Jonathan's senator, Rep, others decamp to APC

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62405

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Lagos Govt gives tanker drivers 48 hrs to vacate Oshodi-Apapa Expressway 10

Jonathan's senator, Rep, others decamp to APC

•APC'll capture Bayelsa soon — Sylva •They're looking for stomach infrastructure — PDP

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Book launch on Amaechi today in Lagos

49

A

B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s remark last week that more of his friends would desert him after losing the presidential election to General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, turned prophetic, yesterday, as his kinsmen representing him at the National and State Assembly Continues on Page 5

The world 'll support Buhari to succeed — Blair

8

TONY BLAIR VISITS BUHARI— From left: President–Elect Muhammadu Buhari; former British Prime Minister Tony

Blair and Vice President-Elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during Blair’s visit to the President-Elect in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT:

Senate backs out of veto override 9

COLUMNISTS: The Nurudeen factor in You're lonely Kwara politics when you lose •P.17

C M Y K

•P.19

A party in irreversible coma? (1) •P.19

BUHARI'S INAUGURATION: Expect low key ceremony— APC

14

Mr & Mrs

2 — V anguard, THURSD AY, MA Y 14, 2015 Vanguard, THURSDA MAY

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—HARD times await perpetrators of violence before, during and after the recent governorship elections in Rivers State as the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) said he will not “forgive or forget” their evil acts.

Buhari spoke, yesterday, when the state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, paid him a congratulatory visit in Abuja.

Buhari, who said he owed the people a duty to ensure justice in the land, also assured that every Nigerian deserved respect and dignity.

He said: “We will confront them with facts and figures. We will not forgive and we will not forget those who perpetrated killings and arson in Rivers State during the elections. At least this is the much we owe Nigerians.”

He added that his government will not tolerate “an army within the army or a police within the police.”

Also speaking to journalists, the former deputy governor of the state, Sir Gabriel Toby, who led the Rivers delegation, said what happened during the presidential and the governorship elections was a coup, saying it did not reflect the wishes of the people.

While pledging the support of the people to the incoming administration, Toby added that they were also in Abuja to plead with the President-elect not to forget the persecution and many sacrifices made by their son, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, that culminated into APC’s success, urging Buhari to duly compensate Amaechi.

‘Justice will be served in Delta’

Also speaking during his meeting with Delta State chapter of APC members, led by its governorship candidate in the last election, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, Buhari said justice will define his government, assuring that the rights of Nigerians must not be trampled upon.

He said: “I thank you for mobilizing yourselves to come and congratulate me for emerging as the winner of the presidential election this year. I am very much in touch with your governor and he has kept me abreast with the running battle.

“I express my condolence to you for the people murdered and I assure you that my objective of remaining consistently in partisan politics is to make sure that Nigerians are given their inherent right as citizens of Nigeria, to choose whoever they want to lead them.

“It is not a favour for them as Nigerians, but a constitutional right as citizens of this country.

I will not support anybody who will undermine that right of C M Y K

LECTURE: From left— Scott Taylor, Director, African Studies, Georgetown University, Washington DC; Ade Adefuye, Nigerian Ambassador to the US; Tony Elumelu, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, and David Thomas, Dean, Georgetown Business School, when Elumelu delivered a lecture on Entrepreneur-led Development: A New Model for Africa, at Georgetown University, Tuesday.

Rivers election: We won't forgive killers, arsonists—BUHARI Nigerians by whatever means.

To use the military, other law enforcement agencies and give drugs and weapons to unemployed youths and send them to kill their own people is the worst thing anybody aspiring to leadership can do.

zDon't make 2019 attempt difficult for me, he tells Benue zPromises better days for women zRivers election, a coup— Gabriel Toby

‘My focus’

Emerhor Earlier, Otega Emerhor told Buhari: “We would like to bring to your attention how Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, disenfranchised the people of Delta and the South-South at both the presidential and governorship elections.

“As our submission to the tribunal in respect of the governorship and state assembly elections will demonstrate, in truth, majority of Deltans were ready for the change you represent and were geared to vote massively for you and APC. “Unfortunately, a grand design executed by PDP in the South-South and South-East, particularly Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, made sure that no proper election took place.

“Result sheets were confiscated and results fabricated, written, giving PDP massive votes, while giving paltry votes to APC to portray it as not existing in the two zones. To provide a cover for vote manipulation, PDP also resorted to violence, intimidation and ballot box snatching as a smoke screen.

“They effectively compromised both Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the security forces against the will and preferences of

“I assure you that in this first term of four years, I will concentrate on things that Nigerians will be proud of.

Nigerians, wherever they are, will be respected. Whoever they chose as a representative or as a leader should go and submit himself to them.

“If they like, let them vote for you, if they do not like, let him try again and again. It has not been easy. The field work is not easy and because it is not easy, you get a lawyer to put it in proper term.

“Going through the court is not easy both materially and physically and I maintained that consistency because my view about my country is that it should be truly free. I have said so, so often and I do not mind repeating myself here.

“I assure you that APC’s first objective is security and what destroyed the economy is lack of security, unemployment and the aggressive youths.

“I understand why many of you were denied the opportunity to choose those you want to represent and lead you and are taking the line I took in the last 12 years, which is in line with our constitution.

“Whether you get it or not, the most important thing is that you believe in the system and you should continue to try

until the system is perfect. I appeal to you.”

Delta people and the two zones.

“Through the CTC of the card reader report that we have obtained from INEC, we have unearthed the massive fraud that PDP perpetuated in Delta State. We have filed our petitions to cancel these bogus elections in the tribunal in Delta State.”

Voters’ discrepancy

He said: “Our election petition shows that while announced voter accreditation was over 1,017,796, the actual card reader accreditation report shows only 709,700.

“A cursory look shows that the votes allocated to PDP governorship candidate (724,680) alone exceed the accredited voters as recorded by the card reader report.

With these anomalies, we are indeed very optimistic that the governorship and assembly elections in Delta State will be nullified and a re-run ordered.

“As you are aware, Delta State, along with Akwa Ibom and Rivers, are rich in oil resources and PDP is determined to hold on to these states at all cost to utilize the huge revenue base of these states to relaunch itself to national reckoning.

“It is, therefore, strategic for APC and your

administration to pay particular attention and to assist us put in place modalities to break the stronghold of PDP in Delta and the other states.”

Thanking Benue

Buhari also thanked the people of Benue State, who paid him a congratulatory visit, for voting APC. The team, which was led by the governor-elect of the state, Mr. Samuel Ortom, included Chief Audu Ogbe, Senator George Akume, among others.

Buhari said: “I think Nigerians have decided. It has been a rough journey. They have realized it. We thank God and we thank the technology which made it possible because if not for PVC and card readers, the normal thing would have happened. The normal thing which sent me to the Supreme Court three times. “ I beg Senator Akume and the governor-elect not to make my 2019 attempt too difficult.

“I assure you that we owe United States and Europe, led

by Britain, for the support they have given to our system. They were really, very concerned about Nigerian security and that is why we must appreciate people of conscience all over the world.”

The President-elect also played host to APC women leaders, led by Hajiya Ramatu Ali, where he promised to include them in his government.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

HIJACKED—The Oyo State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammed Katsina inspecting the fuel dump of PATKA filling station at Ogungbade area of Ibadan where 31,000 litres of engine oil were allegedly diverted to after being hijacked from the driver, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube.

Jonathan's senator, Rep, others decamp to APC Continues from Page 1 decamped from his party to the APC. The lawmakers who officially announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alongside their supporters at the APC national secretariat included Senator Clever Marcus Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East Senatorial District); Mr. Nadu Karibo (Ogbia Federal Constituency), and member, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr Azibola Omekwe (Ogbia Constituency).

Accompanied to the party ’s office by the former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, the politicians said that their movement

to the APC was long overdue but for fear of the unknown.

Speaking at the event, Senator Ikisikpo, who led the delegation, justified their departure on the basis of the benefits that awaited their constituencies in APC. According to him, hopes were also high that the Governor of the State, Mr. Seriake Dickson will soon join them in APC. He further revealed that the PDP had been hijacked by self-serving individuals.

He said: “It is, indeed, unfortunate that the PDP which used to be known for fairness and ability to accommodate different

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

True love is unconditional. The truth is this: Love is not determined by the one being loved but rather by the one choosing to love—S Kendrick

I

F you want to be loved unconditionally, practice loving unconditionally. If you want assistance from others, extend assistance whenever and wherever you have the opportunity. If you’d like to be the recipient of generosity, then be as generous as you can, as frequently as you can. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways of attracting the power of intention.

Match up with the abundant flow of the universal mind from which everyone and everything originates while extending it outward, and you’ll attract back to yourself all that you intend to manifest.

Be detached from outcomes and practice infinite patience, this is a crucial step in keeping faith; don’t make the mistake of allowing the ego dictate time schedule. Always see in your inner vision, in your imagination, the energy you are radiating, love, laughter, joy and success and also extend charity and goodwill to all.

shades of opinions has been hijacked by a few people. In the party today, impunity is the order of the day.

“The ungodly syndicate that has taken over the PDP has d i s p l a y e d unprecedented high handedness, crude arrogance and phenomenal perfidy. In most cases, unpopular decisions are taken by these few individuals and imposed on the party without consideration for dissenting voices.

“A case in point is the election of members to represent Ogbia in the national and state assemblies in the just concluded general elections. Primordial and s e n t i m e n t a l considerations were given priority over and above competence and fairness, which had been the norm in our area.

“Some of us joined the PDP in Bayelsa State since 1998 and we have been very hard working and loyal to the party, even at extremely difficult times. We have also won elections at different levels for the party.

“But the present situation of betrayal and arrogance in the PDP has become so unbearable that we have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of our people that we quit the PDP.”

APC 'll soon take over Bayelsa — Sylva The former governor of the state, Sylva, who also spoke at the occasion

said the development was an indication of a big harvest coming the way of the APC. He also expressed optimism that APC would win the next governoship election in the state.

“Today is a very great day for the APC. Sometimes, I say that politics is like a jig-saw puzzle. When the bits come together, then you can see the picture very clearly. I want to tell you that the bits of the politics of Bayelsa State is beginning to come together.

“Very soon, you will see the picture clearly. We worked so assiduously to deliver the APC but the PDP elements were

determined to rig us out in the past election. We are happy, however, that APC coasted on to victory at the presidential level.

But today, Bayelsans and Niger-Delta have come to realize that this is the way forward.

“This is the beginning of a big harvest. A lot of people will be coming over to the APC, and I assure you that soon, APC will become the dominant party even in the SouthSouth. Later this year, Bayelsa governoship will be up for contest and when that time comes, you can safely remember that the APC will win the governorship of Bayelsa State.

“You can take this to the bank because we know how to do it. And the bits are coming together. In the very near future, more of these bits will come together and then you would have convinced yourself even before the time that Bayelsa State will become an APC state at the governorship level”, he said.

Deputy National Chairman, South, Engr.

Segun Oni who received the defectors expressed happiness that Bayelsa State has embraced

change.

He later handed brooms to the defectors to formalize their welcome into APC.

They're looking for stomach infrastructure — PDP

In his reaction, Bayelsa State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Makbere Osom said: "Some of these defecting members never properly perused the manifestoes and ideologies of parties before they joined, and now,seeing that their fate beyond May 29 is a mirage, they are afraid of the unknown, and are going for ‘stomach infrastructure’ and survival. Some of them have never worked anywhere since graduation, but, politics has been their ‘public service’. With it they acquired land, properties, travelled overseas on first class tickets, and realising that the present reality holds nothing for them, they believe no option seems safer for the sake of their children and family than compromising principles, if they ever had, and follow which way food comes to the table".

FG redeploys Aviation Perm Sec over unauthorized leave

By Favour Nnabugwu

A

BUJA—THE F e d e r a l Government has redeployed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Alhaji Mohammed Abbas to the Economic Affairs Office for proceeding on leave without authorization. This was disclosed, yesterday, by the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi.

Kifasi, who was apparently displeased with media reports (not Vanguard ) about the redeployment of Abbas, said in Abuja, yesterday,

that the reason given for the redeployment was unfounded.

He said: “In order to put facts right, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation wishes to state categorically that the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary was due to the fact that he proceeded on leave without due authorization.

“Permanent secretaries are aware that the procedure for being granted leave involves having both the consent of the Minister and approval of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

It was unfortunate that Alhaji Abbas did not follow this process before

commencing his leave.

"It should also be put on record that all top public servants are aware of the need to be on their seats during the course of the transition programme. It was, therefore, not expected that a Permanent Secretary, who oversees such a strategic sector in the public service, would choose to be on leave at this sensitive period.

“The Head of the Service of the Federation wishes to emphasize that discipline in the Service is of utmost importance and civil servants no matter how highly placed, must adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the Service”.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Bush meat on sale at Diko Market, Niger State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

HIT-AND-RUN

Man disappears with corpse, as police arrest driver

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—POLICE from Azikoro Divisional Command, Bayelsa State, have launched a manhunt for an unidentified driver of a Nissan Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, for allegedly killing a man and absconding with the corpse along Ogbogoro community road in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

The hit-and-run incident, which occurred Tuesday at about 7p.m. along the Ogbogoro-Famgbe Road, was said to have caused pandemonium in the area.

An eyewitness said though the prompt response of a police special operation team on patrol in the area led to the arrest of the vehicle’s driver, the car’s owner drove away in the midst of the confusion caused by a crowd of onlookers and sympathizers.

The deceased, 34, was said to be taking a walk along Ogbogoro Road, when he was crushed from behind by the speeding car.

A source said: “Immediately, police apprehended the driver and brought him out. But the owner of the vehicle, who saw that the car key was in the ignition, pretended as if he was rendering assistance and drove away with the corpse.”

OVERLOADED: Vehicles from Geidam Boundary Market, Yobe State, yesterday.

NAN PHOTO.

Herbalist landlord kills tenant over wife's treatment

By Emma Una

C

ALABAR—YOUTHS of Ikot Abasi Effiom in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Tuesday night, set ablaze a herbalist, Ette Okon Friday, after he allegedly slashed the throat of a commercial motorcyclist (okadaman) identified as Itoro Titus, following a misunderstanding.

The deceased was the suspect’s tenant.

According to Rita Emmanuel, cousin to the slain okadaman, trouble started when the okadaman’s wife, Ndarake, took ill a week ago after giving birth to a child that died a few hours afterwards.

Late Titus was seeking a cure to her ailment, when his landlord said he could help.

Emmanuel said: “On Tuesday morning, my cousin’s wife had epileptic seizures and his landlord said he could treat it.

So Itoro went to his mother from whom he obtained N5,000, then gave the money to the landlord to treat the woman.”

She said after the herbalist collected the money, he assured the deceased that his wife would get well soon.

Vanguard gathered that when the deceased returned home from work at about 11p.m., he found his wife in a worse state, despite assurances of his landlord and demanded to know from him why his wife was not improving.

He lost first wife

A source said: “Last year, Itoro lost his first wife after she gave birth to their second daughter.

So he was worried that his second wife, who is taking care of the two children, was going to die again.

“He asked the herbalist why

zYouths set him ablaze, dogs eat remains his wife was getting worse, when she ought to be improving since the man had been given the money he demanded.

“The man did not say anything. He simply went inside his shrine, brought out a machete and cut Itoro’s throat.”

A youth of the area, who gave his name as Monday, said when they heard shouts of pain that night, they rushed to the herbalist’s house, the direction the shout came from, and met

Itoro in a pool of blood.

‘How we killed him’

He said the herbalist began threatening them with the blood-soaked machete, which angered the youths. He said they got hold of him, cut his throat, dumped him inside the shrine and set the place ablaze.

He said: “His body has been eaten by dogs, which he deserves because we cannot

understand why he should kill a young man for asking why the state of his wife, who he was treating, was getting worse rather than improving.”

Mr. Luis Samba, Divisional Police Officer for Akpabuyo, said the matter had been transferred to the homicide unit at the Police Command headquarters in Calabar.

Spokesman of the command, Mr. Hogan Bassey, said the matter was being investigated.

19-yr-old undergraduate impersonates Tinubu, defrauds 3

By Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS—OPERATIVES of the State Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, SIIB, have arrested a 19-year-old undergraduate for impersonating Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Eto, was arrested while attempting to defraud a fourth victim in Lagos.

According to reports, about three weeks ago, the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, received a complaint from a retired DIG, Alhaji Rahman Akao, that someone was impersonating a renowned senator on social media and defrauding unsuspecting victims.

He immediately directed the officer in charge of SIIB, SP Ameh Akpa Veronica, to investigate the case.

Ameh Akpa Veronica led a team of detectives, who traced the suspect to Delta State, where he was apprehended.

Vanguard gathered that Eto,

a National Diploma, ND, 2 student of Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, created a Facebook account with the politician’s name, which he used to lure his victims with a job offer.

It was learned that he had defrauded three persons before he was arrested, while attempting to defraud the fourth victim.

The suspect said: “I am from Isoko South Local Government in Delta State. I did what I did because my father is late and my mother has been sick for a long while.

“She has high blood pressure and has been in and out of hospital. She was recently discharged from the hospital.

“I ask my victims if they are interested in working in Nigerian National Oil Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, or any other blue chip company. They get carried away and I usually ask the victim to pay N26,850 into my bank account for application forms and processing fee.

Emmanuel Eto. “It was while I was attempting to defraud the fourth person that I was arrested.

“I am really disappointed in myself. I want my mother to know that I loved her so much that I went into fraud to enable me take care of her medical expense.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—7

We planned Lekki bank robbery in 24 hours—SUSPECT

By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS—POLICE in Lagos have arrested four suspected members of the 22-man robbery gang that invaded the Lekki branch of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, two months ago in Lagos, killing five persons.

Recovered from the suspects were a 2008 model Honda Accord car purchased by one of the suspects from his share of the loot; a white Blackberry Z10 phone, one Apple i-Phone 5, one military face cap, used during the operation, and 120 expended ammunition.

Preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects were oil bunkerers recruited from Delta, Ondo states and Arepo in Ogun State.

They were identified as Duke Odogbo, 38; Lawrence Kingsley, 31; Ebi Tosan, 20, and Ekelemo Kuete, 30.

One of the suspects, Odogbo, who gave a graphic explanation of how the bank robbery took place, revealed that it took the gang 24 hours to plan the operation at Tarkwa Bay. He further told a crowd at the Police Command headquarters, where they were paraded, that his share of the N15 million loot was N500,000.

zOf the N15m loot, I got N50,000— BOATMAN asked, they said they saw some policemen in a van, concluded they were there for us and shot at them. I was not the one that shot the policemen. I did not kill anyone.

“It was when we got to the forest, located in an island in Ikorodu that we discovered that the amount stolen was N15 million and I got N500,000. I used my share to boost my bunkering business.”

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Fegge Divisional Police, Onitsha, has arrested 19year-old Joshua Uzochukwu Ezirim, for allegedly using a kitchen knife to stab his father, Mr. Sampson Ezirim, a book seller at Onitsha Main Market, to death.

A source revealed that late Ezirim, who is from Imo State, was stabbed more than 30 times by Joshua, his last son, after he chased away his mother and siblings from their flat and locked the doors.

The source said the incident happened on Saturday, and it was reported to the police by one Chimdike Ezirim, the suspect’s brother.

The suspect had been threatening the entire family before the incident.

The source added that DPO of Fegge Police Station, Mr. Rabiu Garba, deposited the corpse at St. Charles Boromeo Hospital, Onitsha, mortuary, while the DCO, James Etum, arrested the suspect as he was said to have locked himself and his father’s corpse in, before policemen used teargas to smoke him out.

I was in charge of the boat—Kuete

On his part, Kuete confessed that he drove one of the speed boats, adding that he was given N50,000 at the end of the operation.

Kuete, who resides at Arepo area of Ogun State, said: “I

The suspects and the recovered car (inset). must confess, I knew that we were going to rob a bank. I am

a bunkerer at Arepo and I make at least N80,000 from each operation.

“I was hired to take them to the bank. I remained in the boat with four others, while the rest left for the bank.

“When they came back, we headed straight for our hideout, where our leaders shared the money according to individual’s involvement. I got N50,000.”

The dead

‘I was invited from Warri’

According to him, “I was invited by a friend from Warri, Delta State, to come for bunkering job. But on reaching Lagos, I was told it was a bank robbery.

“I told them I was into bunkering and not robbery. But because they told me we were going to make much money from it, I decided to join them.

“On the day of the operation, we left Tarkwa Bay at about 4.30 p.m., in two boats; with 11 persons on each. But one of the boats developed fault on the way. We all entered the good one.

“We got to the bank few minutes after 5p.m.

Immediately we left the canal, some of us went to the road and started firing, thereby making way for those of us that would go inside. I led the team that went in.

“We were all putting on Army camouflage. I shattered the entrance glass with bullets and when we got inside, we demanded for the money realized for that day. The manager told us they did not make much.

“But we broke into one of their strong rooms where we got some money. We also broke into two ATM boxes, but there was no money in either of them. We told ourselves that the operation must not exceed 40 minutes.

“To my surprise, by the time we were leaving, I discovered that my colleagues were with seven extra rifles. When I

19-yr-old boy kills father, chases mother, siblings away

CAUGHT : Alhaji Muhammed Katsina, Oyo State Commissioner of Police (right) interogating three suspected pipeline vandals at Oluyide village, along Odeda Ogunmakin Road. INSET: Inspecting a fuel dump, where 31,000 litres of engine oil were diverted to after being hijacked from a tanker driver, at Ogungbade area of Ibadan. PHOTOS: Dare Fasube.

Parading the suspects before journalists, the command boss gave the identities of those who lost their lives in the operation as Inspector Bethel Agbobu, Sergeant Odehowho George, Corporal Imoise Ikechukwu, Mr. Sowemimo Kabiru and Miss Sarah Ibikunle, the 15year-old girl, who sold fish close to the bank.

3 die after consuming ogogoro in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—DETECTIVES from Ondo State Police Command are working round the clock to unravel the mysterious death of three persons after consuming a local gin, popularly known as ogogoro at Oka Motor Park in Ondo town, Ondo State.

This is coming as the state government said last week that it had curtailed the outbreak of a strange disease which caused the death of 23 persons at Irele area of the state.

The government said the 23 who died at Irele consumed poisonous ethanol and banned the consumption of ogogoro across the state.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased persons in this latest incident included a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the park, an electrician and another person working in the motor park.

It was learned that the three

zWe’re investigating—POLICE persons consumed the local gin at the park and immediately complained of stomach upset.

Other members of the union reportedly applied local herbs to calm them down, but they soon became unconscious.

An eyewitness said they died before they could be rushed to a nearby hospital in the town, adding that the deaths were mysterious as other members of the union usually drank the same ogogoro.

Seller flees

Vanguard gathered that the seller of the ogogoro had fled the park for fear of arrest by policemen, who reportedly stormed the motor park to investigate the incident.

The eyewitness said consumption of ogogoro at motor parks by members of NURTW was a daily occurrence.

It was also gathered that the deceased had been buried

according to Muslim rites without undergoing any autopsy to confirm the real cause of their death.

Contacted, the police image maker, Wole Ogodo, said: “When I called the DPO of the Enuowa Police Division in Ondo, he said nobody had reported the case at the police station, that they too heard it as rumour in the town.

“We have commenced investigation and after the investigation we shall let the whole world know what actually happened to the said three persons.”

We ‘re in control — Health Commissioner

It would be recalled that the Health Commissioner, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, last weekend said the state government has successfully curtailed the ethanol poison at Irele area of the state.

He said the sensitization efforts of government had yielded results on the consumption of the local gin.

The commissioner added that both National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and SON had intervened to standardize the brewing of the local gin and regulate it’s production.

Adeyanju said: “Those that died as a result of the consumption of the local gin are the chronic drinkers, while those that just tasted it have since regained their sights.”

According to him, a high concentration of the ethanol poison was discovered in the system of those that died as a result of its consumption.

Adeyanju pointed out that the ban on the consumption of ogogoro in the state still subsists, while government would deal decisively with those who flouted the directive.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

The world'll support Buhari to succeed —Blair, Ex-British PM

By Levinu Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA — VISITING former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, yesterday assured Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the support of the major democracies of the world, especially Britain to enable him succeed.

Blair gave the assurance during his congratulatory visit to Buhari in Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting, the former PM hailed the credibility and the tranquillity that defined the last general elections, saying Nigeria and her people had earned the respect of the international community.

He expressed confidence in the incoming government of Buhari, saying it was determined to achieve its set objectives.

He said: “In the last few weeks, Nigeria has earned respect through out the whole world. There is enormous support for Nigeria now in the international community. The support takes into consideration the challenges that lie ahead and there is great confidence in the country.

“This is an election which took place in a way which the country showed the majority of democracies the spirit and character of its people and in the President-elect and Vice President-elect.

“It is a leadership that I know is determined to do its best for the country.

Obviously, the future and destiny of Nigeria lies in the hand of its people.

“I just want to say to the President-elect that there is tremendous support for you and the country at this moment and all of us. In what ever way we can, we are ready to support you and help you.

It is a moment of great challenges which bother on the life of the people as well as their security and so on.

“If the same spirit and character that defined the election can be taken through these coming years to address the challenges, I think we can all have great confidence in the times ahead.

“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to see you again here in Nigeria and wish you and your team the best in the times ahead”.

Also speaking, the president-elect, told journalists of what transpired behind the closed doors.

He said: “We had a meeting and discussed how Britain

and the United States were helping us in making sure that we conducted ourselves according to our constitution.

The fact that it has been so successful is a major relief for us and to all people of conscience throughout the

world.

“I thank the former British Prime Minister for his concern for Nigeria and Nigerians, in what he is prepared to do by continuing to help us as a country and as a people.”

I've no interest in who becomes Senate President —Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

FEC MEETING: From left: Director-General, Bureau for Public Procurement, Engr.

Emeka Eze; Works Minister, Chief Mike Onolememen and Transport Minister, Senator Idris Umar, during the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

BUJA — THE Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has said he is not interested in who emerges as the next Senate President, stressing that he is willing to work with any leader irrespective of his state of origin or geopolitical zone.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, Buhari described as false the insinuations that he was supporting the candidacy of a certain senator.

He said: “I am prepared to work with any leader that the House or Senate selects. It doesn’t matter who the person is or where he or she comes from.”

He maintained that he will not interfere in the process of electing the leadrship of the National Assembly, stressing that change has come to Nigeria.

He said: “There is due process for the selection of leaders of the National Assembly and I will not interfere in that process."

PIB: Reps suspend further consideration over legal technicalities

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

BUJA — MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, suspended further consideratioin of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, following observations raised by lawmakers on legal technicalities of PIB. Apparently sensing a deadlock, the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal had before the consideration called for a closed session at 12:1 5pm with a view to agreeing on a common ground before the report could be considered.

In what seemed like a failure to reach an understanding, the House returned to plenary by 1: 33pm but could not resume proceedings untill 1:45pm as members were traversing the lenght and breadth of the chamber even as the Speaker read the notice urging the Chief Whip who chaired the Ad-hoc Committee to move for the consideration.

Of the 368-page document made up of 312 sections, only section 1 was attempted as issues arose questioning the validity of some clauses relative to provisions of the constitution.

Deputy Leader of the House, Mr Leo Ogor, was the first to raise an observation on clause 2 which deals with ownership of resources, saying: "An Act of the National Assembly must not be subjected to addition or substraction from the view expressed by the constitution regarding protection of territorial waters of Nigeria and mineral resources therein."

He argued that the provision of the clause is purely a duplication of the constitution and should be deleted.

This was upheld by Deputy Speaker in chair, Emeka Ihedioha who called on the Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, Mr Albert Sam Tsokwa, for a second opinion.

Tsokwa, in his view, held that the clause cannot stand due to its inconsistency with a provision of the constitution which he said has already taken care of the subject matter.

On his part, Tambuwal, who took his originally allotted seat in the chamber to participate in the proceedings, punctured both views as held

by Ogor and Tsokwa.

“I was expecting Sam Tsokwa to show the contradiction as to where and

how the clause runs contrary to the constitution, but he did not do that which confirms that it does not in any way contradict the constitution,” Tambuwal noted.

Also in the argument, Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Ali Ahmad, opined that ownership with respect to mineral resources cannot be said to be a blanket under which petroleum resources found in certain communities with attendant negative effects should be classified since it’s not only in deep sea that the resources are explored.

The clause was suspended following Chairman Ihedioha’s advice that committee members meet with those who have issues with the clause and straighten out areas of disagreement in consultation with the said constitutional provision.

Another fault line was clause 6 which deals with the powers of the Petroleum minister to chair boards of agencies under the ministry and make recommendations to the President on issues of appointments as well as perform inspectorate functions came under scrutiny.

While some members

argued that the powers of the minister are too enormous under the provision and must be cut down, others said the powers should remain enabling the minister to exercise inspectorate oversight over the industry since the President as a politician may not be well grounded in the technicalities of the sector and should not be burdened with responsibilities he can delegate.

At this point, Ihedioha expressed the belief that “allowing the president to assume the inspectorate role of the ministry is whittling down his status and reducing him to performing the role of appointees which will not be justifiable”.

The clause was eventually passed following a question for voice votes which adopted its provision upon an amendment.

Another contentious area was clause 7 given its alleged contradiction of section 305 of the constitution because it deals with matters of state of emergency in the oil sector with powers vested on the minister to suggest or advise the President on the need to declare same in the event of industrial crisis.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—9

Constitution amendment: Senate backs out of veto override zSays: We're lawmakers not lawbreakers zWe shouldn’t be taken for granted —Mark

Amount spent on the exercise

By Johnbosco gbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA — AFTER several threats by Senators to override President Goodluck Jonathan on the constitution amendment bill which the President vetoed and even dragged the National Assembly to the Supreme Court challenging the process of the amendment, the Senate yesterday succumbed to the apex court ruling declaring that it was for lawmaking and not lawbreaking.

Senators in separate interviews had vowed to override the President and even said that the process of gazetting the constitution amendment had started, but after a closed-door meeting, the Senate President, David Mark, who presided over the plenary, said the Red Chamber had decided to obey the court order.

We're law-makers not law-breakers —Mark

But he also said that the Senate will not allow the executive take the legislature for granted in the present democratic dispensation.

Senator Mark said: “As we finished our discussion, I think it is proper for me, because of the importance of the issue, to make a very simple, straight forward unambiguous statement.

“We are lawmakers and we will not be law breakers. We are not just law makers, we are very senior responsible citizens and very senior lawmakers and this is the apex of law making in this country.

“Therefore, on the issue of the current constitutional review that is before the Supreme Court, we want to assure Nigerians that we will not break any law in this country.

“We will take appropriate action that will ensure that democracy survives but I will also want to warn that we should not be taken "for granted by the executive but once more, let me assure Nigerians that as lawmakers, we will not be lawbreakers.”

Also briefing journalists after the plenary, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, said: “As you would have noticed, Senate commenced today ’s proceedings with an executive session. The reason is simple: if you had seen the Order Paper yesterday and today, you would have noticed the First Reading of the constitution amendment Fourth Alteration Bill.

LAUNCH: From left: Mr Victor Etuokwu, Chairman, PayAttitude; Mr Tunde Lemo, former Deputy Governor, CBN/Guest of Honour; Mr Gbenga Shobo, Executive Director, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc and Agada Apoche, MD/CEO, Unified Payments at the official launch of PayAttitude, in Lagos.

“We had to defer it yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) to another legislative day for one simple reason: that at the level of the Committee on Constitution Amendment, we had reviewed developments that I believe you are already familiar with concerning amendment.

“But we did not have the opportunity of briefing the Senate in plenary. That opportunity we had this morning of briefing the Senate in plenary as to the developments and circumstances surrounding the bill so that the Senate in plenary will be in the full picture, that is what we did today in the executive session.”

We met the four-fifth requirement — Ndoma-Egba

On whether if the June 18 in which the Supreme Court adjourned the matter after declaring that the National Assembly should maintain status quo will not come after the expiration of the Seventh Senate, he said it was dependent on the outcome of the court matter even as he said that the matter will come up as soon as possible.

On the allegation that the Senate was cajoled to succumb to the fact that it did not get the required numbers to pass the bill, Ndoma-Egba said: “First of all, our records are very clear, the votes and proceedings are there. And we have gone through the records again and again and we certainly met the constitutional requirement of

four-fifths.

“So, that one is not an issue.

The Attorney General, who is alleging that we didn’t meet the constitutional requirement, has not exhibited any document to show that we did not. But from our records, we certainly did.

We clearly met the four-fifths requirement.

“On the issue of jam-packing the amendment, let me say that this process has taken us close to three years. We started off with a retreat in Akwa Ibom. We had another retreat in Lagos.

“Then we had public hearings in Abuja, the six geoplitical zones, 36 state capitals, the 360 federal constituencies.

And when you say public hearings, it means the hearings are open to the public at large including members of the executive.

“I recall quite a number of those hearings. The executive was very strongly represented.

It is at these public hearings that you are supposed to highlight your reservations or concerns about each of the amendment.

“They didn’t use any of those opportunities provided by these various public hearings; only for us at this point when the Houses of Assembly has passed amendment and we were to conclude, then we are suddenly confronted with this ambush. We think it’s in bad faith and it is regrettable.“

On way forward

On the best way forward over the matter, he said: “We are going to court to challenge the court order which was made exparte. We were not on notice, we were not represented.”

Explaining on what

haven’t got back the original.

We have our suspicions why the original has not been returned.”

He said that the suspicion of the National Assembly was that the original bill was signed by the President.

transpired at the close-door meeting, the Senate Leader said: “You know we received a letter from Mr President and the committee met to discuss that letter and agreed to make certain recommendations to Senate in plenary.

“Before we could do that we had the court order, which again, is another development. And we had to thoroughly review those developments at the executive session today (yesterday) to agree on the way forward.”

On what becomes of the bill with less than a month to the end of the Seventh Senate, he said: “Let’s say before we leave, we have legal options.

And the legal option is to vigorously challenge the order of the court which was made exparte.

“It was made without us being put on notice. And I believe that we can get the court to quickly determine that. And we intend to pursue that option.”

Senate yet to receive original copy of bill from President

Fielding question on whether President Goodluck Jonathan has returned the original copy of the constitution amendment bill as requested by the National Assembly, he said said Senate was yet to receive the original copy of the bill.

According to him, “there was a resolution taken on the floor of the Senate for the original copy of the bill to be returned.

That resolution has been communicated to Mr President and Commander-inChief and up till now, we

Senator Ndoma-Egba also debunked the allegation that about N4 billion was spent on the constitutional exercise.

He said: “The total budget of the National Assembly in the last five years was N150 billion.

In the 2015 budget, it has been reduced to N120 billion. And that includes capital and recurrent expenditures.

“It includes salaries and allowances Senators and members of the House of Representatives, it includes the bureaucracy, National Assembly Service Commission, Institute of Legislative Studies, our aides. So where will the money come from?”

But on the specific amount spent on the constitutional exercise, he said: “I wouldn’t know. The Chairman (of the committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution) is in the best position to address that.

“But I will like to say right away that the funding of the exercise is from the National Assembly ’s budget that is currently N120 billion. So, the story out there, I don’t know where it is coming from.”

Senate applies for change of date in court

In an interview with Vanguard, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang said:”The Senate discussed and agreed that we have legislative powers but our legislative powers is subject to the jurisdiction of the court.

“When there is a court order stopping you from doing a thing, anything that you do or any action that you take while that order is pending is null and void. If we say we will go ahead to override the President's veto, the same Supreme Court will have the powers to set it aside because we took that decision while there was an order restraining us.

“What is being considered by the Senators is the process of asking our lawyers to approach the court, to abridge the time within which the case should be heard, to bring the case from the 18th to an earlier date and it will be heard and considered perhaps some days from today, given the fact that our tenure is ending before June 3.

“The case should be decided.

We have also looked at it and agreed that we examine the Supreme Court Additional Jurisdiction Act again and see whether the Attorney General is the proper party that can take us to court or it is the President or whether there is something like oxygen."

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

$330.000 FRAUD: Accused failed EFCC’s lie detector test – WITNESS

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

L

A G O S — A polygraph expert, Mr Chinedum Enanya, yesterday told an Ikeja High Court that a court registrar, Oluronke Rosolu, who is facing trial for allegedly aiding a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, to defraud MajorGen Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd) of $330,000, was deceptive in her responses and her involvement in the crime when a “lie detector test” was carried out on her at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Enanya, an operative attached to the Polygraph Unit of EFCC, told the court that he conducted the “lie detector test” on Rosolu on January 17, last year.

Led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr Seidu Atteh, Enanya explained that the examination was conducted with the consent of the defendant (Rosolu) and a consent form was duly signed by her at the polygraph interrogation room.

“Three relevant questions were put to the defendant.

She was asked if she had ever visited Kirikiri Prison and whether she collected any money from Bamaiyi. She was also asked whether she lied in her statement that she never took money from Bamaiyi,” Enanya said.

According to him, after the analysis, when her responses were compared with the controlled questions, more tensions were recorded on the side of the relevant questions.

“This showed that the defendant was deceptive in her responses and her involvement in the crime,” the witness added.

Enanya informed the court that he later produced his report for the investigating team regarding what has happened.

The court admitted as exhibits, the EFCC polygraph consent form, certificate of identification, copy of the polygraph chart and the polygraph report.

After admitting the polygraph report as exhibit, the presiding judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, adjourned the matter to June 8, 9 and 10.

OSHODI-APAPA EXPRESSWAY GRIDLOCK: Lagos gives tanker, truck drivers 48 hrs to relocate

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

tankers from all over the states converge on the areas to lift fuel.

The commissioner also said no tanker should be seen from the Eko Bridge to Liverpool, Coconut on Apapa Expressway to Mile 2, adding that before tomorrow, the tanker owners must make one lane available for other motorists pending the expiration of the ultimatum.

Opeifa, said the enforcement would be carried out by various unions in the axis.

The enforcement team will include: the state government, the police, Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, officials among others.

Meantime, other articulated

truck drivers were directed to relocate immediately or be impounded. ‘’Any tanker that did not comply will be impounded, fined and would not be released until such fines had been paid,” he said.

The commissioner decried the untold hardship residents of Apapa were subjected to on daily basis as a result of the blockage of the expressway by tankers.

He appealed to NUPENG, PTD and NARTO to ensure that the agreement reached was not breached, saying that by Friday afternoon, government would begin enforcement.

He also noted that persuasion would be used rather than towing of the tankers.

Opeifa added that the marketers and major operators in the area had agreed to come out with a programming and ticketing method that would allow only tankers meant to lift fuel at a particular point in time within the axis.

He said with this development, traffic gridlock in Apapa, Ijora and neighbouring areas is expected to abate by Sunday while appealing to residents to exercise patience and warned that government was ready to take the agreement seriously.

However, major marketers under aegis of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) insisted the Federal Government still owed them a balance of N200 billion from oil subsidy.

AGOS—FOLLOWING persistent traffic gridlock in Apapa area which has spilled over into some parts of the state, the Lagos State Government, yesterday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to tanker drivers parked within 300 meters of fuel depots in the state to relocate to safe parking lots pending the availability of petroleum products Hundreds of tankers had suddenly emerged on the Eko Bridge towards Funsho Williams Way, as well as Mile 2 Expressway, queuing to load fuel.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa gave the ultimatum while reading the communiqué arrived at after a meeting between the Lagos State government, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Petroleum Tankers Drivers, PTD, National Association of Road Transport owners, NARTO and other stakeholders.

The stakeholders' meeting agreed to use persuasive enforcement to free roads and bridges currently occupied by petrol tankers and other trucks in an anticipated relief to the people.

Opeifa said the meeting had agreed that 48 hours should be given to tanker drivers queuing between 200 and 300 meters to the fuel depots to vacate pending availability of the commodity.

He said information available from the marketers revealed that DONATION: From left; Apex Matron, Randle General Hospital, Surulere, Mrs. Idera Monebi; there was no fuel in the depots Deputy Medical Director, Dr. Abiodun Wright; Chief Medical Director, Dr. Kunle Oni; Pastor In Charge to be lifted. of Province 44, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Amos Emovon; and Asst. Pastor in Charge of He said the situation had been Province (CSR), Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, during equipment donation to the hospital, in Lagos. further compounded as more

Fashola blasts FG over sale of TBS land

By Monsur Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday accused the Federal Government of treating the state unfairly by selling lands acquired for public use to private individuals.

Fashola spoke at the launch of two books titled ‘Contemporary State land matters in Nigeria: A case study of Lagos State (second edition)’ and ‘In her own right: Abimbola Fashola’ authored by the former Federal commissioner for Works and Housing, Mr. Femi Okunnu and wife of the former attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore.

