giving out the sum of N4.7 million."

Benin Psychiatric Hospital mgt reaffirms confidence in Olotu

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

M

ANAGEMENT of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, has passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Dr. Sunday Olotu as the Medical Director of the hospital The management, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr. Stewart Efe, said it believes that the leadership of Dr. Olotu would move the hospital forward but decried what it called campaign of calumny by a group of civil servants, as well as some disgruntled workers of the hospital against Olotu's leadership.

C M Y K

Security: Delta bans entry of herdsmen

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—DELTA State Government says it has banned new entry of cattle rearers into the state as part of measures to monitor security situations in the state in order to ensure that the state was safe for Deltans and investors.

Secretary to Delta State Government, SSG, Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, weekend, when he ran into a robbery scene in broad daylight on Ogwashi-Uku/ Kwale Road, which is one of the black spots, where bandits attack motorists and passengers at random, however, gave assurance that the state government would ensure that criminals were flushed out of the state.

The SSG, who ordered his security team into the bush in search of the criminals, also took part in the rescue operation of the robbery victims, which led to the rescue of one Juliana, who was shot on the upper arm by the robbers.

Another victim, Mrs. Olise Evelyn, said that she lost

N200,000 to the robbers, who according to her, were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, adding that robbery of vehicles, especially traders, was a common occurrence in that axis.

State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, had last week, while commenting on the killings in Ogume purportedly carried out by Fulani herdsmen, said that the state government

WORLD COMMUNICATION DAY MASS: Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama (right) and Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, during the 2013 World Communication Day Mass, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Asaba.

Flood: Delta to demolish structures on water channels

BY FESTUS AHON

U

G H E L L I — D E LTA State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, weekend, vowed that all illegal structures built on natural water channels would be demolished.

Omare, at Udu, Udu Local Government Area of the state, while opening up some blocked water channels in the area, said the state government was determined to clear all water channels in the state to avoid a reoccurrence of serious

flood challenges in the state this rainy reason.

Noting that the exercise was part of measures by the state government to avert flooding, he said: “Anybody who refuses to comply with the state environmental laws will see the other side of government.

“Basically, we are aware that some persons have built houses on top of drainages but we are going to bring them down as usual. If any individual uses his structure to block a drain that is going to cause problems, we will not hesitate to pull such

structure down.

“What we are doing is a continuation of our drive to avert flood in our local government areas. Udu is one of the seven local government areas where we are working to clear up drainages that are clogged with silt and garbage.

“I have gone round the council with the council chairman and removing structures that will cause flood when the rains eventually become heavy. After clearing drains and water channels in Udu, the team will move to Ughelli and thereafter, Agbor and Asaba."

Oshiomhole, Messiah Edo's been waiting for —Crown Prince

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE ENIN—THE Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, HRH Ambassador Ehenede Erediauwa, weekend, described Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State as the Messiah of Edo State politics, saying that the people of the state must pray to God and the ancestors to give the state another Oshiomhole after his tenure in office.

Directing his address to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state over their relentless criticism of the Os-

B

was finding a lasting solution to clashes between herdsmen and villagers, who complained of the destruction of their farmlands and subsequent harassment by the herdsmen.

hiomhole-led administration, the Crown Prince, said: “Those who doggedly want to criticise the governor for this and that, among others, should remember that he is just human like every one of us with human shortcomings.

“We must, therefore, commend him for his bold, resolute, resilient and principled approach in his handling of the many issues that have undermined the political, economic and social development of the state. As the Benin adage goes, the governor has been the biblical

David in front of Goliath.

“We must commend our indefatigable governor for his relentless effort to combat godfatherism syndrome in Edo politics, which I hope other parts of the country have drawn lesson from.”

He spoke when Afemia Traditional rulers and the people of Afemailand in Edo North senatorial district held a reception for their son, Oshiomhole. The governor was honored with the title OshoOsimua (meaning he who saves from shame). The Crown Prince of Benin was the chairman of the occasion.

N-Delta youths demand amnesty for illegal refinery operators

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—A COALITION of youth groups in the Niger Delta, weekend, called on the Federal Government to grant amnesty to oil bunkerers and illegal refinery operators in the region.

The coalition insisted that the illegal refinery operators were not oil thieves as claimed, but businessmen providing employment for youths in the region.

Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the coalition, which called for the release of over 257 arrested by the Joint Task Force and other security agencies, noted that their continued arrest will not stop the over one million locally operated refineries in the region but promote unemployment, violence and sea piracy.

The meeting, according to the convener, Mr. Ozobo Austin, National President of Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, urged the Federal Government to see the request for amnesty by illegal refinery operators in the Niger Delta as employment and empowerment opportunities for the youths of the region.

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Chieftaincy tussle: Court adjourns to June 17

BY ONOZURE DANIA

A

Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has adjourned further hearing in the suit filed against Lagos State Governor and five others over the contest to the stool of Oba of Iguru-land by members of IguruAguda Chieftaincy family in Coker/ Aguda Local Council Development Area LCDA to June 17, 2013.

The Amore and Omobo branches of the family in Lagos, had filed the suit against the state government before Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Buari Alade Oloto and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

The matter was instituted by Alhaji Mutalubi Ayinde Kadiri, Prince Moroof A. Y. Morin, Chief Gafaru Apena and Chief Jimoh Apena for themselves and on behalf of the Amore and Omobo branches of Iguru/ Aguda chieftaincy family.

Igbo community in Kogi to raise N200m fund for college

I

GBO community in Kogi State has concluded plans to launch N200 million social responsibility fund to facilitate development of the permanent site of a comprehensive college.

Acting under the aegis of Igbo Community Association, Lokoja branch, the Igbos in Kogi State plans to use the commissioning of the college to celebrate its centenary anniversary, which exmplifies peaceful communal living in Nigeria.

President of the association, Mr. O.A. Achinivu, said: “The official handover of the college project to Kogi State government is expected to coincide with Nigeria’s Centenary of programmes.

“Senator Tunde Ogbeha will chair the event, while the Deputy Senate President and Speaker of ECOW AS Parliament, Senator lke Ekweremadu, will be the special guest of honour.

C M Y K

Assault: NMA asks UMTH doctors to withdraw services

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

T

HE Nigerian Medical Asso ciation, NMA, yesterday, directed medical doctors at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, to immediately withdraw services until security and safety of health workers was guaranteed by the Federal Government.

This followed last Thursday’s attacks on medical doctors and other health workers by men of Nigeria Police Force on account of the inability of the hospital morgue to accommodate bodies of policemen killed at Bama town in Bornu State.

The alleged mayhem unleashed on the health workers, including the Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, led to the vandalization of the hospital property, with health workers and patients sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Condemning the action of the police officers in a press statement, National President of the Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, called on the Federal Government to ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act were

brought to book, with adequate compensations paid to the injured and traumatised victims at the hospital.

His words: “On account of the unwarranted brutal assault of health workers and total breakdown of security at the University of Maiduguri Teaching

Hospital, the National Leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association hereby directs doctors in the hospital to immediately withdraw from the insecure environment.

“This should be the situation until such a time when the security and safety of health workers

and property in the hospital could be guaranteed by the Federal Government, with other necessary conditions met.”

Osahon also called on the Federal Government to take responsibility for the treatment of health workers and other innocent citizens injured in the process.

MEETING—From left: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; Governor Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State at the S-East/ S-South meeting in Asaba, Delta State. Photo: Nath Onojake.

Enugu PDP to probe oath taking allegedly administered by guber aspirant

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

SUKKA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, is probing alleged reports that a gubernatorial aspirant for the 2015 election in the state illegally administered oath on some local government delegates from Igboeze North Local Government Area to get votes during the party primaries.

The probe panel is headed by Chief Mike Ejinima, a former deputy director of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and vice chairman of PDP in Enugu North Senatorial District.

It was learnt that the aspirant who hails from Ojebe-Ogone, part of Nsukka, reportedly administered oaths on some of the local government ward officers after giving each of them about N200,000.

The money-for-vote scandal was said to have caused crises in the party, as members complained that it was unthinkable that anybody could take some party faithful to a shrine in a bid to win an election that was two years away when nobody knew what would even happen tomorrow.

However, the state chapter of the party was said to have waded into the matter, following a unanimous motion by the 20 councillors in Igboeze North Lo-

cal Government, asking the party to intervene in the mat-

ter.

According to the councillors,

the ward chairmen and officials involved in the oath-taking

Community applauds Okiro's appointment

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—EKWULOBIA community in Aguata local government area of Anambra State, yesterday, backed the appointment of former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, as the new chairman of Police Service Commission, PSC. Addressing newsmen in his palace, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Emmanuel Onyeneke, described the appointment of the former police boss as a welcome development and as the best appointment recently made by President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, Okiro will bring his wealth of experience as former inspector-general to bare in the police force.

Onyemeke recounted the achievements of Okiro as the Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in the old Aguata region, comprising 45 communitie,s as well as the changes he brought into

the police force as the Inspector General of Police, IGP. “We, the people of Ekwulobia community want to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing one of our illustrious sons, Mike Okiro as chair-

man, Police Service Commission, PSC. His appointment is a very good one because he has performed creditably well as former IGP. We have no doubts that he will do well in his new assignment to his fatherland.”

Traders laud Anambra govt's tax policy

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—TRADERS at the fa mous Eke Awka Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have commended the state government for its liberal tax policy that had made it possible for them to carry out their businesses without molestation.

