Nyako impeached; faces treason charges

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62188

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

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Chibok girls' parents Nigerian bizmen in 9 Ghana allege sabotage shun meeting 54 with Jonathan

Nyako impeached; faces treason charges

BY SONI DANIEL, •AGF ordered to prosecute ex-gov for levying war against Nigeria NORTHERN REGION EDITOR &UMAR YUSUF •EFCC moves against him, bank manager for looting state funds BUJA—THERE •Why Presidency dumped Ngilari, Nyako's deputy A were indications last night that the im-

NYANYA BOMBER, BOKO HARAM BUTCHER ARRESTED

peached governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, might be arrested by security agents and charged to court for al

Continues on page 6

COLUMNISTS:

Doctors's strike: Govt, ASUU and allied associations •P.19

Married but in love with another man •P.39

Mr & Mrs

NYANYA BLAST CO-MASTERMIND—Nyanya bombing co-mastermind, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche (M), arriving with Interpol officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday. INSET: Mohammed Zakari, Boko Haram's alleged Chief Butcher arrested by Police in Bauchi. See stories on Page 8.

Ramadan: 55 jailed for alchohol consumption in Kano 54

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POCKET CARTOON

ADAMAWA—Acting Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ambrose Mammadi (L), administering Oath of Office on the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru, at the Government House in Yola, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

Nyako impeached; faces treason charges Continues from page 1 leged treason.

While the treason charges against the former governor is billed to take off in one court, the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, would be prosecuting Nyako in another court for allegedly looting funds of the state said to have been stashed in a local bank.

The governor and the North-East Region manager of the said bank will be charged with another top official of Adamawa State Government, who is being held by the anti-

graft agency for aiding and abetting the looting.

A competent security source told Vanguard that the Presidency has already ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, to file treason charges against the governor, who lost his plum job yesterday.

The charges, according to the source, had been prepared by the Federal Government even before the impeachment process against Nyako started and would merely be completed with the governor’s removal from office.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Sometimes the word ‘no’ simply means ‘not now, but ask again’. So don’t let rejection stop you. Only when you see failure as final, are you finally a failure.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

We create meanings about our worth based on incidents in which we’ve been rejected. These meanings then help shape our self-image, which dictates the decisions we make in our lives — Fabienne Fredrickson

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T’S very easy to believe that when someone re jects you, whether it’s in love, friendship, family, work, or otherwise, it’s because something is wrong with you. Anyone and everyone can be rejected, no matter who they are. If someone rejects you, it doesn’t diminish your innate value because it doesn’t affect your soul. It affects your ego, which loves to blame and thrives on making you feel like a victim. But your soul stays perfectly intact. The essence of who you are, the core of you, doesn’t change, and neither does your worth. Rejection hurts when we internalize it. We then create a belief that the person who has rejected us is better. Conversely, we start to believe we are somehow unworthy. Yes, those who’ve rejected you may have had their reasons or rationales for doing so. Those reasons don’t have to be about you specifically, and they don’t mean anything about you as a person.

Nyako to face treason charges

Findings by Vanguard revealed that Nyako is to be tried specifically for levying war against Nigeria and inciting Nigerians and the international community against the person of President Goodluck Jonathan by accusing Jonathan of committing genocide against Northerners under the guise of fighting terrorism.

One of the sources said: “The AGF is ready with the treason charges against Nyako, who never showed any remorse over his letter to the Northern Governors Forum and refused to retract the contents and apologise even when he had the opportunity to do so.

“The AGF has since been directed to file treason charges against the governor, who was fired by the Adamawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday (yesterday) because what he did was levying war against the nation and inciting the world against President Jonathan.

“If the former governor is lucky, he will survive the legal onslaught against him but he may be in for many years in jail if convicted for his indiscretion and deliberate action to malign the President of Nigeria,” the source said.

Why Presidency dumped Ngilari

On why the Presidency withdrew its earlier support for the Deputy Governor to succeed Nyako, the source explained that Ngilari lost out because he tried to join forces with Nyako and work against

the interest of the PDP stakeholders in the state.

He explained that Ngilari lost the support of the Presidency and the PDP stakeholders in the state when it was discovered that he had accepted to take over from Nyako and make Nyako's son his deputy.

“Ngilari lost out when the Presidency got information that he had reached an agreement with Nyako to resign for him to take over as governor and make his son deputy governor so as to continue to protect the former governor’s interests. He thought he was smart,” the source said.

Vanguard further learnt that Ngilari, a Christian, was prevented from succeeding Nyako, a Muslim, so as not to stoke ethno-religious crisis in the state and worsen the security problem in the North-East.

His removal from office notwithstanding, Nyako remained boisterous, yesterday, insisting that he accepted the action against him in good faith, as it was merely a judgment by man and not God. The former governor said: “All praise be to Allah. We accept what has happened. This is the judgment of man; we should all remember that there is God’s judgment in the hereafter”.

Apparently hinging his hope on his move to challenge the impeachment process against him, Nyako urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, as the matter was far from being over.

Ngilari hasn't resigned — Nyako

In spite of that, Nyako disagreed with the claim by the House of Assembly that Ngilari had resigned his position as deputy governor, arguing that the law required the deputy governor to submit his resignation letter to the governor and not the House of Assembly.

Nyako argued that he was still the governor of Adamawa State at the time Ngilari was said to have submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly in contravention of Section 306 (5) of the 1999 Constitution.

Nyako, who spoke through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Sajoh, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the purported resignation of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Barr Bala James Ngilari, which was supposedly read on the floor of the State House of Assembly.

“We wish to State categorically that Section 306 (5) of the Constitution of

the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended requires that the Deputy Governor resigns not to the House of Assembly but to the Governor.

“As at the time the supposed resignation was said to have been tendered in the House, Murtala H. Nyako was the Governor of Adamawa State. No such letter was written to him, none was received by him and none was approved by him.

“It should, therefore, be known that in the eyes of the Law, the Deputy Governor has not resigned.

Barr. Bala James Ngilari is still the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State.

“This clarification is necessary to avert another subversion of the Constitution since the other processes relating to the impeachment saga have all been in contravention of the Constitution and the Law. We wish to observe that continued abuse of the constitution and the laws of the land may spell doom for our democracy,” Nyako’s spokesman said.

How Nyako was impeached

The removal of the governor by the State House of Assembly followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigation panel set up by the former Adamawa State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ambrose Mammadi to investigate alleged gross misconduct levelled against the removed governor and his Deputy.

At yesterday’s plenary session, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri read the report of the panel to the members, and quoted section 18(a) of the Constitution which gives the House 14 days within which to deliberate on the report.

Mr Jerry Kundusi representing Gombi Constituency then moved a motion that since the House has the required 2/3 Majority, it should commence debate on the panel’s report immediately.

Mr Kwamote La’on representing Numan Constituency supported the

motion and there was no dissenting voice, while the House immediately commenced debate on the report.

At this point, the Speaker called each of the signatories to the impeachment process to confirm their signature in order to ensure the 2/3 majority needed is attained.

17 of the 25-member House of Assembly affirmed that their signatures were authentic and they stood by it.

At this juncture, the report of the panel was read by the Speaker to the members specifying the 20 charges preferred against Nyako.

Four of the allegations were, however, dropped by the panel for lack of merit.

After being found guilty of 16 out of the 20-count charges, the Deputy Speaker moved a motion seconded by Jerry Kundisi that the House adopt the report of the panel.

Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri stated that the House has satisfied section 18 (9) of the Constitution, and that he, therefore, had no alternative than to declare the office of the Governor of Adamawa State vacant.

The Deputy Speaker also moved a motion, seconded by Jerry Kundisi that since the Deputy Governor has resigned, the Speaker should be sworn in as Acting Governor.

The House in session unanimously directed the President of Adamawa Customary Court, in the absence of the Chief Judge to swear in the Speaker as Acting Governor for three months before an election is conducted to fill in the vacant office of the Governor of Adamawa State.

Before the commencement of the house plenary session, the speaker read a letter from deputy governor, Bala James Ngilari announcing his voluntary resignation.

In their reactions, Adamawa PDP stakeholders, described the impeachment as the best thing to happen in Adamawa State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 7

Scores injured as youths invade council secretariat in Lagos •They were coming to kill me, Adewale, LG boss alleges

Nigerian on death row in China for drug-related offences

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULAM & IFEANYI OKOLIE

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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AGOS — AMUWO Odofin Local Government was, Monday, turned into a theatre of war following sporadic gunshots from suspected members of the Community Policing Youth Vanguard, who attacked everyone in sight.

Several persons, among whom were officials of the local council as well as visitors sustained injuries in the process.

Reports said trouble started after officials of the Environmental Task Force attached to the local government, who had gone to demolish some illegal structures around Alakija area were attacked by suspected members of the Community Policing Youth Vanguard.

Later in the evening, members of the group, numbering about a 100 reportedly stormed the premises of the local government with dangerous weapons such as guns, bottles and knives and attacked people there.

When Vanguard visited the scene, yesterday, expended bullet shells and broken bottles littered the premises, with parts of the building vandalized.

Victims recount ordeal

One of the injured staff of the Environmental Task Force who gave his name as Gideon Ovat, said: “At about 3pm, while we were carrying out our duties at Third Gate, around Alakija bus stop, where we went to demolish illegal structures, we were attacked by some young men numbering about 50.

"They attacked us with bottles, knives, sticks and cutlasses. I sustained injuries on my hand in my attempt to block a machete that was targeted at my head. We narrowly escaped being lynched.”

Another injured council staff, Akeem Adeoye, said: “At about 5pm, I was inside the council, when I heard sounds of gunfire.

It was like a battlefield, as everyone ran in different directions for safety. Before I knew it, one of the hoodlums came from nowhere and hit me with a bottle on my head and blood started gushing out. I can’t remember what happened next because I passed out. I thank God I am alive to share my ordeal.”

They were after me, says Adewale, LG boss

Chairman of the Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, told Vanguard that but for the bravery of men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC there would have been many

O

NITSHA — ONE Dane l Asadu, a Nigerian from Anambra State, is now facing death sentence in China over alleged passport forgery and drug trafficking offences.

Asadu was arrested by Chinese security operatives in 2009 on allegation of drugrelated offences and was recently sentenced to death in Guangzhou and is expected to be hanged any moment from now.

It was gathered that he was arrested alongside three Chinese women for the alleged offences as well as being an illegal immigrant in China.

His counsel in Gunagzhou, Mr Liu Shuhua was quoted as saying that Asadu made a confessional statement to security agents in China that he was the one that sent a Chinese girl to pick a bag for him which was alleged to have contained items and drugs inside it.

In a letter addressed to Daniel's brother, Columbus, dated December 28, 2009, Shuhua had disclosed that the case against Daniel was a difficult one based on the fact that the convict had confessed that he was the one that sent for the bag suspected to have contained the substance said to be hard drugs.

Daniel’s lawyer, according to the statement, said Daniel said he made the statement under duress, having been forced by the Chinese police to make it at gun-point. The lawyer had pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy.

“I went to Haikou and checked all the files and found out that for three times, Asadu confessed that he instructed the girl to fetch the bags. And this time, he asked the girl to carry the two bags from four other persons now at large," said the lawyer, adding: "I also copied the recordings of the messages between the girl and Asadu. I talked with the judge and he told me that the case will be decided on the evidence.”

Meantime Asadu’s family, has sent a passionate appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and save him from execution.

They suggested that Jonathan should use his good offices to persuade his Chinese counterpart to grant a presidential pardon to their son who is said to be already on the death row, waiting for hangman’s noose. i

Some victims of the attack casualties.

Adewale said members of the group were advancing towards his office, apparently with intent to kill him, alleging that instead of Policemen from Area ‘E’ Command, Festac to contain the situation, they were “romancing the invaders.”

According to him, “men from the Community Policing Youth Vanguard, numbering about 100 invaded the premises of the local council with guns, bottles and other instruments of destruction, attacking everyone within the premises and advancing towards my office possibly coming to kill me.

"Several people sustained grave injuries. It took the gallant efforts of men of the NSCDC attached to the local council to push the hoodlums outside the premises, though some members of staff had already been wounded.”

“Policemen from the Area E Command did not disperse the hoodlums around the premises.

Instead of effecting their arrest,the policemen were romancing them. Eventually, we got the intervention of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, from Alausa, Ikeja and OP MESA that dispersed the hoodlums and cordoned off 41 Road, thereby preventing further attacks.”

Age-long battle with Area Commander

The local government boss, attributed what he described as nonchalant attitude of the policemen from Area ‘E’ Command to the age-long battle he had with the Area Commander, Mr Dan Okoro.

According to him, “I have been having an age-long battle with the Area ‘E’ Commander, Festac Town, ACP Dan Okoro over a group he formed called

Expended bullet shell Community Policing Youth Vanguard, which is not backed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Service Act. "We have written several letters to the Commissioner of Police and other agencies informing them of the nefarious and destructive attitude of members of this group, as well as for the need to investigate their activities but to no avail."

Police react

Vanguard, however, gathered that some of the invaders were arrested by the Area ‘E’

Command. Sources at the command told Vanguard that aggrieved traders whose shops were demolished and wares destroyed were responsible for the invasion.

Police sources also denied that the group was responsible for the attack on council members, informing rather that the clash at the local government secretariat was between traders and members of the Neighbourhood Watch .

Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, on the issue failed.

Alegeh elected new NBA President

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA — LEGAL practitioners across the federation, yesterday, elected Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN, as the new national president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. Alegeh who is from the Benin branch of the NBA, polled 691 votes to defeat Mr. Oladele Adeshina, SAN, who came 2nd in the electoral contest having polled a total of 370 votes.

Whereas Mrs. Olufunke Adekoya, SAN, who also vied for the position, got 255 votes, two other contenders, Chief

Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, and Mr. Osas Erhabor polled 126 and 17 votes respectively.

Likewise, Mr. Afam Osigwe was yesterday elected to take over from Mr. Emeka Obegolu as the General Secretary of the association.

Meanwhile, the new NBA executives will officially assume office on August 29 when the two years tenure of the current leadership of the association under Chief Okey Wali, SAN, will expire.

The election which was conducted amidst tight security, had a total of 1728 registered delegates and 1482 accredited voters.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI & VICTORIA OJEME

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BUJA— ONE of the alleged masterminds of the April 14 Nyanya Bus terminal twin bomb blasts by the Boko Haram sect, which killed over 75 persons and injured others, Aminu Ogwuche, was yesterday extradited from Sudan to Nigeria.

Ogwuche was brought back to the country, apparently without the knowledge of the Sudanese Embassy in Nigeria, according to the information available to Vanguard.

However, the fugitive who fled to Sudan immediately after the incident, was brought to the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 3p.m. aboard a chartered flight by Interpol officials with the assistance of Nigerian security men and diplomats.

At the airport to take custody of the suspected bomber were a team led by the Coordinator of the National Information Centre and Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mike Omeri; Director of Defence Information, DDI, Major General Chris Olukolade; Police Force Public Relations Officer, FPPRO, Assistant Commissioner, Frank Mba, and the Deputy Director,

ADAMAWA: Security operatives at the main entrance of Adamawa House of Assembly shortly before the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako in Yola, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Ogwuche, April 14 Nyanya bombing suspect extradited to Nigeria Department of State Services, DSS, Marilyn Ogar.

Ogwuche, son of a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, who was educated in

Sudan, was declared wanted by the Federal Government on May 15, shortly after the DSS paraded some suspects in connection with the Nyanya bombing incident.