The governor lamented that rather than return the land to the official owners, the Federal Government has continued to sell them to individuals who purchase them for commercial

purposes.

According to him, “I think that we have received the short end of the stick as a people. Lagos is one of the many few states bounded by lagoon and ocean on the side. But yet that is the place that I think has been treated most unfairly by the central government.

“The central government took over Tafawa Balewa Square, in Lagos Island axis of the state, of

which it is a manager and not landlord. The land where the edifice was built belongs to Lagos.

It was originally crown land. It was given to the central government to manage. And it is alarming that the manager has started selling land left in its care.

“And I have told all those that they sold them to that they bought nothing. The seller has no document to offer. And I have told those who bought it to go and

collect their money back from the seller.

“And as long as I live, I will fight the battle to collect the land from the central government. It is a national monument named after Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Prime minister of Nigeria and that is what some people in the country want to own. And I have said to them that if you want something like this, go and build your own.”

The governor said the book published by Okunnu discusses land issue in Lagos and land issue in Lagos is a very serious matter.

Court adjourns Lagos communities N100bn suit against govt

By Innocent Anaba

L

AGOS—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, has adjourned till June 1, 2015 to appeal by some Badagry landlords and residents who sued the Lagos State Government over alleged unlawful demolition of about

1,500 buildings in the area.

The appellants, from Atinporome, Araromi Ale Extension and Mowo Phase 2 communities in the area, are seeking N100billion compensation.

The appellants are also seeking the reversal of the judgment of a Lagos State High Court in

Badagry, which struck out their fundamental rights enforcement suit, challenging the demolition of their places of residence for want of jurisdiction.

The lower court judge, had, on July 10, 2014, struck out the appellants’ suit, holding that it fell outside the scope of fundamental rights enforcement action.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 11

EKITI KIDNAPPINGS: Fayose, APC lawmakers disagree over security checks zStop and search aimed at our abduction — APC zThey are wicked and insensitive — GOVT

By Daud Olatunji

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor

A

B

ITTER politicking continued in Ekiti State yesterday even in the face of serious social ills including kidnapping and murder.

Governor Ayodele Fayose and the 19 All Progressives Congress, APC lawmakers pressing for his impeachment went to town to politicise new security measures put in place to check violent crimes.

While the lawmakers are saying the measures, including stop and search of vehicles were aimed at facilitating their abduction, the governor has described the men as evil, wicked and insensitive.

‘Stop And Search’, ploy for our kidnap – APC lawmakers

Opposing the new security measures in the state, the 19 All APC lawmakers alleged that the new measures were ordered by Governor Fayose to stem cases of kidnapping in the state through ‘stop and search’ operation as an orchestrated plot by the governor to track them for kidnap to stall his impeachment.

The lawmakers, in a statement by Speaker Adewale Omirin’s Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, said they had uncovered an alleged plot by the governor to engage the Government House security men on major roads in the state to conduct ‘stop and search’ operations in a frantic search to track them for kidnap.

Thanking “the good people in government” who leaked the plot, the lawmakers condemned such operation as unwarranted assault, particularly as the cars targeted for stop and search operation would be mainly dark grey Toyota Camry cars, which is the brand and colour of the lawmakers’ official cars.

“We are in possession of a report that the governor is using cases of kidnap in the state to break the nation-wide ban on roadblock ordered by the Inspector General of Police to raise some teams of security men working in the Government House to be on our trail to take us out of circulation.

“The officers, who worked for him in similar operations between 2003 and 2006 and who were indicted by the security panel set up President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 to investigate political killings in Ekiti State, are the ones specially requested by Fayose for reposting to Ekiti State after he was declared winner in the June 21 governorship poll and they are the ones leading this dastardly operation.

“As we speak, the security men and thugs are in possession of our photographs. They have been told to specifically be on the look-out

PDP chieftain defends Kashamu over extradition

OBSEQUIES: From left; Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Peter Akinola; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Lagos State governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode during the funeral service in honour of late Chief (Mrs.) Caroline Ademowo at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos,yesterday. for dark grey Toyota Camry cars , which are our official cars, to identify us for kidnap to stall his impeachment.

“Part of the instruction is that all vehicles with tinted glasses must be stopped for identification.

All our cars are tinted so that will create excuse for stopping our cars just to hit their targets.

“This is the latest ploy after other plots had failed. We are also aware that the governor will soon address a press conference where he will allege that some of the lawmakers, who he believes constitute a threat to him, are responsible for cases of kidnapping in the state.

“He is already in the media selling a dummy that the Speaker, Dr Omirin, and Senator Babafemi Ojudu are sponsors of

kidnapping in the state. The plan is to declare them wanted so they become targets of arrest by security agents,” Olujobi explained.

The lawmakers urged the state leaders to call the governor to order while also urging the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Erase, to put his men on the alert to stop the activities of criminal gangs bent of frustrating his ‘no roadblock’ order across the country.

Ekiti APC lawmakers are evil, wicked, insensitive – Govt

But in a swift response the governoryhrough a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka has described as “evil, wicked and insensitive” claim by the All Progressives

Congress (APC) lawmakers in the state that the ‘stop and search’ operation ordered by the State Security Council to stem cases of kidnapping in the State was an orchestrated plot by the governor to track them for kidnap to stall Governor Ayodele Fayose’s impeachment plot.

The government said such unwarranted allegation by APC lawmakers was a clear exposure of the culpability of the party in the kidnapping of residents of Ekiti State, adding that; “they have betrayed their guilt by simply telling Nigerians that they want the kidnapping of Ekiti residents to continue.”

According to him; “The Fayoseled government will do everything humanly possible to protect lives and properties of Ekiti people and

B E O K U TA — A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Ogun State, Chief Toyin Umar has said that Senator-Elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu has not committed any sin to warrant his extradition to the United States of America over alleged drugs related offences.

Umar described the move to extradite the senator-elect as an attempt to witch-hunt the financier of the PDP in the South West.

The PDP chieftain in a statement he personally signed, yesterday, said that Kashamu had got a judgment from the United Kingdom over the drugs case which exonerated him long time ago, saying there was no basis to be pursuing him again over the same case.

According to Umar, those behind Kashamu’s extradition moves were only trying to run him down for political reasons.

The attempt has political undertone. ''Buruji Kashamu has no case with the USA, its just that some people are trying to run him down.

“If truly the Senator-Elect has a case to answer in the United States of America, the authorities know the right thing to do, and not that, some people would be flying a kite for his extradition.

“I urge the brains behind the move to stop witch-hunting him. This same case was mentioned in the UK some years back, it ended up in favour of the senator-elect”, he said.

Aregbesola's son not arrested — OSUN GOVT

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—OSUN State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has denied any of his children’s involvement in money laundering.

This clarification by Mr Semiu Okanlawon Director,Bureau of Communication & Strategy, Office of the Governor, on the to debunk allegation that a son of governor Aregesola was on Tuesday allegedly arrested at Muritala Mohammed Airport by security agents on account of money laundering.

Okanlawon’s statement read in part, “It has become pertinent to inform Nigerians

and others generally that there is no iota of truth in the story being peddled around by some misguided elements claiming that a son of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Kabir Aregbesola was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos today Tuesday May 12,

2015 with a huge sum of money in foreign currencies”.

“We have discovered the authors of the malicious lie are doggedly pursuing their agenda by engaging in an aggressive push for the falsehood to reach a larger population especially through

the social media.

“The younger Aregbesola neither traveled anywhere nor had any encounter with any security personnel. It is obvious the evil minds at work are out to drag an innocent young man’s name into this dirt in order to get at his father.''

Aero Contractors sacks MD, CFO

By Lawani Mikairu

L

A G O S — A E R O contractors Airline has sacked its Managing Director Mr Hugh Fraser and the airline’s Chief Finance Officer, Mr Tunde Pampam following

what a reliable source called “ battle of interest between legacy owners Ibru and the government owned Asset Management company, AMCON.” The sources said “ Hugh was often taking some decisions

against the wishes of AMCON who’s overseeing the running of the airline at the moment over alleged debt of N20-30 billion owed by Aero. On the other he was also frustrated by the inaction of AMCON and the confusion associated with board.”

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Rivers civil servants protest non-payment of salaries

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— CIVIL servants in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, protested nonpayment of two months salaries at the state secretariat.

Mr Tony Ochiagha, who spoke during the protest, said that by the end of this month, salaries would be in arrears of three months salaries.

He alleged that they had not been paid overhead in the last eight months.

According to Ochiagha, the overhead was used to pay casuals of various ministries such as cleaners and others.

“If you go inside the toilets now, you will see that they are filthy because the casuals have all downed tools due to backlog of allowances for eight months,” he said.

He claimed that the state government came up with what he termed social services levy, adding that it had depleted their

Optometric Association tasks members on professionalism

By Festus Ahon

A

S A B A — PRESIDENT of Nigerian Optometric Association, NOA, Dr Damian Echendu, has urged members of the association to continue to distinguish themselves in their practice and service to society.

Echendu, during a professional development course organised by the Delta State chapter of the association in Asaba, stressed the need for members to continue to uphold the ethics of the profession.

Earlier, chairman of the state chapter, Mrs Helen Lucky-Udi, who led a delegation of the association on a courtesy call on the Permanent Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs Minnie Oseji, restated the commitment of her members to the discharge of their duties.

Lucky-Udi, who presented some visual acuity charts to the Permanent Secretary, said the association was determined to add value to the society. Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Oseji thanked the association for the gesture and assured that the items would be used judiciously.

monthly take home pay.

“They removed our Christmas bonus. They said it is dead and buried. They imposed a new tax regime on us. My salary is depleted beyond measure. They introduced social service levy after we had paid our taxes. We will not sit back here and allow ourselves to be deceived again.

They should pay us our

salaries,” he said.

He alleged that jobs of some of the workers had been contracted to consultants, thus short changing some civil servants.

“Don’t give our jobs to consultants. They should not cheat us. There is money to run the ministries. We use money from the overhead to pay casual

workers. They are owing us two months and now we are entering the third month. I speak for the pained workers of Rivers State. Our labour leaders tolerated all these. We are also protesting against our labour leaders.”

Secretary of pensioners in the state, Mr Joseph Agbo said they are owed five months.

VISIT: President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, with a delegation from Delta State during a visit to the president-elect in Abuja yesterday.

NPDC workers commence 3 days working strike over alleged sale of OML42

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—STAFF of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday commenced three days warning strike following failure by the management of the company to reverse the alleged sale of OML 42, one of the priced oil assets of the company.

The staff of the company had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management after a protest last week, adding that they will down tools if the alleged decision

to sell the OML42 was not reversed. They alleged that the oil asset was illegally sold to an individual who has been a contractor to the company.

However, the management of the company claimed that the OML42 was not sold but transferred to one of their contractors. But the workers flayed that claim, saying that they have been asked to hand over all documents relating to the OML42 to the contractor, meaning that it has actually been sold.

The crisis in the company took another twist when some striking

workers alleged that the union executives have compromised and threatened to impeach them.

At press time, the workers were meeting to impeach the union executives.

One of the union members, who craved anonymity told Vanguard “We were shocked that after concluding to commence the warning strike today (Wednesday), our union chairman called from Abuja that he is negotiating with them that we should no longer embark on the strike action. But we disagreed."

Bayelsa election tribunal hears petition against PDP, APGA

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State Election Petition Tribunal, led by Justice Ononoeze Madu, yesterday, sat amidst tight security over the petitions against the outcome of the April 11 and 18 House of Assembly elections won by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the state.

Secretary of the tribunal, Adekunle Sunmonu, described the heavy security presence as routine and usual during the sitting of the tribunal.

At the sitting of the tribunal, ex-parte motions moved by aggrieved applicants for substituted service of petitions on four candidates of PDP and APGA were granted.

Justice Madu, while granting the request by candidates of the Labour Party in Sagbama

constituency II, Richard Turner, the United Progressive Party, UPP, in Brass III constituency, that of Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Nembe 1 constituency, Chief Victor Baribote and the PDP in Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency II, Joshua Ebikeme Ongore, said the substituted service should be done with petitions pasted on the notice board of the Tribunal and the residence of affected respondents.

SDP'll participate in Edo 2016 poll —SHAGADY

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A

leader of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Edo State, Alhaji Usman Shagady, has said that the party will be repositioned to face the challenges ahead of the governorship elections scheduled for 2016 in the state.

Shagady, in Auchi during the party’s stakeholders meeting where the performance of the party in the just concluded general elections was reviewed, with a resolution that the party will do its best to win many posts in future elections, said the leadership of the party and members had resolved to work together to strengthen the party for a better outing during the 2016 governorship election.

The leaders who include the Edo North senatorial and House of Representatives candidates in the last National Assembly/state Assembly elections, also denied rumours that the party's senatorial candidate in Edo North, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, and other leaders of the party have defected to All Progressives Congress, APC.

Pioneer registrar of Warri College of Education dies

By Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI—THE p i o n e e r Registrar of College of Education Warri, Delta State, and Olomoro community leader, Chief Stephen Onwo, has passed on, aged 83, after a brief illness.

According to Chief H. Onwo, “Our beloved father, the patriarch of the Onwo family of Olomoro, in lsoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, has passed on.

“He was tutor in Uroh Grammar School Uroh 1968-1975, Vice Principal St. Pius College OnichaUgbo, 1975-1988, Principal Ogwa Grammar School Ogwa 1988-1990, Registrar College of Education, Warri 19902000 from where the retired successfully."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—13

Four Edo govt officials arrested over cult activities

By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor

B

ARELY 24 hours after the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, dispatched a special squad to Edo State to tackle the spate of cultism, kidnapping, robbery and other related crimes, the team has arrested 11 suspected leaders of cult groups in the state, among them, four state government functionaries.

Police sources said the team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police incharge of Federal Special Antirobbery Squad, FEDSARS, Chris Ezike, stormed the hideout of the cultists few hours after arriving Benin City and successfully arrested leaders of cult confraternities for alleged complicity and murder of 10 Nigerians in the last one month in Edo State.

The suspected cultists were arrested on suspicion of conspiratorial involvement in alleged murder of one Ojo Ayeadu, 55, at old Benin-Auchi Road and nine other persons at different locations in Benin City and its environs.

Reacting to the development, an Edo State Government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Those arrested, from what we gathered, are junior workers of the War Against Indiscipline.

The state governor does not condone cultism, which explains why when one of his bodyguards was accused of infraction of the law, the governor ordered his arrest, which was done immediately.”

Confirming the arrests, Force Public Relations Officer, Ag Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, told Vanguard on phone: “Yes, a good number of arrests has been made, irrespective of their status. The figures are still coming in. The thrust of the IG is yielding positive results.”

Sources said the suspects include Engr. David Olukoga,

C M Y K

46, who is the Chairman, Edo State Committee on War Against Indiscipline and Senior Special Assistant on Youth Enhancement to the Governor of the State, Osunde Aigbedo, 48; Executive Director, Special Duties, Government House, Edo State, Dr. Salako Adebowale, 43, of UBTH, Benin-City; Ernest Amadasun, 49, the Managing Director, Pohien Investments and National Coordinator, Human Assistant Initiative and Adebo Ejuaoje, 46, of the Ministry of Education, Science and Tech Vocational, Iyaro, Benin City.

Other arrested suspects,

according to police sources, include Isabor Larry, 34, staff of Edo State House of Assembly; Totti Omonuwa, 42, of No. 97, Igun Street, BeninCity, Ahunwan-ID Orlando, 39, of No. 2, Ighodalo Street, Benin-City; Josuah Ehiabhi, 36, of No. 11, Upper Mission Road, off Ewa Raod, BeninCity; Felix Evbodi, 46, of No. 12, Aibelegbe Street, BeninCity and Uche Chukwuka, 36, the Private Secretary to the Chairman, Committee on Environment, Ministry of Environment, Edo State.

They were alleged to belong to Eiye, Black Axe, Buccaneers,

Aiye and Jurist confraternities.

The suspects, Vanguard gathered, denied complicity in the murder charge but made very useful statements to the police.

It was gathered that following the development, the InspectorGeneral of Police ordered that robust and coordinated antirobbery patrols of identified black spots along Isua – Ibillo Road, Ibillo –Lakpese – Okene roads while all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the area are to partake in the special operation.

VISIT: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) receiving the Support Our Troops Certificate of Bravery and Commendation for his effort in combating terror in Nigeria from the leader of a delegation of Support Our Troops Foundation, Mrs Funmi Ogbue, during their visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

PDP National Rebirth group insists on party restructuring, Mu'azu's resignation

By Tom Moses

U

YO—WORRIED by the defeat of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the March 28, presidential

election, a reform group, the PDP National Rebirth Group, is championing the restructuring and reorganisation of the party ahead of the 2019 elections.

Speaking with newsmen in

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, Chairman of PDP National Rebirth Group, Mr. Titus John, expressed grief over the defeat of the party at the centre, which he said was an expression of members' disapproval and lack of trust in the leadership of Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, the National Chairman of the party.

Noting that the group has a lot of respect for President Goodluck Jonathan, it said it would not fold its hands and watch members of the party gradually decamp to other parties because of lack of faith in the survival of the party under the leadership of Mu’azu.

Mowoe family wins 11-yr-old land case in Sapele

By Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—THE Mukoro Mowoe family in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, has won an 11-yearold legal tussle between it and the Akpoisi family, also of Sapele, over a piece of land known as Okufuoma, in Okirighwre, measuring 50.952 hectares.

The Mowoe family, represented by Mr Joseph Mowoe and Mr Alfred Mowoe, in the suit against the Akpoisi family, represented by Mr Tutu Akpoisi, Mr Ufuoma Akpoisi and Mr Frederick Akpoisi, before the Delta State High Court, sitting in Sapele, had prayed the court to declare that they (Mowoe family) were entitled to a Certificate of Occupancy over the said piece of land known as Okufuoma, in Okirighwre, with plan number DDNL/ DT/029B/05, dated 6/2/2005, measuring 50.952 hectares.

The Mowoes had also demanded N5 mllion as special and general damages which they allegedly suffered from wanton trespass perpetrated by the Akpoisi family in March, 1995.

Also, the Mowoe family had asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Akpoisi family from further entering and interfering with the land, and “other suitable reliefs.”

Trial judge, Justice Godwin Gbemre, in his judgement, ruled in favour of the Mowoe family, saying: “This court hereby declares that the plaintiffs are entitled to a certificate of occupancy over that piece and parcel of land being situate at Okufuoma village, Okirighwre, Amukpe, Sapele, within the jurisdiction of this court, which said piece or parcel of land is verged pink on plan No. DDNL/DT/209B/05 and measuring an area of 50.952 hectares.”

The court also awarded general damages in trespass in the sum of N250,000 in favour of the Mowoe family and also restrained the defendants, their agents, privies and persons, claiming through or under them, from further entering and or in any way interfering with the plaintiffs’ aforesaid piece or parcel of land.

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Nurses International Week holds at Ile-Ife

NURSES WEEK: From left, Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, OAUTHC, Prof.Victor Adetiloye; Guest Lecturer, Prof.

Ezekiel Ajao, Osun State Director of Nursing Services; Mrs. Olufunke Abioye, and LOC Chairman, Mrs. Maureen Adekoya, during International Nurses Week, organised by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifery, NANNM, of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife, Tuesday, with the theme, NURSES: A Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost Effective. Photos: Dare Fasube

RENT: Court

evicts Nwobodo from Abuja home

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—JUSTICE Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the eviction of former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo from a mansion he is living at the high-brow Maitama District in Abuja.

The court ordered Nwobodo to relinquish the property to the owner, Adib-Miles International Limited.

The property in question is a six-bedroom mansion with one bedroom guest chalet and two-room boys quarters at 24, Ona Crescent, Plot 768 Cadastral Zone A5, Maitama Abuja.

Justice Belgore, in his judgment, a copy of which was obtained by Vanguard, equally ordered Nwobodo to pay N11 million as arrears of the rent on the premises from June 1, 2009, to May 31, 2011.

In the course of the trial, the court found as a fact that the plaintiff company had sometime in 2008 bought the property from one Alhaji Al-Mustapha Abubakar who had earlier leased the property to Nwobodo.

However, Nwobodo had in a counter-affidavit he filed against the suit that culminated to the eviction order against him, claimed that while the property was on offer for sale, he expressed intention to purchase it.

C M Y K

From left, Deputy Director, Community Health Nursing, OAUTHC, Mrs. J. Apata; Mrs. Omobonike Agboola, and Chairman of the occasion, Elder Lawrence Awowoyin.

BUHARI’S INAUGURATION: Expect low key

ceremony —APC Transition C'ttee chair

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

B U J A — T H E inauguration of the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari would be low key, the chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC Transition Committee Chairman, Chief Timipre Sylva said, yesterday.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Sylva cited the dwindling economy as the reason for the decision.

Though he was not categorical about the number of Heads of State anticipated to grace the occasion on May 29, Sylva, however, said that a number of them would come.

He said: “There are no challenges, we are planning very well and I think we are going to give Nigerians a compact inauguration.

"We are not going to be flamboyant. We think that this country cannot afford a flamboyant ceremony this time because the economy is not in good shape right now. So we are actually planning to give Nigerians a sanitized and compact event which will be a source of pride to Nigerians.

“We have not gotten all the confirmations but we have already gotten from some countries.

He also dismissed the insinuation that there may be rift between the incoming and the outgoing government.

“There is no problem, it is just politics. What happened is that they were on the wrong side and they lost. We are on the right side and we won. And so, the government will have to continue and just like we were there when they were governing, they also have to be there when we are governing the country,” he said.

On the allegation that he was carrying a corruption baggage and as such was not qualified to be in Buhari’s cabinet, Sylva, who was also the former governor of Bayelsa State, expressed shock that his detractors had already convicted him before the courts would give their judgment on the matter.

He said he was innocent of all the charges, believing that the courts would eventually quash the charges.

“I will be shocked to hear that.

Maybe, those peddling the allegation are the courts and they have already convicted me. We have courts in the land and you know that PDP is the party of impunity. Today if I pick you up and I charge you to court on charges of corruption, does that convict you? It is only the court that can convict you and that is why we have rule of law.

“A situation where people just pick you up and say you’re

corrupt just to persecute you, does not augur well for our democracy. I have been vindicated politically and I will be vindicated by the court also because I ran the best government in Bayelsa state, a better government than what the outgoing President ran in Bayelsa state.

"I can assure you that I am going to come out clean at the end of the day from the charges against me."

FEC approves N31bn roads contracts for Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo states

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—THE Federal Executive Council, FEC, approved roads contracts for three states of Delta, Bayelsa and Ondo to the tune of N30.8 billion.

Similarly, the Council which was presided over by President Jonathan also approved the establishment of the first maritime university with its site at Okerenkoko, Delta State.

Ministers of Information, Patricia Akwashiki, Interior; Abba Moro, Niger Delta, Steve Oru, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, who jointly briefed newsmen after the meeting, said the Council also approved a report of the ministerial implementation committee on harmonisation of taxes and levies across the federation.

Speaking on the contracts awarded, the Minister of Niger Delta, Steven Oru said Council ratified contracts which were earlier given anticipatory approvals by Jonathan sometimes around the end of last year in his ministry.

According to him, his ministry got four projects ratified by FEC: one had to with the construction

of Zara, Okodia-Iseni Road in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

"The other one has to with the construction of AgadagbaAkotokpo-Isaya-Ovia River and Bridge in Irele Local Government of Ondo State; the construction of Ofagbe Udeze-Ozoro Road with a spur from Ovwie to Aba Road in Isoko North, Isoko South local government areas of Delta State and the construction of AmasomaEgbedi Road in Okolouma Okpokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“The construction of ZaramaOkodia Iseme Road in Yenagoa Local Government in Bayelsa State was awarded in favour of Messrs Eneko Nigeria Ltd in the sum of N5. 923 billion with a completion period of 18 months; the construction of AgadagbaAkotoko -Iyasa-Ovia Road and bridge in Irele Local Government of Ondo State is in favour of CGC Nigeria Ltd in the sum of N15.628 billion while the construction of Amasoma-Egbedi Road in Kolokuma Okpokuma Local Government of Bayelsa State in favour of Messrs. Dantu Construction Nigeria Ltd in the sum of N2.767 billion with a completion period of 18 months.”

On his part, the minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who commented on international passport, said the Federal Government approved contract for the production of 10 million epassports.

“The contract for Irish Technology was renewed for a period of four years and the production of 10 million epassport booklets in their various categories: 32-page, 62-page, and their counterparts of diplomatic and official passports.

“The renewal is as a result of subsisting agreement between the Ministry of Interior and the Irish Smart Technologies Limited, an indigenous company had been involved in the production of e-passport and related travel documents for the Nigerian Immigration Service, since 2007, even before I became the Minister of Interior.

“I am not sure that it is because no other organization can produce that, was the reason for the award of the contract to Irish Technology. They have performed very well and we have looked at all the perimeters of the agreement and agreed that in the period under review, they have performed very.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 —15

PPA chieftain tasks Buhari on job creation, agriculture, others

By Peter Okutu

A

INSPECTION: Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji (middle), after inspecting on-going work at Shoprite, in Umuahia.

FMC staff, management on war path

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE growing crisis of confidence between labour and management of Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, took a downward slide as workers downed tools, yesterday, to protest alleged anti-labour practices in the establishment.

The aggrieved FMC staff, who acted on the platform of National Allied Health Workers Union, also demanded unconditional and

immediate withdrawal of the query issued to the union leadership by the hospital management.

After recounting a litany of their grievances during the protest, the union’s Secretary General, Nwafor Solomon Kelechi, explained that workers were particularly irked over the non-payment of arrears and other benefits accruable to them.

“The union had earlier written the hospital management for the payment of 2013/2014 benefits, which had long been released by the Federal

Government but sadly being withheld by the management.

“FMC Owerri is the only federal health centre that is going through such a bitter experience,” stressing that workers deserve to be paid as it is their statutory right.

“We have taken all the necessary steps, including issuance of seven days ultimatum to the hospital management to ensure compliance, which expired on the day of the protest,” the labour leader explained.

Another aggrieved worker, who simply identified himself

as Stanley, insisted that management should urgently withdraw the query issued to the leadership of the union.

“The hospital management had gone to Hot 99.5 FM radio station, Owerri, to make spurious allegations against the union, which necessitated the union mandating the leadership to go to the same radio station to clear the air. ‘’It was for this reason that the labour leaders were issued the query,” Stanley fumed.

Stanley said that workers would resist any attempt to intimidate their leaders.

Air passengers in Enugu worry over low fares ...fear airlines are compromising standards

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—PASSENGERS in Enugu State and its environs have expressed worry

over the crash in prices of air fares against the projections of economic indicators.

A passenger, Mr. Emeka Dinobi, wondered why Arik Airline and Air Peace would

charge N31,000 and N28,500 respectively for a return Enugu-Abuja ticket when a dollars sells for N220 against N160 as at November last year.

Obiano’s wife plans old people’s homes

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—WIFE of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, is to build an old people’s home in the state as part of efforts to touch the lives of the young and old people through her pet project, the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, CAFÉ.

Mrs. Obiano said in Awka that she had acquired sizeable hectares of land for the establishment of the homes in the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to her, what the "old people in the society need most is attention and care.

“A lot of people would have liked to take care of their aged C M Y K

parents, but due to prevailing economic conditions in the country, they cannot afford it. ‘’That is the reason we decided to set up the Old Peoples’ Home so as to accommodate these senior citizens. The centre, when completed will be a world class relaxation centre for the old people.

“The social safety-net imbued by our practice of the extended family system is no longer as strong as it used to be. Today, you find the older folk not getting the necessary attention they deserve because the younger ones are busy struggling to build their own life.

“Even where it exists, you find out that what the elderly desires most is the company

of others. That is one cushion they will get in the proposed Old People’s Home,” she said.

The governor’s wife said the homes, which would be built and managed by CAFÉ, would be equipped with all the necessary facilities that make for healthy living, adding that the plan was to ensure that senior citizens were protected and cared for, to ensure that they live the remaining years of their lives with dignity.

She expressed worry that some of the aged citizens of the state who were too old to be engaged in rigorous economic activities had nobody to take care of their basic needs, especially those living in rural communities.

He said: “Something must be wrong. There is no aviation fuel,the dollar has increased by 40 per cent and there is a crash in air fares.

“If you are rendering service to somebody and the cost is far bellow the service, then you should be suspect. As at last year when aviation fuel was not scarce and dollar was N160, air fares stood at N50,000 to and from.

“I think they are compromising standards somewhere to bridge the gap.

Safety of passengers should be paramount in all consideration. We would not want to hear of any air mishap.”

JOGS 74/75

I

JEBU-ODE GRAMMAR School Old Boys Association, JOGS 74/79 set, will hold her monthly meeting on Sunday, May 17, 2015.

The host is Mr. Akintola Bankole, Plot 719a, Somide Odujinrin Avenue, Omole Phase 2, Ojodu Berger, Lagos.

BAKALIKI—A chieftain of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, yesterday, called on the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, to make job creation, diversification of the economy and agriculture pivotal in his administration.

Ezeemo made the call at Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State after a visit to Dr. Sam Egwu’s farm at Umuebe.

According to him, overdependence on the oil sector gave rise to what he described as a monoeconomy which had over the years jeopardized the economy of the country.

He said he was at the farm to acquaint himself with the type of farm equipment available at Umuebe Farms so as to expand and improve on the scope of his own farm in Anambra State.

He said: “I, therefore, enjoin Nigerians, especially politicians, to go into agriculture to create job opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths and at the same time help boost the nation’s economy.

“I want to embark on a full scale agriculture now that the world is facing serious recession due to the oil glut, that is why I decided to visit Sam Egwu’s farm to widen my experiences.

“A first hand information of the workings and management of the farm would go a long way in assisting me to go into big time agriculture in order to contribute to the war against hunger.

“I operate a farm in my country home in Umuchu Aguata Local Government Area of the state and currently farms crops such as corn, okro, maize; various vegetables, poultry, piggery, among others, are grown.

“You know that nobody has a monopoly of knowledge or ideas; farming is one of my hobbies and I wish to go into very big farming, enough to create good jobs for my people, that is to say I am looking at having a very big mechanized farm.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Imo govt moves against tax diversion

LETTER TO VC: SUG president was

sponsored, UNIZIK authorities allege

By Vincent Ujumadu & Enyim Enyim

A

By Chinonso Alozie

O

WERRI—THE Imo State government has said it would ensure that all the leakages through which individuals diverted the state revenue would be blocked.

State Commissioner for Internal Resources and Pension Matters, Obinna Mbata, disclosed this in a statement in Owerri, yesterday.

He said, henceforth, all documents concerning land transactions and other matters requiring stamp duties and payment of capital gains tax would be handled by Imo State Board of Internal Revenue, BIR. He said the essence of the measure was to define a transparent process in the handling of the revenue of the state.

The commissioner also warned the public to take note of the development and ensure that they demanded for receipt for any transaction done as evidence of payment.

PRESENTATION: From left, Mike Igini, Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, presenting Certificate of Return to All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Assembly Member-elect for Egor Constituency, Mr. Crosby Eribo in Benin City

Crisis in Onitsha market deepens as trustees threaten to return to court

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—REGISTERED trustees of Onitsha Bridge-Head Market Traders Association, OBHMTA have

Give us a minister, Nsukka people tell Buhari

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—Nsukka indigenes, under the auspices of Asaba, Delta State, chapter of Nsukka Platform, yesterday demanded the appointment of Enugu North senatorial indigene as a minister in the government of President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The group in a statement by its chairman and secretary, Dr. Pius Ike and Dr. Leo Abonyi respectively, said: “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that every state in the Federation is entitled to a ministerial slot in reflection of the federal character principle.

“This being the case, it then becomes imperative that Buhari should endeavour to uphold this constitutional provision in choosing ministers from every state, while insisting on credibility and competence. In order C M Y K

WKA—AUTHORITIES of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka yesterday accused those who vied for positions and lost in the institution and others allegedly facing disciplinary actions of trying to cause confusion in the university, using the president of the Students Union Government, SUG. This came on a day the students’ union government of the university dissociated itself from the online and newspaper publications credited to the president of the union, Mr Noble Eyisi, who alleged that the authorities of the institution were extorting money from students without reason.

The SUG president, Mr. Noble Eyisi, had last week written the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Joseph Ahaneku, querying the rationale behind the increase in post-UME test fee from N1,000 to N2,000 and another N7,500 paid by students for biometric data capturing, which he said, amounted to N45

million.

Addressing reporters yesterday, the institution’s Director of Communication, Mr. Emma Ojukwu, said apart from being sponsored, the SUG president was facing impeachment process, which he wanted the management of the university to intervene, but was told that the school authorities had no power to do so.

According to Ojukwu, Eyisi has no right to protest for those who are not yet students.

He questioned the rationale for his questioning the school authorities as though they were accountable to him.

“The issues he raised clearly showed that he was sponsored to destabilise the university,” Ojukwu said.

Meanwhile, seven members of the SUG, including the vicepresident, Mr. Precious Oazems, have distanced themselves from the action of the SUG president, saying that it amounted to a distraction to delay his impeachment which was already in progress.

words, it is expected that the APC government should ensure that every part of a given state in the federation, including Enugu, is given a sense of belonging in ministerial appointments.

“It is expected and only proper, that the presidentelect takes cognizance of the fact that in Enugu State, only two of the three senatorial districts in the state have been producing ministers since 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule.

“In fact, it is on record that the Enugu North Senatorial District (Nsukka Cultural Zone) produced its last minister in 1979 during the Second Republic, in the person of Chief D.C. Ugwu, the then Minister of Health. Since the country returned to civilian rule in 1999, the Nsukka people that constitute over 50 per cent of electorate of Enugu State, have not produced a single minister.

threatened to drag Anambra Ctate Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Ifeatu Onejeme, and his appointed three-man peace committee to court for failing to conduct an election into the executive position of the association on March 16 as contained in a consent judgement delivered a Federal High Court in Awka.

The court had in the judgement, following the intervention of the commissioner and his peace committee, ordered that an election that will produce a democratically elected executive committee of the market be conducted on March 16 to bring to an end to the crisis arising from prolonged interim management or caretaker system of leadership in the market.

The intervention of the commissioner and his consequent appointment of the peace committee was sequel to a N100 million suit earlier filed by the trustees at the court against the Chief Ambrose Osakwe-led incumbent nine-man caretaker committee of the market for meddling with the leadership or affairs of the executive of the market without being properly elected as provided in the constitution of the association.

In the suit, the trustees, led by its chairman, Chief Robert Ozigbo, had sought a perpetual injunction restraining the caretaker

committee members (defendants) and their agents from in a any way or manner further meddling with the leadership or affairs of the executive of the market without being properly elected as provided in the constitution of the association.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday in his office, Ozigbo stated that since the commissioner and his peace committee had flouted the court order by failing to conduct the election on March 16 or even after

that date for no justifiable reason, the trustees had just met and decided to return to the court soon for a contempt proceeding against him and his peace committee.

Ozigbo recalled that when the March 16 election date was suggested by the peace committee before taking it to the court for approval as a consent judgement, he personally advised that the election date be extended till after the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Man remanded over alleged murder of 63-yr-old man

By Onozure Dania

A

MAGISTRATE, Mrs. O.I. Adelaja , of an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate's Court has ordered that Sunday Obadele, 37, be remanded in prison custody, for allegedly killing a 63year-old man,Amuda Abudo.

The magistrate who gave the order yesterday, said the defendant should be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons, pending legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP. The Prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, told the court that the offence was committed on February 17, at 16, Araromi Street, Oto, Awori Area, of Ijanikin, in Lagos State.

He said that the defendant and the deceased were involved in a heated argument which led to a fight in which both used cutlasses on each other, which eventually led to the death of the deceased.

“While fighting, they both picked up cutlasses as weapon to defend themselves, but Obadele’s cut was much deeper,” he said.

According to Odigie, the offence is contrary to sections 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, but his plea was not taken as the magistrate ordered that he be remanded.

She adjourned the matter till June 12.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 17

I

HAVE been in Ilorin over the past two weeks, including even the days I spent in Lagos and Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, to attend a funeral ceremony, as I reported, last week. The most important political issue in Kwara state today, is Bukola Saraki’s ambition to become the next Senate President. Every stop is being pulled to ensure success; powerful emissaries are clocking miles across the length and breadth of Nigeria, in the most intense lobbying effort that this community has ever deployed, for the ambition of a single individual!

The story on people’s lips here is that many of our local Malams have even been flown to Saudi Arabia to pray for Bukola’s success.Malams who stayed at home are allegedly being corralled to organise regular prayers for success in local mosques, just as Bukola Saraki’s sidekicks and hangers-on of all hues, are already salivating; they are all looking forward to their ‘leader ’ securing the muchcoveted position, with hope that they will also get opportunities in the honeypot of Abuja.

The only fitting tale within Kwara’s political firmament must be whatever enhances Bukola Saraki’s chances for senate presidency. But today’s piece is only tangentially related to the race for senate presidency.

Enter Nurudeen Muhammed All politics is local. And while the high wire politics of senate presidency consumes the space, there are subterranean movements in the political subsoil, which interest me as a Political Scientist and journalist. One such issue is the place of individual actors in the jigsaw of politics. And in the setting of contemporary Kwara, no individual fascinates me like Nurudeen Muhammed, TafidanKaiama, and a former Commissioner for Finance in the state.

I must make full disclosure here. Nurudeen Muhammed is my very close friend, and I have known him for close to forty years and followed the trajectory of his politics since the Second Republic, 19791983. He was one of the younger members of the ruling National Party of

So what will they do about Nurudeen Muhammed? That must be a serious headache for the hegemon of Kwara state. Nurudeen Muhammed is the ultimate enigma of Kwara state politics. He is a puzzle they have not figured out C M Y K

Within this contradictory ambience Nurudeen Muhammed’s political position continues to interest me. He is the authentic Buhari man; he was with GMB when many of those hanging unto his coattail today, had nothing to do with him. They despised him!

Hegemonic controllers of Kwara politics

The Nurudeen factor in Kwara politics Nigeria, who was a very close aide of former politician, now Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro.

Nurudeen Muhammed is a very intelligent man, with a broad vision of the workings of government and of society.

As far back as 2002, he organised a retreat on the problems of politics and governance in Kwara, which I attended as GM of KWTV. This was before those strutting the terrain of power today, ever entered Kwara state.

For a long time, he was part of the conscientious opposition that rejected the suffocating Saraki political hegemony in Kwara.

At a time when it was not popular to be associated with General MuhammaduBuhari, Nurudeen Muhammed stood firmly and loyally with GMB. In the lead to the 2011 elections, the Fulani people of

Banni community in Kaima LGA requested a visit by GMB.

Nature of Kwara politics Nurudeen Muhammed assured the community and he facilitated General Buhari’s visit. Within the cloak-anddagger propensities of politics, GMB belonged to the opposition CPC, while Bukola Saraki, then Kwara state governor, was a member of the ruling PDP. Not even a request made for Government Quarters to accommodate GMB, a former Head of State, was agreed to by the government of the day! And in the nature of politics, different political groups merged to form the APC and for the first time since the Second Republic, Nurudeen Muhammed, became a member of the same political

party with the Saraki group.

He went into the APC, because of his loyalty to General MuhammaduBuhari.

That is one of the most interesting aspects of the political situation in Kwara state today. The APC swept the polls here, not because of the record of the people in power here. They were smart and that must be acknowledged. They jumped the PDP ship as it started listing and they handsomely profited from the Nigerian desire for change. They rode General Buhari piggy-backed into power. On the other hand, many of those who reject Bukola Saraki’s hegemony have entered the APC, because it is General Muhammadu Buhari’s party and they remain loyal to their man and leader. So the APC in Kwara resembles an old mammy wagon, carrying contradictory baggage.

But Nurudeen Muhammed stayed with him. The hegemonic controllers of the Kwara state political terrain have benefitted from GMB and would rather that no other person in Kwara state is a gate to GMB besides them. But Nurudeen Muhammed is an old loyalist of GMB and GMB trusts him. The hegemonic group and the hegemon of Kwara know that Nurudeen Muhammed will not be a slave. He is too independentminded; he is a leader in his own right; he has an extensive network, especially in Northern Nigeria and is therefore an “aberration”, in the scheme of things in Kwara state. In the Kwara political pond, there can be only one hegemon in control of the hegemony of corruption and enslavement. So what will they do about Nurudeen Muhammed? That must be a serious headache for the hegemon of Kwara state.

Nurudeen Muhammed is the ultimate enigma of Kwara state politics. He is a puzzle they have not figured out. Watch out!