Chairman of Eke Awka Market, Mr. Baby Agunmadu, who spoke with newsmen, observed that with the flat rate of N3,000 tax per annum for each person, the traders no longer complain about high taxation, which was

their problem with tax authorities in the past.

He, however, urged government revenue agents to take it easy with the traders on the issue of collecting the tax, assuring that a machinery had been put in place to ensure that traders in the market exercised their civic obligation as stipulated by law.

He said: “We are happy that with this policy, there is no more friction and we feel delighted to be contributing to the improvement of the revenue of the state".

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—39

KOLADE'S BOOK LAUNCH: From left: Chairman, Subsidy Re-investment Programme, (SURE-P), Dr. Christopher Kolade; President, Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, AES, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, at a book launch in honour of Kolade in Lagos.

AGM: From right: Mr Martin Woolnough, MD, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Chief Segun Osunkeye, outgoing chairman, and Mr. David Ifezulike, Chairman, during the 44th Annual General Meeting of Nestle Plc in Lagos. . Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

AWARD: From left: Pastor & Mrs. Thomas Kayode Oloruntotola, receiving Commitment to BIFOBA Ideals Award from Mr Feyisola Dinyo, President, Birch Freeman High School Old Boys Association, BIFOBA, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

From left: Samsung Brand Ambassadors ''Banky W'' Olubankole Wellington; Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw; Director, Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas; MD, Mr. Brovo Kim, and Marketing Manager, Hand Held Products, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu, during the Samsung’s Design for Life Fashion Show and inauguration of the new Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo editor.

BRIEFING: From left: Sales Director, Johnson Wax Nig. Ltd, Mr. Dimeji Osinguwa; Marketing Manager, Mrs. Onome Odili; MD, Mr Kwame Wiafe, and Finance Director, Mr. Kene Mbuba, at a briefing on Johnson Scratch Your Way to Millions promo in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

From left: Founder, Temidayo Ogan Child Safety and Support (TOCSS) Foundation, Mrs. Temidayo Ogan; Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa and others, CEO, Steerite Driving School, Mr. Akinfe Samuel and others, during the walk to commemorate the United Nations' Safety Week in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Former Chairman, Oshimili South LGA, Delta State, Mr. Chinedu Okafor (left); Manager, Mass Market SegMr. Tonye Cole, MD/CEO, Sahara Oil (left) and Mrs. Sade Bafunsho Director, Commercial (left) ment, Etisalat Nigeria, Nnamdi Ezeani (right), present- Dr. Akudo Ikemba-Anyanwu, Founder, Friends Af- and Mr. Yusuf Isiaka Deputy Managing Director, ing the winners trophy to Captain of Team 5Megabites, rica, who are both judges at the Week 3 episode of Multi–Trex Integrated Foods Plc, unveiling the comTony Agbodo, at the EasyStarter Football Fiesta in MTN Business Next Titan reality show in Lagos. pany's new product, Frangada and Moor, in Lagos.

Asaba.

C M Y K

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

FG prepares against outbreak of bird flu

2015: Gov Shema disowns campaign posters

J

G

OS—FOLLOWING re ports of an outbreak of Avian Influenza in China, the Federal Government has said it is already taking proactive measures to safeguard the nation from it.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Jos that the institute was already carrying out “lots of surveillance to ensure that we are not taken unawares.

“For us here, surveillance is the key. We used it successfully against the other influenza. Since 2008, we have never had any new case. This one should not be any different.

“The Avian Influenza coming from China is 8,7s,H7 and N9. We have revived the old structures used to overcome the very first Avian Influenza of yore.”

According to him, the institute has a laboratory with the capacity to produce and store much vaccines, but called for more support to strengthen the facility".

USAID identifies causes of maternal deaths in Nigeria

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—THE Target States High Impact Project, TSHIP, funded by USAID has blamed 70 percent of direct causes of maternal deaths in the country on a combination of post-partum haemorrhage (bleeding after child birth), malaria and pre-eclampsia constitute.

It also said abortion, ruptured uterus and obstructed labour contribute to the remaining 30 percent of maternal deaths.

TSHIP Deputy Chief Executive, Dr. Habib Sadauki who spoke in an interview yesterday, said the project which was being carried out in Bauchi and Sokoto States ‘’is implemented by a consortium of five international organizations,’’ adding that it was aimed at increasing the use of high impact interventions to reduce maternal, newly born and child deaths .

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COMPETITION—From left: Mr Azu Nwagbogu, Director, African Artists' Foundation; Mr Vivan Ikem, CSR/Public Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries PLC; Mr Joseph Gergel, Curator, AAF; and Wunika Mukan, Brand Director, AAF, during the sixth annual National Art Competition briefing in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

MASSACRE OF POLICEMEN IN NASARAWA:

Angry IGP shuns Al-Makura

BY ABEL DANIEL

L

AFIA—APPARENTLY an gered by the poor handling of the operation which led to the massacre of about 60 policemen in Nasarawa State, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubaker, weekend, shunned Governor Tanko Al-Makura in Lafia by refusing to visit him after arriving the state for onthe-spot assessment of what led to led to death of the officers.

Mohammed was also said to have been angry that the police high command was not informed about the operations which led to the killing of policemen and operatives of the Department of State Security, by the state police command.

However, as a result of IGP’s failure to pay him a courtesy

visit, Governor Al-Makura, rushed to the police command headquarters where he regretted the killing of the security personnel.

But as the governor addressed the police boss, one of the daughters of the slain police officer, whose identity was not immediately known, broke through the security cordon and gripped him, the governor wailing and asking him (Al-Makura) to produce his father. It took spirited efforts by the governor ’s security details to free him from the little girl.

However, addressing Mohammed, the governor said, "You are welcome to Nasarawa State. We are deeply touched by how you feel about your men; how caring you are about your men who were out there to carry out

their duty of maintaining peace and protecting life and property in our society.

On behalf the people of Nasarawa State, I equally sympathize and condole with you and Mr. President and other service chiefs, particularly the Director of DSS over the loss of your active and patriotic men.

As a matter of fact I have not been myself since this incident happened because I am a living witness to what the security high command both at the federal and state levels are doing in the country to ensure peace and security. Before I came into power, security challenges had been overwhelming in the state; but through the assistance of your men and their show of expertise, they were able to contain such problems.

GLOBAL WARMING: Shagari urges Nigerians to plant more trees

S

OKOTO—FORMER Presi dent, Alhaji Shehu Shagari has urged Nigerians to plant more trees to stem the tide of global warming. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Shagari spoke at the launch of the pilot tree planting campaign at Kaurar Malan village in Tureta local government of Sokoto State.

NAN also reports that the exercise was organised by the state council of the NUJ as part of its social responsibility.

The former president noted that trees had numerous medicinal, food and socio-economic benefits.

"Nigeria, should be made

more greener to boost the health and other sectors of the economy, Shagari, who was the chairman of the occasion, said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was represented by the district head of Yabo, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare II, also commended the union for its gesture.

"Such laudable efforts should be sustained and emulated by unions and organisations. Individuals too, must learn to plant more trees and nurture them,” Abubakar said.

Governor Aliyu Wamakko who was represented by Alhaji Garba Sanda, the Commissioner for Animal Health and Fish-

eries, decried the damage to the environment caused by human activities.

He noted that the increasing pressure by human and livestock population had resulted to significant depletion and degradation of the forest.

"Due to excessive fuel wood collection, over grazing, bush fires, hunting and desertification, the environment has been compromised.

The governor expressed the hope that the tree planting campaign initiated by the NUJ would result to “massive” mobilisation of the communities towards developing a tree planting culture .

OVERNOR Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has disowned his 2015 campaign posters said to have been pasted in some parts of Lagos and Abuja.

Shema ascribed the posters to the handiwork of mischief makers, saying he never indicated interest in the 2015 presidential contest.

A statement by the press secretary to the governor, Alhaji Lawan Matazzu, yesterday, reads:” I am shocked by newspaper reports that posters indicating my interest in the 2015 presidential race have flooded Lagos and Abuja when I did not print the posters or commissioned anybody to do so.

“It is absolutely important for all men and women of goodwill in Nigeria, to support the Federal Government and Mr President’s efforts in addressing the security challenge in the country instead of mischief creation and unnecessarily heating the polity".

Knights laud Okiro's appointment

K

NIGHTS of St John In ternational, KSJI, has commended the nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan, of Chief Mike Okiro as Chairman of Police Service Commission, noting that it bodes well in the face of insecurity in the country.

In a statement by the Supreme Subordinate Commandery of KSJI Nigeria, its President, Major General Anslem Okafor said “Okiro’s nomination by the President, of a first class crime fighter and former Inspector General of Police, IGP, as Chairman of Police Service Commission, is a clear indication of President Jonathan’s further preparedness to tackle the security challenges facing the country”.

Speaking in Freetown Sierra Leone, at the just concluded West African Summit of KSJI weekend, General Okafor opined that Chief Okiro will bring to bear in his new responsibility his wealth of experience both as Commissioner of Police Lagos, and IGP of the federation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—41

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42 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

•Jonathan: We must work as a team

•Emodi: Both arms are sincere

New tide in executive-legislature relations A RECENT two day conference on strengthening relations between the legislative and executive arms of the Federal Government was an insightful and useful voyage for players in both arms.

T

HE two day conference on executive-legislature relations was unprecedented in the fourth republic.

