Why states can't pay workers' salaries

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62427

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MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

ICC: Court orders arrest BUHARI TO AFRICAN LEADERS: of Sudanese President My efforts to stop in South Africa 57 Boko Haram 9

Why states can't pay workers' salaries

Number of months each state owes:

•Aregbesola, Omisore trade words over Osun debts •NLC sends SOS to President Buhari

Abia — 8 months Akwa Ibom 1 Bauchi 3 Benue 5 Ekiti 2 Imo 11 Kogi 1 Ogun 8 Ondo 2 Osun 7 Oyo 4 Rivers 3

By Omoh Gabriel, Gbenga Olarinoye, & Dapo Akinrefon

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AGOS—HUGE expenditures on capital projects and sundry overhead have been identified as part of the reasons many state governments in Nigeria Continues on Page 5

Don't take, give bribes, Aisha Buhari tells President's men 14 Mr & Mrs APPRECIATION—Fron left: Abike Dabiri-Erewa, wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bagudu; wife of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Bisi Fayemi and wife of the President, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, at the Appreciation Dinner in honour of women and youth, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, weekend . Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

COLUMNISTS:

APC, know thyself •P.20 C M Y K

Why higher oil prices cripple the •P.44 •P.19 economy

2019 already in play in APC

Speakership: I won through divine intervention 16

2— Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 3

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

AU SUMMIT—President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders at the 25th AU Summit in Johannesburg South Africa, yesterday. State House photo.

Why states can't pay workers' salaries Continues from Page 1

are unable to pay their workers' salaries for many months now, Vanguard investigations have revealed.

About 18 state governments in the country currently owe their workers salaries for periods ranging from two to 11 months as at the end of May, 2015.

States and indebtedness Some of the effected states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi,

Benue, Cross River, Ekiti, Imo, Katsina, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Zamfara.

Vanguard also gathered that the states have mortgaged their federation account allocations to contractors executing various capital projects by signing irrevocable payment orders with various banks. As a result, payments to contractors and other debt instruments are deducted at source and have become first line charge on their lean resources.

To compound the

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE View those who speak disparagingly of you simply as affording you the opportunity to practice patience —Alan Lokos PATIENCE is a virtue but whenever we are open to it, we are happier and in good health because we are constantly in a state of equanimity. If we practice this virtue beautifully, the rewards are priceless. One who is patient glows with an inner radiance, for no one feels and looks attractive when angry. A grumpy or tempestuous person will have few friends. The inner churning caused by impatience and anger is the breeding ground for stress and illness.

No matter the level of provocation be mindful of not striking back at small offences because such retaliation serves to reinforce our aggressive tendencies which then grow and become potent. We start by simply thinking how impatience affects one’s life. You look deeply and that is a good starting point.

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states’ woes, their internally generated revenues are not growing concurrently to match their exposures to these revenue outflows.

In addition to these funds mismatch, the states have had to prioritise sundry overheads especially those relating to services and to political office holders above salary obligations to their workers. See details Financial inside Vanguard from Pages 21-44.

Resign now, Omisore tells Aregbesola In the light of the crisis, the former Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has called on Governor Rauf Aregbesola to immediately resign his position and allow more competent hands to run the affairs of the state before it is grounded.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Omisore argued that for Aregbesola to have admitted that the problem of Osun State was beyond his capacity, he expected him to have thereafter communicated this to the state House of Assembly and honourably resigned.

His words: “Osun is now a failed state because of the financial recklessness of the governor. I really appreciate the fact that he confessed the present state of Osun affairs is beyond him, and he should immediately throw in the towel.

“Nearly all commercial banks in Osun are being owed one form of loan or the other. The matter has reached a stage that the committee of bankers in the state at their meeting resolved that no bank should loan this government any more money. They are also waiting for remittances into state’s coffers.

“As soon as money comes in, they withdraw it. The situation calls for sober reflections, and we will also look at ways we are going to help our people in a manner that will not ridicule them.”

Commenting further, Omisore said the immediate past federal administration did not owe Osun or any state statutory allocation or any other funds due to it, and alleged that, apart from inflated contracts, Aregbesola also spent a huge sum on the presidential project of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and was among the five highest donating states.

You are not an alternative, Aregbesola retorts However, in a quick response, Aregbesola said: ”I will reply Omisore the way Yoruba people will put it, that ‘Tóju akata balewo, enu adie ko laotigbo, meaning: Omisore is not competent to comment about alleged missgovernance by Aregbesola.

“Given the tendency that Omisore represents, even if Osun were to come under the most incompetent of public administrators, he would still not be the alternative that Osun people want to live with. An Omisore governorship is better imagined than experienced.

“Is it in his obvious lack of knowledge of what public administration and selfless service to the people is or that he represents a party that is actually responsible for Nigeria’s present predicament through its 16 years of misrule?

“We are not surprised that the unpaid salary has made Omisore to find his voice after his fruitless search for a non-existent mandate.

We do not expect anything better from a man who at the best of times, still fabricated lies against the Aregbesola administration all in his desperation to get the acceptance of the Osun people.

“Aregbesola is not reckless and the records and evidence abound to establish this fact. The National Bureau of Statistics, the Debt Management Office of the Presidency, and other agencies that operated under the PDP, could not find anything against Aregbesola other than statistics that confirmed how the Osun economy has been improved.

“We recognise the hardship unpaid salaries can bring and we are

appealing to our people for understanding and assuring them this will soon come to an end. But that is not to say that the likes of Omisore have any ideas that are capable of helping our people.

‘Stop deceiving Ekiti workers’

In Ekiti, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state and the Ekiti State Government, were, yesterday, engaged in war of words over delay in the payment of workers’ salaries.

While the APC asked Governor Ayodele Fayose to stop deceiving the state workers with failed promises to pay their salaries, the state government, in a swift reaction, described APC’s claim as shameful, saying the party should stop acting shamelessly.

The state Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Taiwo Olatubosun, had in a statement accused the governor of deliberate falsehood on the state’s financial status, saying the governor had no excuse to owe workers’ salaries.

The party ’s spokesperson, also faulted the perceived endless workers verification exercise designed to keep faith with the government, describing it as a wicked tactic to secure workers’ cooperation.

He said: “We have heard the governor say that the state was broke and we can’t find merit in that declaration. This is because of the savings made from all the empowerment schemes cancelled by the governor; the thousands of workers that were sacked; and drastic cuts in the allowances and running grants of workers, including Continues on Page 51

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

20 escape death as truck crashes into shop in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alribe

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BA—TRAGEDY was averted in Aba, Abia State, Friday, as over 25 newspaper readers escaped death when a truck’s brake failed, crushed a tricycle and crashed into a fashion shop at MCC Junction, along Aba-Owerri Road.

According to an eyewitness, the truck was coming from Osisioma Ngwa end of the road, lost control and almost hit readers at a newspaper stand, destroying a tricycle and the fashion shop.

An eyewitness said: “When we saw the truck coming towards us, people started shouting that the truck may have lost its brake.

“There were over 25 people at the newspaper stand. Although they all fled to safety, it is only by the grace of God that it did not hit the newspaper stand. No fewer than 20 people would have lost their lives.

“The people in the tricycle only sustained minor injuries and were rescued.”

Vanguard gathered that the owner of the shop, where the truck crashed into was trapped inside, but was rescued unhurt.

When Vanguard visited the area, policemen and a female official of Federal Roads Safety Commission, FRSC, were at the scene as sympathisers gathered, discussing the accident.

Doctors' strike: Patients stranded at JUTH

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS—PATIENTS are stranded at Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, due to an indefinite strike embarked upon by resident doctors.

Though many of the patients have been discharged and others with critical conditions attended to by consultants, new patients who did not know of the ongoing strike arrived the hospital only to meet the absence of doctors.

The strike, Vanguard learned, is the result of the alleged refusal of management of JUTH to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on the implementation of “skipping” for doctors, among others grievances.

It would be recalled that Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, issued the notice of strike on June 8.

Grievances The notice, signed by the

Chairman of NARD, Joseph Nankat, and Secretary, Kumtap Cashmir, said medical doctors in JUTH were being denied of skipping, even when nondoctors were enjoying the privilege.

The association also noted that its members were working under difficult conditions in JUTH because of lack of consumables, such as hand gloves and some emergency drugs such as oxytocin.

NARD also decried the nonpayment of training

PEOPLE: Dadiya cultural dancers performing at the first annual cultural festival of Dadiya community in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State. NAN PHOTO.

Gunmen abduct Winners' pastor in Calabar

By Emma Una

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ALABAR—PASTOR Seyi Adekunle of Living Faith Church, A.K.A. Winners Chapel, was on Saturday evening abducted by gunmen, who invaded the church while he and other pastors were having a prayer session in preparation for Sunday service.

Five gunmen were said to have stormed the church at about 7.50 p.m., shot into the

zHuge building project must have given them ideas— MEMBER air, grabbed the pastor, bundled him into their car and drove off.

A source in the church told Vanguard: “Normally, on Saturdays we have a number of activities, but the pastors’ prayer session comes last. It was while the session was in progress that the boys came in, shot into the air and took our pastor away.”

Pastor Seyi, who is the Head

Pastor of Province Two of the Church located along IBB Way, opposite Margaret Ekpo International Airport, according to a source, has been in charge of the church since 2014 and had been carrying out massive construction work in the church.

The source said: “He came here in 2014 and has been doing a lot work through the

Suspected pirates kill Navy officer in Bayelsa creek

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—ARMED men, suspected to be pirates, shot dead a naval personnel at Ogbokiri, Saturday, along the troubled Akassa River in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The attack on the naval security post, which occurred at noon, triggered fear of possible reprisal attacks by Navy in the area.

The security post, a landing C M Y K

allowances to resident doctors, shortage of house officers and under-payment of the few available ones, which led to many moving out of the hospital.

Among other demands are the resumption of skipping payment, provision of essential consumables in the hospital.

Others include immediate payment of outstanding training allowances, employment of house officers and payment of their entitlements.

jetty, security sources told Vanguard, is under the jurisdiction of the Forward Operating Base, FORMOSO of the Nigerian Navy on Brass Island.

According to eyewitnesses, the pirates, about three in number, opened fire on the naval crew during a routine check at Ogbokiri, along Akassa River.

The suspected pirates, eyewitnesses said, had passed the security post raising their

hands as required during routine check in compliance with the security regulations along the waterways, but suddenly opened fire on the naval team who were attending to other passengers’ boat.

A source said: “It was a surprised attack on the naval team leading to the tragic death of a rating. The gunmen sped off and escaped through the maze of creeks.”

The remains of the unnamed naval officer, who is said to be

working at FORMOSO, had been recovered and deposited at an unnamed morgue in Brass on the Atlantic fringe.

The security situation along the waterways had also forced the maritime workers union (boat operators) to embark on strike some months ago, to draw government attention to their plight.

Contacted, the Commanding Officer, FORMOSO, Captain A. S. Olanrewaju, declined to comment on the matter.

construction of a massive complex for the church auditorium and office accommodation, which might have given the kidnappers the impression that he has money to give them as ransom.”

When Vanguard visited the church yesterday, the second service was in progress, handled by Pastor Seyi’s assistants and there was police presence in the premises.

The source added: “There was no policeman on duty here yesterday (Saturday) when the incident happened. But this morning, we had to request for some policemen from the Airport Police Station close by and these six officers you see here were deployed to forestall any recurrence.”

Mr. Hogan Bassey, spokesman of Cross River State Police Command, said the kidnappers were yet to make any demands.

“But we are closing in on them and very soon, I shall inform you on how far we have gone,” the police scribe said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015—7

25 days after abduction in Delta, construction staff regain freedom

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI— THREE construction staff of Okmas Nigeria Limited, abducted by a seven-man kidnap gang along PataniOduophori Road in Delta State, have regained their freedom after spending 25 days in captivity.

The staff, identified as Sari Naser Karin, 28, from Syria; Tarek Maroun, 38, Lebanese and Sahara, from Edo State, were released by their abductors around 2a.m. on Saturday.

Confirming the release, Public Relations Manager of the company, Owhondah Ebere, who refused to say

zFirm silent on ransom whether or not ransom was paid to secure their release, stated that the three staff were in good shape.

Contacted, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, said: “We were informed by the company that

their staff kidnapped since May 19 have been released.

“I would inform you when I receive further information on how they were released, but we are still investigating and will unravel those criminals behind the kidnap.”

Inferno from candle light consumes 3 siblings in Lagos

By Bose Adelaja & Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—A two-year-old girl, identified as Uzoma, and her two siblings, Ufoma, 9, and Emeka, 7, have been burnt to death after fire gutted a threeroom boys quarter at Egbeda in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Vanguard gathered that the inferno, which consumed the

three siblings, a male and two females, started in their apartment at about 10p.m. when the children were sleeping.

Sources said the fire was discovered by passers-by, who raised the alarm to alert residents, as majority of tenants in the house were yet to return from work.

Vanguard gathered that the inferno was caused by a candle lit by their father, who locked

the three children in his apartment and left for the hospital, where his wife was receiving post-natal care.

Effort to rescue the three children proved abortive.

Family escaped last year

A resident, who identified herself as Mama Bisi, lamented that a similar incident occurred last year when the entire members of the family were

sleeping, adding, however, that they managed to escape.

She added that the children would have escaped the inferno if their father had yielded to the demands of his two-year-old daughter that they should go with him.

It was learned that the mother of the children was in the hospital where she delivered her baby last Friday.

The mother, it was gathered, would have been discharged from hospital but for lack of funds which delayed her discharge.

When Vanguard visited the scene, residents were wailing over the death of the children who were delivered through caesarean section.

Also, it was learned that the landlord of the building had been arrested by policemen attached to Shasha Police Station.

‘My son discovered the fire’

RELIGION, CULTURE: Akwa Ibom cultural group performing during the Sacred Heart Catholic Church cultural day at Gwagwalada, Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

CULTISM: Ogun Police raid hotels, villages arrest 30

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—POLICE in Ogun State have arrested no fewer than 30 suspects in connection with cult activities in various places, including hotels in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of the state within one week.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this yesterday in a statement, saying his men carried out the raids on some hideouts during a special operation in Ijebu Ode and arrested the suspects C M Y K

with weapons.

He said the raids were carried out by 10 teams of policemen, including Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Mobile Police Force and State Intelligence Bureau.

He said the teams carried out raids on many black spots and hideouts in Fidipote Street, Ogbogbo Village, Ita Alapo, Imeweje village and some hotels in the area and arrested the prime suspects or ring leaders, who had been

involved in many criminal acts, including series of killings of people in the area and in some other parts of the state.

Some of the suspects have been arraigned in court in Ijebu Ode. Adejobi said: “The efforts of Ogun State Police Command to curb cult-related activities in the state, particularly in Ijebu Ode and its environs, have paid off as almost 30 suspected cultists have been arrested within one week at various locations in IjebuOde, Ogun State.”

Mr. Christian Ononsolase, a commercial motorcycle operator, who spoke with emotion, explained how the incident happened.

He said: “I sent my son on an errand and on his way back, he discovered the fire and alerted the elders on the street.

“They raised alarm and everyone ran to the well to get water. But the fire had escalated.

“The fire was put out by officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, who were alerted a few minutes after the residents discovered that the fire had escalated than they expected.

“Many did not know that the children were in the building.

It was after the fire was put out and we were assisting the occupants of the building to salvage what was left of their property that we discovered the children were locked up.”

Another resident, who identified himself as Bolu, said the fire was escalated by the gas cylinder in the building, which exploded.

Director of the State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, confirmed the story.

Two boys drown in Jigawa river

By Tina Akannam

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WO teenage boys, both aged 10, were weekend confirmed dead after drowning in a river at Madaka village in Gagarawa Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Muhammad Gidado, who confirmed the incident, said the boys would have been saved had his agency received reports of the development on time.

He warned parents and guardians to be extravigilant on their children and wards and urged members of the public to be security-conscious and be good Samaritans during emergency situations.

In another development, Gidado said his command had arraigned a runaway driver, Lawan Muhammad, 30, of Gawo village, Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State for attempting to run away with a 14-seater commercial bus belonging to his master, Malam Alhaji Buhari Ilu Kanti of Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Man, 25, charged with Ankara theft

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS A 25-year-oldman, Itoro Orofa, has been charged before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing three bundles of Ankara and two bundles of lace materials.

The accused was also said to have conspired with one other, now at large, to commit felony to wit stealing.

According to the charge, the offence was committed on May 12 at Oshodi in Lagos.

Orofa, however, denied the charges. In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr. Akeem Fashola, admitted the accused to a bail of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned till June 29 for mention.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Extortion: DPR alerts public on fraudsters

Nigeria’s private sector leads Africa in foreign equity investments

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BUJA — THE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has cautioned filling station owners and other oil marketers against activities of fake DPR officials defrauding unsuspecting businessmen.

The DPR spokesman, Mr Mohammed Saidu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him, there is a desperate attempt by some fraudsters to extort oil marketers and tarnish the integrity of the department.

Saidu said some fraudulent persons had capitalised on the fuel scarcity situation to defraud some unsuspecting marketers, adding that this caused overpricing of fuel in some areas.

“The outcome of this scarcity has caused us a lot where people now parade themselves and go to filing stations extorting money from marketers in the name of DPR.” He said the fraudsters were going around filling stations to deceive the marketers that they could sell at any amount they wanted as long as they settled them.

“That is why we are still having this problem of over pricing in some of the suburb areas within the Federal Capital Territory.”

Saidu called on marketers to be wary of fraudsters that claimed to be DPR officials who go to filling stations to extort money.

He, however, explained that DPR officers on assignment always go with official vehicles clearly marked as ‘DPR‘.

Saidu stressed that all marketers are supposed to know this because “ we don’t allow our officials to go to filing stations with their personal vehicles.

“No DPR officer will go out on an official assignment without hanging his or her identity card and once you are not with your identity card, you are not representing DPR,” he said.

He said the fraudsters did not even stop at that but also created a parallel website with that of the DPR, claiming that DPR was recruiting for ExxonMobil.

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor AGOS — WITH about $4.0 billion, Nigeria took half of the total $8.1 billion private equity (PE) investment inflow into Africa in 2014, making the economy the most attractive to PEs during the year.

PE funds invested $8.1 billion in African companies over 2014, the second highest total ever after the $8.3 billion in 2007, according to new data from the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

The largest single inflow to Nigeria came from Washington D.C.-based Emerging Capital Partners, which organised $3.15 billion in funding for Nigeria-based cell phone tower operator, IHS. The investments were channelled to the acquisition of 2,100 towers from Etisalat Nigeria and 9,150 towers from MTN Nigeria in addition to the construction of new towers as well as upgrade existing towers with solar power systems and efficient generator units.

Another telecom deal, $630 million from U.K.based Helios Investment Partners, went to Helios Towers Africa —a business backed by George Soros’ Soros Fund Management

and Madeleine Albright’s Albright Capital Management.

The other major beneficiary is Diamond Bank Plc which got inflow from a private equity giant, Carlyle Group, USA amounting to $147 million.

In a special report on Africa-focused PE investments, CNBC Africa had indicated that the continent was looking good

for foreign investments in recent years, adding: "Africa, once off the radar of many investors, continues to rise as a destination for private equity firms. The record levels of 2014 show that PE continues to attract local and foreign institutional investors looking to diversify their portfolios,” AVCA head of research, Dorothy Kelso, said.

However, in a related

development, PE firms exited 40 companies in Africa within the same period, 2014, a 38 per cent increase from 29 exits in 2013, and the largest total since 2007, when there were 34 exits.

Financial services remained the most common sector for exits in 2014 (20 per cent).

Health care was the second (18 per cent) followed by personal and household goods (10 per cent) and retail (8 per cent).

LECTURE: From left: Chief Eniola Fadayomi, President/Chairman of Council, Institute of Director (IOD); Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holding Limited/Guest Speaker and Mr Yemi Akeju, First Vice President at the Institute of Directors Nigeria 4th presidential biennial lecture in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

Confab report not for dustbin, Kukah tells Buhari zSays Confab was Jonathan’s tool for political bargaining

By Charles Kumolu

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OKOTO — CATHOLIC Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Matthew Kukah, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against jettisoning the report of the national conference, saying it contains some recommendations that could solve some national puzzles.

He also advised that the report be given to relevant government agencies in order to find areas suitable for implementation.

Kukah, who said this in a chat with Vanguard in Sokoto, said though the confab was seen as former President Goodluck Jonthan’s tool for political bargaining, Buhari should not heed calls to abandon it.

His words: “Let us not deceive ourselves, Jonathan did his best. We are just caught in the bubble of

exuberance and it is fashionable to distance oneself from the past administration.

"He did his best with what was available to him. And I think it will be totally irresponsible to suggest that the confab report should be thrown out of the window because Jonathan was believed to have had whatever motives. I was cynical about the confab itself. And I actually tried to write myself out of contention by the narratives I gave in the interviews I granted. And I made it clear that I was not available.

“But my argument at that time was that there is nothing new to talk about. You can’t keep compiling reports and be throwing them away. My argument was that Jonathan wanted a leeway and it was also part of the oxygen of legitimacy for him.

"But I did not believe that he would have the energy to carry through with the

implementation. But as a tool for political bargaining, it was good for him and it made sense for the people of the SouthWest. But the issue of whether we are a federal system that have been canvassed by the South-West will not go away.

“Philosophically, we are not a federation because federating units agree on a federation. We are literally like products of an arranged marriage. We can’t be claiming to be practising true federalism now.

"The best we can do now is to make do with what we have.

I don’t think the North, East or West are ready to concede any territory or any privilege. Most of these contestations are products of frustration. For me, it is not so much a question of whether the report made sense or not. It is important to appreciate the fact the report has some points which can be useful to the government.

“People think that Buhari will wake up one day and say that he is implementing the report of the confab. It does not work like that. Buhari may give that report to the relevant organs of government that can look at it for implementation. The offices can simply look at those things and policy changes will take place without you noticing.

"When we had the Oputa Panel, one of the most difficult challenges was the question of the Ogoni. We did our work, you can say that the report was not implemented. But when Obasanjo asked me to intervene in the conflict between the Ogoni and Shell, solution flowed out of that report.

"President Obasanjo did not announce to the world that it was the report of the panel that was implemented in tackling that problem. That was good.

Governments don’t work by making noise. I believe that Buhari and some other people are clever enough to know that the confab report is not for the dustbin.”

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015—9

Buhari to African leaders: My efforts to stop Boko Haram zUrges leaders to stop deaths of migrants across Mediterranean zLauds Jonathan on transition

ideals and aspirations of the African Union as explained in the Agenda 2063, which is geared towards ensuring a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa in the next 50 years. It is for this reason that Nigeria is fully and irrevocably committed to the ECOWAS vision.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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AGOS — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, briefed African leaders on his efforts towards combating the Boko Haram insurgency in the country’s North-East even as he challenged them to collectively stop the sordid stories of migrants dying across the Mediterranean Sea. In an address presented at the opening ceremony of the 25th ordinary session of the African Union, AU, Buhari also paid respect to former President Goodluck Jonathan for helping to avert a crisis in the country by facilitating a smooth transition in power.

Noting the challenge against his administration from Boko Haram and his efforts towards overcoming the threats by the group, he said: “Our continent is currently bedevilled by the twin evils of terrorism and insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, and underdevelopment.

"The destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege.

“I was convinced on my assumption of office that the best approach would be to work within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC, to mobilse collective support to fight against Boko Haram. I have in this regard, directed the relocation of Nigeria’s Command Centre to place it closer to the theatre of action.

"Furthermore, I have vigorously engaged the member states of the LCBC to better coordinate the strategies and tactics in fighting the insurgency in the region. I believe that this approach can be enhanced through complimentary regional and continental efforts.”

Deaths of migrants across Mediterranean Frowning at repeated episodes of African migrants across the Mediterranean Sea, he said: “The images in the international mass media of African youths getting drowned in the C M Y K

Lauds Jonathan on transition

President Muhammadu Buhari delivering his address at the 25th AU summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday.

Mediterranean Sea on their illegal attempts, and often times illusory hope of attaining better life in Europe are not only an embarrassment to us as leaders, but dehumanise our persons.

Indeed, they combine to paint a very unfavourable picture of our peoples and countries.

“Those of us gathered here today owe it as a duty to reverse this ugly trend. We must put an end to the socalled push factors that compel our young men and

women to throw caution to the winds and risk life, limbs and all, on this dangerous adventure.

"We must redouble our efforts to sustain the economic development of our countries, ensure empowerment of our youths, create more jobs, improve and upgrade our infrastructure, and above all continue the enthronement of a regime of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights and rule of law.

These and other measures that engender peace and stability

must be pursued relentlessly.

“In this connection, we must persist in our collective endeavour to work together through the African Union and our respective Regional Economic Communities, RECs, to uplift our continent and provide the African peoples the enabling environment for the realisation of their legitimate dreams and aspirations.

"At this juncture, let me assure you of the unflinching commitment of Nigeria to the

Acknowledging Nigeria’s historic transition and the role played by his predecessor, he said: “The election was also held against the backdrop of the fears and concerns expressed both in Nigeria and among our international friends abroad and partners that the outcome of the election could spell doom for Nigeria. I am glad that even though those fears and concerns were not without basis, the outcome was totally different, to the relief of all of us.

“I cannot fail to acknowledge the very positive role played by my predecessor, H.E. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in averting the feared crisis, and in facilitating the peaceful transition of power between the two parties.

"I also wish to express my deep appreciation to all who honoured us with their presence at my inauguration, and even those, who for unavoidable reasons were unable to attend.”

EFCC slams 50 fresh money laundering charges on Sylva

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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BUJA — APPARENTLY angered and disappointed by the dismissal of the money laundering charges it preferred against former Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva, by Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Abuja Federal High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, released 50 fresh charges against the All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain.

The charges were increased from the initial 42 to 50 by the anti-graft agency, thereby giving Sylva a tougher task to defend himself in the matter, which has already been filed

and likely to be assigned to a new judge.

The charges, according to a document obtained by Vanguard, yesterday, were prepared and filed in court by the Director of Legal of the EFCC, Mr. Chile Okoroma.

In the new changes, the EFCC carefully listed the acts of looting alleged to have been perpetrated by Sylva when he was the governor of the riverine state.

In the new charges, the former governor is alleged to have connived with three companies said to be close to him to commit the offences preferred against him between 2007 and 2011.

The elongation and filing of fresh charges against Sylva come barely a week

after Justice A.R. Mohammed dismissed the 42-count charge against the former governor on account of abuse of court processes.

But the commission immediately faulted the action of the judge for dismissing the case without it being heard and Sylva even making a plea of whether he is guilty or not.

According to the anti-graft agency, Justice A. R Mohammed erred in law by dismissing the charge as the accused persons had not taken any plea and no proof of evidence placed before the court while trial had also not started.

It noted that the dismissal of the charge by Justice Mohammed following the application of the commission to consolidate

the charges against the former governor and his accomplices, does not amount to a discharge or an acquittal, and it does not preclude the power of the agency to bring fresh charges against the defendants.

It will be recalled that Sylva, along with Francis Okokwo, Gbenga Balogun, and Samuel Ogbuku, are alleged to have used three companies – Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited, and Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited— to move about N19.2 billion from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009 and 2012, under false pretence of using the withdrawn money to augment salaries of the state government workers.

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Declare your assets, Lagos PDP tells Ambode

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HE Lagos State chap ter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has issued a 14 days ultimatum to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to publicly declare his assets upon assuming office.

The party, which gave the governor till Monday, 29th June, also tasked the governor to make public in the media, the details of the handover notes and assets of his predecessor, Mr Raji Fashola.

In a statement by its state publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the party warned that “if the governor fails to take up this moral challenge, he will thereafter be labelled ‘Governor Pretender’ throughout his tenure. The deliberate neglect will however compel us and other well meaning Lagosians to explore the relevance of the Freedom of Information Act (FoI Act) on the matter.”

According to the party, the necessity for the present governor of Lagos State to make public his present assets is more ignited by the huge foreign and local debts of near a trillion naira, now left behind by the immediate past governor.

Fasehun kicks as UPN names new national leaders

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, leadership, according to the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji with Agency report

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AGOS—THE Unity Par ty of Nigeria (UPN), weekend said it had ratified the election of its new national

OPENING: From left; President, Region Africa, Robert Bosch, Dr Markus Thill; member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH, Uwe Raschke and General Manager, Robert Bosch Nigeria, Ghislain Noumbessy at the opening ceremony of the Bosch Nigeria office in Lagos.

Ambode, Awoniyi greet Sam Amuka at 80

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and the deputy governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi, yesterday, paid tribute to the Chairman of Vanguard Media Limited and veteran journalist,

...Oshiomhole too

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LSO, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka on his 80th birthday, as the authentic “Uncle” of the Nigerian media industry.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the governor said: “Your attainment of 80 in today’s Nigeria, where life expectancy is below 50, is a testament of God’s grace upon your life and the prayers of the hundreds of lives and families you have touched since the existence of the Vanguard newspapers.

“As a young man, I was privileged to read some of your “Sad Sam” columns and was enthralled by the fluency of your language and flow of your thoughts. Even today, at 80, your sense of humour, rare intellect and the simple lifestyle are some of the qualities that have continued to endear many to you.

“Vanguard, the refreshingly different newspaper, which you birthed in 1984, has remained true to being the voice of the masses and conscience of the people and your C M Y K

Abubakar Sokoto.

However, in a swift reaction, founding national chairman of the party, Dr Fredrick Fasehun, yesterday described as a ruse the

purported ratification of the election of the party ’s new national leadership, which was a fall-out of their first national convention allegedly held in Kaduna three months.

The party, in recent times has been battling to settle its internal crisis, which led to series of court actions.

dream for the newspaper has remained true in spite of the harsh investment climate in Nigeria.

“In other climes, you would have long been awarded the seat of a Professor of Journalism in an Ivy League university, however, the hundreds of young reporters, columnists and editors who passed through you at The Punch and Vanguard ‘Schools of Journalism’ would readily agree that, indeed, you truly deserve to be a Professor of Journalism as you remain the indisputable leader of the Nigerian media today.''

Chief Sam Amuka-Pemu, who turned 80 on Saturday.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, the Lagos governor conveyed warm felicitations, saying that Amuka-Pemu has contributed largely to the uplifting of the profession of journalism in the country.

Governor Ambode said his strides towards the growth of the Nigerian press are not only evident in how he has led his newspaper to enviable heights, but also his stance on political stability, accountability and the rule of law.

The governor said, “Nigeria has benefitted immensely from the presence of Uncle Sam Amuka in the media, both as a journalist and columnist from the days of the Daily Times group, where he rose to be the Editor of Sunday Times”.

“His then column, ‘Sad-Sam’, stood tall among equals as he continuously kept his readers glued to his satirical and literarystyled articles, a model he has maintained over the years”.

“It is not surprising that he has brought his wealth of experience to bear on the Vanguard newspapers, one of the newspapers to reckon with in the country today.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos, I wish you a Happy 80th Birthday and many more years of good health, good speed and new heights going forward.”

Also, Awoniyi in a statement he signed personally eulogized Amuka for his teamwork in achieving desired goals, saying his contribution to the progress of the Nigerian Press is commendable. He described him as an unrivalled doyen of journalism profession.

“I commended the professionalism and consistency of the Vanguard Newspapers. At 80, the contributions by Chief Amuka as a thorough breed professional would remain indelible, his consistency and principled stand on national issues stands him tall.”

“I wish Uncle Sam good health and more prosperity in his future endeavours.''''

Shortage of fund stalls projects at MMIA, PHIA

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KEJA—PERMANENT Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mrs Binta Bello, said shortage of funds is stalling modernisation projects at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and Port-Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) in Rivers State.

Bello said this while speak-

ing yesterday in Lagos when she embarked on an inspection tour of some ongoing projects at the Lagos Airport.

The Federal Government in September 2013 began the construction of the facility at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

Also, Abuja, Port-Harcourt,

Kano and Enugu were included in the building of five state of the art terminals.

The China’s Exim Bank and Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) funded the projects and handled the construction at the cost of $500 million and the construction completed in 20 months.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, Fasehun debunked the claim, saying it was not true that such could happen since he was holding the instrument of party's registration.

Fasehun said, “INEC has no reason to recognise them. That will be a flagrant disobedience to the constitution of the land. I have the certificate for the registration of the party and I am still the chairman of the party.

“I do not think that anything like that can happen and I am telling you I was not notified as the national chairman of the party.”

He claimed that there are cases in court regarding the running of the party.

The party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Sokoto, has said that the new officials were elected at the party’s first national convention held in Kaduna from March 6 to 7, where Prof. Bankole Okuwa was elected as UPN’s new National Chairman.

Sokoto said the list of the new excos of the party was accepted

by INEC. “This followed a convention report we (the party) submitted to INEC for consideration,” Sokoto said.

Other National Executive Committee members elected at the convention according to him, were Dr Manzo Abubakar as Deputy National Chairman; Mr Bari Salau, National Publicity Secretary; and Dr Ola Olateju, National Organising Secretary.

Similarly, Mr Chinedu Okeke was elected as National Treasurer; Mr Dare Adesope, National Youth Leader, and seven ex-officio members.

Labour ministry, HuCaPAN hold 2-day workshop

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HE Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in collaboration with the Human Capital Provider Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) will tomorrow 16th and Wednesday 17th of this month organise a two day national workshop.

The event which will hold at the NECA house in Lagos has the theme: ‘Harnessing the benefits of outsourcing through enhanced regulatory environment’ The workshop will establish an effective platform for interaction between regulators and operators as well as applicants to the licensing regime.

Also, the emerging trends in the recruitment industry and call for the collaborations efforts of all stakeholders to address challenges and proffer the way forward will be addressed.

The organisers said it will promote productivity consciousness.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 11

SENATE LEADERSHIP: Furore over decision of S-West Senator to vote Saraki

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE decision of a senator of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the Southwest geo-political zone, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, to vote for Senator Olusola Saraki has continued to generate ripples in his home State- Ondo as he continues to receive knocks for voting his choice.

The development became very messy at the weekend making some leaders from his constituency to suspend another leader who criticized his decision to vote against his party’s candidate.

Senator Alasoadura represent Ondo Central Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber.

Leaders of the party in Ondo Central senatorial district who threw their weight behind Alasoadura include Chief Eleti Joshua, the Chairman of Akure North APC Chairman, his Secretary, Mr Tunde Adesunloro, Women leader, Mrs. Joke Oluwafemi and Tayo Afolayin among others Other leaders in the state that kicked against his decision, accusing him of being the only representative from the SouthWest who attended the plenary session where Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, were elected for the senate leadership positions instead of Senator Ahmed Lawan was led by Saka Yusuf Ogunleye who is from the embattled senator’s constituency.

...His accusers suspended for anti-party activities They lashed him for betraying the trust of the party and the people.

Meanwhile, Ogunleye, who accused the senator for flouting his party’s order has been suspended indefinitely along side his ward nine party Chairman, Mr. Ojo Adegbola for anti-party activities by the leaders.

The leaders in a communique signed after their meetings said ''Senator Alasoadura consulted

widely both at state and national level of our great party before he decided to support Dr. Bukola Saraki.''

It read further “there was no local government executive meeting where distinguished senator Alasoadura was reprimanded for his action and such directive could not have emanated at all”. “ Having gone through our party (APC) constitution and Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution, there is no where it is written that

you cannot support any candidate of your choice and interest.

“Therefore, senator Donald Tayo Alasoadura has not in anyway violated APC constitution as well as that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Judging from the above, the entire APC members in Akure North Local Government strongly belief in the personality of the Senator Alasoadura, his leadership and his ability to give good representation”.

AWARD: Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (right), receiving the Grand Patron of Elan Club Award from the President, Club Elan, Akure, Elano (Chief) Jide Owolabi (middle) while Former Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Kunle Asaolu watches, at the formal investiture of the governor as the Grand Patron of the Elan Club, at Club Elan, Alagbaka, Akure, at the weekend.