Re: ‘Ilorin: Mark One, One’

M

Y column of March 12, 2015 had carried the title: “ILORIN: ‘MARK ONE, ONE’. It was a historical tourde-force on football and the great players of the 1960s and 1970s in Ilorin. It was a piece that many people, especially from Ilorin, favourably responded to, because it brought back memories of times past, to paraphrase the French writer, Marcel Proust.

While the many players I mentioned in that piece were very delighted, and one of them, Baba Ali, made copies and bought extra copies of VANGUARD to distribute amongst his colleagues, there was also the fact that I did not remember many of the great stars of that period. A week after that piece appeared, I returned home to Ilorin and received a call from Mr. Dayo Ayodele, better known as CAPTAIN DAYO! He wondered how I forgot him in the pantheon of footballing heroes of those years. And frankly, how could I have forgotten CAPTAIN DAYO? He was certainly one of the very best players from Northern Nigeria! He played for the Northern Lions and was in the Northern Lions team which played against Queen Park Rangers to open the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in 1964. And was one of eight Northern players invited to camp of the Nigerian national team, in preparation for the 1968 Olympics Games in Mexico City. He was to remain a major figure in

football in Ilorin and Kwara, after the 1968 creation of states.

A generation of stars In response to his call, and several other contacts of appreciation I received on the back of that column, I decided to host these old superstars to lunch and an evening of reminiscences, during one of my visits to Ilorin. Luckily, we pulled that through this week, on Monday evening. It was a remarkable evening of recollections and reunion, for people I watched play football, from about the age of eight. In all, ten of these players showed up, and they represented about three generations of footballing in our neck of the wood.

CAPTAIN DAYO is now 73 and Isiaka Akanbi (TERROR), one of the best defenders of his time told me he was 72 years old and I was delighted that his defensive partner for the Ilorin town team, Sidiq Abdul, who was MY favourite defender was able to show up.

There was Moshood OlanrewajuJaji, JAAJII, the captain of that generation of footballers and certainly the most flambuoyant! Adekunle Akande, played for the Tate & Lyle football team, my local favourite and was a wellknown dribbler. He was delighted that I hosted the group because, as he confessed, he had not seen his contemporaries in the past forty years! I spoke about

Ibrahim Gegele, the famous AMBURE in that piece in March. He was the one that I would not have recognized, but in the period since I wrote about him, we have regularly spoken and he was also present at the gathering.

The younger generation who played in the famous Kwara and Nigerian Academicals was represented by Isa Salami, L ANKY, who packed a wonderful short and was an ex-international as well as Rasheed Gbadamasi, BAIYE! He played in the generation of Lamidi Lawal, the goalkeeper, for Kwara and Nigerian Academicals; Busari Ishola, Captain of Kwara and Nigerian Academicals; Ahmed Yahaya, ATINGA, who died a few years ago; Musa Abdullahi Koto, coach of Nigerian cadet teams, who also died recently after a protracted illness; Salihu Ojibara; the late Baba Eleran, one of the most popular Nigerian players of the Academicals generation!

AbdulKadir Alanamu, was both a player and goalkeeper and was understudy of the great Inuwa Rigogo, in the old Northern Nigeria.

From this distinguished group, I learnt that Alhaji Salawu Gidado, FLYING CAT, the goalkeeper of Northern Lions, is very much alive and is in fact an indigene of Ilorin as is Alhaji Abdulmalik “BABA MALI”, the Captain of the Northern Lions, who is still very much alive in Ilorin today.

After the tuck into the sumptuous lunch of pounded

yam, vegetables, fish and chicken, the old generation of players decided that the group should begin to meet regularly and a resolve was also made to contact the other veteran players, who are all over the city and Kwara state.

Labours of heroes past They would attempt to affect the direction of football in the community and also assist each other to come to terms with life as they age, in a country that does not seem able to live by the words of its National Anthem, that: “The labours of our heroes past, shall never be in vain”. These distinguished ex-footballers served Nigeria in the prime of their lives, at a time when giving selflessly was seen as the natural way to live. As they have aged, they are living in a country that does not appreciate memory nor reward efforts given selflessly.

I felt happy that I could be the person that facilitated the coming together of people who inspired my generation to strive to give our best to our communities and country. I will certainly trace up BABA MALI and his contemporary, FLYING CAT, whenever I return to Ilorin. I was told that BABA MALI has a rich collection of pictures from the 1950s and 1960s and I am sure he would also have a rich repertoire of tales we can tuck into to inspire the younger generation.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 IF stories about the series of kidnaps in Ekiti State do not end with statements from the police, we would think Ekiti State was without the security agencies that dot Nigeria.

However, the statements from the authorities in Ekiti State underline empty efforts to halt a cascading decline in the State’s security.

The State Security Council intends to improve security through ban on use of vehicles with tinted glasses, frequent hotel checks, and a threat to seal up hotels that harbour criminals. None of these measures is far from routine measures used all over the country. They have been in place before the surge in kidnapping. If they are just being implemented in Ekiti State, we can assume security operations in the State are below average, or compromised to serve certain purposes.

In its statement, the Council claimed that efforts were on to enact laws to deal with criminals. Are we to assume that laws Ekiti State inherited, some dating back to Western Region, and the ones that its legislators have been making since 1999 are inadequate to

Saving Ekiti, Saving Us deal with the criminals who have taken over the State? Is the Council telling us it cannot act without new laws?

While the State Security Council is unable to resolve the kidnaps argeted mostly against university teachers and medical professionals, it was busy warning against “foreign bodies or security threat” during the May 29 handing-over date. Then it praised security agencies in the State for their efforts in ensuring peace in Ekiti.

Most disheartening was the assurance from the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ojune Ibine, that kidnapped persons would soon be released. It sounds as if the police have the

kidnapped persons warehoused “to be released soon”. What are the police doing about threats to other people. There were at least seven reported cases in a week.

How are criminals emboldened to threaten people through text messages?

Can the sources of the messages not be tracked? Why would the police and the other security agencies wait until crimes are fully executed before acting, if ever they act?

Why are the teaching and medical professionals the target of the kidnappers?

Why is Ekiti the choice location for these serial crimes?

The security agencies are unlikely to find out, if they are already being praised for “ensuring peace” in Ekiti. What type of peace results in kidnaps?

Ekiti needs help, for the sake of us all. We think Ekiti could be a practising ground for future criminals. If criminals are allowed to prosper in Ekiti, the State would soon be too small to accommodate their big dreams. They would seek a larger platform; the entire country could be their target.

OPINION Political bumps GMB must avoid

By Victor Peter

W

ITH a few days to May 29, the handover date, two major talking points have gained prominence and remained in the front burner of public discourse as Nigeria marches to a new start at the presidency. Surreptitiously though, there is a third.

One, the possible composition of General Muhammadu Buhari’s new cabinet. and, who is qualified in character, experience, exposure and acceptability, to lead the Senate, as well as the Lower House, and other leaders of the National Assembly.

Understandably, these deserve the scrutiny and attention they are getting seeing that any mistake by whatever means and proportion, would spell doom and largely put a clog on the wheel of the incoming administration. Equally, such mistakes will equally hamper the delivery of the much elusive dividends of democracy and put the nation at grave risk having walked this far in search of people-centred leadership.

This is why it has become expedient that one gives the President-elect, General Buhari, a helping hand, and make him aware of some dangerous political bumps likely to pose a threat to his government; if for nothing, to assist him steady himself in this crucial time when decisions that will make or mar his administration are taken.

The covert talking point among most discerning Nigerians is the possibility of our man of the moment, GMB to rebound. Those

who expressed this concern are probably phobic of the military background of the incoming president, forgetting that for the general to submit himself to the democratic process of selection of candidates of his party depicted readiness to abide by democratic norms. Though only time and happenstance will vindicate him, it is critical that GMB be cautitious and govern by the law of the land.

While everyone who contributed to the success of the All Progressives Congress party (APC) at the election deserves a pat on the back, a moment comes and that moment is here, when national interest is allowed to stand taller than parochial or party interest anyone might have as the nation considers who will lead it at all the strategic positions in the new administration.

There is no doubt that this season calls for a deeper reflection before deciding who becomes which minister or not. While GMB seems transparently concern about the future and progress of Nigeria, it is not impossible that certain personalities who see the emergence of the APC as an opportunity to either accumulate more wealth or remote control Nigeria, might work at cross lines.

It is important that Buhari watches out for booby traps that some greedy and selfish politicians might put on his path to undermine him

These are speedbrakers Buhari must be weary of.

In all democracies, beyond the passion to serve fatherland, the equitable distribution of political offices plays critical role in determining the speed, shape and manner of progress by any administration. However, this must not be above competence, dignity and resourcefulness. It is on this backdrop that care must be taken by the new APC government and President-elect to ensure no individual or group it on the party and nation as intense lobbying continues over political offices and appointments at the presidency and the National Assembly leadership.

Since the buck stops on the president’s table - vilified or applauded - for the success or otherwise of his government, the President-elect must take a studied look and critically examine the issues that led to the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan’s government and avoid them as best as possible.

As a highly principled and incorruptible man, character traits that endeared him to Nigerians, it is important that Buhari watches out for booby traps that some greedy and selfish politicians might put on his path to undermine him. Not just that, it is also important to avoid walking the same path that burnt President Jonathan’s fingers and gave PDP the bloody nose. Today, everyone can see that those who misled President Jonathan are,without qualms, already jumping ship and directly and indirectly fraternising with the incoming government, abandoning the man they once praised to high heavens. This is a big lesson for the President-elect.

And, one quick lesson to take away here, is that if he bends too low to feather the interest of any politician at the expense of national interest, such a politician like those who advised President Jonathan, will not be there when Nigerians begin to throw stones at his government when it falters. Invariably, such a politician will not stop the PVCs when they make a return to the polling booths after four years.

There is no doubt that critical to establishing himself as a leader who means well, the President-elect must fight some urgent battles, especially the battle against graft. Good, as this is, given that corruption has been the bane of Nigeria’s development, care must also be taken to ensure that it is not turned into a political witch-hunt tool.

Records are well too clear on how the President Jonathan’s anti-graft battles and those of previous governments ended and the costs to Nigerians. It is also well, too clear, the costs, politically, to those who oiled the battle wheels rather deceptively.

President Jonathan, for instance, where he ever showed the will to fight graft, was deceived into fixing his guess on the wrong people, while those who walked his corridors and dined with him, daily, had their ten fingers on the national till. It cost him reelection. Therefore, when the President-elect is sworn in on May 29, he must avoid these pitfalls like a plague. There should not be any form of persecution of perceived political opponents or supposedly corrupt, except those already indicted.

*Mr. Peter, a publiccommentator, wrote from Ilorin, Kwara State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14 14,, 2015— 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

You’re lonely when you lose

V

ICTORY, even when it is merely symbolic, is the sweetest feeling you can have. It does not matter if all you’ll get for your trouble is a mere trophy, shield, certificate or applause.

One of the greatest victories anyone can win in the world is being voted the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Office of the President of Nigeria is reputed to be the most powerful in the world because it is the repository of unlimited power, influence and money. That office is said to be so powerful that it can turn a man into a woman and vice versa, literally.

There was nothing more apt to illustrate this recently, than when Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, led a delegation of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorselect to President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari with a wish list, even before the man is sworn into office. It contained their nominees for ministerial posts and a request for Buhari to help financially

“bail out” the states, most of which have not paid salaries for months.

Buhari, in a suave move that started getting him taken seriously even by his most hardened critics (such as yours sincerely)told them off. He said those of them who had been in office for four years (which includes Okorocha) had no ground seeking a “bail out” since they collected federal allocations. As for their ministerial nominees, he told them to go and compose their own state cabinets and leave him alone to compose his, as the constitution does not compel him to grant their request. Bravo.

Next time they’ll think twice before coming forward with asinine requests.

Out-going President Goodluck Jonathan is now in an emotional doghouse because he lost his reelection bid. It was unforeseen and unprecedented. Now he is left, all alone, to fathom it for himself. At the valedictory church service held in his honour last Sunday, Jonathan came down to earth. In sobre tones, he disclosed that all his “friends” (especially

the emergency billionaires he and Obasanjo created) have deserted him, expressing the hope that his wife would not also divorce him.

Reminds me of this beautiful song by Jimmy Cliff in the middle 1970’s, which came in an album: Another Cycle (how apt for Uncle Jona’s situation!). One of the songs is entitled: Inside-out, Upside-down. In it Cliff laments: “All my friends deserted me, my woman ran away, I am so frustrated I could shout!”

Well, Jona is much luckier than Jimmy. Retiring First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, is unlikely to abandon him. If she loved him when he had no shoes, is it now that he is a fulfilled and respected ex-President that she would “run away”? Run to where, anyway?

One great thing about President Jonathan is that he is very human. He’s not hoity-toity, aren’t we grand. You may

It is in the national interest that PDP is not totally destroyed

by Muazu and company. If that happens, the APC will turn into a monster, and there will be no viable alternative to turn to

A party in irreversible coma? (1)

O

UR first prayer point today is that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, shall not die. It shall live to provide the services of a minority party. It is only people who do not understand the full import of a minority party that will not say “Amen” to this prayer point. Among other things, it is the function of the minority party to provide the constructive criticism that keeps the majority party constantly on its toes.

The choice here of the phrase “constructive criticism” is deliberate. It distinguishes itself from the Kukuruku-type enterprise where the Branch Manager would pleasantly usurp the functions of the PRO for the purpose of heaving abuses on perceived competitors. Such Branch Manager soon burns himself off and he fades away because television viewers tune off at the mention of his name. Even on radio, his name is repugnant. Essentially, such is his company’s killer, albeit unwittingly.

Evidently, the PDP was already fixated on Saint Vincent’s catechism that the Party was poised to rule Nigeria for 60 unbroken years in the first instance. In PDP’s reckoning, the period 1999-2059 could as well have been rolled into a single tenure; except that the law of the land also requires that at fouryearly intervals, people must apply the brakes and submit themselves for some reappraisal.

In the delusion of grandeur, for the PDP, there was absolutely no need for any Plan ‘B’ in the four-yearly hurly-burly called elections. But in 2015, the Vincent catechism fell flat and PDP was obviously caught napping. It then dawned on the party that failing to plan is planning to fail.

Understandably, a party that was not used to failure, and that had not planned for any, could not comprehend the wind of change.

Before the party knew what was happening, failure was stirring it in the face. Rather than recoil briefly and immediately begin the C M Y K

process of re-strategising, the PDP took its failure to the market place. Since then, it has been blames galore, suspicions galore as well as accusations and counteraccusations.

Since the morning after the announcement of the election results, there has been the seemingly unending scramble of many of the PDP members to rush into the All Progressives Congress, APC. President Goodluck Jonathan has labelled the defectors as desperate and hungry fortune hunters. He has predicted unpalatable consequences for them: they will either meet their waterloo in the hands of the APC or they will end up returning to the PDP on empty stomachs.

The President of the Senate, David Mark, was perhaps being economical with words when he proclaimed the PDP as being in coma. He fell short of saying that the coma was irreversible. Hear him: “The PDP is already hemorrhaging and only a quick halt of the bleeding and application of the necessary therapy would prevent the final burial of the party”.

Our counsel is that the PDP must not die. It is only in the existence of a viable opposition that APC can find full expression. If indeed every time a party loses at the poll it goes into extinction, what is today the APC would have been dead more than five times over, even before its birth

disagree with his leadership quality and style, but because he is so human and self-effacing, rather than pompous and megalomaniacal like Olusegun Obasanjo, you don’t want him humiliated. Jonathan has taken his presidential loss like a real man, and, like a real patriot, he has not allowed it to become a problem to the rest of us. Bravo.

But this other gent here, I can’t tell him bravo. His name is Mallam Adamu Muazu, alias “Game Changer ”. What a befitting name for a party leader that took his ruling party to the most humiliating defeat in the annals of Nigeria’s political history! They say in some quarters that he palmed off his party, the once great People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition, perhaps in the same manner that some military officers handed over our battle plans and military equipment to Boko Haram terrorists and orchestrated dramatic desertions at the war front to allow the insurgents gain ground against President Jonathan.

The usual thing is for a leader that led his group to defeat to voluntarily give way. He does not need to be reminded, let alone prevailed upon, to do so. We saw how, in Britain, Ed Miliband of the Labour Party, Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats and Nigel Farage of the UKIP, apologised to their party faithful and immediately threw in the towel as party leaders. Usually when this happens, the party is given the opportunity to search for a new beginning and fresh hands to pilot its affairs. It shows the party is bigger than any individual and its survival is more

Within the PDP, there are squabbles between the Wadata House and the Aso Rock. All those who would have provided the necessary therapy to the PDP are already solidly entrenched in the politics of here we stand and their wrangling is getting deeper by the day while the protagonists on either side are busy revealing the dark secrets that had been buried in the inner graveyards of the party.

It took an ailment known as post-election trauma for Aso Rock to heave all the blames from PDP’s abysmal performance at the polls at the door steps of Wadata House.

Meanwhile, Aso Rock is asking for the heads of members of the National Working Committee, NWC. The major proponent of this view that the NWC should honourably throw in the towel is Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State. He says it is morally wrong for the NWC to remain in office after leading the party to its first national electoral disaster.

On its part, the Wadata House group insists that Jonathan should have known the consequences of surrounding himself with a band of praise singers who were busy packaging tissues of misinformation, disinformation and sometimes outright deliberate falsehood to him as bankable electoral nuggets.

The praise singers took the PDP from the zenith of invincibility to the nadir of political liquidation. Hear Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP: “The NWC was left out of the President’s campaign. If we had been involved, the President would have won the election”. The NWC wonders what anyone really expected from a campaign in which Ayo Fayose, Femi Fani-Kayode and Dame Patience Jonathan took centre stage with all their acidic and sometimes satanic hate campaigns.

important than the ambition of anyone.

But, of course, for individuals like Muazu and his co-travellers in the National Working Committee of the PDP, their positions as party functionaries are more important than the Party. It seems Muazu is prepared to continue his “good work” from where he stopped during the elections. If he remains as an unwanted party chairman, he could make himself the eyes and ears of the ruling APC should they want to use him as PDP used the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu and Chief Don Etiebet inside the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) to render it ineffective as an opposition party.

But in case the PDP presses ahead to force him out, he might take on the role of Abubakar Baraje and lead a faction of the Party that might eventually drift over to the new party in power, should that be the bidding of the APC. Unfortunately, Muazu’s dishonourable refusal to abdicate is being supported by some outgoing PDP governors from the North, some of who were parties to the conspiracy to sellout the presidency to Buhari in Arewa. A party chairman who lost the elections in his polling unit rubs insult into injury by boasting that if he leaves PDP it would collapse!

It is in the national interest that PDP is not totally destroyed by Muazu and company. If that happens, the APC will turn into a monster, and there will be no viable alternative to turn to. We will all be trapped once again in a dominant one party system, just as we were for sixteen years inside the PDP!

Our counsel is that the PDP must not die.

It is only in the existence of a viable opposition that APC can find full expression.

If indeed every time a party loses at the poll it goes into extinction, what is today the APC would have been dead more than five times over, even before its birth.

In our desire for things Western, it is instructive that the Democratic and Republican Parties of America came into being in 1792 and 1854 respectively. In Britain, the two major parties – the Conservative Party, which was the heir and continuation of the old Tory Party and the Labour Party were founded in 1834 and 1893 respectively.

All these years, the parties have won and lost elections but they have remained intact under any condition. In fact, parties succeed and fail at elections, not for their names and symbols or the colour of their flags, but on their policy thrusts vis-à-vis their acceptability to the electorate.

This explains why PDP must make genuine efforts to re-engineer itself for future contests. From a distance, the PostElection Assessment Committee, made up of Ike Ekweremadu, Godswill Akpabio, Theodore Orji, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Emeka Ihedioha, Nyeson Wike, Ibrahim Shekarau, Abba Moro, Makanjuola Ogundipe, Pegba Otemolu and Funmi Ayoola, looks attractive but it has one major defect – it is proestablishment. PDP must come to terms with the fact that its current NWC does not expire until March 2016. For now, any genuine repositioning effort cannot totally exclude its members.

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

— 21

A

GLOBAL oil glut is building as OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia pumps near record highs in an attempt to win a market-share battle against stubbornly resistant U.S. shale production, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday.

The West’s energy watchdog said in a monthly report that although higherthan-expected oil demand was helping to ease the glut, growth in global oil consumption was far from spectacular. As a result, signs are emerging that the crude oil glut is shifting into refined products markets, which could make a recent rally in oil prices unsustainable.

“Despite tentatively bullish signals in the United States, and barring any unforeseen disruption elsewhere, the market’s short-term fundamentals still look relatively loose,” said the IEA, which coordinates energy policies of industrial nations.

Global oil production exceeds demand by around 2 million barrels per day, or over 2 per cent, following spectacular growth in U.S. shale production and OPEC’s decision last year not to curtail output in a bid to force higher-cost U.S. producers to cut theirs.

As a result, benchmark Brent oil prices more than halved from June 2014 to $46 per barrel in January.

They have since rebounded to around $65, however, on fears of a steep slowdown in U.S. production growth.

“In the supposed standoff between OPEC and U.S. light tight oil, LTO appears to have blinked. Following months of cost cutting and a 60 per cent plunge in the U.S. rig count, the relentless rise in U.S. supply seems to be finally abating,” the IEA said.

But it added that the recent oil price rebound was giving U.S. producers a new lease on life. “Several large LTO producers have been boasting of achieving large reductions in production costs in recent weeks. At the same time, producer hedging has reportedly gone steeply up, as companies took advantage of the rally to lock in profits,” the IEA said.

“It would thus be premature to suggest that OPEC has won the battle for market share. The battle, rather, has just started.” Despite a certain slowdown in U.S. oil output growth, global crude supply was up by a staggering 3.2 million bpd in April year-on-year, the IEA said. Beyond high OPEC production, the IEA cited

Global oil production exceeds demand by around 2 million barrels per day, or over 2 per cent, following spectacular growth in U.S. shale production

BRIEFING: From left: Team Lead, Event and Sponsorship, FCMB, Mr. Matthew Obiazikwor; Brand and Strategy Manager, Gem Publications, Kehinde Adollo; CEO/Publisher, Gem Women and Gem Man Magazine, Bola Olawale and Assistant Vice President, Retail and Commercial Banking, VI Zone of FCMB, Wunmi Kalejaiye at a press conference on Gem Publication 2 Became1 Couples’ dinner, in Lagos.

Oil glut worsens as OPEC market share battle begins — IEA strong performance of non-OPEC countries including Russia, Brazil, China, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The IEA lifted its 2015 forecast for non-OPEC supply growth by 200,000 bpd since last month’s report, saying non-OPEC producers will contribute 830,000 bpd of additional supplies in 2015.

The IEA left its 2015 oil demand growth forecast broadly unchanged

from last month at 1.1 million bpd, to 93.6 million bpd, up from 0.7 million in 2014.

It said an improving economic outlook for Europe was offset by reduced expectations for oil demand growth in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and Latin America.

In another bearish sign for oil prices, U.S. product stocks built counterseasonally in March, and China

posted record-high distillate builds, the IEA said.

“Preliminary data show OECD-wide product stocks stopped drawing and swung into growth in April. More such builds may follow as global demand goes through a seasonal soft patch and refining activity increases worldwide,” it said.

Dangote, UOP sign agreement over petroleum refinery plant

By Michael Eboh

U

OP LLC, a Honeywell company, yesterday, announced that its process technology, catalysts and proprietary equipment will form the basis for the largest refinery in Africa, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuels and petrochemicals.

Dangote Oil Refining Company selected UOP technology for a world-scale integrated refinery and petrochemical plant to be built in Lekki, near the capital of Lagos in southwestern Nigeria.

“UOP has been designing state-of-theart refineries and petrochemical plants for more than a century, so we are wellequipped to help Nigeria develop a massive new installation to meet its domestic needs,” said Pete Piotrowski, senior Vice President and General Manager of UOP’s Process, Technology and Equipment business.

“This project will enable Dangote to improve Nigeria’s oil refining capabilities, reduce the country ’s

dependence on imports, and work to revive and transform the Nigerian economy,” he said.

In addition to processing crude oil to produce high-quality gasoline, diesel and jet fuel that meet Euro V specifications for reduced emissions, the new facility will produce world-scale quantities of polypropylene, a key petrochemical used in plastics and packaging.

UOP technologies at this facility will include: the UOP Resid Fluid Catalytic Cracking process to produce transportation fuels from crude oil. It will also supply propylene, which will be used as a feedstock for polypropylene.

Others are The CCR Platforming process to produce high-octane gasoline blending components; the Unicracking process to produce diesel; the Penex process to produce high-octane gasoline and the crude distillation unit (CDU) design, which will be provided by UOP’s alliance partner, Process Consulting Services.

$134. 75

0.25

$2,955.00

33.00

$13.52

-0.06

$67.41

0.55

61.43 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

196 307.4848 220. 206 211. 869 1.6329 0.3138 274. 6009 31.5652 52.2639 29.5012 276.5364

0.68

CENTRAL 96.5 308.2692 220.7678 212.4095 1.6371 0.3238 275.3014 31.6461 52.3972 29.5764 277.2419

197 309.0536 221.3295 212.95 1.6413 0.3338 276.0019 31.7271 52.5305 29.6517 277.9473

CBN Exchange Rate as at 13/ 05 /15

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

,

One of the most effective ways to understand and calculate the risks in your business idea is to look at your business plan

,

Why you need a business plan H

aving a brilliant business idea is not enough. You need to prove to yourself and others that you have a plan to transform that idea into a successful business. Can you imagine building a house without a plan? Although it’s not impossible, building anything without a plan will surely lead to avoidable mistakes, higher costs, wasted time, lots of stress and regrets.

One of the main advantages of a business plan is that it increases your chances of attracting funding. If you’re looking for a loan or

A business plan makes you more organized and better prepared for challenges ahead

investment to start and fund your business, you need to have a business plan. If you want to attract funding from an NGO or crowd-funding platform, you’ll still need a business plan.

Why banks and investors insist a business plan Business always involves risk and anybody who wants to give you capital (like banks, investors, partners etc.) is taking a big risk. And because these people don’t know your idea as well as you do, a business plan is the only thing that allows them to get into your head and better understand your idea.

Banks and investors are not gamblers. They won’t just give you their money and hope your business becomes successful and turns a profit.

No, they prefer to take calculated risks. And one of the most effective ways to understand and calculate the risks in your business idea is to look at your business plan.

If a bank or investor had to consider applications for funding from several entrepreneurs, a business plan would surely be an advantage for those who have it.

Not just about the money Even if you already have the money to start your business, you still need a plan. Remember the thing I said earlier about building a house without a plan? A business plan makes you more organized and better prepared for the challenging journey ahead of you. It helps you to critically analyse and structure your business idea. Above all, it will be the compass that increases your chance of success.

How to write a plan Every entrepreneur need a business plan but only few can write one. Following are three ways of writing a good business plan.

Use a template or sample plan - By using a template or sample of a business plan that looks like something you want, you’ll end up saving a lot of time and energy compared to starting from scratch. If you don’t like reinventing the wheel, this option is for you.

The only snag is that your plan may end up looking like somebody else’s. This is not for people who want a business plan that stands out and is completely unique.

Use business plan software - The right business plan software can be a huge blessing for those who don’t have the creative skills to design attractive plans, or the financial skills to prepare all the financial reports that make business plans a nightmare.

Hire a plan writer - For those who can afford it, this option will save you a lot of time and effort. All you have to do is give the writer an idea of the kind of business you’re trying to create and all the information he/she needs to develop a professional business plan for you. If you’re too busy, don’t have time to write a business plan by yourself or just want a professional touch, this option would definitely work best for you.

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (13/05/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N)

Central(N)

Selling(N)

196

196.5

197

306.6812 220.0884 211.1159 1.6369 0.3167 275.8306 31.587 52.2639 29.4905 276.3404

307.4636 220.6499 211.6545 1.6411 0.3267 276.5343 31.6681 52.3972 29.5658 277.0454

308.2459 221.2113 212.193 1.6452 0.3367 277.2379 31.7491 52.5305 29.641 277.7503

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

Exploring the business of tomato farming

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report

T

here is a ready market for tomato in Nigeria because it is one of the most important cooking ingredients in the county. Tomatoes are used in most of Nigerian foods. And for a population of more than 160 million people, the country is a huge market for tomatoes.

Nigerians spend about N100 billion annually on tomatoes, with a chunk of it spent on importation of the item. In 2012, Nigeria imported 65,809 tonnes of processed tomato worth over N11.7 billion. Whatever amount one invests in tomato farming, a triple return on investment is achievable within nine months.

Benefits Tomato is an excellent source of good amount of vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Tomato’s deep redness

means it’s a very good source of antioxidant agents. It’s a powerful source of vitamin E and enhances the health and sharpness of the eyes. You can never go wrong with tomatoes as far as nutrition and health is concerned.

Growing tomatoes Tomato farming is very simple. Anyone can do it in any capacity, either in the backyard or in commercial quantity.

Tomato can be grown round the year, especially in places where there is irrigation system specifically made for it. In other places, it is best cultivated during the rainy season.

Nursery - This can be done around March/April when the rain is just beginning in most parts of the country. You can use your backyard for the nursery or any other piece of land that is suitable for it. Tomatoes do very well in most soil types in Nigeria but better in a black loose loamy soil. Prepare the ground by clearing the grasses and rubbles; loosen the soil with

hand trowel and hoes. Remove the seeds from the tomatoes and spread it on the prepared soil. You can cover it with dry grasses to prevent the loss of moisture from the soil and prevent birds, ants and fowls from eating up the tomato seed. Within 5-7days you will see it germinating. Wait till about another five days before you remove the dry grasses to allow for proper growth. Leave it for another one month before transplanting.

Transplanting - The final journey will be moving it into the permanent farm where they would grow to maturity and production. Open the soil with piece of small wood, insert the seedling into the hole and cover it with lose soil. Tomato plant is very tender and fragile, it is best transplanted the same day you uprooted it from the nursery to avoid dehydration and fatigue.

Weeding and fertilization Two months after transplant, it would be time for weeding.

Ensure that your tomato plants

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 23

,

& YOU

dity de

Gas

COMMODITIES (13/05/15) Last 60.85

Change ($) +0.10

% Change +0.16

2.93

+0.04

+1.24

13.12

-0.46

-3.39

134.75

+0.25

+0.19

2,955.00

+33.00

+1.13

are not damaged during the process of removing weeds.

After the first weed, it is time to apply fertilizer to help replenish the soil nutrients taken by the weeds. To grow successfully, tomatoes need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, calcium, and magnesium, along with other trace minerals. It•fs always best to have your soil tested to check for nutrient levels and pH level. Use fertilizer that supplies those vital nutrients - N-P-K ratio fertilizer can be very good for tomatoes.

Har vesting - Tomato is harvested in batches, the moment you start harvesting, you’ll continue on weekly basis till the end of the season, usually it will keep producing till the dry season when the plant will die off due to the scorching heat. The first harvest starts within three months after planting. That means if you plant by April, you should be expecting your first harvest by June/July.

From then, it will continue till November/December.

Green house production Investment opportunites exist in greenhouse tomato production. This involves the installation of hundreds of units of greenhouse facilities of 8m by 24m size per unit with drip irrigation system that creates controlled environment for all season production of high quality pepper and tomato.

Nigerians spend about N100 billion annually on tomatoes

Greenhouse technology offers a better alternative to the open field farming because of the effect of climate change and bacterial blight disease associated with open field tomato production. There is ready market for tomato and pepper in the country as well as potential for export.

According to Chief Audu Ogbeh, Chairman, Efugo Farms, Nigeria spends $100 million (about N20 billion) annually to import tomato paste from China.

In a bid to encourage investment in green house tomato farming, the Ogun State government has promised to make land available for serious interested investors, with the State’s Ministry of Agriculture ready to share its experience with new comers and provide technical support to ensure successful take off of the project. Estimated Cost - Total Fixed Cost (Complete Greenhouse Kit, utilities, site preparation) – N2,366,000; Total Variable Cost (Labour & Technical Costs including soil sterilisation, Insurance (2 percent), Contingencies (10 percent)) – N858,000.

Revenue: Expected yield (average 5.5MT), Price per tonne (N350,000)) – N1,925,000; Gross Marging per unit – N1,067,000; Return on Investment (RoI) – 33.1 percent; Payback period – 20 months Marketing Tomato is a perishable product and so it’s important to prepare a marketing well ahead of harvesting. Mile 12 is the major market for fresh tomatoes and other vegetables in Lagos. About 20 million people consume tomatoes almost on daily basis in Lagos alone. So, there is a huge market for tomatoes in Lagos.

There are opportunities for big business and big money in this sector for smart entrepreneurs.

Let your new mantra when seeking for a feedback be "tell me your mind, and don't pull your punches"

,

As CEO, do you hear the truth too often?

"Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people" ...Spencer Johnson

T

he lessons of the old fable of the “Emperor without a cloth” may not have been learnt by many organizations. Here goes the story. A tailor appealed to the Emperor’s vanity enough to convince him that he was wearing a new suit made of such priceless fabric that mere mortals could not see it, when in fact he was wearing no clothes. All the people in the kingdom were so intimidated by the possible result of contradicting the Emperor in his belief that they convinced themselves that he was wearing a fine new suit – they just couldn’t see it. Out of the entire kingdom, only one small child was brave enough to state the obvious, thus exposing the tailor’s fraudulent claim- and sending the emperor dashing for cover.

This situation happens in organizations on daily basis, and it won’t be an overstatement to say that many organizations have gone under because no one is telling the leader the truth.

When leaders, CEOs, and managers have positioned themselves in a situation where people will only tell them what they want to hear regardless of the negative impacts to the organization, there is a big problem. There is no one that is perfect including the leaders or CEOs. Moreso there is no leader that does not require help and as such, when people are not telling them the truth, they are not helping them – they are setting them up for failures.

In the true sense of it, every CEO will want to make a decision that will help in growing the organization. A key question to ask is: would there be a time a leader will make a decision or take some positions that will not work in the best interest of the

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

CEO themselves have the most important role to play in setting the culture of the organization organization? The answer is yes. What then happened to the executive management team or the managers that were part of the meeting?

They all played along the line of the CEO and did all they could to avoid telling him the truth, to avoid telling him the dark side of his decisions. But one might ask: are the people that had the meeting with the CEO to be blamed? In fairness you might not blame them if that has been the culture of the organization and the CEO sees truth telling to mean questioning his authority or intelligence. But whether the truth is told or not, something wrong is still going on with the organization.

Now, and sadly, the analogy of the Emperor without a cloth exists in both the public and private sectors. The key lesson for CEOs is that if as a result of fear or whatever reason, their people inside did not tell them their “vulnerability or nakedness”, the people outside (competitors) will see it

clearly and will use it to work against your organization.

One trait I would eagerly encourage CEOs and business owners to have is the ability to accept what is not working, what needs to be changed, what is detrimental to the organizational growth – and that comes when they encourage people to tell them the truth in a respectful way. Remember, the number one person in the organization to model this culture of truth telling and acceptance is the CEO. This is because whatever he does becomes the culture. And like I always tell CEOs in my strategic culture transformation programs that the CEO themselves have the most important role to play in setting the culture of the organization.

Not telling the CEO the truth when things are going wrong or when he or she needs it the most is akin to seeing him putting his or her hands on fire and telling him/ her to push it more inside because it is cooler inside.

Those that tell the leaders or CEOs what they want to hear, the hangers-on, the fawners, the sycophants are not your the real followers – and do not care if the business survives or not. If it does not survive they will walk away and walk into another job, unlike a CEO of let say a bank, if the business dies, where will he or she walk into?

Final notes: Remember the words of Spencer Johnson, “honesty is telling the truth to other people”. As a CEO, Business Leader or even the President of a country, it is the honest men or women that won’t want your downfall, and the only avenue they have is by telling you the truth. So let your new mantra when seeking for a feedback be “tell me your mind, and don’t pull your punches”. Lastly when the punches come, accept it and build on it, and you will be an exceptional leader or CEO. For your views or perspectives: Email: uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093 C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

BRIEFS Skye Bank organises essay competition for children

By Providence Obuh

S

VISIT: From left: Past President, Nigeria Institute of Management, NIM, Mr. Bayo Adenubi, Executive Director, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Ade Bajomo, President & Chairman in Council, NIM, Dr. Nelson Uwaga and Past President, NIM, Margaret Adeleke, during a Courtesy visit by NIM to CEO NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema in Lagos.

FDC analysts predict 8.64% inflation rate for April Stories by Babajide Komolafe

A

NALYSTS at Financial Derivatives Company Limited has predicted inflation rate of 8.64 percent for April.

Speaking in the FDC Economic Bulletin on Tuesday, they said that inflation rate, which measures rate at which prices of goods and services increase, will increase for the fifth consecutive time to 8.64 percent in April. The inflation rate has been rising steadily since December when it first rose to 8.0 percent from 7.9 percent in November.

They however stated that the rise in inflation rate will not have impact on the naira exchange rate, interbank interest rates or the performance of the stock market.

The Bulletin stated, “After an extended period of price stability and consumer resistance, Nigerian inflation is now yielding to the impact of two bouts of naira devaluation. The first in October 2014 and the other in February this year. We are projecting that inflation for the month of April will increase by 0.14 percent to 8.64 percent, when the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announces its data later this week. If this forecast becomes a reality, then it will be the 5th consecutive spike in the price level since December 2014.

“The inflation rate will be released a few days before the next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the last under the Jonathan administration. The MPC will be concerned, amongst other things, about the impact of the trend of increasing inflation at

a time of fuel scarcity, forex market uncertainty and a backlog of unpaid salaries by State Governments. The MPC will be striving for monetary stability and how to ensure that the true value of the Naira emerges from the IFEM and is also sustainable.

“Nigerian inflation has tended to be more in the nonfood items rather than the food basket. Imported inflation has

been muted because of a general decline in global commodities including major imports in Nigeria. Nigeria imports significant amounts of wheat, rice, sugar and dairy products. The Bloomberg commodity index in 2015 is down 13.5 percent so far, with wheat prices declining by 18 percent. This means that the price of flour or bread could increase by 6 percent after

Inflation rate will increase for the fifth consecutive time to 8.64 percent in April. The inflation rate has been rising steadily since December when it first rose to 8.0 percent from 7.9 percent in November

deducting the price decline of 18 percent from the devaluation of 26 percent.

The price of wheat flour is still N6300 per 25kg bag.

“Interest rates are more likely to be sensitive to the outcome of the MPC meeting rather than an increase in the rate of inflation.

Exchange rates have been inflation neutral and are unlikely to change. However, the announcement of the inflation numbers is not likely to have any impact on exchange rate.

“The projected higher inflation rate is unlikely to have any significant impact on the stock market performance.

The stock market has been dependent more on the sentiment of weak corporate earnings than interest rates and inflation.”

AfDB supports indigenous power investors with $50m

T

he Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday approved, a $50 million investment in CEC Africa Investments Limited, a multinational power company headquartered in Nigeria and Zambia. CEC Africa (CECA) seeks to acquire and develop distribution and transmission assets and complementary greenfield generation projects throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. By investing across the energy value chain (generation, transmission, and distribution), CECA aims to reduce electricity losses while improving the overall economics in Africa’s power sector.

CECA has invested in two operating companies in

Nigeria: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and North South Power, which holds a 30-year concession on the 600 MW Shiroro Hydro Power Plant, both acquired during the recent Nigerian Power Sector Privatization Program. In addition, CECA has a number of greenfield power projects under active development in Southern and Western Africa, as well as a reserve pipeline spanning Eastern and Central Africa. Through these investments, CECA aims to become one of Africa’s leading power utilities, thereby catalyzing additional private sector participation in its energy markets.

To deliver on its growth strategy, CECA is targeting a capitalization of USD 500 million within the next 3 to 5

years. Thus far, CECA has been capitalized with assets in excess of USD 100 million by CEC Plc, a publicly-traded private utility with a 50-year history in Zambia and the DRC and a consistent track record of profitability. A number of other investors have already been identified by CECA and it is expected that a first closing of USD 150 million will be reached by third quarter of 2015.

Through its investment, the African Development Bank is acting as anchor investor and strategic partner, helping to shape CECA’s policies and strategies, while catalyzing additional private sector funding into Africa’s power sector. The operation is aligned with the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy, as it promotes: infrastructure development.

kye Bank Plc has instituted the Skye Rainow Essay competition for children who own and operate the bank’s Rainbow Account.

The in a statement said that the essay competition is organised to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day. The topic of the essay is “The Importance of an early savings habit”.

Head of Skye Bank Retail Banking Group, Nkoli Okoli, said that the bank chose to stand out from the others this year by putting a place a special programme for the children to celebrate them.