Also declared wanted was Abubakar Tsiga, the alleged chief mastermind of the bombing.

Shortly after declaring him wanted, Ogwuche was

Subsidy must go— FINANCE COMMISSIONERS, NECA zRemoval 'll impoverish Nigerians; it's corruption that should go— NLC

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief, & VICTOR AHIUMA YOUNG

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OMMISSIONERS for Finance from the 36 states of the federation rose from their monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting in Abuja, yesterday, insisting that petroleum products subsidy must be removed.

While their position was consistent with that of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, it sharply contradicted the thinking of the Nigerian Senate, which held a few days ago that petroleum subsidy should remain.

The commissioners had, three months ago, decided that the current subsidy was not in the interest of the nation and wrote a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, demanding an end to it.

The Chairman, Forum of Commissioners of Finance, Mr. Timothy Odaah, told journalists shortly after the meeting that there was no going back on their position and that they had fully briefed their principals— state governors.

According to him, the administration of the subsidy

had been characterised by massive fraud by oil companies whom he said had been paid several billions of Naira for nothing and argued that the purpose for the subsidy regime had been defeated.

He said: “The issue of subsidy removal re echoed today (yesterday) and it became an issue of discussion and the report of the committee set up three months ago is being awaited and we still stand on the removal of subsidy as it will be of much benefit to the states, because what we have now is like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“The purpose for which government set up subsidy is being defeated and so it should be based on consumption.”

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr.

Andrew Yakubu, had at the weekend told newsmen that only the removal of subsidy from petroleum products would attract investors to the downstream sub sector of the industry.

He argued that subsidy was creating distortion that scare away investors.

NECA, NLC trade words

over fuel subsidy Meanwhile, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Lagos traded words over the continued sustainability of fuel subsidy in the country.

At its 57th annual general meeting, while NECA argued that subsidy was not sustainable in the long term and was not sufficient and effective for the overall development of the Nigerian economy, NLC insisted that it was sustainable and would help Nigerians to cope with current harsh economic realities.

Speaking through its President, Chief R. U. Uche, NECA said: “While we acknowledge the fact that it might not be politically expedient in an election year for the government to fully deregulate and privatise the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, the truth remains that it is not economically justifiable for Nigeria to continue to depend on fuel importation.

“The current policy of fuel subsidy portends grave danger for the future health of our economy. It is certainly not sustainable in the long

term, neither is it sufficient and effective for the overall development of the Nigerian economy.”

Disagreeing with NECA position, NLC, through its President, Mr. Abduwaheed Omar, noted that Nigeria had no business importing petroleum products, lamenting that the problem had been government’s lack of the political will to ensure products were refined locally.

Omar contended that subsidy was being used by government officials to deceive Nigerians that about N1.3 trillion was being spent annually for subsidy.

He said: “It is not correct to say that in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, about N1. 3 trillion was spent annually for subsidy. What is provided for in the budget is N260 billion.

“We believe that it is not too much for government to spend for Nigerians to benefit from God given resources.

“Therefore, subsidy is sustainable. What is not sustainable is corruption.

“We should all join hands to fight the corruption therein.

With the level of poverty in the country, the Nigerian people need the subsidy and it is sustainable.”

arrested by the International Police Organisation, INTERPOL, in Sudan, where he fled to.

Earlier reports on the arrest of Ogwuche, indicated that the Sudanese authorities were reluctant to extradite him to Nigeria as a result of interference by a top Northern Emir among other interests.

Vanguard, however, gathered that it was in a bid to circumvent these ‘interests’ that the process of extradition of the suspect to the country was made top secret by security operatives until his arrival in the country yesterday afternoon.

In line with the security ploy to keep Oguche’s extradition secret, the Police headquarters had sent an SMS inviting newsmen to cover the unveiling of a “Special Counter Terrorism equipment” at the airport, only for Ogwuche to be introduces as the “equipment.”

Commenting on Oguche’s extradition earlier in the day, the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Tagelsir Mahgoub, who was apparently not aware that the suspect was already in the country, said: “All the papers (for his extradition) were signed by the two parties (Nigeria and Sudan).

“What we are waiting for now is for the Nigerian government to send a delegation that will come to our embassy to get their visas because everything has been concluded.

“And I must say that there should not be any delay, because it will delay the whole process.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—9

Mark, Bring-Back-Our-Girls campaigners in war of words z Stop working at cross-purposes with FG— MARK zYou ' ve not said anything tangible— EZEKWESILI

zAs Tambuwal urges group not to give up

BY EMMAN OVUKPORIE, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA— THE solidarity visit of the Bring-back-our-girls campaign, led by the former Minister of Education and Solid Minerals, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, to the Senate President, Senator David Mark, yesterday turned to altercation and hot exchange of words as the group declared that Mark was not telling them anything tangible about the rescue of the girls.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, however, called for urgent negotiation between the Federal Government and Boko Haram to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls.

Ezekwesili had, in her presentation, expressed anger and frustration over the manner the Federal Government had handled the abduction of the over 200 girls in Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram sect, alleging that in other climes it would not take up to five days for government to embark on rescue operation of the girls.

She also complained that members of her team had faced harassment and molestation in what she claimed to be a genuine agitation and that to get into the National Assembly was a herculean task as the group was allegedly stopped and thoroughly searched by the security personnel at the gate.

She said that they were not embarking on the campaign because they were jobless, that it was because they were touched by the plight of the girls as mothers.

‘Our concern’

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She added that the biggest problem of her group was the fear that the girls could become history as many other strange things happen in the country on daily basis.

Ezekwesili said they came to meet the Senate President to ask him to help in giving them information, adding that there had not been information on the efforts of government towards rescuing the girls.

Responding, Senator Mark told the group that the Federal Government had made frantic efforts towards ensuring that the abducted girls were released

and that it was the government’s determination to see that the girls regained their freedom that made it allow foreign countries to join in the search of the girls.

He told the group not to work at cross purposes with the government and urged various campaign groups working for the release of the abducted girls to collaborate with all relevant government agencies for their eventual release.

The Senate President told the campaign team that nobody should put a time line on the release of the children, adding “we do not want the children to be released in such a way that they cannot come back.

“My appeal to you is to adjust so as not to be seen as

working at cross purposes with government. I do not think any group should play politics with it. Our girls are suffering; whatever we can do to bring the girls back, we will do it.”

Accusations, counter-accusations

However, the response by the Senate President who received the team alongside other senators did not give conviction to the former World Bank Managing Director, who immediately told the Senate President that they had no ulterior motives other than the concern for the Chibok girls.

She said: “We talk almost with anger because of conflicting reports we are getting,” and wondered why

it took the Federal Government a long time before action could be taken on how to rescue the girls.

She said that the campaign wanted a united front against the common enemy and a result from the rescue operation.

She said: “This group is a group for the citizens and a group for Chibok girls. You have not given us a very tangible response we can hold unto. I hope when we come back, we will have a tangible response.”

But angered by her choice of words, Senator Mark replied: “I am sure you were not expecting me to tell you the girls are going to be rescued tomorrow. Let us not reduce it to what the people discus in classroom.

“The point I am trying to make is that we should be at the same wave length.

Government is doing whatever they can; I do not know the tangible answer you want, which you have not received.

“I am not in any dialogue with any member of Boko Haram. I am not a party to anybody rolling out option.”

BRING-BACK-OUR-GIRLS: From left— Mrs. Maryam Uwais; former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili; and Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, during the visit of the Bring-Back-Our-Girls campaign group to the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Tambuwal

Meanwhile, when the group visited the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal, he told the members that though some leaders in the country were opposed to his call for negotiation with the sect, he had been consistent, stressing that negotiation should not be seen as an act of cowardice or submission to the insurgents, but as a strategy.

According to him, the Federal Government can go after the insurgents after the safe release of the girls.

He said: “I have personally come out about two or three years ago in Kano to advocate for negotiations with Boko Haram. Many Nigerian leaders feel that we should not negotiate.

“I have maintained my position that we should negotiate. If negotiation is what will bring back, for example, Chibok girls, for goodness sake, let’s negotiate. The negotiation is not just submitting. It is a strategy.

“So, let’s get these girls out and then if you want to confront them, you go ahead. But as a government, we must do whatever we need to do to bring back the girls safely and alive.”

He said he was not in the position to get daily updates on the security situation but assured that the security agencies were working hard to rescue the girls.

On the group’s concern that they had been called names and harassed in the course of their campaign, the Speaker admonished them not to relent in their campaign towards the release of the girls.

He said: “I have heard you talk about insinuations and attempt to label your group something that you are not.

That should not bother you. It should encourage you. Do not be deterred by that.”

He also apologised to them over a reported attempt to stop them from gaining access to the National Assembly by security operatives.

Nigerian businessmen in Ghana allege sabotage

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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IGERIANS doing business in Ghana have called on the Federal Government to intervene in the attempt by Ghanaian authorities to expel them from the country.

More than 200 businesses operated by Nigerians in the Kumasi area of Ghana were, Monday, reportedly shut down by the Ghanaian

authorities. All of the businesses deal in auto parts.

The owners of the businesses, who spoke to Vanguard, said the Ghanaian police descended on them in the early hours of Monday and locked up their shops.

They attributed the clamp down to their inability to meet the regulatory requirement for operating a business in the country as foreigners.

According to them, the Ghanaian authorities require

that foreigners have at least $300,000 (N48m) as capital and employment of Ghanaians as a precondition for operating a business in the country.

Mohammed Nasir from Kwara State, said their business was just a small enterprise that cannot meet such conditions.

He said the directive and subsequent closure of their businesses is tantamount to expulsion from Ghana.

Another businessman, Ikechukwu Umeh, who was also affected by the clamp down, said the incident was also in connection with a condition which requires Nigerian businessmen to supply goods to Ghanaian and allow them a period of three months to pay up.

He said it was difficult because Ghanaians always failed to pay up when due, sometimes owing for up to three years.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Osun APC alleges plot to kill Aregbesola

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HE All Progres sives Congress, APC, Osun State chapter, yesterday said it had received a red alert that a leading opposition party contracted foreign snipers to assassinate Governor Rauf Aregbesola during his campaign trail.

“The masterminds behind this plot are the party’s chieftains, from a SWest state and the opposition party”s candidate for the August 9 election in Osun.”

According to APC, sources from within the opposition party informed the APC that “there is great consternation within the party that for as long as Aregbesola is present and visible, the election cannot be rigged, so their last option to ‘ win’, according to sources, is to take out completely the governor, and they needed the best professional killers in the world, this is why they have contracted the foreign firm..

“It is not clear if Abuja is involved in the plot, but sources say that security infrastructure in the country may not be unconnected,” APC said.

The APC recalled that it had alerted Nigerians and the international community of the party’s plans to militarise the state one week to the election and terrorise APC leadership and assassinate some of them.

Yabatech re-opens

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AGOS—MEM BERS of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology Chapter, yesterday resumed work after five months' strike.

The National Executive Council of the union had on Saturday in Abuja announced the suspension of ASUP over 10 months strike.

Mr Adeyemi Aromolaran, the ASUP Chairman, Yabatech Chapter, told NAN that members of the union resumed work following the directive from the national body.

Aromolaran charged members of the union to double their efforts to make up for the time lost during the strike.

C M Y K

MILE 2 TRAFFIC: Lagos govt, Navy's efforts fail to yield results

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS—THE impression created by the Lagos state government that it had created a movement corridor on the ApapaOsodi expressway for free traffic flow turned out to be a mere fluke Monday night.

Barely 24 hours after the marching order given by Governor Babatunde Fashola, to officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency, LASTMA, and the

Task Force on Environmental offenses to ensure relief in the traffic situation, workers and businesses, suffered worse fate on Monday night.

The tankers and articulated trucks were not only back on the road, they took over all the lanes making it impossible for any kind of movement.

Even the Naval officials who threatened fire and brimstone to offending truck drivers were no where to be found and when

contacted promised to effect a change but never surfaced.

The Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Emmanuel Uwadiae actually seemed to have forgotten his rave about importance of free traffic at the stretch to security.

Also, LASTMA official who leads the Mile Two gang, simply called Peter, when contacted gave an incoherent response about the agency’s failure.

For several months, motorists

BRIEFING: From left—Mr. Iyiola Ayoola, Director, Corporate Affairs, Nigerian Computer Society, NCS; Mr. Jide Awe, Chairman, Publicly and Event, NCS; Prof. David Adewumi, President, NCS and Moses Braimah, Chairman, Conferences, NCS, yesterday in a press briefing in Lagos to unfold activities for the 2014 NCS Conference slated for Enugu later in the month.

LASU teachers call off six-week-old strike

BY MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

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AGOS—A C A D E M I C Staff Union of University, ASUU, Lagos State University, LASU, branch, has suspended its six-week-old strike that crippled academic activities in the institution for months.

ASUU in a letter by its chairman, Dr. Kunle Idris said the decision was reached after deliberation on the Governing Council’s letter to the lecturers (ASUU members), the congress agreed to suspend the strike in the interest of all.

According to the letter, “The Congress of ASUU LASU met today Monday, July 14, 2014 and reviewed the strike action it embarked upon on May 20, 2014. After exhaustive deliberation on the Governing Council’s letter ref: LASU/PROCHAN/ASUU/31 of July 11, 2014, the Congress took some decisions. ''The Congress suspended the strike action but resolved that discussions on the outstanding issues identified by members should be continued by the

executive members. “Congress believes that the letters and spirit of the Resolutions reached with the University Administration and the University Appointments and Promotions (Academic) Committee; and of the Governing Council shall hold. ''This letter, therefore, serves to notify the Govern-

ing Council and the University Administration that the Academic Staff of LASU has effective from 1500 hours, Monday, July 14, 2014 resumed the teaching aspect of their duties.”

Before the suspension of the strike, ASUU had met with the management of the school on July 2nd, 2014, in which certain resolutions were reached between both parties.

have been going through hectic times along the Apapa/Oshodi expressway, especially at Mile 2, due to the unending traffic gridlock caused by tanker drivers who queue endlessly for petroleum products, as well as the ongoing construction work being executed by the construction giant - Julius Berger Plc. With the assurance provided by the Governor Fashola who had expressed hope that motorists would witness relief, following agreement by stakeholders to make changes within the week, there was hope of having smooth drive in the area.

However, residents of Kirikiri and staff of companies located around Berger yard and Mile-2 saw hell after Monday's work as they were shut out from the road by the tanker drivers.

In early part of Monday, the traffic situation sort of improved with the efforts of the security operatives who manned the entire area and created a single corridor for other vehicles apart from the trailers on queue.

However, the story changed for the worse in the evening when security operatives abandoned their duty post with the few left collecting graft from some of the tanker drivers and other articulated vehicles which later disrupted the arrangements.

As at 7pm on Monday, commuters from Oshodi axis heading towards Apapa or Kirikiri were in completely halt The situation got heady when the little space provided for cars to maneuver in order to link the main expressway was blocked by the trailers.

The situation made several people including staff of the Vanguard and other companies around the area sleep in their offices.

Reliefs only came early morning of Tuesday when the staff including Editors of Vanguard were able to squeeze their way out of the office as the cruel attitude of the tanker drivers persisted.

Lagos identifies 140 distressed buildings, seals off 513 others required standards.

BY MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

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AGOS—IN an effort to check cases of collapsed building, Lagos State Government has identified 1,760 illegal structures and 140 distressed buildings across the state.

The government lamented that the distressed building posed threat to safety of residents’ in the state.

This was contained in a document obtained by Vanguard

from the state secretariat.