MAPOLY rector solicits funds for vocational training

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—TH E Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Prof. Oludele Itiola has appealed to Ogun state governor to fund vocational skills in various state-owned tertiary institutions in the state.

The rector however said the governor could reduce the high rate of unemployment among the graduates in the state by providing soft loans for them to start businesses.

The rector stated this, in Abeokuta during the entrepreneurship day entitled “Open market day” organised for the MAPOLY students by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of the institution.

Itiola urged the governments of Senator Ibikunle Amosun to ensure development of entrepreneurship in tertiary institutions, which he said would help the governments to reduce the high rate of unemployment especially among the youth who are graduates.

He spoke shortly after some students displayed various products they made which include power inverter, and branded office clocks.

Ambode vows to support initiatives against cancer

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday, joined the Banquet of Stars Against Cancer at an awareness progrmame which was also used to honour the Governor, saying that he will continue to support initiatives geared towards saving the lives of the people especially against cancer.

The Governor who spoke through his Deputy, Dr Oluranti Adebule at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, added that the war against cancer is for everyone to fight.

“The war against cancer is for everyone to fight, as hardly can one find someone who is not related directly or indirectly with at least one cancer victim. Lots of lives are lost globally everyday to this scourge. On our part we shall continue to support initiatives geared towards saving the lives of our people especially against cancer”, he said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna.

Governor Ambode said as a demonstration of its commitment, C M Y K

the State has through the Ministry of Health, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation over the years organised regular cancer awareness and free breastfeeding and cervical cancer screening programmes for women.

He said medical and financial support are also given to those who are diagnosed and require treatment adding that it is in recognition of the need for everyone to get involved in this fight that he made a passionate appeal to all members of his family and friends to channel whatever gifts they wanted to give him on his 52nd birthday towards the cause.

“I will like to encourage all Nigerians including corporate organisations to contribute to this effort especially in the area of raising awareness on the importance of early detection through regular screening and funding research to find better treatment to manage this disease. These are the key areas where we need to invest efforts and resources as late detection makes cancer very difficult to

be successfully managed”, he said.

He commended the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, CECP as well as the contributions of all artists and well meaning Nigerians who have supported the cause, pledging that the State will donate a reasonable amount to support the cause.

Vice President, Professor Yemi

Osinbajo, who was represented by former Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Ade Ipaye expressed appreciation to CECP for the good works it is doing, stressing that cancer is a deadly affliction that could affect anyone.

He said he would be ready to support the worthy cause at any time, including in his private

capacity because the fight against the Cancer scourge requires the support of everyone.

Speaking, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade said the CECP is engaged to fight cancer because the body realizes what cancer can do and that it is a serious war.

Labour urges Buhari to immortalise MKO Abiola, others

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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RGANISED labour has called on President Muhammed Buhari, to immortalise acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, annulled Presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola, and other victims of the struggle.

Speaking through Comrade Issa Aremu, a Deputy President of the Joe Ajaero-led faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in a statement, insisted that 22 years after, June 12 spectre had repeatedly hunted Nigeria’s democratic process, saying “It’s time we exorcised it.”

Comrade Aremu, who is also the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, said “President Muhammadu Buhari should offer leadership and build a groundswell of national consensus to posthumously accord acceptable deserved national and global honour to the winner of the June 12th 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola and hundreds of other victims of that era of impunity. 22 years after, June 12 spectre repeatedly hunts Nigeria’s democratic process.

''It’s time we exorcised it. Given the free and fair election that led to his emergence, President Muhammadu Buhari is the best positioned Nigerian leader in to rightly name, shame and damn the criminal annulment of the 1993 presidential election results adjudged to be the most free and fair.

He added that “Labour again commends the outgoing Independent National Electoral Commission chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, for standing firm in upholding the mandate of Nigerians during the 2015 presidential elections.''

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Delta APC crisis: Faction accuses Erue of disobeying court order

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—THE Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh-led faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State has described as contemptuous and an act of impersonation, the actions of some members of the dissolved executive of the party, led by Prophet Jones Erue, which was on April 30, 2015 declared illegal by Justice Obi of the Delta State High Court, Asaba.

Spokesman of the Okotie-Eboh faction, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who addressed newsmen, weekend, said that the judgment delivered

by Justice Obi in the suit by Chief Okotie-Eboh, declared as illegal, the congress that purportedly elected Prophet Erue and others as executives of the Delta State APC. He said: “We read in the newspapers a few days ago where Prophet Erue addressed party faithful in his capacity as Delta State Chairman of APC. This seems to have been the trend by key members of the dissolved state executive, as they want to carry on as though nothing had happened even after the court judgment of April 30, sacking them from office.

“Until a higher court (on appeal) rules otherwise, this is the law.

We want to remind Prophet Erue and others that they can be committed to jail for impersonation and contemptuous

actions.

“There is a subsisting court judgment which has sacked them from office and indeed ordered a fresh congress to elect new and substantive executives for APC in Delta State. Until that is done, anybody that parades himself as Chairman, Secretary or any other position in a non- existing APC Delta State executive body is doing so in gross violation and disobedience to a subsisting court

judgment. In fact and by implication and by my layman’s interpretation, what this means is that all actions taken by the sacked Prophet Erue-led illegal executive body is null and void and of no consequence whatsoever.

“By extension, this means that there was never a candidate or candidates in all elections that were conducted in Delta State during the illegal tenure of

Prophet Erue and others as state executive. I am talking about the local government, governorship, state and National Assembly elections. The APC candidates in those elections have no locus to even challenge the elections they lost at the tribunals because they emerged as candidates through a process facilitated by illegal state executives and delegates. I hope Prophet Erue, his sacked team and their principal know this,” Eyengho added.

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E N AG OA — B AYA L S A youths in the All Progressives Congress, APC, under the aegis of Bayelsa Youth Network for APC, have expressed dismay over what they called the “intimidation and unwarranted arrest” of APC supporters in the state during the just concluded general and re-scheduled elections in Bayelsa.

President of the group, Clement Adaminegbe, in a statement in Yenagoa, weekend, also accused the Joint Task Force, JTF, code named Operation Pulo Shield of unleashing mayhem on APC supporters during the last elections, alleging that electoral materials were hijacked by agents of Bayelsa State Government and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Adaminebe said: “We are using this medium to call for the removal of the Commander of the JTF in Bayelsa State, who unleashed mayhem on supporters of the APC in favour of PDP.” He also alleged that what

C M Y K

By Festus Ahon

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S A B A — D E LT A State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged Nigerians to put their trust in God for the development of the country.

Speaking at the third anniversary celebration of the Oracle of God Ministries International, OGM, yesterday, Okowa said that Nigerians must put their trust in God for Him to guide them in the path of salvation and development as “God only is the builder of the society and the church."

Rivers Waste Mgt Agency begins payment of debts owed service providers THANKSGIVING MASS: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State (2nd left) and wife, Mather; Senator Godswill Akpabio (2nd right) and wife, Unoma, during a thanksgiving Mass organised by Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene in honour of Senator Akpabio, at St Anne'socal Cathedral, Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene LGA.

Ijaw youths condemn alleged arrest of APC supporters in Bayelsa

By Emem Idio

Put your trust in God, Okowa urges Nigerians

transpired during the 2015 general elections in Bayelsa State negates the tenet of democracy and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,

adding that election results were not announced at wards and constituency headquarters, describing what happened as a ploy by the PDP to manipulate the

election results to their favour.

“Mostly in Bayelsa East senatorial district, supporters of former Governor Timipre Sylva were disenfranchised and intimidated,” Adaminegbe alleged.

Appoint Igini as Jega’s replacement, Owie, Ojezua urge Buhari

By Simon Ebegbulem

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E N I N — STAKEHOLDERS in the South-South have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint the out-going Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo State, Mr Mike Igini, as replacement to the out-going Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega.

Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Rowland Owie, and Edo State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress, APC, made the call weekend at an event organised in honour of Igini in Benin City.

Senator Owie who took time to reel out Igini's qualities which he

described as impeccable since he assumed office as INEC Commissioner in the last five years, said: “Igini has made the South South proud due to his incorruptible stance, his genuine belief in free, fair and credible election and his pursuit for the truth.

“As a man of character himself and one who believes in our electoral process, we should not waste the talent of this young man. He should be given a chance to head INEC so that Nigerians will benefit from his wealth of experience.”

On his part, APC chairman in Edo State, Mr Ojezua, said: “Igini has provided leadership in Edo INEC and that is very obvious. The outcome of the elections in Edo State is the

reason you have less number of persons going to the tribunals. If you look at other states in the South South and South East, the results were controversial but in Edo State, you did not see that.

It shows the kind of person he is."

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HE Sole A d m i n i s t r a t o r, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Mr Felix Obuah, has commenced payment of four months debts owed service providers of the agency by the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

A statement by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser, Media, to Obuah, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said: “Service providers of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency were engaged by the Amaechi administration, but were not paid for their services for four months.

“Obuah has, therefore, appealed to Rivers people to exercise patience with the agency in its efforts to clear the state of garbage inherited from the former administration and return Port Harcourt, the state capital to its garden city status."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015—13

Bayelsa flays Shell's response to oil spills B

AYELSA State Government, yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction with the response of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to frequent oil spills in the state.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Iniruo Wills, said in Yenagoa, that several meetings between the state government and officials of the oil firm in the past had been fruitless.

The commissioner also described as insensitive, SPDC’s claim that the spill at Shell’s Seibou Oil Well at Ogboinbiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, had no adverse effect on the environment.

According to him, a Joint Investigation Report on the January 23 oil leak conducted by the regulators, SPDC, community and government representatives, attributed the spill to equipment failure.

He said the equipment in question discharged about 550 barrels of crude into the river in the affected area.

The spill had polluted Ogboinbiri River which serves as source of fresh water to several settlements on the river bank in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa.

The commissioner said that the government would continue to ensure that operators in the state adhered to existing regulations and international best practices.

He said: “We made it clear from

the outset that it cannot be business as usual. The Seibou oilwell leak is a test case and so far we are totally dissatisfied with SPDC’s posture. It goes to show the level of corporate impunity in the sector. I must say that we are not satisfied with Shell’s handling of spill incidents in our communities. We are extremely disappointed and it is a mark of insensitivity and it is regrettable and unacceptable for oil companies to operate without feeling the effect of their operation on the eco-system and the larger

environment.”

The commissioner said that the ministry had commenced discussions with the affected communities with a view to seeking legal redress on the impact of the spill.

SPDC had confirmed that oil leak from its underwater line within its oil fields in Ogboinbiri was discharging not less than 550 barrels of crude into Ogboinbiri River.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the oil firm, Mr Joesph Obari, the leakage was

reported on January 23 and it subsequently shut the facility.

“A spill was detected from an underwater flow line riser at the Seibou 2 Wellhead in the night of January 23. The well was closed-in about 15 hours later, once it was safe to do so and the impacted area boomed off to prevent further spread of the spill.

“A Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, has been conducted, but it only determined that 550 barrels of oil spilled into the area of impact to the environment,” he said.

CONVOCATION: From left: Chief Solomon Ogba and Mr Fred Odueme, AGM Brand, Vanguard Newspaper, after the conferment of an honourary doctorate degree on Ogba during the 30th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

$1.5bn oil spill compensation: Ijaw leaders protest Appeal Court judgment

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—LEADERS of Ijaw communities in Bayelsa State, yesterday, in Abuja, protested the Court of Appeal judgment nullifying the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, SPDC, to pay $1.5 billion as compensation, over alleged 1994 oil spillage, land degradation and water pollution in the Niger Delta.

The leaders, who vowed not to give up on the matter, said that they will proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the Appeal Court’s judgment, which favoured the oil company.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, leaders of Ijaw Aborigines, led by a prominent politician, Chief Pere Ajuwa, noted that the judgment was capable of heightening insecurity in the Niger Delta as the development, according to them, was against the term

of agreement earlier reached between leaders of the Ijaw communities and Shell, which brought the existing peace to the region.

Ajuwa, said: “We have been in a battle with SPDC over this $1.5 billion compensation over oil spillage, land degradation

and water pollution for long now. Initially, when the Traditional Rulers Council of Bayelsa State invited me to handle the case, I gave them my conditions which included non-violence from any Ijaw group. In 2003, a commission of enquiry was called at the National

Assembly and there has not been any violence against Shell since that period till now.

“But with what has happened,, we have been undermined even by certain agents of government and Shell. The commission of inquiry

EFCC’s fresh suit against Sylva, confirmation of persecution —BDF

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — B A Y E L S A Democratic Front, BDF, has described the fresh charge against the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a confirmation of his political persecution by the commission.

BDF, in a statement, yesterday in Yenagoa by its President-General, P.

Okpoebi, said that while EFCC had tried unsuccessfully to disguise an obviously c o m m i s s i o n e d persecution of Sylva as a corruption trial, the fresh charge it filed on Friday in Abuja removed every doubt as to the motive of the commission.

It praised the judiciary for showing great courage and determination to uphold justice and the integrity of the court, despite obvious pressure, when it recently dismissed the

charges by EFCC against Sylva.

It condemned what it called EFCC’s strange decision to restart the case at the very court that had dismissed it, saying that such action smacks of dangerous desperation, which tries to rubbish the country’s ant-icorruption effort.

BDF said: “Many politicians in the country, both serving and former, have pending EFCC cases. Why is Sylva's case being treated this way?"

specified that 1247 indigenes of Bayelsa State died due to Shell’s oil pollution.

There was an unmitigated outpour of cholera and other water borne diseases."

Eteng emerges 16th Obol Lopon of Ugep in C-River State

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA—OBOL Ofem Ubana Eteng has emerged the 16th Obol Lopon of Ugep, in Cross River State, described as one of the most populous indigenous communities in the country.

The Obol Lopon-elect, 57, was, until his election, a non-commissioned officer, who served in the Finance Department of the Nigerian Army Amphibious Training School, Calabar.

The coronation of the Obol Lopon-elect had been fixed for June 26, by the kingmakers at the Umor Otutu Palace, Ugep, Yakurr, Cross River State.

A statement, weekend, in Abuja, by the Chairman of the media sub-committee of the Central Planning Committee, Sebastine Eko, said: “The coronation of a new monarch is sequel to the recent transition of His Majesty Obol Ubi Ujong Inah the 15th Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.”

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUN E 15, 2015

CRUDE SWAP: AITEO winds down contracts

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ITEO, ONE of the oil traders involved in the controversial crude swap contracts, said it is bringing its business relationship with Duke Oil, the trading subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to a close.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, AITEO said: “The Board of AITEO has taken the decision to wind down this Duke Oil SWAP and OPA contract promptly and bring its business relationship with Duke Oil to a closure.”

The company also said that in fulfilment of its outstanding obligation on the Duke Oil Swap and contracts, the company had decided to nominate two cargo deliveries to fully liquidate any outstanding deliveries due to PPMC. According to the company: “Should there still exist a deficit after reconciling positions, where there is an over delivery, PPMC will issue a credit note in favour of AITEO and if AITEO should have any outstanding this will either be deducted from on-going cash calls due AITEO from AITEO/NNPC joint venture or an outright remittance as the case may be.

Don't take bribe, Aisha Buhari tells President's men

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—THE wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha has warned those around the President not to use their position to curry favours, but to key into his agenda of fighting corruption and insecurity.

Speaking while she hosted women and youths to a 'thank you' dinner, Mrs. Buhari said the success of the administration would depend on how the people around the President conduct themselves.

According to her, there should be a better representation of women in all arms of government

in order to ensure that their concerns are better articulated.

She said: “There was nothing that people did not say about the past administration. It is not Jonathan that is not good, but the people around him.

“So, the people that are going to be around General Buhari have to be very careful because

MEETING: From left, Interim National Secretary, Motor Dealers Association of Nigeria, MDAN, Malam Suleiman Kato; Chairman of MDAN, Northern Zone, Mr. Rotimi Fabiyi, and Interim President of MDAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, at the national meeting of the association, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: NAN

this election ended peacefully.

“We are praying and hoping that people around him should know that it took him 12 years to get to that position and they must know that they are coming to serve the masses, not General Buhari in person. It is the people that are around him that will determine the political health of our state.

“There was nothing that people did not say about the past administration. It is not Jonathan that is not good, but the people around him.

“So, the people that are going to be around General Buhari have to be very careful because this election ended peacefully.

“We are praying and hoping that people around him should know that it took him 12 years to get to that position and they must know that they are coming to serve the masses, not General Buhari in person. It is the people that are around him that will determine the political health of our state.

“I will like to inform you that in the past regime, whether it is true or false, only God knows, some people were going round and parading themselves as PAs. If you wanted to see the First Lady, you will pay $30,000, $50,000 and if you are seeing the President, you will pay all that you have gathered in your lifetime.

You were misled, Chris Anyanwu replies Soyinka

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor SENATOR CHRIS Anyanwu has faulted Prof. Wole Soyinka’s objection to the Sexual Offences Bill as passed by the 7th National Assembly, saying the Nobel Laureate was misled in his hasty analysis of the bill.

Speaking against the background of the objections raised by Soyinka that the bill seemed to make defilement of girls above 11 years old acceptable, Senator Anyanwu who authored the bill said that there was nowhere the bill allowed such.

Besides Soyinka, civil rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has also objected to the bill on the same grounds.

In his own objection to the bill, Falana threatened to go to court saying:

“Finally, if the Bill is eventually passed into law with its obnoxious provisions we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court to strike it down in view of Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which has imposed a duty on the government of Nigeria to ensure the elimination of every discrimination against women and ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child, as stipulated in international declarations and conventions.”

Responding directly to the open letter

by Soyinka to President Muhammadu Buhari not to give his assent to the bill, Senator Anyanwu said Soyinka’s fury could be understandable given the sensibility of upright Nigerians to the defilement of women.

“No one who read that letter could miss the fury embedded in your words.

I know where that fury comes from: moral fibre, good conscience, and love of people.

"I want to assure you that it was the very same sentiments that drove me to come up with that bill and the same sentiments that led senators and members to pass it,” Senator Anyanwu wrote.

“As always, your aim was to speak as the voice of reason in our increasingly

confused society. I know you meant well. I know you acted out of your deep compassion for Nigerians and fatherly love for the children. But as I read your open letter, my heart sank because this time, my dear Baba, my dear icon, you are wrong; very wrong.

“You have been misled by the misinformation circulated by someone who could not read or comprehend a legal draft; someone who did not have the patience to read through a proposal, see what was recommended and what was finally

accepted. You were misled by someone who deliberately distorted the content of one of the most profound bills ever passed by the Nigerian legislature, scandalized the proponent and the institution for reasons that you and I may not know."

NASS battle shifts to c'ttee chairmanship ...as lobby for juicy ones intensifies

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

BUJA—WITH the dust over the leadership of the National Assembly, NASS, gradually settling, the battle for the control of the soul of the national legislature has shifted to who controls each of the 90 powerful standing committees.

Vanguard learned, weekend, that both chambers of the NASS were deeply involved in the desperate lobby of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to secure what the chairmanship of what the members consider as ‘juicy committees’.

A senior lawmaker told Vanguard, yesterday, that those who consider themselves as those who were instrumental to bringing both Senator Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara on board as Senate President and Speaker of the House of

Representatives in last week’s election, had already positioned themselves for prime chairmanship slots in both chambers and have made their ambitions clearly known to the two leaders of the NASS. In essence, the lobbyists had warned that although the key committees should be headed by men and women with cognate experience in the relevant fields, they must be given priority because of the role they played in bringing on board the new leadership against the backdrop of the opposition from their party against them.

Many members are expecting a repeat of what afflicted the 7th Assembly when members of the selecting committee raised

by Speaker Tambuwal to select members for the 90 standing committees ended up as Chairmen and Vice chairmen of the committees to the chagrin of the majority, who felt short-changed.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUN E 15, 2015 —15

Ohanaeze youths want Buhari to complete 2nd Niger Bridge, Enugu Airport

By Francis Igata

A

BA—THE youth wing of pan-Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to complete Enugu International Airport, the second Niger Bridge and rehabilitate dilapidated federal roads in the South East zone.

In a chat with journalists in Aba, National President of the group which operates under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, also wanted the President to implement the decisions of the National Conference, including the creation of an additional state in the South East, to make it at par with others.

“We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to complete Enugu International Airport to make it a true international airport which can compare with others across the globe. ‘’We also want him to

complete the second Niger Bridge, rehabilitate federal roads in the South East zone and implement the decisions of the confab, particularly the creation of additional state in the South East.”

The group urged President Buhari to fulfill his campaign promise of fighting corruption and indiscipline, stressing that the two evils had caused severe hardship to Nigerians.

The youth group further appealed to the President to appoint Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his Chief of Staff and Dr Chris Ngige as the Minister of Health, adding that the three men were patriots capable of helping Buhari to achieve his visions for the nation, if appointed.

NEMA donates drugs to victims of Onitsha petrol tanker fire

By Austin Ogwuda

E

NUGU—NATIONAL E m e r g e n c y Management Agency, NEMA, has donated assorted drugs worth several millions of naira to hospitals where victims of recent petrol tanker fire are currently receiving treatment in Anambra State.

Presenting the drugs to the five hospitals in Onitsha, Director- General of NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, said the gesture was aimed at assisting the doctors in saving the lives of surviving victims.

Sani-Sidi, who was represented by the Director, in- charge of relief at the agency’s headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Eugene Eze, said: “We want to encourage the hospitals with these drugs and medical consummables for the speedy recovering of the victims.

“NEMA shares in the C M Y K

pains and agony they are passing through, and wants to use this opportunity to commend doctors of the various hospitals where they are being treated for their efforts towards saving their lives.”

He was accompanied by the South East zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Major James Eze, and his South West counterpart, Dr. Bandele Onimode, as well as Executive Director, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, ASEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo.

Shortly after the presentation, Sani-Sidi and his team paid a courtesy visit on Governor Willie Obiano at the governor’s lodge, where he sympathised with the governor.

They used the occasion to stress the need for state governments in the South East zone to strengthen State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs.

ASSEMBLY: From left, Former President/ Chairman of Council, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, Sekinat Yusuf; Director of Finance and Account, CPN, Gani Alleru, and newly elected President/ Chairman of Council, CPN, Professor Vincent Asor, holding brief, at the just-concluded 2015 IT Professionals Assembly, in Calabar, Cross River. Photo: Emeka Aginam

TRIBUNAL: My life in serious danger, Ezugwu cries out

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate for Enugu North senatorial district in the recently concluded general elections, Chief Willy Ezugwu, has raised alarm over threats to his life.

Ezugwu said that apart from being trailed by some unknown persons, and had been bombarded by several calls by some persons who had asked him to either withdraw his petition at the courts or be killed.

Ezugwu is at the Enugu Tribunal challenging the propriety or otherwise of the emergence of Barr.

Chuka Utazi as the senator-elect of the zone.

The APGA candidate came second according to results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Ezugwu is contending to be declared the senator-elect, positing that at the time of election, Chuka Utazi was not the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and hence he (Ezugwu) should be declared winner.

Ezugwu, who also serves as secretary general of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, stated that the current threat to his life was in connection with his quest to retrieve his stolen mandate, noting that this would be the second time he would be raising alarm over threat to his life.

“During the campaigns, I had cause to petition the Inspector General of Police over threats to my life. I want

to put it on record again that my life is under threat, following warnings that I withdrew my petition from the Tribunal where I am challenging the emergence of Barr. Chuka Utazi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the senator-elect of Enugu -North.

“No amount of intimidation would deter me from pursuing to a logical conclusion my petition at the Tribunal as I am a firm believer in the rule of law.

“Those sending threat messages to me and trailing my movements should know that power belongs to God and only Him is the giver of life.

“I and the good people of Enugu North will definitely see that judgement is done and no amount of intimidation would hinder this,” Ezugwu stated.

Enugu forum blasts APC over Ekweremadu

.S/East, S/South won't be marginalized —APC

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

E

NUGU—ENUGU West Peoples Forum has lashed out at the South-East spokesman of All Progressives Congress, APC, over his reaction to the comments credited to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, that the South East and South-South geopolitical zones decided to contest for the office of the Deputy President of the Senate when it became obvious that they were not in APC’s plans for the first seven positions at the centre.

This came on a day the South East zone of APC expressed outraged over the alleged crass and unimaginative propaganda dished out by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on why he re-contested for his former office.

The group in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Paul Anikwe, regretted that APC spokesperson in the South-East, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, could not tell the difference between appointive and elective positions in the Federal Government, which Senator Ekweremadu referred to.

The statement read in part: “We are surprised that the self-appointed spokesman of the APC for the SouthEast does not understand the difference between the first seven positions in the Federal Government, namely President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Deputy President of the Senate, and Deputy Speaker, none of which is in the APC’s plan for the South East and South-South.

“For all we know, APC’s official position for these offices are North West for President, South West for Vice President, North East for Senate President, North Central for Deputy President of the Senate, South West for Speaker, North East for Deputy Speaker in addition to the judicial arm of the Federal Government, which is headed entirely by the North East as CJN, President of the Court of Appeal, and Chief Justice of the Federal High Court.”

The group said that such an exclusion of the South East and South-South from these substantive positions, despite the fact that the South East produced two APC members of the House of

Representatives in Imo State, and the South-South, several members of the House of Representatives and a senator, could not be compensated by appointive positions, which occupants could be sacked at will.

“Besides, the ministerial positions which Mr. Okechukwu referred to are entitlements of every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, going by the provisions of Section 147(1), (2), (3) and Section 302 of the 1999 Constitution as amended”, the statement added. ‘’Likewise, the group also said that the Federal Character provisions in Section 14(3) and (4) of the Constitution as well as provisions against discrimination in Section 42 of the Constitution already covers the primary interest of the zones in the appointment of ambassadors and other appointive positions listed by Osita Okechukwu.

“Therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari would only be deemed to have favoured the two zones if he appoints them into key ministerial, ambassadorial, and other positions,” the group added.

However, APC, South East, in its reaction, said: “For the avoidance of

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Tricycle union directs members to obey govt restriction order

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

N E W I — ANAMBRA State chapter of All Tricycle Transport Association Anambra State, ATTAAS, has advised operators, also known as Keke NAPEP, in the state to obey without further delay the restriction on their operations on Onitsha-Enugu and Onitsha-Owerri express ways by the state government.

Chairman of Board of Trustees of the association Mr. Mr. Dubem Nwadiogbu, gave the advice weekend while briefing newsmen on the association’s resolve to obey the government pronouncement.

He said that nobody had the right to challenge the government’s directives as it concerned running state affairs, more so, when the state government, through the Commissioner of Information Dr. Uju Nwaogu, had made clarifications on the area to ply.

Mr. Nwadiogbu expressed satisfaction that the government swiftly made the clarification that tricycle could operate anywhere in Onitsha except the two federal highways, contrary to the speculations that their operation was banned in the state.

“We are using this opportunity to thank the governor for considering it wise to make clarification on his directive on operation of tricycle," he said.

I won’t fight Chime or any former gov of Enugu, says Ugwuanyi

By Austin Ogwuda

E

NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has vowed not to engage in unnecessary fight with

his predecessors in office, including the immediate past Governor Sullivan Chime.

According to him, it is not worth it to engage in such war as experience from other states in the country where there is no peace

because of power play by political gladiators is enough lesson.

Speaking at a media parley in Enugu, weekend, Governor Ugwuanyi said he was going to tap from the wisdom and

CONVENTION: From left, John F. Germ, Rotary International President 2016-17; Sir Emeka Offor, Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, and Ravi K.R Ravindran, Rotary International President 2015-16, at the SEOF Booth, Rotary International Convention 2015, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Saraki ’ll make Nigeria proud —Sen Obi

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—IMMEDIATE past Presidential Adviser on Inter-party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, has expressed optimism that the new Senate

President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, would do the nation proud, going by his antecedents in politics and public life.

In an interview with Vanguard in Awka at the weekend, Obi said that from the moment Saraki declared interest in the senate

presidency, he (Obi) knew it would be difficult for anybody to stop him.

Obi said: “It is important for me to underscore the dept of the political sagacity of the new senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki. I think his party, the All

Reps speakership: I won through divine intervention

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said it was the divine intervention of the Almighty God that made his victory possible in the recently concluded

speakership election.

Dogara emerged House Speaker last Tuesday in a keenly contested election defeating former House minority leader Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, Lagos.

Speaking during a thanks giving service at Living Faith Church Goshen City, Karu Nasarawa State, Dogara said if

not for the teachings he had been receiving in Living Faith Church in the last 27 years, he would not have been the Speaker.

"I have been a member of this church since 1988 even before I went to the university. The teaching I receive here have defined my life," he said.

"If it were not for the teachings we receive on this altar, may be

Tension in Enugu over failure to re-open UNN campuses

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—TENSION built up, weekend, in Enugu State as the two weeks break the management of University of Nigeria Nsukka,UNN, gave students to vacate its campuses in a bid to avert impending riot elapsed.

The students had planned a protest over acute water scarcity and power outage in both Enugu and Nsukka campuses until the management got wind

knowledge of the council of elders, including all the past governors, which he was already reconstituting.

He said: “I am sure you listened to my inaugural address, all former governors were recognized. We are getting in touch with all of them to formally talk to each and every member of the council of elders we are reconstituting. ‘’We cannot in a state like this ignore the experience of these former leaders. Everybody is our friend. The era of politics is over. ‘’The peace we enjoy here (Enugu) we have to maintain that peace . It’s peace enmeshed in agape love, covered by the Holy Spirit. We have fully taken over, we are in charge.

“The tradition, I don’t know the tradition but in the past you find a situation where once there is change of baton, the new guy will start fighting the old guy. ‘’The experience of Boko Haram and experiences in the states where there is no peace is enough to teach us some lessons.

Is not worth it instead we will move from strength to strength.”

On the re-election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as deputy senate president, the governor said: “I am excited, I am happy.

I congratulate him, God is on our side. I am happy. All of us here are happy, so to God be the glory.”

of it and decided to temporarily shut down academic activities.

The university management had in a statement by Okwun Omeaku, its Chief Public Relations Officer, said: “This is to bring to the notice of all students and the entire University Community, that the University of Nigeria shall proceed on a twoweek mid semester bread with immediate effect.

“Consequently, all academic activities on the campuses are hereby suspended. Students are

by this notice directed to vacate their hostels within the next 24 hours, that is, not later than 6p.m. on Tuesday, June 02, 2015.”

However,Vanguard learned that the management appears indifferent to the plight of the students after the expiration of the two weeks break,a situation which has infuriated students.

A student, who spoke under condition of anonymity, revealed that the management, through its website, has kept mute as to when academic activities will resume.

this victory may not have come.

We had Goliaths in the run to the election, there were Tobias and Sambalats. We had Ballams who were asked to curse us but God is with us.

"The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof. It was Machiavelli who said you should not conquer territories you cannot keep. We have to keep this through prayers.

"We are coming as leaders when there is global crisis, the economy is bad, there is collapse of government and the rise of evil to power in different parts of the world. Even family values are being redefined.

"We plead for your prayers because we must confront these challenges. As leaders we are responsible for what we allow. We need your prayers.

Speaking, Bishop David Abioye of the Living Faith Church described Dogara as a true ambassador of the church, saying, "when the righteous reign, the people rejoice."

Progressives Congress, APC, underrated his political skills.

“The young man is truly a chip of the old block and he understands the game very well.

I have a very good reason to say what I am saying because I can count myself as one of those who took him through political tutelage.

“I was at one time in charge of his father’s campaign when the strongman of Kwara politics ran for the president of Nigeria and his son, Bukola, was then running the Societe Generale Bank as vice chairman. ‘’Whenever we sat as the kitchen cabinet, Bukola would always sit in and his contributions were very incisive and most times, we ended up agreeing with his suggestions.

“So, when the APC said they had a candidate and that they had taken a decision, I sat down in the comfort of my home and laughed it off, knowing that this is one game the party cannot win because the moment the senators step into the red chamber, they would take control.

“As long as that was the case, there was no way any other person would defeat Bukola on that ground. I was so sure of that and I said so to everybody who cared to listen."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 17

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 WHY should a suggested ban of ogogoro, the locally produced gin linked to deaths in Ondo and Rivers States, be the first solution that crosses the minds of the authorities? How does the ban solve a challenge that could spread to other States? Why are there more interests in a ban than in finding the substance used in the production of the ogogoro? Why is it that after centuries of production and consumption of ogogoro along the same axis, deaths are just becoming the consequence of consuming it?

Should the authorities not be interested in the motives, if any, for lacing the drinks with poison? Is this an individual acting or a group? Are there connections between the incidents in Rivers and Ondo States?

Are there some unreported deaths linked to these incidents? Can the health authorities explain the survival of some identified among the group that took the drink? What is the source of the poison?

Is it an agent added to the drink or a reaction from the manufacturing process or handling? Is the poison local or imported?

Ogogoro Ban Not Solution These, and more questions, should bother the authorities, as they search for solutions to the situation. It is advisable that people be alerted about the unwholesome ogogoro. It is also very important that there is an early resolution of the problem for ogogoro is not an ordinary drink to its patrons; it has deeper roots.

It is rooted in tradition. Few occasions in some places could be contemplated without gin, principally, the locally manufactured one. As a local substitute, ogogoro saves the economy billions of Naira wasted in importing fanciful versions of the drink, adorned in packaging that adds little else to the content. It is an industry that employs

thousands of people across its delivery chains, in the often-derided informal sector.

The extension of the concerns to consumption of dog meat, another delicacy for some, is a further speculation that could cripple social life in the threatened areas.

Governments’ interests in the matter should not be perfunctory for more reasons. Would we ban other foods and drinks if the purveyors decide to poison them? A ban is a quick fix, which like all quick fixes would create more challenges.

The incident reveals the fragility of the various spheres of our lives that governments have failed to secure. It calls for more proactive actions that could forestall poisoning of foods and drinks.

An immediate collaboration of government agencies in the affected zones is important for a comprehensive investigation of the incidents without further damage to the local economies that the ogogoro fosters.

These incidents have thrown up more issues than a ban can resolve.

OPINION

By Babatope Babalobi

'

Treachery’, ‘Disloyalty’, “Monumental act of indiscipline’, ‘Betrayal’ , ‘Ridicule’, and ‘obstacles for the new administration.”

These are harsh words used by the Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr, Lai Mohammed in his reaction to the election of Senator Olusola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara (both members of the APC) as President of the Senate and Speaker of the Federal House of Assembly, respectively.

On a day the APC should be rejoicing that two of its members emerged leaders of the National Assembly, the party is rather in a sorrowful and mournful mood; crying foul like a bereaved mother whose male children just died tragically. The offence of Saraki and Dogara are that they are not the anointed candidates of the party. The APC few days earlier through ‘mock’ elections had announced Ahmed Lawal and Femi Gbajabiamila as its choices for the coveted offices of President of the Senate and Speaker House of Representatives, respectively.

Lai Mohammed’s lamentations is misplaced, unwarranted, uncalled for, and odious ; just as the victory of the duo of Saraki and Dogara mocks the ‘mock’ election conducted by the leadership of the APC for contenders for the office.

First, it was the same APC that benefited from a similar scenario in the 7th National Assembly when it directed its members to

NASS leadership elections and APC's double speak support former Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, who was not the preferred candidate of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Don’t let us forget the fact that APC’s mock election was boycotted by the camps of Saraki and Dogara; but in spite of this, the APC leadership sanctioned it instead of calling both parties for a truce. Now that the undemocratic mock election has backfired, its spokesperson is crying blue murder. The fact is that the APC has just reaped from its past misdeeds, including the indiscipline it sowed during the 2011 National Assembly leadership elections.