She said five winners will each receive the sum of N200,000, while other consolation prizes would also be presented.

Okoli further explained that the competition would act as a customer reward programme as well as promote savings among children very early in their lives to enable them imbibe the culture of financial discipline.

She said the competition was open to both new and existing Rainbow account holders whose age ranges between seven and 12 years. In addition, she said the length of each entry must not be more than 200 words.

However, any entry which shows parental input would be disqualified.

‘Live Your Dreams’ Africa holds 3rd annual conference

T

he 3rd edition of the Live Your Dreams Africa annual conference, which is an initiative of award winning author and life coach Bankole Williams will hold on the 16th of May, 2015. Live Your Dreams Africa is a platform to help Africans bridge the gap between the potentials they possess and their current reality. This third edition will showcase people from different walks of life who have, against all odds, consciously pursued their dreams and are today celebrated for what they do and for the impact they have had in their chosen fields.

Speaking about the conference, the convener Bankole Williams said “LiveYourDreamsAfrica offers a platform to glean from the experiences of speakers and panelists as they share their true stories, heartbreak, triumphs and all.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 25

*AUN CONVOCATION: Vice-President for Campus Life & Dean of Students, Byron Bullock, poses with the graduating Class of 2015 on May 9. Inset is President Ensign delivering her speech at the ceremony.

‘How incoming govt can re-organize education sector’

B

By Ikenna Asomba

arely 14 days to the assumption of office of the President-elect, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, several experts and stakeholders in the education sector have continued to propose meaningful suggestions that will guide the incoming administration to salvage the age-long rot bedeviling the nation’s education sector.

Joining eminent Nigerians who had earlier given cogent suggestions on the way forward for the sector are former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II; Vice Chancellor, Bell University of Technology (BELLSTECH), Ota, Ogun State, Professor Isaac Adeyemi and the President, Sharon University of Agriculture and Rural Development,

ICT knowledge driving students’ exam performance — PG. 26

Lagos SUBEB trains 5,223 in literacy and numeracy teaching skills — PG. 28 C M Y K

Bishop Charles Ighele.

Worried by the apparent poor quality of education acquired by youths from the nation’s tertiary institutions, they both urged the Federal Government to pay priority attention to the nation’s education sector if Nigeria is to compete favourably among comity of nations.

While Emir Sanusi stressed the need for the government to ensure that quality education is given to the youths to enable them contribute their quota towards the

development of the country, Bishop Ighele whose university is still in the pipeline, expressed worry that the nation’s public universities of agriculture set up by government to offer agricultural related courses had lost track in their operations from the onset. He however, advised government to revisit the foundation of the nation’s universities of agriculture, if any meaningful development is to be recorded in the critical education sector.

On his part, Professor Adeyemi among other things, advised the incoming

administration to formulate a well and thought-out national working plan that will span between 10 and 20 years, for all the nation’s tiers of education which include; the primary, secondary, trade centres, vocational centres and tertiary institutions.

He however particularly opined that interest must be focused on the nation’s basic educational system, pointing that if the foundation is faulty, there will be little or no meaningful development in the sector.

Quality of education The Emir of Kano, had during the formal presentation of a letter of appointment to him by the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekaurau, as the new Chancellor of the University of Benin on Monday, in his palace in Kano, urged the Federal Government to pay priority

Continues on page 26

Operations of education agencies shrouded in secrecy, NANS alleges

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA — The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed resentment over the manner agencies under the education ministry, particularly the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Examination (JAMB) were being run, saying their operations were embedded in secrecy.

The group also revealed that they were compiling some disturbing findings in the agencies, which it would soon forward to the anti-graft agencies for proper investigation.

NANS in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ezekiel Nwankwo, in Abuja, noted that

it had made frantic efforts over the time to make inputs in the formulation of policies but was rebuffed.

The statement reads in part, “UBEC has consistently tried to blindfold unsuspecting Nigerians of failure of state governments to pay-up their counterpart fund to access the fund, while its staff remain enmesh with corruption allegations. We hereby demand more openness in the administration of UBEC as it is not a secret cult.

“Also, recently, NANS had cause to call on the management of JAMB to ensure that the E-testing which it brought was seamless to ensure that Nigerian students desiring higher education were not extorted nor made suffer

unduly during the exercise.

“But regrettably, all the advices we offered were ignored and in place JAMB management clearly demonstrated that they were out to extort money from students and parents with all manners of charges rather than providing a credible platform for admitting students.

“It is unacceptable that JAMB sold the examination at N4,000, and turned around to sale scratch cards for checking the examination results at N1,500. The cost of the form alone which is said to be subsidized ordinarily should cover all handling charges but the management in its disregard for the condition of the average Nigeria went ahead to charge additional fee for result checking against our advice.”

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

ICT knowledge driving students’ exams performance

By Dayo Adesulu

I

From left: Senior Product Portfolio Manager, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Funke Atanda; Chinonso Ukoha, first prize winner, Quiz competition; Stella Oguejifor, first prize winner, Blogging competition both of Baptist Girls Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos and Chimdimma Adugen, Business Development Manager, Vodacom Business Nigeria at the Girls in ICT Day celebration, in Lagos.

‘How incoming govt can re-organize education sector’ Continues from page 25 attention to the quality of education acquired by the Nigerian youths.

Sanusi stressed the need for the government to ensure that quality education is given to the youth to enable them to contribute their quota towards the development of the country.Sanusi, who commended the Federal Government for finding him worthy of the appointment, promised to contribute his quota towards the development of the university.

Going back to drawing board Similarly, Bishop Ighele, who is also the General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission Church, the Happy Family Chapel, decried the fact that agricultural science is least applied for at various universities.He opined that there is urgent need for government to go back to the drawing board, as the nation must survive foodwise. The cleric added that the new danger lies ahead in agriculture, pointing that if there is famine in the country, it will be disastrous.

His words: “These universities of agriculture set up by government right from the day one of their operations lost track.

Let’s take a look at the yearly JAMB admission exercise into tertiary institutions, you will discover that agricultural science is least applied for. Unfortunately, people are now forced to pick it as their course of choice. “This nation must survive food-wise, because that is where a new danger lies ahead. If there is famine in Nigeria, it will be disastrous. We have the capacity to feed so many other nations,” he affirmed. “If the incoming government can give grants to these private sector investors, especially in the area of agriculture, Nigeria will be good for it. I expect the new government to think right into this area. If you take a critical look

at the private universities in Nigeria, I don’t think many of them are enjoying the business.

Government can give grants to their owners, so that more jobs will be created,” he advised.

Faulty foundation In the same vein, the BELLSTECH VC said: “First and foremost, the incoming administration must place emphasis on all the tiers of the nation’s educational system.

However, emphasis must be placed on the foundation- the primary and secondary tiers because as the Bible says in Psalms 11:3, If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The infrastructural base, quality of teachers, training and retraining of teachers must also be looked into.

“Secondly, the infrastructural system plays a key role, because in the world over, education is now ICT driven, but with an efficient power stability. So, the incoming administration should look into this area of ensuring the sector fully embraces an ICTdriven system.

“Thirdly, the inspectorate section of regulators must be strengthened at all tiers of our educational system. They must be focused and continue to send inspectors to monitor the educational institutions. Policy somersaults and inconsistencies among the federal and state governments must be avoided.

If the incoming government can give grants to these private sector investors, especially in the area of Agriculture, Nigeria will be better for it

There must be collaboration between the federal government and the state governments irrespective of the political party.

Partisanship must be eschewed in addressing cogent issues affecting the nation’s education sector.

Rather, how to improve the quality of the sector should be uppermost for the incoming Federal and state governments.”

Speaking further, Adeyemi urged the incoming administration to revisit technical/vocational education in the country, stating that the infrastructure and certificates awarded by them must be revisited, in order to encourage candidates to attend them. He argued that candidates who are not university products now flock the universities, because the nation’s technical/ vocational education system had been neglected over the years. federal universities over lack of grants. To solve this problem, we must go down the memory lane of what happened during the administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

“During Gowon’s time as head of state, he introduced a massive scholarship scheme for graduates with first class and second class upper to forge ahead for their postgraduate studies in our indigenous and foreign universities. This singular act, helped a lot of us back then to embark on our postgraduate studies. If Gowon could achieve this at that time when there was no oil boom, I don’t see why it can’t be replicated today.”

However, making a case for private universities in the country, Professor Adeyemi decried that at the moment, private universities in Nigeria are not benefiting anything from government through its agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

“As it stands, private universities in Nigeria are not benefiting anything from TETFUND. This has led our staff to be moving to Federal universities. If not for anything, the TETFUND must support private universities through grants and single digit loans, just to develop manpower that will be beneficial to the whole country.”

t is a common knowledge that Information Communication Technology (ICT) has revolutionised the everyday life of individuals and organisations. As affirmed by the United Nations in its 2008 report ( Global Information Society: A Statistical View), ICT has become so important in ushering the much needed development in third world countries.

It is widely believed that what constitutes nation’s wealth is gradually shifting from the possession of abundant mineral resources to technological capacity.

The silver medal won by participants from the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) at the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) competition recently held in Kazakhstan, has brought to the fore the g i a n t strides of Tu r k i s h Colleges in technological innovations T h e massive social and economic transformation that now hold sway in Asian Tigers; Malaysia, Singapore, S o u t h Korea and Taiwan, are n o t unconnected with the emphasis o n

education and enhance the potentials of Nigerian students in ICT, the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges (NTIC), which parade state of the art facilities in its computer laboratories spread across the sixteen branches in the country, continue to ignite hope for Nigeria in technological inventions.

Known for its various academic exploits both in local and international academic competitions, the Turkish Colleges added another feather to its cap recently as students from its Abuja Coeducation branch won the silver medal at the fourth edition of the Infomatrix – Asia / Pacific ICT competition, held in Kazakhstan from 8st to 11thApril, 2015.

The competition, which was organised by Suleyman Demirel University, Ministry of Education and Commission for Science and Technology, Kazakhstan, is an international contest that showcases technological inventions made possible by secondary schools.

The coming into force of the international competition few years ago continue to encourage students to apply their academic knowledge, their passion, and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world today.

Apart from promoting academic excellence, this year’s edition, which attracted 315 students from 19 countries, also serves as an avenue to promote intercultural dialogue and cooperation, through the involvement of students and teachers from many different countries. Speaking on the exploits of the Turkish colleges team that won Nigeria silver medal in the international competition, the Head of Computer and Institutional Technologies of the school, Mr. Erkan Yildirim, who led the team to the fast growing international competition, said the contest was divided into five categories; screen, while

Many students still find it difficult to operate a s i m p l e computer system while some who are computer literate often faced the challenge of dearth of facilities

education that is centred on technology advancement.

Large number of research findings that have provided evidence to collaborate this perspective have ignited sparks of optimism for many developing countries.

Although the federal government continue to restate its resolve to accord more prominence to sciences and computer education, especially at the primary and secondary school level, many students still find it difficult to operate a simple computer system while some who are computer literate often faced the challenge of dearth of facilities.

However, determined to boost science

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 27

Uduaghan tasks tertiary institutions on annual convocation

D

Spelling Bee 2015 Winner, Ohuabunwa Onyinyechi, Cherryfield College, Jikwoyi, Abuja and Mrs Adeyinka Ajala, Brands Manager Betamalt Sabmiller Plc.

2015 National Spelling Bee winner represents Nigeria in America

By Dayo Adesulu

D

eafening cheers and applause enveloped the NECA hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, May 8 as Ohuabunwa Onyinyechi of Cherry Field College, Jikwoyi, Abuja was declared the winner of the 2015 National Spelling Bee Competition, defeating 44 other finalists to clinch the star prize of a Virgin Atlantic return ticket to the 88th Scripps Spelling Bee Competition, USA, as well as a N200,000 cash gift from Beta Malt along with other goodies from Beta Malt and Indomie Noodles.

13 year old Ohuabunwa Onyinyechi dazed at her emergence, confesed “Honestly, I never thought I would win. I am in shock.

I thank God, my parents, my school, my teachers and the

organizers. I am most grateful. Still can’t believe I won.”

Ebojin Iyioluwa of Ladela Schools, Wuse 2, Abuja and Igboka Anita of Gudmerc High School, Abuja who won the first and second runners-up respectively, were equally excited that they could go that far as they got bountiful reward for their effort.

2015 National Spelling Bee Competition organized by the Young Educators Foundation franchise owners of Scripp National Spelling Bee Competition, USA, is indeed an asset not just to the students in Nigeria but to the teachers of participating schools, as they were privileged to get trained particularly in diction, pronunciation, tenses as well as origin of words.

The Trainers are revered scholars and certified experts in this field with several years of experience from Ghana. The value added to the teachers via the intensive training is an advantage to the spellers, as their teachers are expected to have taken them through the rudiments which will naturally boost their confidence for the competition.

It was indeed a great challenge getting the 15 finalists from each of the participating States namely; Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Lagos and Oyo. After the preliminaries, the best from the participating schools was presented for the states finals from where the 45 finalists emerged for the grand finale.

ICAN re-accredits Caleb varsity’s accounting programme

By Dayo Adesulu

C

aleb University ViceChancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju said the reaccreditation of the institution’s Accounting programme by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has further demonstrated and validated the university’s claim to academic excellence.

He said the re-accreditation of the Accounting programme in the Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of College of Social and Management Sciences, has gone a long way to boost the confidence the external stakeholders, especially accreditation bodies including the National Universities Commission (NUC) have in the institution, and that “we can go extra miles to comply with the rules and regulations guiding accreditation of our academic programmes.”

“We are giving the parents the best quality and we will not stop at anything to make our students to compete favourably with their peers anywhere and

Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju to succeed in their academic endeavor,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He attributed the giant stride attained by the university in all spheres of its development to the support of the founder, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, the lecturers and students, saying without their dedication and commitment in all ramifications, “we would not have achieved this far.”

Efforts of the management to deepen the university ’s academic excellence in line with the institution’s vision, recently received a boost with the re-accreditation of its

Accounting programme for another five years.

The ICAN Accreditation Certificate was presented to the university management, led by the Dean, College of Social and Management Sciences (COSOMAS), Prof.

Nosa Owens-Ibie by the ICAN President, Mr. Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu at the ICAN Office Annex, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Speaking on the university’s feat, the Dean hinted that the re-accreditation was a further demonstration of the quality of academic programme offered to students, stressing that with the re-accreditation the students will be exempted from writing some stages of ICAN examinations.

Besides, Owens-Ibie noted that with the growing recognition of the university Accounting programme as demonstrated by the accreditation, ICAN, the professional body regulating the practice of accounting profession in the country, has agreed to offer automatic

ELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged institutions of higher learning in the state to organize annual convocation for their graduating students.

The Governor made the call at the weekend during the first combined convocation ceremony of the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of the state.

According to him, annual convocation ceremonies were vital in institutions of higher learning as it encourages •Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan students to strive towards completing the academic work with their mates. hallmark of technology “I urge management of higher development as well as the institutions, especially, harbinger of scientific management of this institution development, it is for this to make the convocation reason that any society that is ceremony an annual event so desirous of a technological that graduating students can breakthrough should invest in look forward to it,” he said. technical education and it is He congratulated the against this backdrop that this graduands and challenged administration accords utmost them to be good ambassadors priority to polytechnic education of their alma mater being a training by contributing ground for positively to the middle level Annual growth and technical and convocation development of vocational ceremonies their alma mater manpower in the and that of the state.” were vital in society.

The Earlier in her institutions governor stated, “I address, the of higher know most of you Rector of the graduated some Polytechnic, Dr. learning as years ago, some of (Mrs.) Clara it you have got jobs, Sogbaike, stated some are looking encourages that, “today, we for job, be good graduate well students to ambassadors of over ten strive your school, don’t thousand ND be afraid to take and HND towards up challenges that students from will contribute to the growth of 2002/2003 – 2013/2014 the state.” academic sessions.”

He paid glowing tribute to Governor Uduaghan had former governor of the state, earlier commissioned some Chief James Onanefe Ibori, completed projects in the observing that, “his vision led Polytechnic which included to the founding of this Mass Communication complex. institution.” While commending Awards of special recognition the management of the were given by the Polytechnic Polytechnic for giving awards to to former Governor of Delta those who have contributed to State, Chief James Ibori, the the growth of the institution, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, governor said the awards were Chief Steve Oru, Senator-elect strong indications that their for Delta Central Senatorial contributions did not go District, Chief Ighoyota Amori; unnoticed.

Dr. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Gardner In his address, the and Prof. Solomon Okobiah Commissioner for Higher among others.

Education, Hon. Charles Responding to questions put Emetulu, said, “since its to him by our correspondent, inception over a decade ago, the the Public Relations Officer of Polytechnic has graduated ten the institution, Mr. Wilberforce sets of students without Ofotokun said that “like Zeus organizing a single convocation,” upon mount Olympus, we have adding, “this development, no looked forward with doubt, has a telling effect on the anticipation to this convocation moral of our teeming graduands ceremony so this is a dream in their educational endeavours come true. Delta State which has been remedied today.” Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara has While commending Governor witnessed an unprecedented Uduaghan’s administration for level of development through his commitment to development the provision of 21st century of education in the state, Hon. academic and infrastructural Emetulu asserted, “it is amenities under the leadership important to state that of the quintastic Rector, Dr. polytechnic education is the (Mrs.) Clara Sogbaike.”

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

DELSU's Oleh campus should be a varsity — PROF MORDI P

ROFESSOR Chinedu Mordi is the immediate past Provost of the Oleh Campus of the Delta State University, Abraka. In this interview with the Vanguard, he spoke on his stewardship and his experiences.

Excerpts:

By Festus Ahon You were Provost of Delta State University, Oleh campus, how was it when you were there?

It was a wonderful experience and I thank my former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eric Arubaye who gave me the opportunity to serve in that capacity and I also thank the Senate that also voted me in. I said wonderful because I learnt a lot and I also made a lot of good friends there that will remain people I will not forget.

When you were there, what were some of the achievements you recorded?

The campus at the time I came was agitating for what we now call the Law site and then Engineering was in what essentially is the skills acquisition centre given to the university by the state government. During my stay there, it was possible to move into where the Administration block now is and where the Engineering faculty has moved into.

I can’t say this without actually thanking the then Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha who was untiring in his efforts because when I was there the DPP which was the main opposition political party took a page of a newspaper to lambast the PDP government and actually showed that the faculty of Engineering as it were at that time was bushy. I remember vividly the day the Commissioner came visiting and had to do some clearing to get him into the place and from then on, he ensured that contractors were regularly on site and they delivered the Administrative block and on other block and made sure that

C M Y K

a second block was ready with one of the two laboratories.

So, I won’t say we succeeded without the assistance of the then Commissioner for Higher Education who took a personal interest to make sure that those things were done. In spite of our dwindling finances, we did a lot then we had our e-library, we had our second block of KG classrooms as at that time.

Renovation of a hall, the hostels for the boys and the girls and them the B block of the Health Centre; the Administrative block which I talked about was furnished and everybody who came there was amazed, so we did quite a lot and then I must say that it was a collective thing and I will continue to give thanks to the then Commissioner for Higher Education because he took more than casual interest and I had no difficulty in calling him to complain about anything.

Again, I also want to thank the current SSG, because the first set of solar power street lights we got in the campus were as a result of his efforts. At a point, he donated a 100kva generator to the campus not from the ministry of power but his own personal donation to the campus and the infrastructural development going on now in the Engineering site were largely by his own efforts. Now that we are talking, I also want to put on record the contribution of the Oleh community and other individuals like Hon Leo Ogor who through his contacts got us a 137 solar power light and there Engr Edano who was forever willing and Engr Matthias Ete, these are people I will always remember. I must put on record the OdionOlogbo who saw the school as his own and always willing to help in any capacity.

During your time as Provost, was the campus starved of funds

at anytime government?

while, he was already there to continue with what he was doing. When he told me he was going to come, I was afraid for him, but he kept coming all the time, that is why I keep talking of him because you see, one, your schedule and the other thing is your person. Your schedule is different from your person. He was a friend of that campus I must tell you that and towards the end, they appointed a Project Director for that project and the young man is the one now handling the issues there.

by

If you talk of funding, the campus was not funded directly by government, but the government has a lot of intervention projects in the campus, so our funding essentially came from the university and then the ETF, so the campuses generally, if you ask me would do with a lot of funding, but again, it is a general university issue, so if you want my advice on what I think on the way forward, I will talk about that.

You talked about the Engineering Faculty without mentioning the Law Faculty; are you therefore saying that government did not do anything in that faculty?

The university campus started with the law faculty, so Engineering was a later introduction, so in the law faculty, there is a law faculty complex that was ongoing at the time I was there and we problems because the Council for Legal Education and the National University Commission insisted that if that complex is not finished they are going to withdraw the license, so the law faculty had its own challenge and the main thing was the faculty complex; but I must say also, that the Commissioner for Higher Education severally came there to see that work progresses but somewhere along the line, the contractor handling that project died and in trying to re-assign the contract from one contractor to the other, there are many legal issues that had to be sorted out, so because I was not privy to most of those things, I suspected that probably what delayed the work.

Prof. Chinedu Mordi You have been talking about the former Commissioner for Higher Education; when you were there as provost what was your relationship like?

Apart from newspaper columns that he wrote for Guardian before he became a Commissioner, I never knew him one on one. It was the job that brought us together and I must say that is why I keep mentioning him, because he took more than ordinary interest in the affairs of the campus; perhaps he also saw the damaging advert by the DPP that time as to how the Faculty of Engineering was neglected and then he took it up as his contribution to salvaging the image of the PDP. He was always there and what really surprised me why I will continue to mention him is that on one of his visits, he scheduled that he will be back on a particular date and before that date he was kidnapped and you needed how people were calling to say ‘Provost, your friend, your friend’ that was how I got to know because he made himself part of the campus, warmed himself to the campus and you know, everybody now felt for him.

What surprised me most was that at his release, within a short

When was this damaging advert placed?

I think it was placed either 2011 or 2012 and it was a full page of the Vanguard and they tried to show that the government was not doing anything in Isoko and then lampooned the government. I remember that the first day the commissioner visited that site was the day Prof Mabel Osakwe was giving her inaugural lecture, because I was on my way to the campus for the inaugural lecture when a call came from the then Director of Research and Statistics that the governor was going to visit the next day and because I knew there was no way the governor was going to enter the place without me clearing a path for him, I had to come back from attending the inaugural lecture and then phoned the Vice Chancellor to tell why I was not attending the lecture so that I can make the then commissioner to have access to the structures then What are some of the things you think the campus will remember you for?

I won’t know because you can’t talk about yourself, but I know they will remember me as a Provost that was easily reachable and a Provost that anybody can lie to because everybody had Continues on page 30

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 29

Lagos SUBEB trains 5,223 in literacy, numeracy teaching skills

By Amaka Abayomi

F

IVE thousand, two hundred and twenty three p a r t i c i p a n t s , comprising the state school improvement team, school improvement officers, education secretaries, heads of sections, head teachers and class teachers have been trained on literacy and numeracy teaching skills while 743 head teachers participated in a four day leadership training programme organised by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board.

Giving a breakdown of activities of the Board at the 2015 ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the 8th years in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Chairperson of Lagos SUBEB, Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu, said 2,552 primary one to three teachers were trained on improving literacy teaching skills in primary schools, 50 special education teachers were trained on performance improvement while another 61 care givers and Early Childhood Care and Development Education, ECCDE, desk officers at the LGEAs participated in a workshop on active model learning approach in pre schools.

She said “in the area of infrastructural development, 531 classrooms and 678 toilet cubicles were completed and handed over for use while wall fences, gates and gate houses were completed and handed over in six schools, while over

400 classrooms with other essential accessories are at various stages of completion from the year 2009/10 TETFUND and year 2013 UBEC/SUBEB intervention fund projects awarded in November 2014.

“Out of the 129,315 candidates that sat for the year 2014 placemen tests, 125,535 passed and were placed into public junior secondary schools, 43,084 children aged three to five were registered for the ECCDC classes while 51,292 pupils were admitted into primary one.

“During the period under review, the state government paid N24,556,100 as the JSCE practical examination fees for 90,268 candidates, 1,838

Lagos students emerged overall best in the 2014 National Festival of School Science for Senior Secondary Schools held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

pupils of the inclusive schools benefited from the mid-day meal, while lesson notes were supplied to primary two and three teachers.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, said in the state government’s quest to provide high quality education that is accessible to all, 524,219 books valued at N282,888,324 were procured and distributed to all public primary and secondary schools while 641 copies of schemes of work were distributed to all secondary schools in the six education districts.

She added that Lagos students emerged overall best in the 2014 National Festival of School Science for Senior Secondary Schools held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as three of the six best projects were from Lagos State. The projects were W2 Ptri-Power Generator

by Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja, Power failure solution

by Government Technical College, Agidingbi, an Walnut - Lasting and Sustainable Solution to Halitosis by Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja.

“The three projects represented Nigeria in Los Angeles, California, USA at the 2014 INTEL/ISEF international science fair, while Walnut - Lasting and Sustainable Solution to Halitosis by Doregos Private Academy, won the SIGNA XI award for innovation in science research with a £1000 gift and certificate of excellence.”

Quality of primary education remains worrisome — HDI A

non-government organization, Human Development Initiatives (HDI) in collaboration with other partners, have kicked off a project on improving and enhancing governance and accountability for quality, effective and accessible primary and junior secondary education at the Local Government in Nigeria relative to Universal Basic Education (UBE) statutory and policy framework.

The project supported by USAID Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement Project, is scheduled to run from 2014 to 2019 in Kano State (Gwale LGA and Garun Mallam

LGA); Enugu State (Enugu North LGA and Nkanu West LGA); Lagos State (Lagos Mainland LGA and Ibeju-Lekki LGA); and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Bwari Area Council and Abuja Municipal Council).

According to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of HDI, Prof.

Sarah Oloko, the project is needful because despite the intent of the UBE, its effectiveness remains worrisome in the country. She said this is attributed to a number of factors which include: weak governance structure, corruption, inadequate funding, inadequate and non-functional educational facilities - physical structures, inadequate and low quality of

teachers, inadequate instructional materials, unwillingness and inability of the states and local governments to fund and monitor primary education, weak CSOs and community stakeholders engagement in educationrelated issues, non-adherence to key universal Principle of Local Governance/Government among others.

“Where infrastructure is available, they are grossly insufficient. Children lack books and learning aids. They sometimes go to school with their own chairs and desks, or sit on bare floor even in unconducive school buildings for learning.''

So you want to go to Law School? (1) “Wonders never cease…” Anonymous In July last year, in a two-part series, we published on this page an article titled SO YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER. That was published in response to the question posed by a parent to me whose son/daughter was about to make a choice of university. As part of the answer to that question, the situation with accreditation of all universities offering law was published. Below, this information is reproduced.

FACULTY OF LAW OR WHAT? Reproduced below is the most up to date status of Nigerian universities offering Law as a discipline.

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

DELSU's Oleh campus should be a varsity — Prof Mordi Continues from page 28 access to me.

Do you have any regret while at the helm of affairs of that campus?

*AUN Founder and Nigeria's former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, with wife, Rukaiya (2nd & 3rd from left), flanked by Commencement Speaker, Dr. Vicky Colbert (right) and some Board members (left) at the 7th Commencement ceremony of the institution in Yola.

24 of 210 students graduate with first class at AUN

By EBELE ORAKPO

A

total number of 210 students took part in the 7th Commencement ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, Adamawa State on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

A breakdown of the number shows that 184 of the graduands received Bachelor's, 19 master’s and seven received postgraduate diploma in management.

Twenty-four of the 184 graduated with first class.

In the post-graduate category, 11 received MBA, four got MTech (IT), four MTech (Telecommunications) while seven received Post-Graduate Diploma in Management.

Miss Hephzber Ifunanya Obiora of the School of Arts & Sciences emerged the overall best graduating student and the valedictorian for the 2015 class.

In her address, the President of AUN, Prof. Margee Ensign praised members of the local community especially the Adamawa Peace Initiative, describing them as heroes who helped keep the community "fed, clothed and safe this year. To families and friends, and most importantly the Class of 2015 who today conclude their education and their lives with us. We celebrate your many successes: the fruit of all the hard work by everyone in AUN and your families who make this possible."

She noted that for a region which is beginning to regain hope for peace and security, the occasion was a special triumph for the Nigerian people who have proved to the world that democracy is alive and well and thriving here.

She said the Commencement ceremony marked "not only the successful completion of your work with us, but the start of something new; the start of your life as a university graduate, your life as an educated citizen of a democratic country.

"In your courses, you have

mastered Information Technology, Economics, and Entrepreneurship; you have majored in Business, Petroleum Chemistry, Software Engineering, and International & Comparative Politics. Beyond your courses, you have been actively engaged in meeting local challenges," she said.

She described the community service program such as fixing up schools, teaching young people and their parents to read and write, cleaning up the environment, and feeding the poor and displaced in Yola (a destination for refugees), as development at work. "...development isn’t just about buying and selling; rising GNP or increasing foreign investment.

Development is about opening up opportunity, fostering dreams, creating justice and prosperity for everyone; forging a truly sustainable future, and above all, giving everyone a voice and hope to the future.

"You already have changed the world one person at a time; teaching those children to read, feeding and clothing the hungry and desperate refugees. But now, in a free society, you know you can make a difference.

"The challenges facing your country, Africa and the world, are huge. The responsibilities that lay on your shoulders are weighty indeed but the opportunities to change the world for the better are there."

This year, we offered sanctuary and education to some of the women who escaped the Boko

Education gives me the wings to fly, the power t o fight, and the voice to speak

Haram kidnappers. Recently when asked what education means to her, one of these brave women said: 'Education gives me the wings to fly, the power to fight, and the voice to speak.'

"May the AUN Class of 2015 spread its wings, feel its power, and raise its voice.

Congratulations."

While congratulating the graduands and AUN, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said it is significant that the graduands, whom he described as graduates of change, are joining the Nigerian community to start their various professions at such a significant period in the nation’s history.

He congratulated the female gender in AUN because the Class Speaker (Marvelous Imabeh), Valedictorian (Hephzber Ifunanya Obiora) and the representative of the alumni association are all female. "There must be something special about the chemistry of this university.

I look at you and I don’t see a large crowd of graduands and I listen very carefully to the various specializations of the best graduands. You do not find a situation where there are 20, 30, 40, 50 with identical qualification, which shows that AUN is imparting specialized knowledge and that the class size is unique. Each one of you during your stay here must have had the privilege of personal and personalized attention,” he said.

Commencement Speaker andColombia’s former ViceMinister of Education, Ms. Vicky Colbert, told the graduands to be change agents in society. “As you start your professional journey, keep always in mind the model of a shocker…everybody can be a change maker. Collaborate with others to come up with solutions which will require social and emotional skills as well as tangible capabilities to make valuable contributions to the collaborative efforts.”

Well, there will always be. I wish I had the kind of funds that I would have needed to do a few things, but again, haven served as a provost of a campus, you need to ask me about moving higher education forward in the state. I will suggest that the state does not need campuses because running a university along campus line is more expensive than having the university at a location, so if the university was squarely at Abraka it would have been cheaper to run; but now that we are running the university the way it is, going forward if you ask my view I will think that the Oleh campus should be made a university of its own and the Asaba campus another university of its own, because if you go down to look at what is going on, you that the campuses replicate what is in the main campus and if you see the state polytechnics, the state government got it right that way because the polytechnic at Otefe-Oghara is independent of the polytechnic at Ozoro which is also independent of the polytechnic at Ogwashi-Uku and you that they have al thrived. If

the university was like that you will be surprised that they would have thrived and I know that the state has the resources to run them.

Talking about resources, do you think that the state government will be able to run three full fledged universities?

Yes; you see it is a question of priority. Look at the United States of America; the California State has University of California in Los Angeles and in four other locations and they run as independent universities. You see, if you are playing politics with education, the state should be bold enough to charge appropriate fees for as long as the quality is there. Look at the number of Deltans you don’t get admission every year and you will see that what I am saying is just it and the state can cope with two more universities at least.

Like I said, everything in the main campus is replicated; the Office of the Provost which stands for that of the Vice Chancellor, we have the Registry, we have Finance and Audit, we have Health Centre; everything is replicated. You, see, the higher institution provides a lot for the development of any locality and the economy of Abraka now as it is has developed to the extent that it has done because of the university.

Author Mentors pupils, urges Lagos State to hold bookworm competition in schools

By Tare Youdeowei & Elizabeth Uwandu Head of Languages and Arts, Oxbridge Tutorial College and author of The King’s Scepter, Mr. Kunle Abrahams, has urged Lagos state to hold bookworm competitions in schools to build the reading culture of children and make them better leaders, as he mentored pupils of Acehall School, Adekunle Fajuyi, Ikeja, Lagos, during their Bookworm Competition, held on Saturday.

The competition which saw eight year old Elera Bodilawnson who wrote the story Best Friend and nine year old Iniolowa Adeoye with the write up Archery Contest emerge as lower and higher grade overall winners respectively; had Abrahams as guest where he expressed delight at the pupils outstanding performance in creating and writing their own stories. The Author advised the pupils to improve in the areas of stage confidence and making their stories reflect local content as he praised Iniolowa Adeoye for his

creativity, originality and the presentation of the Africa culture in his story.

While commending the school for organizing such an event, Abrahams also urged the school to introduce spelling competition as he enjoined parents to play a greater role in the development of their children as they spend more time with them than the teachers.

His words; “The development of a child is a tripod involving the parents, teachers and pupils, and for me, despite all the stakeholders having roles in the success of the child, parents still play a greater role in a child’s life as they spend a larger time with the child.

So, rather than spoil their wards with toys and goodies, good books should be the priority for their children.”

Parent of two contestants, Mrs Angela Okoye expressed joy over the competition for making her wards enthusiastic about books and reading generally. “Since this competition started, my children have improved in the areas of speaking and vocabulary.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 31

ERC calls for immediate reopening of LASU

By Amaka Abayomi

T

Nigerian Turkish Int’l Colleges’ (NTIC) Zabadne Mohannad Joumaa, Erkan Yildirim (Supervisor) and Afolabi Oluwasegun Olusunkanmi , displaying Nigeria’s flag after winning the silver medal in hardware control category during the Infomatrix competition held in Kazakhstan recently.

ICT knowledge driving students’ exam performance Continues from page 26

Programming, Robotics, Hardware Control, Computer Art and Short Movie.

The sophistication of the homemade 3D live video stream projector designed by the students from NTIC, that consist of Afolabi O l u w a s e g u n Olusunkanmi and Zabadne Mohannad Joumaa, displaced many projects from other participating countries to emerge second in the hardware category.

According to Yildirim, the idea that led to the development of the NTIC’s winning project, emanated from one of the posters in the computer room of the Turkish colleges.

In his words: “they (students) got the idea from one of the posters in our computer room and the impact from those posters explains what is really in the cinema. And then, they asked me ‘how can we do this one’? So we did research about this issue. We got some materials and also got some ideas from the internet.

“Then we focused on the materials we need to make it work. We made use of two projectors.

Each projector is to each individual movie called the left eye and the right eye. When you watch the movie, it is wide in the film screen,” Speaking further on the attributes of the 3D live movie projector, Yildirim said two digital cameras were also rooted

in the project to help in the fast transformation of the views generated.

“We added another feature to the project. We used two digital cameras, not a webcam camera.

Two cameras, one for the left eye, one for the right eye half, the right eye camera is what transfers information, which transforms the views to the right projector and the left one is what transforms the views to the left projector. left eye only sees what is on the left view of the screen, while right eye only sees what is on right view of the screen,” Asked on how the students that represented NTIC as well as Nigeria in the competition were selected, Yildirim said students of the schools belong to various academic clubs, which

The idea that led to the development of the NTIC’s winning project, emanated from one of the posters in the computer room of the Turkish colleges

made it easy to identify students with interest or love for a particular project or subject.

“We selected them from our student clubs. We have some different clubs activities in our school.

The first step is selecting our students who are interested in specific subjects. I coordinate the competition club. I made announcement that we have a club and those that had activities in the club at the beginning of the year and students who are interested in those particular subjects are registered for the competition. “ If the organizers of a particular competition say that project has been selected and it is a final project, then we present it to the jury .” He added The recent feat on the 3D movie invention, which has put Nigeria in the map of countries making academic exploit in information technology continue to elicit commendation, even as Mr. Yildirim, who supervised the students in the project , said the school will not rest on his oars in its resolve to churn out first class performance in all local and international academic competitions.

Participants from Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Jordan, Turkey, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Senegal, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia, Uganda, Afghanistan, Georgia and Uzbekistan also took part in the ‘infomatrix’ competition.

he Education R i g h t s Campaign (ERC) has joined the call for the immediate opening of the Lagos State University (LASU) for academic activities, adding that the only guarantee of a smooth academic calendar is for the legitimate grievances of the staff unions to be addressed as quickly as possible.

According to the National Coordinator, ERC, Mr. Hassan Soweto, as far as the ERC is concerned, there is no justifiable reason to continue to keep students and staff at home even after the general elections which were the ostensible reason given for the closure have now come and gone.

“We therefore urge the Lagos State government and university ’s Governing Council to order the opening of the varsity so that academic activities can resume forthwith.

“The seemingly unending crisis in LASU

that has led to this unfortunate closure is actually a product of two factors: One, the characteristic highhandedness and abuses of the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Obafunwa, whose style of administration is more in line with the despotic style of running military garrisons than an academic environment, and two, the agenda hatched sometimes last year to deal with all those, including students, members of staff and unions, that participated in the victorious struggle for

There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep students and staff at home even after the general elections which were the ostensible reason given for the closure have now come and gone

reversal of hiked fees.

“Bearing this in mind, we strongly consider as irresponsible and suggestive of complicity, never mind arrogant, recent statements credited to the Lagos State Government through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga in which he claimed that staff and students unions in LASU are the cause of the closure.

“The Special Adviser, at a media briefing, made the following uncharitable comments: (1) that ‘the problem of LASU is just overbearance of our unions’ (2) that ‘government would no longer tolerate indiscipline on the part of the students, lecturers and other stakeholders in the institution’ and (3) that ‘the delay in opening the school is the fault of LASU unions and Students Union, unless they go back and have a sense of reasoning before the school will be reopened’.

38 pupils enjoy Enugu govt scholarships to varsity

By Chinenyeh Ozor

F

OLLOWING the P e o p l e ’ s Democratic Party gubernatorial campaign promise of Enugu state government at Udenu local government area to train 38 pupils of Inland primary school, Imilike-Enu to first year students in the university and promote five teachers of the school to the next grade level in civil service, both the council chairman Mr. Amechi Nwodo, teachers and parents of the beneficiaries have appealed to the state government not to renege its promise to the children.

The 38 pupils were awarded the state scholarship by the incumbent governor Sullivan Chime for their beautiful welcome song composed by Mr Odoh Ifeanyi, a retired

headmaster, at the gubernatorial campaign rally of the governorelect Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who equally hails from the local government area.

Vanguard Lear ning spoke with the local government council chairman Amechi Nwodo and some of the parents of the beneficiaries on the position of the scholarship awarded to the 38 pupils of Inland primary school barely two months ago. The chairman said that the council has forwarded the names of the pupils to the state government with their present classes and age of each of them for necessary action based on the scholarship for the children.

Mr Nwodo expressed optimism that the state government would not renege on the scholarship, adding that the governor was in

high spirit when he announced the scholarship.He noted that government is a continuity and fears nothing on the incoming governor of the state Ugwuanyi inheriting the scholarship as awarded by his predecessor Chime, explaining that the pupils will enjoy the scholarship in full to first degree level at any university in the country.

The song composer Odoh Christpher told vanguard learning that he was satisfied with the scholarship awarded to the 38 children he mentored to perform at the rally last March, pointing that the art of music was a talent to him as he has composed several songs at different occasions not only the one that fetched the Inland primary school children state scholarship.

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Good governance as catalyst for development in Nigeria: The Delta State experience

By Emmanuel Uduaghan

I

N accepting to come here, I wish to use it to also bid you farewell, as this will be one of my last public lecture outside Delta state before handing over on May 29th to my successor, an alumnus of this university. I am sure this university is proud to have trained and prepared the incoming Governor of Delta state. There is no doubt that he will perform excellently well in the best tradition of UI. The topic we are considering today is important at this juncture in the history of our country as we transit from one government, from one ruling party to another. It is happening at a time the yearnings of Nigerians to join the league of developed states are palpable.

On March 28 and April 11, the people spoke and we all heard. I think the decision of the people should not be taken lightly.