The government explained that of the total illegal structures identified, 513 were sealed for contravening the state building regulations.

According to the government “482 stop work notices were served on the owners of the illegal structures, for violating the building procedure in the state. 46 demand notices were served on building insurance, to ensure that the structures comply with the

“140 buildings were identified as distressed, 81 have been recommended for pundits test, while 10 structures in Sanusi Olusi street, Agarawu, Adeniji Adele in Lagos Island, OkeAfa, Isolo axis, Alaka in Surulere, Amukoko in Apapa Local Government and Oworonshoki axis were removed” in the last 100 days.”

The state government however said of the 470 building approval received, 422 were approved within the last one hundred days.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 —11

Osoba at 75: Ogun APC is a ‘one legged party', says ex-gov's aide

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—A leading member of the All ProgressiveS Congress, APC, loyal to the former governor of Ogun State Aremo Segun Osoba, and a member of the House of Representatives, Prince Adekunle Adeyemi, yesterday said APC in the state had lost three legs out four, saying “it is walking on one leg.”

Adeyemi, who represents Ifo/ Ewekoro Federal Constituency, at a social gathering held in honour of Aremu Osoba, to mark his 75th birthday celebration, insisted that APC was now a one legged party that was not stable.

Hundreds of loyalists of former governor Osoba had thronged his Abeokuta residence, where they organized a birthday party in his honour.

The supporters drawn from all the 20 local government areas of the state besieged the palatial building of Aremo Osoba at G R A, Ibara, Abeokuta.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Segun Adesegun, and the state Chairman of APC loyal to Osoba, Chief Olu Agemo were among the prominent people that attended the birthday party.

Aremo Osoba who was absent at the party held for him in Abe-

okuta was reported to have refused to hold any party on his birthday.

Speaking about the significance of the celebration, Adeyemi said the celebrant deserved to be honoured by his numerous beneficiaries for positively impacting on the lives of so many people in the

state and beyond.

The lawmaker, who spoke on behalf of all the members of the National Assembly, however, denied report that the group had left the APC, saying, many stakeholders had been talking to them for alliance.

On why the group was fighting the other group, Adeyemi

said “ I can tell you that Osoba group is protesting about the injustice going on in the APC and that we are not happy about”.

While speaking on where the group belongs, Adeyemi said “everybody is entitled to his opinion but, I can tell you the APC has lost three legs out four. It is walking on one leg, the party is one legged party.

So, it is not stable”.

AREGBESOLA'S CAMPAIGN: Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); his counterpart from Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left) and others acknowledging cheers from the crowd during Aregbesola re-election campaign in Ilesa yesterday.

Ekiti PDP accuses state CJ of delayed justice

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, Ekiti state chapter, yesterday accused the Chief Judge of the state , Justice Ayodeji Daramola, of frustrating it from getting justice in the courts.

The party claimed Justice Dar-

amola had allegedly delayed in assigning a case instituted by the party on creation of additional 18 Local Government Development Areas to a judge two weeks after the case was filed in the court.

PDP in a statement in AdoEkiti, through its Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole, alleged

that Justice Daramola was yet to assign the case filed against the governor and others over the proposed creation LCDAs to a judge two weeks after.

Oluwawole said “Our case, HAD/75/2014, challenging the illegality that the outgoing governor and his party are perpetrating was filed at the High

Rising number of illegal aliens worries Oyo

BY OLAAJAYI

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B A DA N — S E C U R I T Y agencies in Oyo State met yesterday to discuss the growing number of foreigners including Nigeriens in parts of the state and agreed to synergise to ensure that security of the state was not breached.

According to two of the speakers at the well-attended programme, influential people who employed private security guards without knowing their background should take caution.

The security summit, entitled, “Insurgency, terrorism and insecurity; National trends and regional options” was organised by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence C M Y K

Corps, Oyo State Command.

Participants at the summit attended by all security chiefs in the state, were unanimous that the public should work together with security agencies by giving information and intelligence reports.

Participants included the state commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Adebayo Ayeni, Akinwande Johnson, representative of Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor of the state and others.

Though, a retired soldier, Mr. Rashidi Okunola, said most of the strangers in the state were of northern extraction, the representative of the Immigration in the state, Mr. Folu Akintola, said 95 per cent of those he called

northerners were actually Nigeriens who sneaked into the country.

He warned people who employed them to be wary, saying, “Whenever you want to employ ecurity guards, come to us to know if they are Nigerians or not.

If you employ these people from Niger, before you know what is happening, they increase and become five, ten and even 20. By then, you are sitting on the keg of gunpowder.”

The Director of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Aderemi Omowon said, “there is a forest reserve in Kisi and at Ayete the topography is savannah. We have problems on our hands if we don’t act fast. If this synergy continues like this, it would work”.

Court of Justice, Ado-Ekiti Judicial Division on July 1, 2014 and deposed to by our State Chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, on behalf of the party. Two weeks after the matter was filed at the court, the Chief Judge has failed to assign the matter to any judge to handle, until the national strike by judiciary workers began last Friday. We know their plan and it will never work because it is against legal norms. ''We want Ekiti State Chief Judge to do the right thing and know that the interest of the state surpasses personal interest. As a CJ, he is to set the standard for other judges and legal officers to follow. The temple of justice must not be desecrated because of personal sentiments.”

Justice Daramola could not be reached for comment at the time of this report.

The party equally accused Governor Kayode Fayemi of trying to pitch the PDP against the people of the state, saying “The outgoing governor is only playing politics of vengeance. After being roundly beaten in the poll, when the people of the state rejected him and his party, Fayemi feels he can be clever by half.

He has missed it.''

I’m not leaving LP for PDP — MIMIKO

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—GOVER NOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, yesterday said he had no intention to dump the Labour Party, LP, for any other political party.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Eni Akinsola, following insinuations that he was planning to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He said “the governor is not shy or weak in taking relevant political decisions.

If he wants to leave any political party it will not be hidden, it will be very clear to all that he wants to leave like he did during the Alliance for Democracy, AD days and the PDP. The governor I must tell you has no reason or cause to dump the Labour party.

Mind you the political firmament for now is not stable, there will be alignment and realignment as time goes on.”

Akinsola spoke while featuring on a personality programme organised by the correspondent Chapel of the state NUJ in Akure.

We voted for Fayemi, Ekiti women group claims

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI— WOMEN group operating under the aegis of Ekiti Women Stake holders have claimed they voted for Governor Kayode Fayemi in the June 21 poll.

The group said in spite of Fayemi's concession, the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, was not a reflection of the actual votes of the people.

It dismissed the notion that the touted ‘stomach infrastructure’ phenomenon played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the election.

The group, in a communique endorsed by Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola RichieAdewusi, on behalf of the Forum of Women in Leadership said Fayemi ought to have won the election squarely.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Edo PDP lawmakers direct commissioner to release LG allocations P

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, legislators in Edo State House of Assembly have passed a resolution directing Mr. Lucky James, the state Commissioner for Local Government, to release allocations meant for local government councils to pay workers' salaries.

Mr. Festus Ebea, the Deputy Speaker, is the leader of the PDP-led faction in the House.

The minority PDP legislators hold their plenary in the Assembly complex, while the majority All Progressives Congress, APC, legislators sit at the Old Assembly complex in Government House.

The resolution was passed yesterday in Benin following a motion under matters of urgent public importance moved by Mr. Emmanuel Okoduwa (PDP Esan NorthEast).

Moving the motion, Okoduwa said that workers in five local government areas in the state were currently on strike due to the inability of their chairmen to pay staff salaries.

He listed the affected councils to include Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha, Oredo, Egor and Esan North-East local government areas.

He said: “It is unfortunate that for two months now, some local government workers

have not been paid their salaries. It is also sad that taxes have been deducted from the salaries of workers who have not been paid.”

Okoduwa recalled that the Assembly had passed a resolution calling on the Commissioner for Local Government and the 18 council chairmen to furnish the House with all their receipts from Federal Allocation.

Other lawmakers who spoke

on the motion, called on the commissioner to return all monies deducted illegally from Federal Allocation accruing to the councils to enable them pay salaries.

The PDP legislators also passed a resolution calling on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to desist from polarising the Assembly by harbouring some legislators in Government House.

The resolution was passed following a motion moved by Mr. Emmanuel Okoduwa, (PDP Esan North East).

The PDP lawmakers observed that it was shameful that a part of the legislature had collapsed.

They contended that the move was an attempt by the governor to run a parliamentary system of government in a democracy.

VISIT: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC; Senator Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State; Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Abia State, during a solidarity visit of APC National Leaders to Governor Oshiomhole, in Benin City, yesterday.

Bayelsa communities petition Shell over spill

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—TROUBLED by the devastation unleashed on their environment by oil spills, impacted communities in Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have petitioned Shell Petroleum Development Company, asking it to mitigate the oil spill incidence of June 11, 2014, in the area.

The communities, Ayamabele and Kalaba, which have suffered series of oil spills in the past, lamented the destruction of their environment and means of livelihood as a result of the spill at Shell’s Okordia manifold in Ikarama.

The indigenes are predominantly farmers and fishermen, who depend on their environment for livelihood.

In the letter addressed to the Co-ordinator of Shell’s Kolo Creek Office at Imiringi, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, the communities lamented that Shell had not done the needful since the spill occurred.

The letter by the paramount rulers of Ayamabele and Kala-

ba communities, Tamuno Monday and Orukali Roman, respectively, said: “The spill affected our swamp called OnwuOnwu-Daba through its natural source. Consequently, the pol-

lution led to the destruction of the entire ecosystem. As you know, we are only farmers and fishermen.

“We hope this peaceful and civilised approach to the is-

sue will be appreciated by you and the entire management of Shell. We look forward to seeing a positive response to our legitimate demand for a safe and sustainable environment.”

Cross Country MD produced in court

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HE Managing Director of Cross Country Limited, Mr. Bube Okorodudu, was on Monday brought before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, by a team of policemen from the Zone II Police Command, where he reported himself on Friday, in compliance with an order of the court.

Trial judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, had on July 8, issued a bench warrant, directing the Police to produce Okorodudu in court on July 14, following a case against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N82.8 million theft, which his counsel, Mr. Godswill Mrakpor, has described as “spurious and a calculated attempt to embarrass, ridicule and intimidate his client.”

The EFCC alleged that Okorodudu stole the money through the fraudulent sale of 17 units of

Volkswagen Transporter buses belonging to AG Moeller Limited and one Adeloye Olukemi.

However, the trial could not go on because of the nationwide judicial workers’ strike.

A statement by his lawyer, Mrakpor, said: “While my client was out of the country on medical grounds, a bench warrant was issued against him directing the Nigeria Police to produce him in court.

As an officer in the temple of justice and knowing my client to be a law abiding citizen, I advised him to return to the country and report himself to any police formation, in obedience to the court order.

“Hence, upon Mr Okorodudu’s arrival in the country on July 11, 2014, he re-

ported himself at the Zone II Police Command, where he was granted bail and asked to report back on Monday, so as to be taken to the court as ordered.

“Again, as an honourable man, who has a lot of respect for the laws of the land, he turned himself in on Monday. A team of about eight policemen took him to the court to answer the summons. But unfortunately, the court did not sit because of the ongoing judicial workers' strike.”

Mrakpor said that his client had no reason to disobey the court, adding that “He only travelled out of the country having received a well-considered legal advice that his presence was not yet required since there were two pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court.”

Rivers Assembly summons Finance Commissioner, two others

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State House of Assembly, yesterday, summoned the Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue Generation, Mr. Nwankwo Nwankwo and the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberline Peterside, to appear before it over the dwindling fortunes of the state.

The lawmakers, who sat at the old auditorium of Government House, Port Harcourt, also asked the Chairman, Rivers State Internal Revenue Service Board, Mrs. Onene Obele, to appear before it over a similar issue.

Earlier in a motion, Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Robinson Ewor, had expressed worries over the dwindling fortunes of the state, adding that steps should be taken to save the situation.

Egbema youths call for peaceful LG polls

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APELE—YOUTHS in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, under the aegis of Egbema Collective Political Front, ECPF, have called on youths in the state to shun any act of violence or lawlessness capable of jeopardising the success of local government elections, which will be conducted by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC in October.

ECPF, in a statement in Sapele, by its Chairman, Chief James Ukulor and others, condemned a statement credited to one Mr. Pius Jorka, alleging imposition of an Itsekiri chairmanship aspirant on the Ijaws, adding that the Ijaw elders, who attended stakeholders meeting ahead of the council polls convened by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the Government House, Asaba, did so without the consent of the generality of the Ijaws.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—13

Bereaved father alleges shoddy investigation into murder case

Delta stops salaries of 17 ghost workers

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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C M Y K

ENIN—FATHER of late Osamuyi Ogbeide, Mr. David Ogbeide, whose son, Osamuyi was allegedly murdered in Obaretin community, Ikpoba/ Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, has appealed to the Assistant Inspector of General, AIG, of Police in charge of Zone 5, Alhaji Hassimu Arugungun, to transfer the case from the Homicide Section to another section in the interest of objectivity and unbiased investigations.

In a petition through his counsel, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, to the AIG, Mr. Ogbeide also called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Oabuohien Unamure, Osamuyi Unamure, Edobor Osayi, Ogbe Osayi, Oduwa Okuonghae, Owadion Ogbeide, Mark Osawe, Bright Ogbomon and Monday Unamure, all from Obaretin community, for the alleged murder of the deceased.

He insisted that the call for the transfer of the case from the Homicide section became imperative because those accused of alleged involvement in the killing, had written a petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police in Abuja, purportedly on his behalf.

He said that consequent upon the alleged petition, policemen came from Abuja and made some arrests on July 3, 2014, adding that the action was, “an interesting script well played out by the said suspects, as the Homicide Department in a dramatic twist released the suspects earlier arrested, which included one Victor Aifuwa and Edobor Osayi.

“It is in the wake of this new twist and unfolding scenario that we deem it proper to say that we have lost confidence and faith in the uncompromising stand of the homicide unit and their ability to get to the root of this very serious case," he said.

5TH CROSS RIVER STATE ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP: From left: Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sport, Mr. Patrick Ugbe; Governor Lyle Imoke of Cross River State; Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham and General Manager, GOtv, Elizabeth Ampka, during the opening ceremony of the 5th Cross River State Athletics Championship sponsored by GOtv in Calabar.

Confab: Disagreements over resource control uncalled for —Bozimo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—FORMER Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, yesterday, warned delegates to the national conference that they may be held responsible for any crisis in the country, if they allow the issue of revenue allocation and resource control destroy all they had achieved so far at the confab.

Bozimo, who spoke to Vanguard, expressed worries that the disagreement among the delegates was uncalled for since the entire deliberations of the conference would still go to the National Assembly or a plebiscite where Nigerians will decide on what to do with the recommendations.

He said: “I have been follow-

ing the events at the confab with very keen interest. I want to congratulate the members for the commendable ways they have gone about their duties. But I want to advise that whatever difficulties or protests that may have arisen from the presentation of the committee report on governance, and resource control, that the conflict should be handled with extreme maturity and caution having regard to the wonderful achievement of the conference so far.

“They should not allow the devolution of power and resource control destroy their efforts because they have achieved a lot. Of course, we are not unmindful that the subject matters

which have to do with devolution of powers, resource control and derivation are the most important to all the groups, but that not withstanding, months of hard work must not be wasted.

More so when we know that the findings of that report are not truly binding because the National Assembly or the people of Nigeria will decide on them in a plebiscite.