The members of the National Assembly and the executive arm of government was not about the presentation of the annual budget and it was not about the lawmakers summoning members as they were wont, presidency officials to explain one thing or the other about the affairs of government.

The conference designed to among others strengthen relations between the two arms of government was the brainchild of the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, herself, a distinguished veteran of the Senate who in her days in the legislature was known as the Joy of the Senate.

The conference drew participants from both arms of government with experienced politicians and academics including veterans from other established democracies acting as facilitators.

Among them were Ms Baleka Mbete who incidentally was former Speaker of South African National Assembly and also a C M Y K

•Mark: There is no rancour

•Tambuwal

former Deputy President of South Africa and presently, chairman of the African National Congress, ANC,; Mr. Derrick Smith M.P, Jamaica; former United States Senator, Norman Coleman, among others.

Flagging off the conference, Senator Emodi noted the conference came at a time “when the executive and legislature show a genuine, sincere and active interest in working cooperatively to promote good democratic governance.”

She said: “This conference is part of our efforts to consolidate the gains of the past and to explore new and more meaningful ways of strengthening executive-

legislature relations in Nigeria.”

President Goodluck Jonathan represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo while declaring open the conference stressed the need for a robust relationship between the two arms of government saying that it was only through such development that the country could move forward.

Jonathan harps on collaboration President Jonathan who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo said that if Nigerians must attain the much needed democratic height, there was the need for collaboration between the two arms of

government and particularly noted that the Executive and the Legislature were not in a battle of supremacy or competition against the backdrop that the roles of both arms have been well established, adding that they must not be divided as the people of Nigeria expect much from them.

According to him, the disagreement often being witnessed between the executive and the legislature should not be misinterpreted for battle for supremacy, saying it was a normal thing in any democratic

,

BY HENRY UMORU

cannot afford to fail.

Earlier in his remarks, Senate President, David Mark noted that the two arms of government had not done anything to suggest that there was rancour between them, stressing that the leadership of the National assembly would always work with the executive for the progress of the country.

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion and former Senate President, Senator Joseph Wayas while hailing Senator Emodi for convening the conference stressed that the lawmakers will learn much at the end of the day, adding that there is nothing like Separation of Power in Nigeria saying if there was such, that there would be no government.

At the end of the two-day brainstorming exercise, both the Executive and Legislative arms of government agreed that if the nation’s democracy must be sustained and effective, both arms of government must know the limits and boundaries of their powers.

Conference resolution In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, the participants also recommended that only the executive should be responsible for the implementation of the budget, adding that there was the need to build the capacity of the members of the legislature on the budget process.

“Political parties should be supreme and demonstrate their supremacy over their members in the executive and the legislature.

“There must be synergy between political parties, the legislature and the executive in order to promote better executivelegislature relations.

"Every political party should develop clear manifestoes which should be the basis of soliciting for the votes of the electorates and which should be implemented by the executive and the legislature if elected to power.

“Oversight functions should be

This conference is part of our efforts to consolidate the gains of the past and to explore new and more meaningful ways of strengthening executive- legislature relations in Nigeria

nation.

“That is the more reason we have to work as a team, even as every member of the team has different roles and power. The separation of power and check and balance are meant for massive reinforcement of ideals and goals in the national interest.

We must always remember that we are here to make Nigeria far better than we met it, we just

,

exercised with integrity and responsibility and only for the purpose of exposing corruption and abuse of power.

There should be adequate space for the opposition to operate at both the federal and state levels. There should be positive measures to enhance the independence of the legislature at the state level.”

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 — 43

Oyo: Judicial jumbles jolt democracy THE administration in Oyo State as in other states perpetuates the practice of illegal caretaker administrations for its local councils it has, however, set the pace in using legal convolutions in perpetuating the illegality.

BY OLA AJAYI

A

S in other parts of the country, local government councils in Oyo State have not had free hand to operate in the state. Where they are not starved of funds, they are under strict control of the state government.

The practice, however, did not start with the incumbent Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN administration as its predecessors had played the same game.

Though, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has succeeded in reducing financial recklessness which had been the hallmark of the third tier of government, agitation for more autonomy for the local governments is almost everywhere.

At the inception of the administration, the 33 local government caretaker chairmen wrote proposals to the Ministry of Local Government Affairs notifying it of the projects they had in view.

Irrespective of the amount involved, the state government put a limit of N1 million on the projects they could execute though this was relaxed after some time.

The 33 local government councils are complaining of being stifled with funds alleging that there is virtually nothing left for them after the payment of workers’ salaries.

T

*Ajimobi: challenging Ajimobi to conduct the elections to test the popularity of his administration.

"There is no other political party in the state as both the PDP and the ACN have been polarized," Ladoja the leader

The 33 local government councils are complaining of being stifled with funds alleging that there is virtually nothing left for them after the payment of workers’ salaries

,

Some of them confided in Vanguard that they have not more than N5m after paying their staff.

Even worse than the absence of financial autonomy is the absence of democratic expression in the third tier.

The present administration has spent more than two years without conducting any election in the local government. Opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Accord who have cried foul over the issue with former Governors Adebayo AlaoAkala and Rashidi Ladoja

filed an action at the High Court, Ibadan to challenge their unlawful removal from office because the constitution guaranteed them a fixed term of 5 years from 2003 to 2008”.

"Oyo State High Court Hon. Justice P.O.Ige (as he then was) and now of the Court of Appeal, gave judgment in favour of Senator Ladoja's appointees and held that they were illegally and unconstitutionally sacked by Gov. Akala. The court declared their sack as null and void and ordered that all their entitlements up to 2008 be paid," Adebayo explained.

He said that the Chairman and members of OYSIEC appointed by Alao-Akala in 2007 also went to court in 2011 to challenge their removal from office by the current governor, Senator Ajimobi, as a follow-up to the judgment obtained by the Ladoja's OYSIEC men. he Attorney General said that the Oyo State High Court through Hon. Justice M.O. Bolaji-Yussuff, also awarded judgment in favour of this set of OYSIEC men and ordered the state to pay them their entitlements.

"It is obvious that the state government is confronted with two sets of judgments from the High Court of the state, with each of the judgments validating the appointment of the claimants before each of the court and also with the earlier judgment declaring as nullity the appointment of the latter OYSIEC men of Otunba Alao-Akala," he said.

Adebayo said it will certainly amount to contempt of court for the State government to urge the state House of Assembly to proceed with the screening and clearance of the Chairman and members of OYSIEC already forwarded to the House of Assembly by Governor Ajimobi, in view of the court judgments.

He said that the state government therefore chose the path of honour and constitutionalism by subjecting the latter judgment to the Court of Appeal for determination, while the state also settled all the entitlements of the OYSIEC men of 2003 to 2008.

The Attorney General said that the appeal on the case is yet to be heard by the Court of Appeal, Ibadan where it is lodged.

,

of Accord in the state said recently.

The pressure to conduct the council elections is also coming from disaffected chieftains of the ACN who are spoiling to use the opportunity to score points with Ajimobi.

But, Governor Ajimobi apparently would not given in to what he believes to be political gimmicks. Speaking through his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ojo Mutalubi Adebayo, the governor argued that legal, rather than political consideration was the reason

why the state had not held the local government elections.

According to him, the legal constraints, which hindered the constitution of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), have made the conduct of the local government elections to be put in abeyance until a competent court of law pronounces on the matter.

"In 2007, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala unconstitutionally sacked members and Chairman of OYSIEC appointed by his former boss, Senator Ladoja and replaced them with his own protégés.

Chief Oyemomilara Okunola and others appointed by Senator Ladoja and who were sent packing by Otunba Akala thus

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44—

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—45

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46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, MAY 14, 2013 TUESDA

Newborn deaths: FG urged to finalise passage, approval of NHB

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

I

N the wake of the State of the World’s Mothers 2013 Report ranking Nigeria 2nd among the top 10 countries with the most first-day of life deaths, the Federal government has been urged to urgently finalise passage and approval of the National Health Bill, NHB, to provide more resources to tackle the high incidence of maternal and infant deaths.

The call is coming on the heels of the release of the Report

which ranked Nigeria 2nd among the top 10 countries with the most first-day of life deaths.

According to the Report not less than 89,700 (9 percent) babies die on their first day of life every year in Nigeria.

The Report, which is 14th in series of the “Save the Children entitled “Surviving the First Day” compared first-day death rates for 186 countries and found that in most countries, children are at greatest risk on the day they are born. Launching the report in Lagos, Country Manager, Save

the Children International, Mrs. Susan Grant noted the importance of the National Health Bill in addressing the underlying causes of newborn and maternal mortality.

Grant disclosed that Save the Children is focusing on four fronts in Nigeria as part of the global ‘Everyone Campaign’. “First we are creating awareness of the challenges and solutions to maternal, newborn and child survival; secondly we are encouraging action for policy, practice and political change to

reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality and to advocate for increased leadership, commitment and funding, etc”.

She maintained that helping babies survive the first day as well as the first week and first month of life represented the last great challenge if we are to achieve the Millennium Development goal of reducing Child mortality by two thirds by 2015 – this is less than two years away.

“Nigeria according to the Report has one of the highest numbers of maternal and newborn deaths adding that

each year 40,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth and over 2,590,000 babies die in their first month of life. Most of these deaths are preventable; the time is now for all of us to invest in newborns.