Second, perhaps still basking in the euphoria of its victory in the presidential election, the APC failed to put its house in order, leaving its Federal legislators disorganised up to the inauguration of the National Assembly. It is more disheartening that on the day the Federal legislators were supposed to be inaugurated, the APC’s’ leadership decided to convene an emergency meeting several kilometres away to deliberate and decide on a matter that would be decisively resolved in the chambers of the house.

The APC Federal legislators and its leadership displayed unprecedented political naivety and opportunism by convening a meeting to coincide with the inauguration

of the 8th National Assembly. For God’s sake every Federal legislator was supposed to report to the National Assembly on the June 9, 2015; rather than report to International Conference Centre to meet political godfathers! Lai Mohammed and his cohorts should be told that the National Assembly is greater than the trumpeted party supremacy.

Third, the victory of the candidates endorsed by the PDP for the leadership of the National Assembly marks the beginning of the return of the party to power at the Federal level. Since the APC has so far not shown ability to manage high level power

The success of Senator Saraki’s rebellion against his party’s wishes and choice reinforces the well-known view that Nigerian political parties are mere platforms for political aggrandizement

politics and relations, the PDP is gradually cashing in to inch closer to Federal power.

I would not be surprised if APC’s internal wrangling and leadership crisis result into more electoral loses in the future.

Lastly, the success of Senator Saraki’s rebellion against his party’s wishes and choice reinforces the well-known view that Nigerian political parties are mere platforms for political aggrandizement and fulfilment of personal ambitions rather than platforms for advancing ideological interests or the public good. The new President was a PDP Governor who decamped to the APC over squabbles on power sharing and resource allocation in the PDP. He had decamped into the APC not necessarily because he was a ‘Progressive’, whatever the word means in the Nigeria political context. Now that he has fulfilled his ambition with the support of his former friends in the PDP, I would not be surprised if Saraki decamps back to the PDP in the near future; not with the name calling and denigration he is suffering now in the hands of the APC leadership. *Mr Babalobi is the Coordinator of the Movement for Revolutionary Change, MRC.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015—19

HILE the various political elements W that formed the victorious coalition, the All Progressives Congress, APC, gath-

ered against the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, pundits had believed it was only a matter of time before the gang-up would come unstuck. However, the various constituents surprised everyone, sank their differences and worked together to ensure the ouster of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, with Muhammadu Buhari as the arrowhead of the grand coalition of the old North and the ruling political mainstream of South West.

They were not expected to push through the threshold of beating a ruling behemoth like the PDP, but luck was on their side because Jonathan proved incapable of holding his party and government together to achieve a successful re-election.

But now that the APC is sitting pretty in the saddle, it is obvious that the litmus test for it as a ruling party is still in play.

Two things will further challenge its viability as a ruling coalition that can stand the test of time. Number one is power sharing among the various political interest groups. Number two is the hot-button games towards 2019.

Let us pause and ruminate over a few issues. People always say it is ideal to allow members of the National Assembly to choose their own leaders rather than allow “external influences” to “impose” leaders on the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members. Before 2011 when the Seventh National Assembly was empanelled to work alongside the Jonathan presidency, the “external influence” that was obvious to all was the Presidency.

During the eight years of Olusegun Obasanjo in the Presidency, he brazenly sought to dictate who emerged as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He used every “stick-andcarrot” trick in the book to get his preferred candidates in, and when they outlived their usefulness, get them bundled out. In one of the scandalous sessions, the Ghana-Must-Go bagfuls of raw cash he allegedly sent to bribe members of the House of Representatives to remove Hon Umar Ghali Na’Abba were displayed on the floor of the Green Chamber.

But in 2011, Jonathan tried to do what the APC just attempted and met a disastrous defeat. He wanted to put Hon Mulikat Akande in office as the Speaker of the House to complete the zoning formula of his Party and give every geopolitical zone a share of the spoils of PDP’s victory at the polls. But a new “external influence”

2019 already in play in APC popped up from an unusual quarter and made total nonsense of the PDP zoning formula. Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu was in ascendancy as a powerful opposition leader. He went into the throng of PDP members-elect and sponsored Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (who brought in Hon Emeka Ihedioha as his Deputy) to beat Akande to implant a rebel leadership in the House of Reps. Tambuwal eventually led the revolt against the PDP from inside the House. It was a masterstroke that helped Tinubu to midwife a successful takeover of power at the centre later on.

Surprisingly, on June 9, 2015, Tinubu and the APC fell into the same trap that he had set for Jonathan and the PDP in 2011.

The number of “external influences” increased. While the President, Muhammadu Buhari, appeared to have learnt from the humiliation of Jonathan in 2011 and announced early enough that he would not interfere in the choice of the Senate and House leadership, Tinubu staged a Tony Anenih-like internal primary election that worked towards a predetermined result in an attempt to impose his chosen candidates: Ahmed Lawan for the Senate President and Femi Gbajabiamila for Speaker of the House of Representatives. If he had been allowed to successfully close that deal, he would have entrenched himself in the National Assembly. By so doing, he would have further edged out other stakeholders in the ruling coalition, including elements of the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, Rochas Okorocha’s interests and most importantly, the “new” PDP faction. In fact, the interests of Buhari’s old Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, would have been subsumed under an accreting Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, faction.

This was what prompted the vehemence with which the nPDP faction fought back

and defeated Tinubu. We now saw former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Okorocha of Imo State and others closing ranks with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko and the rest of them.

They went as far as colluding with the opposition PDP, to which they conceded the Deputy Senate President in efforts to put in their colleagues, former Governor Bukola Saraki, as the new Senate President, and Hon Yakubu Dogara as the Speaker,

And to remain in the president’s good books and be welcome among the Northern hawks around him, Tinubu will have to increasingly and openly concede the fact that, though the APC has “many leaders” as Alhaji Lai Mohammed naively put it, PMB is the supreme leader of the Party

House of Reps.

The stage is set for a season of heated struggle for the control of the APC. It is no longer going to be an all-Tinubu affair.

He alone is no longer going to be “the Party”. If he and his lackeys in charge of the machinery of the Party push to make good their threat of sanctioning the “saboteurs” who committed the “treachery” against “the Party”, they will have a humongous fight in their hands. Tinubu will be ranged against the nPDP faction composed of tested Northern political hotheads who see him as nothing but a mere upstart local champion (refer to how Saraki referred to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a “mere commissioner”). Unless the fallouts of the National Assembly polls are wisely managed and the interests of all the coalition partners subsequently factored into all the power sharing activities of the party, we may eventually witness any of several interesting scenarios.

One may be that Tinubu, with the support of Buhari, could eventually triumph over the nPDP and other rebels and push them to either return to PDP for 2019, or form another, third political party to challenge for power. The second could be that Tinubu may be defeated by a realigned coalition of the North with South East and South-South, along with their PDP stalwarts from the South West. In that case, Tinubu might be forced to go solo again with his ACN faction.

The truth is that the power play towards 2019 is in full swing. The virility of the APC coalition, as currently constituted, will be sorely tested in a series of face-offs and standoffs for control. The North is going to be very assertive. They are now in power, with 17 compared to Tinubu’s five states. In fact, Tinubu has very little control over Edo State APC and its local leader, Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

When it comes to the crunch Oshiomhole can pick and choose where he wants to pitch his interest, bearing in mind that so far, Tinubu’s power sharing efforts has not factored him in.

Tinubu’s staying power in the Party will hang, in the main, on his continued good relationship with President Buhari. And to remain in the President’s good books and be welcome among the Northern hawks around him, Tinubu will have to increasingly and openly concede the fact that, though the APC has “many leaders” as Alhaji Lai Mohammed naively put it, PMB is the supreme leader of the Party.

It is from PMB’s continued gracious approval that Tinubu will sustain his position as the National Leader of the APC.

OPINION

By Alifia Sunday EVERYTHING in strategy is very simple, but does not mean everything is easy— Karl von Cluasewitz.

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HE strategy that brought down the supremacy of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, at the National Assembly leaders contest may have come and gone, but the dust generated had left the bigwigs in the party and the supporters in limbo.

The contest for the Senate presidency was between two political juggernauts from the same ruling party, Senator Ahmad Lawan, the anointed through consensus and Senator Bukola Saraki, who refused to step down for the interest of the godfathers in the party.

But there was a sharp twist of an event when the Saraki group aligned with the strategic weapons of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to subdued the power of the APC who where busy permutating until they were taken unawares.

Same business was traded at the House of Representatives where Gbajabiamila, the anointed, fell prey C M Y K

National Assembly leaders: Changing the changer to the superior strategy of the PDP. Well, the party chieftains have since then, through the Publicity Secretary, La i Muhammad, rejected the outcome of the result and vowed to take disciplinary action against its dissident law makers. And I heard him saying: “How can we sit down with PDP to take decision of national issue?“ Lai Muhammad has quickly forgotten that even in UK we have Black Nationals and other political parties in their parliament. Nations have gone beyond the menace of party affairs. The election that consolidated the gospel of change and, of course, the coming of President Buhari, is Nigerians' decision and not the party or godfathers affair.

The whole scenario has shattered the wings of the ruling party and their game plan. The Nigeria project must continue, of course!

I am not surprised at the turn of events at the National Assembly. I saw it coming. Politics of imposition by godfatherism must stop. The PDP has tread on this path in their 16 years in

power and, of course, members got fed up and started revolting, a situation which finally culminated into the near collapse of the party. History is always there for those who want to learn.

Nigerians expect the APC to borrow a leave from the experience of the PDP. What the lawmakers have just done was an expression of their constitutionally guaranteed independence from any external influence. They have also demonstrated that democracy in Nigeria is maturing from what it used to be. The lawmakers should be allowed to run their own affairs and to pick leaders that will lead them.

You don’t force marriages on your children when in actual sense they don’t want it; the marriage would not survive the test of time.

The actors in the just concluded drama in the National Assembly may be tagged by party leaders as rebels, disloyal and irresponsible to the party but their actions appear to be in the interest of the country and not that of

individuals as has always been the case.

Why should the interest of individuals supersede that of a great nation such as ours? Why hold the country ransom just because you want to be in full control of who gets what and how in the country? The marriage between senators-elect under the APC and their colleagues in PDP is for the progress of the country, otherwise it would have been a different ball game.

President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken his mind by accepting the outcome of the result. He says he is ready to work with the elected leaders of the National Assembly. To me, that statement is honourable and it shows his readiness to move the country to the next level. Now we know who owns APC. If the game changer is suffering from the virus of power flowing out of selfish source, then the changer should be changed without hesitation in the interest of the nation.

*Mr Sunday, a political analyst, wrote from Ilorin , Kwara State.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

APC, know thyself The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is not a party in itself, but a party for itself. The mere fact that a coalition declares itself a party does not mean it automatically becomes a party which is a political movement built over a periodbased defined principles. A political party is like a child that needs to grow, even if that child is a weird one that defeated his father in a contest.

So, when in reaction to the Tuesday defeat of its official candidates in the National Assembly Principal Officers election, the APC spokespersons vowed to discipline members who defeated the party’s preferred candidates, it merely means a move by a section of the party to discipline a rival faction.

Far from the NASS fall-out being a question of indiscipline, it is in truth, an internal contest for power within the APC. So far, most of the aggrieved party leaders have their roots in the defunct Alliance for Democracy, AD and largely, its successor, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. In contrast, legislators they seek to discipline, like Senate President Bukola Saraki and their backers, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have their roots in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In the unfolding battle, President Muhammadu Buhari’s team from the defunct Congress for

By Nwobodo Chidiebere

“The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.”

—John Caldwell The above quote exemplified the kind of political matrix, horse trading and permutation that led to the historic emergence of a bipartisan leadership of the 8th National Assembly—especially the Red Chamber, where the unalloyed support of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led to the enthronement of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki of the All Progressives Party, APC, as Senate President against all odds placed on his way by the leadership of the ruling party, APC. For years to come, political analysts and social commentators will dispense a lot of intellectual energy introspecting on the political tsunami that led to the formation of a bipartisan Senate in the 8th National Assembly.

The human bond that cemented this bipartisanship of the 8th National Assembly is no other person than the distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Senate President and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.Senator Ekweremadu got 54 out of the 74votes cast to emerge as Deputy Senate President for the unprecedented three consecutive terms in the nation’s political history. This is obviously not as a result of his party affliction or ethnic stock but the bipartisan tendency that characterised the activities of the “legislative Michelangelo” in the upper chamber since his political voyage began in the Red Chamber in 2003.

This dexterity manifested in the stability of the Senate witnessed since 2007 as a result

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Progressive Change, CPC, is largely noncommittal; it supports the party, but accepts the elections; it belongs to all, and belongs to nobody. Clearly, a vicious struggle between the old AD/ACN and the PDP faction that moved to APC, will strengthen the hand of the old CPC platform in the ruling party.

When a child stumbles and falls, he looks forward to see if anybody is coming to his rescue. But when an adult suffers the same fate, he looks back to see what tripped him. The PDP had a heavy fall in the general elections, and it looked back to see why it fell. On the other hand, the

In striving to teach the PDP opposition politics, the APC should be humble enough to learn the politics of a ruling party from its would-be student

APC fell in the National Assembly, and rather than examine why, it is yelling and crying blue murder. It accuses the PDP of engineering its defeat in the Assembly. Did it expect the opposition party to come to its aid? Will its cries frighten the PDP into retreat? Certainly not. The fate that befell APC is largely self-inflicted. Its claimed neutrality on who becomes the Senate President and Speaker was quite naïve. How can a ruling party claim to leave the leadership of the National Assembly to chance? How come it did not factor in the opposition PDP with 49 senators in its calculations? The rule in politics is, don’t walk out, but the bigger rule is, don’t be absent. Whatever reasons it gives, the fact is that the APC was virtually absent when the Senate was inaugurated and when the leadership elections were held.

Clearly, the APC lacks experience as the ruling party, and its anger and selfassuredness, is not allowing it to learn the necessary lessons. Just a few weeks ago, it was boasting to be the master of the game, taunting the PDP about its transformation from being the ruling party to the opposition and even arrogantly, asking the PDP to come and learn how to play opposition politics. It forgot the basic teaching of legendary Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire, author of the famous Pedagogy of the Oppressed that education is a two-way traffic in which the educator must also be educated. In striving to teach the PDP opposition politics, the APC should be humble enough to learn the politics of a ruling party from its wouldbe student. With its 48 senators to the APC’s nine present at the inauguration, the PDP, if it wanted, could have taken the Senate Presidency, but it wisely chose not to do so; preferring to set the APC against itself. That is a lesson for the ruling party.

The APC should realise, as Freire teaches, that “no one is born fully-formed: it is through self-experience in the world that we become what we are”. The APC could

Ekweremadu: The bond of bipartisanship of impeccable synergy that coexisted between the honourable leader of the Senate and the longest serving Senator in the nation’s history, the immediate past Senate President, David Mark and his erstwhile deputy, Senator Ekweremadu.

The emergence of the bipartisan leadership of the Senate has entrenched independence of the Legislature in the polity; it will also ensure effective checks and balances between the Executive arm of government and the Legislature, which is the hallmark of true democracy. The momentous return of Senator Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President should not be seen as a ploy by the opposition PDP to hijack the 8th National Assembly, but the required synergy amongst the two leading political parties in the upper chamber to legislate effectively without rancour. The experience and bipartisan character of Senator Ekweremadu will help the newly elected Senate

The emergence of the bipartisan leadership of the Senate has entrenched independence of the Legislature in the polity; it will also ensure effective checks and balances between the Executive arm of government and the Legislature, which is the hallmark of true democracy

President, Senator Saraki to sustain the David Mark’s legacy of stability in the Senate and at the same time promote bipartisan and pro-masses bills that will assist in eliminating myriad of challenges facing the Nigerian nation. Having served for eight years as Deputy Senate President and three years as Speaker of ECOWAS parliament, Senator Ekweremadu’s irrefutable record of performance will rub off on the current Senate President to enable him skip all the banana peels that will be thrown into the red chamber by his adversaries—taken into consideration the horse trading and intrigues that led to his emergence as Senate President. With the highly experienced Ekweremadu as his deputy, Senate President, Bukola Saraki can surely sleep with his eyes closed—it will take a miracle for the current leadership of the 8th National Assembly not to succeed and outperform its predecessors.

Geo-political balancing The third coming of Senator Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President did not occur as a result of his state of origin and geo-political consideration, but was made possible by his diligence and excellence, legislative prowess, political sagacity, sportsmanship and bipartisan traits he exhibited on the floor of red chamber when discharging his legislative duties.

His emergence as Deputy Senate President for the 8th National Assembly has balanced the hitherto lopsided political geometrics in powering sharing amongst the geo-political zones that constitute the nation’s political topography, which was fallout of the outcome of the last general elections—where the now opposition party, PDP cleared all the National Assembly seats that were available for grabs during the general elections in the zone. The ruling APC as a result of the excruciating defeat suffered by the party in the zones during the just concluded general elections, intended to scheme out the South-South and South-East geo-political zones, but the recent positive development in the National Assembly which transcended into the

not have been born as an adult. The magnetic field of the APC coalition was essentially to defeat and replace the ruling party. To achieve that, the Congress conveners demonised the PDP and rallied the populace around a slogan of change. With the main enemy defeated and power in their hands, the internal contradictions in the party are bound to surface.

If the APC is to learn from selfexperience, it must stop its incoherent responses to the dilemma it faces, rethink its resort to court actions against its dissenting members and stop its threat bulletins. It would need to stop fighting the Saraki group employing the same media nuclear weapons it deployed against former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. It would first need an honest evaluation of itself, motives and principles.

It would need to know what and who it is; a sort of self-awareness which would lead to self-consciousness.

The group, Pathways to Happiness, says that: “Self-awareness is in having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self- awareness allows you to understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the moment.” It is this self-awareness that is lacking in the APC. But while the APC sorts out itself and the salaries and allowances of legislators flow, the work of the National Assembly and its smooth running is being threatened. I believe in internal party democracy and discipline. But frankly, the primary concern of the Nigerian people is neither party discipline nor who, between Saraki and Ahmad Lawan, is Senate President; this is more an issue of sharing offices and less about service. What the people demand is service. They have voted for change and change has come, at least in Aso Rock.

Now, the people want and deserve positive changes in their lives. That is all that matters.

emergence of bipartisan leadership of 8th Senatehas started correcting this abnormal zoning formula displayed by the APC—which did not consider the heterogeneous configuration of Nigeria.

The 8th National Assembly will be one of the most interesting in the history of Nigerian democracy. The bipartisan nature of this Assembly will be displayed in day-day functions of legislators—where legislators will form a synergy across party lines in performing their national duties.

Nigerians will witness scenarios where legislators from a political party will form alliance with legislators from different political parties to disagree or agree with legislators of this same party affiliation.

For any meaningful bill to scale through in the two chambers in the 8th National Assembly, the

inputs of lawmakers from the two majors parties must be sought to enhance a smooth passage of the bill, thereby encouraging transparency, accountability and cohesiveness amongst the lawmakers— which will ultimately position Nigeria and Nigerians as the true winners and beneficiaries of the bipartisan state of the 8th National Assembly, which was made possible by the election of an experienced and pan-Nigerian Senator, Ekweremadu— who has paid his legislative dues in the red chamber.

The emergence of independent, bipartisan leaderships of Senate and House of Representatives has nailed the coffin of political godfathers and mothers—who will want to teleguide the national assignments of our elected lawmakers from their bedrooms. In the near future, it will help to checkmate the excesses of the majority and overbearing influence of the executive arm of the government on the legislature, at the same time create enabling environment for real governance devoid of party sentiments and interference.

•Mr Chidiebere, a politic al analyst, wrote from Abuja.

JUNE 15, 2015

18 states bankrupt, can't pay workers’ salaries

By OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

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ighteen out of the thirty-six states of the federation are technically bankrupt. This is because they have mortgaged their federation account allocations to contractors by signing irrevocable payment orders with various banks. As a result, payment to contractors and other debt instruments are deducted at source and have become first line charge on their lean resources. The internally generated revenues of these states are also not enough to meet their obligations so they owe workers several months of unpaid salaries.

The states which owing workers, according to the Nigeria Labour Congress are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Zamfara This is not the first time states owe workers. In 2003, then Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Charles Soludo, said that most state governments have signed away their future statutory allocations to contractors whom they owe. Explaining many states are bankrupt and cannot fund developmental projects, Soludo said that most states were technically bankrupt as huge deductions are made from their allocations to pay such creditors.

This, he said, was “the reason why a good number of states in the Federation owe their workers several months of unpaid salaries.”

He said after such deductions from allocation to the states, they are left with little or nothing to operate with.

As a result, most of the states are not able to perform their statutory obligations. Instead of telling the people the simple truth, they keep complaining of lack of funds. Most of

these states go into further indebtedness through heavy borrowing and undertaking projects they have no financial capacity to carry.

“The problem of states in the Federation is their total dependence on the Federal Government. Their internal revenue drive and generation are so weak that no state can operate without federal allocation or grant in some cases.”

Reacting to the high indebtedness of states, Director-General, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Mr. Mounir Gwarzo condemned the indebtedness of some state governments, which debts did not measure up with infrastructural

development in their states as the agony of unpaid salaries haunt most of them. He described the indebtedness as a bad omen, more so, where there are no infrastructure in

The problem of states in the federation is their total dependence on the Federal Government

place to underpin their debts. Gwarzo therefore urged the affected state governments to take advantage of equities, bonds or mortgage bond securities in the capital market to develop their states’ infrastructure. He urged governors to explore the opportunities available in the market to deliver infrastructural development to their people, saying it is better to borrow to meet infrastructural needs than to be content with just paying salaries.

He said: “Indebtedness is not bad, what is bad is a situation where such funds are used for consumption. If there is

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EXHIBITION - Mr Segun Awolowo, CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (2nd right) with some Iranian government officials inspecting a stand during the first Iran Solo Exhibition in Lagos.

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22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Cover Shareholders task judiciary to play better role in capital market issues

By PETER EGWUATU

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INDUCTION - From left: Deacon Titus Alao Soetan, Vice-President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Mr. Doyin Owolabi, Past President and Otunba Samuel Olufemi Deru, 51st President, ICAN, at the 42nd Association of Accounting Technicians, West Africa Induction Ceremony for new members held at ICAN Centre, Amuwo Odofin in Lagos.

18 states bankrupt, can't pay workers’ salaries Continued from page 21 commensurate infrastructural development on ground, there is no regret in borrowing. Even abroad, states borrow for development”.

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce in a tweet, said: “I am deeply sad some state workers have not been paid for ten months.

I think the Federal Government should pay them and collect the money back at source."

He added that where states owe, should the National Assembly intervene and enact laws empowering federal government to deduct workers salary at source before remitting state’s allocations?

Analysts have blamed the inability of states to pay salaries on their overdependence on allocation from the federation account.

Thy are of the view that majority of the states had over the years failed to innovate, become lazy and had refused to look at alternative sources of generating revenue to drive their activities.

significantly curtail government revenue and invariably, expenditure. Also, with government (state and federal) as the biggest employer of labour in the formal sector, the expected pressure on state government finances has negative implications for income.

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lso, analysts at PWC warned that tougher times might still be ahead, especially with the persistent low crude oil prices. They said, “State governments could struggle to borrow from financial markets to pay their workers. Some highlyindebted states may miss planned interest payments on their debt. Continuing, the analysts stated that the finances of majority of the states would be in a perilous state, as the declining value of the Naira will make it difficult for most of them to finance their external debt, which makes up a quarter of their overall debt stock.

Effect of falling oil prices

Specifically, analysts at Cardinal Stone, in their outlook for 2015, predicted that the low price of crude oil in the international market will expose the structural deficiencies in the Nigerian economy and will plunge a number of states into a quagmire.

They said: “With oil contributing about 70 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue, the drastic drop in oil price will C M Y K

Majority of the states had over the years failed to innovate

According to the analysts at PWC, as revenues are diverted to service debt, most states will fall behind on wages owed to their workers, leading to significant worker strikes which would bring most state governments to a standstill while public services such as education and healthcare are disrupted and then all infrastructure projects, including road development and water and sanitation programmes, are abandoned.

Unable to raise short-term debt in increasingly illiquid and shallow national capital markets, some highlyleveraged states will miss scheduled interest repayments,” they added.

Analysing the impact of the fall in oil prices on three different states— Kano, Delta and Lagos States, the analysts said: “Kano is the sixth largest state by GDP and is heavily reliant on federal transfers, which make up over 95 per cent of 2014 budgeted revenues. Given its low tax base, Kano will struggle to find other sources of revenue if federal allocations dry up.

Unlike the Federal Government, which spends the majority of its budget on current items such as payroll, Kano dedicates around 75% of expenditure to capital projects. A squeeze on Kano’s state budget would see these capital projects come to a halt.

For the economy, this could inhibit productivity growth: but for its population, this means uncompleted roads, and lower quality water and

Continues on page 23

hareholders in the Nigerian capital market have admonished the judiciary to play positive role on issues that will fast track the development of the market and the economy in general.

The shareholders who spoke to newsmen weekend, said the judiciary should not delay in dispensing capital market related cases and should also not grant unnecessary orders in favour of capital market operators to shield themselves from punishment after committing infractions.

The advice is coming after the Securities and Exchange a Commission, SEC suspended BGL Plc subsidiaries from the nation’s capital market following infraction committed in its activities with investors.

Speaking in Lagos on how to develop the market, Mr. Moses Igbrude of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), said “In the past investors easily got frustrated and discouraged due to the delay in getting justice .We are now calling on the judiciary that in order to restore investor confidence and as part of their continued contribution to the growth of the market, capital market related cases should be dispensed with speedily.”

Igbrude, who is also the Chairman of “Consumer Rights Awareness Advancement & Advocacy Initiative ((CRAAAI), added that the judiciary should discourage the issuance of orders to capital market operators, who, after violating rules, will then run to the courts for cover. “This has been happening and I believe given the high expectations for change in the entire country, the courts should no longer grant orders to those who have deliberately committed offences and when they are asked to face the music, they run to the court for protection that they do not deserve,” he said.

Collaborating , the National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria(PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie, said judges should base their judgements on merits of each case instead of indiscriminately issuing orders. “Apart from fasttracking the judgement delivery process, judges should listen to arguments of both parties and deliver their judgements based on merits.

Also, when any offender is brought before any court, the court should be able to look at the case dispassionately and

ask the defendant to go and face the music rather than delay the case unnecessarily or issue orders preventing the defendant from prosecution,” he added.

In his opinion, Mr. Oderinde Taiwo of Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria said the judiciary should give speedy hearing to capital market related cases. “The regular courts should also cooperate with special courts such as the Investment and Securities Tribunal(IST) in resolving capital market cases. A situation whereby IST (which is equivalent to a high court) gives an order and another high court gives a counter order is not good for the market,” Taiwo said. Recall that BGL was recently suspended

by SEC over allegations of holding on to clients’ money worth over N6 billion, decided to obtain a Federal High Court order in Lagos to compel SEC to reverse its decision.

SEC is the apex regulatory body for the capital market and is statutorily empowered by the Investments and Securities Act, 2007 to develop and regulate the capital market. Already, some market operators who had commented on the BGL saga had said that the move by BGL was a wrong step.

For instance, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, a founding member of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association(NSSA), said the law is supreme and nobody is above it. According to him “SEC is the highest regulator of the capital market while BGL is an operator within the capital market and therefore the SEC rules and regulations are binding on the firm.

“SEC is empowered to sanction any company operating in the market if it violates relevant provisions of the rules. I will advise BGL to go and defend itself like others before the commission’s Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC),” Olatokunbo said.

Also a market operator said,”Rather than running to court, which has the same jurisdiction with IST, BGL should take advantage of the opportunity given by SEC and appear before APC in order to clear all the allegations so that the company can bounce back to business.”

Recently, SEC decided to suspend BGL after the commission’s Executive Management Committee considered the report of a detailed investigation into the various complaints received from investors against subsidiaries of Group.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 23

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mbassador Tom Amolo, the Kenyan Ambassador to Nigeria last week reiterated the need for Africa to look inward when looking for solutions to its problems. Africa he said is capable of assessing itself on the progress made in the areas of good governance and economic development. Amolo said in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria that Africans should be left alone to deal with their own problems on their own because they understand these problems better.

The Ambassador was merely stating the fact that Africans should learn to look for solutions to its problems from within. Before the 2015 elections in Nigeria, many western powers and analysts had predicted that Nigeria will break up. Their predictions were based on pre-conceived idea that Nigeria’s political class is no good. It was the same thing that happened during the 1993 June 12 saga.

Rev. Jesse Jackson who came on peace mission on behalf of the American government went back with the impression that a civil war was going to break out in Nigeria.

To their dismay, Nigeria came out of it stronger. The basic issue is that the West does not understand Nigerian culture and what drives the people. The affinity, care and the bond of oneness as a result of extended family and the idea of one being his brother’s keeper is what rule and reign in the hearts of Nigerians no matter the differences. When President Muhammadu Buhari was invited by the G7 to its meeting to present a wish list, it did not make any sense to me in economic terms.

For political expediency, yes the President can felicitate with fellow Presidents.

To the average Nigeria, it is of no benefit. It is the same West that ganged up against Nigeria and refused to sell needed weapons to the country to counter Boko Haram when it was needed most. It is the same West now pledging unalloyed support to the President to help crush Boko Haram. If the interest of

Buhari, show Nigerians the right path, they will follow Nigerians is at the heart of these G7 members, they would have assisted the country when it mattered most. If the denial of assistance was because of one man, then these countries are very insincere and the President should take their promises as written in water.

President Buhari must not rely on the West to solve Nigeria’s economic problems.

Since independence, Nigerian leaders and policy makers have often looked outside for solution to the nation’s ever rising poverty. They have not engaged themselves in out-of-the-box thinking.

Nigerian leaders have engaged the brightest Western trained Economists to examine the Nigeria situation and have found it difficult to explain the situation in the country. It is no surprise that The IMF/World Bank have concluded that with the said level of annual growth in the Nigerian economy, poverty should have reduced significantly. Many have said that with the amount of human and natural resources available to the country, Nigerians have no reason to be poor.

Buhari should take a cue from China which through internal reforms, discipline, building of institutions, applying strict laws and internal mobilisation of resources has moved from nowhere to become almost the largest economy in the world

today. China did not go to the G7 for assistance; it simply mobilised its people and developed its internal resources.

Western theories are essentially based on Western culture of one man one wife and children. The nuclear family is the center of their societies. In Nigeria and many other African countries, the nuclear family is not the basis of social relationship; it is the extended family system. A man has to care for his siblings from both sides of the family. So, when the theory of formal savings and investment was propounded by

Buhari should take a cue from China which through internal reforms,...has moved from nowhere to become almost the largest economy in the world

Western economists, it was assumed that the individual will earn enough to feed his immediate family and have something left to save in a formal sense.

If Nigeria is to go by this concept, it will never be developed. Bulk of the nation’s population are poor; they earn less than a living wage, so they can not set money aside in a bank for them to lend to entrepreneurs. This explains the low saving culture in the country. But the African society has in it inherent developmental strategy that Nigerian academics, policy makers and Western economists have not been able to tap into and utilise to develop the nation.

In traditional African setting, communual development strategies were employed where community members engaged themselves to work in family farms in rotation. The practice worked so very well in assisting members to grow their incomes. There was no cheating as the system instilled hard work and discipline in youths. This form of communual labour is what in the West is termed as cooperative society. In the Nigeria traditional setting, the cooperative movement practiced by Nigerians was very successful. The system has brought about several successful business men and women. It is from this obscurity

that men like M K O Abiola of blessed memories, Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, Wale Tinubu, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, amongst others emerged from. Every society, nation has a system that works for them. Nigeria has abandoned its traditional values to pursue that of others to its hurt. We have applied Western monetary and fiscal policies wholesale long enough, but they have failed because they were not adapted to suit the Nigerian environment. We have only succeeded in breeding corrupt officials through the system over the years.

The question is why is this government that has come into existence through the mantra of change toeing the line of the past? Looking inward to find lasting solution to the lingering economics of poverty in the country is the way forward. Is this new government thinking out –of- the- box? Why employ the same old antics that failed to deliver the needed solution to the nation’s problem?

What will it take this government to reach out to the populace, and say “let us roll up our sleeves and work together to make Nigeria great again? What I expect this President to do is put the card on the table, Nigerians here is where we are, we need to change our ways, it is no longer business as usual, there is dignity in labour let us all go to work. It is change and I mean change, Nigerians at every level will follow Mr. President.

Buhari, Nigerians expect you to lead by example. Show Nigerians the way to follow, and they will gladly oblige you.

Cover Continued from page 22 sanitation infrastructure.

“Delta is Nigeria’s premier oil-producing state with over 60% of revenues directlyrelated to oil production.

Given a heavy reliance on federal and internally generated revenue from the sector, Delta would feel the pinch more immediately than Kano and the other states. The squeeze on Delta’s budget would force significant cuts in both current expenditure and capital expenditure. Where these capital projects relate to the oil sector, this would inhibit state production levels further down the line.

Finance Commissioners

18 states bankrupt, can't pay workers’ salaries criticize Governors

In April, the Forum of Finance Commissioners openly criticised state governors who owe workers’ salaries, saying that no governor had any excuse for owing their workers.

Chairman of the forum before the new government took over, and Commissioner for Finance of Ebonyi State, Barr Timothy Odaah, told journalists at the end of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC in April that those owing should have made payment of salaries a priority, rather than spending state funds on electioneering campaigns and should be held

responsible by the workers and the public.

Some state governors have been accused of squandering their resources on unprofitable ventures such as hiring and flying private jets and excessive political appointments. Such governors did not use the resources at their disposal to develop their states’ economy.

As a result they could not generate internal revenue to support the state.

Internally generated revenue

Internally generated revenue of states has been poor though

rising in total amount.

Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom are states that have recorded the highest internally generated revenue (IGR) in the years spanning 2010 to 2013. Available data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Joint Tax Board (JTB) for the period showed that Lagos dominated in 2010, Rivers followed with N173.1 billion, while Delta realised N106.4 billion. Edo raked in N53.53 billion, just as Akwa Ibom made N35.6 billion. On the other hand, Jigawa, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Borno and Taraba States dominated

the bottom of the table having generated the lowest IGR among the 36 states of the federation. Jigawa recorded only N2.725 billion, while Zamfara accounted for N6.374 billion. Nasarawa, Borno, Taraba generated N5.982 billion, N6.83 billion and N7.571 billion respectively.

The IGR was realised from Pay-As-You- Earn (PAYE), direct assessment, road taxes and other revenue with PAYE accounting for the highest amount. A breakdown of the Lagos IGR in three years showed that the state recorded

Continues on page 24 C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Cover

18 states bankrupt, can't pay workers’ salaries Continued from page 23 N149.9 billion in 2010, which increased to N202.76 billion in 2011 and rose further to N219.2 billion in 2012 and N384.259billion in 2013. Of the N219.2 billion in 2012, Lagos realised the highest revenue of N172.44 billion from workers through the PAYE. A total of N4.36 billion came from road taxes, N1.89 billion from direct assessment of companies doing business while N40.513 billion was from other revenue sources.

Lagos State realised about N120.25 billion from PAYE in 2011; N7.97 billion from direct assessment, and N74.54 billion from other sources, while N104.681 billion came from PAYE in 2010; N7.51 billion from direct sources, and N73.704 billion from other sources.

Rivers State, which came second on the table, realised about N49.59 billion in 2010; N52.711 billion in 2011 and N66.28 billion in 2012 and N87.91billion in 2013. The state raked in N55.1 billion through PAYE in 2012; N485.9 million through road taxes; N22.075 million through direct tax assessment and N10.668 million through other revenue sources during the year.

Delta State realised N26.1 billion in 2010, N34.75 billion in 2011, N45.5 billion in 2012 and N50.2 billion in 2013.