“The conference has no powers to make the recommendations over our constitution, neither can it water the constitution. What they are doing is mere recommendation. So, it is not really worthwhile for them to scuttle the beautiful work they have done so that Nigerians would not blame them for causing unnecessary crisis.”

JTF intercepts illegal bunkering barge, arrests 11 suspects

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—OPERATIVES of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, have impounded a barge involved in alleged illegal oil bunkering on the Atlantic fringe of Bayelsa State.

The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre of the JTF, Lt. Col. Mustapha Anka, yesterday, made the disclosure in a statement in Yenagoa.

He said the ocean going barge laden with unspecified quantity of crude oil was intercepted and arrested along Mangbiye Creek in the coastal enclave of Sangana in Brass Local Government Area of the state by men of the Sector 2 antiillegal oil bunkering unit of the special security unit.

Anka added: “The troops deployed at Kalaibiama also discovered one wooden boat and a metal barge filled with stolen crude oil. No arrest was made as the suspects absconded on sighting the troops.

“The troops deployed at Igbomatoro in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, while on patrol discovered and destroyed 23 illegal oil distillery camps, 18 illegal oil dumps, and 34 drums filled with stolen crude.

“Other items discovered and scuttled include six cotonou boats and three pumping machines used for illegal oil bunkering activities. Six suspects were arrested while illegally siphoning products from Ni-

gerian National Petroleum Cooperation, NNPC, pipeline at Okwagbude Community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.”

S A B A — D E LT A State Government, which has been battling with the menace of ghost workers, has said it has stopped the salaries of 17 of such workers, who were discovered to be drawing N50,000 per month illegally.

State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, in a statement in Asaba, said: “The Automatic Fingerprint Identification System, AFIS, of the Delta State Biometric Payroll System, uncovered the 17 staff from the Women Development Committee, WDC and Youth Development Committee scheme, YDC, who were collecting salaries from both agencies.

“Each of the 17 staff receives a monthly stipend of N50,000. Invariably, over N850,000 was being fraudulently received by the workers. The scam was uncovered after the evaluation of the AFIS revealed the identical finger prints of the 17 workers in the two agencies.”

He added that criminal charges may also be brought against the 17 people as government was determined to impose maximum sanction to serve as deterrent to other people involved in fraudulent drawing of salaries from the government.

“The AFIS is an initiative of the government to check fraud in the wages and salaries of civil servants in the state. It is entirely based on the application of Information and Communications Technology, thereby removing the human element and shield the process from manipulation,” he added.

Abandoned corpses for mass burial in A-Ibom

BY TOM MOSES

A

KWA Ibom State Ministry of Health has issued a final warning to members of the public to claim the corpses of their relatives as it intends to carry out mass burial of abandoned corpses in its public health facilities.

The planned mass burial will commence at the Immanuel Hospital, Eket, today,

while that of the General Hospital, Ikot-Ekpene will take place tomorrow and General Hospital, Iquita, Oron, on Friday.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emem-Abasi Bassey, said in a statement, that the decision was aimed at decongesting the public morgues of corpses, especially those that were abandoned for over 10 years.

14 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

FG seeks UN intervention on int'l media coverage for terrorists A

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA—THE Federal Government has called on the United Nations, UN, to check the activities of some international media organisations which give opportunities to terrorist leaders to air their views freely and even send terror messages to the people.

The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, who made the call while receiving the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa, Ambassador Said Djinnit in Abuja, emphasised the need for the global organisation’s intervention in the trend.

The minister also pleaded with the UN to provide the country with more opportunities of sharing knowledge and experiences that would ensure an end to the insecurity problem in Nigeria, especially the Boko Haram insurgency.

Turaki, who said the government believed the Boko Haram sect had Al-qaeda sponsorship, commended the United Nations’ support for Nigeria in tackling the current security challenges.

Commending the efforts of the United Nations in supporting Nigeria to tackle the current

security challenges, the minister said: “I want to use this opportunity to thank you, Sir and truly to convey our unquantifiable gratitude to his Excellency, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and, indeed, the United Nations as a whole. We remain indebted to you for all these efforts.”

The minister said the current efforts to ensure the safe release

of the abducted Chibok school girls were in top gear, adding, the Federal Government was only not only committed to ensuring the safe release of the girls but also to seeing that the insurgents are disarmed, deradicalised and re-integrated back into the society.

He said Nigeria’s efforts were beyond the safe release of the Chibok school girls, adding that

government was working on a plan to permanently deradicalising the insurgents and changing their thinking.

In his remarks, the United Nations’ envoy, Ambassador Said Djinnit, called on all Nigerians, irrespective of political persuasions, to join hands with the Federal Government as the country prepared for 2015 general elections, if the fight against insurgency must be won.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Some students of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, arriving the college after the Acadenic Staff Union of Polythecnics, ASUP, announced the resumption of academic duties nationwide, after almost 10 months strike, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Obiano, others worry over delay in dispensing criminal cases

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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W K A — G OV E R N O R Willie Obiano of Anambra State, yesterday, expressed worry over the delay in the prosecution of kidnap and other criminal cases in the state, urging judges and magistrates to devote six days for handling criminal cases and one day for civil cases to reduce drastically the number of pending criminal cases in the various courts.

This came as the chief judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi, observed that criminal justice delivery in Nigeria had presented a thorny and seemingly intractable problem to the judiciary, while the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Gwary, blamed the delay on the judiciary.

Speaking during the sensitisation workshop on the “Practice Directions of the High Court 2013 for Fast -tracking of Criminal Cases in Anambra State Judiciary” in Awka, the governor observed that the major challenge faced by his administration in fighting crime is the delay in the dispensation of cases.

According to him, it is regrettable that no single case of kidnapping has been fully

disposed of in the state in the past three and half years.

He regretted that most of the kidnap suspects were going about freely and posing a major threat

to those they suspected made it possible for them to be arrested in the first place.

He said there was a funny situation in which suspected

criminals were the ones clamouring that they be charged to court, even when their cases were still being investigated, adding that it showed that there was something wrong somewhere.

Group backs UK's move to probe politicians' links to Boko Haram unsavoury consequences to

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BY SONI DANIEL

BUJA—NIGERIANS have continued to welcome the decision by the United Kingdom to probe the alleged links between terror group, Boko Haram, and some top Nigerian politicians.

One of the groups, Citizens’ Cultural Renaissance Initiative, in a statement made available to Vanguard in Abuja, yesterday, said the move by the UK would

lead to the exposure of those behind the deadly attacks in the country and bring about a safer Nigeria.

In a correspondence addressed to the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the group said it wholeheartedly supported the move, which was also in the UK’s interest, as a destabilised Nigeria by terrorists would, therefore, portend certain

Britain and her efforts against global terrorism.

In the statement jointly signed by the President and Secretary of CICURI, Lawrence Davies and Beke Konya, the organisation noted that for the war against terror to be won by Nigeria, the international community must act to bring to book high profile people with links and sympathies to the terror group.

....As Igbo leaders plan to tackle insurgency in S-East

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BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—THE Igbo Leaders of Thought said yesterday that it has articulated a security awareness programme which the South East Governor’s Forum would work with in order to secure Igboland from Boko Haram insurgents.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and the secretary of the

group, Professor Elo Amucheazi, have been appointed to liaise with the South East governors to fine tune the security programme for the zone.

The group, which made this known in a statement issued by its Deputy Secretary, Evangelist Elliot Uko, in Enugu, however, frowned on the deployment of

northerners as Commissioners of Police in South East states.

The statement read: “The Igbo Leaders of Thought wonders out aloud why all the police commissioners posted to the South East should be Fulani/ Muslims. Are there no police commissioners from the Middle Belt, South South or South West that could be posted to the South East?"

Reps urge IGP to probe Egbema killings

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday urged the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to probe the killing of civilians by suspected cult groups at Egbema, Imo State.

The Reps in plenary, asked the relevant security agencies to immediately provide enough personnel in strategic locations at Egbema.

The members also called on the National Emergency Agency, NEMA, to urgently provide relief materials to the displaced victims of the attacks.

It condemned the attacks in villages and communities at Egbema by the cult groups.

The House’s decision was sequel to a motion moved by Gerald Irona, PDP-Imo, which was unanimously adopted without debate.

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FFS Microfinance Bank debuts in Lagos

BY PROVIDENCE

OBUH AGOS—FFS Microfinance Bank, MFB, Limited will today make its debut into sub-sector with its commissioning in Lagos.

The bank is a state MFB duly incorporated in Nigeria and recently licenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in June 2014 to complement the activities of microfinance banks.

It is to provide banking financial services to small scale entrepreneurs, SMEs, and the active privileged in the society.

Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Iyabosola Basua, disclosed this at a briefing held at the corporate head office at Ogba, Lagos, where she said the bank's target was to become a regional bank by 2021.

Basua said the bank, which operation commenced on July 1, 2014, is fully owned by Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria.

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Vanguard , WEDNESDAY,JULY 16, 2014 — 15

Liberia calls for unconditional release of Chibok school girls zAs Nigeria, Liberia inaugurate joint commission to enhance bilateral ties

BY VICTORIA OJEME &

RAPHAEL IZOKPU BUJA—THE government of Liberia, has condemned in strongest terms, the barbaric terror attacks on innocent Nigerians, including the Boko Haram's group kidnapping of more than 200 innocent girls in Chibok, Borno State on April 14.

Liberian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Augustine Ngafuan, gave the condemnation when he led the Liberian delegation during the inauguration of the NigeriaLiberia Joint Commission aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.

He said: “We call for the unconditional release of the kidnapped girls. Liberia is in full solidarity with the government and people of Nigeria as they grapple with this scourge of terrorism; terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere so we call for a concerted, robust and sustained actions on the part of the international community aimed at assisting Nigeria put an end to this menace.”

Speaking on the bilateral relations, Ngafuan reiterated the need for both countries to take advantage of the opportunities that existed to foster bilateral relations between both countries.

Ngafuan assured of the Liberian government’s resolve to increase economic ties between both countries.

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“Nigeria has always taken Liberia as a sister state. We have come to take a giant leap forward on the path to rekindle, deepen and consolidate the already rooted ties between Nigeria and Liberia.

“Today, we have come to renew our commitment to development and to reactivate the joint commission with instruments that will solidify the bilateral bonds

between our two nations and economic development by forging stronger ties between the private and public sectors of both countries.

“This joint commission will result in heightened cooperation in many areas including education, sustainable agricultural development, commerce, trade and industry,

regional peace and security, the rule of law, transport and civil aviation and health,” he said.

In his remarks, Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, noted that the trade volume between both countries was low, adding that the joint commission would develop a framework to improve the trade relations.

INAUGURATION: From left: Trade and Investments Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Chairman, Bank of Industries Board, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, during the inauguration of the Board by the Minister in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Law school accountant arraigned over alleged N24m fraud

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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B U J A — T H E Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has arraigned the Head of Accounts of Nigerian Law School, Kano Campus, Mohammed Sanusi Musa, before a Federal High Court in Kano for alleged forgery and fraud.

Mallam Musa was alleged to have defrauded the Law school of over N24 million in the course of performing his duties as head of accounts of the school.

In the charge sheet filed by George Lawal, ICPC counsel, the accused person was said to have fraudulently forged Unity Bank Plc cheque leafs of the Law School and collected the sum of over N24 million between June and August, 2011.

Lawal averred that the C offence was contrary to M Y K

Section 1(2)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and punishable under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. In the charge sheet with reference number FHC/K/CR/ 118/2014, Lawal informed the court that between June and August 2011, the accused person forged different cheque

books totaling N24 million with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Musa pleaded not guilty to all the charges, while his counsel, M.B. Danazumi, asked the court to grant his client bail.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Fatun Riman, after listening

to the submission of the two counsels, granted bail to the accused person with the sum of N100 million and two sureties in like sum who must be civil servants on Grade Level 14.

Justice Riman adjourned the case till October 30, for commencement of hearing.

Survey reveals high prevalence of child rape in Nigeria

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BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA—A special opinion poll conducted by the NOIPolls Limited has revealed that there is a high prevalence of child rape in the country.

The special edition snap poll focusing on the recurring issue of child rape was conducted in partnership with the stand to end rape initiative, STER, to provide more information on the subject matter to support all causes

geared towards ending the rape of minors in the country.

It revealed that almost 7 in 10 adult Nigerians, which is 67 per cent, think there is a high prevalence of child rape in the country, while 3 in 10, 31per cent, personally know of a victim of child rape in their local communities. Furthermore, almost 4 in 10, making 36 per cent , were adult Nigerians.

The poll result released

yesterday in Abuja, also revealed that 3 in 10, representing 31 per cent of respondents, personally knew of a victim of child rape in their local communities.

The findings revealed: “Furthermore, almost 4 in 10 36 percent adult Nigerians, representing the majority, claim that most often the offenders involved in the incident of child rape are close family relatives and neighbours, 33 per cent.

FG directs BoI to increase MSMEs' funding

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BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

AGOS—THE federal g o v e r n m e n t yesterday directed the Bank of Industry, BoI, to increase funding to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs. This is in recognition of the contribution of the MSMEs’ sub-sector to the development of the economy.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, who gave the directive at the inauguration of the 4th board of directors of the bank in Abuja yesterday, said that the less than 15 per cent loanable funds to MSMEs was no longer acceptable.

He did not, however, give any percentage but told the new board to review it upward.

....Tasks states on infrastructure master plan

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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A G O S — T O complement effective implementation of National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, NIIMP, the federal government has charged states to drive the NIIMP document, expressing the hope that it will be a better one for Nigerians after the conclusion of the final document.

To achieve this, the NPC scribe enjoined states to develop State Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, SIIMP, which will aggregate their needs and provid the needed integration.

The Secretary, National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, NIIMP, Ntufam Ugbo, made the call while reacting to the National Validation Meeting on the draft National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, NIIMP held, weekend, between the National Planning Commission and States’ Commissioners of Planning with a view to finalising the NIIMP draft.

16— Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Zamfara Assembly in free-for-all over planned N3bn loan

BY SALISU MARADUN

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USAU—THE official mace of the Zamfara State House of Assembly was yesterday broken following a free-for-all on the floor of the House between members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition to propose a bill granting the state government the permission to secure N3 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as members of the opposition PDP strongly rejected the idea saying that the government must first of all, give the break down on how the money would be spent.

The position of the PDP members led to a heated debate on the floor of the house leading to a free-for-all.

The mace which is the symbol of authority of the Assembly was broken to pieces during the melee.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the crisis, the Minority Leader of the House, Ibrahim Dole, said the PDP members were informed on June 23, that there would be a sitting to pass a resolution on the government’s proposal to dispose its N24 billion shares from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company but added that the date was

postponed without their knowledge.

About 19 million units of the shares belonged to the state government and the 14 local government areas of the state.

He said: “And even the day the session was eventually held, some members who were absent were marked present, while some us who were present were marked

absent and above all they failed to produce the order of the proceeding that day.”

Efforts to speak with the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Abubakar Gummi who chaired the sitting proved abortive.

Nasarawa House to serve Al-Makura impeachment notice through media L

BY ABELDANIEL

AFIA—THERE were indications yesterday that the Nasarawa State House of Assembly would serve its impeachment notice on Governor Umar Tanko AlMakura through the media, following alleged inability of the Clerk of the House to serve the governor personally with the notice.

The motion for impeachment proceeding against Al-Makura for gross misconduct, was raised Monday during plenary through a motion brought under urgent matters of public importance by Mohammed Ibaku, PDP, representing Udege/Loko and seconded by Mohammed Okpede, PDP, representing Doma North Constituency.