Both parties, my party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) that ran the affairs of the country for 16 years, and the new kid on the block- the All Progressives Congress (APC) should take more than a passing interest in this unprecedentedphenomenon.

I will not attempt to give theoretical, academic definition of the core terms and concepts employed in this lecture. This is primarily because my audience comprises not just those in the academia, but people of diverse

Dr.Emmanuel Uduaghan backgrounds and interests. I have attended many academic conferences and I know the disputations that follow definitions. Most importantly, I believe the organisers invited me to deliver this paper because of my experience in the last eight years in Delta State. Had they wanted an academic paper, they would have invited a great Professor of Public Administration.

However, I believe operational contextualisation of key concepts will suffice. For a start, we cannot avoid explaining what Good Governance means to us in setting the stage for this paper.

Here, we limit definition of good governance in the public sector to the effective use of public resources for general good. We remember the Social Contract Theory which presupposes that leaders are recruited to ensure optimal utilisation of resources—political, economic, social and spiritual—for the general good according to the terms agreed with the people.

In any case, the 1999 constitution has a working definition of good governance.

C M Y K

Section 14 states that government exists for the welfare and security of the people. It then behoves every elected leader and indeed appointed one for that matter to ensure that the expectations of the people, are met.

Good governance in our age and time is therefore an integral part of democracy. Good governance is acting in accordance with the law; enthroning ennobling values and strengthening institutions of state with a view to getting them to perform to the expectations of the people. Good governance is dispensing justice without fear or favour.

Good governance is realising that today is a passage through which we approach tomorrow. It is realising that governance is a long continuum. There is no end to it. Therefore, in conceiving and enunciating public policies, the leader, as administrator, should take both the short and long range perspective of issues at hand. He must be a man of VISION and MISSION. The vision is the plan, the map for the journey. It is usually spelt out in the party manifesto in a skeletal form. It is revealed through an ideology where there is one and subject to the approval of the electorate at the poll.

A leader who lacks vision is purposeless as there can be no mission without vision. The mission is contained in specific goals outlined and the modus operandi is clear for getting the deliverables across to the people.

It spells out how the welfare of the people is to be taken care of. In short, therefore, good governance is hinged on good vision. Good governance in our country at this time can only come through a leadership that would govern through leadership principles that represents the overall interest of Nigeria.

Principle of accountability and transparency

One such principle is accountability and transparency.

Government exists for the people and everyone must be carried along. The President and governors are mere caretakers and should therefore give account of that which they have been saddled with.There is much work to do in Nigeria as well as Sub-Sahara Africa to reduce poverty and achieve great economic progress.

One index that we must do everything in our power to reverse is our over-dependence on export of primary agriculture commodities and mineral resources. If we fail to do this, we shall remain permanent underachievers.

Had PDP not been so successful in deepening democratic values and institutions, there would be no APC as opposition about to take over office

At independence, in 1960 much of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria emerged from colonial rule with rural economy though we were relatively wealthier than South-East Asian economies.

Today, that has changed. South East Asia economies are two and half times richer than Sub-Sahara African economies.

Between 1960 and now, South East Asian economies grew by 6 percent while Sub-Saharan Africa by 3.5%. South East Asia achieved great progress by diversifying their economies from export of primary commodities into manufacturing, agro-processing, value addition and subsequently, they moved up in the value chain of the global economy.

Map of Nigeria Sub-Saharan Africa remains exporters of primary commodities and mineral extraction. In Nigeria, oil export accounts for 90% of export proceeds and 70% of public revenue. This narrow revenue base is responsible for high unemployment; low income levels and is simply not economically sustainable. In Nigeria, I think everyone now knows that the oil sector has limited opportunities for employment. That is not all. The revenue from oil while making it possible for government to obtain funding for government activities creates a problem of its own at the same time. As rent, oil income creates distortion in the economy as it leads government not to pay attention to other productive sectors other than mining of oil. I guess this is the theory of oil curse.

My point in the above is to highlight the thinking behind our policy of Delta beyond oil. If you wanted a conceptual explanation of Delta beyond— that is it. It made sense when we initiated this programme on assuming office eight years ago.

In the light of recent crash in crude oil prices, it makes even more urgent sense today. We knew that depending on export of minerals has even more damaging effect on the economy, if not reversed. It is unpredictable and it is volatile. The external shock we face following the fall in crude oil prices is selfevident.

Nigeria and the African renaissance Yet, I believe Nigeria is the country with the opportunity to lead the African renaissance.

Nigeria is well endowed with good

soil; Nigeria has good weather good condition; Nigeria has quality human capital and a population imbued with entrepreneurial spirit. But, somehow, we have managed not to harness our resources. Perhaps, the lack of vision and creativity is responsible. Perhaps, the political will. Perhaps all of the above, I might even add. It saddens me greatly that because of our condition many Nigerians, including professionals are doing menial jobs in other countries, some even engage in crime and prostitution, thus soiling our collective image as a nation.

This is the challenge—the challenge of development. As Professor Okwudiba Nnoli once pointed out, development is not about the number of roads constructed—as important as it is, but the indigenous contribution to the provision of such amenities. For instance, how well represented are Nigerians in the management and running of the oil and gas sector of the economy? How well have we done in building a robust industrial sector (at a time the developed world is moving to postindustrial age)? In this Internet age, are we creating content? If we are not creating content, and only consume what others produce, are we not doomed? Good governance therefore is all encompassing.

I must declare t h a t notwithstanding the earlier points I made about the state of Nigeria, I do believe some progress have been made but a lot more is needed. Far more has to be done. I say this conscious of the fact that the question might be posed to me: ‘but are you not one of them’? As a leader, I understood the enormous expectations of the people, I did what I thought was best in the interest of Delta state. I made my own contributions to the strengthening of national unity. I supported my party, the PDP and did not shy away from difficult political choices that confronted the party. I took positions I believe was in the best interest of the country. But ultimately, I believe in the principle of collective responsibility. I did my best and the facts show that it was so. But until Nigeria resumes it proper place in the community of nations, until Nigeria becomes a powerful nation with powerful voice across the world, I cannot say that my own contribution alone is enough.

Nigeria and the new value sysytem Therefore, the leadership of Nigeria must collectively fashion a new value system. This is because it is the responsibility of leaders to mobilise the people towards effecting the necessary changes in attitude. It is the leaders’ duty to impart nationalism and patriotism in the people. The leaders have the sacred task of ensuring that there is sincere popular participation in conducting public affairs, rather than indifference, cynicism and apathy. I believe that the key to unlocking the great potential of Nigeria is to increase popular participation. The people must be involved.

But, before I turn my attention to Delta state and its government that I lead, let me quickly reflect on a couple of points at the critical juncture we are in as a nation. The elections of March 28thand April 11thhave introduced a new reality.

Nigeria’s electoral map has been redrawn. It was the first time a ruling party would be voted out. It was also the first time that the defeated leader would submit so willingly to the verdict of the voters. President Jonathan has shown great leadership and statesmanship and we are proud of his conduct. The election, however, also showed deep division, perhaps more than anyone could have anticipated. It was the first time the entire North would speak with one voice, and the old Eastern region also with a voice. The North Central, contrary to traditional pattern backed the opposition party- the APC. In voting, the entire North West voted massively for General MuhammaduBuhari, the APC candidate, while those in the South East and the South-South voted generally above 90 per cent for the PDP. The state elections were even worse for PDP. In Plateau State where the PDP managed a slim victory in the presidential election, the people hopped on the APC platform.

Benue state unequivocally voted for the APC candidate. My interpretation is that these developments have placed a huge burden on the president-elect and his team to begin a unification and healing process of the country. The situation is so bad that not a single member of the National Assembly was elected on the platform of the APC in eleven of the twelve states of the old Eastern and Mid-Western region.

Pitfalls APC should avoid I hope the APC leaders will listen to my voice as this will greatly help in moving the nation forward. I can speak of these things because as a member of the PDP that have governed Nigeria in the last 16 years, I am not without some understanding of what lies ahead. My opinion does not make me less partisan or less chieftain of the PDP. I am a patriot but a card carry member of the PDP and I believe that my party despite its shortcomings and mistakes is still a great party with a profound vision for Nigeria and Africa.

I believe that the PDP had a great vision for Nigeria and still has. PDP has done a lot for the country. PDP in 1999 was the party that took over from the military and within 16 years was able to consolidate civilian democratic rule. This is an achievement. Had PDP not been so successful in deepening democratic values and institutions, there would be no APC as opposition about to take over office. I accept PDP can be criticised for many things, but this party which did not exist before 1998 came together and with many strange bedfellows was able to stabilise the polity and began the process of massive economic reforms that has never been seen before in Nigeria. As far as I know, PDP is a true National Party. APC was a vehicle to capture power. APC has to be tested before it can become a National Party.

For the records, PDP governments initiated reforms in telecommunication, agriculture, power sector, expansion and reform of infrastructure such as

Continues on page 33

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—33

Bola Tinubu's place in hist or histor oryy

By Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunso

T

ODAY, we rejoice in the unfolding of a new dawn as Nigeria is on her way to becoming the choicest jewel of Africa; crown of stars would soon sit on her head, stars twinkling in our eyes, a big smile is gradually forming on parted lips. This nation is fast rising triumphantly into the waiting arms of the world; Nigerian is destined to rule Africa again. But, we must not forget the man who has selflessly offered his undefeating guiding hands to marshal the plans for the most successful political merger in our national history, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man totally committed to the development of the Nigeria, and keeping alive the aspirations of the nation's founding fathers.

Bola Tinubu, a shining example, who ignited the dying passion in Nigerian politics when the best among us had totally given up out of frustration, abandoning the affairs of the nation into the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan surrounded by human rats in power. Bola Tinubu refused to be an observer or a spectator, but an active player. He

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu deserves a special honours among the architects of modern Nigeria. He laboured so that the season of tyranny, despotism and oppression in our land should cease.

Place in history Bola Tinubu, no doubt, has walked the walk of the mightiest. In our reflections, when we gather all heroes ever known in the liberation struggle and actualisation of the Africa dream, he fits perfectly into the mold of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Mantha Gandhi. Because of these me, Africa is gradually becoming a breeding ground for visionary and dynamic democrats,who are concerned about making Africa work. His politics is serious with unparallel passion. Thus, giving us a new definition of a modern purposeful politics. He has the hand of a surgeon and accuracy of an architect to C M Y K

gather the relics of our broken destiny and fix it back. He is one of the political wonders, long awaited for in Africa: militant in spirit, yet he had succeeded in leading a bloodless revolution in our own generation, his dream had steered the troubled ship of our destiny as a nation out of the explosive waters of crises, now Nigeria is found beside the calm waters of advancement unfolding before our very own eyes. Bola Tinubu toiled tirelessly for our democracy to flourish to an enviable height we see today; he believes that any cause that would push Nigeria forward is worth waiting for, worth fight for and defending. Even when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, OBJ, transformed into a despot in Agbada, Bola Tinubu radiated the beauty of resistance to OBJ’s undue domineering posture and attitude. Bola Tinubu is not in league of vipers and scorpions who call themselves politicians. He has no time roaming like a vulture in the political circle, his time is too precious to him. The first time I and my twin brother, Taiwo, met Bola Tinubu, at a special reception organised for PANAFEST in his house with some ambassadors and his political associates in attendance, he shook our hands, his palms were too soft and tender to cork a gun, yet he had fought without throwing a grenade and he won. He spoke about two things great men in history always talk about; his father and time. He is a man of moderation,simple and impressive,a genius per excellence,he has a sharp and striking voice, something about him is legendary.

Coming from the corporate world as an accountant with Mobil oil, he ventured into the muddy waters of Nigerian politics; Bola is good in accounting, but extra good in politics. His principle of governance stood Lagos State out, when other AD states lost to the central government of the People Democratic Party, PDP, a party crowded by politicians with terrible spots of a leopard skin.

Bola Tinubu never sits leisurely in an armchair, but restless and

It is interesting to know that there is a Bola Tinubu School of Advanced Studies nurtured within Asiwaju's Bourdillon residence. It’s an academic forest where men hunt for brilliant ideas and principles that guide his political empire

busy pursuing causes he believes in. He saw the misery of an entire nation,it gnawed at his heart and fueled his resolve to fight. He detests inequality in a federation like Nigeria, so, he campaigns for justice where there is an injustice. No barricades unjustly fashioned to silence our judicial system has ever dampened his spirit, he believes the people’s verdict should be upheld at all cost. He has defended the cause of justice at the expense of his own life; colliding with powers that be on such occasion, never afraid of Abacha’s murder squad that was on his trail like the fastest hyenas of the Luwero Triangle of Uganda.

The NADECO days The NADECO’s days was the chapter of lamentations for Nigeria. A period when patriots like Balarabe Musa, Ebitu Ukiwe, Late Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Late Beko Ransome Kuti, Ayo Opadokun etc kept vigil in the wilderness of patience and perseverance; people like Bola Tinubu were made fugitives for no reason in distant lands, because of faceless killers roaming the land. To liberate Nigeria, Bola and others holed up in one West Coast African nation before fleeing abroad, because the silent footsteps of the adversary kept coming behind him, gunshots back at home fired at innocent Nigerians kept ringing in his two ears. With broken hearts, Bola and others crossed borders determined to find the missing link in the destiny of this beautiful land, called Nigeria. The courage derived from Bola and others in exile in those days encouraged those at home to remain steadfast.

Bred of a warrior mum Bola must have been a child of liberation, child of revolution, afterall, he was breed of a warrior-like woman, Madam Abibat Magaji. He must have been shaped when the winds of 1929 Aba women riot was blowing, children born by such women are usually bold and fearless. Circumstance never deters or weary Bola, he is a fighter in the mould of Chaka the Zulu, a respected figure of rich cultural heritage and lineage of the courageous Tinubus as symbolised by Madam Tinubu of Lagos. It doesn't matter people's opinion of him; to some, Asiwaju knows too much, but Bola is not an island unto himself. People from all walks of life like artistes, seasoned boardroom gurus, sound economic planners, international businessmen, activists, intellectuals, ambassadors, women and political leaders, youths and media practitioners all flock around him. He engages in war of conquest and conquers hearts of people. It is incorrect

when some assume Asiwaju is a wasteful person, no he is not, he invests wisely where it counts, Asiwaju is a good businessman, he is always patient with his investment on business and people; no doubt he pampers men who are vision driven, a man full of life, a good dancer at that, even the winds become hilarious at his giveaway jokes. It was at the special event organised for the former American Ambassador to Nigeria; Dr. Omobowale Walter Carrington at the City Hall in Lagos in 2010, when Bola on the high table excused himself to visit the rest room, trust Lagosians, some hailed Tinubu, while others followed him into the gents. Bola turned back, politely he said to them; “its not proper for you to follow me to the gents, please excuse me, I will see you later ”. As Tinubu came out, he met Chief Bisi Akande, he told him what had happened, Chief Akande was shocked, then his own reply too got Bola laughing uncontrollably :“ah, ah don’t you know you are a gold fish, no hiding place for you o”.

Jarganban of Bourdillon sAnother interesting aspect of this great man called Jarganban is 26, Bourdillon st. Ikoyi, his residence. Asiwaju Tinubu, is not one of the superich hooked up behind barbed wired mansions, he puts to shame so many big men who hordes their wealth. 26, Bourdillon road could have been a quiet and unnoticed place with nature in deep slumber around it, but none of these, as the peace of this place is constantly under siege by men and women who are bent on seeing Bola for one thing or the other. As mighty as the structure is, the weak flock and lean on it, knowing the overwhelming humanitarian gesture that blows out of this place, will certainly get to them too. Asiwaju opens his hands to the poor, devotes his time to commoners, a man with a lion's heart,no wonder he is called the lion of Bourdillon. It is interesting to know that there is a Bola Tinubu School of Advanced Studies nurtured within Asiwaju's Bourdillon residence. It’s an academic forest where men hunt for brilliant ideas and principles that guide his political empire.

Here discussions are always heated, fired inspirations on issues pertinent to the development of Africa nay Nigeria. It takes great minds to recognise and appreciate the library of a great man. The day we stumbled on Bola's library will remain unforgettable. This is where Bola Tinubu studies far into in the wee hours of the night,when only the sound of the night bird is heard. At this time, Asiwaju is silent and deep in thought, devouring books developing his mind and ideas on statesmanship,nation building.

A friend to world leaders and presidents,Bola Tinubu has now become a global personality in African and the Diaspora. Indeed, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a pride to Africa and the black race.

*Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunso, Panafest Representatives, Lagos.

Good governance as catalyst Continues from page 32 road, airport, seaport, manufacturing, the rebasing of our economy showing the growth of our GDP as being the largest in Africa. There has been a lot of progress under the PDP within this period.

You know I wish to state that, I have not taken a lot of time to study the ‘change’ APC is promising Nigerians. Now they are about to resume office, I hope they get serious about it. Recently, APC chieftains including the President-elect are saying something to the effect that they cannot perform miracle and that they will need time to make an impact. Nigerians are not that patient.

And it is for this reason that I am calling on the PDP to reinvent, reoragnise and reimagine itself.

The PDP has to show that it is a party of credible leaders with robust and visionary progamme.

As opposition party, the PDP has to be effective as a party and as the conscience of the nation. Gone are the days when party’s leaders boast that the PDP would hold on to the reins of power for sixty years.

It took only sixteen years for that dream to collapse. This is not the time to despair. This is the time for hard work. I call on all committed, knowledgeable and mature leaders to step forward to pick up the pieces. If the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress could do it in Ghana, the PDP could yet bounce back. It has the resources to do so. We may have lost the election but let us not lose the lesson of the defeat. As Confucius, the Chinese philosopher once said: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” In 2007 Deltans gave me on the PDP platform the mandate to govern, and we have, I believe, done so to the best of our ability.

Delta state with this administration set out on a journey of transformation, anchored on the three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital and Infrastructure Development aimed at diversifying our economy from over-depending on oil. We christened our transformation goal: “Delta Beyond oil”.

My comments concerning development in Delta state is as brief as I can possibly muster. A lot more could have been said but time presses upon us. However, as I conclude, I wish to say that I am leaving Delta state better than I met it. I am handing over to a worthy successor, who has the experience and the competence to lead the state to impressive heights.

The foundation has been laid for greater growth and development of the state. PDP in Delta state isvery stable and united. This was not always the case. Deltans have shown that they can live in unity and that they can be their brother’s keeper. We have successfully ensured the transfer of power to Delta North without rancor and bitterness.

Finally, I feel like Julius Ceaser who wrote to the Roman Senate after overcoming many obstacles against the king of Pontus at the battle of Zela, Ceaserwrote: “I came; I saw; I conquered!”

Being excerpts of a lecture delivered by Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, at The University of Ibadan 2015 Alumni Association National Public Service Lecture on Friday May 8th 2015

34—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

ELECTION TRIBUNALS:

All interlocutory be heard with substantive issues — Fashanu Mr. Babatunde Fashanu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was called to the Bar 35 years ago after which he bagged a masters in Law, a year later. In this interview, he spoke on the muscle flexing between the National Assembly and the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan over the fourth alteration Act of the 1999 Constitution. He also dwelt on the conduct of the last general election, and concluded that the Nation was on path of realising true democratic culture.

He added that the election Tribunals needed to hear the main petitions alongside the interlocutory to be filled by the petitioners to realize the 180 days stipulated by law to conclude hearing of petitions.

Excerpts:

•The political class has to build the structure and strengthen the institution

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

W

hat is your view on refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to ascent to the fourth alterations of the 1999 constitution passed by the National Assembly?

I will not arrive at any judgment. However, if the president doesn’t agree with the lawmakers and they are threatening to exercise their rights, I think in Section 58 (5) they are allowed to re-pass the bill, it won’t need president’s ascent any more. The president is saying they have not done certain things, what the president should do is to go to court, which he has done. What I want to say is that court should be a last resort because since the president is leaving soon, there are many provisions in the

bill that are very good.

I am sure the president is not against many of them. Then, I think it will go down well in history if he is able to work with the National Assembly and pass those he has no objection to.

What I understand from his objection, though I may be wrong, was that he is saying there are some amendments there which have not gone through due process and I take that to be Section 9 which deals with issue of the amendment.

If you want to amend, like they want to do, then you need four/fifth majority of both houses apart from two third majority of the state Houses of Assembly. I think the President is right to point out that they have not shown that the bills passed through four/ fifth majority as required.

They should have a

Threat to override president’s veto, assault on constitution — Daudu —Pg 35

Legal500 ranks üLEX top in four areas of legal practice

—Pg 37

C M Y K

stakeholders meeting where members of the executive meet with the representatives of the Lawmakers and sort it out. If they are going to re-pass it let them do that, even if they do, they will still have to send it round again. I will suggest that they can take out those that are Ok and pass it to law, while leaving the other proposals for the next administration.

Though, there is nothing wrong to approach the Supreme Court, if there is dispute between two arms of government even though the Supreme Court has a lot of things to deal with.

So, if those alterations go with the present administration without passing it to law, do you agree that the new lawmakers should start all over again?

The National Assembly has their own rules, they can pass motion and adopt the bills as it is and continue from where ever the outgoing session ended their work. In whatever way, that should not be a problem for them.

What areas of the electoral process do you think should be improved on?

In my view, our electoral process is maturing from what

I saw in the last election. I think we have taken a giant lead basically because of the card readers introduced into the process. But there is still a lot to be done. Like we saw on Television during the poll, children less than 10 years were accredited in some areas. A lot has been said but with the help of the government, INEC now needs to improve on it. Even though we have the card readers to curb rigging and in

They should amend the law to mean that all interlocutory matters must be heard with the substantive matters.

So after this, the appeal tribunal can hear the appeals arising from the lower tribunals within shortest time

as much as it reduced rigging to some extent, we still need that human content for it to work perfectly. With the card readers, we still realized that it is not fully protected against rigging.

The body still needs some works to be done. In my own area, that is the GRA, we have some problems. In my polling unit they didn’t come for the exercise until 11..am during the presidential election. Then, when they started the accreditation with the card reader around 12 pm, we were able to conclude by 2pm. But when we now finished accreditation, and it is the time for us to vote, the officials said they didn’t come with the ballot papers, which eventually came about 8pm.

Later, it was around evening the voting started and the last person voted at about 2 am.

What was amazing was that voters waited till the night for them to count and announce the result. That is to show you the determination of the people to cast their votes. The result should be electronically transmitted online, so that if some people snatch ballot box, they are just wasting their time.

The incoming administration, the personnel, the leadership of the country and the electoral body should make sure that things work perfectly.

Jega’s time is over now but the person to replace him should be a good person with integrity and they should allow him to work independently. The political class has to build the structure and strengthen the institution.

They have to get people who are bold and cannot be bought over. People who will understand the delicate nature of the position they are occupying and the importance of it. Those who will not terminate our democracy by understanding the importance of the office.

Secondly, the political class too has a role to play. Some people are good by their own nature, but by the time they see somebody doing something bad, they will also join. That is, when they realize that other politicians are planning to rig him out, they will also change. So what we need to do is to build the institution. We have to strengthen the institution of democracy.

Finally, the complaints about the elections can be taken to the election tribunals. When the law abridged the period to file and hear election petitions to 180 days, we hailed it. However, I happened to sit on some election petitions we could not finish within the stipulated days.

In this type of situation it is always difficult to achieve that time limit. For instance, what the winner needs to do to elongate the time is to challenge Continues on page 35

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—35

Buhari should re-introduce war against indiscipline — Fashanu

We cannot deny that there is corruption in the judiciary even in Lagos State where judges are being taken care of. This institution needs to be strengthened and ensure that it performs to the highest level

Continues from page 34 or object to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal. The moment the tribunal assumes jurisdiction, what the winner needs to do again is to appeal the ruling. By the time the appeal is concluded and you return to the tribunal, 180 days are already gone.

Now the next phase of the electoral process is the election petition. Some aggrieved politicians have filed their petitions. Do you think the 180 days are enough for the tribunals to dispense with the cases?

It is unfortunate that we have so much challenges, but I think this time the problems will be reduced. In my opinion, the first amendment to constitution is to reexamine the time which Tribunals could hear election petitions. The 180 days is alright but there are still much to be done. The laws have to be amended so that those 180 days would mean for the period to file and hear the cases. Even though you can raise objections about jurisdiction, but election matters are special procedures which do not necessarily mean that you have to go through all the normal legal process. They should amend the law to mean that all interlocutory matters must be heard with the substantive matters. So after this, the appeal tribunal can hear the appeals arising from the lower tribunals within shortest time. That is the way somebody who lost an election can be given justice.

How do you think the incoming administration can tackle corruption?

Corruption is endemic in Nigeria. The elders say serious problems require serious solutions. The first thing to solve the problem is to resolve the issue of leadership. From my experience as a Nigerian we could see that if we have a very strong and charismatic leader who could lead by example, things will fall in line.

Flash your mind back to Gen Murtala Mohammed’s regime, during that short time; it was as if Nigeria was panel beaten to do the right thing. This was also with the military regime of

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com C M Y K

Our Freedom of Information Law is not well implemented Buhari and Idiagbon, everybody adjusted to necessary things.

Fortunately, we have a constitution which empowers the President so much, even more than the US. So if the President leads by example, much progress can be achieved. Imagine a minister was accused of buying bullet

proof cars with so much inflated rates and nothing was done. I like President Jonathan as a person but I was disappointed with some of his attitudes about his leadership styles. I felt that if I was a President and my minister is being accused, I am not the one that will decide it, is not my duty. The first thing is for the

minister to go and answer to a committee set up or send the minister to where they will investigate and tell her to step aside. Do the investigation for a week or two and come out with a report. If the report absolves her then, and if the report say she have some questions to answer then you remove the minister and let her go and face the music. I think that is the kind of leaders we need.

Another thing is to restructure the institution. We have investigative bodies like the police, EFCC, ICPC; all of them need to be strengthened. If the president-elect re-launches the War against indiscipline and gives it another name, there is nothing wrong in that.

The Judiciary is another area we need to focus on. We cannot deny that there is corruption in the judiciary even in Lagos State where judges are being taken care of. This institution needs to be strengthened and ensure that it performs to the highest level.

And our Freedom of Information Law is not well implemented. So things like this should be sorted out for people to have free access to information. And you Journalists should engage more in investigative journalism. I give the forth estate pass mark especially, from the time of Abacha, I know what it went through. But they should do more.

Also talking about the punishment of corruption, you have problem with the judiciary. Because when people are in a position of trust with public funds, they come back and flaunt it, even if they are tried, nothing will eventually happen. That also encourages people coming up to go int the crime. There was a time journalist interview some children who are coming out of school, and it was 80 percent of them that wanted to join immigration and police. It has become a norm in the society that these are the areas you can earn good. Our systems to punish corrupt offenders are weak.

Threat to override president’s veto, assault on constitution — Daudu

By Dayo Benson

A

MID threat by the National Assembly to override the president’s veto despite Supreme Court ruling that status quo be maintained, former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Mr Joseph Daudu SAN, has described the lawmakers’ decision as an assault on the Constitution.

Similarly, former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adesola Oguntade, cautioned against non-adherence to the rule of law in the country.

They both spoke at the 10th edition of the annual B.O. Benson lecture series,

organized by the Ikorodu Branch, as part of its law week activities.

According to Daudu, who was the guest lecturer, the decision of the National Assembly to override the President’s veto is an assault on the Constitution they swore to uphold.

The ex-NBA boss who spoke on topic “The survival of Democracy: An Overview of the 2015 Elections” faulted the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 which vested INEC with the power to prosecute electoral offenders instead of the police, saying that the electoral umpire lacked the capacity to perform the duty.

In his opening remarks, Justice Oguntade, who was the Chairman of the occasion, urged lawyers to assist in speedy administration of justice by ensuring that “there is no congestion of cases in courts.” He also advised lawyers to desist from telling clients that judges needed to be bribed if they (clients) wanted favourable outcome of their cases. A life member of Body of Benchers and former Lagos State Attorney-General , Mrs Airat Balogun, charged judges to be transparent in administration of justice and avoid unnecessary adjournments.

NBA President, Mr Austin Alegeh SAN, on his part, asked lawyers to be of good conduct at the Election Tribunal while pointing out that corruption was thriving in the judiciary because lawyers who offered bribe found willing allis in judges who receive the bribe.

However, the Ikorodu NBA branch Chairman, Chief Adedotun Adetunji, noted that ethical questions of Elections Tribunal and the associated issues, such as the exclusive hold of some lawyers on Election Tribunal briefs and technicalities of the proceedings, are professional aspects to be considered.

36—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

NIALS' one-day training workshop in Lagos

NIALS boosts lawyers capacity in brief writing, advocacy skills

By Dayo Benson & Onozure Dania

I

n fulfilment of one of its statutory functions of providing continuous legal education for lawyers and judicial officers, the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies, NIALS, has organised a training programme for lawyers in Lagos.

The one day training which was held at the University of Lagos campus of the institute with the topic “Brief Writing and Advocacy Skills” was organised in conjunction with the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA. Designed to further boost capacity of legal practitioners, the event which drew lawyers from private law firms featured paper presentations in related topics by resource persons.

Former chairman of NBA session on Business law Mr George Etomi, whose paper was titiled techniques of effective address and brief writing, said that lawyers should ensure they understood their client’s cases and the issues that needed to be resolved before writing briefs.

According to him, the principal consideration of counsel in writing an address or brief is to arrange or present his client’s case in a compelling manner.

He must also be gracious enough to ensure that the court or arbiter becomes aware of the case he is presenting. Thus,

the practitioner must from the onset ask himself certain questions that will guide or direct his drafts.

“What is your case? What is the case of the other side? What is the issue that has to be resolved?

Speaking further he said that, there are considerations that apply to written addresses and brief writing in appellate Courts and a practitioner must pay more than cursory attention to these matters, namely; style, accuracy, honesty, clarity, presentation of argument, avoiding insulting, abusive or derogatory language, citation of authorities, books, articles, cases, reference to documents or exhibits and departure from decisions etc”.

Dr Emmanuel Okon, who spoke on Legal research and brief writing, advised lawyers to carry out researches on brief writing and also to be ICT compliant.

Also speaking at the event Dr E.A Emmanuel whose paper dulled on the Language of Law, said “that although much of the act of litigation and the business of law is founded upon argumentation, the brief is perhaps the most argumentative genre in legal discourse.”

Brief writing, unlike oral advocacy, allows for much room to tighten one’s arguments, as long as adequate prebrief writing preparations have been made.

From left: Mr Emeka Castro Nwabuzor, Workshop Coordinator; Prof Deji Adekunle (D-G NIALS), and Mr George Etomi (Principal Partner, George Etomi and Partners).

From left: Adebola Lema (Secretary, NBA Lagos), Mr Lawrence Imolode and Mr Alex Muoka (Chairman, NBA Lagos).

10th B. O. Benson SAN, lecture UN appoints Nigerian human rights chief organised by NBA Ikorodu

in Uganda

By Bartholomew Madukwe

U

nited Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has appointed an international human rights lawyer and diplomat, Dr. Uchenna Emelonye, as the Country Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Uganda.

Emelonye, who was the Head, Governance, Institutional and Justice Reform Division of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO-Rome), is now charged with formulating human rights strategies and engaging at the highest level of government in Uganda.

Furthemore, Emelonye’s responsibilities, amongst others, included oversight of IDLO’s global work on legal, judicial and institutional reforms in post conflict and transition countries.

In this position, he supported the drafting of the bill of rights and rule of law chapters of the constitutions of Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia. He also pioneered the development of national justice strategies of the Republic of Yemen and Afghanistan as well as the human rights action plan of the government of Ethiopia, etc.

Dr. Emelonye’s was a Judicial Affairs Officer, United Nations-African Union Mission, Darfur-Sudan; Human Rights Officer, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pristina Kosovo; Chief-ofC M Y K

Justice George Oguntade, former Justice of the Supreme Court, guest lecturer, Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, former NBA president and Augustine Alegeh, SAN-NBA President.

Dr. Uchenna Emelonye Party, RCN Justice and Démocratie, Brussels Belgium and Rule of Law Coordinator, International Rescue Committee, New York USA. In addition to his outstanding career achievements internationally, Dr. Emelonye has a credible track record in Nigeria and has maintained strong connection as well as non-partisan political relevance. Before delving into international diplomatic service, he was the Executive Director, Constitutional Rights Project (CRP); Senior Human Rights Officer, The Human Rights Law Service (HURIL AWS) and Executive Secretary, Ideato South Local Government, Imo State.

From left: Levi Adikwaone; Nurudeen Ogbara; Blessing Ene, secretary; Dotun Adetunji, NBA Ikorodu branch Chairman; Alex Mouka, Chairman, NBA Lagos branch and Abimbola Ojedokun.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 —37

Legal500 ranks üLEX top in four areas of legal practice

By Onozure Dania

G

LOBAL leaders in legal research, ratings and rankings, Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa has identified Nigeria’s commercial law firm, ülex as a top-tier firm in four key practice areas, out of five areas featured in the 2015 edition of its ranking for Nigeria and Africa.

The areas include, Corporate and Mergers and Acquisition; Dispute Resolution; Energy and Natural Resources; Shipping and Transport; and Banking and Finance. üLEX was the only firm ranked in all categories, with four of its partners listed as “leading individuals” in various areas of specialisation.

Firm Partner, Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN, was recognised as a “leading individual” with ‘experience, knowledge and a strong court presence’. Some of her outstanding cases as recognised by Legal 500 include; acting for a South African retailer and its local subsidiary against a claim for breach of contract, loss of

economic opportunity and economic interference with a contract; defending Rusal against claims of conspiracy and interference with the bidding process for Nigeria’s Aluminum Smelter, and representing General Electric in an appeal before the Supreme Court in respect of a master services agreement.

Mr Soji Awogbade was recognised for his ‘timely wisdom during negotiations’ while Sina Sipasi was described as ‘commercial and thorough’. Their recent transactions include; acting as Nigerian legal counsel to Seven Energy in acquisition of petroleum assets, acting for Addax Petroleum (a Sinopec subsidiary) regarding tax matters and advising a syndicate of banks on a $750m reserved based lending facility for the acquisition of petroleum assets.

Mr Lawrence Anga and Theophilus Emuwa were described as being ‘at the top level of corporate and commercial practice in Nigeria.

It read, “Anga gets marks for ‘a rich understanding of

the market and its issues and key players, and he practically applies the law for optimal outcomes’ while Akinloye Ajayi is ‘brilliant and a true pleasure to work with.”

Some of the team’s transactions include; acting as sole Nigerian counsel to a UKbased private equity fund in its $14m buyout of a manufacturer and advising a

One of the driving factors in the formation of our firm was a desire to organise our business around practice areas in the Nigerian legal services market

South African-owned target during the sale of its business to an oil service company.

Legal 500 rankings are based on a series of criteria; highlighting the practice area of teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Researches are based on feedback from clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, as well as a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.

In the last 25 years, Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa has remained one of the world’s largest independent legal referral guides; providing readers with an annually updated, impartial, third-party opinion on the leading law firms and lawyers in countries across the region.

Currently, it provides researched coverage of almost 80 countries and more than 3,300 law firms across the globe.

Speaking to BD’s Legalbusiness, Soji

Ayoola, others chart path for effective anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria

By Innocent Anaba

F

OR corruption to be brought to its kneel in Nigeria, there is a need for a more holistic and deeply thought -out strategic approach than hitherto misconception that the only method of fighting the malaise is through the criminal justice option.

This was the views of former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC and retired Supreme Court justice, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, and other stakeholders at the yearly lecture of PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors with the theme:”Anti Corruption and Bribery Laws: Extra Territorial Application and Lessons For Business and Government Agencies” .

Justice Ayoola, who chaired the lecture in Lagos, said Nigeria must be ready to revise and reform its legal framework in relation to the fight against corruption to facilitate results in the campaign against corruption and engender inclusive and popular fight.

He noted that though Nigeria’s perception of the fight corruption was strong in sentiment and emotion, it was abysmally weak in action.

According to him, the fight against corruption will take longer to win if at all levels of

society, a lip-service is paid to the fight.

On the efficacy of ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in fighting corruption in Nigeria, Justice Ayoola, said evaluation of the performance of these two agencies will certainly not fit comfortably without constant assessment of their performances.

According to him, the strategies of fighting corruption in Nigeria must not remain static and agencies set up to fight such must keep up with whatever becomes a developing trend, since the modalities and strategies of criminality do not remain static but rather are becoming more sophisticated.

Justice Ayoola, who did not support calls for the merging of the two anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, said the fight against corruption in a developing country as ours, must be a running battle, which makes the commitment of resources to the fight and steadfastness in the course of the campaign not only imperative but urgent.

The jurist noted that there was no doubt that Nigeria shares the concern expressed by the international community in the United Nations Convention against Corruption about the seriousness of problem and threat posed by corruption to

Awogbade explained some of the dynamics of the firm’s success.

“One of the driving factors in the formation of our firm was a desire to organise our business around practice areas in the Nigerian legal services market. This was intended to deepen expertise in the areas in which constituent firms were already well-known and accepted by the market. Since then, we have stuck to this mantra and the Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa publication is a validation of our strategy,” he said.

In the same vein, Aelex has also been named the Nigerian Law Firm of the year 2015, in the ‘Who Showlegal’ 2015 country and state awards.

Every year, Who’s Who Legal issues awards to individuals and firms that have performed exceptionally well after a comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practice lawyers worldwide.

They identify a lawyer and a firm of the year in featured practice areas; and awards are issued to the leading firms in over 60 jurisdictions.

Aelex has been shortlisted as the Nigerian Firm of the year 2015.

HRAN visits IDP camps May 14-19

A From left: Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe; Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, a former Chairman of ICPC; Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, Prof Mariana Mota Prado and Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN at the event. the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardising sustainable development and the rule of Law. The guest lecturer and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, Prof Mariana Mota Prado, who led discussion on the theme, solicited for institutional multiplicity in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, because of its inherent benefits, which she said include, competition, compensation, collaboration and complementarity.

She noted that multiplicity of institutions against corruption had paid off in Brazil and could be useful for a country like Nigeria.

According to her, though, it might be costly and appears to be a duplication of efforts, it could engender competition among the agencies to do a good job.

Prof Prado cautioned on the call for strengthening the agencies in Nigeria, saying such moves could back fire if not handled with care.

She made a case for special courts to handle corruption cases, but such court should work with regular courts in handling corruption cases to engender competitions.

Earlier, the senior partner of PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN had said the topic of the 2015 lecture was carefully selected in the light of resurgence of momentum towards elimination of corruption and bribery in conducting business and public activities.

TEAM from Human Rights Agenda Network, HRAN, led by its chair, Chino Obiagwu, will be visit camps of internally displaced persons (IDP) in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states from May 14 to 19.

HRAN has opened a database of victimisation and intends to get first hand details of the plights of the most vulnerables victims, the usually unheard voices.

The team will particularly looking at the plight of children in the conflict, including their recruitment and involvement in the armed conflict. We are also looking at livelihood issues generally.

It will be recalled that the Presidency in 2013 set up a Victims Trust Fund to support this affected by the conflict in the north east.

Funds were well raised from the private sector.

The team intends to use the findings of the visit to directly engage with the Trust Fund to demand that unheard victims are given immediate support at this time that they most need it.

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Man seeks financial lifeline after wife’s surgery ULCO opens as mega drug

By Chidi Okpara

T

HE name, Umuoye, Enyiogugu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, does not definitely ring a bell to any non-native. The truth is that Umuoye is a sleepy rural community in Mbaise and the earth road into this community leaves a first timer, indeed all comers, with a bumpy, dusty ride, if it is during the dry season. The story changes during the rainy season.

Apart from the bad road network in and around this community, there are palpable evidence of poverty and sickness in the place. A visit to the home of Sabinus and Agatha Osuagwu, clearly proved this point. The first thing that hits a visitor's eye is the lean frame of Agatha. She has been sick and was eventually subjected to a surgical procedure known in medical parlance as Laparotomy.

Vanguard gathered that Laparotomy is a surgical procedure involving a large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. The condition is also known in the medical field as Celiotomy. The rest of the story is better told by Osuagwu himself.

"My wife's medical problem started with the rumbling of her stomach. With time, she started vomiting each time she ate any type of food.

“When this condition persisted, I took her on the advice of some people, to a natve doctor at Umuokele village in Egbelu Umuhu autonomous community, Aboh Mbaise local government area.

The native doctor administered his brand

• Ailing Agatha.

At the end of the day, the bill rose to almost N400,000. I had to sell every bit of what I had

of drugs for about two months without any noticeable improvement.

"I later took my wife to a medical doctor at Nkwoala Umuoye Market. When the vomiting continued, the doctor ordered for CT-scan and x-ray. When we tok he results to the doctor, he told us that the scan showed that a surger was imperative. He however added that he preferred administration of drugs instead of surgery.