PAYE fetched Delta State over N42.565 billion in 2012. Also, N244.195million was realised from road taxes, N123.4 million from direct assessment, while N2.635 billion came from other sources.

Edo State realised N10.651 billion in 2010, which increased to N14.764 billion in 2011 and to N18.88 billion in 2012 and further to N18.89 billion in 2013. Similarly, Akwa Ibom raked in N10.133 billion in 2010, N11.678 billion in 2011 and N13.517 billion in 2012 and N15.398 billion in 2013. Kano generated N6.6 billion in 2010, N6.618 in 2011, N11.051 billion in 2012 and N17.142 billion in 2013.

Kaduna was able to generate N11.564 billion in 2010, N9.781 billion in 2011, N11.531 billion in 2012 and N10.932 billion in 2013.

In the same vein Enugu internally generated revenue stood at N13.7 billion in 2010 dropped to N7.287 billion in 2011, N12.209 billion in 2012 and N20.203 billion in 2013.

Oyo state’s internal revenue which stood at N10.488 billion in 2010 dropped to N8.915 billion in 2011. It however rose to N14.598 billion in 2012 and C M Y K

UNVEILING: From left Mr Jibril Shittu, Finance Manager, Portland Paints & Products Nigeria PLC; Mrs Nike Owolabi, Franchisee, Sandtex Paints Experience Centre, Ifako-Gbagada, Lagos; Ambassador Ibukun Olatidoye, Pastor Femi Atoyebi, SAN and Mrs Nnenna AzukaNwuka, Manager, Marketing and Sales, Portland Paints during the unveilling of Sandtex Portland Paints New Experience centre in Ifako-Gbagada, Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele. further to N15.251 billion in 2013.

However, Jigawa State, realised N1.241 billion in 2010 and N1.482 billion in 2011, but no information was provided in respect of 2012 but figures for 2012 and that of 2013 were not recorded. Yobe which had N5.96 billion as internally generated revenue in 2010 saw its internal revenue plunge to N2.385 billion in 20111; N1.785 billion in 2012 and rose to N3.072 billion in 2013. Borno, which is also among the states with the worst record in terms of IGR, have been suffering from terrorist attacks by Boko Haram. This development made the Federal Government declare a state of emergency in the state, along with Adamawa and Yobe states last May and to further renew the emergency rule after the expiration of the six-month period.

Over dependence on federal allocation

The poor internally generated revenue performance of states started with the discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the country. A cursory look at the revenue profile of state governments in 2002 showed that only Lagos State was able to generate the sum of N29.3 billion internally out of its N58.2 billion budget provision which represents 50 per cent of its 2002 expenditure profile.

It was followed by Rivers State which had a statutory allocation of N25 billion and internally generated revenue

of N12.5 billion. The internally generated revenue of Rivers State represents 32.4 per cent of the state expenditure profile for 2002.

In the same vein, Kano State generated a total of N7.35 billion while it received the sum of N18.5 billion as statutory allocation. Its internally generated revenue accounted for 17.9 per cent of the state expenditure profile for 2002.

According to statistics provided by the CBN, only five other states were able to generate internal revenue to the tune of N2 billion. The states are: Akwa Ibom N2.6 billion, Cross River N2.1 billion, Katsina N2.4 billion, Ogun N2.5 billion and Osun N2.33 billion. Ten states, however, managed to raise N1 billion and above internally in 2002. They are Anambra, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo Jigawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Ondo, Oyo and Zamfara. Others generated internal revenue of less than one billion in 2002.

From the revenue profile of state governments, they cannot finance on their own

States in the country... have not explored other avenues of generating revenues

the overhead cost of running their states. This means that lack of performance of most state governors is caused by their over dependence on the Federal Government which also depends solely on revenue from oil. The pitiable condition of states in the country is attributable to the fact that they have not explored other avenues of generating revenues.

States in a bid to meet their statutory obligations go into borrowing.

Depletion of excess crude account

The federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo had set up the excess crude account where the oil revenue above the budget bench mark was being saved every year for the rainy day. But state governors fought the decision and insisted that the money should be shared instead of being saved when prices of crude were high. The Federal Account Allocation Committee on monthly basis was taking from the fund to argument short falls in oil revenue accruing to the federation.

Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account, which at a time had about $20 billion has plunged to $2.45 billion as oil prices continue to fall. The balance in the dollar component of the excess crude oil revenue account depleted to about $2.45 billion in December 2014. The account, which stood at about $4.11billion in October, dropped to about $3.11billion in November 2014.

Details of the balance of the account released at the end of the FAAC meeting showed that the transfer to the account as a result of foreign exchange gain dropped from N1.767 billion to about N665 million.

The Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, Jonah Otunla, said in a statement at the end of the meeting that the balance in the account dropped from about $3.11 billion to $2.45 billion in December. The new balance in the account followed the withdrawal of the equivalent of N15.631 billion to augment the shortfall in allocation available for distribution to the three tiers of government for the month.

Former CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi Lamido and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala had argued that the account should be kept for a rainy period as this but state governor had their way in sharing the money. If there were enough funds in the account, it will not have been this bad for state governments.

External debt

State governors finding it difficult to finance their program went on a borrowing spree.

The external debt profile of states has shown that Lagos State has the highest with a profile of $1.087 billion, followed by Kaduna State with a total of $234 million. Cross River State followed closely with an external debt profile of $131.469 million. Other states with relatively large external debt are Edo $123 million, Ogun $109 million, Bauchi $87million, Enugu $62 million, Katsina $78 million, Osun $67 million and Oyo State $72 million.

Based on the rising debt profiles of state governments, the Federal Government last year directed banks not to grant fresh loans to state governments until they got the relevant approval and clearance from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Federal Government had defended its decision to dissuade banks from granting unsecured loans to state governments, saying it was to protect the states from excessive accumulation of debts. The Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, had said that the decision was not aimed at stalling the development efforts of the state governments. The Minister said that most of the states have been experiencing difficulties in servicing their existing debts and it would not be advisable to allow them take fresh loans.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 25

Banking & Finance

Mobile money transactions in Nigeria hit N985bn yearly Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

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irector, Banking and Payments Systems Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and Chairman, Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum, NeFF, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, has said that in spite of challenges facing mobile money adoption in Nigeria, over $5 billion (about N985 billion) worth of mobile money transactions are still processed annually. He stated this while addressing newsmen on the sideline of the unveiling of the NeFF 2014 annual report in Lagos.

Fatokun said despite the challenges facing mobile money adoption in the country, significant progress has been made and continuous improvements are being made to increase mobile money penetration.

He said: “The mobile money space started in Nigeria about four years ago and currently we have licensed 21 operators. It is not right to say that we have not made progress but it is right to say that our expectations of mobile money have not been met. And this may be because we are a little bit ambitious in setting the target. But even at that, each year, transactions in mobile money still run into more than $5 billion. But what we have noticed is that most of the transactions in mobile money are either payment for subscription or remittances.

“What we have discovered that has led to the slow growth is the fact of the agency because for the mobile money to be successful, you must have agents. So the CBN did a research and came out with provisions on agency banking which the mobile money operators are keying into. Just this year, we released another circular on super agent structure, such that companies can come up to provide super agents activities. Then financial institutions will key into this. Of course, we expect that most of

the telecommunication companies, if not all, will serve as super agents. And some of them have actually shown interests. Two already have our approval in principle to make their agents available to financial institutions for financial services. Once this is fully deployed, we will see a great uptake in the use of mobile money.”

Speaking on the report, he said: “The report is to educate, enlighten the public about the measures of avoiding fraud especially electronic fraud in the e-payment space. And that summarise what is in the report in the sense that you have articles there to sensitise,

educate, enlighten and open the eyes of the public to trends in electronic fraud and how such can be avoided. There are also recommendations for the future. We have articles from

In Nigeria, over $5 billion worth of mobile money transactions are processed annually

AWARD - From left: Mr Peter Bankole, Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University; Mr Uzokwe Ike, a winner of Diamond Bank BET4 Award and Mr Uzoma Dozie, MD/CEO, Diamond Bank PLC during the Diamond Bank BET4 Award dinner and Gala Nite held in Lagos.

Heritage Bank, NPA, others to be inducted into ICC Nigeria

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eritage Bank Limited, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Jaiz Bank Plc and Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, will be formerly inducted as new members of the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, ICCN during the organisation’s 16th Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos.

Others to be inducted include: “Anu Eso & Co., Enterprise

Transport & Logistics Ltd., Norfolk Partners, Onwuamaegbu & Co., Rand Merchant Bank Ltd., Sola Ephraim-Oluwanuga & Co. and Strachan Partners.”

According to a statement issued by the ICCN Secretary General, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi, “the AGM will feature the traditional PostAGM Talk to be delivered by Mr. Bismarck Rewane, an

S-Africa's Reserve Bank to change stance over inflation outlook

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various contributors from the banking and the information and technology industries. I recommend it as something that should be read by everyone including those without bank accounts. This is because the report will help to be aware of what you need to avoid if you want your accounts to be very safe.”

He noted that, “The volume and value of electronic transactions have been on the increase” and that while “the value and volume of fraud though globally is on the increase but in Nigeria, we count ourselves as one of those fortunate as there has been reduction in fraud incidents.

he South African Reserve Bank (SARB) could change its monetary stance because of rising risks to the inflation outlook and a likely rate hike in the U.S. by year-end, its deputy governor has said .

The SARB has kept its benchmark repo rate steady in Africa’s most advanced economy at 5.75 percent since July last year. The bank has however signalled since its last monetary policy meeting in May that rising oil prices, above inflation wage settlements and a weaker rand currency could stoke inflation and bring a rate rise in coming months.

Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele told a monetary policy conference in Johannesburg

that domestic factors, mainly electricity tariff hikes of around 20 percent due later in the year, would compound upside risks to inflation. “Inflation risks have increased, which suggests an unchanged monetary policy stance cannot be maintained indefinitely,” Mminele said.

“We at the SARB are mindful of our mandate and committed to achieving our inflation target in the interest of balancing the systemic growth constraints,” Mminele said.

At its monetary policy meeting in May the central bank said it expected headline inflation to breach the upper band of its target of 6 percent in first quarter, Q1 of 2016.

economic analyst and Managing Partner of Financial Derivatives Company Ltd, Having just concluded on the change of government, it is important for businesses to strategically look into the prognosis in a bid to chart up effective line of action for success in the challenging environment. Consequently, Mr. Rewane’s paper would delve deeply into the Nigerian economy and business outlook and provide viable insights into the future. This event would also be witnessed by members of the diplomatic corps, notable business leaders and captains of Industry in both private and public sectors of the Nigeria economy.

“The ICCN Board, led by the Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage, will formally welcome all the new members from the last AGM into the chamber.

Other highlights of the AGM are the appraisal of the major activities and achievements of the Chamber in the past year.

UBA wins Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year award

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nited Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has won the African Investor (Ai) Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year award.

The award was announced at the Ai CEO Infrastructure and Sovereign Investment S u m m i t i n C a p e To w n , South Africa.

Now in their 8th year, the Ai Infrastructure Investment Awards formally recognises achievements across the main infrastructure sectors in Africa, and reward the institutions and personalities driving transactions and improving the continent’s infrastructure investment climate.

UBA was given the award for its significant investment in social infrastructure across the continent in building the economic capacity of the communities in which it does its business.

Commenting on the awards, Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/ CEO, said it is a reflection of the bank’s commitment to supporting the growth of critical sectors of the African economy with its financial expertise and strong balance sheet.

“Infrastructural development is important in driving and sustaining Africa’s growth momentum.

Over the years, we have built the expertise to package and support the right infrastructure deals that deliver value to the majority of Africans and support economic growth.

We are happy that this award recognizes the significant efforts we have made in this direction” Also commenting on the Awards, Hubert Danso, Ai’s Chief Executive Officer and Vi c e Chairman said, “Showcasing Africa’s infrastructure investment success stories is critical to creating references and increasing the required finance and institutional infrastructure investment to develop and implement the continent’s unparalleled infrastructure investment opportunities.

Africa investor is therefore delighted to host these unique awards and congratulates the winners and all those that entered and participated in these important Ai Awards.”

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Corporate Finance

Sanusi joins Blackstone Africa Fund

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amido Sanusi Lamido, Nigeria’s former central-bank governor, will head up Blackstone BX +0.61%’s sub-Saharan Africa energy infrastructure fund, the giant privateequity firm has revealed.

Sanusi was considered an astute and charismatic central-bank governor for Africa’s biggest economy and oil producer, but he was suspended early last year after he raised concerns that the national petroleum company was either losing or stealing billions in oil revenue that should be ending up in state coffers. He remained suspended until his term ran out and the current central banker, Godwin Emefiele, replaced him in June 2014.

Sanusi has long kept a foot in two worlds in Nigeria. An Islamic scholar who studied theology in Sudan, his opinion is sought by the country’s Muslims in matters of Sharia law: Sanusi argues the 7th century Islamic code cannot be applied literally to modern affairs. But he’s also a widely listened to voice for the country ’s largely Christian business elite, and for investors hoping to tap Nigeria’s 177 million person market.

After being ousted from the central bank last year, Sanusi was appointed the Emir of Kano, a ceremonial but influential post guiding Muslims in Nigeria’s north.

His allegations prompted then-president Goodluck Jonathan to order a “forensic audit” of the oil revenues, the results of which were released in late April.

It’s arguably down to the mismanagement of Nigeria’s oil reserves and revenues that Africa’s largest economy is now faltering, its currency falling, and daily blackouts growing longer, causing major disruptions to the flow of life and business in this key African economic hub.

Sanusi will now become chairman of the board of directors of Black Rhino, Blackstone’s fund that invests in energy-related infrastructure projects including oil pipelines. Brian Herlihy, Black Rhino’s Founder and chief executive said in a statement that Sanusi would provide “unparalleled insights into Africa’s regional and local socio-economic development needs.”

NAHCO shareholders seek recapitalisation, commend board on diversification Stories by PETER EGWUATU

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hareholders of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc have advised its Board of Directors to commence move to recapitalise the entity as it continues the diversification plans for enhanced returns.

The shareholders at the 34th Annual General Meeting, AGM held in Abuja , commended the Board for declaring dividend for the 2014 financial year despite the harsh operating environment experienced during the period.

Speaking at the AGM, the shareholders various group leaders who spoke the minds of their members, such as Sir Sunny Nwosu, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, Mr. Oderinde Taiwo, Mr Boniface Okezie, Nonah Awoh etc commended the board and management for the result recorded in the financial year ended December 31, 2014 According to the shareholders “ There is need for the company to inject more capital either by way of rights

issue or public offering in view of the huge investment and the diversification being undertaken by it. The loan from banks is affecting the company in terms of cost. The over N500 million paid to banks as interest and cost on turnover is not the best for the company. Also, the number of bankers should be reduced.

What is the company doing with 13 banks? It is time to reduce the number of banks.”

Continuing, the shareholders said “ We commend the board for the 20 kobo per share dividend as well as one for 10 bonus share declared. We also support the diversification process , but do not subscribe to banks’ borrowings.”

Taiwo further cautioned staff of NAHCO to be very considerate when demanding anything from their management, saying “ incessant strike is not the best for the industry as competition is becoming intense in the aviation sector.”

Responding, the Chairman of NAHCO, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah commend the shareholders for their useful

AWARD - Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc with Henry Egbiki, EY Nigeria Country Leader, at the just concluded EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2015 in Monaco. comments and advice.

According to him “We shall look at various options to shore up our capital and choose the best that will maximise returns. We have kept faith with you by delivering on our promises regardless of the difficult economic situation of the country.”

Continuing, he said “ The year 2014 was , again, very difficult as it recorded one of the greatest mysteries of the

aviation sector. The accidents, Ebola, strike between Customs and clearing agents, devaluation of the currency, etc, all contributed to affect our performance.

On the future of the company, he assured shareholders that the future is bright provided the operating environment improves as foundation for growth, efficiency and sustainability is on course.

Leap Africa, Lafarge, others task SMEs on risk assessment L

EAP Africa, Lafarge and Sterling Bank Plc and other organisations have admonished Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs to put in place risk management in their businesses in order to have sustainable growth.

The three companies gathered over 800 wellknown business leaders, entrepreneurs, risk management experts in Nigeria’s business sector at the 10th CEOs Forum themed “Staying Ahead: Maximising Profits and Mitigating Risks.”

Centred on Risk Management, the forum addressed SMEs on the importance of risk identification, assessment and analysis with a focus on minimizing loss of revenue.

According to Mr. Oluwole Oshin, Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, “Small and Medium scale enterprises

should be insured against risk. Risk does occur and the best way to survive is to transfer that risk to an insurance company”. He stated that the penetration level of insurance is still low in comparison with some other African countries Speaking further, the Managing Director of JNC

Risk does occur and the best way to survive is to transfer that risk to an insurance company

International Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Clare Omatseye urged SMEs to build a culture of risk management. She stated that “business leaders and their employees should ensure that they are on the same page as it concerns risk management and steps to mitigate it.”

Drawing from seasoned entrepreneurs and business managers speakers of the event comprised of Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, MD/ CEO; Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mr. Guillaume Roux, Group Managing Director, Lafarge Africa Plc; Mrs. Peju Adebayo, Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc; Mr. Oluwole Oshin, Managing Director Custodian And Allied Insurance Limited; Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Executive Director, Finance & Strategy and Mrs. Clare Omatseye Founder, Managing Director JNC International Nigeria Ltd Broadly discussed at the Forum were how to manage

Financial and Currency Risks in the Nigerian & Global Business Landscape as well as supply Chain, Operations and Sales Risks in Nigerian Business Landscape. The Importance of Insurance and Other Formal Risk Mitigation Strategies as well as how to build a risk management Culture was also covered.

At the event, LEAP presented its 11th book, The Art of Managing Risk. The book introduces entrepreneurs and business managers to Risk Management as it applies within our local context and introduces them to explore opportunities with boldness by taking practical steps to identify, analyze and mitigate risks.

LEAP’s CEOs Forum is an annual gathering of private, public and social development CEOs where the organization provides framework for SMEs to build sustainable companies.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 27

Corporate Finance

SEC advises states to embrace capital market for infrastructure development

BY PETER EGWUATU

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irector General of Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Mounir Gwarzo has advised state governments to take advantage of the numerous benefits inherent in the capital market to bring about desired development to Nigerians.

Gwarzo who stated this in Katsina at the ongoing 18th Katsina State Trade Fair said such advantages can be accessed through equities, bonds or mortgage bond securities.

Represented by Head Kano Zonal office of SEC, Malam Adamu Sambo, Gwarzo, said the Nigerian capital market has the capacity to provide long term funds needed to solve the infrastructural challenges in the country and act as a springboard that would fast track development of their states.

He disclosed that the commission was attending the fair in order to manifest one of its broad functions which is to carry out enlightenment on the activities in the market.

“We are here to enlighten the Katsina state government and its people on the need for them to take activities in the market as a means for development. We have a new government in place and we hope that they will access the capital market to raise funds to meet their development needs. “The President has already said he is keen on development of the country

and we therefore urge the state governments to use the capital market as a channel to raise funds. States have a lot of potentials and we believe that they can use the capital market as one of the means of achieving their potentials” he said.

He noted that both the federal and state governments in the last dispensation tasted the potential of the market as over N500 billion was raised from the nation’s bourse through bonds by various states for infrastructure development between 1999 and 2013.

Gwarzo told governors to explore the opportunities

available in the market to deliver infrastructural deelopment to their people

Over N500 billion was raised from the nation’s bourse through bonds by various states

saying that it is better toborrow to meet infrastructural needs than to be contented with just paying salaries.

He said “indebtedness is not bad, what is bad is a situation where such funds are used for consumption. If there is commensurate infrastructural development on ground, there is no regret in borrowing. Even abroad, states borrow for development”.

Gwarzo therefore urged the state governments to embrace the capital market in their economic strategy in other to meet the needs and aspirations of their people.

LAUNCHING - From Left: Mr Victor Eburajolo, Deputy Group MD, Kewalram Chanrai Group; Mr. Hisatako Sato, Managing Director, NGK Spark Plug Middle East FZE; Yoji Kawanishi, Manager, NGK Spark Plug Middle East FZE, when Asahi Brands Limited, a member of Kewalram Chanrai Group, launched NGK Spark Plug from in Lagos.

Vitafoam begins mass production of sandwich panels for construction industry

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

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itafoam Nigeria Plc is set to commence mass production of sandwich panels for the construction industry, following installation of continuous panel production plant.

Chairman, Board of Directors, Vitafoam, Dr. Bamidele Makanjuola, said this at the Annual General Meeting for the financial year ended, September 30, 2014.

Makanjuola said that the company is positioned to take advantage of untapped potentials in the construction industry, saying “In the

current financial year, we expect our rigid polyurethane subsidiary (vitapur) to come on full steam with the installation of continuous panel production plant and commencement of mass production of sandwich panels for the construction industry.

“The System House Project of this subsidiary, assisted by the UNDP, is also expected to commence commercial blending of chemical for the industry.

“The current global trend in housing construction and the upswing of inquiries and nascent patronage from government (at both the federal and the state levels) and the private sector should

bolster the contribution of this subsidiary to our overall growth in the year ahead. I remain confident that this unit is the flagship and future of our business and all efforts shall be made to unlock its full potential, he said.

He pointed out that the year under review was created by uncertainties arising from insecurity to tightening of monetary policy by the CBN which left commercial activities paralysed especially in the north-central and north-east geopolitical zones where companies including vitafoam distributors have been displaced and left adrift.

Meanwhile, the Directors further explained that the Vitapur in partnership with

the UNDP pioneered a chemical blending factory as a unit of the operations of the company.

They stated further that the project when completed will afford vitapur the opportunity to sell chemicals to other producers of sandwich polyurethane in Nigeria and West Africa sub region using environmentally friendly raw materials.

“The system house will also supply the parent company (Vitafoam) chemicals that are used in the production of reconstituted and flexible foams. This will afford vitafoam the advantage of just-in-time procurement of chemical materials for use without the need to stock.”

Stanbic IBTC bags best asset management company award

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tanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, one of the Nigeria’s asset management firm, has been named the ‘Best Asset Management Company Nigeria 2015’ by the Global Banking & Finance Review.

The Global Banking and Finance Review Awards honour institutions that stand out in their particular area of expertise in the financial industr y. It recognises achievement, innovation, growth and evolutional changes in finance globally.

To clinch the award, the Global Banking & Finance Review panel took into account Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited’s outstanding achievements in many areas of asset management, including having a robust track record, a pool of skilled and knowledgeable investment advisors and commitment to transparency via real time online account access, quarterly reporting, consistency in internal and external auditing, among others.

“Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited’s dedication to excellence throughout its investment advisory and management services is what made it stand out as the clear winner this year,” said Wanda Rich, Editor, Global Banking & Finance Review.

“We look forward to seeing further industry-leading solutions from them in the years to come.”

Winning the accolade, stated Olumide Oyetan, Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, is grounded in the firm’s deep understanding of the local market, backed by expertise and experience in developing quality investment products that address clients’ needs. “We are especially pleased to receive this recognition for our work in Nigeria. We have over the years developed a strong foundation with excellent skills in all aspects of asset management, and we aim to extend our leading position in the years ahead,” he stated.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

E-Commerce

Nigeria’s first dating app, Spotself debuts

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mobile application that helps people looking for a date has unveiled in Nigeria. The app built by Swedish entrepreneur, Jens Mathiasson is for the Android operating system and helps people share and rate photos as well as match-make.

Mathiasson told journalists at the unveiling in Lagos that “the idea behind Spotself is to help Nigerians who like to have fun, meet new people and love to take photos. The app is designed for the Nigerian youth in particular and we believe Spotself can be a major destination for meeting and interacting with people online.”

The app is defined by its 'Meet' feture which is where the dating functionality of the app really comes to life. Here you get to view pictures of people who are single and interested in meeting new people as well and once there is a match between two people, they will be notified and they can get ahead with communication.

Intel, Micr osof t, Microsof osoft, other tner ttoo otherss par partner empower SMEs with technological solutions

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owards delivering affordable technological solutions and growing small and medium businesses in Nigeria, Intel Nigeria has entered into partnership with MTN, Microsoft, HP and Diamond Bank to drive an SMB targeted initiative.

The SMB targeted initiative was announced in Lagos at a Technology Tour event to kick-start the initiative which would offer Nigerian SMB’s the best bundle of PC, Printer and Office for their day-today operations and also feature capacity building seminars, conferences and workshops to address other issues confronting them.

Speaking at the Technology Tour event, the Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Intel West Africa, Mr. Adim Isiakpona described the initiative as an allencompassing approach at solving reoccurring issues confronting small and medium businesses in Nigeria.

How mobile preference for online shopping drives e-commerce Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

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ith the introduction of GSM communication, Nigeria has continuously witnessed increased adoption of mobile technology in all spheres of life. From its use in agriculture to financial services, mobile technology has proved indispensable in many great ways.

According to a recent study, mobile penetration in subSaharan Africa is expected to increase from 52 per cent in 2012 to 79 per cent in 2020.

A Gallup report also noted that nearly two-thirds, 65 per cent of households in 23 countries in sub-Saharan Africa had at least one mobile phone in 2013, with median growth of 27 per cent since 2008 and median annual growth of 5 per cent. In a country like Nigeria, percentage of households with at least one mobile phone rose to 78 per cent in 2013 and has continued to grow by at least 4 per cent annually.

This trend has pervaded into the general economy as players in different sectors strategized to tap into the advantages offered by mobile technology.

However one sector that has successfully tapped into the mobile advantage is the ecommerce sector. Today, no operator can imagine playing without a mobile application.

With the quest to get the attention of consumers wherever they and beat competition, mobile has come to form an integral part of their businesses.

Last week, two of Nigeria’s major e-commerce players, Jumia.com.ng and Konga.com held sales fiestas that leaned heavily on mobile.

Jumia, tagged its own ‘Mobile Week Megathon’ and not only celebrated mobile by offering massive discounts on different models of mobile devices but also prioritized sales via their mobile apps.

On their part, online marketplace, Konga.com which tagged theirs ‘Big App Sales promotion’ conducted the entire sales promotion that lasted for two days only through their mobile application.

This trend indicates that mobile has continued to dictate the strategies of online retailers.

According to Strategic Growth Concepts on ‘Mobile technology for increased productivity and profitability’ this trend is driven in part “by

the interactive nature of mobile technology as sharing information through this medium allows businesses to get immediate feedback on products and services from customers. This speed and accessibility have led to faster research and development for companies, an important part of staying ahead of the competition. It has also led to product upgrades moving at a faster rate. In addition, customers and clients feel as if they have a more direct role in a company’s development.

“Also mobile technology has introduced a new dimension into advertising and marketing for businesses worldwide.

Potential customers now see business advertisements on mobile phones through a wide variety of mobile marketing technologies including: SMS (text) messaging, mobile websites, mobile applications, banner ads, etc. These advertisements can be customized to reach a more specific, targeted audience thanks to software that “reads” the website or information individuals are seeking on their mobile device and displaying advertisements that relate to that information.

Marketing is made more effective by this customization, and because most customers / potential customers always

have a mobile device handy, their exposure to advertisements is increased.”

Analysts believe this trend is driven by consumers’ inclination towards use of app based online shopping carts to store items for later purchase as well conduct research before making purchasing decisions.

They argue that shoppers now increasingly use all available devices to make the best decisions and enhance their shopping experience and that e-commerce operators need to clearly understand consumer shopping and purchasing behaviors, particularly the move toward mobile, in order to maximize revenue potential and identify effective commerce marketing strategies.

WORKSHOP - From left: Olaide Okubanjo of Heritage Banking Company Limited; Publisher, Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor; Representative, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and Co- Founder/Group Executive Director of Sahara Group, Mr. Tonye Cole, during the One-Day Women Empowerment Workshop by Genevieve Magazine titled “Becoming Financially Fearless” held in Lagos.

Drinks.ng hits market with products catalogue D

RINKS.ng has launched Nigeria’s first catalogue for wine products to help drink lovers to make an informed choice from the arrays of alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages available in their store.

The catalogue detailed the differences between beer, spirits, brandy and wines.

Speaking on the catalogue in Lagos, Lanre Akinlagun, Chief Executive Officer of Drinks,ng told Vanguard that the catalogue was the

company’s response to gap in the industry, stressing “Research carried out by the company on Nigerian drinks market showed that although, there is array of drinks’ distributors across the country, yet none of the contenders have produced a product catalogue showcasing their product offering in one place.

Accordingly, he said: “This inspired us to pioneer a high quality product catalogue to showcase our extensive range

of wines, champagnes and premium spirits to enable our customers to make informed decisions on their purchases.

“Our e-commerce platform is the most robust in Nigeria, with over 1,300 different products to choose from alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages.”

He assured that the company will continue to seek to improve the industry as a whole, “bringing quality to our consumers, our suppliers and our partners.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 29

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30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Homes & Housing

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

US mortgage rates jump to 8-month high

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ortgage rates in the U.S. jumped to eightmonth high, making home purchases costlier as investors prepare for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

The average rate for a 30year fixed mortgage jumped to 4.04 percent, up from 3.87 percent last week and the highest since October, Freddie Mac said in a statement, adding that the average 15-year rate climbed to 3.25 percent from 3.08 percent.

Yields on 10-year Treasuries, which guide mortgages, approached 2.5 percent last week for the first time since October amid speculation the Federal Reserve is poised to end seven years of lending to banks at near-zero rates. A jobs report last week showed U.S. hiring at a five-month high, a sign the economy is strong enough to allow the Fed to boost borrowing costs.

...As mortgage applications rise

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eanwhile, the interest rate sharp jump has caused a sudden surge in mortgage applications in the US, amidst fear that rates will move even higher.

Total mortgage application volume jumped 8.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. “Mortgage application volume rebounded strongly, indicating that the holiday had a larger impact on business activity than originally assumed,” said Mike Fratantoni, the association’s chief economist.

Refinance volume increased 7 percent on the week, and applications to purchase a home jumped 10 percent, both seasonally adjusted. Purchase volume is now 15 percent higher than the same week one year ago, but refinance volume is off nearly 5 percent. The weekly move higher in refinances was likely due to the holiday skewing the trend.

Refinances are still lower than they were two weeks ago. This all comes as rates continue to climb. While higher rates make home buying more expensive, sharp moves higher often have the immediate effect of getting potential buyers off the fence, before chilling the overall market in the longer term.

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n a bid to ensure that more Nigerians benefit from the National Housing Fund (NHF), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) is set to introduce a new product that will enable contributors access mortgage loans for the renovation or improvement of their existing homes. The product is to be called the FMBN Home Renovation Loan (FHRL).

Head of Corporate Affairs, FMBN, Mr. Lawal Isa, in a statement lamented that only about 60,000 contributors have benefitted from NHF out of about 4 million Nigerians that are registered and are contributing to the fund.

This means just about 1.5 percent of total number of contributors have actually benefitted from the scheme since it was established.

“This seemingly dismal number has created a negative image for the bank from the public who perceive the bank as not having effectively delivered on its mandate. It has therefore become necessary for FMBN to develop some quick-wins that will allow a greater number of Nigerians have access to the National Housing Fund. It is in view of the foregoing that a new product is being proposed to be introduced by the bank.

The product shall be called the FMBN Home Renovation Loan (FHRL). This product will afford Nigerians an opportunity to access mortgage loans for the renovation or improvement of their existing homes. The product is specifically designed for Nigerians who are contributors to the National Housing Fund and desire to renovate or improve existing properties which are personally owned by them or through family ownership,” he stated. Isa recalled that the NHF scheme was established in 1992 to address the constraints to the mobilisation of long term funds for housing finance and ensure that every Nigerian has access to housing loans at affordable interest rate. He further noted that the overall objective was to provide cheap source of loanable funds to nurture and sustain the mortgage industry and eventually facilitate affordable homeownership for the low and medium income groups in the country.

“However, the realization of this objective has been hampered by several challenges to housing finance in Nigeria, which include, amongst others: Lack of access to land; Inadequate funding for the housing sector;

•Mixed housing development

NHF: FMBN to launch home renovation loan scheme Inaccessibility of mortgage loans due to lack of proper title to properties; Low income of prospective borrowers which affects affordability; and Cumbersome procedures for obtaining Governor ’ s consent to land transactions which is also costly. These challenges have limited the number of contributors to the NHF who have benefitted from the scheme. As a result, although there are currently about 4 million Nigerians that are registered and are contributing to NHF, FMBN has - been able to provide mortgage loans to only about 60,000 contributors,” he stated.

The FMBN spokesperson remarked that the new product, when

launched, will be available only to NHF contributors who have not taken NHF loans to build or buy houses, adding

It has become necessary for FMBN to develop some quick-wins that allow a greater number of Nigerians have access to NHF

however, that beneficiaries would still be eligible to apply for NHF loans for home purchase after liquidating the home renovation loan. He further disclosed that the maximum amount for the proposed home renovation loan is N1 million, subject to the beneficiary’s income limit and the cost of renovation and can only be taken once in five years.

He said that the loan tenor shall be a maximum of three years or employee’s remaining years of service, whichever is less, at an interest rate of 8 percent for the duration of the loan. “This is because of the high risks involved as well as the less cumbersome process and documentation required,” Isa added.

AHCN seeks review of housing corporation laws

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ssociation of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has called for the review of laws establishing housing corporations, while canvassing their autonomy and commercialisation to enable them fulfil their statutory responsibilities in the housing sector.

AHCN made the call in a communiqué by its President, Dr. Ifenna Chukwujekwu and Secretary General, D.A. HarYusuph, after its 42nd Annual General Meeting and 93rd Council Meeting and workshop held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, with the theme: “Repositioning the Housing Sector as a Tool for Economic Recovery and Development in Nigeria”.

Participants recommended that government should set up a committee to look into all the problems confronting housing corporations in the country. “The operators of the housing corporation in all its

facts must ensure that there is synchronization between the implementation of the Housing Policy and Legal framework establishing the housing corporation.”

The participants also advocated that other sources of funding be made available for the housing corporations.

They noted that the other sources should include annual grant from the Federal Governments, specific contributions from State Governments, financial institutions specific contributory involvement, as well as contributions investible funds from quoted companies.

The communiqué observed the lackadaisical attitude of governments to the National Housing Fund (NHF) as opposed to what obtained when the policy was newly introduced. It further called for all outstanding

contributions to the NHF to be remitted while the statutory provisions of the National Housing Policy should be strictly enforced and applied along with the sanctions embedded in the policy.

AHCN said the current situation whereby primary mortgage banks (PMBs) compete for funds with Deposit Money Banks is unacceptable, and urged the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to make proper provision for mortgage banks to access funds for the housing subsector. Delegates noted that lack of adequate long-term housing finance policy has continued to be a big challenge to housing delivery in Nigeria. They therefore called on government to ease the process of acquisition of funds for cost-effective housing delivery in the country.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 31

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32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Interview

By OMOH GABRIEL

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ased on feedbacks from banks, how would you describe the level of compliance with the directive on BVN? The feedback from the banks is very positive. I think we should start by understanding why we are embarking on the BVN project, you will see that there is no way the Banks would not be enthusiastic about it. When the BVN project was initiated, there were three key areas of focus. First and most important of all is for us to identify our customers uniquely across Banks and across Accounts. So, once a customer enrolls and obtains a BVN, that same BVN is tied to all his Bank Accounts.

Now, relating to identifying is the possibility of Banks blacklisting people who have committed financial infractions.

It could be fraudsters; it could be people who have forged documents; etc. What happens today is that Mr. A goes to Bank E, commits fraud, then runs to Bank F and because there is no way of tying all these activities across, we found out that there are quite a lot of losses related to these individuals from one Bank to another. BVN removes these losses. The beauty of it all is the unique identification in the financial space.