Addressing reporters yesterday in his office in Lafia,

the state capital, the Clerk of the House, Ego Abashe, said that he had made two attempts to serve the impeachment notice on the governor at the Government House but was prevented by security personnel at the gate.

Abashe further said that following the development, the House would be left with no other option than to serve the governor the notice through the media, since he could not be reached personally.

Vanguard gathered in Lafia that tension had enveloped the state even as fear had gripped Governor Al-Makura's camp since the lawmakers resolved Monday, to set up the impeachment panel to investigate the alleged misconduct.

It was, however, gathered that the lawmakers had since moved

out of the state and relocated to Abuja for security reasons.

The Chairman of House Committee on Information and Security, Mohammed Ibaku, accused Al-Makura of allegedly siphoning so much money from government coffers, hence he had consequently lost the morality to continue in office.

He also stressed that the governor had planted his cohorts in key government departments to pilfer public funds, even as state and local government funds amounting to over N2 billion had been misappropriated by the governor.

According to Ibaku, the government was also being served impeachment notice over alleged misappriation of SUREP and flood victims’ funds sent to the state by the Federal Government in 2012 among other charges.

Sambo leads FG's delegation to Wada over father's death

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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OKOJA—A Federal Government delegation yesterday paid a condolence visit to Kogi State governor, Capt. Idris Wada, rtd, following the death of his father, Pa Ejiga Wada.

The government delegation was led by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

They visited the governor at his country home in Odu, Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

Sambo who said he represented President Goodluck Jonathan on the occasion, prayed to God to grant Wada’s family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Other personalities who visited the governor yesterday were the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, President of Dangote group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote among other top personalities.

The deputy governor, Mr. Awoniyi also described the death of Pa Wada, as a loss to the state, adding that the people would greatly miss his wealth of experience.

AREMO SEGUN OSOBA'S 75TH BIRTHDAY IN ABEOKUTA PIX: WUMI AKINOLA

Prince Segun Adesegun, State Deputy Governor on arrival at the ceremony.

Chief Olu Agemo, factional Chairman, All Progressives Prince Segun Adesegun, Deputy Governor of Ogun State (6th left) and others, cutting the cake Congress, APC, Ogun State (right), Hon. Kunle Adeyemi to mark the 75th birthday of Aremo Segun Osoba, at his Ibara Housing Estate residence in (left), holding the 75th birthday portrait of the former Ogun Abeokuta, yesterday.

State governor, Aremo Segun Osoba, and others at the event.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 17

18— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 NIGERIANS read for profit. Not for most Nigerians the studious attitude with which people read books and newspapers in countries. The difference is not in the literacy level, as some are wont to suggest.

Nigerians, except for a few, consider reading an unprofitable venture.

The attitude has infected schools. Our future leaders – our children – are growing up with even less attraction to books and serious reading. They like to watch television, especially the addictive cartoon channels. They surf the internet for “chatting”, social networking, various levels of entertainment and satisfaction of their other curiosities. Their “leisure” leaves them with little time to search for knowledge in books.

A nation whose young and old wallow in banalities, showing little quality interest in useful information and education is obviously doomed. Years ago under the Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, a ministerial nominee under-going Senate screening did not know that NEEDS stood for National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy.

NEEDS had just been launched as the administration’s roadmap to revive a

Reviving Our Reading Culture private sector-driven economy. The nominee, an economist, said NEEDS meant the difference between human needs and human wants! He failed the screening.

Many people in high offices do not read and are uninformed about happenings around them. Yet they are decision-makers, and many of them confidently pontificate ill-digested concepts they want to impose on the society, mainly ideas already overtaken by current knowledge.

We must make conscious efforts to return our citizenry to reading. We must re-ignite interest in the search for knowledge over the race for material acquisitions. Those who cannot read should not lead. Those who cannot read, cannot write because

there is no knowledge to pass on to others, and no intellectual equipment with which to transmit it. We must support the work of several private organisations, such as the Rainbow Book Club, which launched “Revive the Library” campaign and most recently realised the making of Port Harcourt the 2014 World Book capital.

The club has been able to draw the attention to their book reading activities to revamp the appetite of young people in books. We need more book clubs for the task ahead. Every support should be given to efforts to get our people to read. It starts with parents reading; the children would follow the example. Government, through policies, should ensure books are affordable.

A major challenge for younger readers is the distraction the internet serves.

Rainbow Book Club should extend its campaign to online reading of books, and use of virtual libraries.

Knowledge is power. Those who are blindly chasing money today would one day discover that those who pursued knowledge through close contact with books would decide what happens to society.

OPINION

BY ERNEST OMOARELOJIE

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NEVER gave a thought to the idea that I could be a teacher. But teach I did when I could not secure a job years after completing my national service. For five years, I did the little I could in preparing young minds for post-tertiary institution examinations.

Until journalism took me away from the classroom, I derived great pleasure in seeing those young faces look up to me almost in awe as I impacted knowledge on them. Years later, I got a joyful surprise when a young lady ran up and gave me a bear hug at, of all places, Oshodi, Lagos. She turned out to be one of the many young people who went through my tutelage. To put it mildly, I felt like a king for the rest of that day, convinced that I played my part in a profession that has all the hallmark of the divine given its contribution to the relevance of every generation or civilisation.

Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that given the teachers' noble efforts, there ought to be no debate on the need for them to get the best in terms of societal reverence, remuneration and or pecks of duty. Sadly, whereas this is the case in civilised climes, the situation in Nigeria has tended to run along the opposite direction, advertised mainly by the regularity of the ding-dong battle between them and governments, both at the state and federal levels. The result is that Nigerians are now more familiar with teacher's strike than they are with power supply.

But efforts to right the ugly trend have not been in short supply given that all levels

Oshiomhole's Olive branch governments appear committed to the search for both a lasting solution and the need to turn education sector around for the better with Edo State government demonstrating a very remarkable determination thus far. For instance, as part of its quest for a lasting solution, the Oshiomhole administration initiated the teachers' competency policy intended to ensure that the sectoral reform heralded by the construction of new school buildings and provision of other relevant infrastructure across the state, also took into account the very vital issue of individual teacher's readiness to function professionally. The initiative became imperative following the discovery that a number of those claiming to be teachers were neither qualified nor in possession the requisite professional qualification to function as such. Unfortunately, instead of embracing the proposal, the teachers, prompted by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hurled bricks at it, the same way they attack even the noblest policy decision of the state government. In the end, they reduced the proposal to a design deliberately orchestrated by the administration to witch-hunt or retrench them. No explanation to the contrary would ease their opposition, hence amicable solution became virtually impossible.

However, while negotiations remained ongoing, stake holders mounted pressure on the administration that reversing the proposal will be of more benefit to all.

Arguably to demonstrate that the

administration has not reneged on its letthe-people-lead mantra, the state governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, did the needful and cancelled the decision on Thursday, July 3, 2014.

As part of the design to end the long drawn battle with the teachers, the Governor also announced that the 936 teachers whose names were deleted from payroll over certificate forgeries and age falsifications would not only have their names restored but also be paid outstanding salaries.

Thirdly, he declared that public school teachers will now benefit from the state's relativity pay. For members of the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, who were at the meeting, the largely unexpected offer was an "Olive Branch" that is worthy of comnendation.

Long before the coming of the Oshiomhole administration, education in the state was in a mess. Undoubtedly, there was the need to bring dignity to the sector. It took no time before the administration began to initiate deliberate policies to standadise the quality of the sector's physical infrastructure as well as its human capacity. Thus, having built schools for which it received plaudits, the administration moved to the next stage of auditing the quality of teachers manning its classrooms. Not unexpectedly, the move unearthed an endemic rot that required urgent surgical cleansing, hence the decision to conduct the now rested competency test. Unfortunately, the move resulted in an unusually illogical and

politicised resistance orchestrated, as earlier pointed out, by the opposition.

In taking the obviously magnanimous step of cancelling the test, the administration also announced the adoption of a corresponding policy which emphasises training and re-training for both teachers and the state's other workforce with the hope it will provide the impetus needed to ginger them into reciprocating the gesture.

One can only hope that calm will return to the sector very soon, after all, to whom much is given, much more is expected.

But while waiting for calm to return, it must be noted there is a tinge of hypocrisy in some of the teachers' demands that snowballed into the deadlock that has just been broken by the cancellation announced by the Governor. Part of their demand is that they also must be paid the relativity pay. The disparity came into force when the Federal Government introduced the Teachers Special Allowance, TSA. With it, the salary of a teacher in, for instance grade level 8 step 2, became bigger by 25 per cent than that of a fellow public servant of the same category in another branch of the state's public service.

In an attempt to bridge the differential, the state governmen introduced the relativity pay to bridge the gap between the allowances earned by the teachers and their other public service counterparts. *Mr. Omoarelojie, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014— —19

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HE Nigerian Medical Association called out its members on yet another strike about two weeks ago. The NMA is, no doubt, one of the most strikeprone associations in the country. Even though members of the NMA are among the most elitist professional groups in the country, anyone unfamiliar with them would be excused to think they are a group of wageearning blue collar jobbers given the frequency of strike by its members. Generally the medical sector of Nigeria is crisis-prone.

Now it is the NMA that called out its members, on other occasions it would be the resident doctors that would be raining brimstone on Nigerians. Anyhow you want to look at it Nigerian doctors under whatever professional umbrella or association have been pulling their weight in manners not many Nigerians would appreciate. One doesn't need to conduct a survey to know that medical professionals, especially medical doctors, were historically among the most admired Nigerians. That fond image of medical doctors as benign, easy-going people has no doubt undergone serious

transformation in the last one and half decades.

The Nigerian doctor is no more that friendly looking, accommodating, even avuncular professional. Today's doctor must be that shabbilydressed, gaunt-looking individual you are likely to meet in a small, dinghy room in a public or private health facility that is ready to turn you away at the slightest opportunity where they are not actively seeking your death with their wrong prognosis or in fact forgetting some sharp object inside your body after butchering you in the name of conducting a medical surgery.

Their eyes are forever now trained on how much they can make the patient part with while not being too bothered with their wellbeing. Even those in public institutions insist on some form of payment first before attending to people in need of emergency attention. Their Hippocratic Oath doesn't seem to amount to much in the face of their drive for immediate material or monetary gain. This is the image, one drawn by the crisis of the medical sector, which many

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Nigerians have of medical doctors today. Theirs is a sector that has been left prostrate by diverse kinds of unprofessional conduct, including seemingly unending strikes and trade disputes.

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hus, to hear of another doctors' strike is to leave Nigerians with loved ones, patients, in our poorly-resourced medical facilities apprehensive. The consequences of such strikes are often dire and irreversible. A doctors' strike unlike strikes by other sector workers is often a death sentence. This leaves many baffled why doctors so often resort to the strike option where there are less severe avenues for expression of professional grievances. The strike is certainly the best option open to doctors in the sense that it is the most effective to make our usually unresponsive government see the need to talk with and accede to their demands. These demands are in fact often based on agreements reached with but not honoured by government. Which means the doctors many times have

How Yaba TV showcases Nigeria, Africa in USA

BY ELIZABETH YIABA

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S Africans in America, no one can tell our own stories like we live it. Other people may read about Africa, visit Africa or do business in Africa, but no one can represent us like ourselves. Although there are huge different ethnic groups, cultures and countries, Africa has unique values that have not yet been told in a balanced perspective by the Western media, thus the birth of the Yaba TV Show.

For decades, the Western media has had negative connotations about Nigeria and Africa as a whole due mainly to corruption and mismanagement. Yaba TV Show was therefore born to enlighten the public and spark interest about the rich developing economy and culture in Nigeria and other African countries. In order to present Nigeria and Africa in the light, 80 percent of the show’s guests are Nigerians.

The Yaba TV Show concept The Yaba TV Show is a growing frontier of African cultural diversity and education at its very best in Southern California. The programme is culturally and diversely designed to bridge the gap between cultures based on first-hand-knowledge and what the Western media had fed their audience with over the years. The Show addresses the differences and similarities between African and African American cultures.

It highlights exclusive grassroots footages of the different cultures, traditions, family values, morals, beliefs, investment opportunities, business, tourism ideas, and special events of Africa. The Show started on Christmas Day December 25, 1992. At that time it reached 300,000 homes in Southern California, and today the it is reaching 6.2 million households in Southern California at prime-time and millions more through our online media channels.

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The Show currently airs at 7:30 pm on Sundays on Channel 18 KSCI and 15 other local cable channels in Southern California.

Guests of the Show include many nationalities and intellects that have visited Africa, or are currently in business with Africa, or are well knowledgeable to disseminate valuable information about Africa based on their experiences and encounters with African nationals. It also educates children that are born in the United States of America by African parents who have not had an opportunity to visit, or those who have moved to the United States and are novice to the American lifestyles. It also educates African -Americans with the core values and traditions of the African family, while providing vibrant entertainment to all viewers.

Some guests and appearances of the Show include singer, Stevie Wonder; the late popstar, Michael Jackson; (to welcome the former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings at a dinner banquet held at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel for the President in November of 1994); former President of Sierra Leone, the late Tijan Kabba; former First-Lady of Nigeria, Turai Omaru Yar'Adua at her visit to Houston Texas in 2008; current First-Lady of Sierra Leone, Sia Koroma at her visit to Los Angeles in 2009; Founder and President of Dr. Martin Luther King Parade, the late Larry E. Grant; former Los Angeles County Supervisor, Yvonne Braithwaite Burke; former Congresswoman Diane Watson; former Chief of Police Willie Williams; Councilman Bernard Parks, Dr. Mal Fobi; Dr. Lawrence Lasisi, Dr. Vicky Anakwenzi, Dr Olukemi Wallace, Dr. Adeyinka Shoroye, Cecilia Onunkwo, Attorney at Law, business professionals; many entertainers and other influential people.

One of the most memorable shows of the Yaba TV Show was not with celebrities or influential politicians but with Nigerian children. The topic was “Nigerian Children born

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Doct or s' strik e: Go Doctor ors' strike: Govvernment, ASUU and allied associations

The problem is that government officials have politicised matters in the health sector where nonmedical officials are deliberately pitched against medical doctors

justice on their side when they fight the authorities. But frequent strikes cannot be the best way for conflict resolution in their case.

Although the most effective tool of engaging government attention is the strike option, it is also the worst that doctors could possibly employ from a public relations perspective. Its consequences are often irreversible not withstanding the grounds for it.

In fact, many of the reasons for the NMA strikes like the reasons the Academic Staff Union of Universities go on strike are not only similar but also well known.

High up on the list of grievances is the extremely deplorable condition of public medical facilities, the near-total neglect of the medical sector where just about five per cent of the country's annual budget is deployed and most of it for recurrent expenditure.

These facts are too clear to be disputed or denied. Yet our governments down the years manage to ignore them. What they want the public to see is that aspect of the doctors' demands having to do with remuneration and social regard that portray them as unreasonable and greedy. With the ongoing strike, the picture that comes through is that doctors want more pay and want to be the first and last in hospitals. Other professionals can't head medical institutions or bear titles like consultants. But the fact is more complex than this.

The problem is that government officials have politicised matters in the health sector where non-medical officials are deliberately pitched against medical doctors. Doctors should not and cannot monopolise control of hospitals but as a group they are the fulcrum of activities in the hospitals and should enjoy the best in terms of remuneration and other rewards given their

For decades, the Western media has had negative connotations about Nigeria and Africa as a whole due mainly to corruption and mismanagement; Yaba TV Show was therefore born to enlighten the public and spark interest about the rich developing economy and culture in Nigeria and other African countries

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years of training, etc. To make them answerable to people with lesser training or professional qualifications or in fact put them in position where their authority as experts is questioned by nonexperts appointed as heads of departments or units under whatever titles is totally wrong.