"This doctor continued administering drugs to my wife and we spent over N50,000 in this hospital. Again, I had to transfer my wife to Precious Stone Hospital, Owerri, when I realized that there was no improvement.

"The surgery was eventually carried out in this new place. At the end of the day, the bill rose to almost N400,000. I had to sell every bit of what I had, including parcels of land, to pay the medical bill. I also borrowed some money from good spirited individuals, albeit with interest. I am still owing huge debts.

"I have four children. I have been trying to train them. None is independent. Apart from the medical condition of my wife, the huge debts I am owing my creditors, the other worry is that my daughter, who is currently on industrial training, may not go back to school after the training.

“Again, feeding my family is a whole lot of trouble. My family will remain ever grateful if people can come to our rescue,” he appealed.

If you are moved to help, please send donations to Sabinus Osuagwu, Diamond Bank 0030189394 or call 08065456014.

T

OWARDS addressing the country’s chaotic drug distribution system that is often characterised by circulation of fake and counterfeit medicines, Ultra Logistics Company Limited, ULCO, a private sector initiative, opens today in Lagos to begin operation as a mega drug distribution centre under the watch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN. In a statement, Managing Director, ULCO, Dr. Lolu Ojo, said the initiative is expected to correct the observed lapses and put the pharmaceutical industry on a higher pedestal, in line with the Federal Government’s New Drug Distribution Guidelines that will be implemented as from 1st July, 2015.

“With the new guidelines, there will be an ordered system of drug distribution which will ensure that the available drugs are safe and effective. The event is being promoted to protect the interest of practitioners and the general public and also to assist government in the delivery of the best pharmaceutical services to Nigerians. It is also being promoted to encourage indigenous entrepreneurship.

ULCO will operate as a commercial organisation with a social enterprise ethos, to address key challenges confronting Nigeria’s pharmaceutical market.

The launch, which will be chaired by Icon of Pharmacy, Former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Dr. Dere Awosika, is to encourage all potential investors to participate in the building of the organisation to an enviable status.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

ELLO all. Today we will be discussing new novelties that can help us get the best out of their love lives.

But first I have a question for those of us in long term relationships. Do you sometimes fantasize about being with another man or woman, just to feel something different? Of course you do. Unfortunately, it is against marriage and dating rules but guess what? There are ways we can drive up the excitement in our relationships without cheating. Adult movies for couples is the perfect vehicle for achieving this, because they enable couples temporarily pretend they are with someone else. And that is exactly what you get from the following new films: One Wild and Crazy Night, Billionaire, Public Service, The Last Rose and Nurse’s Diary. We also have new educational adult movies with tutors that teach specific love making skills. Some of them are Adam & Eve’s Legendary Sex Positions, The Revised Guide to Kinky Sex and Guide to Bondage.

We also have new toys for men and women. For women, we have the Latin American Wooper Strap – On. For fans of anal play, we have the Anal Pleaser Vibrating Butt Plug and the Anal Fantasy Power Beads. For men, we have theMisha Vibrating Cockring, a small and cheap sex toy that works wonders. Have you ever wished you could last longer in bed? Do you occasionally lose your erection before or during intercourse? If the answer is yes, then the Misha Vibrating Cockring is perfect for you. Just wear this small rubberlike device at the base of an erect penis during intercourse and you will last for up to twenty five minutes in bed. Even if you ejaculate after two or three minutes, you will remain erect for an additional twenty minutes or more. This gives you enough time to get some work done on your woman and make your ancestors proud.

It is important that couples keep enlightening themselves on how to pleasure each other and keep their marriages together. To achieve this, men and women everywhere can certainly benefit from the following two new books.

They are Nancy Armstrong’s Big Bad Ass Book of Sex

and Lisa Sussman’sOrgasm: Over 100 Truly Explosive Tips.

And last for today is a new product that can help men gain the sexual energy and stamina with which to perform.

It is the Libido Power Gum. You chew it just like chewing gum and it fills you with energy especially for men who complain about being too tired to have more than one session of intercourse. But for those who lack erection completely, you can always fall back on Rhino 5 or X Again Platinum supplement. These two products are not new but they are back in stock and remain our best products for a solid erection, an enlarged penis and to stop premature ejaculation too.

Let us now take a question from one of our readers.

My doctor diagnosed me with low genital arousal after I complained to him that I have lost interest in sex. But so far, the hospital has not told me how this can be solved – Chiamaka Dear Chiamaka, hospitals specialize in treating diseases.

You don’t have a disease. This is our area. As women and men get older, their sexual capabilities begin to diminish.

This is normal but fixable. First, you need the supplement Kangaroo for Her. It is a 72 hour powerful aphrodisiac for women and it helps stimulate you from within to increase sexual desire, vaginal lubrication and sensitivity to stimulation. So be ready for three days of intense sexual desire each time you take it. And for external stimulation, get the Encounter Orgasm Gel, the Diamond Heart Rabbit Vibrator and an adult movie like Young Hollywood. Use these products as directed and your love life will be transformed beyond your wildest dreams – Uche Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD/ CEO, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—39

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s unimpressive legislative record has been compounded by the discord over his veto of the Fourth Constitution Alteration Act

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

I

t was supposed to be the last staging post for the Seventh Senate to further dent what would now turn out to be the mixed legislative record of the Goodluck Jonathan presidency.

Yesterday’s decision of the Senate to stand down the campaign to override President Goodluck Jonathan’s veto on the Fourth Constitution (Alteration) Act did not come easily. Senators and indeed, members of the House of Representatives had been peeved by the decision of the president to veto the product of the constitution review embarked upon by the National Assembly almost four years ago.

With a stroke of the pen, the president poured into the drain the work that had consumed more than N2 billion in direct funding besides associated cost in time and resources by other stakeholders.

Though the capacity of the senators to muster, the twothird majority required was a matter of doubt, the readiness of the legislators to commence the action was undoubted.

The fury of the senators had been further stoked by the ruling of the Supreme Court last Thursday in which it asked the National Assembly to stay further action on the constitution amendments pending the determination of the case brought before it by the president.

Following a heated closeddoor session yesterday, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark again resorted to play the advocate for President Jonathan when he prevailed on the senators to stay action on the veto override.

“We are law makers and will not be law breakers. We are not just lawmakers, and we are very senior responsible citizens and very senior lawmakers.”

His stance was upon the heated constitutional controversy that had been ignited by last week’s Supreme Court ruling. Many senators had felt that it was very wrong for the judiciary upon the pleading of the executive arm of government to stop the legislature, from its constitutional duty of lawmaking.

The Senate on Sunday rejected the court ruling, saying that the Supreme Court could not under any

SENATE AND JONATHAN:

Vain veto venture

circumstance prevent it as an independent arm of government from proceeding with its constitutionally assigned duties.

“The Supreme Court is wrong. The law does not allow one arm of the government to stop another arm of government from performing its duties,” Senate spokesman, Senator Abaribe had told newsmen.

“The Supreme Court cannot stop us from legislating and if they say that the Supreme Court is stopping us from making laws, it is misleading and it amounts to misreading the powers of the Supreme Court,” he said.

His stance and the consequent gazetting of the bill in the House of Representatives and the Senate had given an indication of an apparent determination of the legislators to override the veto.

Such fury would have been driven by the angst of leading senators like Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate who led the constitution review in the Senate and spent time and energy on the process.

Many other lawmakers were also driven by some vengeful spirit to spite a president under whose watch the cordiality with the legislature got to the lowest level. So sad is the relationship between the president and the National Assembly that he has not in the last two years personally appeared for the traditional duty of laying the budget before parliament.

The president was said to be wary of being booed by members of the House of Representatives with whom he never got along. His relationship with the National Assembly nose-dived from the ending of 2013 when in one of the most shocking decisions of his government, he dismissed his very diligent liaison officer to the National Assembly, Senator Joy Emodi.

Emodi had in the two years she served been able to manage the relations between the executive and the legislature, dutifully pandering to issues of the legislators and with her aides monitoring legislative measures.

However, once Emodi was removed, purportedly at the instigation of a powerful presidency cabal with roots from the Southeast, Dr. Jonathan’s legislative agenda immediately collapsed and it was no surprise that he has

since then not ventured into the premises of the National Assembly.

Good counsels from sympathetic senior legislators like Senators Mark and Ekweremadu were also received with scepticism and often diluted with sarcasm by presidential minders.

Even at the worst of times, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s relations with the National Assembly was not as rancorous. The only time the National Assembly overrode a veto wielded by Obasanjo was on a matter of principle, and that was the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Establishment Bill.

Though the bill was the initiative of Obasanjo, the •Jonathan

•Emodi: Her exit derailed Jonathan's liaisons with lawmakers

National Assembly, however, tinkered with the funding proposals. Even at that, Obasanjo maintained a backdoor channel with some legislators like Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

However, in President Jonathan’s case, many legislators fumed that the president kept his distance all the while that the process of constitution review was in progress and did not voice the objections he subsequently made in his letter last month where he wielded the veto.

Even worse, it is alleged that the president signed the bill as forwarded to him but allegedly recanted upon pressures from a very senior

•Mark: Cautioned senators against veto

aide.

It was such insinuations that compelled the Senate to request the president to

As the senators left the chambers yesterday, the distaste was very evident, but as their presiding officer affirmed, in his submission, two wrongs do not make a right

return the original bill as forwarded to him including the signature page.

Dr. Jonathan’s resort upon the Senate resolution was to head to the Supreme Court, which last Thursday gave the ruling urging all parties to the dispute to maintain the status quo until June 18.

The legislators were, however, not ignorant of the fact that by that time the tenure of the National Assembly would have expired.

As the senators left the chambers yesterday, the distaste was very evident, but as their presiding officer affirmed, in his submission, two wrongs do not make a right.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

•George: PDP leader

•Shelle: Embattled chairman

•Obanikoro: Minister

•Agbaje: Governorship candidate

LAGOS PDP: Perpetual trouble PERHAPS, as a fall out of the crisis rocking the national leadership of the party, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has begun to experience a gradual implosion.

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE first causality of this crisis at the state level is the state chairman of the party in Lagos State, Navy Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd).

Shelle is perceived as a loyal stooge to a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George.

Shelle was sacked by the State Working Committee after being found guilty of unspecified allegations levelled against him as a result of the party’s poor performance at the polls.

Past election failures Crisis is, however, not strange to the Lagos PDP, the party that has consistently played second fiddle to the mainstream party guided by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Even with its consistent under-performance, the party somehow almost always survived on federal patronage given the fact that the PDP had been in undisturbed control of the levers of the presidency.

So major party candidates after losing in Lagos almost

always found consolation with federal appointments.

However, with the sacking of the PDP from Abuja the dire prospects for the party are now leading to unusual bellicosity.

Unusually, the party ’s defeated governorship candidate in the recent election, Mr. Jimi Agbaje is not involved in the crisis that broke out early this week. Agbaje according to sources is out of the country for a holiday after the drudgery of his campaign.

Splitting the party The attempt to remove Shelle is said to be spearheaded by some aggrieved party leaders who are perceived not to be comfortable with George’s influence on the party in Lagos State.

Vanguard was reliably informed that the decision to factionalise the party in Lagos was a plot by some top-notch leaders to jump ship to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Owolabi Olorunoje and Wahab Owokoniran are alleged to been used to actualise this plot.

A chieftain of the party, who spoke on condition of

anonymity, said the aim of the Olorunoje faction is to allegedly decamp to the APC. The PDP stalwart disclosed that leaders of the party in the state have genuine information that some members of the group were already beholden to the APC. “We know their antics. We have verifiable information that they have been paid to decamp to the APC. Their aim is to cause confusion in the party, and when they are expelled, they will just capitalise on that and announce their defection to APC” he said.

Shelle’s sins Perhaps this informed the decision by a dissident group, claiming to be the State Working Committee of the party, to set up a disciplinary committee to review the performance of Shelle.

Leading the pack to remove Shelle are the party’s Vicechairman and Secretary, Messrs Owolabi Olorunoje and Owokoniran respectively.

Owokoniran is a former council chairman who presided over Ikeja Local Government

Area during the Tinubu administration. Following his removal from office he defected from the then Alliance for Democracy to the PDP. The SWC in its decision to sack Shelle accused him of among other allegations, of being responsible for the loss the PDP suffered during the March 28 and April 11 elections.

Having removed Shelle, he was immediately replaced by Olorunoje, who those in revolt announced will manage the affairs of the party in the state as chairman.

Addressing newsmen at the party secretariat, the PDP state secretary, Owokoniran, who spoke on behalf of others, said the decision was arrived at to protest the way the party was being run, leading to the last elections.

He said: “We members of Exco have all agreed that the way the party is being run should not be allowed. You will all agree with me that this party is not well run before, during and after the elections. There is need for restructuring. If we want restructuring, there is no way the Chairman can continue in office.”

Youths protest But shortly after the news broke out, some PDP youths stormed the party secretariat located on Adekunle Fajuyi, GRA Ikeja to protest Shelle’s removal.

The youths led by one Shamsideen Lawal vowed not to allow Olorunoje and his team to function until the decision is reversed.

According to them, Shelle’s removal as the party chairman is “unfair, unjust, uncalled for and unconstitutional”.

He said the state chairman should be commended and not condemned for his sterling leadership as witnessed in the just concluded general

elections.

George kicks The leader of the PDP in Lagos, Chief George, frowned at the development noting that those behind the ‘charade’ would be sanctioned for antiparty activities.

George, who was instrumental to Shelle’s emergence as the party chairman said “they will be sanctioned. It is like trying to do a coup, which definitely has no constitutional backing, and you fail. They will be sanctioned for anti-party activities.”

George said only the National Executive Committee had the power to remove a party chairman. He added that Owokoniran was only an acting secretary and thus had no power to call such a meeting.

Disciplinary actions initiated In the meantime, the party has initiated disciplinary actions against those involved in the purported removal of its chairman.

Addressing newsmen after an emergency meeting of the party’s State executives, Shelle said that necessary disciplinary action will be taken against those involved.

He said, “we have reported the matter to our NEC for advise in accordance with the provisions of the PDP constitution. They went too far.

They even went as far as storming the party ’s state headquarters and dragging away secretariat staff from office.

They are out to sabotage the efforts of the party. “Their plans were muted long before the Lagos PDP party primaries.”

Speaking further, Shelle said, “we tried to accommodate their excesses so that their actions will not affect us during the elections.

They tried to divide the party along personality lines but they failed. They will be sent back to their sponsors.”

Buhari needs MR. Adejare Adegbenro is a chip from two old political blocs. Paternally, he is the grandson of Dauda Adegbnro, the now deceased premier of the former Western Region and maternally, he is also the grandson of Pa Alfred Rewane, the chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition(NADECO). A businessman himself, he shared time in an interview on contemporary developments. Excerpts:

C

By Emmanuel Aziken

an you assess the just concluded general election in the country?

First and foremost, I think all Nigerians should give thank to God because it was, indeed, God’s doing that it was a peaceful election. It was against the anticipation of the people that a lot of lives would be lost, that election would not hold and that Nigeria would break. But glory be to God that Nigerians came together and spoke with one voice.

In unity they elected a president that came from the

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—41

How I tackled greed in Delta — Macaulay

C

OMRADE Ovuozorie Macaulay is the outgo ing Secretary to the State Government in Delta State. He became the pioneer chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in the State before he was later elected as State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. In the heat of the Warri crisis, he was appointed Commissioner for Ethnic and Conflict Resolutions by former Governor James Ibori. In this interview with select journalists, he spoke on the achievements of the outgoing administration of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan among other issues. Excerpts:

By Festus Ahon

H

ow then did you go about resolving the Warri crisis?

My first baptism when I entered Warri was even from the media and I had thought I should brief them because the media is my first constituency.

But I did not know that all the media houses in Warri were already aligned, so they took the news from whichever angle and that even caused another crisis that took me another one month to build confidence. I said no, I am not here to widen the gap but to close the gap and make sure there is peace in Warri.

The Olu of Warri accepted me, the Okumagbas accepted me and though it took me a longer time to get to EK Clark to accept me and he finally accepted me and I was able to ask them to give me the people so that we could start to negotiate the peace. It was a negotiated peace. First of all the main killings between Ijaws, and Itsekins, a daily thing where oh! 25 corpses were flowing on the river, 150 persons killed etc.

We started at the Naval base the only peaceful place in Warri that we could sit down.

By the grace of God, after about six months, I was able

to secure the first cease fire.

Later on the youths managed

by Gen. Zamani the then chairman of J.T.F, was able to get them to start talking and they were meeting at army barrack Effurm, while the elders and other stakeholders were meeting with me at the Naval base.

I succeeded in letting them appreciate the fact that you don’t have to sit on other people’s property. I was now able to start talking with the youths who were in the trenches, fighting the battles.

So today when most of them see me, they come to appreciate me saying Oga na you make our lives turn like this. I did not go to the youth as a commissioner.

When I went to them I wore my T –Shirt, jeans and behaved like them. At times I drank the Ogogoro (native gin) with them. I went into those trenches with them, the gutters, markets wherever they were hiding and committing their havoc, I went to see them and as God would have it, they listened to me.

The settlement came gradually and the Itsekiris started getting back their properties and they were happy with me, so I was getting more cooperation by the day. So at the end of the day some people were not too

happy. You know with the marks on my face, they mistook me to be an Iteskiri person but at the end of the day when they knew I have no blood relationship with the Itsekiris they built confidence.

I had my challenges but it was God that made it possible to bring the peace.

When I took over the challenges in 2003, curfew was in Warri was from 5pm to 6am, but within one year by the grace of God, the peace returned. In 2005, I have started negotiating night life to Warri, I was on the ground any where I go. Today there are people who see me on the street and call on me. They are people who bought me drink even though I don’t drink.

There was a woman who one day gave me ¦ 50 in the market.

I don’t forget it and I will continue to value that gift that I helped her to get back to her life. For me that was the height of my service to humanity.

What have been the major challenges of this administration as somebody

I succeeded in letting them appreciate the fact that you don’t have to sit on other people’s property. I was now able to start talking with the youths who were in the trenches, fighting the battles

•Macaulay: Warri crisis was a challenge

in charge of the clearing house?

The greed of the people and at times the lack of total commitment on the part of some government officials.

Greed in the sense that you know this thing is not supposed to be done and you want the SSG to do it. But the law does not allow me to do it and yet they want me to do it because someone else has done it before.

That is not tenable and that has also brought me into confrontation with persons and the next they say is ‘oh. You know too much’ and when they go outside they would form another story; they will not say the truth’. People should follow due process and set things done right.

•Adegbenro

Where do you draw your strength from in carrying out your duties especially during the management of conflicts in Warri axis?

I draw my strength from God. I am not a smoker, I don’t go to any native doctor house, I do my prayers. I am not too much of a church person but I believe solely in God.

The state will not be running the same party with the government at the centre. Do To what extent has the you entertain any fear now administration’s three point Delta is looked viewed as agenda benefited the people? opposition state?

You can not satisfy every No fear because our human being. It depends on democracy is growing. In a true which aspect of the three point democracy, states don’t have any agenda that affected you. But business with the government at one thing that has affected every the centre. I can be a governor of Delta State and I say I am not going to Abuja for my tenure of there will be problem. If they four or eight don’t have job, if they don’t years. What is have shelter, if they don’t due you in FAC have power supply that (allocation) will would drive their business, if Nigerians have a voice. The election still get back to they don’t have even the has shown that, whoever misbehaves you. Nobody business to be driven, then it in office would be kicked out through will stop it is high time to kick out the ballot box. because you whoever is in power.

What do you think were the are not in the What are the challenges problem that led to the ‘Change’? same party with that will confront the I believe we should look at the federal. The incoming government? ourselves as Nigerians and not as f e d e r a l First and foremost, as far as Muslims, Christians, Hausa, Yoruba government I am concerned, the incoming Igbo, northerner, south-south or from my 12 President, General whatever. Religion and ethnicity years in Muhammadu Buhari will caused most of the problems. The government need all Nigerians’ support second problem was lack of discipline has not been to succeed. It is God and not that led to corruption. That was why intervening in Buhari, that can solve the Nigerians got up and said that issues of mirage of the problems President Goodluck Jonathan has development in plaguing the country. done his best and that it was time to the states.

Therefore, we should all move and try somebody else. It is an Instead it is the come together the way we did open fact that majority of the voters state that funds during the elections to assist in this country are the masses. And the federal him in the onerous task of once their welfare is not guaranteed, projects.

God to succeed — Adegbenro opposition party for the first time in the history of Nigeria.

One cannot but mention the fatherly roles played by the likes of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Abdusalami Abubakar, President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Emeka Anyaoku and a dogged fighter and unbowed democrat, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If not for them, Nigeria could have become ashes by now.

They have proved to be real elder statesmen and respected international figures.

What lesson did Nigerians learn from the election?

It teaches us to always be flexible because nothing is gold casted. Today, I have learnt that

Deltan is the peace. As far as am concerned, he has done his best. Like I keep saying, let posterity judge him. We have had governors before and we are going to have more after him. And those of us who assisted him have done much to assist him.

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

DESOPADEC BILL: Delta women threaten to protest nude

By Emma Amaize

W

ARRI—WOMEN from oil and gas producing communities in Delta State, yesterday, warned that they will protest naked against those opposed to the passage of the bill for a law to establish Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, DESOPADEC’s Five Ethnic Nationalities Oil Producing Areas’ Development Agencies and Investment Corporations.

Also, youths from oil-bearing communities in the state have called for speedy passage of bill, appealing to the Assembly to include Ika and Aniocha ethnic nationalities, as only Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko and Ndokwa were captured in the bill.

The bill, proposed by the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has gone through first reading at the Delta State House of Assembly, but it

generated controversy when a group of oil producing communities’ leaders, led by the National Chairman of Host Communites of Nigeria, Chief Alfred Bubor, National Coordinator, Prince Maikpobi, Okareme, alleged that it was a cover up.

But, another group led by a founding father of Host Communities and pioneer DESOPADEC chairman, Chief Wellington Okirika, countered the

bloc, describing its position as uninformed and selfish.

The women, under the auspices of Delta State Host Communities, HOSTCOM, (Women Wing), led

by Madam Grace Oghenekevwe, in a statement, said: “We will go naked on the streets if any group opposes the swift passage of the bill, which clearly has a human face.”

Vice chairman, Mrs. Awani Akande, Urhobo Women Leader, Mrs. Maria Onagere, Ndokwa

Women Leader, Mrs. Rita Okolocha, Mrs. Comfort Maya, acting Itsekiri Women Leader, Mrs. Mercy Ogbu, Isoko Women Leader and Mrs Florence Monene, Ijaw Women Leader, who supported their leader, said, they were happy that the new bill gave opportunity for representatives of women on the board of the commission.

They expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr. Benjamin Iwetan as the state chairman of HOSTCOM.

Cleric tasks Buhari on N-Delta devt

By Onoja Innocent

B

OMADI—THE cleric in charge of the Bomadi Vicariate of the Catholic Church, Bishop Hyacinth Egbebo, has called on the presidentelect, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, to re-invigorate the three key instruments of development in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Bishop Egbebo, in his office in Bomadi, headquarters of Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, said that Niger Deltans will sing hallelujah to God and praise Buhari if their expectations were met under his leadership.

He tasked Buhari to ensure that what he termed ‘Three Levels of Help’ to the Niger Delta area were reinforced. They include the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the 13 percent Derivation Fund and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. He noted that the three Federal Government interventionist tools were veritable means of speedily developing the region and urged Buhari to give appropriate attention to them.

The cleric maintained that the Niger Delta agenda had long been overdue, noting that it was unfortunate that President Goodluck Jonathan's administration did not pay the needed attention to the plight of the region.

C M Y K

VISIT: From left: Chairman, National Youth Service Corps Governing Board, Chief Gordon Bozimo; Member of NYSC Governing Board/Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajeinka and NYSC Rivers State Co-ordinator, Dr Ngozi Nwatarali, during a visit of the NYSC Governing Board to Rivers State NYSC Camp yesterday in NONWA TAI Local Government Area of the state. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Delta NLC faults ongoing council workers strike T HE leadership of Delta State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has faulted the ongoing strike called by state chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Mr David Ofoyeno, over unpaid salaries, saying that the strike has a political motive.

NLC, in a statement by its chairman, Mr. Williams Akporeha, yesterday, said congress condemned in unequivocal terms the NULGE strike as it was not only meant to score cheap political point but was also illadvised and untimely to instigate industrial unrest in the state which is capable of scuttling the transition programme to usher in the incoming administration.

He said: “In as much as congress leadership does not want to join issues with Ofoyeno over his newest interest, it is very necessary to set the record straight for the

benefit of the general public and the concerned local government employees in particular. Congress wishes to state that while it was not in support of persistent nonpayment of workers’ salaries for up to four months by the relevant government authority, there are, however, stipulated industrial relations processes

and procedures for dispute resolution that must be explored before the declaration of industrial action.

“Accordingly, congress under the leadership of Akporeha is presently holding discussions with the relevant government authorities in accordance with the enabling labour relations best practices and procedures."

NYSC Chairman changes corps members on entrepreneurship

By Davies Iheamnachor

C

HAIRMAN of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, National Governing Board, Chief Gordon Bozimo, has urged youth corps members to take the entrepreneurship programmes in the orientation camp very seriously, in order to check the rising challenges of youth unemployment in the country.

The NYSC chairman gave the charge at the NYSC Orientation Camp at Nowa,

Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, when he and other members of the board visited the state on their inspection tour to all the orientation camps in the South-South zone and across the country.

Bozimo said that the purpose of the skills acquisition programmes in the orientation camp was to equip the youths to be good entrepreneurs as well as have something to offer to the society after their stay in the scheme.

PDP is crying wolf over Delta, Rivers, others —EDOJAH

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—A F O R M E R member of the House of Representatives and member of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Mr Solomon Edojah, has taken a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over its recent comments that the APC was trying to hijack some states won by the PDP. Addressing newsmen, yesterday in Ughelli, Edojah said: “The PDP, knew how they manufactured figures as votes for themselves during the last general elections and are crying wolf and are scared of losing states such as Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom where their mindless riggings took place.”

On the future of APC in Delta State, Edojah, who represented Ethiope constituency in the House Representatives, said: “The APC governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, remains the answer to the future of APC in Delta.

“Right from the era of Chief James Ibori, Emerhor has been the only person with the clout to pilot the affairs of Delta State because of his entrepreneurial and political acumen.

“As a politician, he single handedly built the APC in Delta from the scratch and we believe with recent discoveries and revelations by the card readers during the general elections, he will rout the PDP out of power.”

Princess Awani passes on

P

R I N C E S S Matilda Awani, the wife of the late Iyasele Obi Onowu of Aboh Kingdom in Delta State, Chief Michael Awani, has passed on.

A statement by Elder Charles Awani said funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Late Princess Awani

43—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Enugu APC rejects Jim Nwobodo, Nnaji’s defection bids ...Says it's medicine after death

APGA NATIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP:

Group mobilizes support for Diwe

By Austin Ogwuda

E

NUGU—ENUGU State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, scuttled the desperate move by former governor, Jim Nwobodo and Power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji, to defect to the party, saying it was not in a hurry to admit any

By Felix Ogbonna

A

HEAD OF the forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, a group, South East Progressives Assembly, has started mobilizing support for the candidacy of Chief Emeka Diwe as the national chairman of the party.

Addressing journalists in Aba, President and Secretary of the group, Ebere Uzoukwa and Munonye Maximus, said the position of the national party chairman of APGA, which is expected to be zoned to Imo State, must be occupied by a credible, mature, peace loving and level headed personality as represented by Diwe.

The group, which lamented the crisis that had bedevilled APGA in the past two years, insisted that APGA needed a tested administrator, who would reposition and unite the different contending interests in the party.

“APGA remains the political identity of Ndigbo.

Every Igbo man is attached to APGA, so we are worried about the state of affairs in APGA. The party needs to elect an experienced hand to reposition and unite its many contending interests. ‘’SEPA testifies of Chief Emeka Diwe’s acumen as a good manager of men.

He is a tested administrator, who will be an asset to APGA if elected to the position of national chairman."

member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, into its fold.

State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mrs. Kate Offor, who dropped the bombshell while briefing newsmen on the outcome of its enlarged State Executive Committee meeting, describing the move as “medicine after death.”

She, therefore, warned that the party would sanction any member found to be covertly or overtly involved in any plot to admit any PDP member until a time authorized by the party.

Her words: “At an enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee of Enugu State Chapter of APC, we

APC calls for cancellation of Abia polls

By Felix Ogbonna

A

BIA STATE chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has called for the cancellation of the governorship election in the state over alleged irregularities.

The party insisted that what took place in the state could not be described as an election, but a rigging contest between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, counterpart.

Addressing a press conference in Aba, State Publicity Secretary of the party, Benedict Godson, alleged that the entire electoral

process in Abia State was a charade and should be cancelled, while a fresh election should be held after a total over-haul of the Independent National Electoral Election, INEC, and security personnel in the state.

The party said: “It is common knowledge that both PDP and APGA were involved in rigging competition, that if it is in a civilized society, the entire election would have been cancelled because it lacked credibility, transparency and fairplay. ‘’This remains our stand; the only solution to the Abia electoral debacle is that INEC should

produce the authentic results as shown in the records of the smart card reader machines which show that APC won the governorship election and majority seats in the House of Assembly.”

The party insisted that it was nonsensical for the PDP or APGA to claim victory since neither of them obeyed the rules of the election.

While commending the security agencies for arresting INEC staff who wanted to take away electoral materials, it called for thorough investigations to unmask the real actors behind the dastardly act to make them face the full wrath of the law.

unequivocally resolved that the membership drive aimed at enlisting Prof. Barth Nnaji, Chief Jim Nwobodo and co into our great party be stopped forthwith.

“For us, it is medicine after death, given the shameful result we recorded in the presidential election, and governorship where we got less than three per cent and 10 per cent of the total votes cast in Enugu State respectively.

“Accordingly, we are outraged that some elements without authorization or due process had already held sinister meetings with Professor Nnaji in his Umuode village and if not stopped will head to God knows where.

“Whereas, we hold Professor Nnaji, robotic engineer and our elder statesman, Chief Jim Nwobodo, and other eminent sons in very high esteem, we, however, frown seriously on clandestine moves of some people reaping where they did not sow.”

The APC spokesperson further narrated how Professor Nnaji was lobbying to grab Enugu State ministerial slot in the incoming Federal Executive Council whereas he belonged to PDP.

Community sends SOS to Anambra CP, Boundary Commission, over alleged invasion of its land

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—AKUZOR and Amafor villages in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have sent a Save Our Souls, SOS, to the state commissioner of police, CP, and the state Boundary Commission, to come to their rescue over alleged harassment and invasion of their land by Oze, Nkwele Ezunaka, a community in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

The two Nkpor villages have also written the state deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, who

is the chairman of the state Boundary Adjustment Committee, pleading for the state government to properly demarcate their boundaries with Oze to end the lingering land dispute.

This came as three people from Nkpor arrested by the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, for entering into the said land, have remained in detention for three months without bail.

Three others arrested with them were, granted bail on Monday.

The large expanse of land, lying across Nkisi River, was allegedly inherited by Nkpor

people, who were farming on it until the recent invasion by Oze people, who were also laying claim to the same land.

Chairman of Akuzor Village Committee, Mr. Chuma Chukwurah, in the letter to the deputy governor requested for proper placement of monuments on the respective boundaries so as to put an end to the existing conflict between the communities.

According to him, the trespass into the land by Oze village is slowing down his people’s plan to start the construction of a secondary school on the land.

Chukwurah added that the

community had already applied to the government for the approval of the school.

Also, in the SOS to the police commissioner, which was copied to the state governor, counsel to Nkpor, Mr. S.O. Chukwukelu, said Akuzor and Amafor villages had never been in dispute until the recent incident which, he observed, was fuelled by land grabbers and speculators.

He said: “The problem started when land speculators from Oze came into the scene and started distorting the ancient and long maintained boundary between these two communities."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

What is your view on Oshodi-Apapa gridlock?

A

ll tiers of government need to stand up to be counted in the mess in question. And it has had a long gestation, so everyone should be counted as part of the issue. Governance should be participatory and not siddon look and condemn. -Mr. Eyinna Okpani, Journalist

I

t is high time we pri vatized the pipelines and fuel depots nationwide as a matter of national emergency. It is only when we do that that new pipelines will be built with private capital, and create much needed jobs. -Miss Blessing Uba, Student

M

y view is that the fuel depots causing the long queue of fuel tankers on the Oshodi-Apapa Road should be moved to an open place where vehicles are fewer, unlike Mile 2 that connects to roads like Orile, Badagry, Boundary, among others. -Mr. Babatunde Owolabi, Worker

I

n most civilised countries tankers and trucks only move at night. Our country should not be an exception. We know that most, if not all, of these trucks and tankers are owned by the so-called rich and mighty. -Miss Brenda Okereke, Worker

I

t is easier for Fashola to find an algebraic formula to deport fellow Nigerians to their state of origin than an examination of the fiscal policies necessary to rid Lagos (a city developed by colonial whites) of traffic gridlock. -Mr. Francis Lawrence, Musician

W

hy do all the tankers and ships berth only in Apapa and Tin Can ports? There are other ports in Port Harcourt, Warri, Sapele, Calabar, among others. Is it not madness to be going to a place that is overcrowded, when there are other places? -Miss Nana Esupofo, Student

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

PDP chieftain demands sack of NWC

MALARIA: Women charged to prevent mosquito bites

By Abdullahi Garba

K

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—WOMEN, especially pregnant ones and mothers of children under five years old have been called upon to take extra care in protecting themselves and their children against mosquito bites to avoid contracting malaria fever.

The acting Director of the Centre for Gospel Health and Development, CeGHaD, Mrs. Nancy Onu gave the advice at Ganawuri, Riyom local government area of Plateau state during this year’s World Malaria Day with the theme, “Investing in the Future and Defeating Malaria,” where about 2,000 women and children were tested for malaria as well as received treatment and mosquitoes nets.

The programme was bankrolled by an arm of the Anglican Diocese of Jos. Addressing the community members, Onu said the organization decided to mark the day with people of the community based on recent report that “Ganawuri community in Riyom local government area has the highest rate of malaria sickness recorded in clinics and hospitals in Riyom.

“It is on this note that we engage in the distribution of malaria drugs and mosquito nets to pregnant

PRESENTATION: Mr Peter Smith Onoriode, Chairman, Peter Mission for the Underprivilege (2nd right) during the presentation of food items to widows at Ekiugbo Iyede in Delta State.

Workers shut down Bauchi over non-payment of salary

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—SCHOOLS and government offices at both local and state levels were sealed up yesterday as civil servants in Bauchi State, paralyse all government activities in the state.

The indefinite strike followed non-payment of salaries and

Niger speaker wants police out of Assembly complex

By Wole Mosadomi

M

INNA—THE Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly,

Georgia Aquarium ups revenue from email marketing with IBM Commerce

By Emeka Aginam

S

AN DIEGO, CA— LARGEST aquarium in the western hemisphere, Georgia Aquarium has said its revenue from e-mail marketing with the IBM Commerce has increased by 32 per cent.

With the collaboration, IBM has helped Georgia to reinvent the way it designs and delivers seamless visitor experiences across all touch points.

However, the aquarium uses IBM Silverpop Engage, a cloudbased digital marketing platform within IBM Commerce, to easily manage these campaigns.

With the solution, visitors receive one triggered email prior to their visit, which provides details about their upcoming day at the aquarium and one email post-visit that

other entitlements of workers.

The state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Tuesday declared the strike with effect from yesterday, to press home their demand for the payment of their backlog of salary arrears, among others.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, yesterday sealed off the Bauchi

focuses on collecting feedback from the on-site experience giving the marketing team the insight needed, while engaging with each visitor at a personal level.

For marketers to succeed in today’s buyer-driven world, they must think on the customer ’s terms,” General Manager, IBM Commerce, Deepak Advani, said at one of the keynotes at the just concluded IBM Amplify conference 2015 in San Diego, USA. “In order to be successful today, marketers must meet customers when, where and how they want to be communicated with.

Georgia Aquarium’s success, basing programs off of visitor insights, highlight the importance of this new way of marketing,“ he added.

Alhaji Isah Kawu has called on the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emmanuel Amore to ask his men to vacate the House and allow members carry out their legislative functions.

Kawu also advised his impeached predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Usman to stop parading himself as Speaker.

He spoke with newsmen in Minna yesterday, saying that the continued occupation of the house by the police was illegal as it was a breach of the rights of the lawmakers to meet and carry out their duties.

However, reacting to the call, Police Commissioner, A more defended the police action pointing out that he had not in any way breached any law but only complied with a court order.

Kawu had described the continued occupation of the police as a gag on the legislators, which he said was unacceptable, unconstitutional and a violation of the right of the lawmakers.

Asked what the lawmakers would do if the police failed to leave the House, Kawu said, “we have many options which I may not want to disclose now.''

State office of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in reaction to the alleged plan to sack 1,000 workers of the commission.

National Chairman of ASCSN, Mohammed Suma who reacted to the planned sack of the workers accused the Director General of NIMC, Chris Onyemenam of deliberately flouting the court process in respect to the 1,000 senior employees who were from grade level 7 and above.

However, Vanguard investigations in Bauchi metropolis showed that the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Teachers Service Commission, TSC, the state civil secretariat as well as the state Water Board were closed just as public primary and secondary schools were under lock and key, making it impossible for thousands of pupils to go to school.

The state-owned media outfits complied with the strike, but were providing skeletal services.

As early as 7am, the NLC, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, as well as the JPSNC leaders were at the schools and council secretariats to ensure that workers complied with the directive by the unions asking them to embark on an indefinite strike.

Some students who were not aware of the development, went to schools only to sent back home by the authorities.

Principal officers of the councils, including chairmen, secretaries and directors, were not allowed access into the secretariats by the union leaders.

Reacting to the development,the state NLC Chairman, Hashimu Gital commended the workers in the state for complying with the directive and urged them to stay at home until further directive from the union.

ADUNA—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Adamawa State, Senator Abubakar Girei, has demanded the immediate sack of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), over the last general elections.

“The entire National Working Committee, NWC, should relinquish their positions to pave way for the party to be repositioned,” Girei told reporters in Kaduna yesterday.

He described the party’s defeat during the polls as an act of God and urged members and leadership of the party to stop trading blames over the issue.

In spite of the defeat, Girei said that the PDP still remained what he called the “the largest and the best structured with the most experienced, dedicated and committed members who will not sit and watch greedy, corrupt and inept leadership send their party to its early grave.

“Although the loss suffered by our party in the last elections was an act of God, the national leadership must accept full responsibility for the humiliating defeat,'' he said.

“For this loss to be only a temporary setback, the party needs to reinvent, re-engineer and rebrand itself as soon possible in order to bounce back in the next round of elections in 2019.

Ekiugbo Iyede widows get succour

T

HE people of Ekiugbo Iyede in Delta State could not hide their joy last weekend when the Peter Mission for the Less Privilege donated food items to more than 120 widows in the town.

The Mission, an NGO based in Asaba has helped over 1000 less privileged persons and families in Delta State and beyond.

The chairman of the mission, Peter Smith Onoriode stated during the presentation of the items that his vision is basically to reach out and help the less privileged people in Nigeria, especially the widows.

The items donated to the widows included 120 bags of 50kg rice, 120 of 2 litres groundnut oil, 8 bags of 50kg salt.

Mr. Afoke Etume, who received the items on behalf of the widows, thanked the donor for the kind gesture. The widows prayed for the sustenance of the vision Peter Smith Onoriode.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—45

C M Y K

COMMISSIONING: From left— Akan Ekong, GM, Finance and Administration, Continental Durable Goods Ltd, dealer in Beko and Grundig Products; Inyang Ekere, Branding and Marketing Manager; Isaac Fumis, CEO; Mrs Bunmi Akpabio; Mrs Njideka Esomoju, both Regional Managers, Diamond Bank Plc, and Bishop Edoka Amuta, Bishop of Evangelism and Discipleship, Methodist Church Nigeria, during the commissioning of the new Beko showroom in Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

PRE-AGM: From left— Mr. Jibril Aku, MD, Ecobank Nigeria; Chief Philip Asiodu, Chairman, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, Foundation; Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, Chairman, ETI; Chief Michael Ojo, Chairman, Elizade Motors, and Olorogun Sonny Kuku, Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria, during the ETI pre-AGM cocktail in Nigeria.

FORUM: From left— Wolfgang Kollerman, Financial Director; Mrs Cecilia Madueke, Company Secretary, and Detlev Lubasch, Managing Director, all of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, at the investors relations forum in Lagos.