Generally, people say every Nigerian is a crook but in actual sense, maybe only one per cent of Nigerians are crooks but the remaining 99 per cent are considered crooks because of that one per cent. So, BVN allows us, again, to find these individuals and to create that blacklists that other stakeholders in the financial space can have access to. With this, even foreigners through their Banks, may be able to identify fraudsters that have been tracked in the Nigerian Financial space.

Secondly, the BVN would allow us begin to build retail credit.

Today, the Banks have concerns over identification in retail lending, that is why the entire retail consumer lending

Mr. Folashodun Adebisi

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BVN'll enable banks blacklist dubious customers BVN

— SONUBI, NIBSS boss

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ank Verification number enrolment ordered by the CBN for all bank customers will end this Month. How will the system work and why is it important for bank customers to have the BVN is explained here by Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi Managing Director NIBSS who holds double Masters Degree respectively in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering, from University of Lagos. He is a resourceful Information Technology-driven banker with over 22 year’s professional experience.

Prior to his appointment as the Managing Director NIBSS PLC, Mr. Shonubi was Executive Director, Information Technology and Operations at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc; a member of the Board of Union Homes and Director, Information Technology and Corporate Services in Renaissance Securities Nigeria limited, with responsibility for the Group’s IT infrastructure in Africa.

portfolio is targeted at people with formal employment whose employers can serve as a point of reference. There are however a lot of self-employed people as well as others working in smaller organizations who require this, but do not have access due to the identification issue, as no bank will take the risk of lending to them – considering cases of resignation and eventual run off, how will the Banks get repayment? but with the availability of BVN, these set of individuals will also benefit from Retail Lending as identification and tracking issues will be mitigated.

The third, which I have already alluded to, is we want to be able to authorise financial transactions down the road, on an Au t o m a t e d T e l l e r Machine (ATM)

or a Point of Sales (PoS). You can use your biometric identifier to say ‘Yes, this is me and I am authorising the payment.’ So, those are the three key focus areas that led to the BVN project being conceived and implemented.

Everybody is expected to have been captured into the system by June 30; do you envisage any change in that date?

No. No. I think we are doing well. Just as most Projects, you start slow but as time goes on, it picks up. The number of enrollment doubles every week.

So, given the number of BVNs generated so far, I think June 30 is achievable.

For those that have enrolled when are they likely to receive their BVN card?

I have gotten my BVN card.

I would encourage Bank customers to talk to their Banks so that they can get theirs as well. The BVN cards are being printed and sent to the Banks to distribute to the branches where customers have enrolled. You will be sent a Small Messaging System (SMS) and for those that have their emails stipulated, they will be sent email.

What about the cost implications?

The Cards? It has no cost implications to the customers; we are giving them out to the Customers for free. The cost is

borne by the Bankers’ Committee, which considers the BVN project very important and that is why they have been bearing the entire cost. The cost of the cards, the cost of integration with NIMC and almost everything else that has to do with the BVN is borne by the Bankers’ Committee.

Is NIBSS that provides the infrastructure for automated processing, settlement of payments and fund transfer instructions not concerned about the rising cases of fraud in the banking system?

We are very worried and what gets us even more concerned is that as one executes Electronic Transactions, a lot more people are participating in that space and cloud. So, it

Generally, people say every Nigerian is a crook but in actual sense, only one per cent are crooks

Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi

is easier for the Banks to invest in new technologies to protect themselves.

But now, every business person wants to create a website to sell their products and wares and some of them may not have the capacity to invest in technologies to protect themselves. Thus once one of them creates a point of leakage, it affects the whole chain. To curb this, one of the initiatives the Bankers’ Committee is putting in place is the Antifraud platform that payment transactions are connected to; such that if one has a transaction that is fraudulent, it flags it off immediately.

It allows us to identify cards that have been reported as fraudulent; it also allows us to do analysis of a particular location or website where fraud is frequently reported for proper monitoring and this initiative is not only for cards.

What we are implementing, which is very unique in almost all areas is to centralise handling of cards, electronic payments and POS. Most of the solutions available elsewhere are mainly for Cards but we have to modify it to allow transactions on other electronic payment platforms. It can create patterns and also highlight suspicious transfers and payments. This platform has gone live; it is currently being used and we are already seeing the benefits.

Most of these frauds are more or less insider-related and with click of the computer, the money is gone. Is there no

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 33

Interview It is very difficult to say you want to eliminate fraud, but with all these being implemented, it is our expectation that fraud will be highly mitigated

way to set a limit or threshold on the value of transactions allowed at a particular time?

This is part of the area the Anti-Fraud initiative caters for.

We agree there must be a limit, either in frequency or value, all transactions going through the Anti-Fraud Systems are tracked such that if it exceeds that frequency or limit, it is flagged.

We are currently building rules now in collaboration with the Banks, such that when the system receives transactions that are outside the agreed parameters, this transactions are blocked or flagged and the Banks are advised immediately.

It is very difficult to say you want to eliminate fraud, but with all these being implemented, it is our expectation that fraud will be highly mitigated.

What is the level of synergy between the BVN and the National Identity Management Commission to bring about a sustainable identity management system for Nigeria?

I think we need to understand the concept of identification.

The National ID is supposed to be the root means of identifying an individual. That means it is general but you will always find specific ID databases that will be created.

There is the National Driving licence that applies to people, who are of driving age and have decided they want to drive.

They are different from those that may be Banking customers that cannot drive. So, you will

always have different databases. However, the idea is to have a common way of linking them. Somebody has a driving licence and at the same time has an ID for health, how do we ensure it is the same person? That is the idea behind the National ID. With the BVN, we are creating something for Banking customers. The purpose is not just to identify but also ultimately to use it to authorise financial transactions. This cannot be done using the National ID which would identify but it is not meant for authorising Financial transactions. So, the question then is: how do they work together?

Today, we are already implementing the BVN financed by the Bankers’ Committee. It is a means of sharing data. When one enrolls for a BVN, we can make that information available. If you already have the National ID and you don’t have a Bank Account, once you use it, we pull the information from National ID and update it in creating your BVN identification. This is with the intention of making it easy for people so that when you are enrolled for one, it is easier to enroll with the other and we have actually started that process of integration.

What have been your challenges?

Well, as a Banker coming into a processor environment, I think the biggest challenge so far is trying to get the industry to understand what we at NIBSS are trying to do.

Unfortunately, those who do not understand our business strategy perceive us as being in competition and that the competition is disruptive because it affects the way they were doing businesses before.

Even for some Banks, we are seen as removing what they would have considered as propriety or niche because we try to create a uniform platform for the industry. We are however driven by the Bankers’ Committee. If they say roll out this service, our aim is to gohead with rollout as quickly and as efficiently possible.

For us, misunderstanding has been the biggest challenge by far in the industry. Some of my colleagues who are Bankers ask: ‘What exactly is NIBSS doing there?’ and for us, the answer is very simple.

We are a shared service platform that is supposed to reduce the cost of providing financial services by

Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi

Banks to the public. So, once we reduce that cost for the Banks, they are in a position to pass this, in either pricing or better quality service to their customers.

A lot of noise was made by the shared services with a view to reducing cost in the system but why is it that there is no longer emphasis on it?

This is actually ongoing. The Central Bank earlier reviewed Bank charges down and recently they have also reduced the Merchants Service Charge (MSC) on PoS transactions from 1.25 per cent (of transaction value, pegged at N2,000) to 0.75 per cent. Every year, there have been reductions in charges that are being implemented in various ways. As NIBSS, we are constantly reviewing our service charge.

Then, there is the other side of improved services. Unlike what obtained two years ago, if everybody wants to make a payment now, you either use NIBSS Instant Payments (NIP) or NIBSS Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT). A lot of individuals are not aware that this is a significant benefit.

There are very few countries that have similar platforms. In the past, it would take you up to a week before the beneficiary receives value, but with these platforms, value is received in seconds or hours depending on which of the platforms used. So, this is efficiency and it is part of the things that we provide for the industry. But people don’t qualify it because they don’t see it exactly that way.

Why is it that merchants hide their PoS and they don’t ask you to use it until you demand for it for your transactions?

Is it as a result of the charges?

There are cultural issues with anything you are trying to do nationwide, across boundaries, across regions and a c r o s s communities.

There are always cultural issues.

When

we started this journey with PoS three years ago, the major problem was network and a lot of efforts were made - working with the network operators to stabilise the network. The essential problem we are contending with now is more of a cultural issue; Lets use the Petrol Stations for instance, a customer will not be offered a PoS terminal for payment unless you ask and insist on it; this is because when one buys fuel, first; they encourage you to fill up, and the total amount will always be rounded up; secondly, they never have balance to give you back if you need to collect balance from the amount you are required to pay after your tank has been filled.

So, who gets the balance? It is the attendant? But with electronic payment, you will be paying the exact amount utilized.

It is very interesting to then note that when you sum up all these balances in the range of N5 or N10, it becomes significant daily for the attendant. As such naturally, it is normal for the attendant to be reluctant about offering a PoS for payment.

As part of the activities to enhance this culture change and increase adoption, we are currently working with the CBN and the Commercial Banks to provide the Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) for Sales Personnel, Merchants and Cardholders.

The Component of the scheme targeted at the Sales personnel/ attendant is called the ‘Tipping Point’. This component is such that whenever payments are made on PoS, the sales personnel/attendant collect points which they can redeem for a certain reward. It makes them understand that even though they do not collect the little balance ‘change’ from their customers, if they encourage Electronic transactions, they would still be able to get some reward.

Part of the loyalty scheme is also targeted at encouraging all cardholders that use their cards to make payments so that by insisting on using your card for payments, you get some of your cashback and you can also collect points that you can redeem for a reward. In addition to this benefit, for every electronic based transaction paid for from your account, it is COT free. So, these are some of the initiatives that are going on quietly behind the scene, which we would unveil very shortly.

Can you give us rough ideas on the total volume of transactions that pass through your platforms?

Transaction volumes are growing consistently month-onmonth; this shows that adoption

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 35

“During a routine internal audit of the bank’s cash destruction activities in September 2014, the CBN Briquetting Panel comprising senior bank staff from different branches noticed some anomalies at the Ibadan branch.. CBN, PUNCH, June 3, 2015 p 7.

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or years, my colleague in the VANGUARD, Henry Boyo, had written repeatedly about excess liquidity mop-up by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. To be candid Boyo had almost sounded like a broken record. His recommendation regarding DOLLAR CERTIFICATES, had not received the national debate among economists and policy makers that it deserves. The matter of recurrent liquidity mop-up by the CBN must have been baffling to economists as well as serious observers of Nigeria banking sector. The nagging question had been: how and from where did excess liquidity develop so soon again after an exercise?

In other words, from where do the large influxes of Naira notes emerge which induce another round of liquidity mop-up?

The revelation of N8bn currency scam, in the Ibadan branch in late May 2015, might provide some clue into how our financial system had been

CBN and the N8bn scam (1) sabotaged by CBN workers over the years. The CBN, in short, had developed a lot of people who had committed crimes bordering on treason because the quickest way to run down an economy is to ruin its currency. The culprits identified, so far, as well as others who will eventually be revealed to be accomplices, had provided some of the answer to the question of why the CBN repeatedly had to mop up “excess liquidity”.

Even the village idiot knows that if you are trying to mop up water from a flooded room, it would not help if somebody is pouring more water in. What the CBN staff and their collaborators in commercial banks have been doing amounts to adding more liquidity while the mop up is going on. This is no ordinary theft; it is treason.

One notion which should be quickly discarded is that this is a recent occurrence.

Granted, the CBN announcement said that what was discovered is “a systematic scheme, which has been on for several years”, it is most likely that the bank itself does not now know how long this scheme had been on and how much was involved.

One aspect of the scam

should however be of interest to all of us – the involvement of commercial banks’ staff in the scam. To this writer, this is not surprising. It is a fact, easily established, that no large scale fraud or money laundering activities can occur without the collaboration of several commercial bank officials.

Without them nothing big can occur.

In an article I had published in June 2008 titled BANKING OR LEGALISED SWINDLE IN NIGERIA, the point was made that the average bank manager might as well be called a robber in designer suits. It has been like that since our Fellow Nigerians took to

From where do the large influxes of Naira notes emerge which induce another round of liquidity mopup?

running banks in the 1950s. In fact, it is quite possible that if a thorough investigation were conducted few of our bankers, past and present will escape the goal for their nefarious activities – which make professional armed robbers look like saints. An example from the current case will illustrate the point.

One of the accused, a semiilliterate Cash Officer, in a bank, had over N140 million in one bank account, in addition to assets all over the globe. This is in a country where the Know Your Customer policy in supposed to operate. It is also a safe bet that the fellow must have deposited over one million in that account several times without the Branch Managers notifying the deposits to security agencies as they were supposed to do.

Certainly, he must have made several payments, some in millions, against that account during the years the scam was on. Yet, nobody in that branch of the bank alerted the authorities. Thank God, the fellow is not an arms dealer for boko Haram; otherwise, the branch and all its officials, who serviced this account, would have endangered our lives – in addition to helping in promoting economic sabotage

bordering on treason.

But, just in case the reader gets the impression that this condemnation is directed at the more junior staff of banks, let me quickly say that nothing can be further from the truth.

Banks staffs are typical Nigerians, with the built-in desire to get rich quick. Most of them, although fortunate to have jobs, are actually living on the edge of desperation.

They have extended families to who they feel responsible.

Added to that is job insecurity – which is pervasive in the sector. It is difficult to remain honest when your life line might be severed tomorrow.

They are unlike other desperate Nigerians in one way, which is cause of the problems. With only a few thousand Naira in their own accounts, they are exposed to (b)millions of the currency everyday and to people embarking on shady deals.

Even a saint would be tempted and it is not surprising that many succumb to the temptation to steal – when the right opportunity presents itself.

BANKS AS THE DEVIL’S ORIGINAL WORKSHOP If indeed money is the root of all evil; then the devil would have been an idiot, not the crafty fellow he is reputed to be, if he did not set up shop in every bank on earth. Where else is so much money on display every day?....

Micro-Finance Too many issues with N220bn MSMEDF

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

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he N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) also known as intervention fund is cumbered with so many issues and challenges that need to be addressed by the regulatory authorities.

Intervention fund The fund is designed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support entrepreneurs and was launched by President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2014 as part of effort to address the N9.6 trillion financing gap identified in a joint report by the International Finance Corporation and McKinsey and unlock the potential of the MSMEs as an innovative way of improving access to finance, shoring up potentials for job creation, and enable poverty reduction within the country.The guidelines for disbursement is 80:20 ratio for on-lending to micro

enterprises, 60 percent is reserved for enterprises owned by women; two percent for persons living with disability and 10 percent for start-up businesses.

Criteria reviewed Due to low access of the fund by operators of the sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) decided to review the criteria for accessing the funds. The move is aimed at stimulating disbursement of the funds to targeted operators in the MSME sector of the economy so that by the end of this year, half of the fund would have been disbursed to target operators. However, the apex bank expressed worry that since the fund was launched on August 19, 2014 only N40.3 billion has been disbursed to operators who have been discouraged by stringent conditions attached to accessing the funds.

At a seminar organised by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for

Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Acting Director, Development Finance Department, CBN, Dr. Mudashir Olaitan, disclosed that nonchalant attitude of these PFIs to lend could be traced to 75 percent collateral requirement. “To get N10, you must have N7.5.”

Another challenge Olaitan maintained that most of the MfBs have about 70 per cent Portfolio-At-Risk (PAR) with negative Shareholders’ Fund making them ineligible to access the fund.

According to him, “the challenges in the micro finance industry have limited the ability of most microfinance banks to get fund from this funding vehicle. Most of them have 70 per cent PAR and negative shareholders funds. It is worthy of note to state that financially sick MfBs cannot access this fund.” He hinted that the apex bank would not take physical assets as collateral to access the

•Emefiele, CBN Governor fund but would accept 50 per cent financial assets, which most MfBs and some participating institutions were unable to produce. To this end, he said that the idea was to safeguard the fund in a way that it would be paid as and when due without any delay.

Beneficiaries Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele pointed out that while the micro-loans would be administered through private or state-owned microfinance institutions, finance houses and

cooperative finance agencies, the SME loans will be disbursed through the DMBs. Also that the State governments will be able to access up to N2 billion each for lending to eligible beneficiaries through participating financial institutions in their states.

National Collateral Registry “We are collaborating with the CBN to establish the National Collateral Registry which will be launched by June,” said Project Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Mr. Ubong Awah.

He said that the collateral registry will provide part of the infrastructure for pushing the initiative ahead. “It needs some level of capacity that we are bringing to the table because we are involved in many projects on this. We are collaborating with government to do this. So we are bringing expertise and experiences we have over the years and all over the world to make it available to credit offices with the understanding that they will be knowledgeable in this; better equipped and enabled to better drive the process,” he said.

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Economy

VitaTree set to register presence in Nigeria C

ome this month, VitaTree Nutritionals, a Canadian 100 percent whole food vitamin company said it will formally launch its products into the Nigerian market.

Canadian Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Janine Bowring, BSc, and her other team of researchers will officially launch the VitaTree Nutritionals brand of Whole Food Vitamins in the African

market after over 20 years of research and clinical use in North America. The launch holds June 19th, 2015.

The brand a natural supplement and whole food vitamins had revolutionized health care in Canada and the USA, and will now be made available to the people of Nigeria, a statement said.

Dr. Janine Bowring, a renowned naturopathic Doctor and author of The Healthy

Millionaire formulated VitaTree Nutritionals supplements, after losing her mother to cancer, made it a personal mission in life to help others both to cure and prevent disease, naturally.

After working with thousands of patients over the years, Dr. Bowring found a gap in both conventional medicine and the natural supplement industry.

She was shocked to learn

that most supplements were made using toxic synthetic ingredients, artificial coloring and other commonly used toxic fillers and flow agents.

Dr. Bowring and her team of experts worked tirelessly to produce the world’s best natural, whole food vitamins, called VitaTree Nutritionals, based on scientific research and clinical experience in working with her patients for over 15 years.

VitaTree Nutritionals has been changing people’s lives for years in North America.

People, who have had terrible diagnoses, have been able to heal, the statement said.

“People, who were written off by the conventional medical system, were able to achieve good health with the help of VitaTree Nutritionals and the information shared by the company.”

OAL opens office

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lisa Agbakoba legal, OAL, a mediation and arbitration centre for the public has formally opened office in Nigeria.

OAL, a full service law firm will be providing legal services to a broad spectrum of clients in the area of alternative Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Banking and Finance, Corporate & Commercial, Maritime, Energy and Natural Resources to mention a few.

As responsive commercial lawyers, OAL understands that clients now try to avoid Litigation as a first option in resolution of commercial dispute.

Companies and private individuals now require new ways to circumvent the slow judicial process and encourage accelerated and quick resolution of disputes. The firm became one of the foremost law firms in Nigeria to introduce law firm annexed ADR Centre, a destination where disputes are amicably resolved out of court and to the satisfaction of client’s commercial exigencies.

To satisfy its clientele and public, OAL recently expanded and relocated the ADR center to Ikoyi.

The center will provide services including designing and setting up of Alternative Dispute Resolution Framework peculiar to companies operations, representation in arbitration and ADR proceedings as well provide design for mono or hybrid ADR systems depending on evaluation and assessment of company operations and dispute scenarios. The services include prosecuting and defending disputes in arbitral proceedings.

OAL is a member of the London Maritime Operators, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators-Nigeria, London Court of International Arbitration, Lagos Court of Arbitration, the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria etc. The firm has been actively involved in advocacy for arbitration institutional development and has contributed to the drafting of various legislative proposals on the subject.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 37

Business & Economy

Nigeria generates over $100bn annually from outsourcing — Akindeju M

r. Peter Akindeju is the head of corporate services, Integrated Corporate Services Limited. He is also the chairman of the organising committee for the upcoming 2015 outsourcing expo. In this interview with JONAH NWOKPOKU, he spoke on the potential of the outsourcing industry in Nigeria, the challenges and how the industry can leverage the expo to continue to drive growth of the sector. Excerpts:

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hat is the idea behind outsourcing and how has it evolved in Nigeria?

The early players of outsourcing in Nigeria started around thirty years ago. But before then, there have been various business interests that were involved in outsourcing related activities. It was just that they did not call it outsourcing. Outsourcing is a business model. It is a way of carrying out your business in a model that you don’t own totally all the resources you require to provide value to all your customers. There was a time in the history of doing business globally that people wanted to own everything that was required, in terms of all the resources, logistics. If you remember many decades ago, even in Nigeria when the oil exploration began, we had companies that had oil wells, filling stations, petrol tankers and what have you. But over time, businesses have realised that that was not an effective of running business. You cannot possibly own everything that you need in your value chain. So people now changed their minds and began to concentrate on their core competencies. You look at the spectrum of things you require to provide value to your customer, you look at the very core to that business and concentrate on that while you allow other people that have expertise in the so-called non core areas to provide those non-core area capabilities to augment your own core areas to provide value to your customers.

What is your assessment of the outsourcing industry in Nigeria?

Outsourcing started from total obscurity to now gaining

•Peter Akindeju

traction. Its true there is still need for advocacy around outsourcing but i think outsourcing is gaining mileage in the country. People are beginning to know what outsourcing is and the business model is beginning to gain its rightful place in the economy. If you look at the various sectors of the economy, you will realise that outsourcing plays a major role.

Like i said, there are still people doing outsourcing without even knowing it.

There is no sector in this economy that is not utilising outsourcing to provide the services that they provide.

Because I cannot see any sector that is completely independent on its own without receiving inputs from some auxiliary service providers or the other. If you take aviation sector for instance, there is a bulk of outsourcing that goes on in that sector, same as the banking sector and many others. So outsourcing is actually an integral part of our economy.

What is the value of the outsourcing market in Nigeria?

The value of outsourcing transactions going on in Nigeria could be estimated at about $100 billion annually.

This is because globally, the value is over $30 trillion.

What strategic steps have you made to make data available for businesses going into outsourcing to make informed decisions?

The outsourcing expo itself is one of such strategies. The expo is a vehicle for expert collaboration and it is also an advocacy point for the industry.

What we do at the outsourcing

expo is to bring various stakeholders to the conference and let them see what is happening in the outsourcing space. That is part of it and we continue to do advocacy from time to time. As we speak, there is something called the outsourcing policy in Nigeria which was not there years ago and this was sponsored by National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, so there are actually efforts and work going on but of course we need to do more.

What is the outsourcing expo all about?

The outsourcing expo is an annual event that is organised by the Association of Outsourcing Professionals in Nigeria, AOPN. This is the fourth edition of it. It is an avenue for experts and stakeholders to meet from time to time to exchange ideas. This also fosters collaboration and networking and it also provides us an opportunity to

There is no sector in this economy that is not utilising outsourcing to provide the services that they provide

align our thoughts and to advocate for outsourcing.

That is what the platform is meant for and from time to time, we bring experts from the global space and they meet with experts in Nigeria to formulate policies and to discuss new ways of practising the profession. This year’s outsourcing expo will be th happening on June 17 2015 at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos. The theme of the expo is ‘The value of outsourcing.’ Some of the speakers include the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, Director/Chief Executive, Business School Netherlands, Mr. Lere Baale and a host of other professionals.

What do you expect at the end of this expo?

It is expected that this event will address the framework for determining the value proposition of outsourcing.

Before, it has been a challenge determining the real value of outsourcing. We actually carried out a research sometime ago to compare the perceived value of outsourcing from the customers’ side and the value proposition from the providers’ side and we saw that there was actually a gap between the two views. So this we believe will give us an opportunity to actually align the perceived value with value proposition from the customers’ side. But apart from that, we are also hoping that there will be a framework for determining a benchmark for scoping outsourcing projects.

Beyond all of that, we expect that we will all know how far the country has gone in terms of making Nigeria an outsourcing hub in the comity of nations in the West African

region.

What would you say has been the greatest challenge of outsourcing in Nigeria?

I think the enabling environment is not there yet.

The government needs to make a decisive, directed focus on outsourcing. They need to make deliberate efforts to actually develop the outsourcing space. We are losing a lot by not taking advantage of outsourcing. We have seen what outsourcing has done for countries like China and India. We have seen Singapore develop from zero level and today evolved into a cynosure of international business. So we need to actually make concerted efforts to deliberately develop the outsourcing space in Nigeria.

When you look at what is going on globally, when they mention Nigeria, what they say is that Nigeria needs to do A B C and D for them to be recognised as an outsourcing country. Ghana here is seen as an outsourcing country, same as South Africa and Kenya, so why can’t Nigeria be an outsourcing country. Nigeria has more potential in both natural and human resources to overtake all of these countries but we need to make deliberate effort in that direction.

One thing that drives outsourcing is skill, do you think Nigeria has the requisite skills to attract the right kind of outsourcing opportunities?

I believe we do. This is because what is actually required is not much. It may be true that within the space, there is the high end technological requirement but there is still the other end of the spectrum where what is actually required is low skills. Even if we have not developed to that level of high tech talents, what about the low skill talents? We have those high skill talents. We probably have not given them enough opportunity that will bring them all around into one place. It is not as if we do not have them.

But beyond all these, what about the low skill at the low end of the spectrum? What is United States doing with India?

They employ call centre agents and Indians’ English is not as fantastic as Nigerians’. What are they doing with Philippines?

How educated are they? What are they doing with Mauritius, a country of less than 1.5 million people? Lagos State is bigger than the country but it is an outsourcing country. So as far as the skills are concerned, depending on where we are looking at, the low level, the mid level, we can take advantage of those and then we can now over time put curriculum in place to develop the required capacity at the high end. We might not get there in one day but with structured approach we can get to become a hub.

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Business & Economy

CBN strengthens sustainable banking Prices of tomatoes, pepper, others soar in Lagos markets

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rices of tomatoes, pepper and chilli pepper has soared by over 100 per cent in most markets in Lagos, according to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN. The survey showed that a big basket of tomatoes which previously sold for N7, 000 at the Mile 12, Iddo and Whitesand markets now sells for N15, 000.

A medium-sized basket of fresh pepper now sells for N10, 000.00, from N5,000.00, while a basket of chili pepper goes for N13, 000.00, as against the N5,500.00 it sold for in the preceding weeks. A jute bag of onions goes for N12, 500.00 from N11, 000.00, while a 20-litre keg of vegetable oil goes for N6,100 as against N6,000 previously.

A four-litre paint measurement of garri still sells for N300. At the Daleko Market, Isolo, the prices of the various brands of a 50kilogramme bag of rice ranges from N7, 000 to N12,000.

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

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he Central bank of Nigeria has taken steps to strengthen its Sustainable Banking Policy with a view to enhancing the preservation of the nation’s natural resources and a morepeople –friendly environment. Planting a tree to mark the World Environment Day, in Abuja, the Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said that the apex bank would continue to encourage the nation’s Deposit Money Banks in their push towards the conservation of the environment through lending to customers whose activities comply with the principles of pro-environmental

sustainable development.

“The CBN is totally committed to ensuring that we preserve our environment and natural resource, not only for the benefits of the present generation but generations yet unborn.

The three planting exercise demonstrates our commitment to preserving our environment and a commitment to the prudent management of our natural resources.

“It shows that whatever we do as a bank, we try as much as possible to protect the environment , protect human rights and all the activities that are required in ensuring a sustainable banking in the country”, he said.

Mr. Emefiele, added “CBN has developed and adopted

the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles, in collaborations with the banks and as a commitment to the implementation of the principles, the governors, aided by top management and staff of the CBN are observing

The CBN is totally committed to ensuring that we preserve our environment and natural resource, not only for the benefits of the present generation but generations yet unborn

Stable electricity, efficient security attract investors —Entrepreneur

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hairman of Tropical Services Nigeria, Alhaji Abdullahi Sada, a conglomerate, says stable electricity supply and efficient security are the panacea for attracting investors to the country. Sada said this in Abuja, adding that the absence of either or both would discourage potential investors. According to him, electricity supply in any nation is like an artery which supplies blood to the heart without which the body would not function well.

“Both investors and citizens rely on electricity to do virtually everything; without electricity, we will seemingly return to the primitive days but for the few available generating sets. Factories like Dunlop tyres relocated to Ghana, complaining of lack of consistent electricity supply and the security situation in the country.

“This shows that there may be some companies that are smaller or bigger that moved out either earlier or after Dunlop without announcing their departure.

CONFERENCE - From left: Mr Yomi Adedeji, Managing Partner, Softcom Limited; Prof.

Pat Utomi, Guest Speaker; Bishop David Oyedepo, Chancellor, Covenant University and Prof. Charles Ayo, Vice-Chancellor, during the Future Ready University Conference held at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

today, by several activities”.

According to him, the apex bank has instituted a Sustainable Banking Award which would be given to the most compliant Deposit Money Banks in August to encourage adherence to Sustainable Banking Principles among operators.

In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Banking, Dr. Aisha Mahmood, said that the theme of the this year ’s Environmental Day- Seven Billions Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care- was a call to “consume natural resources- water, energy and all that responsibly”.

She added that the CBN was internalizing the principles of sustainable banking and that it had to take into consideration, the social and environmental implications of all activities.

Her words, “We lead by example. We do things and the banks are following. We are monitoring compliance by the industry operators.

“At the CBN, we are doing a lot of things to promote resource efficiency, energy efficiency.

We thing I can proudly tell you is that we have connected to the national grid. Before we were running on generators but now we have connected to the National Grid, so our generators are no longer running 24/7. Secondly, we are also in terms of energy efficiency, we shut down systems at certain periods rather than leaving the system running 24/7- apart from essential systems.

We are also using energy efficient bulbs.

Kewalram Group bids to curb faking of NGK plugs in Nigeria

BY PETER EGWUATU

K

ewalram Chanrai Group has disclosed its readiness to fight adulteration of NGK plugs being sold in the country as NGK Spark Plugs, Japan relaunches its brand.

Speaking during the launch of NGK brand in Lagos, Deputy Group Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group said “We are aware of the fake NGK plugs in Nigeria and to that extent we will deploy resources to educate motor mechanics on the unique features of original NGK plugs from other plugs.

We will collaborate with regulatory bodies to fight fake products into the

country. By the time we do that consumers will not buy the fake products again. There are going to be enlightenment programme to be organised for our dealers around the country.”

He further stated that Kewalram Group will not compromise on its mission of delivering quality and affordable products to its consumers, adding “There are NKG Spark plugs, Brazil and Japan. The two brands are of superior quality, but what NGK Spark Plug is doing is to synergize its distribution of products.”

In his remarks, Mr. Hisataka Sato, Managing Director NGK Spark Plug, Middle East FZE said that the Kewalram Chanrai Group is the sole distributor of the NGK Spark Plug in Nigeria “When you

require the best, count on the world leader in spark plug technology, NGK Spark Plugs. They offer the highest quality products for virtually every vehicle application.

Count on NGK Spark Plugs to deliver the finest products and customer service” he noted.

He further disclosed that NGK Spark Plug Company Limited is a public company that was established in 1936 and based in Nagoya, Japan “NGK manufactures and sells spark plugs and related products for internal combustion engines, along with ceramics and applicable products” he added.

Speaking as well, Mr. Yoji Kawanishi , Manager NGK Spark Plug, Middle East FZE, said “ Asahi Brands Limited, is a part of

Kewalram Chanrai Group and has been the distributor of the NGK brand of plugs.

Asahi brands distribute the full range of NGK Spark plugs through six branches spread across the country and also through our extensive network of authorised dealers According to him “Today Kewalram Chanrai Group is a multinational conglomerate. It has operations in commercial hubs of many countries. Asahi Brands has now developed into an independent professional organisation marketing many well known consumer products. It is the exclusive importer /distributor for Bridgestone and Firestone brand of tyre, Valvolne Brand of lubricants from Hollande and Max Bat Brand of Batteries from Korea.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 39

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 41

Tax Matters

Presumptive tax: Equalizing the distribution of tax burden (11) and when there are no other means to assess income. They are often helpful in determining income on illegal activity such as racketeering or drug trafficking.

Minimum Taxes

BY EMBUKA ANNA

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resumptive taxation offers two additional benefits to both governments and taxpayers: it allows the government to tax its citizens in a more equitable fashion while rewarding efficient businesses with financial incentives. It is generally accepted that wages and salaries paid by corporations and governments are taxed more effectively than income earned by the self-employed due to the introduction of withholding taxes at source.

Simplified presumptive taxation schemes increase the probability that the selfemployed are also taxed effectively.

At the same time, many presumptive taxation regimes entice SMEs into the tax net by discarding high tax rates and providing incentives rewarding efficiency. For example, methods such as taxing based on average ratios (profits to sales) and average income allow businesses to retain some profits without being taxed. Moreover, many developmental economists advocate a presumptive tax on the potential use of land (assuming it has been used as productively as possible) to encourage landowners to utilize land productively.

Various methods of estimating income and assessing tax liability have been developed by countries that have employed the presumptive income taxation.

Some of these methods include standard assessment, estimated assessment, value of land, net wealth and asset value, visible signs of wealth, and minimum taxes amongst others.

Standard Assessment Standard assessments assign lump-sum taxes to taxpayers on the basis of occupation or business activity. Standard assessments have been shown to broaden the tax base with limited disincentives.

Although this method is viewed as less equitable than estimated assessments, it is also less open to corruption.

In the early 1960s, Ghana introduced a simple standard assessment system that fixed lump-sum payments for different economic activities.

The payments were established by determining the average taxable income of a few taxpayers selected at

random from each class of self-employed taxpayers.

It is important to understand that standard assessments can be a poor revenue-mobilizing method of taxation unless the fixed payments are indexed to inflation (or increased regularly) and taxpayers are moved to categories as their taxable incomes increase over time. Furthermore, standard assessments do not take taxpayer-specific conditions, such as family size or losses in a particular year into account. As a result, it can be regressive by imposing equal tax on individuals in the same category even when they earn different incomes.

Estimated Assessment In this assessment method, each taxpayer ’s income is individually estimated based on indicators or proxies of wealth specific to a given profession or economic activity. Key indicators can range from location of property to numbers of skilled employees to seating capacity. France’s Forfait and Israel’s Tahshiv methods both utilized estimated assessments and are recognized as among the most highly developed presumptive tax regimes of their time.

Israel’s Tahshiv method employed objective factors to estimate the income of taxpayers unable to keep records. The Tahshiv for each sector was prepared, often over several years, after extensive research and many

visits to a sample of businesses. The average profitability of a particular sector and its relationship to specific factors and indexes were discussed with representatives of the sector before the official Tahshiv was issued.

Examples of indicators employed included number of employees, location, seating capacity (for restaurants, cafes, barber shops, etc.), skill level of workers (for carpenter ’s workshop or garages), nature of equipment used (for truck and taxi drivers), and water consumption (for iceproducing companies).

The estimated assessment method of presumptive taxation employs a variety of techniques to derive taxpayer income, both simple and complex. Simple methods are based on single factors such as a taxpayer’s total assets, net wealth or value of business assets, gross receipts of business, and visible signs of wealth. Complex methods use factors and indices of profitability, which vary by economic activity.

Net Wealth and Asset Factors such as net wealth and value of assets enable income estimation through the comparison of beginning of year with end of year net worth. As one can imagine, it is difficult to determine the amount at the beginning and end of the year with any precision, much less account for expenditures during year.

Tax authorities in developing nations such as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia employ this method as a basis for presuming income during audits. However, they are faced with various technical problems when doing so. For example, since it is easy to identify owners of some assets versus others (agricultural land vs. foreign currency) equity issues arise. Moreover, valuation of assets is a problem and presumptions based on net wealth often encourage taxpayers to increase liabilities.