Yet government officials do things like these just to spite them or deflect from the attention they enjoy.

There is nothing wrong where other professionals are rewarded along their own sector and in line with the demands of their jobs.

But to insist on extending to them certain incentives simply because doctors enjoy these is an invitation to anarchy. It is the same divide-and-conquer tactics government officials employ with ASUU where members of non-academic senior staff associations and their junior counterparts in universities insist on similar incentives and rewards accruing to academic staff even when the professional qualifications, years of training, requirements for promotion, etc, are different. Like in medical facilities where doctors are the central figures, activities in universities revolve around academic staff and their students, not the ancillary nonacademic staff who are essentially support staff. But the reality in the public universities now is that the non-academic staff have relatively better conditions of service, allowances and other incentives than far better trained academic staff.

They are put in positions where they countermand orders and question claims of better trained academics even in academic matters!

the Yaba TV Show for bringing diverse panelists to the show that helped put her fear away. She added that many other Nigerian children who felt that fear were relieved after watching the show. These children are our tomorrow’s movers and shakers of the society and the proper foundation matters as to how they become contributing members of their countries.

Another memorable show titled “The Role of Grandparents in Africa” brought together African grandparents, one from Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana and an African-American grandparent. The Nigerian grandparent expressed that she gladly babysits her grandchildren without being paid. She also added that this gives her the opportunity to pass on her family value to the grandchildren and teach them her language. The African-American grandparent interjected and said: “There are other grandparents out there who have the time for their grandchildren but I don’t want to be tied down”. After that show many Nigerian elders took the time to send letters thanking the Yaba TV Show for bringing the consciousness of Africa to the comfort of their homes. Others expressed that when they are homesick, the show brings some comfort to them.

Nigeria as the most known African country in America and the world and most populated nation in Africa has exclusive cultures in many aspects including respect, costume, value of education and family values( you are bound to see more legally married Nigerian couples than any other nationals).

The Yaba TV Show has been showcasing all these positive aspects of Nigeria in California with a short-term goal of connecting with Nigeria and acquiring a television spot on one of the networks to showcase NigerianAmericans lifestyle abroad and what Nigerians need to know about living outside Nigeria.

in America”. That show had guests of mixed feelings; some had fear of going to Nigeria for the first time, some had plans to visit with their parents, others had visited Nigeria and can’t stop talking about their experiences, whereas others don’t want to go at all. One of the kids that had visited Nigeria called Ifeoma, demonstrated how they taught her how to sweep the floor with broom and for the first time she learned how to cook egusi soup. She proudly bragged about the things she learned and how she did not know them in America but her grandmother showed her. She also talked about the love she experienced and how she made friends and was embraced. At the end of the show one of the children who had fear to visit Nigeria based on what she had heard and *Ms Yiaba, Managing Director of Yaba TV seen on the mainstream media, with on and Show, wrote from Abuja off electricity, the heat, and security of visitors, were all wiped out and she confidently thanked

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

When ‘1000’ tricycle operators marched against police extortion •KNOOWAAS, ATOODAS threaten to pull out of MTUN/AOWAN

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO, Onitsha

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C M Y K

*Some of the placard-wielding protesters. INSET: Some Keke Marwa waiting for passengers nuna (aka War Material) Station, Fegge, the DPO, port Union of Nigeria/Auhad noted that the collaboRabiu Garba was not on tobike Owners Welfare Asration of CD was as a reseat to receive them but sociation of Nigeria, sult of the high level of inthey dropped their plac- MTUN/AOWAN, for what timidation and extortion ards and left for Okpoko they termed as lack of conbeing meted out to the triPolice Division where the fidence in the leadership cycle operators in the state, DPO, Emeka Ugwu, CSP, of the umbrella union adding that it was quite unadvised them to shun any executive. fortunate that the police criminal act.

In a protest, and local government offiUgwu who promised to KNOOWAAS stated that cials are being used investigate the extortion although they are nursing against their members. and harassment allega- the feelings that their eventions against some police- tual pull out from NTUN/ The protest men under the Division, AOWAN could generate (was) a 1,000described them as partners industrial disharmony and in progress and assured possible blood shed, they man-march them that the police would had almost concluded aragainst harassnot harass, extort or intim- rangement to go ahead bement, intimidaidate their members un- cause MTUN/AOWAN necessarily. had failed woefully to imtion, extortion The DPO who immedi- plement the agreement and unlawful ately ordered the release contained in a Memoranarrests and deof a tricyle and a motorcy- dum of Understanding, cle belonging to their mem- MoU, binding them totentions of added that any of gether. members by the bers, them arrested for minor The Chairman, Board of police offence would be entitled Trustees, BoT of to bail before being KNOOWAAS, Chief Uzor and Ezeanuna charged to court, while Ezeanuna who disclosed therefore demanded that those arrested for serious this to newsmen in Onitthe local government offences like robbery, kid- sha during the protest, said should liberate the tricycle napping, murder or rape MTUN/AOWAN was in operators from the hands of would be charged to court existence as an umbrella motorcyclists by giving after investigations, since union for commercial mothem direct authority to sell such offence are not bail- torcyclists before their revenue tickets by able.

KNOOWAAS came up as themselves, instead of an The union, under the ae- a separate body during the external body, adding that gis of Keke-Napep Own- emergence of tricyle. But since most of tricycles are ers and Operators Welfare at a stage, MTUN/ being run under hire pur- Association of Anambra AOWAN forced chase, no body should force State, KNOOWAAS, had KNOOWAAS and the Asthem to belong to the mo- barely two months ago sociation of Tricycle Opertorcycle union or even threatened to pull out of ators, Owners and Dealers operate under them. their umbrella mother Anambra State, At the Divisional Police union, Motorcycle Trans- ATOODAS to come under them.

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OMMERCIAL activities were grounded in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, following a peaceful demonstration embarked upon by members of Keke NAPEP drivers association, in collaboration with members of the Campaign for Democracy, CD, a human rights group.

During the demonstration which lasted from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m., the placardwielding protesters gathered at the popular Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS Roundabout, from where they proceeded to Onitsha South Local Government Council, Divisional Police Stations, Fegge; Okpoko and Awada, among other places they considered strategic.

Describing the protest as a 1,000-man-march against harassment, intimidation, extortion and unlawful arrests and detentions of their members, by the police, allegedly working for their opponents, some of the inscriptions in their placards read in part: “Keke people are Nigerian citizens”, “Some cabals are using the police to force us buy their tickets”, “When did the police become Keke managers?”, among others.

At the Onitsha South Council Secretariat, Woliwo, the Secretary to the local government, Sylvanus Mgbechukwu, who addressed them on behalf of the Council Chairman, Lady Ann Chukwuneke, said the council has just set up a five-man committee to look into the complaints of the tricycle operators.

Mgbechukwu therefore urged them to exercise patience and wait for the recommendations of the committee, since it would not be proper for them to stampede the council into meeting their demands within few days after their demonstrations.

Earlier, the SouthEast Zonal Chairman of CD, Dede Uzor A. Uzor and leader of the tricycle operators, Chief Donatus Ezea-

,

Apapa-Oshodi traffic nightmare

BY EBELE ORAKPO

, which kind hold-up be this? Our lives are “KAIbeing cut short instalmentally and we behave

as if all is well,” commented Mike this Monday morning as the commuter bus passing through Boundary Road to Mile 2 stood at one point for over 30 minutes without moving an inch.

“This is junior hold-up. If you had passed this route last week, you would have realised that this is nothing compared to what we have been passing through for weeks now. As at last week, some people were spending over six hours or more in traffic, especially on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway so we should just thank God for the government that gave tanker drivers ultimatum to leave the road or face dire consequences,” said Nike.

“It was a daily occurrence. People were leaving home as early as 4.30am to get to their places of work at least before 10am but sometimes, they don’t make it. It was horrible,” commented Julia.

“Really? Leaving home by 4.30am? That is very risky. What if they are attacked by robbers? Maybe 6.30 to 6.00am would have been more like it,” said Angela, to which Nike replied thus: “Yes, in a sane society. But I know some people who leave home by 7.00am and don’t get to work until 4.00pm; tell me what such a person will be able to accomplish at work?”

“Not only were we forced to sit in the vehicle for hours but were also forced to inhale the stench. The whole place was a mess. The tanker drivers actually turned the Mile-2/ Wharf end of the express road to their rest room. You could smell and see faeces and urine all over the place,” said Angela.

“Will you really blame them? There are no public toilets around, so they have no choice than to drop both the solid and the liquid substances on the newly paved road,” said Julia.

The vehicles began to move again and then a big truck coming in the opposite direction blocked the flow.

“Are you insane? How can you park here, blocking others?” asked Mike looking angrily at the truck driver who calmly replied thus: “Wetin you wan make I do? Na me say make them carry all the tank farms come put for Lagos? We no get choice o, we must come to lift products from here.”

“Kwarai da gaskiya mallam. That is the simple truth. The guy is very right. They need fuel and the only place to get it is Lagos; so to Lagos they must come and they will not leave until they are loaded.

Some of them spend weeks before loading. This problem can be solved if our railway is functional or on the alternative, the products could be taken to the North via underground pipes,” said Ade. “Pipes? So that you give vandals more opportunities to vandalise the pipes and steal petroleum products?” asked Tim. “If only our refineries are working at full capacity, we won’t be facing this problem,” stated Mike.

“Only one refinery is functional in Nigeria and that is the one in Lagos,” said James tongue-in-cheek.

Replied Ade: “Lagos does not have refinery but tank farms.” “Exactly! That is the refinery I am referring to. The owners of the tank farms are untouchables in the society; so they can get away with putting us through hell everyday just so that they can make their money. I bet you, if it were a common man’s business causing this headache, he would have been crushed together with his business,” said James.

“Why can’t they relocate the tank farms? It’s not as if they don’t have enough funds to do that, it’s just impunity,” said Tim. “They can relocate to Ikorodu, Ondo, Badagry and other places in other parts of the country to decongest Lagos. Let Lagos contend with containers alone,” added Tim. “Even that can be decentralized. After all we have seaports in other parts of the country,” said Mike.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 21

CBN’s July 31 deadline on recapitalisation not feasible — ABCON

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From left: Ms. Cheo Hock Kuan, Head Strategic Relations & Corporate Affairs at Temasek of Singapore and Mr. Uche Orji, Managing Director &CEO Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority during the former’s business visit.

SINGLE CURRENCY: Nigeria meets all primary criteria in 2013, says CBN C

entral Bank Deputy Governor, Economic Policies Dr Sarah Alade, said Nigeria was the only country that met the four primary convergence criteria for attaining single currency in west African region. Alade disclosed this at the 37th Technical Committee meeting of the West African Monetary Zones (WAMZ), in Abuja.

The four primary criteria include single-digit inflation rate at the end of each year and a fiscal deficit of not more than four per cent of the GDP. Others are a central bank deficitfinancing of not more than 10 per cent of the previous year’s tax revenues and Gross External Reserves that can give import cover for a minimum of three months.

“It is important to recall that the deadline for the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) countries to achieve monetary integration was set at January 1, 2015. Also, the modified revenue approach under the aegis of ECOWAS was approved by assembly of heads of states and government to replace the two track approach to monetary integration in ECOWAS for January 1 2020. It is imperative for the technical committee to thoroughly interrogate the issues and identify the key challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve the objective of single currency

in our sub region.

“This exercise is very importance given the state of the macro economic convergence in the WAMZ where Nigeria is the only country that satisfy all four criteria in 2013.”

According to her, Liberia and Sierra Leone satisfied three out of the four criteria. She said that there had been consistent challenge of year-to-year compliance of the criteria by the

member states.

Alade said that discussions in the meeting would focus on WAMZ macro-economic development and convergence report, WAMZ state of preparedness for monetary integration and review of contribution proficiency to West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) budget. Others were proposal for the transformation of WAMI into WAMZ commission, WAMZ payment

system development project progress update, West African capital market integration and other administration issues, she said.

Dr Nelson Magbagbeola, Acting Director of Multilateral Surveillance, ECOWAS Commission, said that the commission was committed to the integration, inclusive growth and development of the region.

NAHCO Aviance, Customs collaborate on 24-hour cargo service

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance) has begun 24hours cargo operations as it has reached agreement with the Nigerian Customs Service to extend its hours of operation at the Lagos Airport Cargo complex. This is coming just as the authorities of nahco aviance have said that it has not stopped the clearing of goods in its warehouse.

The company said the clarification became necessary due to insinuations going round that it had stopped clearance of goods in its warehouse as a result of a disagreement between foreign airlines and customs – licenced clearing agents. It said its export and import warehouses are open for business.

With this round the clock service nacho now operates 24 hours in all its areas of operations such as ramp and passenger services as well as maintenance department .

According to the Managing Director/CEO

of nahco aviance, Mr. Kayode OluwasegunOjo “ With the commencement of the 24 hours cargo operations by nahco aviance, there would be prompt facilitation of cargoes. This would reduce the stockpiling of cargo at the tarmac and bulk breaking areas and will also lead to proper maximization of cargo potentials thus expediting on timely delivery to customers.”

To facilitate this new scheme, nacho presented furnished portakabin and other items to the Airport Custom command.

Receiving the items, the Customs Area Comptroller, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Mr. Tajudeen Olanrewaju thanked nacho and advised his men to put the facilities to optimum use.

NAHCO Aviance MD, Mr. Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo, who led other management staff of the company to the formal handing – over of the facilities to Customs, thanked the Service for the excellent relationship that has existed between the two organisations over the years.

he Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) said on Monday in Lagos that the July 31 deadline for its members to shore up their capital base was not feasible. The association’s President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, in a statement appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline by at least 12 months.

The statement said that such an extension had been a tradition

by CBN in any recapitalisation exercise. Besides, the association urged the CBN to reduce the new minimum capital base for the subsector to N15 million from N35 million. “The deadline for compliance should not be less than one year as it is the tradition of the CBN in any recapitalisation exercise.

“We also recommend that the mandatory caution deposit should be eliminated as there is no justification for such. BDCs are not deposit taking organisations; we operate on cash and carry basis. We pay for CBN dollars two days in advance. So there is no need for such deposits,” the statement quoted Gwadabe as saying.

It said that if CBN left the mandatory caution deposit at N35 million, it would force many of the BDC operators into liquidation.

The statement said the new requirements for BDC operations could empower few operators in the sub-sector, adding that ABCON also rejected the decision of the apex bank to limit the weekly dollar sale to BDCs.

166.85

-2.55

3,112.00

-12.00

17.55

-0.26

110.25

-0.39

103.49

-0.57

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

154.73 264.8978 210.4173 173.0954 1.5192 0.3029 238.5186 24.9395 41.2558 28.2179 238.8876

CENTRAL SELLING 155.23 265.7538 211.0973 173.6548 1.5241 0.3129 239.2893 25.0205 41.3891 28.3091 239.6596

155.73 266.6098 211.7772 174.2141 1.529 0.3229 240.0601 25.1015 41.5225 28.4003 240.4315

CBN Exchange rate as at 15/07/2014

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

, INSURAN

Leadway Assurance asset hits N100bn, pays over N10.9bn in claims

By CHIMEZIE CYNTHIA

L

EADWAY Assurance Company Limited has recorded impressive growth in the Group’s assets for the year ended December 31, 2013 as the figure grew to N101.2 billion.