NIM/NSE: From left— Mr. Bayo Adenubi, past President, Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM (Chartered); Mr. Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Marketing & Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE; Mr. Nelson Uwaga, President and Chairman of Council, NIM, and Mrs. Margaret Adeleke, past President, NIM, during NIM management's visit to NSE, yesterday. PHOTO: Oscar Ochiogu.

IBM AMPLIFY: From left— Deepak Advani, General Manager, IBM, Commerce; Blake Chandlee, Global Partnership, Facebook; Jo Kenrik, Director of Marketing, Homebase; David Walmsley, Director of Marks and Spencer; Ashu Garg, General Partner, Foundation Capital, and Jonah Berger, Associate Professor of Marketing, Whartson School, at a briefing in San Diego, United States of America, during IBM 2015 Amplify conference.

PHOTO: Emeka Aginam.

DONATION: From left— Mrs Santos Adetola, Principal, Lagos Progressive Junior Secondary School, Surulere; Mrs Ufondu Sylvia, Principal, Lagos Progressive Senior Secondary School; Amaka Okoye, Executive Assistant, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Library, and Ame Okwudi, Manager, Events and CSI, Stanbic IBTC, at bank's donation of books to the school.

FORUM: From left— Mr. Mike Okwechime, Head, ENR, SAP West Africa; Mr. Tunde Adebola, SAP Lead, Accenture, and Kehinde Awe, Field Services Director, SAP West Africa, during SAP Forum Africa, held in Lagos.

PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

NIPR CONFAB: From left— Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, Chairman, Centre of Excellence, University of Lagos, UNILAG; Mr. Joseph Okonmah, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Pubic Relations, NIPR, Lagos chapter; Dr. Rotimi Oladele, President/ Chairman, NIPR Governing Council, and Dr. Rotimi Olatunji, Acting Dean, School of Communication, UNILAG, at the 2nd NIPR Lagos stakeholders’ conference on The Nigerian Consumer Rights, Duties & Obligations, in Lagos.

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Osoba: The veteran politician at bay

By Olatunji Dare

I

N my time, I have seen a great deal as observer and gone through a great deal as participant-observer. But few things have unsettled me as seeing Chief Olusegun Osoba’s picture displayed prominently, following the general elections, in the gallery of “those who failed.”

There was something so jarring, so incongruous about the characterisation Osoba, crackerjack reporter, astute manager of men and resources, media administrator who ran two regional newspapers with roaring success and steered the tottering Daily Times back to its glory days, pace-setting governor of Ogun State for one aborted term and a full term, a pillar and symbol of the struggle against Sani Abacha’s brutish rule and the evisceration of the choice of the sovereign people of Nigeria, and one of the architects of the realignment that culminated in the formation of the APC, now a government-in-waiting: How can such a person be characterised as a failure?

It is true that Osoba served only one term as governor of Ogun State after the return to democratic rule in 1999, losing, in the official account, his reelection bid four years later to Gbenga Daniel. They said he lost because he was remote, arrogant, and lacked the popular touch.

I am in a position to say that this was not true, having witnessed him up close interacting with visitors who had gone to his office without an appointment but hoping to see him nevertheless. It was around Christmas, in 2000, and President Olusegun Obasanjo was being expected on his sprawling farm in Otta for a short vacation.

Visiting from the United States, I had gone to Otta in the hope of meeting the President and renewing ties. Security and protocol were so suffocating that I could not even get past the farm gate. So, I headed to Abeokuta, hoping to meet Governor Osoba and pay him my compliments.

After registering my presence at the reception, I was ushered into a waiting room. Eighteen visitors had preceded me, all of them wanting to see the governor. My heart sank.

This was going to be a very long day, surely.

Some 30 minutes later, his voice wafted into the room, borne by the crisp harmattan wind. I thought he was going to take the elevator to his executive suite. Instead, the door handle turned, and into the

C M Y K

Chief Olusegun Osoba room stepped the Governor Osoba himself.

He surveyed the room for a minute or so, and began attending to the assembled visitors, starting with the person seated nearest to the door and proceeding counter-clockwise.

There was the young man who said a federal agency in Ogun State was hiring and that the governor’s endorsement would enhance his chances. Osoba endorsed his application on the spot.

There was the elderly woman, a motor accident victim recently discharged from hospital.

Apparently she had sought and received help from the governor, but needed more help still.

Osoba listened solicitously, and directed his personal assistant to attend to her needs.

There was an official of the National Union of Teachers which was at that time locked in a trade dispute with the Ogun State Government.

From what I could make out,

We now know that he did not lose the election; that official result was a cruel travesty, a product of ballot stuffing on a scale almost beyond belief

the official had conducted himself in a manner the governor considered contumacious of his office. He told the official he would not treat with him until he apologised for his contumacy.

In this manner did Osoba attend to all his visitors who, like me, had no previous appointment. He invited the three of us he could not attend to on the spot to follow him to his office.

Where in all this is the arrogance, the aloofness to which they ascribed his 2003 election loss?

We now know that he did not lose the election; that official result was a cruel travesty, a product of ballot stuffing on a scale almost beyond belief.

Hounded ceaselessly by Gbenga Daniel who never saw an opponent he did not want to destroy, Osoba went into political hibernation in Lagos, where he busied himself rebuilding the Ogun State ACN and positioning it to return to power in 2007 with Ibikunle Amosun, a former PDP Senator, as Governor.

The day Osoba returned to Ogun State and his home in Abeokuta has got to be one of the most glorious in his eventful life.

He was met at the Lagos – Ogun boundary by a cavalcade of jubilant party men and women, admirers, and supporters, and escorted to the state capital and his home with song and dance.

Rarely had the ancient city witnessed such a carnival.

Then, things began to go sour.

Osoba could not get his nominees appointed to the state’s cabinet or given senior positions in the Amosun Administration, I gather. Though chair of the ACN in Ogun State, his influence was at best slight. He found himself being pushed closer and closer to the margins.

As rumours circulated that Osoba was set to dump the ACN because he felt he was not getting the respect he felt was his due, I talked with some friends about putting together a platform for reconciling him with Amosun.

Before we could launch our effort, Osoba dumped the APC. But he did so with his accustomed refinement. The PDP had been wooing him mainly out of spite for the ACN, and would gladly have paid any price to have him join its ranks.

Instead, Osoba pitched his camp with the little-known Social Democratic Party that had virtually no chance of supplanting the ACN and the PDP, the entrenched political parties in Ogun State.

The outcome was all too predictable. The SDP was clobbered in the general elections and now faces an uncertain future. The ACN that Osoba played a significant role in setting up and nurturing is set to take office at the Centre in some three weeks – without Osoba. I am sure he has no regrets but sees the outcome as the price of principles.

In the winner-takes-all paradigm of Nigerian politics, the bell may well be tolling now for one of the most engaging and colourful careers in recent Nigerian politics.

That would be a pity indeed.

Osoba’s superb managerial skills, his suavity, his excellent social and public relations skills, his perspicacity, his graciousness and his quiet competence, not forgetting his regal bearing, recommend him powerfully for a significant role in General Muhmammadu Buhari’s administration.

He would make an excellent High Commissioner to the Court of St James’s.

GEJ: Wrong on de Klerk Where on earth did Dr Goodluck Jonathan come by the information he dispensed with such solemn authority during worship at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Abuja last Sunday, namely that the wife of FW de Klerk, South Africa’s last white president, left him because he ended apartheid and surrendered power to the African majority?

Dr Jonathan intended the remark to make the self-serving point that doing the right thing as De Klerk did, and as he himself had done when he conceded defeat in the presidential election, often carries a heavy price.

If it is any consolation to Dr Jonathan, Marike and her husband of 39 years separated in 1998 – four years after Nelson Mandela was sworn in as president – when she discovered that he was having an affair.

Culled fron the Nation

Edo govt not owing workers — NLC, TUC

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY — THE Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Edo State, have said that their members were not owed salary arrears by the Edo State Government and therefore, have no cause to go on strike over nonpayment of salaries as in some states.

Reacting to the threat of strike in some states owing to non-payment of salaries and media publication which listed Edo as one of the affected states, the organised labour said the allegation was false as it did not represent the situation on ground.

In a statement by Emmanuel Ademokun, Chairman, NLC, and Charles Oronsaye, Chairman, TUC, the organised labour said: “For the purpose of clarity and record, we wish to state that the Edo State government has paid the salaries of its employees in the public sector (health sector, teachers, civil servants) and its parastatals.”

The unions added that apart from some organisations where labour still had issues for which it was currently discussing with government, all other employees of the state had been paid up to date.

Labour advised the media to always confirm their reports before going to press to avoid misconception and swaying the public, noting that the state government had made significant strides in the payment of salaries and deserved to be acknowledged so as to encourage performance.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion in a statement said: “While it is true that some states are currently unable to meet their financial obligation, Edo remains an exemplar. For the records, Edo State Government does not owe workers salary arrears as the government has fully discharged its obligations."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—47

BITS Bits Time to refocus: Labour Minister’s advice

I

t is ironic, but it happened; politican teaching labour leaders how to be democratic .Out-going labour minister, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya did not pretend that the NLC has a leadership crisis. In his words “ The magnificient display of Statesmanship by his Excellency, Mr. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the concluded presidential election remains an indelible legacy every Nigerian who aspires to leadership must imbibe.

Leadership calls for a higher sense of responsibility and maturity and above all, the placement of the interest of the majority over personal interest “.

In what seems a response to the demand of Labour on wages, the minister said, “the price of crude oil in the international market which has impacted negatively on the nation’s income and revenue would invariably pose a challenge in the national industrial relations system. The trade unions are urged to brace up to realities within the context as no democracy can be consolidated if the industrial relations atmosphere is in turmoil and riddled with incessant industrial actions.

Finally, the minister said, “If we (Labour and Government) are to chart a positive way forward and reap the fruits of our consolidated democracy, I advocate the utilization by the social partners of laid down procedure for addressing grievances especially the internally approved and established mechanism before recourse is had with the Government.

This would breed goodwill and good faith in labourmanagement relations.”

May Day 2015 has come and gone; one hopes that labour leaders appreciate the implication of the division at an international forum like the annual International Labour Conference which is due to begin in Geneva, Switzerland later this month.

It will definitely take us back as a nation. On a final note, if the use of Police against workers in Lagos was due to the influence of the NLC leadership in Abuja, it is the worst thing workers can visit on one another.

On the other hand, the aggrieved affiliate unions too should sheathe their swords after appeals by veterans.

Some times, decisions have to be taken because of political expediency in any case, the only acceptable way to effect leadership change is the ballot box.

C M Y K

z Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state take a salute from Workers during the 2015 Workers Day with the theme: The Working class, Democratic consolidation revival: Charting a way to National Rebirth, held at Onikan, Stadium, Lagos Island, last May Day. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Fashola’s family policy for Lagos workers

By Funmi Komolafe & Olasunkanmi Akoni

I

n the next couple of weeks, Lagosians will bid Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola farewell from public office as Governor of Lagos State.

As his government winds down, Labour Watch reflects on his unique legacy for the working people of Lagos state.

Although there may be other issues pending, one cannot but commend Governor Fashola for what I choose to call his “United Family Policy”.

Fashola’s government stands out as the one in Nigeria that has offered families some form of social protection by introducing paternity leave into the civil service. Not only that, his government extended the 12 weeks maternity leave to six months for mothers.

Then Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams who announced the policy said the government’s maternity and paternity policies were informed by the conviction that extensive work life of parents and its consequent implications which among others reduced attention to the basic developmental needs of children.

This, according to her, often accounted for a number of societal ills. She added that medical science had proved that the first few months of a child’s life has a great deal to play in the latter development of that child — physically, mentally and emotionally.

Maternity Leave Under the new policy, a female

officer shall be entitled to 24 weeks maternity leave with full pay in case of her first two deliveries while the leave shall commence, at least two weeks before the expected delivery date.

Paternity leave As stated in the policy a male officer to whom a new baby (or babies in case of multiple birth) is born shall be entitled to 10 working days paternity leave in relation to and at the time of his spouse’s first two deliveries while any third and subsequent deliveries by any employee shall only attract 12 weeks maternity leave for the female officer, but the male officer shall not be entitled to paternity leave in that circumstance.

The new policy also states that leave entitlement in respect of the third and subsequent

Governor Babatunde Fashola’s government stands out as the one in Nigeria that has offered families some form of social protection by introducing paternity leave into the civil service

children of an employee shall be in line with the extant (now old) maternity leave regulations.

Williams said in the old dispensation, female officers were entitled to only twelve weeks maternity leave at every point of delivery, while male officers do not enjoy paternity leave. The 12 weeks was to be taken six weeks before and six weeks after delivery.

The International Labour Organization recommends 16 weeks maternity leave but Governor Fashola’s policy took Lagos State well beyond ILO’s recommendation.

Child Care Fashola’s policy is no doubt borne out of concern for adequate care for the children of working mothers especially now that some nannies engaged by parents are turning kidnappers.

Explaining further, Mrs. Williams said government's position was informed by the fact that nursing mothers leave their children in the hands of carers at such tender age of six weeks and “one can only imagine the level of concentration to expect from such an employee at her desk.”

Fashola’s government is of the view that at six months, a baby is considered strong enough to be left in a decent crèche for proper care, having gone through close affection and nurturing by the mother for those very important and delicate first few months of his/ her life.

She hoped that nursing

parents/employees in Lagos State Public Service would utilize this privilege to devote fuller attention to their children thereby promoting emotional bonding between parent(s) and child(ren) when it matters the most.

Other Employers Looking beyond the state civil service, the Lagos state government said it “considers it expedient to appeal to other employers of labour to take a cue from this lofty and wellintentioned policy in order to advance a balanced family-work life with the ultimate intent of having future leaders who, as neonates, had enjoyed parental care and affection.”

These are issues that modern trade unions should consider in collective bargaining. It should not all be about minimum wage.

There are other conditions of work which one expects organized labour at all levels to take seriously.

This example by the Lagos State Government will not only help build families, it will make workers more productive. Also, LASG is hopeful the policy will reduce infant mortality rate and breast cancer risk in women.

Legacy As Governor Fashola winds down, he will not only be remembered for the bridges, clean up of Lagos and general improvement of infrastructure, working class families will remember, while generations of children who benefit from his maternity and paternity policy will not forget him.

48 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; You will have your ways; much will depend on how ambitious you are, the bigger your aspiration the better. Take your tried and trusted friends seriously.

LEO; Here is an ambitious day for many of you and with moderation things will go according to your plans.

Financial success is actually close to you than you think.

VIRGO; Make sure your plans for both immediate and far future are legal friendly. This is day of success you will need to savour with your partners/spouse.

LIBRA; Even if you think your health is ok you better make sure you confirm your fitness from your doctor before giving in to strenuous activities. Success at work indicated for those of you who are truly healthy. Be practical please.

SCORPIO; It will not be a bad idea trying to consolidate on progress made recently. And the more co-operative you are today the better it will be for you..

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE inner cup and the outside, which is more important? I mean the contest of the cup and the cup itself, which is more important?

This question becomes pertinent be-

The Beauty Without cause of the way we are going about our re-branding project.

Can you reform evil?

Can you start the process of reformation without? Can the body be well when

TERROR MUDA

the head is sick? Look at the motor vehicle truck/trailer, when on the reverse, the other body stands still. This is so because the head give direction to

in “Never say goodbye”

the body. Nigeria is like a trailer.

We don’t need to waste billions on rebranding. All we need is the right leadership. When the leader does the right thing, Nigerians will do the right thing too.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; You will be in good position to take good advantage within your working arena.. Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make important future plans.

CAPRICORN; Tomorrow may bring more challenges than anticipated that is why you will need to prosecute your plans now. Lovers are fairly favoured.

AQUARIUS; Those of you who are moderate and practical with their financial plans are in for a good day.

Live up to expectation within your family circle.

PISCES; Success is within your reach but you must do away with mental arrogance and take good and practical advice from the professionals. Work harder.

ARIES; Your being enterprising will go a long way to further enhance your prospects and if financial advancement is your priority you will fare better. Be more loving.

TAURUS; Prepare to take the lead and exhibit your special talent. Advice from younger people may look good but not practical enough thus if you must take advice today take it from matured personality who may appear authoritative.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Element of luck will work in your favour, however that is not to say you can not back your reasonable plans with practical action. Keep your secrets.

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,

Early death for me?

Dear Joshua, I am not having any terminal disease but some times am afraid of life. Bluntly ‘am I meant for early death?

What are my weak points health-wise? Please tell me about my career line.

Victor, Abeokuta.

Dear Victor, You are not meant for sudden death but that should not be a license for reckless life style. Although Cancer is said to be one of weak Star signs, with potent and positive aspects the Sun and Mercury got from planets in Virgo and more powerful Scorpio yours is a strong constitution meant for good health. .

Certainly you must have gone through rough times when you were younger, once you are out of it your health path is clearer. And nothing is pointing to early death.

Naturally Cancer born people must be more careful about their tummy (stomach related ailments) and you are not an exception. Other thing you will need to watch carefully include the circulatory system (because of Aquarius influence). Your sense of taste is distinctive and capable of making you a little bit stout as a result of little enlargement of liver because of your sugar intake, which you can control perfectly. As a tropical man fever can come and go, but nothing fatalistic here please.. If you notice toothache symptom do not ignore it.

But yours is a sound and good health, astrologically.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world.

Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political.

C M Y K

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—49

Dynamics of Change:

The Amaechi years (2)

By CHRIS ONUOHA EXCERPTS from Soyinka’s forward: Tyranny of courage In continuation of review of the book “Dynamics of ChangeThe Amaechi Years’ by Chidi Amuta and Yemi Ogunbiyi, the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka in his forward painstakingly defines courage in leadership in a more appropriate and understanding way. While he expounds on those hard facts that are often swept under the carpet, he used Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi turbulent political career to draw some points.

“Courage is manifested in various forms, in a vast array of situations that may even appear to be studies in contrast, yet the common element is always uniformly recognisable. Courage in governance may be seized in action – going against popular opinion to effect a measure that a leader believes is salutary and necessary - be it in the short or long term – or else withholding a vociferously canvassed measure, but one that is contrary to one’s absolute conviction, even at the risk of slipping several digits down the index of opinion polls. Such positions, I believe, would be universally considered as normal expectations from a courageous leader. Skill in preventing, or managing the resulting public discontent belongs in another department and is outside the scope of what I am moved to remark in the turbulent career of Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the subject of this collection of essays.

"In any case, the peculiar enclave known as Nigeria calls for very special extensions of those characteristics that much of the world count as demonstrations of leadership courage – a refusal to wilt even under withering power – a nation whose political life has fluctuated between military and civilian rule under such similarities in the exercise of power that both citizens and outside observers often cannot distinguished where one ended and the other began. Within such a political culture, it should not be surprising that what some applaud as acts of courage would be read as acts of recklessness, arrogance, naivette or obstructionism – “spoiling the game” or not being a “team player” etc. etc.

These are all attitudes one encounters as response among

integrationist players on the political field. It is a response that complements the development of trivialising pronouncements such as “stomach infrastructure”, the latest coinage to attempt to couch the politics of instant gratification in the garb of political realism. What it

does however is open the gates of governance wide to the entry of performing clowns, the sanitisation of those who, in other climes, would be deemed not only political lepers but social pariahs.

"In a nation where the meaning of courage is the very act of daily survival, this is perhaps understandable, but it is necessary also to remind the thinking part of any electorate that there exist others in the ranks of leadership who refuse to pander to the lowest common denominator of public expectations. They lay the foundation for a viable future, even at the risk of earning the hostility,even of the violent nature of others on their, or others rungs, of the shared ladder of power. Those proponents of the live- and- let -share attitude to governance,

While honestly extolling his virtues, he minced no word in giving him a thumb up for job well done in a turbulent wave of change

cynically promote a culture of hand-out dependency among vulnerable sectors of the public.

As he describes stubbornness in the midst of oppression, the cautionary tale of David and Goliath came to mind, and he also moved down to upholding truth as a virtue.

It is sad that we should have to single out individuals who have accepted this burden and who made a choice- which is not to be a “good boy” in the good books of “Oga on top”, but to remind us that it is not civil society that should necessarily speak truth to power, but that power must also speak to power.

Mostly, power only whispers to power- which is only a matter of political decorum – for a start!

However, since power belongs ultimately to the people, such power only returns to the people what has always remained theirs even when conferred, largely through the electoral process, to any surrogate.

Thus, it becomes mandatory, when power remains deaf to whispered truths, that power must not merely speak, but scream truth to Power, and in an accent that alerts us to the moments of betrayal."

While honestly extolling his virtues, he minced no word in giving him a thumb up for job well done in a turbulent wave of change.

“We must laud those whose governance conduct is marked by a consistency in the promotion of the seeming intangibles that manifest themselves as the pillars of productive self-confidence within society, at the head of which we count Freedom.

Volition. Choice. This is where governance courage is most openly displayed and most easily betrayed – in the ability to say “yes, I am part of this, but that is not what I was elected to be part of ”. Then leadership courage, within or outside governance, transfers back to, and animates follower, so that when a familiar voice is heard saying, “Let us march, “it finds the followers not merely ready, but miles ahead. Those whose memories are short should take a revision exercise by revisiting the crucial months of the year 2009 and be instructed by the means by which the current occupant of Aso Rock came to power, despite the wiles and machinations of a desperate cabal of corrupt usurpers that had laid internal siege to the seat of power. How times change! The prime beneficiaries may forget. The people do not.”

LAUNCH: From left: Director, Customer Business Development, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Mr Ayman Fahmy; Communication Manager, Ariel Sub-Saharan Africa, Jeanne du Plessis, and General Manager/Vice President, P&G Nigeria, Mr. George Nassar at the launch of Ariel automatic washing machine powder in Lagos.

FG-backed N100bn mortgage bond in jeopardy

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Gabriel Ewepu

A

BUJA—THE paucity of funds facing the Federal Government has placed the N100 billion mortgage backed Federal Government of Nigeria bond in jeopardy.

The bond was floated in 2007 to raise funds with which civil servants were assisted to buy Federal Government houses under the monetisation programme of the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

An outstanding N24. 564 billion would mature on May 24, 2015, but rather than providing the funds, to avoid its crystallising, agencies of the Federal Government have been engaged in buckpassing on which of them should provide the funds.

The failure to redeem the maturing obligation could cause the Nigerian capital market and the Federal Government reputational problems.

The fireworks have been among the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, The Debt Management Office, DMO, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Presidency.

The Federal Government of Nigeria was identified as guarantor and initiator of N100 billion bond in an agreement reached between it and UBA Trustees Limited which acted as the Notes Trustees in an effort to give the FMBN the support to facilitate the bond programme.

Financing the mortgage ran into hitches due to several factors including, non-remittance of collections by mortgage loans originators, negative carry (Interest rate subsidy), tenor mismatch, non-performing

loans.

For instance, Aso Savings & Loans which is a major player in the housing programme was said to have failed to remit about N4.54 billion to the Federal Mortgage Bank.

The DMO DirectorGeneral, Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, in an April 24, 20015 letter to the MD of the FMBN urged him to compel Aso Savings to remit the said amount as part of the immediate steps towards raising the N24.564 billion that will mature in less than two weeks from now.

Investigations showed that public servants who were political appointees and are no more in government simply stopped paying, while some civil servants who were transferred from the ministries simply changed their salary accounts to other banks, thereby frustrating deductions based on the monthly repayment plan.

The DMO in its recommendations made on the issue stated that, “FMBN should be directed through its supervising Ministry (of Housing and Urban Development) to provide a credible solution for the redemption of N24.564bn due on May, 2015.

“We observed from the documents submitted by FMBN that they have some low hanging fruits, some of which include unremitted collections of N4.54bn owed by even very prominent Mortgage Loans Originator (MLO) like Aso Savings and Loans Limited, and NonPerforming (NPLs) in the sum of N3.64bn.

50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Police gun down two in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—THE Police in Rivers State, yesterday, engaged two suspected cultists in a gun battle, during which two kidnap suspects were gunned down.

A statement by the state Police command confirmed the development, saying: “Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that today 13/05/2015 at 12:30 p.m., Police operatives acting on a credible information, stormed a suspected kidnappers den at NDDC Road, off Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, where a kidnapped victim, Righteous Inimme, who was kidnapped on 03/05/2015, at New GRA II, Port Harcourt, was kept.

“The victim was safely rescued while two of the

Ex-DTHA members commend Uduaghan

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—FORUM of Former Members of Delta State House of Assembly has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for ensuring smooth and peaceful elections in the state.

The forum also congratulated the governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy governor-elect, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, on their victory at the governorship poll.

The forum, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Okoro, described the victory of the duo as a divine call to duty and a testimony of their general acceptance by the people of the state.

It thanked Governor Uduaghan for the peaceful conduct of the general elections in the state.

Similarly, state Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Olumami Oyibo, has described the victories of Okowa as the governor-elect and Chief Michael Diden as lawmaker-elect for Warri North constituency in the state House of Assembly in the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state as an affirmation of their good track records and acceptability by Deltans.

C M Y K

suspected kidnappers got injured during the cross firing.

The suspected kidnappers later died while on the way to hospital.

“One AK 47 rifle and one Beretta pistol with 20 rounds

of live ammunition were recovered from the suspected kidnappers.

“Rivers State Police Command expresses its unreserved appreciation for credible information like this

that led to the rescue of this innocent citizen. Members of the public with credible information are encouraged to volunteer such to the Police as they are assured that their identity will strictly remain confidential.”

VISIT: From right: Benue State governor-elect, Samuel Ortom; President-elect Muhammadu Buhari; Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, Senator Barnabas Gemade and Deputy Governor-elect, Engr. Benson Abounu, during Benue State's APC delegates' visit to Buhari in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

DESOPADEC didn’t abandon road project —COMMISSIONER

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

L E H — T H E Commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Joseph Ogeh, said yesterday that the commission did not abandon the Eriye Avenue Road project in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, as insinuated by the community.

It will be recalled that residents of Oleh community had weekend, embarked on a protest against noncompletion of the road project, which they alleged was abandoned by the contractor after he allegedly received over N50 million part payment.

Reacting to the protest, Ogeh, in a statement by his media Assistant, Mr. Godspower Abiegbe, said that the project was earlier awarded in 2008, adding that

it was one of the abandoned projects inherited by the current board of the commission in 2011.

He said that in his plan to develop the Isoko nation, he re-awarded the contract to ensure that the people of the area enjoyed the dividends of democracy.

He said that the project had not been abandoned, explaining that the commission was still owing the contractor large sum of money even though he been partly paid.

Forex operator docked over $15,000 fraud

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—A 34-year-old businessman, Jeremiah Ejieke, was yesterday arraigned before an Ebute Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, for allegedly stealing and obtaining several thousands of US dollars under the pretext of investing it in a forex business.

The defendant is facing a 13count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretext, stealing, fraud and issuing a dud cheque, preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on November 24, 2014, at 82, Allen

Avenue, in Ikeja area of Lagos.

Odigie said that Ejieke presented himself under the false pretext of being in a position to help complainants invest their money into forex trading, and he successfully obtained the sum of N845, 000 from the victims who are Ademola Babarinde, 7,500USD from one Olawole Omoyemi, 5,000USD from one Temitope Toriola and 2,500USD and from one Charles Madumere.

He also informed the court that on December 12, 2014, after the complainants suspected a fraud, and demanded for their money, the defendant issued a Zenith Bank dud cheque which was dishonoured for lack of sufficient funds.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed are contrary to Sections 285 (9), 312 (3) (2) and punishable under sections 313 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Magistrate, Mrs O.I. Adelaja, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed.

She further said that the sureties must pay the sum of N200, 000 each into the account of the Chief Registrar of the court and must show evidence of being the owner of a property.

Adelaja adjourned the matter till June 17, for mention.

Metuh draws fire over outburst against APC

By Gbenga Oke

N

IGERIANS, yesterday, berated the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), over his outburst that the All Progressives Congress, (APC) is plotting to take over Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.

Metuh, at a press briefing in Abuja, stated that APC should not take for granted its decision to concede defeat just as he alleged that the APC was planning to procure and compromise some stakeholders in the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and security personnel to doctor electoral materials against the PDP at the tribunal.

He also threatened that the party would not accept any move by anybody to manipulate the process and rob it of clear victories in these states or any other state.

His statement is a blackmail to cover up — Etiebet Reacting to Metuh’s statement, a member of Board of Trustees of the PDP from Akwa Ibom State, Chief Don Etiebet, described the statement as a blackmail and a plot to cover up the daylight 'robbery' that took place in the state.

He also maintained that he is flabbergasted by the statement credited to him.

Metuh’s statement is irresponsible — Mohammed In his reaction, second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, stated that Metuh’s statement is irresponsible and such should not come from someone who is a spokesperson of a party.

He said: “Frankly speaking, I am not surprised that such statement is coming from him but I consider it irresponsible and uncalled for because the matter is already before a competent tribunal.

“I believe such statements should be restrained and circumspect because the matter is already in the tribunal and nobody should be seen trying to pre-determine what the judgement of the competent court of law will be,” he said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—51

SENATE PRESIDENCY: You don’t have 70 Senators, Lawan camp tells Saraki/Ndume

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA — AS the contest for the position of the Senate Presidency is approaching the critical stage, two of the main camps are laying claims of having the highest number of supports to cruise home to victory.

The Like Minds camp, made up of Senators Bukola Saraki, who is one of the frontline contestants and Mohammed Ali Ndume, had boasted that it already has about 70 Senators that have identified with the camp.

The group claimed that 15 Senators from NorthEast, nine from NorthWest, 11 out of 18 All Progressives Congress, APC, from the North Central, 11 from the South-West and 27 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senators are with The Like Minds

camp.

But the Senator Ahmad Lawan camp has faulted the claim of Dino Melaye-led group that about 70 Senators have endorsed Saraki/Ndume and had told the group to produce the names of the 70.

One of the strong

supporters of Senator Lawan for Senate presidency maintained that his group has the entire 20 Senators from North-West, 12 from South-West, two from Yobe and even the PDP Senators that were said to have queued behind

Lawan.

However, it was gathered that only four Senators showed up at the meeting convened by The Like Minds camp at the Transcorp Hilton and after several hours of waiting by the leaders, about 15 members of the group showed up.

SESSION: From left: Reverend Ogaba Isaac Ogaba, Guest Speaker; Mr. Tunde Lemo; and Convener, Words of Wisdom Session for young professionals, Sir Demola Aladekomo during the Words of Wisdom Session with Tunde Lemo at Wesley Chapel, Lekki, in Lagos.

NASS leadership contest:

Group hails Buhari

A

BUJA— A GROUP, The Third Force for Third Term Arm has applauded the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, for distancing themselves from the selection of leaders of the 8th National Assembly as well as not zoning the office of Senate President to any region of the country.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the Force, Mr Ralph Ugbelu yesterday in Abuja stated: "The South-East and its kith and kin in the South-South have no APC senator in the Senate, however, the door is open to senators from other zones to vie for the seat of Senate president.

"Fairness demands that the North-West and South-West be excluded from the race because they have the President and Vice-President already.

"The change that APC preaches will not be limited to activities at the Presidency. It will be tested in President-elect Buhari’s ministerial list, in the selection of leaders of the National Assembly and in governance itself. The NorthCentral wants to cling to the position, which it has occupied for eight years now through David Mark. Contenders from the zone include Senators George Akume and Barnabas Gemade of Benue State as well as Bukola Saraki of Kwara.

"The North-East wants it too. Senators Aliyu Ndume of Borno, Ahmed Lawan of Yobe, and Danjuma Goje of Yobe have indicated interest.

"The race for Senate President seems to have now crystallised between two aspirants: Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State and Bukola Saraki from Kwara. Saraki reportedly 'hinted' that as many as 70 senators had queued behind him in the race. But politicians will always be politicians.

If 80 out of 109 senators could support Saraki, then, the game would be over.

Nothing could be farther from the truth, however. Lawan seems far ahead of Saraki because he has better credentials."

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

PHWBC: Rainbow Book Club recounts feats ...as PH hands over UNESCO WBC to Incheon

By CHRIS ONUOHA

C

ity of Port Harcourt has no doubt, trail blazed in book reading habit and culture within this sphere via a laudable project initiated by Rainbow Book Club, the literary power house that clinched the 2014 UNESCO World Book Capital.

The city Recounts its numerous resounding literary achievements during the formal closing ceremony to end its tenure, which took place at the Atlantic Hall Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt last weekend.

The special guest of honour, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Barr.

Minabelem West pointed out some facts that no nation can develop and transform for better without focusing on education. He also mentioned that books are synonymous with education while reading and writing are the hallmark of it and a reading society is always a progressive society.

West said, “Rivers State and this present government of Gov. Rotimi Amaechi realized

A performance of Obele during the programme in Port Harcourt

our greatest achievement is that we have used the book as a positive change to affect our environment

this vision, keyed into it and made it a dream come true.

This was done not only by embarking on infrastructure and recruiting able teachers but fortifying the need to inculcate reading culture in the society which was the purpose of the programme.”

While expressing gratitude to UNESCO for the honour given to Rivers State to host the world in uplifting book reading culture, Barr. West also thanked the founder of Rainbow Book Club Mrs.

Koko Kolango for the huge success she garnered during the course of Port Harcourt reign. He said. “As a gesture, Rivers State government has named one of their schools as World Book Capital Primary School in Port Harcourt”.

The ceremony witnessed converges of dignitaries, government officials, participated schools and their students, presentation of awards to recipients who contributed immensely in volunteer services, symposium

Uncommon Legacy Award to uncommon achievers

By Prisca Sam-Duru

A

frica today in the eye of the world is characterised by war and other forms of dehumanisation. It is a continent at war with itself. There is terrorism, xenophobia, youth unemployment, poverty and generally, empowerment is on a low level therefore, triggering a lot of immigration to the western world. Africa needs individuals who are ready to write their names in the sands of time.” Those were the words of Dr Joseph Echekoba, publisher of the Uncommon Legacy Magazine, during the maiden edition of African Uncommon Legacy Award.

The Award event which held on Sunday at the Gold VIP Hall of Tastee Fried Chicken, Festac town, Lagos, attracted an overwhelming number of guests comprising entrepreneurs, clergy, friends and family members of the publisher.

A total of 10 individuals including, Ambrose Ali, Ebuka Ezenwenyi, Linus Onyemaechi JP, Etomike Okoye, Felix Onyedirinman etc, who have rendered outstanding services to their communities as well as the country, in terms of business development and humanitarian services were honoured in the C M Y K

.Dr Joseph Echekoba (center) and awardess at the event

colourful ceremony.

The Uncommon Legacy Magazine boss, Dr Joseph mission to reshape Africa into a peaceful and united continent with high level regard for panAfricanism and social economic development through life of legacy, charity, good governance and quality leadership, disease impact mitigation, poverty reduction and alleviation as well as uncommon empowerment.

His words, “A reshaped peaceful and united Africa, creating a pan- Africanism poverty, wars, where every citizen has an opportunity for self expressing, realisation of

his full potentials is focus of the Magazine."

It was therefore in line with the above vision that the African Uncommon Legacy Award which aims to encourage individuals to live lives worthy of emulation so that even while they are gone, generations after them, will benefit from their achievements.

Dr Echekoba disclosed that it was in order “To achieve a 5point focus which was derived at, after an encounter with God about 12 years ago, Uncommon Legacy Magazine, African Legacy Newspaper, African Voice Internet radio, African Legacy TV and Radio

(Independent) are established.

He added that “This 5 point focus serves as the air force and print force to prosecute the encounter I had with God. This platform will also create a lot of employment and empowerment.”

The African Uncommon Legacy Award he stated, was premised on the noble vision of engendering an uncommon African brotherhood and service in all spheres of human endeavour amongst Africans in the diaspora and at home, amongst past and present African leaders, to live a life of uncommon legacy and to inculcate into the youths, a life of uncommon legacy.

Citing examples of great men and women in the likes of, Nelson Mandela, Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe (Great Zik Of Africa), Chinua Achebe, Jerry Rowlings etc, who left legacies on their countries as well as across the globe, Echekoba said the Award was instituted to recognise and honour sons and daughters of Africa who have made exceptional leadership mark in their fields of endeavour including governance, charity, religion, education, research, entrepreneurship, sports, philanthropy, brilliant performance in public office, community empowerment and so much more.

and dance-drama that coloured the history making event.

On her part, the project initiator Koko Kolango who was very grateful for the opportunity given her to carry on the project said “The impact we have made, gives me joy and if I have the opportunity, I’ll do it again.

Apart from Port Harcourt being the base, other states of the federation including Abuja was involved as the vision is a long term project, meant not only for Nigeria and Africa but entire world. “In my mind, our greatest achievement is that we have used the book as a positive change to affect our environment.” She added.

Mrs. Kolango later enumerated various projects and achievements through a PowerPoint slide show, recapping the event from the opening ceremony in April 2014, journey so far and the announcement of Writers-inResidence by-product, ‘Songhai 12’. It is a book of short stories written by 12 aspiring writers from around Nigeria who had a 2 week residency at Songhai Farm in PH under the watchful eye of 6 judges and facilitators.

Meanwhile, the ceremony was initially kicked off with a symposium where six member panelists discussed issues concerning reading culture in the society.

POEM

Change Prisca Sam-Duru Every foe has a woe, As the hoe births a hole.

Every evil’s got the devil, As sweet scents from the saints.

The voiceless always the hapless, But affluence makes the influence.

Money bags full of brags And the gems turned to germs.

The leader blind folds, Not to see her folks Drown in chase for meat.

Executioners hold sway across Asia for killerdust-peddlers.

Tingling trumpet sounded change Pack of change changers all the same?

Change’s all the change our hearts long for.

From tags of marginalistion, And tribal syndrome.

From nuisance-filled youthhood To virtue-filled adulthood.

From dwarfed giant To Africa technology hub.

Or, the woes haunt the foes And the hoe births deeper holes in the devils.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 53

C M Y K

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

PDP NWC meeting fails to hold

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—THE usual We d n e s d a y National Working Committee, NWC, meeting of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not hold yesterday.

Strong indications emerged, yesterday, that the meeting could not take place following the absence of the party ’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu‘azu.

Mu‘azu is out of the country, reportedly on a medical trip and his deputy, Prince Uche Secondus, who would ordinarily have stood in his absence is also out of the country.

Vanguard gathered yesterday that the issue of summoning a meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party would have been tabled.

Besides the issue of NEC, NWC members were also supposed to have used the forum of the meeting to discuss the criteria to be used in settling outstanding debts to those who participated in the conduct of congresses and primaries.

Other issues that would have been discussed at the meeting were expectations from the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Post Election Assessment Committee and the party’s preparations for the handover of power to All Progressives Congress, APC, on May 29.

The failure of the meeting yesterday was despite assurances given by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, during a press parley on Tuesday.

The PDP National Chairman had, on Tuesday, said he was worried over calls by some governors and senior members of the party that the present NWC be sacked, saying that though the party’s defeat in the last general election was painful, all aggrieved members should bury the hatchet in the interest of the party.

Lead poisioning kills 28 in Niger, says FG

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, announced the outbreak of lead poisioning in some villages in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, which has claimed 28 lives.

Minister of State for Health, Fiddles Nwankwo, who briefed newsmen over the incident in Abuja yesterday, noted that most of those affected were children below five years.

He further said that a technical team confirmed the outbreak of lead poisoning in the area.

Nwankwo linked the outbreak to some new-found illegal mining sites, which

zRecords 65 other cases contained more leaded ores but were often brought home for crushing and processing.

Altogether, 65 cases have so far been recorded in the affected areas, but there were signs that it could spread to neighbouring localities in the area and Kaduna State.

Nwankwo said, however, that the poison was not contagious if the people were amenable to control and safer and healthier practices were observed.

He explained that the essence of the briefing was to raise awareness and solicit for the cooperation of the people.

According to him, “the rapid assessment by the National Centre for Disease Control and the federal and state ministries of health revealed that as at May 12, 65 cases and 28 deaths had occurred, giving a case fatality rate of 43 percent.

“All the 28 cases were children below the age of five, made up of 17 females and 11 males.

“Additionally, the finding revealed a serious impact on our livestock with cows, goats and chicken most affected.

“The purpose of this press briefing is to inform the

press and fellow Nigerians of an outbreak of lead poisoning in some villages of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

“And it is currently spreading to neighbouring localities in the state and Kaduna state.

“The affected children were found to have serum lead levels of about between 17 to 22 times higher than the acceptable limits established by the World Health Organization, WHO.” Nwankwo then assured that government was working towards containing the outbreak, even as the palliative treatment of the sick children had started.