The Report outlines key interventions which can prevent newborns and mothers from dying. Two-thirds of first day deaths of babies which is 673,000 out of the one million recorded annually occurred in just 10 countries globally,” she lamented.

GAVI crashes cost of HPV vaccine

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

HE Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations, GAVI, has announced a new record low price for the Human Papillomavirus, HPV, vaccines to enable millions of girls in developing countries get protection against the virus, strains of which cause cervical cancer.

According to the new price regime, Merck, a U.S. drugmaker expects to supply around 2.4 million doses of its Gardasil at $4.50 per dose to GAVI-eligible countries between 2013 to 2017, while British company, GSK’s Cervarix would cost $4.60 per dose. The vaccines costs $30-40 in Nigeria and can cost more than $100 in developed countries.

But critics argue that the deal is still far too expensive for many poor countries - particularly since three doses of the vaccines need to be given to ensure full protection."It will still cost nearly $14 to fully protect a girl against HPV," said Kate Elder of the international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, MSF. It's really disappointing that pharmaceutical companies haven't offered GAVI a much better deal."

Announcing the new price, GAVI’s chief executive, Seth Berkley, said by 2020 the hope was to reach more than 30 million girls in more than 40 countries.

Ghana, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone and Tanzania are first to get support in pilot projects. "Developing countries bear an increasing burden of cervical cancer and it is only right that our girls should have the same protection as girls in other countries," said Richard Sezibera, former Health Minister of Rwanda and a GAVI board member.

• A group of teenaged Nigerian girls queuing to be immunised against cervical cancer - one of the leading cancer killers of women in Nigeria, where one woman dies every hour from the disease. Immunasation with HPV vaccine, early screening using the pap smear (colposcopy), visual inspection with acetic acid ,VIA, and HPV testing are recommended preventive measures.

Cervical cancer crisis:

Nigeria, 4 others in the eye of the storm

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

H

ALF of all women who die of cervical cancer live in just five countries - India, China, Brazil, Bangladesh and Nigeria, even as Africa has been identified as the most dangerous place to be a woman with cervical cancer.

A new Cervical Cancer Crisis Card launched globally by the Cervical Cancer Free Coalition, in commemoration of International Mother’s Day on Sunday 12 May, put the annual total death count from the five top-ranked countries at 137,817, compared to an estimated 275,000 annual total deaths from 500,000 new cases recorded in the 50 countries surveyed.

The Crisis Card ranks countries from across the world based on the number of deaths from cervical cancer and the mortality rate from the disease.

Nigeria and 49 other countries

were selected to provide a snapshot of the world and reflect geographic, economic and population variations.

Using data from the World Health Organisation, WHO, United Nations, the World Bank and IARC Globocan, the Crisis Cards (mortality rate and death count) highlight the inequity women face depending on where they live.

From the data, more women die of cervical cancer in India (comparatively ranked No.1) than anywhere else on Earth, while Norway (ranked 50) records the least number of deaths. A total of 9,659 deaths are recorded in Nigeria (ranked 5)every year.

Zambia with 38.6 deaths per 100,000, has the highest cervical cancer mortality rate in the world while Australia (1.4 deaths per 100,000) has the lowest. Nigeria, ranked 10th, has a cervical cancer mortality rate of 22.9 deaths per 100,000.

Worse still, the crisis card showed that the top 10 countries with the highest cervical cancer mortality rates can be found in Africa. For instance, Sub-Saharan Africa has 22 percent of all cervical cancer cases worldwide.

Australia’s successful control of the disorder is attributed to “the successful rollout of a comprehensive package of HPV vaccines, treatment and prevention.”

Recognising cervical cancer as “an entirely preventable disease and the second largest cancer killer of women in low and middle-income countries, where most women are dying in the prime of life”, the Crisis Card quoted projections showing that by 2030, almost half a million women will die of cervical cancer, with over 98 percent of these deaths expected to occur in the low and middle- income countries.

In a reaction, Vice-

Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Adewole, remarked: “Twentysix Nigerian women lose their lives due to cervical cancer every day and a further 14,000 women are diagnosed each year with this disease. Cervical cancer can be almost entirely prevented through the use of vaccines that are being used around the world.

“Early screening methods and prompt treatment are also critical interventions that can save women’s lives. What is required of us all, is a renewed commitment to saving the lives of our women and preventing a preventable death,” Adewole noted.

Also reacting, the Director of Hospital Services, Federal Minstry of Health of Nigeria, FMOH, Dr. Patience Osinubi, confirmed the dismal statistics.

“The data of 14,000 annual incidence is correct. I am not sure of the other data. The high incidence can be brought down primarily through HPV vaccination for those not sexually exposed and those who test negative for HPV DNA. “Others can prevent it through regular annual PAP Continues on page 47

Vanguard, TUESD AY, MAY 14, 2013 — 47 TUESDA

Insecurity: NMA directs UMTH doctors to down tools

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

F

• Cross section of Abia women queuing for a free breast and cerivical cancer screening organised by Pink Pearl Foundation during the cancer awaren ess campaign tagged: “PINK RIDE at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, Abia State

Nigeria in the eye of the storm Continues frompage 46 smear screening or Visual Inspection through Acetic acid, VIA, testing. The key fact is that early detection of any cancer saves lives.”

Dr Jennifer Smith, Executive Director of the Cervical Cancer Free Coalition said: “Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer, yet we are still seeing so many deaths around the world. At Cervical Cancer Free Coalition we are working towards building networks across the globe to help support our common goal of a world free of cervical cancer.

Together we can dramatically reduce this disease through vaccination, screening and education.”

Seth Berkley, CEO of the GAVI Alliance described 2013 as the beginning of a dramatic shift in women's health.

“A new low price for the HPV vaccine has been negotiated by GAVI for countries eligible for support, opening the door for millions of girls in the world's poorest countries to be protected against one of the leading cancer killers of women.”

Coming in the same month as the global Women Deliver 2013 conference that will have a focus on gender and health equity in terms of the post-2015 framework (follow framework to the Millennium Development Goals, the Report is a timely reminder of the challenges facing women, especially in the low to middle income countries. By prioritising women’s health in the next developmental framework, world leaders would show that they’re serious about challenging inequity and building sustainable societies where

OLLOWING what it described as “unwarranted brutal assault” of health workers at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has directed medical doctors in the hospital to immediately withdraw services until security and safety of all health workers can be guaranteed.

It could be recalled that doctors and other health workers at the health facilty were attacked when bosies of the slain Policemen were brough in from Bama Town. The alleged mayhem unleashed on the health workers of the hospital,

universal rights are guaranteed for all.

Dr Rosa, Professor of Oncological Gynecology at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, LUTH, said,“Knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer, a preventable disease, is very low, while the toll of cervical cancer on Nigerian women is very high.

Indeed, cervical cancer in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan as a whole must be given the same priority as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and childhood immunisations. Governments in this region must wake up to this call.”

Urging prompt action, the crisis card calls for women to be encouraged to visit their health provider for early screening of precancers using either the pap smear (colposcopy), visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and HPV testing to help diagnose precancerous cells.

including the Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital led to the vandalization of the hospital properties, as well as health workers and patients of the hospital sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Condemning the action in a press statement, NMA President Dr. Osahon Enabulele, stated: “On account of the unwarranted brutal assault of health workers and the total breakdown of security at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the national leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association hereby directs all doctors in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital to immediately withdraw from the insecure practice environment of UMTH until such a time when the security and safety of all health workers and properties in the hospital can be guaranteed by the federal government, with other necessary conditions met.”

Enabulele also called on the Federal Government to take up full responsibility for the treatment of all health workers and other innocent citizens injured in the process.

Further calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Borno state Commissioner of Police to restrain their officers from further assaulting health workers, he expressed worry on the increasing act of physical assault of medical doctors and other health workers in various health facilities across the country.

“The assault is extremely worrisome, despicable, condemnable, atavistic and most unfortunate. It clearly revalidates the fact that hospitals in Nigeria are no longer safe or sacred places.”

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

D

EAR Mr. Edochie, good day. My husband and I have been married for nine years now. Each time I get pregnant, my husband does not want to be intimate with me. I hardly get kisses or any type of romantic affection from him. I am not happy. I thought pregnancy was a good thing – Mrs. Okereke Well done again Mr. Edochie. It is difficult for me to think of my wife in a sexual manner when she is pregnant. It makes me uncomfortable. So sex during pregnancy is difficult for me. But I try to take care of my family in other ways – Mr. Okereke Dear Mr and Mrs Okereke, many couples go through this same experience. Sometimes, the man worries that during penetration, he might hit the baby on the head or that too much movement might lead to a miscarriage.

And some other men just don’t find their pregnant wives attractive.

Whatever the case, you need to first know that it is safe to have sex when you are pregnant, provided the woman does not lie on her stomach and the man thrusts gently. Infact pregnancy is the best time to have all the sex you want, whenever you want because you don’t have to worry about ovulation for a year. The woman is already pregnant.

Secondly Mrs Okereke, what your husband is experiencing is psychological. I can imagine how frustrating it must be for you but it is not deliberate. And Mr Okereke, before we explore solutions that can help you, also understand that a woman never stops needing affection. A hug, a kiss, cuddling and holding hands are signs of affection that women crave and need till their dying day.

These are things you can do easily.

Now here are ideas that can help you. In some patients, external sexual stimulation has been introduced with varying degrees of success.