This represents 47 percent growth from N68.8 billion recorded in the preceding year.

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to its clients by paying Claims in excess of N10.9 billion, a 51 percent increase from the N7.2 billion posted in 2012.

Laying the report before the shareholders at the 42 annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, the chairman, Mallam Umar Yahaya, said the N10.9 billion claims’ payout is continuing evidence of the promise that the company has kept to its customers over the years.

Although 2013 figures are still emerging, Leadway Assurance has traditionally remained the single highest claims’ paying insurance company in the industry, closing the year with a balance sheet size that remained strong at N97.1billion in 2013 with tradeable reserves (insurance funds) of N49.7 billion, the highest yet in the insurance industry, he stated.

“Competition remains rife within the insurance industry with key dynamic players challenging and changing the way we do business and putting us on our heels not only to consolidate, but also to surpass our current achievements if we are to stay ahead in 2014,” Yahaya added.

He further stated that the company, is positioning itself to benefit from NAICOM’s MDRI following the release of operational guidelines on microinsurance, and has started rolling out new products, while extending its markets through new channels in order to take advantage of emerging trends and compete favorably with numerous competitors in the industry.

Established 44 years ago, Leadway is a composite insurance company underwriting both Life and General Insurance business with 21 branches spread across Nigeria. It also offers subsidiary financial services like Bonds, Secured Credit, Miscellaneous financial losses and Fund/Portfolio management.

With core values of i-SCORE meaning; Integrity, Service, Costumer focus, Openness, Respect-for-the-individual and Excellence,

NAICOM approves Mansard micro-insurance products

M

ansard Insurance Plc has secured approval from the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, to roll out microinsurance products in Nigeria, hence becoming one of the first to run micro-insurance business.

Micro insurance products are insurance products designed to be appropriate for the low income market in relation to cost, policy terms, coverage and delivery mechanism.

NAICOM classifies microinsurance policies to cover little risks and therefore, exclude special risks like motor insurance (except tricycles and motorcycles), professional indemnity and other pecuniary risks with sums insured higher than N1 million.

The Commission noted that for any company to get approval to carry out micro-insurance business, its products must be simple, affordable and valuable.

The underwriter said in a C M Y K

statement that its micro-insurance products are aimed at delivering insurance coverage to Nigerians of all walks of life irrespective of their location or socio-economic class and by this approval, adding that by the approval, it has become one of the first underwriting firms to be granted approval to carry out micro insurance business.

One of Mansard’s microinsurance offerings is the Mansard Instant Plan (MIP), a very simple plan which provides life and accident insurance cover to the policy holder. For as little as an annual premium of N1,000, the plan promises a sum assured of N100,000 cover for permanent disablement or demise and up to N10,000 for medical expenses in case of accidents. Medical test is not required to buy this policy and it can be obtained at all Mansard Insurance consumer touch points nationwide, the company added in the statement.

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How much life insurance do you need?

By BARBARA MARQUAND

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ertainly some insurance coverage is better than nothing, but how much is enough?

There is no simple formula that can answer that question. Most people purchase life insurance to replace income they would have provided their families, but simply multiplying your income by a certain number does not provide a complete estimate for how much your family will need. And if you are a parent, you likely need life insurance even if you do not work outside the home and earn an income. You should have enough coverage in that case to cover the cost of services you provide the family for free, such as child care.

The time you spend now to think through your family’s needs will pay off later if the unexpected happens.

Follow these five steps to estimate how much life insurance to buy: Calculate your final expenses.

The national median cost of a funeral in 2012 was $7,045, not including the cost for the cemetery, marker, crematory fees or flowers, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

Other final expenses include your uncovered medical bills and estate-settlement fees. Typically your final expenses will be about N1.2 million ($15,000) or 4 per cent of your estate, the LIFE Foundation, an insurance industry group, says.

Add up your debts. How much do you owe?

Removing the debt load will enable your family to breathe easier when you are no longer around to help shoulder the burden.

Total up all your outstanding debt, including: Credit card balances, Car loans, Mortgage, Private student loans,

Home equity loans Estimate ongoing expenses.

How much annual income would your loved ones need to maintain their lifestyle if you died tomorrow? Consider the cost of all the things they’ll

,

,

Most people purchase life insurance to replace income they would have provided their families, but simply multiplying your income by a certain number does not provide a complete estimate for how much your family will need

The college board’s website features more information about college costs and what to expect

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need — clothing, food, utilities, school fees, children’s activities, transportation, home maintenance, child care, health care, insurance and other expenses. Now subtract income they would get from other sources, such as your spouse. Then multiply the result by a factor based on the number of years they would need the income, advises the LIFE Foundation: For 10 years, multiply the figure by 8.8 15 years, multiply by 12.4 20 years, multiply by 15.4 25 years, multiply by 18.1 30 years, multiply by 20.4 Multiplying by the factor helps you estimate the amount of capital you need today to meet future needs, the foundation says.

The factors are based on an annual 6 percent investment return and annual 3 percent inflation rate for living expenses.

Account for long-term financial needs.

Estimate the cost of any long-term expenses, such as the cost of college for your children.

The average price of education varies widely by school. The average annual cost of tuition and fees for the 2013-14 school year was $30,094 at private colleges, $8,893 for in-state students at public colleges and $22,203 for out-of-state students at state

Nigeria Re unfolds new roadmap for g

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

N

igeria Reinsurance Corporation, (Nigeria Re) has unveiled plans to reclaim and sustain its leadership in the reinsurance market.

The company in a statement after a week’s retreat tagged, “Strategic Road Map for Nige- ria Reinsurance Corporation” where the new roadmap was unfolded, said it has a time frame of ten years starting from 2014 to 2024 and would be reviewed every five years for improvement where necessary.

Nigeria Re, the statement noted provided reinsurance services on property, casualty, oil and gas/energy, engineering, bond, aviation, marine and life risks with coverage in Africa, Middle East and Asia.

“The new roadmap, with the charge, to be a profitable global player in the reinsurance mar- ket is designed to place Nigeria Re back on track among the leading reinsurance compa- nies in the world. The compa- ny’s new mission statement is to strategically align internal and external partnerships effectively using loyalty principles as a guiding key towards the realisation of the charge”,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 —

,

CE & YOU

Only half of female drivers said they had changed a tire before, and a third said they would not even know how

23

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By KAREN AHO

W

Subtract financial resources Now consider the financial resources from which your family could draw.

This would include any other life insurance coverage you have, such as group life insurance through your employment. It would also include any savings and investments you have, other than those for retirement. Now add up the totals from steps one through four. From this sum, subtract the financial resources your family will have. Your final total is an estimate for how much life insurance you need.

Learn about the different types of life insurance policies available, and use this figure when you get life insurance quotes.

growth the statement said.

Managing Director of the company, Lady Isioma Chukwuma, in the statement, said the execution of the new strategies had begun with the creation of a new department called critical operations, noting the department was divided into three, namely customer loyalty, research and development and strategic performance units, and that the organisation’s had since spear headed the implementation of the strategy for the successful realisation of the new charge.

From left: Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director, Access Bank, Mike Oghiadomhe, Aig Imoukhuede, former GMD, Access Bank and Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman, Access Bank at the launch of ‘The W’ one of the largest women networking platforms in Africa by Access Bank in Lagos.

Why women don’t change tyres not at least know how to change a tyre, say these and other female auto professionals. Cell phones are not always in range, strangers can not always be relied upon, and multiple claims on your auto insurance for towing or emergency road service can eventually affect your rates.

“I’m a little surprised that more women do not say they know how to do it,” says Newman, noting that women today influence 80 per cent of carbuying decisions and clearly are well-versed in other aspects of preventative auto care.

Sisters are doing it for themselves, mostly.

The Insurance.com data largely bears this out, with a majority of women professing to other regular maintenance checks. The survey found that: 78 per cent of women had checked their car ’s oil, compared with 93 per cent of men; only 13 per cent of women said they did not know how to check the oil, compared to 4 per cent of men.

76 per cent of women have checked the air pressure in their tires, compared with 93 percent of men; 15 per cent of women said they did not know how to, compared to 4 per cent of men.

65 per cent of women said they had jump-started a car, compared with 88 per cent of men; 26 per cent of women said they did not know how to jump-

start a car, compared to 7 per cent of men.

In a roadside emergency, women were most likely to call their spouse (58 percent) or roadside assistance (27 percent); men were slightly more likely to call roadside assistance (38 percent) than

,

universities, according to The College Board. Keep in mind that those are “sticker prices.” Many students pay less because of financial aid. Still, the cost of an education has escalated, and chances are the price of putting your kids through school will continue to go up. The College Board’s website features more information about college costs and what to expect.

The Life Foundation recommends multiplying the total estimated college cost by a factor associated with the number of years before your children attend college. The factors are based on an annual 6 per cent return on investment and 5 per cent annual inflation rate for college costs. The factors are: .95 for five years before college, .91 for 10 years before college, .86 for 15 years before college, .82 for 20 years before college

omen apparently do not see a reason to kneel in the mud. According to a newly released survey by Insurance.com, only half of female drivers said they had changed a tyre before, and a third said they would not even know how. By contrast, nine out of 10 men said they had changed a tyre, with only 6 per cent admitting they did not know how.

“There was a time before cell phones when you had to know how to do these things,” Insurance.com Managing Editor Des Toups says. “Even now, knowing how to change a tyre rather than call emergency road service could keep you from making an auto insurance claim.”

The car insurance comparison website asked 1,000 men and 1,000 women about their abilities to deal with car-related maintenance and problems. These also included checking the oil, jump-starting a car and checking a tyre’s air pressure.

All the respondents were married homeowners with children.

While men bested women in all four areas, the greatest discrepancy was in changing tyres.

Could it have something to do with the strength required? That’s what Jennifer Newman, an assistant managing editor at Cars.com, wonders.

“I thought, Oh my God, I’m one of these women: I have never changed a tyre,” says Newman, who could recall having only two flats. “Both of these times I was in a big SUV and just trying to loosen the nuts on the wheels, I could not even get them loose. … I called my husband.”

Garages use power air wrenches and often tighten lug nuts beyond the recommended torque.

Newman’s 200-plus-pound husband had to stand on the wrench to jimmy the nuts loose. “If he is struggling, then certainly I am going to struggle with it,” she says.

And once the nuts are off, there is the matter of maneuvering the tire. The entire wheel component can weigh 45 to 80 pounds, says Sarah Robinson, a technical marketing manager for Michelin.

“The steel wheels that come on a lot of base model cars are very, very heavy,” she says.

“When you consider the rim weight, it’s not easy.”

Nonetheless, these are no t good reasons for all drivers to

women modeling these cars. How often do you see a half-dressed, ripped guy lying on a car?”

Van Gosliga created her own downloadable instruction cards on emergency repair after she said she was unable to find simple graphics online that would appeal to women.

“There are a lot of women who think you have to be really into cars to know these things. You don’t,” she says. “It’s OK and it’s good to learn about t h e s e things. It doesn’t m e a n you’re all of a sudden a motorhead.”

I’ve seen the tiniest 15- or 16-year-old girl muster up the strength to change her own tire

their spouse (31 percent). That so many women are not familiar with emergency repairs may also be a sign of the times.

In the Insurance.com survey, only 60 percent of all drivers under age 55 said they had changed a tire, whereas 80 per cent of those 55 or older had.

“People always believe, ‘I’ve got my cell phone, I’ll be fine’,” says Robinson. You do not have to love it “A lot of the information that’s out there seems to be geared toward men: the manner in which it’s written, the pictures that are used, the terminology,” says TerriAnn van Gosliga, editor of DrivingMamas.com. “You still have these scantily dressed

,

Besides, these women say, self-reliance is contagious. Robinson, who races cars in her free time, always included roadside repair in the teenage driving courses she taught.

“I’ve seen the tiniest 15or 16-year-old girl muster up the strength to change her own tire,” she says.

“It’s just working smarter not harder… and having the determination to do it.”

“When they realized, OK, I can actually change my own tire, there was a sense of accomplishment there,” she says. What about you, have changed a tire before?

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Portland Cement, pricing and building collapse (2) T

From left: Tony Okpanachi, DMD, Ecobank Nigeria; Patrick Akinwutan, Group ED, Domestic Banking, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated; Sonny Kuku, Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria and Jibril Aku, MD at the launch of Ecobank premier banking, in Lagos.

Afrinvest to pay N44.2m interim dividend on NIDF A

FRINVEST Asset Management Limited is set to pay its interim coupon for 2014 financial year to note holders on the register of -the Nigeria International Debt Fund (NIDF), a Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE listed mutual fund that invests in fixed income securities of Federal and State Governments.

In a statement made available to Capital Market reporters, the Fund Manager said that the sum of N44, 171,877.51 would be distributed amongst note holders on the register of the NIDF by July 29, 2014 while payment would be made within two weeks of the closure.

According to Ola Belgore, Managing Director of Afrinvest Asset Management

Limited, “This is the 32rd coupon in the life of the Fund which was launched in 1997.

Since the NIDF is an openended fund it is estimated that a minimum of N36.00 per note would be paid to note holders who are in the books of the NIDF on the closure date which is July 29, 2014.”

“The interim distribution is in line with the structure of the NIDF, as the Fund is designed to pay distributions twice a year, as indicated in the Fund’s Trust Deed.”

The Nigeria International Debt Fund invests in the domestic and international debt instruments of the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as those of the 36 States.

NIDF offers investors safety, capital preservation, steady returns, diversification and

value, and has a consistent dividend history making it quite attractive for both individual and institutional investors such as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), insurance companies, asset managers and gratuity funds.

Restructured as an openended fund in October 2010 at a price of N1, 700 per unit, the NIDF with a price of N1, 988.48 as of July 10, 2014 has achieved a capital appreciation of 16.96 percent.. Afrinvest Asset Management Limited is a subsidiary of Afrinvest West Africa Limited, a wealth advisory firm involved in investment banking, securities trading, asset management and investment research with a focus on West Africa.

Ecobank launches Premier Banking service in Nigeria

E

cobank Nigeria has unveiled its dedicated banking service delivery christened Premier Banking Service targeted at high net worth customers of the bank.

The Ecobank Premier Banking personalizes banking services that suits individual life style of customers in a collaborative way that provides additional value beyond everyday banking.

The new Premier Banking initiative which signifies the beginning of a redefinition of banking in Nigeria is characteriased with the appointment of dedicated Relationship Manager as

primary point of contact providing a twenty four hour, seven days a week (24/7) financial advisory service to Premier Banking customers and their family. Whether at an Ecobank branch or at your home, personal Relationship Manager will be there to help customers make the right banking decisions.

Also Premier Banking customers are offered a range of multi- currency savings and lending products with preferential rates as well as special Platinum cards with full insurance protection. If a customer loses the card it is replaced free within 24 hours.

At the unveiling this new service in Lagos, Ecobank Nigeria Managing Director, Jibril Aku said the new Premier Banking initiative gives customer the privilege to have a variety of exclusive lifestyle benefits, including preferential airline and hotel rates and unparalleled rewards from luxury brand retailers across the world. He said they will also have the added assurance of purchase protection, safe custody and private services.

he previous week, we identified that according to European Commission nomenclature, CEM I and CEM II are the types of cement produced in Nigeria. CEM I is ordinary portland cement whilst the local production of CEM II is portland limestone cement. We identified the three strength classes, 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5. The strength of any cement is determined from tests on concrete made with the cement.