PRESENTATION: From left— Alhaji Femi Okunnu, author of Contemporary State Land Matters in Nigeria: The Case of Lagos State; his wife, Alhaja Lateefah; Prince Alaba Oniru, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Chief Launcher; and Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, governor-elect of Lagos State, during the presentation of the book in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Gunshots, explosions rock Maiduguri

By Ndahi Marama

M

AIDUGURI— SPORADIC gunshots and explosions, yesterday rocked Maiduguri city, the capital of Borno State.

The incident, which started at about 5p.m., forced many residents at the outskirts of Giwa Military Barracks, University of Maiduguri community, 202 and 303 housing estates, Dalori quarters, and Molai axis scampering for safety, as thousands of people, who attempted to flee into the

main town, were trapped due to blockage of roads and streets by military and men of Civilian JTF. Sources said the attack was launched by suspected members of dreaded Boko Haram sect, who invaded the city with heavy weapons of mass destruction, targeting military formations including 21 Armoured Brigade (Giwa Barracks) that came under deadly attacks last year, where many Boko Haram detainees at the barracks were freed and many people lost their lives.

There was pandemonium as people scampered for safety in the whole of Maiduguri metropolis at 6p.m., even as many were trapped on their way home to beat the 7p.m. curfew.

A source revealed that gunshots and explosions were far away from Maiduguri, as the insurgents in their large number were sighted around Kayamula village, which shares border with Sambisa Forest.

A student at the University of Maiduguri

(name withheld for security reasons) said many stray bullets entered hostels, injuring many students.

Kayamula village of Konduga Local Government Area of the state is south and about 30 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, which has suffered series of deadly attacks by terrorists in the past.

All effort to get confirmation at press time from security operatives failed.

However, sources said scores were feared dead, even as sounds of explosions was still rocking the city at press time.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 55

N371M CONTRACT SCAM: Moronfoye, Kwara Commissioner, Ope Saraki arraigned T

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned the Kwara State Commissioner for Information, Prince Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye, and Ope Saraki and Senior Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, before Justice A.O Faji of the Federal High Court, Ilorin for offences bordering on abuse of office, awarding contracts to cronies, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

Moronfoye was docked on a three count charge while Saraki who was arraigned alongside his companies: Cogent Integrated Service Nigeria Limited and Ladida Support Service Limited were arraigned separately on a five count charge.

A statement signed by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren stated that Moronfoye while serving as the seniour special adviser to the former governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, allegedly used his position to enrich himself.

Specifically, he allegedly awarded contracts to the tune of over N200 million for the renovation of Ijagbo Primary Health Centre and Specialist Hospitals within the state, to a company in which he has interest and was the sole signatory to the account. ‘’Saraki similarly abused his office and laundered state funds for his personal benefit by awarding inflated contracts to companies owned by his cronies. ‘’In one of the transactions involving the purchase of Ambulance Buses for hospitals in the state, Saraki duped the people of Kwara State by procuring 13 Hiace buses from a “local car dealer ” and converting them to ambulances in place of factory built ones for which a contract of N171.99million was awarded to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited.

One of the counts read: “That you, Ope Saraki being the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to Governor of Kwara State sometime in 2012 at Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this court did by undue interest conducted procurement fraud in the procurement of 13 Units of Ambulance for 13 General/Specialist Hospitals in Kwara State at N171,990, 000; a contract awarded to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (5) of the same Act.” The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them upon which Counsel to EFCC, Joseph O. Uzor urged the court to fix a date for trial to commence.

However, the defence, represented

by J.O Olatoke, SAN, applied for bail for his clients, saying that it was their constitutional rights.

Olatoke added that the accused had been on administrative bail of the EFCC since 2013 and had not breached the condition and told the court that Moronfoye, was suffering

from a peculiar ailment that warrant him using respirator consistently to sustain his life.

According to him, the prison service does not have the medical facility to treat and maintain the peculiar health condition of the accused.

“Having not abused the administrative bail granted him (Moronfoye) by the prosecution, we urge your Lordship to admit him to bail while assuring you that he will always be available to stand his trial.’’

But, the EFCC Counsel, Uzor

argued that the ‘’accused could be evasive if admitted to bail,” adding that the Nigeria Prisons Service had well equipped medical facilities in its locations across the country and competent manpower to attend to any ailment. He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously.

After listening to the submissions of both counsel, Justice Faji admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50million and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must

produce “Certificate of Occupancy” of landed property within the urban area of Ilorin and must swear to affidavit of means. The sureties must also produce evidence of tax payment for three years just as the accused must report to EFCC Head Office every three weeks as well as notify the commission whenever he intended to travel outside the country.

Similarly, Justice Faji granted Saraki bail after he was asked to deposit his International

ESSAY, MATHS COMPETITION: Mrs Olufunke Amba, Director, Vivian Fowler College and Students of Corona Schools, Gbagada being presented with punctuality prize at the annual Science, essay and Mathematics competition organised by Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, while Mrs Niyata Krishnan of Quality Assurance Manager (left )looks on. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

Taraba tackles students' phobia for maths, train teachers

J

ALINGO—THE Taraba government yesterday commenced training of its staff with a view to tackling the phobia for mathematics and sciencebased subjects.

Mr Buba-Joda Mafindi, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, disclosed this in Jalingo at the opening of a sensitisation programme for stakeholders on Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education, SMASE. According to him, the initiative will remove the fear of learning and teaching of mathematics.

“We observed with dismay that mathematics has now become like a dreaded disease, not only to students but also to some teachers.

“Consequently, it becomes necessary for us to organise this programme which, I believe, will improve both learning and teaching of mathematics and science subjects.

“These approaches will give teachers better understanding of the subjects so that they can teach their students in a more

friendly way,” he said.

Mafindi said participants in the training programme were SMASE stakeholders drawn from the 16 council areas of the state.

Earlier, the Director, Quality Assurance Unit of SUBEB, Mrs Monica Bukuni, said efforts had

reached advanced stage to establish zonal implementation committees and centres for the programme.

She said if the SMASE programme was vigorously implemented, it would be pivotal to Nigeria’s technological advancement.

Lamido, Yero commission N1bn Jigawa Broadcasting Corporation

By Aliyu Dangida & Tina Akannam

D

UTSE—GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and his Kaduna State counterpart, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero yesterday, jointly commissioned the Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation, JBC, constructed at the cost of N1.050 billion.

Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Lamido advised the in coming government to carry everybody along irrespective of their political or religious inclinations.

He also asked the in-coming administration to always maintain the structures and equipment put in place as well as trim the flowers to ensure a good working environment for the staff.

His words:- “Jigawa of today is not the Jigawa of yesterday.

Those coming behind me should and must change their orientation. Never ever again shall Jigawa citizens be regarded as dirty people”.

Earlier in his speech, the state Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Babandi Ibrahim Gumel had said that the contract which was awarded to AG Fererro in 2011 was completed with modern equipment in 2014, saying the idea of constructing the JBC was to make the station a world class African TV/Radio station.

Gumel explained that apart from construction cost, government had spent over N26 million in the provision of modern gadgets and other facilities to make the station favourably compete with any broadcasting house, adding that additional N360m was spent in the upgrading of the Jigawa Radio from analogue to digital, to enable it expand its coverage proximity.

Ogboru not welcome in Delta APC, group insists

A

political pressure group, Deltans United for Progressive Change has condemned Chief Great Ogboru, Labour Party governorship candidate for Delta State, for allegedly lobbying sections of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in order to be admitted into the party as its candidate in view of a possible rerun of the governorship election in the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Warri, the group, through its spokesperson, Comrade Elijah Idimi, lamented what he

described as Ogboru’s penchant for decamping from party to party, condemning it as unbecoming of a man of genuine principles.

Accusing Ogboru of attempting to reap where he did not sow, Idimi wondered where Ogboru was when all the genuine progressives in the state were merging into the then newlyformed APC while he chose to remain behind in the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, only to later decamp to Labour Party.

According to him: “We are sounding it loud and clear that we have zero tolerance for political prostitution in APC. Just like the members of PDP that we

have banned from joining our party at this late hour, Ogboru must remain exactly where he is or decamp to any other party willing to try its luck with him as their candidate.

In fact, we find it most embarrassing that the same Ogboru who fought us bitterly, and connived with PDP to split APC votes in Delta can now turn back to the same party he wanted to destroy, arrogantly demanding for our party structure to be handed over to him from our governorship candidate, state leader and loyal party man, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who sacrificed much in building the APC in Delta State.

56 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14 , 2015

EU clash with UK over migrants T

HE European Union clashed with Britain yesterday as it launched a new plan to save thousands of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean that includes controversial resettlement quotas for refugees.

British Home Secretary Theresa May called for economic migrants to be sent back, saying the EU’s policy of dealing with asylum claims of people rescued at sea encouraged more to risk their lives by attempting the journey.

The EU plan’s most controversial elements are a mandatory redistribution of asylum seekers across the 28member bloc and the use of European military

force against smugglers in Libyan waters.

Britain, Ireland and Denmark have the ability to opt out of the plan, which comes amid an unprecedented wave of migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in North Africa and the Middle East.

“I wonder how anyone could maintain that this could make the situation worse,” European Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans told a press conference in response to May’s comments.

“If we then do nothing, we make the situation worse for people in trouble and lose credibility in the eyes of our citizens who have demanded that we do

Kerry calls for end to clashes on Ukrain’s eastern border

U

.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called for a halt to fighting around the Ukrainian coastal town of Shyrokyne yesterday as NATO backed his demand that Russia fully implement a Ukraine ceasefire agreement.

Despite the February truce, shooting has continued around the coastal town of Shyrokyne, near the strategic port city of Mariupol. Kiev fears separatists may try to seize the port to help cement a long-term hold on eastern districts of Ukraine.

Russia denies providing any troops or arms to support rebellion in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 6,100 people, and accuses Kiev of violating the ceasefire.

Kerry flew in to the Turkish seaside resort of Antalya to brief NATO foreign ministers on his

eight hours of talks on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Those talks offered no sign of concrete progress to end the crisis over a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has chilled relations between Russia and the West.

“There was strong agreement among all of the NATO members that this is a critical moment for action by Russia and by the separatists to live up to the Minsk agreement,” Kerry said, referring to a ceasefire accord that has been regularly broken.

“And that it is critical to be able to get the OSCE into areas of conflict. It is important to end the conflict in those areas, particularly in Shyrokyne, (they) need to try to come to an agreement on a ceasefire. We need to see

something about the tragedies in the Mediterranean.”

Timmermans, the right-hand man to European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, called on EU states to show “solidarity ” with countries such as Italy, Greece and Malta, which bear the burden of most migrant arrivals.

More than 5,000 migrants, many escaping civil war in Syria, have died over the past 18 months while trying to cross the Mediterranean, often on flimsy rubber dinghies or fishing boats.

N/ Korea executes defense chief on treason charges

N

ORTH Korea has executed its defense chief on treason charges by putting him in front of an anti-aircraft gun at a firing range, Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) told lawmakers.

Hyon Yong Chol, 66, who headed the isolated country ’s military, was purged late last month for disobeying Kim Jong Un and falling asleep during a meeting at which North Korea’s young leader was present, according to South Korean lawmakers briefed in a closed-door meeting with the spy agency yesterday.

His execution, the latest of a series of high-level purges since Kim took power in 2011, was watched by hundreds of people, they said.

It was not clear how the NIS received the information and it is

US Amtrack accident claims 7 lives

T

HE engineer at the controls of an Amtrak train that hurtled off the tracks while rounding a sharp curve refused to talk to police yesterday as the death toll climbed to seven with the discovery of another body in the wreckage, authorities said.

More than 200 people

were injured in the derailment that plunged screaming passengers into darkness and chaos Tuesday night.

Investigators recovered the locomotive’s data recorder and said they expected it to yield crucial information, including how fast the

•British Royal Marines help migrants disembark from an inflatable boat onto a landing craft of HMS Bulwark after being rescued around 40 miles off the coast of Libya.

•US Amtrack wreckage

train was going when it jumped the tracks in an old industrial neighborhood not far from the Delaware River shortly after 9 p.m.

•II Sun not possible to independently verify such reports from within secretive North

•Hyon Choi Korea. Hyon, last known to have spoken publicly at a security conference in Moscow

in April, was said to have shown disrespect to Kim by dozing off at a military event, the Seoul lawmakers said, citing the agency briefing.

Hyon was believed to have voiced complaints against Kim Jong Un and had not followed his orders several times, according to the lawmakers. He was arrested late last month and executed three days later without legal proceedings, the NIS said.

Cameron to announce new “poisonous Islamist ideology”

B

RITISH Prime Minister David Cameron was to announce new laws to combat “poisonous Islamist ideology ” yesterday in his first major policy announcement since winning last week’s general election.

His centre-right Conservative government is to include a new law to “defeat extremism” in its legislative programme which will be announced to parliament by Queen Elizabeth II on May 27.

Britain’s strategy on Islamist extremism has been in the spotlight for months since Islamic State (IS) executioner “Jihadi John” was identified as Mohammed

Emwazi from London and a string of young people left Britain to fight for the IS group in Syria.

Cameron is to say Britain has been “passively tolerant” for too long and will vow to “turn the page on this failed approach,” according to

his office.

The new measures are expected to go further than under the last C a m e r o n - l e d administration because their former coalition partners, the centrist Liberal Democrats, blocked some measures.

China warns Taiwan opposition leader over independence calls

C

HINA warned the leaderofTaiwan’smain pro-independenceopposition party on Wednesday against engaging in activities promoting the island’s independence while she is in the United States later this month.

The remarks by China’s TaiwanAffairsOfficecametwo weeks before Tsai Ing-wen,

chairwomanoftheDemocratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a presidential contender in January elections, meets government officials, academics and overseas TaiwaneseintheUnitedStates.

The United States has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is the democratic island’s biggest ally and provider of weapons.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14 , 2015 — 57

Burundian President ousted in Military coup A

BURUNDIAN general said on Wednesday he had deposed President Pierre Nkurunziza for seeking an unconstitutional third term in office and was forming a transitional government, after more than two weeks of protests against the election bid.

But as cheering crowds streamed onto the streets of Bujumbura, sporadic gunfire was heard in the centre of the capital, and it was not immediately clear how much support Major General Godefroid Niyombare had.

With Nkurunziza abroad at an African summit to discuss the crisis, the presidency rubbished the declaration

by Niyombare, who had been fired as N k u r u n z i z a ’ s intelligence chief in February, saying on Facebook that the coup had been “foiled”.

“We consider it as a joke, not as a military coup,” presidential aide

Willy Niyamitwe told Reuters East African leaders in Tanzania condemned the bid to oust the president and called for a return to “constitutional order”.

The U.S. State Department urged “all parties to immediately end the violence and exercise restraint”. But spokesman Jeff Rathke said he could not confirm that a coup had taken place.

A Tanzanian official said Nkurunziza had not attended the summit meetings in Dar es Salaam, and had left to return to Burundi. But Niyombare said the capital’s airport and all border crossings were closed.

Activists say more than 20 people have been killed in weeks of protest against Nkurunziza’s re-election bid, plunging Burundi into its worst crisis since an ethnically fuelled civil war ended in 2005.

50,000 REFUGEES

region stand by, if violence does not stop or escalates in Burundi,” Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said after the summit in Dar es Salaam.

It was not immediately clear who was in control

•••E/African leaders condemn coup

E

•President Pierre Nkurunziza More than 50,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring states in a region with a history of ethnic fighting.

Police officers run from

protesters during a demonstration against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s …

“The region will not accept, nor will the

Sex abuse: Experts demand end to immunity for UN peacekeepers

S

EX abuse by U.N. peacekeeping personnel has been a problem for decades, and it is still happening despite the world body’s official policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, a group of former diplomats and U.N. officials said.

The group, including Graça Machel, author of the landmark study “The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children”, is joining with AIDS-Free World in a campaign called Code Blue to demand that the United Nations remove the immunity that protects sexual abusers within peacekeeping missions.

U.N. immunity from legal process is at the core of the ongoing sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children in conflict zones around the world by peacekeepers who are identified by the blue berets they wear.

Over the past 20 years, a succession of media accounts and U.N. reports have exposed the sexual exploitation and abuse by both civilian and military U.N. peacekeepers in places

from Bosnia to West Africa, Haiti to Democratic Republic of Congo.

U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon reported 79 recorded allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in 2014.

The Code Blue group argues that the problem

in Burundi. The state broadcaster, often a primary target in state takeovers in Africa, was surrounded by troops.

An employee inside told Reuters some soldiers had tried to enter while others resisted.

of abuse by peacekeepers cannot be solved until a long overdue first step is taken: U.N. immunity can no longer apply to those accused of sexual offenses.

“It’s a perverse irony that the U.N. should be the only place on earth where even the most depraved and violent sex

offenders can expect immunity from legal processes,” said Paula Donovan, co-director of AIDS-Free World.

“It’s time to call ‘Code Blue’: no more immunity, ever, for people working under the U.N. banner who are accused of sexual exploitation or abuse,” she said.

AST African leaders condemned an attempted coup in Burundi yesterday, after a top general said he had deposed President Pierre Nkurunziza while he and regional presidents held talks to end weeks of violent protests.

“The summit condemns the coup in Burundi, it does not solve problems in Burundi,” Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said at the end of the day-long crisis meeting of the fivenation East African Community (EAC) — made up of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda as well as Burundi.

“We call upon the return to the constitutional order,” Kikwete added, speaking in Tanzania’s coastal city of Dar es Salaam.

“Given the situation in Burundi conditions are not conducive for elections in Burundi, and the summit calls upon the authorities to postpone the elections for a period not beyond the mandate of the

current government.”

Over 20 people have been killed and scores wounded since late April, when Burundi’s ruling party nominated President Pierre Nkurunziza to stand for a third term on June 26, triggering daily protests.

Nkurunziza then left the meeting to return to Burundi, a Tanzanian government spokesman said.

However coup leader General Godefroid Niyombare swiftly ordered the closure of Bujumbura airport and the country ’s land borders.

The unrest in Burundi comes with the central African state still recovering from a brutal 13-year civil war that ended in 2006.

Critics say a third term for Nkurunziza runs counter to both the constitution and the Arusha accords that ended the war.

The summit calls for elections “in respect of the constitution, the electoral law and the spirit of the Arusha peace agreement,” Kikwete added.

Cote d’Ivoire appoints Ayeni Honorary Consul-General

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA: A Nigerian businessman Mr. John Olatunde Ayeni, has been appointed Honorary Consuls General of Cote d’Ivoire.

The appointment of Ayeni, who presented his letter of Commission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali in Abuja, last week, was in recognition of his contribution towards the improved business relations between both countries.

Ambassador Wali, also received credence letters from the honourary consuls of Mexico, Mr Adebayo Adeyemo, and Mrs Hanna Einarsson Sweden, respectively.

In his remarks, the Honourary Consul of Cote D’Ivoire, John Ayeni, who described Ivory Coast as one of the big economies in Africa, said the cooperation between Nigeria and the country he represents would help in increasing the volume of trade and strategic ties of the two nations.

Ayeni said that his responsibility is to promote continued mutual relations between Nigeria and Cote d’ivoire.

He said he has been saddled with the responsibility of fostering economic and cultural advancement and also to keep diplomatic relations open between both countries.

People celebrate in a street in Bujumbura May 13, 2015. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

F/Eagles get W/Cup warning H

OFFENHEIM U15 Nigerianborn coach Benjamin James has warned that the Flying Eagles must make the most of their chances after they created a rash of openings against Hoffenheim U23s only to put away five of them.

James was in the stands to watch the Nigeria U20s demolish Hoffenheim 52 in a test match on Tuesday ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

“It was not a bad game, but the Flying Eagles must work on their quick recovery because it is very important to work as a team. I hope the coach will correct what I noticed,” said the former strapping Shooting Stars defender, who has been in Germany for about 18 years.

“Also, they created so many chances but for a good team you don’t need so many chances to make a goal. You need one, two chances to score.

They therefore have to utilise all their chances because at the World Cup chances will be a lot fewer.”

He said he expects the Flying Eagles to go all the way in New Zealand.

“If they could work on some of the flaws we saw today, they can really reach the final and finally win it for Nigeria,” he predicted.

Incidentally, six players who have passed through James at the Hoffenheim U15s featured against the Flying Eagles on Tuesday.

James equally tipped Germany to shine in New Zealand.

“They are a very good side. They are the European champions and a lot is also expected of them,” he said.

•Dike

W

•Obasi (m) evades his markers.

Obasi to remain in Germany A

top source at Chinedu Obasi’s former club Hoffenheim has specially has said the Nigeria forward will remain in the German Bundesliga even after he was released by

Schalke 04 because of the power and contacts his handlers wield.

Obasi has been widely linked with a move from Germany with many reports suggesting he could move to

Dike relishes USA W/Cup match-up

S

UPER Falcons forward, Courtney Dike has said she will be personally fulfilled to face her home country, USA at the upcoming 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Nigeria will confront USA in the last group game on June 16 at the BC Place Stadium, Vancouver.

The Oklahoma State football team markswoman was part of Falconets squad that finished as runners-up at last year ’s Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Canada.

Dike said it is a rare privilege to be called to the Super Falcons

Federation Cup Continued from BP terday in Minna.

Giwa had gone into the game as favouries, but Kukuruku turned out to be a nightmare to the Nigeria Premier League front runners. Full time scores was 2-2 and in the ensuing shoot-out, the Edo State representatives outscored Giwa FC. An elated Edo State

We are on peak of a small hill in table tennis – Oshodi

Football Association chairman, Frank Ilaboya said he was very impressed with the performance of Kukuruku Fc a non league outfit that he announced a N25,000 reward to the players Edo’s other representative BJ Foundation beat Kumi 3-1 in Ilorin.

promising to do her very best to help the side at the World Cup. “That’s what I’m expecting to face USA at the World Cup in Canada. It’ll be really great, I live there and I’ve seen some of their players play football.

“I feel super excited to be here because it’s been a while since I’ve been with these girls. "

FIFA Continued from BP the money in January 2011 following a meeting with Mr Bin Hammam in November 2010 in Kuala Lumpur,” Fifa said in a statement after the ruling by the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Fifa Ethics Committee, chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert.

Temarii was banned as of Wednesday “from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for a period of eight years”, Fifa said.

Oceanian ex-football chief Temarii was previously suspended by Fifa for his role in the brib-

Turkey for a big pay day.

However, a top source informed that Obasi’s agents are so powerful that he will still remain in the German Bundesliga.

“Chinedu will stay in the German Bundesliga because he is working with very powerful agents here in Germany and at worst, he will move to another Bundesliga club,” revealed the source.

“Also, no one doubts the player ’s ability, but his battle with injuries was the main reason Schalke let him go.”

The 28-year-old Obasi has been in Germany since 2007 and spent five years at Hoffenheim. ery scandal that rocked bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

In November 2010, Fifa’s ethics committee banned Temarii from Fifa’s decision making executive committee for one year and fined him for ethics violations, following a Sunday Times undercover report on vote-buying during the race to host the World Cups.

Russia and Qatar won the right to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in a secret ballot by the remaining members of Fifa’s executive committee in December.

But the process and outcome met with severe criticism from several quarters.

ITH some giant strides made since taking charge, President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi has admitted that the federation would not be carried away by the little success recorded in this dispensation.

Oshodi, who is a member of the Nomination Committee of International Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) said there are still more ground to possess in the sport, as the feat achieved by Aruna Quadri as well as the bronze medal won at the last Commonwealth Games in Scotland would not make the NTTF to be complacent.

“Definitely we are not satisfied with what we have achieved and this is where a lot of people get it wrong. We are still living on past glory because our current generation of players has not done much. Aruna Quadri’s achievement last year and our team medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games are now history. We need to move on from that as our next major test as a nation is at the Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

We need to fight hard for the seven gold medals at stake. If we can take all seven golds as we

•Oshodi used to do many years past that might satisfy my hunger for success for a short period. There are still so many mountains to climb and we are currently at the peak of a small hill. We must in the nearest future aim to be number one in Africa and the Commonwealth as well as a top ten nation in the world. It is achievable but we must set about doing our work properly both players and officials,” Oshodi said.

The NT TF boss described fund as a major hiccup faced by the federation, saying most of their programmes have been hampered by paucity of fund.

He added: “For me I see that we have major problems in two critical areas and this includes inadequate funding, indiscipline and lack of commitment on the part of some of our players.

Keshi’s assistant Continued from BP Okpala to join Stephen Keshi in his redemption job has been put on hold by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. As part of efforts at ensuring that the Eagles soar higher in Keshi’s second coming, he(Keshi) had requested for the services of the 1980 African Cup of Nations winner whose contribution to the success of the Eagles in South Africa in 2013 cannot be wished away.

Sports Vanguard can reveal authoritatively that the former Rangers International of Enugu star would not join up with the rest of the technical crew made up of Ike Shorunmu and Salisu Yusuf until the NFF settles the huge debts owed him as awarded by Court of Arbitration for Sports.(CAS).

A dependable source at the Glass House said that it was ethically wrong to hire Okpalla immediately when ‘’we

are still settling his huge debts’’.

The 1980 Nations Cup gold medallist took the federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS, in Lausanne, Switzerland to seek redress and possible reinstatement or compensation with former NFF President, Aminu Maigari, and Musa Amadu, secretary general for wrongful termination of his job and non payment of his salaries and bonuses.

He won the case and the NFF were instructed to pay his salaries and benefits starting from 2013 to the end of the World Cup when his contract would have ended. ‘’We’re moving in the same direction and want the best for the Super Eagles and Nigerians.

Okpalla will still join Keshi and others in the team but we want to finish paying his huge debts so that he will start on a clean slate’’, our source said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 59

Garba dissatisfied with F/Eagles despite huge win N

IGERIA Under20 head coach Manu Garba claimed his side were not playing to their full potential, despite their 5-2 friendly win over Hoffenheim’s Under-23 side.

The Flying Eagles may have scored five times, including a hat-trick for Taiwo Awoniyi, but Garba says they were too sluggish getting off the mark in the early stages.

“We started the game slowly, but we later picked up to play our normal game,” said Manu after game.

“It was a good outing overall and I will score us about 70 percent.”

“But again we need to work on our defence by

taking on more d e f e n s i v e responsibilities and our finishing has to be better as we lost several chances.

“All the same, we should also praise the Hoffenheim team, they are a team of professional players and they took the game to us very early on.”

The Nigerian side next take on Nurnberg U23 on 15 May before the final 21-man squad for the U20 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand is announced.

Nigeria begin their World Cup campaign against Brazil on 1 June before taking on the other teams in Group E, including Hungary and South Korea.

•Dinkesa

Former Obudu winners lead chase for Okpekpe titles •Dinkesa,Yalew top list of contenders for $25,000

T

HE two most successful athletes at the annual Obudu international mountain race,Ethiopian duo of Abebe Dinkesa and Yalew Genet will lead the chase for the $25,000 top prize on offer at the 3rd Okpekpe 10km race this Saturday in Okpekpe,Auchi,Edo state.

Dinkesa,winner of three Obudu titles (2008,2010 and 2012 and first runner-up behind Kenya’s Kemboi Hilary Kipkorir last year) will be returning to Nigeria much earlier than the traditional November to

see if he could establish another dominance of the slightly shorter distance.

Yalew,who also holds three Obudu titles (2011,2013 and 2014) is also coming for the first time to Okpekpe to extend her reign from Obudu ranch resort to Okpekpe in Auchi.

Dinkesa will however found in compatriot Dawi Fikadu a hard nut to crack if current fom is anything to go by.

Fikadu is one of the top 10 fastest men over the distance so far this year and looks,on paper to be the athlete to beat.

Fashola to grace GTBankLagos Principals Cup final

BY JACOB AJOM

T

GETTING READY... Coach Manu Garba

HE Governor of Lagos State, Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola will lead a strong government delegation to the final of the 2015 GTBank-Lagos Principals Cup billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Wednesday, May 20.

Apart from the government team, the sponsors, GTBank will also be represented by top hierarchy of the bank at the ground, which is already wearing a new look.

In the male category, Birrel Avenue Senior

High School, Sabo will clash with Keke High School, Ijaye while Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu will square up against Ikotun Senior High School in the female category.

Ikotun Senior High School female football team zoomed into the final after beating Government Senior College, Agege 3-1 at the Onikan Waterfront.

It is bound to be a spectacle as the finalists are made of exceptional players who have proved their mettle in the run up to the final.

Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament gallops off May 21

T

HE 2015 edition of the Access BankUNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament is scheduled to hold in Kangimi Resort, Kaduna, from May 20 to May 31, 2015.

The biggest charity polo event in Africa will this year, feature 15 teams vying for honours in three categories, organizers of the event said in a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

The event, which is in its eighth year of Access Bank sponsorship, is a reaffirmation of the importance of the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in northern Nigeria.

Babangida Hassan, Fifth Chukker Polo Captain, said they are proud to continue in its development of this established partnership with Access Bank and UNICEF. He listed the participating teams to include Deebee Farms, Akasma, Titans, Trappco Liberty, Fas Agro Sacks and, Meridian teams.

Others teams seeking to win a major prize at

this year’s Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield tournament are Susplan, Maigari Farms, Sublime, Sultana, Huawei , Max Air, Keffi Ponys, Lintex-Titans and title holders, Fifth Chukker Access Bank team.

Campaigns for the most prestigious prize, the Access bank Cup and the low-goal UNICEF

Chukker Access Bank aiming for a fourth straight victory, is scheduled for May 31.

Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu, said the bank had maintained its yearly donation of N10m in supporting UNICEF towards its projects for orphans and vulnerable children.

•Action from a Polo tournament in Lagos.

CBN Open serves off

BY JACOB AJOM

T

•A Tennis player at the 2014 CBN Open

Cup promises to be an exciting experience with Deebee Farms and Akasma clashing in a potentially explosive game of the tournament.

The Access Bank Cup and the Argentine Ambassador’s Cup final are scheduled for May 24, while the Charity Shield grand finale with the defending champions, Fifth

HE 37th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Open Tennis championship begins today with top Nigerian tennis players fighting for honours and N700,000 star prize of in the male and female categories.

Also in contention for honours are the wheel chair players. Speaking at a pre-tournament briefing in Lagos yesterday, Alhaji

Ibrahim Muazu, Director of Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria who was represented by James Iyari of CBN Lagos office, said the bank was delighted to include the wheel chair tennis which was introduced in the 2013 edition. “Wheel-chair tennis has come to stay.”

He noted that over the years, the tournament had become a selection ground for tennis players to represent the country

at international tournaments. “Since inception in 1979, when Francis Kehinde emerged the first winner of the tournament, it has produced gifted players who have flown the flag at local and international tournaments.”

A wheel-chair tennis player, Jude Uwazie appealed to the organisers, the Nigeria Tennis Federation to expand the scope of participation for his category of players.

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Bayern set for a shake up after CL exit B

GUARDIOLA looking stunned.

–

AYERN Munich’s star-studded squad is set for a shake-up following their Champions League semifinal defeat to Barcelona as Pep Guardiola prepares to fulfil the final year of his contract.

Having lost the first-leg 3-0 in Barcelona, Bayern delivered on their prematch promise to fight until the final whistle in Tuesday’s return leg at the Allianz Arena to beat Barca 3-2 on the night, but ultimately bowed out 5-3 on aggregate.

It is scant consolation for Guardiola that the victory ended Bayern’s fourmatch losing streak which eventually led to them exiting both the Champions League and German Cup at the semifinal stage.

Injuries to wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery had robbed Guardiola of pace and width when it was needed most and the squad was reduced to bare bones by ailments and knocks on occasion.

Iniesta: We will try to finish what we started

A

NDRÉS Iniesta has expressed his delight at securing a place in another Champions League final with Barcelona.

The Spanish player stressed the significance of his team going through to Berlin on 6 May. “We need to celebrate, this is great.

We will try to finish what we started”.

Asked about the season and the possibility of achieving the treble, the ‘Azulgranas’ man was both cautious and ambitious. “We are where we would like to be every year, with a chance of winning everything. But we can’t stop now, we have to try to win. It’s down to the titles now and it would be amazing for everyone and for the team”.

T h e midfielder also talked about what a difficult challenge t h i s Champions League has been for Barça. “It’s been tough; we’ve beaten some very s e r i o u s competition”.

H e finished by revealing that he had n o preference as to which team the ‘Azulgranas’ would face in TOPMAN . . . Barcelona’s the final, midfielder Andres Iniesta (L) vies with Bayern Munich’s midfielder saying, “I Thiago Alcantara . don’t mind”.

Bayern goalkeeper unsure of Napoli return

B

PERPLEXED. . . Bayern Munich’s Bayern Munich’s defender Jerome Boateng (C) and teammate gather on the pitch after failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona in Munich. Photo: AFP

AYERN Munich goalkeeper Pepe Reina has responded to rumours linking him with a summer return to Napoli by insisting that he’s unsure of where he’ll be next season, though he hopes to play more.

The 32-year-old hasn’t been receiving much time on the pitch since arriving in Germany last summer which has led many to believe that he could be on his way back to the Partenopei, where he played on loan during the 2014-15 season, in the near future.

Messi’s best of all time — Guardiola B

AYERN Munich boss Pep Guardiola described Lionel Messi as the “best of all time” and backed Barcelona to win a fifth Champions League title after knocking his side out at the semi-final stage.

The Bundesliga champions suffered a 53 aggregate defeat despite winning 3-2 at the Allianz Arena to bow out of the competition in the last four for the second straight season.

Neymar did the damage in the second leg with a two-goal cameo but it was Lionel Messi’s double at the Nou Camp which set the La Liga leaders on their way to the final in Berlin next month.

Guardiola believes the Argentina international has recaptured his best form and described him as the best ever.

“He is back, he is there where I had the privilege to train him,” Guardiola said. “He is definitely back to his best.

“He is the best player of all time, I compare him with Pele.

“I am so happy to see this football.”

UNSTOPPABLE . . . Bayern Munich’s defender Juan Bernat (L) tries to stop Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi during their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match. Photo: AFP

Neymar: I don’t care who we play in the final

B

ARCELONA star Neymar insists he doesn’t mind who his side Bayern will end the face in the Champions League final next month.

The Catalans reached the showpiece for the first time in four years thanks to a 5-3 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich.

After winning the first leg 30, Barca advanced despite losing 3-2 at the Allianz Arena ECSTATIC . . . Barcelona’s forward on Tuesday night, with Neymar da Silva Santos Junior Neymar scoring twice to add celebrates scoring his first goal

to his goal at Camp Nou. They will meet either Juventus or Real Madrid in Berlin on June 6 but Neymar says his team-mates are ready to deal with the threat posed by both teams.

“I don’t have any preference for the final,” he told reporters.

“May the best team win and we will be waiting for them in the final.

“It’s a new feeling. It’s my first Champions League final and I’m very happy about that but I’m also happy for my team-mates.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 — 61

CELEBRATION . . . Real Madrid’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates with teammate and defender Sergio Ramos after scoring during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Juventus

It’s a shame Ferguson let Pogba go — Buffon J

U V E N T U S goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has said Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to marginalise Pa u l Pogba at Manchester United is one of the strangest things he has encountered.

Pogba spent three years at Old Trafford but never started a first-team match for United, and has previously said he was particularly annoyed not to start the December 2011 defeat to Blackburn, when Ferguson fielded JiSung Park and Rafael da Silva out of position in the centre of midfield instead of him.

The France international moved to Juventus when his contract expired in 2012 and has now won the Serie A title three times in succession.

“I have been in football many years, but the decision of Sir

Alex Ferguson and Manchester United to not play Pogba and let him leave is one of the strangest I have ever seen,” Buffon, 37, said in the Daily Express.

He added: “After just a few training sessions we saw how good he was. It cannot have

been the same player they saw in Manchester — we thought they maybe needed glasses.

“I have never seen a player who is so good at his age, he is so strong, so technically gifted, has exceptional all-round play.”

Bony begs Toure stay at City

W

ILFRIED Bony said everyone at Manchester City wants to keep the “legend” Yaya Toure.

However, Toure’s agent Dimitri Seluk has accused the club of making the midfielder a scapegoat and said last week that he was 90 percent certain to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini wants to sign Toure, but striker Bony, who is also an Ivory Coast teammate of the former Barcelona player, hopes he remains with City.

“We hope he stays, he’s a big player here and we know everything he is doing for the club,” Bony said. “Look at everything he has done over the years, what an important player he has been.”

Toure has won two Premier League titles with City as well as the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup, scoring in both final victories.

“You can see his qualities, I don’t need to tell you about it,” Bony said. “He knows what he can do, everybody knows.''

Cross River pulls out of athletics sponsorship

BY BEN EFE

A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria officials must now look for a new sponsor for its yearly All Nigeria Championships as the Cross River State government is unwilling to go on with support for the competition after four years.

The 2015 championships is billed for July and it will be a selection trial for the All Africa Games and the World Championships in Beijing China. It was gathered yesterday, that out-going governor, Liyel Imoke has not made any provision for C M Y K

the Cross River/ All Nigeria Championships neither has he briefed the incoming governor, Ben Ayade.

“There is a dark cloud over the championships.

The only hope now, is that governor Imoke will take into consideration the five-year contractual terms. That is the only thread the championships is hanging on,” said a Cross River sports commission source yesterday.

He added that unless there is a change of heart by governor Imoke, this year will be the last the government of Cross River is

providing financial muscle for the championships.

Governor Imoke, took over sponsorship of the championships in 2011 after Mobil Nigeria stepped aside. The championships, was part of Imoke’s drive to boost athletics development in the State.

However, AFN officials were hopeful that this year ’s championship will go on as planed.

Meanwhile the third 3rd All Comers Competition has been fixed for May 26 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State UNIPORT Sports Centre.

62—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015—63

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Messi’s best of all time — Guardiola •Pg 60 ON HOLD.... Keshi, Amokachi and Okpalla during the 2013 Afcon win in South Africa, Okpalla's coming has been put on hold.

Keshi’s assistant: NFF keeps Quicksilver on hold

By Tony Ubani

T

BEST.... Lionel Messi on the prowl.

HE planned return of former Super Eagles captain Sylvanus Continued on page 58

FIFA bans Tahitian football head for 8 yrs F

Federation Cup: Kukuruku knock out Giwa FC

G

IWA FC of Jos have been bundled out of the 2015 Federation Cup. They suffered a 5-4 penalty defeat to Kukuruku Dragons of Auchi yes

Continued on page 58

•Ilaboya

•Blatter

•Pinnick

IFA on Wednesday banned Reynald Temarii, General Director of the Tahiti Football Association, for eight years for breaking the world body’s ethics code by accepting more than 300 000 euros from former Qatari official Mohamed bin Hammam.

FIFA said Temarii accepted 305,640 euros

from Bin Hammam, who was then a member of the Fifa executive committee and the AFC president, to cover the costs of his legal expenses in the context of an appeal against a previous ban imposed by Fifa’s ethics committee in November 2010.

“Mr Temarii received

Continued on page 58

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 1 Plant (5) 2 Prompt (5) 7 Teacher (5) 2 Bird (5) 3 Worn (6) 8 Rot (5) 4 Act (4) 10 Drilled (5) 12 Crowd (3) 5 Relegated (7) 6 Hut (5) 13 Pungent (5) 9 Lettuce (3) 15 Lodge (7) 17 Hurt (6) 11 Wished (7) 13 Horrify (5) 19 Posed (3) 20 Determined (7) 14 Inflexible (5) 23 Parched (4) 16 Cushion (3) 18 Satanic (7) 25 Dejected (4) 21 Shabby (5) 26 Dedicated (7) 30 Prohibit (3) 22 Seraph (5) 24 Discussed (7) 31 Loiter (6) 34 Unpredictable (7) 27 Tank (3) 37 Regal (5) 28 Audacious (6) 29 Mistake (5) 38 Rodent (3) 32 Female (5) 39 Demand (5) 40 Managed (5) 33 Subsequently (5) 41 Nude (5) 35 Knock (3) 42 Condescend (5) 36 Hint (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Little 7, Ache 8, Launch 9, Gloom 11, Cad 13, Don 15, Open 16, Item 18, Mere 19, General 20, Veto 22, Pier 23, Instant 25, Cone 27, Hit 28, Less 30, Try 31, Rot 33, Death 36, Savage 37, Emit 38, Nylon.

DOWN: 1, Scrap 2, Leg 3, Too 4, Elm 5, Mug 6, Actor 10, Oven 11, Convict 12, Destiny 13, Deliver 14, Nearest 16, Heath 17, Meant 18, Map 21, One 24, Aide 26, Organ 29, Solid 32, Pay 33, Den 34, Awl 35, Hen.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K