Watching an adult magazine or film before and during sex can distract the male mind from focusing solely on his female partner for stimulation and pleasure. Having intercourse with the lights off can help as well. You

can combine both solutions during intercourse while your pregnant wife lies on her side. That way your visual of her pregnant body is limited. Take care and good luck Uche Dear Zee, I have started taking the Sex Voltz supplement you recommended and I am having erections again, infact, my erections are even harder this time and I have multiple rounds of sex whenever I want.

Thank you. Please I just want to know if I am to take it daily or what? Edward Dear Edward, Sex Voltz is a sexual supplement that works for between 24 to 72 hours in your system with just one pill. So you are advised to take not more than one pill within 36 hours – Uche Please I am interested in adult sex education books that can help me and my husband - Mrs Okaro Dear Mrs Okoro, the following four books cover the essential areas of adult sex education. They are Going Down, Clitology, Wild & Sexy Thrilling Sex Positions and How to be a Bad Girl in Bed - Uche Hello Zee, my wife and I need new ideas that can prevent twelve years of marriage from becoming terribly boring. Thanks - Charles Hello Charles. Games, books, films, adult toys and lingerie are all novelties that can help you. For games, get Mile High Club or 52 days of play. For books, get 365 Sex Positions (a position for each day of the year) and for films, you will definitely enjoy Advanced Love Skills and Great Sex for a Life Time. And then we have lots of vibrators , male toys and lingerie. Visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com or call the number below for more details – Uche Adults in need of these treatments and novelties 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.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

By JUDE NJOKU & KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

A

S relatives of those who died in the buildings which collapsed in Lagos last week, mourn the demise of their loved ones, there are fears that more rickety houses in the “Centre of Excellence” would take their turn sooner or later.

This is because the Lagos landscape, especially the high density squalid neighbourhoods are littered with “coffins” which people live in as houses.

Although the frequency of building collapse in the country reduced in the dry season, no fewer than four houses have collapsed in the last one week and fears are rife that more rickety buildings may cave in with the rains peaking. Giving reasons why more buildings may still go down in Lagos and other parts of the country, built environment experts however called for strict enforcement of building regulations. They also want the Building Code to be given a legal teeth so that offenders would be appropriately sanctioned.

The President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, said rainfall comes with lateral and axial forces thereby compounding the weakness of an unstable structure.

Unstable structure Awobodu who is the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, added that during the rainy season, “ we have a revelation of shoddy jobs by some developers”. He also listed faulty design, lack of comprehensive sub-soil investigation, quackery, use of substandard materials, poor workmanship, nonadherence to professional advice and greed as major reasons for the rising occurrence of buildings collapse in the country.

“Nature is supreme. That is why in construction, we always take resistance of weather effect into priority. Also, we have eroding effect of some foundation areas with flash flooding which occurs in the low lying communities which can equally expose the weakness in foundations in such areas. From the onset, all these factors must be taken into consideration before embarking on construction of buildings. Poorly constructed buildings can further cause building collapse during rainy season. Occupants of such buildings will always see or notice signs of imminent collapse during rainy season. The advice to such occupants is that if they notice such signs, they should quickly alert the relevant government officials”, BCPG boss advised.

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Rainy season of collapsed buildings •Four down already •Rickety houses dot the landscape

A collapsed building in Lagos... more rickety buildings may cave in with increase in rainfall

A Lagos-based Architect, Mr. Emeka Izuwah stated that although building collapse is not limited to the rainy season, he posited that rains heighten the risk of collapse. Buttressing this point, Mr. Izuwah said: “Water is often absorbed by exposed buildings thus weakening the building fabric and where this is unchecked over the years, it could have disastrous consequences” He noted that the roof, because of its exposure to the elements, is often susceptible to threat of collapse. “The rains which are often accompanied by violent

winds have capacity to uproot roofs, especially where the anchorage has become weak. In other to prevent such occurrences, roofs must be regularly maintained, roofing sheets and wood members of appropriate sizes should be well treated and replaced when their lifespan is exhausted. In this regard, the use of stone coated roofing sheets with concrete facia is most welcome as the anchorage system for this type of roof is very firm and can withstand the severest of storms.

Every building material exposed

to the elements must be regularly maintained to avoid decay which weakens the building fabric,” Izuwah, who is the CEO of Archiplex, a firm of Architects and Builders, said.

The experts also lamented that many private developers in Lagos are not safety conscious; they are only after maximising profits than ensuring that they use quality building materials.

They are also guilty of not using the required quantity of materials, hence most houses built by these Shylock developers are defective right from the

foundation works.

In a related development, Messrs ATNIG Lightning Protection Limited has advised property developers and owners to install rainstorm protectors in their structures. The firm said the prolonged impact of lightning on structures built without adequate protectors often leads to collapse of such structures. It noted that cracks on the walls of some buildings are primarily caused by the impact of lightning that usually accompanies rainstorms.

Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Babalola Olusanya, said at a recent forum in Lagos that the best protection against the weakening impact of lightning on buildings is to fix lightning conductors that would channel the effect to the earth. “We all know of the recent collapse of buildings in this country and this was because some of these buildings did not have lightning protectors. So, the effects of the lightning weakened the structures and caused the eventual collapse of the affected structures.

“Cracks on the walls of some of these buildings were not mainly caused by structural defects, but by the intense effects of lighting strikes and that is why we are introducing protection solutions to guard against further loss of properties,” he added. Olusanya listed some of the products that could be used to protect buildings against the adverse impacts of lightning and thunderstorm to include earth electrodes, inspection kits, conductors, ground enhancers and storm detectors.

Architects brainstorm on urban design at Lagos forum

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

A

RCHITECTURE and urban design will be the focus of the fifth edition of the Lagos Architects’ Forum tagged LAF 2013. The three-day forum which has “Lagos 4.0-Architecture and Urban Design” as its theme, is being organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, Lagos Chapter from tomorrow.

The focus on architecture and the synergy with urban design and real estate development, is considered as the vehicle capable of creating sustainable and live-able cities that have vibrant economies.

The Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Ladipo Lewis told newsmen at an interactive session that the event has in the past, provided participants and partners with excellent opportunities to meet the various key players and

stakeholders in the construction industry.

According to Lewis: “The event will avail both the discussants and participants the opportunities to interact and possibly, establish bi-lateral ties as follow-up contacts with affiliated companies, service providers, manufacturers, corporate bodies, prospective end users, among others that will be participating during the three-day forum”.

He listed activities lined up for the event to include educational/professional development sessions that incorporate seminars and workshops and exhibition of architects’ works. “There is also going to be pre and post conference tours, that would allow the participants to learn theoretical and practical from local and international experts in the industry”, he said.

Participants expected at the forum include: architects in the private practice, the academia, civil servants, financial

institutions, allied professionals in the construction industry, policy makers and government agencies as well as parastatals. Others include real estate developers, property development institutions, construction companies and building materials manufacturers and retailers.

Prominent resources persons lined up for the event include Dr. Noah Kofi Karley, a lecturer at the School of the Built Environment, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; William Nii Teiko Evans-Anfom, Chief Consultant of Evans-Anfom & Associates, Accra, Ghana; Osei Kwame Agyeman, Managing Consultant at Casa Assocaiti, a leading firm of Architects, Designers & planners in Ghana; Martin Baerschmidt, Managing Director, L+B Design Group, who is also an Architect and Ivar Krasinki, currently Design Director, STR-EDGE, United Arab Emirate, UAE.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—49

FG hints on use of satellite imageries to curb insecurity

By CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA – President Good luck Jonathan has announced the readiness of his government to curb the rising insecurity in the country with the use of high resolution imageries to locate any suspicious changes on the landscape.

President Jonathan who made the remarks while declaring open the 27th FIG (Working Week) International Surveying Congress in Abuja, said high imageries like Geo-Eye, Quick Bird, Ikonos or digital globe would be deployed to tackle the challenge of insecurity, The theme of the week-long international event which attracted participants from across the globe, was “Environment for Sustainability.”

The President who was represented by the Minister of Works, Arch. Mike Onolememen declared that “the policy trust of my government as entrenched in the transformation agenda as well as the vision 20:2020, the global Millennium development Goals, MDG’s and land reform programmes are expected to receive impetus from the sustainable, fast, reliable and effective service delivery on the part of surveying and mapping sector through efficient acquisition, storage, processing and management of geospatial data and responsive dissemination of geo-information.

Contemporary challenges “These contributions are critical to solving numerous contemporary challenges facing Nigeria today including: security through location of suspicious changes on the landscape using high resolution imageries such as geo-eye, quick bird, ikonos or digital globe.”

He said the move will also address mapping for delineation of flood plains and inventory of all susceptible features within them. Wealth creation/ revenue generation through effective land administration practices by using improved delineation and identification of properties for taxation/tenement purposes using urban aerial photo derivatives will also be addressed.

Other issues to be addressed include: erosion monitoring and control using high accuracy digital elevation models (DEMs); coastal encroachment monitoring using laser-based imageries to overcome constraints arising from cloud cov-

er and forest cover as part of disaster and emergency management of ocean related hazards, Infrastructure planning, design, development and conservation through route surveys, right-of-way, ROW surveys and hydrographic position fixing.

He regretted that Nigeria as a maritime oil producing nation lacks technical and human capacity in hydrographic surveying due to the lack of any approved course recognized by FIG/International Hydrograph-

ic organisation advisory board at category A or B in the West African sub-region or even African as a whole.