Visible Signs of Wealth Taxes on visible signs of wealth serve as an equity issue. It serves to ensure that wealthy citizens pay an appropriate amount of tax, even if they report all actual income. The taxes apply only to individuals and usually include main and secondary residences, the number of domestic servants, cars, yachts, private planes and race horses. In European countries such as France, Italy, and Spain (until 1978) signs of wealth qualified and how much income to attach was detailed in income tax ordinances. In practice, this method has proven to be difficult to apply. If the applicable tax law is general, it is hard to know which signs of wealth to choose, and what amount to assign. If the opposite is true, the laws are often inflexible and unfair. As a result, taxes on signs of wealth are applied cautiously

Alternative minimum taxes come in many forms. Some schemes specify a tax burden or minimum tax irrespective of the taxpayer ’s level of income or economic activity.

Others levy the tax as a relatively low percentage of turnover or assets.

Francophone Africa pioneered the establishment of minimum corporate income taxes by introducing fixed lump-sum amounts that were uniform for all corporations regardless of size or volume. Due to its regressive nature, this minimum tax was replaced in many countries by a tax based on a percentage of gross receipts. In countries with both types of minimum taxes, corporations pay the larger of the two. In others, the minimum tax is also applied to individuals. The practice of minimum taxes has spread beyond Africa to become the prevalent form of presumptive taxation in Latin America.

CHALLENGES OF PRESUMPTIVE TAXATION Presumptive Tax Regime is no doubt gaining popularity, especially in developing nations. However, there are challenges and obstacles that tend to compromise its effectiveness. Governments that recognize the limitations of presumptive taxation often times include provisions in their tax codes that allow taxpayers the opportunity for a redress. Listed below are some of the challenges that affect the smooth administration of presumptive taxation.

Crude Implementation Despite its streamlined requirements, presumptive taxation is not always effective because governments do not have sound tax administration systems in place at the federal, state or local levels to implement schemes as envisioned by policymakers.

Countries in early stages of economic development tend to employ crude methods of estimating income because they lack sufficiently qualified resources to analyze the profitability of various economic activities and to define the indexes for effectively calculating presumptive incomes. As a result, small businesses in particular are routinely taxed unfairly and inefficiently.

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42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Economy

Mixed results in employment, labour force participation rates Stories By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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he working age population of Nigerians stood at 101.77 million as at fourth quarter 2014 (Q4, 2014) of which 72.9 million were fully employed or underemployed translating into a labour force participation rate of 71.7 per cent.

This rate was lower than what was reported in the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter of 2013 by 20 and 180 basis points, respectively according to the joint research report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

However the national employment rate in Q4 2014 stood at 93.6 per cent, showing increases of 330 and 170 basis points above the preceding quarter and the corresponding quarter a year earlier, respectively.

While time related underemployment rose to 17.9 per cent from the level as at end 2013, full time employment fell to 75.7 per cent from the 79.9 per cent achieved. Over the corresponding quarter in 2013 the number of (time related) underemployed Nigerians increased by 4.5 million persons to 13.1 million persons.

The trend of underemployment rate indicates that the Nigerian labour market has been generally dominated with underemployment situation much more than the outright unemployment phenomenon as the magnitudes of the underemployed outstripped the unemployed since 2010, the report stated.

The report also stated that the problem of unemployment is more prevalent amongst the 1524 and 25-34 age groups which in Q4 2014 registered unemployment rates of 11.7 and 6.9 per cent respectively. These rates are higher than the national rate of 6.4 per cent recorded in the quarter.

NBS defines persons in employment in the reference period as all labour force members that work for pay/ wages in the formal sector; and those members that work for at least 20 hours in the informal

Emeka Nwaogu, immediate past Minister of Labour sector.

However, the underemployed are employed people who work part time (usually worked for at least 20, but less than 40 hours), and are willing and available to work more hours than they usually do. In contrast, the unemployed comprise all those in the labour force that are not in employment during the specific reference period.

The trend of underemployment rate indicates that the Nigerian labour market has been generally dominated with underemployment situation much more than the outright unemployment phenomenon as the magnitudes of the underemployed outstripped the unemployed since 2010.

This aptly captured observations that Nigerians generally engaged themselves in one form of income generating activity or the other in the absence of full employment.

Inflation headwinds linked to petroleum supply crises

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he sharp surge in inflationary pressure recorded in May 2015 may have been the immediate fall out of the petroleum supply crises that hit Nigerian economy towards the end of Goodluck Jonathan regime last month.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimated headline inflation for May 2015 at 9.0 per cent, 30bps higher than 8.7per cent recorded in April 2015 and the highest since May 2013 (9.0 per cent). Measured Month-on-Month (M-o-M),

the headline index rose 1.1 per cent in May, the highest M-o-M increase since June 2012.

NBS attributed the acceleration in the headline inflation to increases in most Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions which contribute to the headline index.

In its weekly economy and market reports Afrinvest Research Group, a Nigerian leading investment house, said last weekend that the uptrend in the COICOP divisions is

not unconnected to the scarcity of petrol which led to increased pump price of Petrol in May 2015. This, according to them, had a knock- on effect on the prices of other consumer commodities and related services.

The increases in the COICOP divisions were also observed in the major sub-indices of the headline index as both core and food inflation accelerated in May. The food index rose by 9.8 per cent Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y), 30bps higher than 9.5 per cent in April, 2015.

The 1.1 per cent M-o-M rise recorded in May was the fastest increase since September 2012. The NBS ascribed increases in food prices to the combined effect of higher transportation cost and late onset of rain which delayed the harvest period.

Afrinvest Research also outlined the headwinds in the inflation horizon to include the possibility of subsidy removal by the new administration which remains a risk factor for future price stability as well as the glut in global crude oil supplies and impact on external reserves accretion and the exchange rate.

Also, the current level of inflation is already at par with the CBN’s upper limit target of 9.0%. However, monetary policy may be insufficient to stem the tide in price levels, especially as inflation in Nigeria remains a cost-push phenomenon. Moreover, a tighter monetary policy may further constrain economic growth potential whilst the CBN may tolerate higher inflation rate in trade-off for external sector stability. In the interim, we expect inflation rate (M-o-M) to moderate in June as fuel scarcity has considerably reduced even as general price level seems to be normalizing. Nevertheless, we retain our 9.5% Inflation rate forecast for 2015.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 43

Advertising & Promotions

ACTV: Enlarging Nigeria's pay-tv reach Stories by PRTINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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t’s interesting to note that despite increased pay-tv subscription in Nigeria, the sector is still expanding in the face of complaints by subscribers.

The pay-tv market is actually growing in Nigeria. ABI Research had forecasted that global pay-tv subscribers will reach 858.1 million in 2012,that was a 5 percent annual increment from 2011, a number that has been surpassed.

According to the research the key growth will be driven by the Asian-Pacific market, which is expected to add more than

27million subscribers, without considering Africa and Nigeria in particular.

In Nigeria, new pay–tv companies continue to enter the market, with the latest being an indigenous Direct To Home, DTH cable television service provider, African Cable Television, ACTV, which launched into the market several months ago.

The company is concerned about the high prices that Nigerians currently pay to watch cable TV services, and its already offering content in four bouquets at affordable prices that are on an apple-toapple comparison lower than those available on the market

today. Opinion of the public was sought on the increased number of entrants in the paytv sector, Austin Agbahewe, banker was of the view the entrant of ACTV will stregthen competition in the sector. “It is a welcomed development. I would want to see a situation

ABI Research had forecasted that global pay-tv subscribers will reach 858.1 million in 2012

where more of the cable tv platforms increase in Nigeria, to give Nigerians options to choose from.” For Adeleye Ayeni, the entry of more pay-tv platforms will help increase creativity in the industry as a result of rich content and availability of options for subscribers. “I see a situation where pricing will determine viewers choice according your financial position.”

That was why Obum Udensi stated that subscribers are looking for exceptional difference in quality of pictoraland content, locally for that matter.

The ACTV-6000 HD decoder is undoubtedly customers

UNVEILING - Mr Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, with Nigeria's Reggae DanceHall Superstar, Patoranking; Rap Impresario, Phyno; Musician, TuFace Idibia; renowned Master of Improvisation & On-Air-Personality, IK Osakioduwa and Rising comedian, Akpororo, during their unveiling as Airtel Nigeria's Smart ICONS in Lagos.

H

uawei, phone manufacturers said its sales revenue hit $46billion in 2014, an amount that placed it th on 285 position in the Fortune global 500 companies, as it introduces Huawei Y3.

Disclosing this at the launch of Huawei Y3 device in Lagos, Ayodele Awodele, Head,

Huawei sales volume hits $46bn, introduces Y3 phones Training, Huawei Device Nigeria stated that the company in 2014 and 2013 was number 3 on smartphone shipment table, while in 2009 the company launched the

world’s first LTE network and 2012 was number 1 LTE network.

While in 2002 built reaerch and development cetres in the USA, in 1990 developed first

Red Star revamps website R

ed Star Express Plc, a global logistics solutions provider has announced the remodeling of its new fullyfeatured website to provide ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality.

The revamped website offers quick and easy access to essential information on Red Star Group. It is designed with a modern, colourful and extensive content features, including series of logistics sector indices developed to offer customers scintillating experience.

The front page showcases a broad range of sections – “Red Star Express”, “Subsidiaries”, “Services” and “Ship

delight with its exceptional video clarity, enhanced sound quality, TV program guide, recording, picture browsing and pause-TV features.

ACTV is primed to give Nigerians the opportunity to choose their television experience with its unique offerings.

Their advanced HD decoder that easily fits into one’s pocket and highly portable is one of the decoder features many customers have been looking out for. Jide Lawrence, Director of Content, ACTV, noted.

According to him, at ACTV innovation is at the forefront of everything that is done. One of the key objectives is to harness advanced digital TV technologies including content production, security and delivery to seamlessly bring all customers great TV entertainment to provide all our customers great features and functionalities integrating High Defintion TV, HDTV, PVR functionality, pause TV, picture browsing and great sound qualityin a smart and compact state-of-the art-set-top box design, said Lawrence.

ACTV offers four bouquets with over 56 local and international channels. For a pantry N1,999 subscription fee, customers enjoy its world-class content available through the ACTV Prime bouquet with 18+ channels, ACTV Family bouquet with 24+ channels, ACTV Family Max bouquet with 36+ channels and ACTV Premium bouquet with over 56+ channels.

Manager ”. Each page provides detailed information on all aspects of the organization’s functionality.

The website is http:// www.redstarplc.com .

Speaking on the launch, the Managing Director of Red Star Express, Mr. Sule Bichi noted that, the Company has been in business for over 23 years; listening and building relationships with its teeming customers. The website is reflective of Red Star’s innate desire to delight customers and provide them with a fresh and versatile web experience.

“The new website is designed to delight our customers and provide them with fresh and versatile site experience.

This is because it’s created with the user experience firmly in mind. It’s packaged using the latest technology so the site is compatible with today ’s browsers and mobile devices without the need for Adobe Flash to view it,” he said.

He further explained that, the sections have detailed information to provide a glimpse into Red Star’s vast product portfolios and brand personality. Additional sections and interactive features inhabit Career opportunities and stateof-the-art “Red Star News”that seamlessly navigate into Red Star news archives so visitors can stay informed with the old and latest news about the company.

PBX and 1997 created Global system for Mobile communication, GSM wireless solution.

Speaking, Olanipekun Okunowo, Snr Marketing Manager, Huawei said the company is partnering Etisalat and Konga to exhibit their readiness in ensuring the new Phone penetrates the Nigerian market.

The phone, he said is a low end device which has a value of the mid range level will leverage on capabilities of existing mobile networks, to offer customers a choice of smartphone developed by Huawei.

According to Okunowo the Y3 is specially designed for the Nigerian market with great features and quality construction that both new and experienced smartphone users will appreciate,” The Huawei Y3 is a stylish dual sim android smartphone with an elegant matte finish, flawless curve design, and single hand control. It sports a 4.0-inch capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, 16M colours, and

an LCD WVGA screen display screen coated with scratchresistant glass. It runs on Google’s Android Operating System – 4.4 Kit Kat – on a 1.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor. It also provides 512MB RAM and 4GB ROM. He noted The handset is equipped with a 5MP rear and 2MP front camera with Dual LED flash, autofocus and Geo-tagging. A front camera is also provided for crisp video calling, making the Y3 as versatile as any offering from Huawei’s competitors.

Voice command capabilities on the Y3 lets users make calls and compose text messages hands-free.

At just 11.2mm thin, the Y3 weighs 130g, yet manages to pack many other key features such as 3G Network Support, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB v2.0, GPS, FM Radio, Wi-Fi hotspot, DLNA, Accelerometer, HTML browser, SNS integration and a 1730mAh battery with power saving technology. Given the phone’s configuration, the battery is expected to deliver up to 2 days of battery-life with moderate use.

C M Y K

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

T

he crash in crude oil r i c e is usually identified as the major contributor to the prevailing parlous state of our economy; clearly, the drop in oil prices from over $120/barrel to a more humble price below $50/barrel and the significant drop in output, certainly reduced revenue inflow. Thus, one may be tempted to suggest that if “fortuitously”, oil prices soar well above $120/barrel, once more, with production also constantly exceeding 2.5mbd, our revenue base should expectedly flourish and all will be well again.

Hereafter, we shall examine this popular perception in the following interrogative narrative.

Will higher oil prices and output be a blessing to Nigerians?

The popular expectation that increasingly bountiful oil revenue will assuage our economic distress may not actually stand up to scrutiny.

We may recall that even when oil price approached $150/ barrel, with a dollar reserve windfall above $60bn, more Nigerians inexplicably joined the ranks of the poor with a subsistence income of less than $2/day.

Why does the Nigerian economy suffer when crude oil price rises?

This is a good question, because it is ironical that our economy should suffer when we earn increasingly more dollar revenue. But the reason is quite simple; for example, if China were to immediately create the Yuan equivalent for her trillions of dollars export earnings, what do you think will happen to the Chinese economy; of course, the local currency will become embarrassingly surplus everywhere and will inevitably quickly lose much of its purchasing value. p

even when so called reserves approached $60bn, the Naira exchange rate remained stagnant.

Why is fuel price not cheaper in this country when we have oil in our backyard?

The truth is that the benefit of having oil in our backyard should be reflected in a stronger Naira, because, higher crude prices and output should increase dollar supply and induce a stronger local currency as more dollars become available in the market place against existing Naira values. For example, if the Naira exchange rate improves to N100=$1, domestic fuel price will immediately fall below the regulated pump price of N87/litre and quietly eliminate any form of subsidy.

Indeed, a sales tax of up to 10% can be levied on fuel without breaching the current pump price.

So how can the Naira exchange rate be improved?

The Naira exchange rate will gradually become stronger despite lower crude oil price, if distributable dollar revenue is not unilaterally substituted with fresh naira values; this is the prime cause of the ever surplus Naira that gulps up the relatively meager rations of dollars, subsequently, intermittently auctioned by the CBN. Are you saying that lower crude oil price is better for our economy?

The answer to this question is obvious, we are all current witnesses of the economic dislocation and social distress that low oil prices and output have precipitated, as both the Federal and State governments are heavily burdened by debt, while workers are owed several months salaries.

Why higher oil prices cripple the economy Ultimately, even the Chinese will prefer to hold a more stable currency than their own Yuan; indeed, any country that subjects their currency to such reckless humiliation will inevitably turn bountiful export earnings into a curse!

This is exactly what increasing dollar export revenue from higher crude oil prices and output does to the Naira and Nigerians.

Are you saying that increasing dollar earnings is actually the cause of the unrelenting burden of too much naira in the system?

Yes, that is so and until the current misguided system of infusing export dollar revenue into the system is stopped, it would be better for us to pray that oil prices do not rise to enhance our export earnings.

How can systemic surplus cash be a problem when both the public and private sectors have severe funding deprivation?

That is the irony of the obtuse monetary strategy that the monetary authorities embrace; it is equally inexplicable, that cost of funds should also become more expensive when cash is surplus.

Why is it that the surplus money cannot be put to good economic use?

Well, the Central Bank which has the mandate for monetary policy management creates hurdles that discourage liberal access to the readily available surplus money in the system.

What sort of hurdles?

First of all, the CBN raises its own price of funds when commercial banks come to borrow to supplement their

cash positions. Ultimately, if CBN rates are as high as the current 13%, the banks would in turn lend money to their customers with a profit which may exceed 80% of their own cost of funds as is currently the case. Furthermore, the CBN could also order commercial banks to reduce credit by sequestering increasing portions of their customers’ deposits as idle funds; presently, the mandatory cash reserve ratio for banks is 31% of all deposits. These ratios would be reduced if Central Bank wants to encourage credit expansion to increase consumer demand that will induce more investments and create jobs.

So, it’s not as if there are no funds to stimulate consumer demand and spur investment.

No, infact less than 25% of total bank lending capacity of well over N60Tn is currently utilized; this compares unfavorably with a ratio of 130%

Expectation that increasingly bountiful oil revenue will assuage our economic distress may not actually stand up to scrutiny

for China and about 70% for South Africa.

So, why does the CBN put hurdles in the path of bank lending?

Well, the Apex bank is concerned that if the banks utilize all the Naira values substituted for dollar denominated revenue, the resultant rising tide of inflation will reduce the purchasing power of incomes and deepen poverty, particularly amongst the working class.

What is the impact of the special intervention funds from the CBN? Well, as you can imagine, if the system is already deluged with problematic surplus Naira, the infusion of any additional Naira will only worsen the already suffocating burden of too much money.

Consequently, if government makes sectoral interventions with hundreds of billions of Naira when surplus cash is already a problem, you will understand that the impact of spending the additional intervention funds in any manner whatsoever, will simply ‘inadvertently’ exacerbate the threat of inflation.

Why is it that the naira does not really appreciate in value when oil prices are high and our dollar earnings soar?

This is simply because the increasingly surplus Naira deliberately substituted for export dollar earnings confronts CBN’S rationed dollar supplies in the money market; the resultant forces of supply and demand will inevitably tilt in favor of the dollar so that Naira will be priced lower. We will recall that

Save the Naira, Save Nigerians.

Business & Economy Agric imports hit N738bn in first quarter

By GODWIN ORITSE

A

total of N738 billion worth of agricultural products were imported into the country in the first quarter of 2015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its latest foreign trade reports.

Agricultural imports increased by N132.1 billion or 21.8 percent from N606 billion in Q1 2014 to N738 billion in Q1 2015, the data show.

The value of Nigeria’s total imports stood at N1.6 trillion at the end of Q1, 2015, a decrease of N385 billion or 19 percent from N2 trillion recorded in the C M Y K

preceding quarter. On year-onyear basis, the value of the country’s imports increased by N99billion or 6.5 percent from the Q1, 2014 value of N1.5 trillion.

NBS explained that the 2.2 percent drop occurred despite a rise of N275.6 billion or 9.3 percent in the value of exports compared to the preceding quarter. The statistical agency said a decline of N385.8 billion or 19 per cent in the value of imports resulted in an overall decline in the value of merchandise trade. Nigeria imported goods mostly from China, United States, Belgium, Netherlands and India, which respectively accounted for

N387.5 billion or 23.6 percent N133.8 billion or 8.1 per cent; N118.7 billion or 7.2 per cent; N108.7 billion or 6.6 per cent, and N96.6 billion or 5.9 per cent of the total value of goods imported during the first quarter.

The ongoing transformation in the agricultural sector has attracted investments which have helped in reducing the country’s bill for food import in the past three years. According to the report, boilers, machinery and appliances recorded the highest import value in the agricultural products with N455.4 billion, followed by vegetable products with a value of N104.5 billion for the period.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 45

Methodist Old Girls, Arise Women task FG on Universal Health Coverage

By Chioma Obinna

I

RKED by the less than impressive state of healthcare in the country, Methodist Old Girls Association and the Arise Women Medical Outreach have called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare.

The Federal government, under Buhari was urged to guarantee a better healthcare by reappraising the health sector and addressing the gaps.

Towards instilling good welbeing as lifestyle among young Nigerian girls, the groups have taken free health screening to over 1000 students, teachers and staff of Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos.

In a chat during the free health screening, Convener, Arise Women, Mrs. Siju Iluyomade regretted that most average Nigerians have no access to any type of medical care.

Universal access "Government should ensure that every Nigeria has access to medical care not necessarily a big hospital but a smaller clinic in every community or local government.

"We can have more outpatient clinics which would address almost everything before referral to specialised hospitals for further treatment apparently

• Convener, Arise Women, Mrs. Siju Iluyomade, (3rd left), with Nike Dennis & Yosola Akinbi (1st & 2nd left); President, Old Girls, MGHS, Yaba, Anne Olorun-Rinu; Fifelomo Dawodu and Funto Igun - members, Old Girls MGHS, Yaba 79 Set ,during the Arise Women Mobile Health Clinics outreach to MGHS, Yaba, Lagos, last week. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

If you take care of yourself well you are more likely to live longer. We are here to teach the younger girls on how to take care of themselves from now to middle age and old age

for serious cases. The care should also be paid by the government."

Further, she said the outreach was collaborating with the Methodist Old Girls Association to teach the young girls on how to take care of themselves through to old age.

"Arise Women, is a charitable organisation that helps the less privileged and most importantly create awareness on women's health as well as

ensure that women's health takes its rightful place in the medical field.

"We teach girls how to look after themselves from early age, thereby cultivating the habit of preventive healthcare and not curative healthcare.

“We found that preventive healthcare is cheaper in the long run than the curative. Above all, it gives a longer life span. If you take care of yourself well you

Eniola Karunwi fights obesity epidemic with Cambridge Weight Loss Plan

By Sola Ogundipe

F

OLLOWING the discovery that an estimated 64 percent of the Nigerian populace is overweight, Eniola Karunwi, who herself lost 50 kilos through the famous Cambridge Weight Plan, CWP, has continued to fill the gap in the Nigerian Health & Wellness industry for an effective and sustainable nutritional approach to weight loss and maintenance.

In the past five years, since she launched the Nigerian franchise, over 6,000 Nigerians have benefited from numerous weight loss and lifestyle changes, while a number of clients have trained to become Cambridge Consultants.

Committed to helping clients achieve their weight loss and weight maintenance goals through bespoke programmes tailored to suit every individual need, more than 30 million people have benefoted from the CWP designed to control weight through the one-to-one support provided by Cambridge Consultants.

Recognised as one of the most researched weight management products in the world, the CWP was created by biochemist Dr Alan Howard and his colleague Dr Ian McLean-Baird, in their bid to develop the "perfect diet".

C M Y K

The CWP formula produces excellent weight loss results and following many years of research, the first commercial version known then as The Cambridge Diet, launched in the UK in 1984.

Although CWP Nigeria is only available through trained Cambridge Consultants, who have all successfully completed Cambridge Weight Plan programmes, Eniola says they supply products as well as offer support, motivation, encouragement and advise clients throughout the process. “Once a client's goal weight has been reached, the consultant assists clients with long term weight maintenance.

“According to research, being obese can take up to nine years off of a person's lifespan and increases the chances of developing a range of health related problems. Obesity is a growing problem in Nigeria and CWP provides an affordable solution for people who want to become healthier and live longer" said Eniola.

There are a wide range of products including shakes, soups, chewy and crunchy bars, tasty porridge, savoury rice, ready meals, fabulous desserts and bonus extras.

Recently, three new products were added to the range, at the CWP Product Launch & Awareness Day. All CWP products contain the vitamins, minerals and trace elements needed for balanced nutrition and healthy weight loss.

•Eniola Karunwi

are more likely to live longer.

We are here to teach the younger girls on how to take care of themselves from now to middle age and old age."

An array of doctors, nurses and pharmacists targeted no less than 1,000 students, teachers and staff of the school with free health screening for various illnesses.

President of the Old Girls Association, 1974/1979 students of the MGHS, Mrs. Anne Olorun-Rinu, who acknowledged that the country's health sector has its good sides but does not cut across said the health sector in the country has deteriorated and required urgent revitalisation.

She stressed the need for the new government to give the sector a lot of focus and direction adding that without health there would not be life.

"We don't need to re-invent the wheel, but to understand where the gaps are. We need to reappraise where we are now, then begin to have a road map or a plan of action, some basic things like provision of quality medications, equipping hospitals, ensuring ongoing programmes on training and retraining of medical staff to ensure that they are up to date and can compete with others anywhere in the world."

She said the old girls decided to provide the free health screening as part of giving back to the school and also to inculcate into the students health well being as a lifestyle, "for it to become a lifestyle it needs to start when they are young."

46—VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Buhari’s honeymoon may not last — Kukah •Corruption is the only thing that works in Nigeria

CATHOLIC Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah in this interview expresses optimism that things will get better under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Beyond that hopefulness is a caveat that except the North responds positively to some indentified challenges in the country, the much sought national integration will remain elusive.

By Charles Kumolu

W

ERE you inspired by President Buhari’s inaugural speech?

Nigerian presidents are not foremost for delivering good speeches. And I think President Buhari’s speech was quite a bit an improvement on what we are familiar with. Happily, it does not have a nine-point or ten-point agenda. Beyond the speech itself, it is important to appreciate the kind of narrative that brought him to power. A speech should set a tone about what a nation is to expect.

In fairness, the speech dealt with some of those issues. What has become famous is his expression that he is a president of everyone and belongs to nobody. At least, the strength of that statement is a great ambivalence. I think for me as a Nigerian, I am pretty hopeful.

But for me as a Christian, I am waiting with bated breath. I live in Northern Nigeria and I believe that 90 percent of the problems in terms of national integration will be solved by how the north responds to some of these issues.

How do you mean?

I made the point because a lot issues concerning national integration whether it is in the areas of the provisions of the constitution, are not clearly defined. And for me as a Christian I believe that living in Northern Nigeria, I still don’t get the sense that freedom of worship, expression that are guaranteed in the Constitution are sufficiently protected and taken care of.

But I am very hopeful and I am impressed that President Buhari is the first Nigerian President to show impression that he is prepared to wrestle with that problem. And you don’t find that C M Y K

in his inaugural speech, rather you will find it in the speech he delivered to the Catholic Bishops Conference. He said things that had never been said before. And I hope that he will have the ability and capacity to deal with some of those issues.

The issues demand salient questions. For example, why is it that churches are treated with so much contempt and tolerated like nuisance in Northern Nigeria? Why is it they have become subject of attacks? Why is it that despite the provisions of the constitution, the right of worship is being frustrated in the North? I don’t think that there is a single governor in far Northern Nigeria that can proudly say that he has signed a certificate of occupancy allocating land to Christians to build churches?

Most of the lands that Christians have are lands that were given by the colonial administrations.

This is totally unacceptable. And Christians have to buy land to build churches.

For example as I am talking to you, I am waiting for a phone call in respect of the land we want to buy at Tsafe for the building of a church because our church was burnt down. This is not the first time, it was burnt down in 2011.

We are relocating the church to another site for safety reasons.

What I got from government for the burnt church cannot build a church. Right now, if I want to negotiate to buy a land, I cannot wear my suntan (pastoral regalia) because I will be told that I cannot buy the land. And I cannot live in a country like this.

This is totally unacceptable.

We buy land and build a church with little resources, but when a woman has an abortion in that locality, the first thing Muslim youths will do is to go and burn a church even if it is sited five kilometres away from the scene

•Kukah: Buhari was not elected to ook for scapegoats

of the abortion.

There is no single governor in northern Nigeria except former Governor Makarfi of Kaduna, who commiserated with Christians when churches were burnt down.

For the first time in the history of our nation, President Buhari in his address to the Catholic

We elected a President not to look for scapegoats.

We elected the President to get a job done

bishops said very clearly that religion is not the business of government because most of the mosques in the north are built by government. I have heard a governor who boasted that his administration built mosques more than any one before him.

And the money was meant for the development.

Unless we find a platform of resolving those things, whatever Buhari may have said in his speech will not make sense. I don’t expect him to solve the problems in three or five years but we can at least put machinery in motion with enough honesty and sincerity.

Buhari cannot solve the problems of Nigeria, but he can point at the direction. I commend him and I am hopeful that we can begin to tackle those problems. That is why I said that unless Northern Nigeria sufficiently positions itself, we may not solve some of the problems.

What should be the priority of the administration?

It irritates me when such questions are asked. Why asking

me what I think should be the priorities? If you are asking such question, you are asking for a 180 million answers. Buhari was not appointed, he was elected. If he was appointed, there could be element of surprise. What I am saying is that Buhari begged, cajoled and mobilised for our votes based certain clear principles that he articulated.

The man has given me a manifesto. My business is to study the manifesto as a means of judging whether Buhari is faithful to his promises. If you ask me now, I will tell you that Buhari’s priority should be to visit Sokoto. Let him come and have dinner with me and I will tell him the things I need him to do. But that is not the issue.

Based on the commitment he made to us, it is not fair to ask Nigerians what they expect from this government because those issues have been articulated.

What do you make of this perception that Buhari is a Northern irredentist?

Continues on page 47

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015—47

Continues from page 46 If the allegations against Buhari had enough bullets, he would have been shot down and his political ambition would have been killed. People were able to move beyond those claims and voted for him. As far as I am concerned we need to resolve the issue of religion. I am convinced that as things stand now, I don’t see anybody in the horizon that has the capacity to deal with the issue of religion as it is manifested in Northern Nigeria than Buhari. He is best placed.

He has got the moral reflex. From the point of view of his body language, track record and what all of us know he is the only person that I see that the ordinary Muslim in Nigeria can trust. I am not making an angel out of him but that is the fact.

Also, the modesty of his personal life in the last number of years shows that Buhari has the moral reflex to address the question of religion in Northern Nigeria. From his speech, we found that his love for this country has never been in doubt. He admitted the mistakes of the past and having that honesty is important.

With all the noise being made that he is a religious fanatic, not one day was Buhari sited in a mosque. I am not sure he went to the mosque like Nicodemus at midnight. Muslims don’t pray at midnight but it is a measure of how he saw his new role that he never went to address northern traditional rulers or group of people.

We need to give him all the support that he requires to achieve all the things that many of us are very passionate about.

We will never make any progress in this country as long as we continue to deny our common citizenship. I am seeing the prospects that things will be different in the next four years.

Watching Osinbajo seating with sheiks in the mosque was an indication that things will be different with time. That was against the notion then that if anything is happening in the mosque a Muslim political leader will represent the Federal Government while the Christian goes to the church. That is totally outrageous and opposed to citizenship. Again, there is no reason why the next ambassador to Saudi Arabia should not be a Christian and there is no reason why the next ambassador to the Vatican should not be a Muslim or anybody for that matter.

There is nothing to suggest that any Nigerian cannot be anywhere without religious consideration. If we don’t send that signal, the rest of the world will continue to treat us like a divided nation.

Any ambassador being posted to Washington today is not a small person and the ambassador of South Africa to Washington is a C M Y K

•Kukah

Corruption is the only thing that works in Nigeria — Kukah Muslim. The percentage of Muslims in South Africa is not significant but they wanted the best man for the job.

So, are Nigerians to demand more accountability from elected officials?

Accountability just like everything is not something that is given. It is not something that is on offer even between friends and families. It is something that you need to demand but not in a

If the allegations against Buhari had enough bullets, he would have been shot down and his political ambition would have been killed

judgemental way. But it is something that you need to demand. That is why those who are good are crunching the numbers because when you hear about stolen billions, many of us cannot connect with the numbers.

My late friend, Dr. Bala Usman used to tell me never to ignore these figures whenever I see them in the budget.

Is it true you asked President Buhari to forget about chasing the so called thieves and focus on governance, since corruption is so endemic in the country?

The text of my convocation lecture at Abakaliki did not contain such report. What does going after thieves in Nigeria mean? Between 1999 and 2007 how many governors passed the anti-corruption test? How many did we see on the EFCC list?

How many convictions have been secured? So, if Nigerians want theatre and drama that is fine.

But we are thinking about bread on the table. I am sure the lawyers in Nigeria will be very happy if Buhari says he is going after the criminals.

We can appreciate the fact that the success of these elections is not something that the lawyers like to celebrate especially the most senior of them. If Nigerians want him to prosecute the thieves, that is fine but Nigerians did not elect the President to

prosecute thieves.

There are different ways of doing that. We elected a President not to look for scapegoats. We elected the President to get a job done and I am convinced that if Buhari wants to prosecute thieves he will do it because as the President there is no kind of information that he cannot access.

Prosecution of corrupt people does not necessarily have to be done through theatre and drama.

Obasanjo did it quite efficiently.

He got back a lot of money without shouting. There were a few theatricals, but Obasanjo himself did say to my hearing that there were people who returned money even through pastors. So what is the use of wasting money trying to prosecute somebody? Doing that quietly without noise will be better because the business of governance will go on.

The institutions responsible for prosecution should be made to do that effectively. All I am saying is that getting information about the transactions of corrupt people is easy. It does not have to be Buhari who will be championing it. The institutions are there. There are various arms of government that can point a moral gun at these people.

This is the only country where you can go to the Senate from the EFCC and become a minister even while having a case with

the EFCC. We are on a moral free fall. It is such that after some have been on the television their people will come out to say that their children are being witchhunted.

I am not against prosecution, what I am saying is that the business of governance should not be abandoned. I said it during Oputa Panel (hearing) that the unfortunate thing about prosecution in Nigeria is that the criminals have the money to get the lawyers. Since these things can be resolved institutionally, why going on a wild goose chase? Nigerians don’t even have to know who the criminals are. Obasanjo, who has a very retentive memory, can tell Nigerians the people who brought back money without making noise. He only told them to go and sin no more.

Only a foolish man will appreciate that going after the biggest thieves in Nigeria, is the biggest solution to our problems.

God has his way of getting things work. Given the enormity of the issues we are dealing with, creating distraction should not be encouraged because once that route is taken, there would be distraction. All I am saying is that Buhari has come to do a job and I think he was moderate about his expectations about corruption.

We should understand that corruption is pretty well equipped in Nigeria.

I am not saying that it should not be tackled, but if it must be done it is important to have the wisdom of David and Goliath. Corruption is everywhere in this country, it is in the judiciary, police, the church and everywhere. Indeed, it is the only thing that works.

The question we will ask ourselves is how other nations tackled corruption and I think we can actually come to a point where unearned wealth becomes unfashionable. These corrupt people are sick. There is nowhere in the world that people do the kind of things they do in Nigeria.

It does not make sense that after stealing from your mother and father, the money will be taken outside the country. The morality of the stealing is another thing.

A lot of people who do all these don’t know anything about modernity. What is responsible for our crisis in Nigeria is the crisis of development. I hear some of these governors saying that they cannot develop in an environment of insecurity whereas it is their criminal activities that brought about insecurity. It is their inability to govern that brought insecurity.

That is why I consider dictatorship a far worst crime than colonialism. If Buhari is lucky it will take him six months before they start abusing him because he has to earn trust. I know the honeymoon is not going to last.

But he should be supported to do the job.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Re: Sexual Offences Bill, 2015 Dear Soyinka,

Professor

We thank you for drawing the nation’s attention to the odious provision of the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015 passed by the Senate which has criminalized the defilement of children under 11 years. Since it was among the 46 Bills hurriedly passed by the Senate of the 7th National Assembly during its valedictory session the members did not pay any attention to its provisions.

We have confirmed that the Bill has not been forwarded to President

Mohammadu Buhari for his assent as it has not been passed by the House of Representatives.

However, it would be recalled that Senator Chris Anyanwu who sponsored the Sexual Offences Bill had justified the urgent need to pass it to save our girls and women from sexual exploitation and molestation. When the Bill was unanimously passed for a second reading by the Senate on November 21, 2013, it sought to prescribe a penalty of life imprisonment for the offence of defilement of children less than 18 years of age. It also provided for compulsory documentation, supervision of sexual offenders and medical treatment for rape victims while it strengthened the weak protection offered victims and witnesses in trials for sexual offences.