“I wish to therefore use this opportunity to request that FIG should help to establish and develop or select and upgrade existing training facilities to a centre of excellence in hydrography. It will also be appreciated if FIG can advocate that relevant donor agencies like the international Oceanographic Commission should assist Nigeria in establishing a network

of real-time disaster ready tidal stations for monitoring and early warning services in case of marine hazards or related emergencies.

Also speaking, the President of the International Federation of Surveyors, Mr. Cheettai Teo underscored the importance of networking in making surveying profession meet the needs of the people, particularly those at the grassroots level.

Teo who noted that surveying profession thrives on precision, however urged all members to uphold ethical values in the profession with a view to achieving value for money.

Nigeria Police Cooperative estate

FG to recruit 17,000 youths for road maintenance

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU & ALICE FESTUS

A

S part of its efforts to reduce joblessness in the country, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, said it would employ the services of 17,000 youths under the Subsidy ReInvestment Empowerment Programme, SURE-P who will ensure the continuous maintenance of Federal roads across the country.

The youths, would be indigenes of the various communities located close to the 17,000 kilometers highway. The SURE-P Committee Convener on Public Works, Mrs Ngozi, Olojeme who led FERMA on an inspection tour fn road patches being carried out along Abuja-Keffi road, said the recruits would work in collaboration with FERMA engineers.

The project is an adaptive scaling-up of current FERMA direct labour agency activities. It is aimed at creating mass employment opportunities through the implementation of a national Road Maintenance Public Works Programme. The

programme also focuses on the provision of safe and motorable trunk roads across the economic zones of the country Her words: “4,556 youths have so far been employed out of the 10,000 previously targeted by the agency while we intend to engage the balance of 5,444 before the end of June this year. We will also employ another 17,000 youths. We want to involve indigenes along Federal roads as labourers. Those indigenes will be working on their own roads that affect their lives directly. The labourers should be the indigenes of the localities, while the leaders and heads of the team could come from anywhere a far as they are Nigerians”.

Continuing, she said: “FERMA is doing a great job, as you can see from our inspection from Abuja down to Nasarawa State all the road patterns are working; people are working hard to reduce portholes to zero level. What necessitated this outing is that we have to be working everyday to achieve our mandate; our mandate is to make sure Nigerians enjoy good roads and that is what we are out to do.

We have been traveling to all the states in Nigeria to make sure these jobs are carried out and the results are achieved”.

FG asks informal sector to form cooperatives for easy assessment of housing

By CHRIS OCHAY I

A

BUJA: In a move to address the problem of housing deficit facing the nation, the Federal Government has asked Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector to form cooperatives societies so as to make it easier for them to access loans and houses.

The Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, Gimba Ya’u Kumo who said this while receiving the Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke in his office, assured that the government will commence action to ensure availability of houses as soon as the corporatives are formed.

According to him, “the government has gone far, we are at the stage of launching the three hundred housing units in Lagos. We want all Nigerians to benefit from this scheme, employed and unemployed alike, we know what housing means to humanity so we are putting all effort into providing affordable houses. ”Presently, we have a desk in the 36 states of the federation, and other eight zones including the FMBN Headquarters which means we have over forty desks for the public to reach out to.

All they need to do is go to any FMBN office in the country ask for the desk in charge of housing corporative registration and get the information they need.

In his remarks earlier, Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke said he has come to strengthen the relationship between the state and the FMBN and developers in providing affordable houses for Cross Riverians.

Imoke added that “so far the state has become a model to other states in the provision of houses, the present housing model is the first that has so far been delivered since the 1970s, the state government has provided infrastructure at low prices for the first two hundred housing units.

Civil Servants in Cross River State he said have been following due process in contributing to the federal housing scheme, while the state government has done its part by providing affordable houses for them, thereby assuring them that their contributions are not in vain. We are equally working out modalities to provide houses for informal sectors as well.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013—51

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52— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

F you want to make money investing in shares, you must not follow the crowd.

When the stock market was booming and almost every company was selling shares, investment in shares became popular. Every Tom, Dick and Harry started buying shares.

Many people bought shares not because they had interest or knowledge about shares, but because that was what everybody was doing. Even when there were no offers from companies with track record of performance, people still bought shares- from any company especially through private placement, they invested in this Fund, that Fund. “Just buy ”, was the order of the day. Some capital market operators took advantage of this craze by introducing ambiguous investment scheme with the promise of mouth-watering returns, and people bought into them gullibly. More than five years after making such investments, they are now complaining. “I have invested in XYZ Fund since 2007, I have not heard anything from them.” That is what happens when you follow the crowd.

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

N the previous week, Cutix Plc, Aviation Services and Logistics, ASL, ABC Transport, Chemical and Allied Products Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, African Prudential Registrars, Courteville Business Solution, National Salt Company, Diamond Bank and United Bank for Africa recorded highest price rally to emerge the top ten gainers in the stock market.

Cutix Plc listed in electronics and electrical products sector recorded the highest price gain to lead the pack. At the end of transactions last week, the stock went up by 44.52 percent or N0.65 to close at N2.11. It started the week at N1.46. The share price has so far risen by 75.83 percent year-to-date, rising from N1.20 in January to the present market price. Cutix manufactures electrical and telecommunication wires, armoured cables and plastic compounds.

Transport related services company, ASL, followed with C M Y K

Interest and passion are critical to success in any life endeavour. When you don’t have interest in or passion for something, the only reason you will likely do that thing is

because others are doing it.

The truth however is that you will most likely not be committed to that thing. You will most likely not follow up on it, nurture it to produce

results. You would be easily discouraged and give up.

That is what happened to many investors especially the retail investors around the country. They followed the crowd, and invested in something they did not have passion for hence they did not follow up. I bought shares in

The company you invested your hard earned money did not contact you for more than five years, and you did not make effort to contact it or seek information about it

,

Top 10 performing stocks 41.82 percent capital appreciation or N1.38 to close at N4.68 from N3.30 it started with. The stock has enjoyed tremendous growth this year. The stock had risen to N5.90 from its year low of N1.27 before declining to the Friday figure. Investors, therefore, have enjoyed as much as 268 percent return on their investment in the company. ASL provides catering and hospitality services to international airlines and airports in Nigeria and tier 1 corporate institutions.

ABC Transport followed with 31.25 percent capital appreciation or increase of N0.25 to close at N1.05 from N0.80. Already, it has recorded 110 percent increase from N0.50 at the beginning of the year to N1.05 at the close of transaction on Friday. For now, ABC is the only road transport business quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and it has been able to diversify into other related businesses,

which, according to the Managing Director, Frank Nneji, have reinforced the company’s financial performance. At the close of

,

I

Don’t follow the crowd

,

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

trading on Friday, investors bought 2.94 million units of the shares. It has diversified into haulage and Cargo business.

CAP, is listed on the building materials sector of the NSE and manufactures paints and coatings, as well as fire extinguishers, took the third place.

It was the highest gainer in the penultimate week. At the end of transactions last week, the share price went up by 26.71 percent or N12.50 to close at N59.30 per share. It opened

Cadbury Nigeria plc was the fifth highest price gainer with 25.50 per cent increment or N8.92 to close at N43.90 from N34.98 per share

,

company x during its public offer in 2006, I have not heard from then since”. If you did not hear from the company, why didn’t you make effort to find out about it?

You have newspapers, television, radio and the internet to source information.

The company you invested your hard earned money did not contact you for more than five years, and you did not make effort to contact it or seek information about it. It is because you did not buy the shares out of passion and interest. You invested because others invested. Maybe your share certificate and dividend had been posted to the wrong address, maybe they are been intercepted by fraudsters, but because you did not follow-up, you would not know, the company also may not know.

Yet your investment and dividend are lying fallow.

Profitable investment in shares requires consistent follow-up and monitoring. It requires you to know what you are buying and why you are buying it. It requires buying or selling based on specific goals and purposes. But the commitment required to do this comes from passion and interest.

the week at N46.80. Year-todate, the stock price has risen by 334.83 from year low of N13.78 to the present market price. CAP evolved from the world-renowned British multinational Imperial Chemical Award Industries plc, which formalised its Nigerian operations in 1957 under ICI Exports Limited.

Cadbury Nigeria Plc was the fifth highest price gainer with 25.50 percent increment or N8.92 to close at N43.90 from N34.98 per share.

Cadbury manufactures beverages and other confectioneries.

Other include: African Prudential Registrar, which gained 23.38 percent or N0.36 to close at N1.90; Courteville garnered 22percent capital appreciation or N0.11 to close at N0.61, while NASCON, Diamond Bank and UBA were the last three with 20.11 percent, 15.99 percent and 15.90 percent capital gain to close at N9.05, N7.11 and N8.02 in that order.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 —53

Stockbrokers are driving people away from the market INVESTORS SPEAK

expectation of the shareholders.

BY WILLIAM JIMOH &

HANNAH ISIBOR

GODWIN AUGUSTINE: tockbrokers have sent so many people to their early graves. They are significantly the reason why people are running away from the market or do not want to buy shares. They sell people’s shares; before you know it while you are in your house, a broker is trading your shares out there, and at the end of the day if you are fortunate, they will reverse the trade and if not, that is your luck.

There are cases where these brokers were invited to the Association of Stockbrokers. Let it be on record, the Association invited stock brokers that sold people’s share but none was prosecuted, they escaped the punishment they ought to face because the whole matter is like giving the case of a thief to an armed robber to judge. If you are lucky, they buy back the shares for the poor shareholder but still they have not lost anything because they have made money from the investment.

That is another issue that makes many to lose confidence in the whole process.

Some of the registrars are performing well while some are not. Some don’t distribute the annual reports on time.

Some do so maybe three weeks after the AGM which is not good for the shareholders.

When you look at the duty of the registrars, they are custodians of shares but in most cases they are found wanting most especially when it comes to the issue of unclaimed dividend.

I will also use this opportunity to tell the regulatory authority that there should be a system where shareholders can get their dividend apart from having a bank account.

S

AWOSANYA ADESINA: ome stock brokers are not good, I will not mention any of their names here but there are some stock brokers that when you get to their offices, you will not find them. You will only meet their receptionist who may not be able to attend to you appropriately.

Many of them are based in Aba or in Imo State from where they run their

S

•Awosanya Adesina

•Abiodun Adewale

•Godwin Augustine offices in Lagos. And when you try to talk to their receptionist, who does not know much about shares , you will be treated in a way that looks as if you do not know what you are doing. If you ask for even ordinary statement of account, they may tell you that their server is not working and they cannot print the statement.

Talking about the registrars now, the Union Registrars for instance are very good. They listen to complaints and offer advice where needed.

Though they have their own flaws but they still manage to live up to the

DCN. ABIODUN ADEWALE (Vice – Chairman, Nigerian Association of Shareholders, Ibadan zone and Chairman, Ogun State Chapter): The generality of registrars and stock brokers in the market are trying their best.

But for an investor to get value for his investment depends on how vast his knowledge is and how much understanding he has about the market.

If they (stock brokers and registrars) discover that the shareholder is not an experienced person, one way or the other, they will cheat him. It is even possible for them to sell your shares behind you and without your knowledge. If you are the type that know what to do, immediately you discover, you get them arrested and ensure that they are charged to the court for prosecution and proper punishment.

But like I said, once they know that you are very experienced in the deal, they will not try that with you.

As for me, I always monitor my shares in the various companies. I have shares in nothing less than 65 companies; I have diversified it into the different sectors of the economy, like banking, insurance, manufacturing etc.

And with me as a Chairman of a shareholders’ association, I always interact with my members to impress it on them how to go about certain matters as regarding their shares so that they will not be duped by those fraudulent stock brokers.

And for those of them that had been duped in the past, I help them to write the Stock Exchange to seek redress.

And since they (the broker ) belong to a particular company, all the Exchange need to do is to invite them to give explanation on what was reported. And before we write to them, we ensure that we have the relevant evidences and information that will prove that the stock broker has truly sold the shares without your permission. So, if shareholders suspects any foul play with their shares, the number one thing to do is to let the relevant authority be aware of the matter; look for other enlightened investors that can also give you advice on how to go about it.

COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS No more communication from Oando and Oceanic Bank Please I bought shares from Oando Plc and the then Oceanic Bank Plc since 2004.

Oando gave me bonus in 2008 and 2010 and Oceanic in 2007.Since then nothing again and there has been no change in my contact address. Please help me out. Thanks and stay blessed. ( Jibrin Koloweni Chado) Investors Forum Oceanic Bank has been acquired by Ecobank. The bank’s registrar is ESL Securities Limited located at 16A Rauf Taylor Close, Off Idego Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. For you investment in Oando, contact First Registrars at Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu or call 01-773086, 774309, 270178,2701079 I need update on BGL Nubian Fund I invested some money in BGL Nubian Fund in 2011.I have been trying to reach them to get update on my investment but to no avail until they moved from their Benin office. Please help me locate them. I hope they are not fraudsters.

(Anonymous) Investors Forum They are not fraudsters.

Please contact the Head Office of BGL Asset Management Limited at Plot 1061, Abagbon Close, Off Ologun Agbaje Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel: 270 3902, 270 7096, 2798856. email: bglassetmgt@bglgroupng.com

Is it proper for a broker to relocate without informing customers?

Since I bought shares of Nicon Insurance during its IPO in 2000, I have not received my certificate neither have they refunded my money. Is it proper for a stockbroker to relocate or close down a branch of its company without informing its customers?

Also can someone buy shares on the floor of NSE if one’s investment is in CSCS account? (Bright O) Investors Forum It is not proper for a stock broker to relocate without informing its customers. Unfortunately, that is the norm in the stock market. If you have any case of misbehaviour from the stock broker, you can report to the Securities and Exchange Commission via sec@sec.gov.ng). You can buy shares from the floor of the stock exchange but you must go through a stock broker.

Has Japaul released its result?

Has Japaul released its result?

What is their first quarter EPS? Any hope that the shares will appreciate more from the present price of N0.53.

Investors Forum Japaul has released its result for 2012. No information yet on the first quarter result. The EPS for 2012 result is 0.04 per cent.

We don’t predict the prices of shares.

No dividend from Dangote Sugar & Sterling Bank

Dangote Sugar Plc declared 30 kobo per share as dividend last year which I didn’t receive. Also Sterling Bank declared dividend in 2009 and2012 which were not paid to me. I have spent more than the value of these dividends on letters and phone calls to their registrars with empty promises from them. I need to recover the money from them and it was as a result of I being frustrated that I sold my Sterling Bank Shares.

(Mgbachi Sylvanus Chike) Investors Forum To assist us to properly investigate this complaint, please send a detail complaint to vanguardinvestorsforum @gmail.com No dividend from Daar Communications & Finbank I bought shares from DAAR Communications and Finbank in year 2008, with certificate No.81392 and 182776 respectively. Till date I haven’t received dividend. (Nwachukwu Kenneth) Investors Forum Daar Communications is yet to declare any dividend since its public offer. For your shares in Finbank, please contact City Securities at Primrose Tower, 2nd Floor, 17A Tinubu Street, Lagos.

Tel: 234-1-2641298, 234-17924462.

How do I get my shares from Oando Since I bought shares of Oando Plc six years ago, I have only received just one dividend. Please how can I get the shares?

(Anonymous) Investors Forum Contact First Registrars at Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu or call 01-773086, 774309, 270178,2701079.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with any company (stockbroker, Registrar Company etc), write to vanguardinvestorsforum @gmail.com OR send text to 08157550673. We will INVESTIGATE AND REPLY C M Y K

54 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Emenike’s staking of $50, 000 for World Cup:

Chukwu, Iroha, Adepoju hail him N

•LAGER LOUT ... Boateng drenches Ribery in beer

Franck’s booze blast F

URIOUS Franck Ribery insists he will NEVER speak to Bayern Munich teammate Jerome Boateng again after the defender drenched the Muslim winger in BEER. The France star, who does not drink alcohol due to his faith, is livid with former Manchester City ace Boateng for pouring the lager over his head during Bayern’s title celebrations.

Ribery had told his colleagues to keep the booze away from him and was chased around the pitch until Boateng finally got the Frenchman.

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The 30-year-old said: “I won’t talk to Boateng again.

“He knows that I’m

Muslim. I’m p***** off.”

Bayern won the Bundesliga at a canter, finishing 22 points ahead of rivals

Borussia Dortmund – who they will meet in the Champions League final.

IGERIA soccer buffs have hailed the gesture by Africa Cup of Nations star, Emmanuel Emenike’s offer to award his colleagues 50,000 dollars if Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup in Brazil.

Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles coach, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the offer by Emenike showed how important the player regarded the qualification of the team for the World Cup. “It is a very good gesture; if other people can emulate him, we will be better off and have a stronger team.

“Although he is injured, we pray for him to get better before the match, which will be a good incentive to motivate the players”. Iroha, an ex-International, said that Emenike had proved that he had a heart of gold, to support the boys even in his absence.

“I appreciate him for that. It is not easy to pull such a stunt. I wish the team well. I know that the team will miss him on the field but they should

Beck first Englishman to win league in four countries

D

AVID Beckham has become the first Englishman to claim a league medal in four different countries.

Nadal, Serena ready for French Open challenge

R

AFAEL Nadal and Serena Williams firmed up their credentials as French Open favourites by sweeping to victory in Madrid.

Nadal eased to his fifth title in just seven tournaments since returning from a seven-month injury layoff due to tendinitis in his left knee as he beat Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4 in little over an hour to claim his third title in

the Spanish capital.

Having also won on the clay in Sao Paulo, Acapulco and Barcelona this season, the 11-time Grand Slam champion looks well set for a strong French Open campaign at Roland Garros.

“It’s true these last matches I have been able to reach that goal, that line, that place where I want to be playing, the kind of play that I’m aiming for,” said

Nadal.

However, the world number five still refused to accept that he is the clear favourite for Roland Garros, which starts in two weeks, and insisted his mind is solely set on retaining his title in Rome this week.

“Next week, I will be in Rome and I will be thinking about Rome. I won’t be thinking Ro-

work with one mind and with that, they will make a success of the qualifier,” he said.

Mutiu Adepoju, an ex Super Eagles player, said for a player to offer that kind of amount showed that he was interested in the team’s victory.

“If he can offer that, then it means he is capable of doing it,” he said.

Former coach of the Super Falcons, Paul Hamilton, said it was a superb encouragement by Emenike.

“I am astonished at the way he (Emenike) took charge and told his teammates to help him to win, to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. I pray that they (Eagles) remain focused on the field of play”.