The minimum age of 18 years in the original Bill

was in line with the provisions of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003 and the Child’s Rights Convention of the United Nations which has been ratified by Nigeria. The Bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters for further legislative work. It was that Committee that illegally removed the age of 18 years and replaced it with 11 years. The inserted clause is inconsistent with section 29(4)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution which provides that “full age” means the age of 18 years and above.

Having passed the Bill the Senate cannot plead non est factum in the circumstance. It has to bear full responsibility for the legislative negligence. But since the obnoxious provision was illegally inserted by the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters without approval, the Senate ought to reverse

itself and amend the relevant provisions of the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015. Our Law firm has made a request to that effect.

Finally, if the Bill is eventually passed into law with its obnoxious provisions we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court to strike it down in view of Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which has imposed a duty on the Government of Nigeria to “ensure the elimination of every discrimination against women and ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child, as stipulated in international declarations and conventions”.

Yours Fraternally,

Femi Falana.

and

Funmi

Bayelsa ALGON pledges support for Dickson’s Restoration Cup tournament

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, weekend, pledged support for the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament tagged the Restoration Cup 2015, saying it will go a long way in discovering hidden talents in the state.

Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Mr. Chubby Lawson, gave the assurance while receiving members of the Central Working Committee in his office.

He commended the initiators and organisers of the tournament, noting that it will go a long way in engaging the minds of the youths, especially now that football was the order of the day.

He said: “Bayelsa is blessed with many talents that are yet to be discovered

and a tournament of this nature will help many of them to launch their career in football, as that has been the dream of most youths in the state.”

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Lawson pledged to partner the central working committee and to render any form of support that would ensure a hitch-free and successful tournament.

He called on the wards, tertiary institutions and other interested clubs to brace up for the football fiesta, describing the Restoration Cup as the first of its kind where all the wards and tertiary institutions will participate.

Earlier, Director-General of Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, Cyril Akika, represented by his deputy, Ono Akpe, said the project was gathering momentum and recieving acknowledgement by individuals and organisations in and outside the state.

Vanguard, MONDAY 5 — 49 MONDAY,, JUNE 15, 201 2015

Lagos: Lingering pains of two tanker fire tragedies

By Olasunkanmi Akoni and Bose Adelaja

L

AGOS, Nigeria’s acclaimed commercial nerve centre, was within the last two weeks visited by two fire-related tragedies involving petrol tankers. The first happened on June 2, 2015. It was a day many residents, shop owners, land owners, children, businessmen and traders in the Iyana- Ipaja area of the state have already dubbed a ‘Black Tuesday’. And they have their reason. On that fateful day, property and valuables worth millions of Naira were lost to an inferno which left 14 people injured and rendered hundreds of families homeless.

Structures ravaged by the inferno were mostly located in streets identified as Adebayo, Jafojo, Oremeji, Abule- Oki as well as Ipaja Road and the Lagos/Abeokuta expressway, among others.

Problem started around 12.30am when a petrol-laden tanker fell off the Iyana-Ipaja bridge, spilling its content all over the adjoining streets. A spark close to the spill soon caused the tanker to burst into flame. The resulting inferno injured 14 persons, razed 34 buildings, 44 shops and 21 vehicles.

One of the victims of the tragedy is 70-year-old Saula Onifade, a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State who now squats at

No 16 Olanrewaju Street with his wife and four children.

Before the inferno, Saula a qualified carpenter, owned a workshop in Aboru and supplements his income by renting out working tools. He owned a block of four flats and four shops. But all have been lost to the Tuesday disaster.

Another victim, 38-year-old Ademola David who hails from Ondo State and lives at No 10/ 12 Oremeji Street lost six shops to the inferno. The house was built in 1978 by his late father who was an Aide de Camp to a former governor in Ondo State.

Ademola is one of the 14 victims with varying degrees of injury. He said he almost lost his right hand while trying to combat the fire and to stop it from spreading. “I have spent a lot of money treating the injury but I am grateful to God for being alive,” he said.

Another victim, Madam Dupe Odus, said she has to start life afresh having lost her source of livelihood. Her shop was razed on that day. “My father took possession of the shop about 20 years ago, but I relocated to Lagos to continue the business after his demise, “ she informed.

Lagosians were yet to recover from this tanker fire tragedy when another occurred again in the early hours of last Saturday.

This time, a tanker fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, or petrol, fell and spilled its content on the roadway. The

*Some of the structures bunt at theIdimu-Ejigbo road scene. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

fire which eventually resulted from this burnt 34 houses, 70 shops and one tricycle (Keke Marwa) at the Idimu-Ejigbo bye-pass near the Idimu Busstop. The accident was said to have happened around 12 midnight.

According to eyewitnesses, two tanker drivers and a commercial bus driver struggled recklessly for right of way as they approached the Idimu intersection. And in a bid to avoid a looming collision, the driver of one of the tankers lost

They should do something for us; I lost about N10 million, being the amount I realised from sales the previous day

control and the tanker overturned, spilled it contents and caught fire. The tanker, with registration number KJA 54 XA, is said to be owned by Mustuk Investment Nig Ltd. But for the timely intervention of the Lagos State Fire Service men from the Ikotun, Isolo and Alausa service stations, the situation could have been worse as through their combined efforts, they were able to put out the fire at about 4am.

Several hours later, the area was still littered with burnt goods, ashes, remnants of salvaged goods.

How it happened, by an eyewitness IFEOMA ONUCHUKWU, an eyewitness, narrated thus: “It happened few minutes past 12:00 am. At this time, I was preparing to close for the day.

We noticed when the first trailer passed; and within few minutes, another one passed. The second tanker was almost hitting a petty trader, but at the last second veered off its lane and landed on the setback.

“It was the loud sound that alerted several persons. We all ran for safety. We also started knocking on the doors of houses inn the area to alert people of impending danger. It was at this point the tanker caught fire. I believe the spilled fuel got to a Suya spot. This ignited the fire which began to burn out of control when it came in contact with some mini-generators at the junction.

Victims still count losses

*Sympathisers at the scene . Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Mr. Funsho Ishola, one of the traders recounted thus: “All my goods were bought with a loan I recently obtained. They should do something for us. I lost about N10 million, being the amount I realised from sales the previous day.”

Mr. Wakili Hamzat, 55-yearold, meat seller, lamented: “ I couldn’t retrieve any of my property. The cloth on me was donated by a friend who saw the extent of the damage. When the fire started, we all ran for safety.

In fact, my daughter was missing for over four hours.”

A victim, Yemisi Olushi, who collapsed when she beheld the extent of damage, lamented: “We lost five buildings. We have five houses here. I reside in one and leased the others out. All these have been razed. I don’t know where to start from.”

Alhaja Arikose Adamo, who owns a cafeteria also lamented: “I lost over N2 million and two of my siblings suffered injuries.

I started the business 10 days ago. When I arrived here, I tried to rescue my siblings who assisted me in my business. Of the eight living in the room, two sustained injuries and they have been admitted in the hospital.

“My goods were destroyed. I lost over N2 million. Of this, N700, 000 was a loan from the bank. I also lost a generating set I bought on credit for N900,000”.

A foodstuff trader, Mrs. Olanike Olomo said: “I was informed of the fire at about 12.30am. When I got here, I couldn’t salvage anything. The fire was extinguished three hours later. But I lost over N200 million worth of goods.”

Head of the Alimosho Red Cross team, Mr. Cletus Ogwuche said four persons sustained cuts on their bodies, two with burns and another one sustained head injury. Ogwushe explained that the two persons who suffered burns have been admitted at a private hospital. “ We have treated eight persons who sustained injury in an attempt to escape from the inferno,” he said.

50—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

UNICEF raises alarm over rising cholera cases

By Chioma Obinna & Victoria Ojeme

L

A G O S — CONCERNED by the over 500 deaths from cholera recorded in the country this year, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has raised alarm over increasing cases of the deadly disease, urging Nigerians to adopt good personal hygiene practices throughout the rainy season.

Delivering a lecture at the just-concluded twoday workshop on Emergencies, Ethical and Humanitarian Stories Reporting for journalists held in Kano last week, Monitoring and

Evaluation Officer, UNICEF, Olusoji Adeniyi, stressed the need to maintain good hygiene practices as key to preventing another cholera outbreak.

Noting impact of such outbreak on children’s health, he said keeping the environment clean, especially during the rainy season, reduces children’s vulnerability to the disease.

According to him, the best way to combat the disease is for people to ensure proper sanitation and as well as putting an end to open defecation.

His words: “The mortality rate of cholera in Nigeria is high. Cholera epidemic in Nigeria has been recurrent for

decades due to poor hygiene and poor water supply and use.

“Early this year, Bayelsa State alone recorded 23 deaths, while no fewer than 25 died in Anambra State.

“The mortality for cholera in 2015 is over 500 in Nigeria and there are so many deaths still occurring.

“We need to provide good water to prevent cholera outbreaks and ensure that things we eat, especially fruits are properly cleaned before consumption.”

He said the mortality rate for the outbreak of the scourge calls for prompt action and the need for the provision of good accessible water.

PENGASSAN demands alternative funding for JV

By Oboh Agbonkhese

W

ORKERS in the upstream sub-sector of the oil and gas industry have said Federal Government must seek alternative ways of funding Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, joint venture, JV, operations with oil companies.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, Chairman, Producers’ Forum, PF, of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of

Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Mr. Emmanuel Onuorah, suggested incorporated joint venture, IJV, similar to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, model; traditional JV with government reducing its interest; service contract, with oil companies as contractors or tax-based systems, where government detaches itself totally from operations in the sector and raises revenue from taxation.

Meanwhile, Senator Magnus Abe has described subsidy as legalised fraud,

Seme residents demand 10% of revenue for community devt

R

ESIDENTS of GbajiSeme, a border community in Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, has asked the Federal Government to allocate to them at least 10 percent of the total annual revenue collected from Seme Border, to facilitate community development.

In a petition by the Ajawagan of Kwene Kingdom, Alhaji Sulaimon Dolapo and Baale of Asipa Community, Chief Olubukola Afolabi Boton, the residents said it had become imperative to enable them fund the provision of electricity, schools, drains, health care

facilities, among other basic amenities, in their communities.

The petition reads in part: “Over 100,000 residents across Gbaji to Seme border appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to allow certain percentage of the total annual revenue collected from the Seme border to be given the community as development fund.

“Over 30 communities across Gbaji-Seme Border axis of Badagry-West LCDA, have been subjected to 16 years of lack of electricity and other basic necessities of life.”

saying: “If we are going to have a PIB, we need to have it as quickly as possible, if not, we need to let the international community and the industry know so people can understand the terms under which to continue their investments.”

Speaking at the PF briefing in Lagos, Senator Abe said Nigeria do not have the kind of businessmen that will fail to exploit the loopholes provided by the law-backed subsidy regime.

He said: “There is too much impunity in the sector. It is not a question of subsidy removal, it is about the kind of subsidy we are running. Is it something we can sustain in the long term?

“We are blessed because President Muhammadu Buhari comes with a lot of advantages. He has been involved in this sector several times.

“So I think he has a clear idea of what has to be done. When he says this is what we should do, Nigerians should do it.”

Mr. Onuorah said for a venture that accounts for over 60 percent of the country ’s crude production, where NNPC has a larger chunk of the proceeds, government defaulting in payment of counterpart funding and owing oil companies billions of dollars meant workers lose their jobs and welfare packages.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 —51

tractors to spare a thought for the welfare of Ekiti workers, pleading that they should give the governor some moratorium to enable him pay workers salary.

Faulting the governor and his aides for making reference to Osun State over salary payment default, the party argued that while Governor Rauf Aregbesola had many development and infrastructure projects he could point to, same could not be said of Fayose who sing-song was always on debts.

APC should stop being shameless —Ekiti Govt

NIMMASA—R-L; Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Board member, NIMASA, Alhaji Hassan Baba; General Manager, lntels Nig. Ltd, Sascha Kuchl, and Head, Administration & General Services, lntels Nig lLtd, Chibuisi Onyebueke during a tour of the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency(NIMASA) governing board to the agency's ongoing projects/operations in Nigerian Ports Authority, Onne, Rivers State.

Why states can't pay workers' salaries Continues from Page 5 traditional rulers, would have saved the state millions of Naira.”

Olatubosun noted that Governor Kayode Fayemi carried out verification exercise only once through biometric auditing that brought sanity to wage payment system.

He wondered why after Fayose had carried out three verification exercises within seven months, the governor was still subjecting workers to an unnecessary verification contraption.

He noted that “ we in APC pity the workers, including pregnant women, who queue endlessly in the sun

waiting to do this ill-conceived verification exercise. The governor assured that 48 hours after the exercise, the cleared workers would receive their pay. But two months after some workers completed the exercise, the governor has refused to pay, instead he is keeping workers on queue for hours in the sun for the salary that would not come. As a result, the workers have become confused, dejected and despondent.”

"Explain how you spend Ekiti money" He urged the governor to come clean on how he had been spending Ekiti money, saying rhetoric on state’s indebtedness was a callous way to deny the workers their entitlements while the governor was enjoying his personal life.

He said: “Ekiti people have heard how N650 million is being deducted from source to pay the gover nor ’s election contractors. For six months, Fayose didn’t pay kobo on the purported Fayemi’s overbloated debts. Savings in millions are made from cuts in workers and Obas’ allowances and running grants, including the savings in

millions from thousands that lost their jobs. Social security for 20,000 elders was also cancelled by the governor.”

Also, he said “many youths empowerment schemes that cost Fayemi millions of naira were cancelled by Fayose. Street lights supply is now for three hours daily. Fayemi ran it for 12 hours. Fayose has stopped funding security agencies which has led to high crime rate in the state.”

Speaking further, he said “almost all the ongoing road constructions were fully paid for by Fayemi while Fayose cannot claim to have awarded any contract. The dividends of democracy Fayose has given to Ekiti people in the last 8 months is brigandage, thuggery, blocking of highways, kidnapping and crushing of the judiciary and the legislative arms of government.”

“He collected N22billion refund on federal projects while he also collected N2billion Ecological Fund which Fayemi did a lot to access without success.

The question is, what is the governor doing with Ekiti money?”

Olatubosun queried.

The party appealed to Fayose’s election con-

In its reaction, Ekiti State government has described as shameful, the persistent claim by the Ekiti APC, that Governor Fayose was deceiving workers with the verification exercise, saying the party should stop acting shamelessly.

The governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, said over 1,000 fake workers have already been discovered on the payroll that ought not to be receiving salary.

Olayinka disclosed that “over 250 workers that are already dead have been receiving salary through the e-payment system introduced and contracted to a Lagos based company by the immediate past APC government.”

The governor ’s aide, who urged the APC to first remove the timber in its eyes before aspiring to remove the toothpicks in other people’s eyes, said the party should prevail on its governors in neighbouring States to pay workers that are owed as much as right months salary.

He said: “We commenced workers verification exercise last month and we have kept faith with our covenant with the workers by paying the April salary of those already cleared. As at today, we have discovered more than 1,000 people that were receiving salary fraudulently, out of which over 250 are dead.

The over 1,000 fake workers have now been deleted from the payroll and the exercise is still ongoing.”

On the claim by the APC that the State government received N22 billion from the Federal Government as

refund for construction of federal roads in the State, Olayinka said “only a demented mind would believe that a refund of N22 billion was made by the federal government on N11 billion road projects.”

NLC sends SOS to Buhari NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has said it has sent the names of state governments that are owing workers months of unpaid salaries and other benefits to the President Muhammad Buhari for immediate action.

General Secretary of NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo Eson, told Vanguard yesterday that Congress sen the names through the Transition Committee of the President.

He said: “What we had done was to set up task forces according to zones and wrote to the states affected to commence action. A number of states actually took actions which led to for example in Plateau State where the new government invited the leaders of NLC in the state for negotiation. At the end, the new government agreed to pay two months out of the arrears and that the remaining would be addressed later. They signed and agreement.

Similar things are going on in other affected states. However, we have complex names of the affected states and sent to the transition committee of the President. That is where we are now.

“For instance, AdoIworoko-Ifaki Road on which they claimed federal government refunded N22 billion was awarded by the Engr Segun Oni government for N7.4 billion. In 2013, the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi increased it to N11 billion, claiming the increment was to ensure quick completion of the project.

“So, How could federal government have refunded N22 billion on a N11 billion road project? These people just love to tell lies, hoping that they can again lie their way into the hearts of Ekiti people, but the people already know them and their stock in trade,” he said.

Further details on salary crises in the states are in page 21.

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; You will be in better position to consolidate on progress made recently. And it is wrong to take people for granted today……

LIBRA; Many people may be disappointed because of broken promises, therefore you will need to prepare your mind accordingly and refuse to take others for granted.

SCORPIO: You can make it a good day as both career advancement and financial success are closer to you.

Secret lovers are in for an exciting day.

SAGITTARIUS; Although there will be challenges here is a day when things will eventually go according to your plans. Don’t take friends for granted.

CAPRICORN; From now until next few days you will need to be as practical as possible along your career line; this is the wrong time to experiment with new ideas.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

F anything, the rich carry m o r e responsibilities and burden than the poor. For example, when a rich man beats a

So, The Rich Also Cry? (2) poor man in a fight, he is seen as oppressing the poor man, even if the poor man is at fault.

Conversely, if a

TERROR MUDA

poor man falls the rich man in a duel, the rich man bears the shame of being beaten by a poor man. In addition,

in “Never say goodbye”

the society celebrates the gallantry of the poor man. You see, head or tail, the rich man is the loser. Do you now believe that the rich also cry?

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; You may not be in total control of your mind till around 5.36pm. That is to say you will need practical approach in all you do today. Be more cooperative.

PISCES; Continue to be more careful about proposals having to do with joint ventures. Yet that is not to say you can not take good advice. Prepare to work harder.

ARIES; You stand good chance to extend recent favourable events both at work and on matters-of-theheart. Watch what you sign before 5.36pm.

TAURUS; Young-at-heart will be willing to give priority attention to sentimental related issues probably because of your recent success.

GEMINI; Refuse to become mentally arrogant or else you would be working against your own interest. Your love life will continue to enjoy favourable aspects.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Financial success is within your reach, especially if you back your old plans early in the day.

The more family minded you are the better for you.

LEO; It is important you don’t allow others to mislead you in the name of giving you good advice before 5.36pm.

Those travelling or moving around in search of love may be in for both an exciting and pleasurable day.

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,

What’s my birthday ruler?

According to the date I was born I should be a Libran by my star but most of the time when I read horoscopes written by both yourself and foreign Astrologers Scorpio always applicable to me, why?

Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Folarin, Epe.

Dear Folarin, You were born on a Sunday meaning that mighty Sun rules your birthday. You were wrong to have taken Libra as your Sun sign because the Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person.

You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was no planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 53

54—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Agip’s objection to contractual dispute suit struck out

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

A

Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has struck out the preliminary objection by Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, NAOCL, praying the court to decline jurisdiction in a suit by an indigenous oil services company, Arco Group Plc, over a disagreement on award of contract between the parties.

In his ruling, trial judge, Justice Lambo Akanbi, held that the preliminary objection by the company’s lawyer, Thompson Okpoko (SAN), was incompetent and accordingly struck same out.

However, he refused to agree with the plaintiff ’s claim, through its counsel, B. E. I. Nwofor (SAN), that the preliminary objection by defendants was not properly signed by the first defendant’s lawyer as stipulated by law, claiming that the signature of the author of the notice was contained in the last page.

Defendants in the suit are Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, NAOCL; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Conoco Phillips Petroleum Nig. Ltd, and National Petroleum Investment Management Services.

The indigenous company, Arco Group Plc, is claiming that the defendants, especially NAOCL and Plangeria Company Ltd, have taken steps to mobilise its officials to site contrary to a court order restraining the defendants from doing so pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court had restrained the defendants from awarding any contract to any company for the maintenance of gas turbines and rotating equipment “at first defendants OB/OB, Ebocha and Kwale gas plants, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

However, the plaintiff alleged a breach by NAOCL for awarding contract to Plantgeria Company Ltd. The plaintiff had argued that the objection to its suit was in “violation of the provision of Order 29 Rule 2 of the Court as the objectors did not file a memorandum of appearance before filing the objection.

It also argued that the preliminary objection “was not properly signed by the first defendant, NAOCL's lawyer as stipulated by law.”

Ruling

Ruling, Justice Akanbi held that “the defendant/objector herein did not file any memorandum of appearance before filling their notice of preliminary objection.

C M Y K

“The consequence is that they took that step in violation of the provisions of Order 29 rules (1) and (2) of the Court rules.

“That is a defect which, in my respective view, is fundamental to the defendant filing their notice of preliminary objection.

Struck out

“Consequently, I am in complete agreement with the argument of learned senior counsel for the plaintiff that the preliminary was filed in flagrant disobedience to the Rules of the Court.

“The end result is to strike out the preliminary objection for being incompetent. An order is accordingly made striking out the preliminary objection for being incompetent.”

However, the court went ahead to direct parties to address it on the issue of jurisdiction as raised by the defendant earlier.

Akanbi held: “That is not the end of the matter though. It is trite that the issue of jurisdiction is a threshold one.

“Once same is raised, the court must decide whether or not it has jurisdiction to entertain the claim. No matter how well conducted the proceedings are, if the court lacks jurisdiction, the entire proceedings will be a nullity.

“In the circumstance, I hereby su motu, raise the jurisdictional competence of this court to entertain the plaintiff ’s claim. Parties are accordingly advised to address me on same.”

The matter was adjourned till June 30 for hearing.

Saraki saga: Lai Mohammed gets backing from Kwara citizens

A

CRIMONY arising from the initial rejection of the election of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President by All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, deepened among his countrymen in Kwara State.

Kwara Concerned Citizens, in a statement yesterday rose up in defence of the role of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, in the issuance of the statement by the party, rejecting the election of Saraki as Senate President, saying agitation to single him out for reprimand in Kwara State over his official party role was untenable.

A statement issued on behalf of the collective by Dr. Hezekiah Oyedepo and Engr Umoru Sha’aba Lafiaji, the Wakilin of Lafiaji, expressed shock that Mohammed could be vilified by any one for ably discharging his duties as the party ’s spokesman in disseminating the views of the party.

It said: “We are astonished that for carrying out his duties diligently, as he has always done, by articulating the position of his party, Lai Mohammed has become a target of attacks and threats from some perfidious persons in his home state.

“In order to put the issue in the proper perspective, we members of Kwara Concerned Citizens have, therefore, decided to set the record straight by saying the opinion of that self-serving group does not reflect that of the majority of the good people of Kwara, while also

acknowledging the courage, loyalty, decency and professionalism of Lai Mohammed in carrying out his duties as the voice of APC. “In the first instance, the opinions expressed by Lai Mohammed in his statements are not his own, but that of his party.

“Secondly, since he articulates the position of his party at many levels, including intra- and inter-party, national as well as international, he is expected, at all times, to put the interest of the party above his own personal interest.

“We make bold to say that, to our pride as his kinsmen and indeed to wide acclamation across the land, he has performed his duties creditably.

“It is, therefore, unfair, illogical and downright simplistic to conclude that Lai Mohammed’s statement conveying the immediate reaction of his party to the elections in the National Assembly means he is opposed to the election of his kinsman, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as the President of the Senate.

“What was he expected to do in the circumstances?

Refuse to carry out his duty as APC’s spokesman just because of the involvement of his kinsman in the Senate leadership election?

“Infuse his own feelings and opinion into his party’s statement so that he will not be seen as opposing his kinsman? Or issue his own statement reflecting his personal opinion, as against that of his party?”

WHO advocates more voluntary blood donors

A

By Chioma Obinna

S the world yesterday marked World Blood Donor Day, World Health Organisation, WHO, has called for increased regular blood donations from voluntary, unpaid donors with a view to saving millions of lives annually.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Government has urged Lagosians to support its voluntary blood donation drive in order to ensure that 100 percent of all blood for transfusion in the state is from voluntary blood donors.

Available statistics have shown that Nigeria will require approximately 1.4 million units of blood annually. However, the unit processed by the National Blood Service is put at 54,392,000 from its 17 fully operational stand-alone blood centres spread across the six geo-political zones of the country.

In a statement by WHO to mark the day with the theme Thank you for saving my life, the health body encouraged donors all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly with the slogan Give freely, give often. Blood donation matters.

In the statement, the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan said the best way to guarantee a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products for transfusion is to have a good supply of regular donations by voluntary unpaid blood donors.

According to Chan, “transfusion of blood and blood products help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions to live longer and maintain a higher quality of life, and it supports complex medical and surgical procedures.

“Transfusion has an essential, life-saving role in maternal and child care and during man-made and natural disasters, such as the recent earthquakes in Nepal.

“Severe bleeding during pregnancy, delivery or after childbirth is the single biggest cause of maternal death.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 55

Ex-UN Sec Gen, Gambari tasks Buhari on campaign promises

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—A former Permanent Secretary in the United Nations, Professor Agboola Gambari, has told President Muhammadu Buhari that ‘change’ must not remain a slogan because he was elected on that platform, hence he must be prepared to deliver on all his campaign promises.

Professor Gambari, Chancellor of Kwara State University in Malete, spoke at the 3rd convocation ceremony of the institution.

“In this regard, the current socio-economic challenges such as high poverty level, huge youth unemployment , persistent power blackout despite huge amounts of money invested, the challenge

of insecurity, especially the scourge of Boko Haram and the perennial disconnect between the citizen and the government that has inevitably led to high levels of distrust of the leaders by the rest of the citizens must be tackled headlong,” he said.

He however, said that Kwara State University, “Has continued,

despite all odds to improve its teaching, learning and research facilities in order to excel in different fields of academia.

“New programmes at both undergraduate and graduate levels have been introduced. The number of students pursuing various fields of academia endeavours has continued to rise in view of the tenac-

ity for ensuring that academic programmes are of highest standard.”

Professor Gambari who identified underfunding as a universal phenomenon which may consequently compromise the integrity of university education , said “KWASU has however, not been daunted by this threat as it has always made concerted effort to sustain its internally generated revenue to augment its primary sources of funding, that is the state and local governments.”

...As academy charges President to revive education sector

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA—THE Nigerian Academy of Education, NAE, weekend, attributed the inability of the academia to carry out successful academic research work to poor funding of the education sector in the country.

Consequently, the academic community called on President Muhammadu Buhari to critically look into the country’s education system with a view to improving on its standard.

President of NAE, Prof. Uduogie Ivowi said there were strong recommendations that needed to be looked into to raise the dwindling standard of education in the country.

Ivowi, at the 30th Anniversary and 19th Annual Seminar of NAE in Abuja, noted that although there were several challenges confronting the system ranging from attitude of teachers to funding among others, if the facilities were provided, the standard of education would definitely improve.

“We need funds, other academy in the world are funded by government, they give the grant, as for Nigeria, no grant has been given to us so, finance is the major problem. I want to use this medium to correct the impression, many people hold that standard of education is falling, it has not fallen at all instead, standard of education has been growing.

“Standards are normally set but what is happening is achievement has gone down, and we know the reasons why achievement is going down, because we don’t have sufficient facilities in our C M Y K

FOR JUNE 12: Pupils of Pacific Comprehensive College, Bammeke, Shasha, Lagos during their cultural performance to mark June 12 anniversary in Lagos.

NLC to Bauch govt: Pay workers salary before ramadan

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in Bauchi State has appealed to

the state government to pay workers salary before the commencement of the Ramadan fasting.

The state Chairman of the union, Hasimu Gital, yesterday in an in-

Groups call for more humanitarian support for IDPs

C

IVIL Society Organisations yesterday urged the government, non-governmental organisations, religious groups, charitable and voluntary organisations to invest heavily in providing succour to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in the country.

The organisations, which consist of Foundation for African Cultural Heritage, FACH; Uduimo Itsueli Foundation, UIF and Fertility Care Centre of Africa, FCCA, in partnership with Terra Kulture and the Federation of Muslim Women Association, FOMWA, Ondo State Chapter, made the appeal in Lagos.

They called for the provision of free maternity homes, rehabilitation homes, highly professional counseling services and material needs to alleviate the sufferings of the IDPs. Dr Nkechi Asogwa, Director,

FACH said that tackling the appalling human condition and human deterioration facing the rescued victims and IDPs required collective efforts. ‘’Recently, members of the coalition organised a team of journalists, nurses, social workers and medical personnel to travel to Yola and visit the camps. The coalition gave cash donation, food items, drugs and health care to the IDPs, but these people need more.''

terview in Bauchi, expressed concern over the non-payment of workers salary for three months, saying that the development has caused hardship to the workers.

He said: “We are appealing to the state government to pay workers salary before the commencement of the Ramadan to ease their burdens.

Workers are supposed to be paid their salary before the month end, but when the reverse is the case, it affects their input to work.

“However, the state government has assured workers in the state that it will pay salary for the month of May. It has also concluded plans to pay June salary when it receives allocation from the Federation Account” Gital pleaded with workers to exercise patience, saying government was committed to addressing the plight of workers in the state.

RAMADAN TAFSIR: Zakzaky accuses JNI of bias, mischief

By Agaju Madugba

K

ADUNA—THE Islamic Movement in Nigeria popularly called the Shi’ites, led by prominent Muslim cleric, Malam Ibrahim Zakzaky, has accused the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, of plotting to discredit members of the movement.

The JNI had during its 2015 pre-Ramadan conference described the Shi’ite Ramadan lectures of Tafsir as inciting and not conforming with stipulated standards.

Presenting a report of the 2014 Ramadan during the conference, the JNI Secretary General Dr. Khalid Aliyu, said that “The most dangerous session of Tafsir which has surfaced recently in the public domain is the Shiite Tafsir which is being aired by some radio and television stations.”

But reacting in a petition, weekend, Zakzaky through his group’s Media Forum, demanded unreserved apology, describing the JNI position as mischievous.

Copies of the petition were sent to the Governor of Kaduna Sate, Bureau for Religious Affairs, Islamic Matters, Kaduna State, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs as well as the Islamic Human Rights Commission, in the United Kingdom.

According to the petition, “The JNI has betrayed its role and mandate as the umbrella body of Muslims in Nigeria, creating mischief among Muslim brethren. The irony here is that, it is doing exactly what it is warning other Muslims against.

“It is clear that the JNI is setting the stage for the isolation of the Shi’ites in the forthcoming Ramadan Tafsir broadcast.''

Sheathe your swords, monarch pleads with Benue politicians

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—WORRIED by the acrimony among Benue State politicians, the paramount ruler of Tyoshin, Ter Nagi, Chief Ayua Abomtse has appealed to politicians in the state to sheathe their swords and forgive one another in the interest of the state.

The royal father also urged them to bury their differences and embrace genuine reconciliation “so that Benue can move forward.”

Chief Abomtse, yesterday in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of the state at a reception to mark his re-instatement to the office after being deposed by the Gabriel Suswamled administration, said “I appeal to

the Benue elites, political and traditional gladiators to bury their differences, truly reconcile with one another and forgive one another of perceived wrongs so that Benue can move forward with a new focus to realise our collective dreams of development, fairness and equity.''

56— VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 15 , 2015

Hacking: UK pulls out agents from 'hostile countries' B RITAIN has pulled out agents from live operations in “hostile countries” after Russia and China cracked top-secret information contained in files leaked by former United States National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, the Sunday Times reported.

Security service MI6, which operates overseas and is tasked with defending British interests, has removed agents from certain countries, the newspaper said, citing unnamed officials at the office of British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Home Office (interior ministry) and security services.

Snowden downloaded more than 1.7 million secret files from security agencies in the United States and Britain in 2013, and leaked details about mass

surveillance of phone and internet communications.

The United States wants Snowden to stand trial after he leaked classified documents, fled the country and was eventually granted asylum in Moscow in 2013.

He went to Russia via Hong Kong, and although he claimed in 2013 that the encrypted files remained secure, Britain believed both Russia and China had cracked documents which contain details that could allow British and American spies to be identified, the newspaper said, citing officials.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Snowden had done a huge amount of damage to the West’s ability to protect its citizens.

“As to the specific allegations this morning, we never comment on

British monarch marks ceremonial birthday

Q

UEEN Elizabeth II marked her ceremonialbirthdaySaturday with the traditional “Trooping the Color” parade in the heart of London — and 23-monthold Prince George made his debut on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

The queen was joined by senior royals including the Duchess of Cambridge, who made her first appearance in public since leaving the hospital with newborn Princess Charlotte six weeks ago.

There was no sign of Charlotte but George captivated throngs of wellwishers by appearing on the balcony in the arms of his father, Prince William, who was in full military garb.

It was the first time George took part in the royal tradition of gathering the extended family on the balcony on important national occasions.

He was the youngest person there; great-grandfather

Prince Philip, 94, was the oldest. Prince Charles, William and Princess Anne wereonhorsebackforthestart of the annual ceremony, later joining the others on the balcony.

The queen turned 89 on April 21, her actual birth date, which is traditionally marked in private, with a public celebration held in June, whenLondon’sfickleweather is more likely to be favorable.

Elizabeth, wearing a peach and silver coat dress with a matchinghat,inspected1,100 soldiers from the Household Division at the Horse Guards Parade grounds near the palace.

She arrived in an opentoppedAscotLandaucarriage.

The Duchess of Cambridge, formerlyKateMiddleton,wore a blue and white dress by Catherine Walker and a whimsical white hat by Lock and Co. for the occasion. She arrived with Camilla, the wife of Prince Charles.

•Britain’s Prince William holding Prince George, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, London, during the ceremony to honor the Queen’s official birthday.

operational intelligence matters so I’m not going to talk about what we have or haven’t done in order to mitigate the effect of the Snowden revelations, but nobody should be in any doubt that Edward Snowden has caused immense damage,” he told Sky News.

An official at Cameron’s office was quoted, however, as saying that there was “no evidence of anyone being harmed.” A spokeswoman at Cameron’s office declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

A Home Office source told the newspaper that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not grant Snowden asylum for nothing.

“His documents were encrypted but they weren’t completely secure and we have now seen our agents and assets being targeted,” the source said.

A British intelligence source said Snowden had done “incalculable damage”.

“In some cases the agencies have been forced to intervene and lift their agents from operations to stop them being identified and killed,” the source was quoted as saying.

•US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton delivers her "official launch speech" at Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York City, yesterday.

Hillary unfolds agenda A

FTER Hillary Clinton’s speech, as the spectators began to file out from the sundrenched island park, I came across an elderly couple arguing about it.

“I thought it lacked energy,” said 71-year-old Susanne Ellman.

“I was energized, Susanne,” said her husband, 73-year-old Marty Ellman. The

Nuclear: Rouhani reassures Iranians of good deal

I

RANIAN President Hassan Rouhani gave a vigorous defense of nuclear negotiations to a domestic crowd on Sunday, pledging to reach a deal that would lift the hardship of sanctions as the talks enter their final weeks.

Speaking at a televised rally in the northeastern city of Bojnord, to mark the second anniversary of his 2013 election victory, Rouhani used sweeping rhetoric to play up the benefits of easing Iran’s long international isolation.

“With the guidance of the Supreme Leader and the support of the people, we will enrich both uranium and the economy in Iran,” he told a crowd of thousands.

“We want the nation to be happy and productive, to have a bright economy and social welfare — and to have centrifuges too.”

While Iran’s negotiating team has crisscrossed the globe trying to seal a nuclear deal, Rouhani in recent months has spent much of his time in provincial cities selling the nuclear talks to a population that harbors deep mistrust

of the West.

“We will go to the United Nations, where the sanctions against us were written, and there we will have them lifted,” he said, portraying the progress in nuclear talks as a diplomatic victory for the Islamic Republic.

Iran is aiming to strike an accord with six powers by June 30 that would secure sanctions relief in exchange for some curtailment of its nuclear program, but the negotiators have faced criticism from conservatives who say they are making too many concessions.

Rouhani has aimed to portray such critics as out of touch with the daily reality faced by Iranians under sanctions.

•Hassan Rouhani

Ellmans are retired from IBM and volunteered full-time on both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns.