Joe Erico, a former Eagles trainer, also commended Emenike, saying , he was up to the task. I believe words of encouragement would give his team mates the desired push to go all out.

“Even when it won’t be an easy one for them, but I am positive that the results will be fair enough,’’ added the former goalkeeper trainer.

land Garros.”

Meanwhile, Williams has a second title at Roland Garros firmly in her sights as she claimed a title on the red clay for the first time since that triumph 11 years ago with a 6-1, 6-4 win over world number two Maria Sharapova.

“This court definitely plays more like Roland Garros, so I think that’s a plus,” said Williams who has now 50 career titles.

Becks, 38, helped Paris Saint-Germain to a first Ligue 1 title in 19 years — to follow his success in the Premier League, Spain and the US. Jeremy Menez’s 53rdminute strike was enough for PSG as they won 1-0 at Lyon. However, PSG’s title will not be confirmed until a league disciplinary panel meets to decide whether to impose a points deduction. It follows allegations Brazilian sporting director Leonardo barged a referee last weekend.

Beckham, a substitute last night, has made 10 appearances since joining from LA Galaxy.

His contract runs out at the end of the season but the club are keen to keep him.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013 — 55

Wrestling returns to ‘real’ owners as Igali comes on board •Sports Federation election

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

T

HE Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF) and its wrestlers are on the verge of breathing a fresh breathe in the forthcoming dispensation as Dr Daniel Igali, a former wrestler and an Olympic gold medalist signifies interest for the federation’s presidency in today’s sports association election in Abuja.

Dr Igali currently, Chairman, Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Sports who doubles as Technical Adviser of the wrestling federation vies with the incumbent president of the federation, Chief Austin Edeze who has done two-terms and is going for his third stint as the president of the Wrestling federation board He praised Chief Edeze for reviving wrestling at a time it was nearly comatose saying that he has a very cordial and friendly working relationship with the current president and would continue to work very closely with him in the next four years.

Dr Igali listed among his core plans of actions as: working for wrestling to be in the NUGA Games having had the mandatory two demonstration events; ensuring that sponsorship drive is heightened; getting a formidable constitution and bylaws for the federation, embarking on a detailed long term athlete development plan; securing a sizable

Kenya and Namibia, the international friendly game against Mexico and the 2014 FIFA Confederation’s cup in Brazil.

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HE Delta State Football Association raised its shoulder high, a day after staging a colourful Federation Cup finals at the Warri City Stadium, courtesy of a donation by an accomplished businessman and philanthropist, Dr. John Oganwu, who doled out Two Million Naira for youth soccer development in the State.

The donor, Dr. Oganwu, who hails from Illah, the home town of Coach Stephen Keshi and renowned sports administrator, Pa John Ojidoh, is the first University graduate to play for the Green Eagles of Nigeria.

According to a press statement by the Secretary General of the Delta State Football Association, Mr. Friday Onothoja, the FA in

conjunction with the Ministry of Education will engage selected primary schools in the State to compete in a football tournament from where one will emerge to participate in the Channels TV Kids Cup in Lagos.

The Delta FA, reputed for its private – sector driven programmes has set August 2013 for the Commissioning of a-N150m football secretariat christened “PATRICK OKPOMO FOOTBALL HOUSE”.

This project also got a N1m support from Dr John Oganwu.

It would be recalled that the donor was the recipient of the DFA Lifetime Achievement Award during the Delta Federations Cup finals held on Sunday 5th May, 2013.

Osho predicts tough Milo Basketball final

M

Igaku (r) punishes an opponent in an international competition endowment for the wrestling federation through active collaboration of sponsors to run grass roots

programs; ensuring the hosting of an international tournament in Nigeria; inculcating discipline and the sponsorship of at least

one local junior and senior tournament on a yearly basis among others.

BY PATRIC OMORODION

T

HERE are strong indications that Kenyan football authorities have perfected plans to frustrate the Super Eagles when they go for the second leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya.

Reports reaching Sports Vanguard have it that the Eagles would meet a hostile reception from their hosts

“I’m always in the mood to play games, to do my job because I love doing my job and the day I stop loving it, I will definitely stop coaching,” he told Brila FM.

who have sworn to do everything possible to frustrate the African champions.

A message from the Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi warned the Nigerian Football Federation of an impending hostile reception by their hosts and that they should do everything to ensure the Super Eagles are psychologically prepared for what they would meet in Nairobi.

The Kenyans who rattled the Eagles in Calabar in the first leg and nearly pulled an upset on the African Champions have repeatedly vowed to to make life miserable for the Nigerians.

They had alleged that the Nigerian Football Federation treated them badly during their arrival in Lagos where they complained of a low quality accommodation.

West Brom Continues from BP a West Brom player next season? No, I don’t.

“I don’t do the deals, I’m the head coach, but I was asked a question and I gave an honest

R. Folorunsho Osho, Brand Specialist Beverage Category, Nestle has predicted a tough final match of the Western Conference of the 15th edition of Nestle Milo Secondary School holding today at the Liberty Stadium with International School, Lagos battling Ogun State

representative, Adedokun International School, Ota in the boys category.

In the girls category, it will be a battle of wits between Yejide Girls College, Ibadan, Oyo State and Westend Secondary School, Asaba, Delta State.

Osho expressed satisfaction with the standard of play.

Election

Harambee Stars plan hostile reception for Eagles

Keshi Continues from BP

Oganwu boosts schools sports in Delta

answer.

“I don’t think he will be here next season.”

Odemwingiecameoffthe bench in Sunday’s defeat to Norwich.

Continues from BP Basketball Federation (NBBF) Col. Sam Ahmedu (Rtd) as he raised alarm of a grand plot to stop him and some other critical stakeholders in the federation from participating in the exercise.

Ahmedu, currently the President of FIBA Africa Marketing Council and member of FIBA Africa Central Board, the international basketball decision-making body in the continent, is one of two top officers in the sports duly qualified for automatic places in the in-coming NBBF board.

According to the Guidelines of the election published by the National Sports Commission (NSC), at least two most senior members of

i n t e r n a t i o n a l federations with no less than three years experience at elective positions would be included as members of the new board.

The retired army officer claimed that while one of the senior Africa FIBA officials, Muktar Khaleh was duly acknowledged and accorded his place on the incoming board that the NSC, working in connivance with the NBBF, denied him the right to be on the board. He however vowed to fight the injustice.

The Dodan Warriors Basketball Club financier disclosed that few people have made the kind of sacrifices he has made towards uplifting the game of basketball since venturing into the sport in 1967.

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

Keshi ready for Kenya clash S

UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi is now getting in proper shape ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Kenya in June.

Nigeria play Mexico in a friendly on May 31st before taking on Kenya on June 7 in a world cup qualifier. The Super Eagles also play against Namibia a week

later as they seek a Brazil 2014 world cup ticket. Kenya forced Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in the first leg played in Calabar.

Keshi revealed he is psychologically ready for the fixtures ahead in which the team will play important 2014 World Cup qualifiers against

Continues on Page 55

Spor ts Federation elections: It’s a sham •Col. Ahmedu decries process

BY BETHEL OBINNA, Abuja

T

BRING ON KENYA: Keshi

HE elections into the various boards

PUZZLE

West Brom boss confirms Odemwingie exit

W

EST Brom manager Steve Clarke has admitted striker Peter Odemwingie will exit the club at the end of the season.

The Nigerian international claimed last week that he was almost certain to leave the club this summer after coming in for criticism from Baggies fans.

Clarke has now conceded that

Odemwingie will move on at the end of the season, saying he does not expect the 31-yearold in his squad next season.

“His future will be decided in the summer,” Clarke said on Sky Sports.

“Do I think he will be

Continues on Page 55

EPL Fixtures: Arsenal v Wigan 7:45 Reading v Man City 8:00

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

of national sports federations have been carpeted by former member of the Nigeria Continues on Page 55

TIME TO GO••• Osagie

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Material (6) 5 Endure (6) 8 Penitent (8) 9 Excursion (4) 10 Ocean (3) 12 Bear (5) 15 Consumed (3) 17 Low (3) 18 Devil (3) 19 Vitality (3) 20 Thick (5) 21 Equality (3) 22 Untruth (3) 23 Meadow (3) 24 Expire (3) 26 Terror (5) 26 Cover (3) 33 Repute (4) 34 Virtue (8) 35 Improve (6) 36 Showy (6)

DOWN 2 Ascended (5) 3 Speed (4) 4 Porcelain (5) 5 Javelin (5) 6 Lot (4) 7 Live (5) 10 Agreeable (5) 11 Sufficient (5) 12 Enciphered (5) 13 Scope (5) 14 Horrify (5) 16 Strayed (5) 25 Angry (5) 27 Reappear (5) 28 Asunder (5) 30 Bury (5) 31 Despatched (4) 32 Store (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Post 4, Pod 6, Arch 8, Affair 9, Threat 10, Tea 12, Crypt 14, Unite 15, Lager 18, Tavern 20, Impact 24, Under 26, Cache 28, Tower 30, Ape 32, Cherub 33, Sailor 34, Edam 35, Try 36, Even.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN 2, Offer 3, Trample 4, Pert 5, Data 6, Apron 7, Chaotic 11, Eke 12, Cut 13, Tar 16, Gnu 17, Rid 19, Abashed 21, Met 22, Provide 23, Tor 25, Nip 27, Harem 29, Evoke 30, Abut 31, Espy.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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C M Y K