Clinton would make a fine president, but she was not charismatic, Susanne fretted. Her candidacy wouldn’t excite people.

“She covered all the bases I cared about. She had very solid proposals,” Marty countered. He especially liked Clinton’s support for a constitutional amendment to, as he put it, “prevent corporations from buying elections.”

“All I heard was a lot of things she’ll never be able

to get done!” cried Susanne.

“She’s going to fight the good fight!” Marty replied. “That’s the important part.”

The Ellmans were both right: In her 45-minute address on New York’s Roosevelt Island, a wooded sliver in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, Clinton laid out many proposals that Democrats care about.

She did so in a speech that was almost aggressively pedestrian, devoid of soaring rhetoric or big ideas. “America can’t succeed unless you succeed,” she said.

US plans to send heavy arms in Eastern Europe

T

HE United States plans to store heavy military equipment in the Baltics and Eastern European nations to reassure allies made uneasy by Russian intervention in Ukraine, and to deter further aggression, a senior U.S. official said on Saturday.

“We will pre-position significant equipment,” the official said, commenting on a New York Times report that the Pentagon was poised to store battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and other heavy weapons for as many as 5,000 troops.

Poland and Lithuania both confirmed they were in talks with Washington on stationing heavy arms in warehouses in the region.

“The threats to the Baltic region have increased.

This has been discussed many times and I view positively (the fact) that talks lead to concrete decisions which, I think, will become a reality,”

Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius told Reuters.

Poland’s defense minister said he expected a decision soon.

“During talks in Washington in May I have been assured that the decision will be taken soon,” said a ministry tweet, quoting Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. “This is another step to increase U.S. presence in Poland and the region.”

The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to comment on the details of the report, which cited U.S. and allied officials.

The move would be the first time Washington has stationed heavy military equipment in the newer NATO member states in Eastern Europe and the Baltics that were once under the Soviet sphere of influence or were part of the Soviet Union.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 15 , 2015 — 57

ICC indictment I

ICC Indictment: S/Africa court orders arrest of Sudanese President S

OUTH Africa’s high court has ordered Sudan’s President Omar alBashir to remain in the country until today, when it will decide whether to send him to the International Criminal Court.

Bashir, who is accused of war crimes in repressing an armed uprising in the Sudanese region of Darfur, was due to appear in Johannesburg on Sunday for an African Union summit.

The Hague-based ICC issued an arrest warrant in 2009, but Bashir denies the charges.

Before the ruling was announced, the judge said the court would decide whether a South African government cabinet decision to host Bashir would trump the ICC arrest warrant.

Bashir had boarded a flight on Saturday to Johannesburg to head Sudan’s delegation at the summit which starts on Sunday, presidential sources and the state Sudan News Agency said.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation reported that Bashir was later “welcomed by South African officials and Sudanese diplomats on his arrival in the country”.

South Africa is a member of the ICC, which does not have its own police force and relies on member states to detain suspects.

Since the arrest warrant was issued, most of Bashir’s trips abroad have been to non-ICC states such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

But he has also been to member states that have declined to arrest him,

•Bashir such as Nigeria, which hosted him in July 2013.

“Allowing President alBashir into South Africa without arresting him would be a major stain on South Africa’s reputation

•Zuma on promoting justice for grave crimes,” Elise Keppler, acting international justice director at NewYork based advocacy group Human Rights Watch, said in a statement

Mali, Libya top agenda as Hollande visits Algeria

F

RENCH President Francois Hollande heads to Algeria today as the two nations, once bitter foes, work ever closer to resolve the political turmoil and jihadist threat in Mali and Libya. The trip will be Hollande’s second to Algiers since a 2012 visit during which he recognised France’s century of “brutal” rule over the Algerian people which ended in a bloody independence war.

While some prickly issues remain between the two

• French President Francois Hollande (l) and his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

countries — such as Hollande’s refusal to apologise for crimes under colonial rule — the mutual

African leaders discuss Burundi’s crisis

L

EADERS meet in Johannesburg on Sunday for an African Union summit which will be dominated by the political unrest in Burundi and the migration crisis in the continent.

Burundi has been plunged into a period of instability sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s push to run for a third five-year term.

Violent protests have left around 40 people dead and 100,000 people have fled the country, raising peace and security concerns in the region. Other crises like the threat posed by Islamist militant groups are also on the agenda in Johannesburg.

“The situation in Burundi is still unresolved... and

C M Y K

on Friday.

A South African government spokesperson declined to comment, but the ruling ANC said the ICC was “no longer useful for the purposes for which it was created”.

Nigeria, which is supposed to be an important player, still has challenges around Boko Haram,” said Tjiurimo Hengari, research fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs.

“I see the next two years being very challenging, especially in light of a new threat that is emerging on

the horizon — the issue of constitutional revisions to allow sitting heads of state third terms and fourth terms.”

But the summit, which often fails to grapple with thorny issues, is likely to be overshadowed by the expected presence of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir.

concern over rampant jihadism in north Africa has taken the upper hand.

Algeria shares a border with Mali’s north, which is still fragile after a Frenchled operation in 2013 ousted jihadists who had seized the upper half of the west African nation.

While French troops patrol northern Mali, Algiers has mediated a peace accord between Mali’s main Tuareg-led rebel groups and Bamako which will be signed on June 20 and is aimed at bringing some stability to the region.

...Kagame eyes 3rd term in Rwanda

T

HE list of supporters is long: more than two-fifths of Rwanda’s voters have signed a petition calling for constitutional reform to allow strongman Paul Kagame a third term in power.

The authorities speak of

a popular mass movement, critics of a manipulation of power. As the second and final seven-year mandate of Rwanda’s president draws to a close, there are increasing indications he may join other African leaders in changing the

rules to stay put in elections due in 2017.

Kagame is a “gift from God,” said Aimable Ngendahayo, one of the 2.5 million people who have signed the petition calling for a change of Article 101 of the constitution, which limits the president to two terms.

N March 2009, al-Bashir became the first sitting president to be indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), for allegedly directing a campaign of mass killing, rape, and pillage against civilians in Darfur.

In the Darfur region, he oversaw the War in Darfur that has resulted in death tolls that are about 10,000 according to the Sudanese Government,but most sources suggest between 200,000 and 400,000.

During his presidency, there have been several violent struggles between the Janjaweed militia and rebel groups such as the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in the form of guerrilla warfare in the Darfur region. The civil war has displaced[10] over 2.5 million people out of a total population of 6.2 million in Darfur and has created a crisis in the diplomatic relations between Sudan and Chad.

The rebels in Darfur lost the support from Libya after the death of Muammar Gaddafi and the collapse of his regime in 2011. In July 2008, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno Ocampo, accused al-Bashir of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in Darfur.

The court issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on 4 March 2009 on counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, but ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him for genocide. However, on 12 July 2010, the Court issued a second warrant containing three separate counts. The new warrant, as with the first, were delivered to the Sudanese government, which did not recognize it nor the ICC. Al-Bashir is the first sitting head of state indicted by the ICC.The indictments do not allege that Bashir personally took part in such activities. Instead, they say, he is “suspected of being criminally responsible, as an indirect co-perpetrator”. Some international experts think it is unlikely that Ocampo has enough evidence.

On 14 July 2008, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno Ocampo, alleged that al-Bashir bore individual criminal responsibility for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes committed since 2003 in Darfur.

The prosecutor accused al-Bashir of having “masterminded and implemented” a plan to destroy the three main ethnic groups—Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa— with a campaign of murder, rape, and deportation. The arrest warrant is supported by NATO, the Genocide Intervention Network, and Amnesty International.

An arrest warrant for al-Bashir was issued on 4 March 2009 by a Pre-Trial chamber composed of judges Akua Kuenyehia of Ghana, Anita Usacka of Latvia, and Sylvia Steiner of Brazil indicting him on five counts of crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture and rape) and two counts of war crimes (pillaging and intentionally directing attacks against civilians). The court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him for genocide.

However, one of the three judges wrote a dissenting opinion arguing that there were “reasonable grounds to believe that Omar Al Bashir has committed the crime of genocide.”

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis MorenoOcampo told U.S. State Department officials on March 20, 2009 that President Bashir ‘needed to be isolated.’

Ocampo suggested that if Bashir’s stash of money were disclosed (he put the figure at possibly $9 billion), it would change Sudanese public opinion from him being a “crusader” to that of a thief.

Sudan is not a state party to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC, and thus claims that it does not have to execute the warrant. However, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) referred Sudan to the ICC, which gives the Court jurisdiction over international crimes committed in Sudan and obligates the State to cooperate with the ICC, and therefore the Court, Amnesty International and others insist that Sudan must comply with the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court. Amnesty International stated that alBashir must turn himself in to face the charges, and that the Sudanese authorities must detain him and turn him over to the ICC if he refuses.]

Al-Bashir has since visited Egypt and Qatar. Both countries refused to arrest him and surrender him to the ICC upon arrival. ICC member state Chad also refused to arrest al-Bashir during a state visit in July 2010.] Luis Moreno Ocampo and Amnesty International claimed that al-Bashir’s plane could be intercepted in International Airspace. Sudan announced that the presidential plane would always be escorted by fighter jets of the Sudanese Air Force to prevent his arrest. In March 2009, just before Bashir’s visit to Qatar, the Sudanese government was reportedly considering sending fighter jets to accompany his plane to Qatar, possibly in response to France expressing support for an operation to intercept his plane in international airspace, as France has military bases in Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates.

•Continues Tomorrow

58—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

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Correction of Date of Birth My name is Emuoreri Aseruoma Peter. I hereby state that my correct date of birth is 3rd April 1978, and not 3rd April 1982. All former documents remain valid Delta State House of Assembly Commission and general public please take note.

U G W UA N Y I — I , formerly known and addressed as Ugwuanyi Chibuike Kenneth, now wish to be known and addressed as Oshaba Chibuike Kenneth. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDONSI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnenna Ibem Udonsi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnenna Uchechukwu Peter. All former documents remain valid. Abia State Polytechnic and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

OGORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogoro Ruth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ruth Opudupudu. All former documents remain valid. Delta State School of MarineTechnology and general public please take note.

AWANA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rita Ufuoma Awana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rita Ufuoma Okorodudu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJEMUTA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghenefejiro Ajemuta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oghenefejiro Okonedo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

formerly known and addressed as Njoagwu Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Ndidi Sharon Joy. All former documents remain valid. General

This is to confirm that the name Egbo P a u l i n u s Chekwubechukwu and Onuigbo Paulycarp Chekwubechukwu refer to one and the same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E R T AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E : VA N G U A R D M E D I A L I M I T E D MURPHY'S PLAZA 2 7 , S A N U S I F A F U N WA S T R E E T , VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS. CALL: 08038092373, 08033163424

Gaviscon partners stakeholders on Reflux Disease treatment

By Etop Ekanem

I

N line with the need to collaborate with stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector to boost the treatment of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, GERD, Gaviscon has partnered with a major stakeholder, Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria, SOGHIN, to host the eight Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the association in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The conference, tagged Infectious Disease and Gastroenterology Practice in Nigeria’ featured expositions by a reputable international experts on the treatment of Reflux Disease.

Speaking on behalf of RB Nigeria Limited at the conference, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr. Samaila Adamu, said: “Gaviscon contains Alginates which is very essential in the treatment of people with Gastro - Oesophageal Reflux Disease, commonly known as heartburn.

Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director, Medical Education at Princess Diana of Wales Hospital, United Kingdom, Dr. Asif Naqvi, said the use of Alginate, which is present in Gaviscon, provides the simple solution Reflux Disease.

While highlighting the benefits of the Gaviscon brand, President of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN), Prof. Musa Borodo said: “Reflux disease is very common in Nigeria and it can be very troublesome."

On his part, Marketing Manager (Gaviscon), RB West Africa, Mr. Qaiser Rashid, said: “Gaviscon is a Reflux suppressant that rapidly soothes the burning pain of heartburn in just three minutes and provide relief for up to four hours.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 59

Bolt labours to victory in New York Diamond League 200m U

SAIN Bolt laboured to victory in the 200m at the New York Diamond League meeting.

The Jamaican world record holder clocked 20.29 seconds, edging out 19-year-old Zharnel Hughes of Anguilla.

“I wasn’t too happy with the time today,” said Bolt. “But training has been going well and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

In the men’s 100m, American Tyson Gay pipped Keston Bledman in a time of 10.12 with Nesta Carter third. Sixtime Olympic gold medallist Bolt has yet to break 20 seconds for 200m this year, while American rival Justin Gatlin clocked a world-leading 19.68 at the Eugene Diamond League meet last month. Gatlin’s 9.74 in Doha is also the fastest 100m time of the year.

Chukwumerije launches Team CCSF in Abuja

T

O fulfil his dream of grooming educated taekwondo champion, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije will today in Abuja launches Team Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF).

According to the 2008 Beijing Olympics medallist, the launching will attended by the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) as well as officials of FCT Education Board and it hold at Government Secondary School, Garki.

“TEAM CCSF [Taekwondo] is a youth-oriented team whose objective is to Produce National, Continental and Olympic Champions in its ranks within the first decade and to ensure its Members continue and finish their formal education (secondary and tertiary) to a logical end.

It also aims to engage its members with extra-

curricular learning activities i.e. language courses, event management courses, networking forums and to enhance their out-of-school learning experience,” Chukwumerije said.

•Chukwumerije

The pair are yet to meet on the track this season, although with the World Championships in Beijing just over two months away, Bolt has played down concerns over his fitness and laughed off suggestions he is running scared of the American.

The 28-year-old, who set the current 200m world record of 19.19 at the World Championships in Berlin in 2009, has said he will retire after the 2017 World Championships in London.

Britain’s Tiffany Porter clocked 12.81 to finish second to Sharika Nelvis in the 100m hurdles, while Shana Cox (52.62) was runner-up to Deedee Trotter in the 400m.

Shara Proctor was third in the women’s long jump with a best of 6.72m, while Lynsey Sharp (two minutes 0.37 seconds) and Jenny Meadows (2:00.55) both recorded season best times but finished sixth and eighth respectively in the 800m.

Isobel Pooley cleared a season’s best 1.91m in the high jump, finishing fourth in an event won by Spain’s Ruth Beitia on countback.

In the 800m, Kenya’s Olympic champion David Rudisha (1:43.58) recorded his best time of the year in beating home favourite Boris Berian.

David Oliver won the men’s 110m hurdles, ahead of Jason Richardson, and in the 400m hurdles there was victory for Javier Culson.

•WINNERS . . . L-R: Director of Pepsi Football Academy (PFA), Chief Kasimawo Laloko, UK Scholarship recipient, Ekeh Divine, PFA Consultant, Ian Nelson, another UK Scholarship recipient, Nneku Joseph and the Head of Marketing, Seven-up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Norden Thurston after the presentation of the scholarship prizes to the Brooke House College, UK bound winners in Abeokuta at the weekend.

C M Y K

•Usain Bolt on his way to winning the 200m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in New York

Nneku, Ekeh win Pepsi Academy- UK Scholarship

By Solomon Nwoke

A

part of its commitment to identify and groom football youngsters at the grassroots in Nigeria and make them world stars, Pepsi Football Academy at the weekend selected two outstanding players of the Academy, Nneku Joseph and Ekeh Divine for a two-year full scholarship at Brooke House College in United Kingdom.

The selection process which took place at the Funturf Arena, Abeokuta, Ogun State involved the participation of 128 students of the Academy selected from across 14 centres in Nigeria. The three-day rigorous selection exercise with the panel of judges led by Super Eagles 2002 World Cup former coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde identified the players based on field skill display, ball intelligence S

and general comportment on and off the field.

Speaking shortly after the event, the Head of Marketing Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc (SBC) Mr. Norden Thurston said the UK Scholarship scheme is in line with the vision of the Academy to develop football skills and create a platform for youngsters to make their dreams come through.

He said: “The last three days has not just been about choosing two winners but showcasing the abundance of talents we have across the country, sharpening their football skills. The essence of the scheme is to create a platform for exposure and affords the youngsters the opportunity to showcase their talents and acquire new skills to play in foreign leagues, clubs and more importantly in the national

team; some of the beneficiaries are currently playing in Europe. I wish the two winners well done and urge them to be good ambassadors of Pepsi Academy and Nigeria wherever they go,” Mr. Norden said.

Chief Onigbinde described Pepsi Football Academy as the only football academy in Nigeria.

He encouraged other bodies and institutions in the country to emulate Pepsi in identifying, polishing and bring together young football talents at the grassroots to develop the game of soccer in the country. Nneku, one of the winners, described his emergence as a result of hard work and perseverance.

The Anambra born youngster, whose father is late, said the future has just begun for him and his family with the award.

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Egypt thrash Tanzania 3-0 E

GYPT enjoyed a 30 victory over Tanzania in Alexandria on Sunday evening, in their opener of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mohamed Salah got two assists and one goal to fire the seven-time African champions to top spot in Group G, ahead of Nigeria on goal difference.

The Pharaohs kicked off their continental campaign in the absence of Hull City ’s injured winger Ahmed Elmohamady, and with Ahly ’s star duo of Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ and Ramadan Sobhi on the bench.

The locals came close to taking the lead after only four minutes at Borg El-Arab Stadium, but Italy-based centreback Ahmed Hegazy’s opener was disallowed for an offside position.

Egypt kept on piling pressure on the visitors, with winger Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ losing his one on one with the Tanzanian keeper in the 24th minute and Sporting Portugal centre-back Rami Rabia having another goal ruled out two minutes later for a foul on the keeper.

And the Tanzanian shot-stopper denied Mohamed Salah on the stroke of half-time to

•Mohamed Salah.... Scored Egypt's third goal.

send both teams goalless into the break.

The Pharaohs were back in the driving seat in terms of possession as the second half resumed, ultimately breaking the deadlock at the hour mark through Rami Rabia, who headed home a corner kick from Mohamed Salah.

And 57th minute substitute Bassem Morsy doubled Egypt’s advantage five minutes later with another successful header, thanks to Salah’s second assist of the evening.

The Fiorentina star got

StarTimes signs coverage deal with Bundesliga

C

HINA’S leading T e l e c o m s company, StarTimes has signed a coverage deal with the German Bundesliga to transmit live matches across African countries.

The deal entails the coverage and telecast of live matches over a five year period, starting from Aug. 1.

The amount involved in the deal was, however, not disclosed, but sources said it was worth billions of dollars in coverage and advertisements.

StarTimes has a

Nigeria finishes second at ITTF WJC in Egypt W

ITH four gold medals and three bronze medals Nigeria finished second behind host – Egypt at the ITTF World Junior Circuit (WJC) in Egypt.

Host and winner, finished ahead of others with seven gold while Slovenia won three gold medals to settle for third spot on the medal table.

Over 15 countries from Africa, Europe and Asia took part in the oneweek championship held at the 6th October Hall in Cairo.

Nigeria made the second spot on the final day of the championship with Esther Oribamise, Abayomi Animasahun and Amadi Omeh claiming gold in the cadet and mini cadet event.

Animasahun defeated Egypt’s Yehia Saad 3-0 in the mini cadet boys’ singles final, while Amadi Omeh increased the gold to two when he also accounted for the 30 defeat of Egypt’s Marwan Abdelwahab in the cadet boys’ singles

final.

The star player for Nigeria was Oribamise who had earlier failed to excel in the junior girls’ event but had to measure up in the cadet girls’ singles when she beat Egypt’s Rolan Hesham 3-0 to clinch the third gold for the West African giant. In the cadet girls’ doubles, Oribamise partnered Tunisia’s Fadwa Garci to beat Egypt’s Roa Amro and Farida Badawy 3-0 to add to her medal haul in Cairo.

•Tosin Oribamishe

GTBank Masters Cup: St. Greg’s, St. Finbar’s for final •Queens College, Ansar Ud-Deen College in women’s final

Q

UEENS College, Yaba and Ansar Ud-Deen Girls College, Itire are the finalists in the Girls category of the Guarantee Trust Bank Masters Cup, Season 4.

They will battle for the diadem on a yet to be announced date later this month.

Similarly, in the male category, two foremost secondary institutions in

Lagos, St Gregory’s and St Finbar’s college will do battle in the final to determine who takes the trophy. The finalists earned their tickets at the weekend after exciting semi final duels at the Onikan Stadium.

The Masters Cup, formerly known as The Heritage Cup was formed for first generation heritage schools and

private schools in Lagos.

Queen’s College Yaba defeated Ansar-UD-Deen Girls High School Isolo 40 to book their final berth while Ansar-UD-Deen Girls High School, Itire defeated debutants, Federal Government College, Ijanikin 3-1 in a game that saw both sides scoring in the first 6 minutes.

Fatima Oyebanji

opened the score line in the 3rd minutes that FGC replied minutes later through Toyosi Towoju’s free kick.

However, the Ansar UD-Deen Girls dominated the entire match and Fatima got two more goals to complete the domination.

St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka played Jibril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Iponri.

himself on the scoresheet with a perfect lob in the 70th minute, to give the locals a comfortable cushion.

Hector Cuper ’s men held onto their threegoal advantage until the final whistle, to get off to the perfect start in their bid to qualify for their first AFCON finals since the 2010 edition in Angola.

The Pharaohs will travel to Chad in September in their next continental outing, while Tanzania will welcome the Super Eagles.

St. Finbarr’s were a goal up in the 3rd minute through a penalty converted by Opara Nnadozie. The match ended 1-1 but Finbar’s boys prevailed 42 in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Winners will be rewarded with the star prize of N750,000.00, N500,000.00 for the runners up ahile the 3rd placed team will get N350,000.00 in both male and female categories.

subsisting partnership arrangement with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) to beam live matches from Bundesliga on a weekly basis to fans across Nigeria.

The deal would also include telecast of the German Super Cup competition.

No fewer than 109 delegates including sports journalists from Germany and Africa witnessed the contract signing ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of StarTimes, Xinxing Pang, said he was excited at the deal as a faithful follower of German football.

He added that millions of African soccer fans would now have the opportunity to watch live matches from the league.

The leader of German delegation who spoke on behalf of the Bundesliga, Kay Dammholz said he was happy that the agreement had finally been signed.

He said apart from beaming live matches to the African fans, the deal would also include the promotion of African football and the development of the sport through exchange programmes and ideals.

“We recognise the importance of the Africa fans. Africa has a big market and large followers of German football, it will be beneficial to all concerned,” he said.

The signing ceremony also witnessed the display of the football that will be used for the next league and the Jerseys of the various clubs taking part in the league.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 61

These Eagles ‘ll rule African football — Keshi N

IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi believes that the Super Eagles have the potential to rule Africa again after seeing his side dispatch a hard fighting Chadian team 2-0 on Saturday in a Group G 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

A Gbolahan Salami goal and an Odion Ighalo penalty gave the Super Eagles the maximum points and Keshi feels there is more to come from the team as they continue to gel together.

“It was a tough game but I’m glad we came away with the three points,”Keshi said after the game.

“The defence played well, they were disciplined in their marking, they did what we practised in the training sessions.

“The first half was a bit off because the players were still getting to know each other. They were cautious because this was our second game together after the friendly against Kaduna United “There was a lot of anxiety, but we were a bit more relaxed in the second half. We had the possession and we controlled the game.

“The substitutions with Rabiu (Ibrahim) and Odion (Ighalo) made the team to start clicking and I hope we have more of that in the next couple of games.”he added Keshi started three débutantes in the game and said it was all in a bid to make sure he gets the team to gel as he also reiterated his desire to create a formidable Super Eagles even as he had special mention for William Troost-Ekong who made his debut on Saturday.

“Troost-Ekong is a good player and I’ve been monitoring him for a while. He did well in the game,”the former Togo coach said.

“We are always looking for players who can help improve the team and add more quality to what we already have.”

When asked about how he felt about Ogenyi Onazi’s sending off, Keshi said he probably would have done the same thing if it happened to him.

“Onazi was upset because the player elbowed him and he vented his frustrations out,” Keshi revealed.

“I might do the same thing if it happened to me too. He had a rush of blood and acted that way.”

C M Y K

Ronaldo pledges his future to Benitez’s reign

C

CHAMPIONS? Super Eagles players celebrate AFCON title in S.Africa in 2013.

FIFA crisis: Blatter ‘may stay on as president’ S

EPP Blatter may seek to stay on as the president of FIFA, a Swiss newspaper reported on Sunday, less than two weeks after Blatter said he would step down over a major corruption scandal at the organisation.

However, Domenico Scala, the official overseeing the process of choosing a new president, said that Blatter ’s departure was an ‘indispensable’ part of planned reforms to soccer ’s governing body.

Blatter is under pressure to step down for good as U.S. and Swiss authorities widened their investigations into bribery and corruption at the sport’s global governing body. EU lawmakers are among those

calling for his immediate departure.

But according to the Schweiz am Sonntag newspaper, Blatter had received messages of support from African and Asian football associations, asking him to rethink his decision to step down.

Blatter was honoured by the support and had not ruled out remaining in office, the newspaper said, citing an anonymous source close to him.

Blatter said on June 2 he would step down as FIFA president in the wake of the corruption investigation, having led soccer ’s world governing body since 1998, although he would stay on until a successor was elected.

•Blatter

Senegal make it ‘two for Africa’ S

ENEGAL booked their place in the Fifa under-20 World Cup semifinals with a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Wellington.

After Mali’s victory over Germany earlier in the day, Mamadou Thiam’s strike was enough to see

U-20 W/Cup: Mali dump Germany to reach semi-final The European side, German keeper.

ALI progressed On the half hour mark M into the semi- though, saw the tide of the German keeper was the match turn a bit in finals of the FIFA U20 World Cup yesterday after beating Germany 43 in a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of footballing action at the Christchurch Stadium in New Zealand ended 11.

Germany controlled the early flow of possession, but failed to really create any chances in front of goal.

the tenth minute when Marc Stendera had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Jeremy Dudziak.

This allowed Mali to find their feet in the game and they had the first real shot on goal in the 20th minute when a stinging 18-yard effort from Adama Traore was brilliantly saved by the

RISTIANO Ronaldo has told Real Madrid that he wants to stay at the club next season following the appointment of new manager Rafa Benitez.

Benitez has spoken to most key players since his appointment two weeks ago and Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Armenia on Saturday night, has reiterated his commitment to the new manager despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and past tensions with Real President Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo’s contract at the Bernebeu lasts until 2018 and is understood to earn £14m a year and the club are confident of his commitment to the cause after a year in which they won the World Club Cup but failed in the Champions League and La Liga.

Benitez has also moved to reassure Gareth Bale of his future at the club, by meeting him on Friday night when the pair met briefly in Cardiff before Wales 1-0 win over Belgium. Benitez wanted Bale to know how importantly he is viewed by him and the club before the pre-season starts.

Given the magnitude of the match for Wales, there was no time for a detailed exchange, the new to Real manager took the time to encourage Bale in continuing to master Spanish.

called into action again, this time producing a good save to deny Mali’s Mohamed Diallo from distance.

Two minutes later Germany had their first real effort on goal, but Djigui Diarra was up to the challenge as he made a fine save off a Julian Brandt shot from the edge of the box.

Africa occupy half of the tournament’s final four spots for the first time in a decade after they came out on top in a tight encounter against the Central Asians.

With so much at stake, the game was predictably cagey in the early stages.

Both teams were sitting deep, relying on their propensity for the counter attack. Uzbekistan were sitting deep, prepared to wait for their opportunities, nullifying Senegal’s lightning pace.

As a result, the crowd had to wait 21 minutes for the game’s first chance.

Zabikhillo Urinboev’s was deflected into the path of Obrokhim Abdullaev, whose effort was straight at Ibrahima Sy. Senegal went even closer right on half time as a mistake by Abdullaev let in Alassane Sow, but his shot was tipped over by Dilshod Khamraev.

The West Africans stated the second half stronger and Roger Gomis forced Khamraev into another good save. The Senegal skipper hit a low drive from the edge of the box, but the keeper did well to push away.

As both sides looked for a breakthrough, the game opened up, with Senegal creating the better chances. Thiam and Remi Nassalan were the African’s principle architects and they combined with devastating effect.

A warning shot was fired shortly after the hour mark when Thiam ran down the left and fed his team-mate, who fired wide from just 12 yards.

The roles were reversed with greater success 13 minutes from time when a quick counter-attack saw Senegal outnumber Uzbekistan inside the Central Asians’ half.

62— Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 — 63

AFCON 2017 Qualifiers.... AFCON 2017 Qualifiers.... AFCON 2017 Qualifiers....

Ghana demolish Mauritius G

HANA proved too strong for Mauritius and recorded a comprehensive 7-1 win on Sunday in Accra to go top of their 2017 Group H Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.

Strikers Asamoah

Gyan and Jordan Ayew scored a brace each with Christian Atsu, Jeffrey Schlupp and a stoppage time goal from David Accam contributing to the demolition exercise.

The Black Stars were never troubled and it

•Gyan

took them 13 minutes to open the scoring through newly-signed Bournemouth player Atsu who headed home.

He finished off a nice build-up deep in the Ghanaian half with a headed goal off the inviting cross of Harrison Afful.

Ayew returned two minutes later to put things right by scoring Ghana’s second, finishing off an impressive burst from left-back Baba Abdul Rahman.

Black Stars captain Asamoah atoned for his earlier mistake by tapping in with only goalkeeper Jean Louis to beat after some great work on the flanks by Jordan Ayew.

Mauritius couldn’t take any more of the gaping humiliation and effected his first substitution after 27 minutes – bringing on Justin Jonathan for Perticots Joseph in a bid to give his sleeping attack the needed bite.

IN VAIN. . . Thabo Matlaba of South Africa (L) overruns Demba Savage of Gambia during their Group M, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Durban, South Africa. Photo:AFP

Aboubacar strike hands Mashaba rues Bafana Bafana lost opportunities AFANA Bafana of the match, Bafana ties but failed to convert. and they dealt with us.

Cameroon win coach Ephraim Bafana could not hit the Sphelele Ntshangase, But in the second half we B “Shakes” Mashaba was target at the Moses Thuso Phala and used a lot of width and goal in the dying sec continued to push forward left frustrated as his side Thamsanqa Gabuza all they couldn’t cope but A onds of the match and were finally rewarded wasted clear-cut oppor- Mabhida Stadium.

This was the first meethad glorious chances to the goals still did not from Vincent Aboubacar in the 90th minute when a handed Cameroon a narrow 1-0 win over Mauritania at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in their 2017 Group M Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Sunday.

The win in Yaounde sees the Indomitable Lions go top of their qualifying group ahead of South Africa and Gambia who played to a goalless draw on Saturday.

Cameroon controlled the opening stanza of the match with their slick passing and hardworking midfield, but despite their dominance they struggled to break down a resilient Mauritanian defence.

Consequently, decent chances on goal in the first half were few and far between, and when openings were created the Indomitable Lions’ finishing was poor.

The second half was more of the same as the Mauritanian’s defence continued to frustrate the home side.

Aboubacar did find the back of the net midway through the second half, but his goal was disallowed because he was in an off-sides position.

Cameroon, nonetheless,

C M Y K

clinical finish from Aboubacar handed them the 1-0 win. Cameroon are next in action in their Afcon qualifying group in September away to Gambia while Mauritania will host South Africa.

tunities in their goalless draw against Gambia on Saturday.

The home side got off to a very slow start to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifiers.

After dominating most

ing between the two nations and with the visitors out of international football for two years due to a ban, the home side were expected to do better.

Bafana Bafana created goal scoring opportuni-

find the back the net but could not.

“The boys gave their best, it was just unfortunate they could not score.

We started like a house on fire but we were coming straight at them, thus playing into their hands

Adebayor’s late goal downs Liberia

A

•Aboubacar

N 88th minute goal from Emmanuel Adebayor handed Togo a 2-1 win over Liberia in thier 2017 Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Stade de Kégué on Sunday.

Togo had to come from a goal behind to beat the visitors which saw them go second in Group A on goal difference after Tunisia beat Djibouti 8-1 on Saturday.

It was a rather dull opening first half with very few chances in front of goal, but Liberia managed to take the lead three minutes before the break courtesy of a strike from William Jebor, 1-0.

Togo came out the better side in the second 45 and managed to make their pressure tell with the equalising goal in the 63rd minute after Sadate OuroAkoriko found the back of the net, 1-1.

Togo continued to press forward, but the Liberian defence

come,” said Mashaba.

“Again we created a lot of chances but can’t score – in fact I counted about 12 chances in the first half alone - it is something we really have to work on because it is a South African problem.

We play good football but without goals it doesn’t matter, we have to seriously do something about this, but we can’t solve it at national team level, we have to get it sorted at grassroots level.”

With only one nation qualifying for the final tournament in Gabon, Mashaba is well aware that a better result is needed in the next match.

•Adebayor held them at bay for the most part.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a stalemate, Adebayor pooped up to score the winner in the 88th minute, 2-1.

•Mashaba

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015

FIFA crisis: Blatter ‘may stay on as president’

These Eagles ‘ll rule African football — Keshi

•Blatter

Mali dump Germany to RESULTS reach s-final NPFL

FIFA U-20 W/Cup

Senegal make it ‘two for Africa’ Ronaldo pledges his future to Benitez’s reign •Details inside TOUGH...Niklas Stark of Germany battles with Mohamed Diallo of Mali during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Quarter Final match between Mali and Germany. Mali won 4-3 (Penalties).

Egypt lead Eagles group •Beat Tanzania 3-0

Ghana whip Mauritius 7-1 •Ronaldo

Abia Warriors Dolphins El Kanemi Giwa Heartland Kwara Nasarawa Shooting Wikki

3 1 2 2 4 3 1 3 0

S/Stars Sharks Taraba Gabros Bayelsa Enugu Akwa Lobi Enyimba

AFCON 2017 Qualifiers Nigeria Angola Uganda Zambia Malawi S. Africa C.Verde Ghana Togo DR Congo Ethiopia Niger Cameroon Eq. Guinea Moz Congo Algeria Sudan Egypt Gabon Sudan

2 4 2 0 1 0 7 7 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 1 4 0 3 0 1

Chad C A Rep. Botswana G/Bissau Zimbabwe Gambia SaoTome Mauritius Liberia M/gascar Lesotho Namibia Mauritania Benin Rwanda Kenya Seychelles S/Leone Tanzania I/Coast S/Leone

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across 1 Restraint (6) 5 Clergyman (6) 8 Section (8) 9 Companion (4) 10 Damp (3) 12 Choose (5) 15 Fate (3) 17 Finish (3) 18 Sheep (3) 19 Vegetable (3) 20 Donated (5) 21 Skill (3) 22 Observe (3) 23 Mouthful (3) 24 Owing (3) 26 Lament (5) 29 Weight (3) 33 Stupefy (4) 34 Renown (8) 35 Throw (6) 36 Rely (6)

Down 2 Combine (5) 3 Discharge (4) 4 Craft (5) 5 Confusion (5) 6 Identical (4) 7 Surpass (5) 10 Dried (5) 11 Torment (5) 12 Bordered (5) 13 Eel (5) 14 Taut (5) 15 Jumped (5) 16 Giant (5) 25 Express (5) 27 Urge (5) 28 Avarice (5) 30 Harmonium (5) 31 Break (4) 32 Pace (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Disc 4, Mop 6, Back 8, Stance 9, Annual 10, Tan 12, Great 14, White 15, Reach 18, Tested 20, Intact 24, Outer 26, Defer 28, Water 30, Fen 32, Muster 33, Ornate 34, Yell 35, Elm 36, Read.

DOWN: 2, Inter 3, Convert 4, Meet 5, Plan 6, Bench 7, Frantic 11, Arc 12, Get 13, Tee 16, Ado 17, Hit 19, Execute 21, New 22, Trainer 23, Tor 25, Use 27, Extol 29, Extra 30, Free 31, Norm.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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