Concrete is made by mixing cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water in specified proportions. The fine aggregate used locally is usually sharp sand whilst the coarse aggregate is crushed granite. For reinforced concrete, it is usual to have a nominal maximum aggregate size of 20mm. There is a chemical reaction between the cement and water to form a calcium-silica-hydrate, the cement paste subsequently hardens binding the fine and coarse aggregates together. In order to obtain the best results, the wet concrete must be fully compacted to make it dense, the strength of the concrete develops with the hardening and the hardened concrete must be cured. Methods of curing are designed to maintain the concrete in a continuously moist condition for several days, either by preventing evaporation or keeping the surface of the concrete continuously wet. Curing allows the initial reaction between the cement and water to take place over an appropriate period.

Thus, if cement is not applied properly, the strength that would be observed in the concrete would not correspond with the strength class of the cement. Essentially, the coarse aggregate in concrete should be twice as much as the fine aggregate and by increasing the quantities of cement applied to a specified quantity of fine and coarse aggregates, one would obtain increasing concrete strengths. In building construction, we often specify concrete made with 1 to 2 to 4 mixture of cement to fine aggregate to coarse aggregate. This would correspond to having 350kg of cement in a cubic metre of concrete. This should be the minimum specification for building construction.

The major elements in a building structure are the foundations, the columns, the beams and suspended floor slabs all built with reinforced concrete. I have often observed that when concrete is being mixed and placed for a suspended floor slab, the workmen feeding the concrete mixer do not put the cement, sharp sand and granite in the correct proportions. There is always a tendency to put too much sharp sand. On one occasion, I asked one of the workmen why one had to be correcting them repeatedly as to the quantities of the materials fed into the concrete mixer. The response was that the concrete would be too heavy to carry if the specified proportions were fed into the mixer. I then suggested that the quantities of concrete put into each head pan could be reduced and the response was that it would take longer to complete the work for that day.

The cement manufacturers should join hands with the Building Collapsed Prevention Guild and others in getting the workmen to understand and to adopt the correct practices and standards.

When a blockmaker learns that there is a cement that gives him a higher strength the tendency would be to increase the quantities of sand in the cement/sand mixture such that more blocks are produced from one 50kg cement bag than previously.

Sand/cement blocks from the block makers are not tested for strength and blockmakers should be encouraged to make blocks having a higher density through the adoption of equipment that incorporates a hydraulic press in addition to the vibrating plate which supports the block.

The portland limestone cement that is available from local manufacturers is marked either CEM II A-L or CEM II B-L on the cement bag. A corresponds to 80% to 94% ordinary portland cement clinker and 6% to 20% limestone. With CEM II B-L marking, B corresponds to 65% to 79% ordinary portland cement clinker and 21% to 35% limestone. The manufacture of clinker requires large amounts of energy and the reduction in the proportion of clinker in a cement type should lead to a reduction in the price of that cement type.

CONCLUDED DR. AKINTOLA OMIGBODUN omigbodunaa@yahoo.com

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 25

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

DIARY z World

congress on computational intelligence International Convention Center Beijing,China

06 Jul - 11 Jul 2014

z Cisco Connect Sun City, South Africa Nov. 2 - 4, 2014

Preview

TELECOM SECTOR:

New inventions shaping life and living

Ultra-green headphone with 60 percent repurposed material

Behold non compulsory corporate governance code ... as NCC vows to guard $25bn industry

A

Swedish headphones maker, is tr ying something new. Instead of tossing large stocks of unsold headphones, the company disassembles them and uses the ear cups, headbands, and hinges to create the Re:Plattan headphones.

Each pair has brand-new guts, contains about 60 percent repurposed material, and, because the components vary in color, has its own unique look.

After the initial, limited run of 3,000 Re:Plattans, designers will have to wait for a new supply of parts or find an untapped source.

I N S I D E C M Y K

elecom sector; the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has made us a new law. It shall be called the corporate governance code. It shall be, for the telecom industry, a guide to the rules of engagement and other very important practices in the business. However, the law is not binding on anybody; not at the moment, at least!

the sector.

The result of that action, manifested weekend as the committee presented the document to the public in Lagos.

Of the over N80.3 trillion of the new rebased Gross Domestic Product, GDP data recently declared as the size of Nigeria’s economy, the Information and Communications Technology sector, led by the telecom revolution, contributed a whopping N6.97 trillion to earn a star performer status.

This arguably puts the sector as a critical mainstay of the economy.

However, evidences

Why the code Explaining why the commission made the move as he unveiled the code, Executive Vice chairman of the commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah revealed that with hindsight of what has happened in other countries of the world it didn’t take rocket science for the commission to anticipate that the over $25 billion industry may experience a downward progression if nothing was done to guard it.

He expressed

LG recounts how R&D plays part in OLED TV manufacture

abound of sectors twice as big as Nigeria’s telecom sector, which collapsed for lack of proper guide.

Apparently avoiding such a misfortune, industry regulator, the N i g e r i a n Communications Commission, NCC, in 2012, took a proactive step to guard the sector, which is estimated at over $25 billion, by inaugurating a corporate governance code working committee to come up with a bible of corporate practices in

Cybersecurity bill not do or die affair —ATCON President

confidence that the document, if effectively applied, by operators in the sector, could help Nigeria sustain the milestone achievements made so far.

However in a swift moment, Juwah publicly announced that the code was not compulsory for the mean time; meaning

,

T

dump the document which had cost human, time and financial resources to put together.

Although he also warned that the non compulsory status of the code would be for a while, some industry stakeholders felt that the announcement took

...the code became necessary to reposition the sector which has undoubtedly contributed more to the country’s rebased GDP.

that operators and other concerned stakeholders are at liberty to use or

Huawei to Africa: Build mobile broadband networks for digital economy

,

away part of the grip the document would have had on industry operators and also denied the people meant to be protected by the law, of expected relief.

A well known industry professional and leader of one of the advocacy groups in the sector who preferred anonymity, told Hi-Tech: “I am disappointed at that Continues on page 27

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Tunde Coker becomes Rack Centre MD

T LG recounts how R&D plays part in OLED TV manufacture

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

I

n the early vestiges of the display industry, technology paths were fairly evident. The move from black and white TVs to color TVs was a no -brainer.

The landscape is more complex now, and it is not always clear which direction the industry will take. Manufacturers are well aware of this, and have turned to one source that probably has the clearest idea of which directions the industry should head in: c o n s u m e r s .

This brings about fierce competition among device makers who in other to find out what features are most important to consumers, invest heavily on Research and Development, R&D. For instance LG Electronics said it has invested a lot in

Research & Development with the consumer in focus and e v e n t u a l l y, discovered that despite the plethora of supplementary features and options, the f o r e m o s t concern of the a v e r a g e consumer remains picture q u a l i t y ‘ Explaining the

OLED Tv

technology behind the new system, in Lagos recently, LG said that due to its deep involvement in R&D, it was easy to manufacture the state of the art Curved Organic Light Emitting Diode, OLED TV .

The OLED TV is equipped with incredible picture quality,

stunning design and innovative technologies.

The precise curve of the screen ensures that your eyes are equally distant from all parts of the screen, providing the most natural and immersive viewing experience.

The innovative technology of OLED TV permits a simpler internal

structure. This means the TV is unbelievably lightweight and pencilthin, only 4.3 mm front to back at its thinnest point, making it slimmer than the Smart Phone.

Features of the Tv includes sound Picture Quality. By switching off individual pixels, blacks are rendered truly black, creating an “infinite”.

Expect 20 fold increase in West Africa’s mobile subscription by 2019 —Minister

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

T

he Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson says, mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa will exceed 635 million by the end of this year from the Africa’s increasing connectivity rate.

Johnson made the prediction at the third African Internet Governance Forum, held in Abuja.

She said the prediction is also expected to rise to around 930 million by the end of 2019, given the trend at which the sector is witnessing unprecedented growth in recent times.

According to the Minister, predictions are that mobile internet use in Africa will increase twenty fold in the next five years, meaning double the estimated growth rate in the rest of the world.

Lower priced devices in particular smartphones and tablets, increase investment in network infrastructure, and increase availability of spectrum for mobile broadband, are among the factors she said that will drive this growth.

Dr. Omobola Johnson Such growth, the Minister said means that Africa is rapidly closing in on the global mobile penetration rate, which was around 92 percent at the end of 2013, compared to around 70 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa.

T

he Jagal Group has appointed Ayotunde Coker as the new Managing Director of Rack Centre Limited.

The appointment took effect this July. Coker is a commercially astute technology executive with over 25 years’ experience at company, board and executive committee levels. He has international experience across Europe, USA, Asia and Africa with global blue chip organisations, such as GSK, ABN Amro, UBS, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch and The Prudential. He has held the position of Global Applications Director at BP the global oil and gas company, and prior to returning to Nigeria, was Chief Technology Officer for the United Kingdom Criminal Justice System.

he Internet Governance Forums was an avenue for stakeholders in the industry from around Africa to independently and voluntarily discuss on issues that bothers on the development of the internet.

It also presented opportunities for stakeholders to continue the process of developing realistic and

realisable solutions to these issues.

The Minister, who attributed the sharp increase in mobile usage in Africa to the additional ways in which mobile phones are used, said the increase in the number of mobile subscribers had fuelled increases in mobile internet use in Africa, making pundits to believe that Africa is at the verge of a mobile internet revolution.

“Beyond conducting voice conversations, she said mobile phones are often the preferred channel for receiving data and for conducting transactions – our phones are our cameras, wallets, shops, music

(playback) systems, movie screens, information or service centres etc,” she said.

Africa has also seen improvements in the deployment of other technologies.

For example the number of undersea fibre-optic cables landing in Africa has increased from about 2 active cables in 2001 to around 16 by the end of this year.

On Satellite usage, she said the coverage is also improving with international, predominantly privatesector companies deploying more capacity over Africa, citing the launch of second batch of four satellites by O3b last week as proof of the satellite coverage with addition of RASCOMQAF1R and NigComSat-1R from the African region.

Similarly, the President of NIRA, Mrs. Mary Uduma, while speaking on the importance of domain name to Africa said, Nigeria and Africa in general are lagging behind in tapping the huge benefits domain name offers.

Web jurist honours Mansard 3 times

M

ansard Insurance Plc strengthened its position in Nigeria with the winning of three of the top prizes on offer at the 2014 Web Jurists Awards at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos.

The company won in ‘Best in Website Technical Aspects’, ‘Best in Website Content’, and also ‘Overall Winner ’ in the Insurance Category.

Director, Claims & Risk Management Division, of the company Henry Akwara, said that ‘’these awards have further underscored the fact that industry watchers are appreciative of the efforts we are deploying at Mansard, especially in this digital age to deliver superior service experience to our customers”.

The Web Jurist Awards which commenced in May 2001 have over the past 12 years, contributed tremendously to raising the awareness of organizations to the functionality, effectiveness and efficiency of their websites.

Glo adds 100 more partners to roaming footprint

G

LO has deepened its roaming services offering with the addition of over 100 leading network partners across the world in the last one year. The development makes Glo one of the biggest voice and data carriers in Africa.

Postpaid subscribers of the company can enjoy seamless roaming services in almost every part of the world as Glo has interconnectivity arrangements with over 430 partners in 176 countries. Thus Glo is now the network in Nigeria with the largest international postpaid roaming footprint.

Similarly Glo has extended its prepaid roaming to more destinations as the service is now available in most major destinations where it is partnering with over 80 leading networks. The countries include Unites States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, South Africa, Ghana, UAE, Algeria, Belgium, Italy, India and Israel.

They also include Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Egypt, Gambia, Kenya, Russia, Turkey and Qatar.

Among operators on the African continent, Glo’s General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) roaming footprint is also one of the largest. The service which enables data roaming for mobile phones, laptops, ipads, Blackberry and android handsets is available in 115 countries comprising all major travel destinations. GPRS roaming enables the subscriber to access the value added services available on the Glo GPRS technology such as Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and Mobile Internet.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 27

Behold non compulsory code of corporate governance Continues from page 25

Cyberspace

Cybersecurity bill not do or die affair — ATCON President

BY RICHARD UDOFIA

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resident of Association of Telecoms Company of Nigeria, ATCON,, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, recently said that fastening the cybersecurity bill into law at the National Assembly should never be seen as a do or die affair.

Ajayi at the just concluded cybersecurity forum where stakeholders bare their minds on the recent trend of activities going on in cyberspace, maintained that there was need for technology practitioners to educate the parliamentarians who at the moment are the right people to enact the cybercrime bills into law.

He added that there was also need to ensure that the cyberspace could be clean and free from all forms of fraudulent activities so that offenders could be aware of the penalty that await them if they err.

However, He admitted that there was need to accelerate work on the cybersecurity bill but cautioned that the first thing would be to ensure that greater percentage of these law makers have Techeducation to understand the dynamism of lots of activities going on the internet, particularly when engaging on ecommerce, e-business, e-government activities, among others.

For him, “more confidence can be bestowed on the cyberspace when appropriate laws are put forth, made available at the domain of the public and the more we delay creating and enforcing those laws as expected, the more we are putting internet users at danger.”

He charged industry practitioners not to forget that though the internet space was one and not fragmented, there were still some things that can be done to protect Nigeria’s own integrity on the space.

“With statistics from NCC, there are over 50 million internet users which means, lots

of people are embracing the activity online and this means that more people are getting connected on the internet as series of services are moving online, so the future looks very good to me, but we need to do the necessary thing that will further enhance and impose confidence and trust on the internet users”, Ajayi said.

‘Give us biosafety law, or we’ll be enslaved’

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

T

he Director General and Chief Executive of National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, Prof. Lucy Ogbadu, last week cried out that the failure of passing the biosafety bill into law may permanently enslave Nigeria by reducing her to a perpetual consumer of foreign technology.

Ogbadu made the assertion in Abuja at an event organised by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology, OFAB in Africa to intimate the media on the significance of the bill to the nation’s transformation agenda.

She said that apart from hampering the operational efficiency of the ministry of science and

tech, and allied agencies, absence of the bill will confine Nigerian into perpetual poverty and slavery to other nations instead of being a producer of genetically Modified, GM foods and products among others.

She noted that the GM foods since inception had shown no negative effects on human health as a result of the consumption of such foods in where they have been approved, contrary to the belief of those opposing it, insisting that Nigeria’s dream of achieving food sufficiency would amount to nothing if technology is not deployed in the sector.

The NABDA boss cautioned against further objections against the bill, positing that those working against the bill are enemies of Nigerian development, with misguided anti-technology views, which according to her must be overcome.

According to her, Nigeria can use biotechnology to create wealth in the country and eradicate poverty in the country.

“The absence of biosafety law might make Nigeria a consumer nation of foreign GMO foods, particularly maize products, instead of producers, thereby holding our farmers hostage to those of other countries.

declaration. It has taken the shine off why we are here.

I can understand that the commission wants the industry to study and acquaint itself with the content of the document, but the non compulsory declaration is out of place. This is Nigeria and we know how people behave when you leave things at their discretion. I think the best would have been to tell everybody that the law is binding but punishment for noncompliance may be delayed for a period of time while everybody is getting adjusted to the new order. But I trust that the EVC would do the needful, he has been great since assuming office” he added.

But, Juwah said the code became necessary to reposition the sector which has undoubtedly contributed more to the country’s rebased GDP. He said: “The corporate governance principles of accountability, responsibility, transparency, integrity and ethical conduct, independence among others are important for all types of companies operating in the telecommunications industry whether public or private. ”Shareholders and other stakeholders are now placing higher demand on companies to demonstrate these principles.NCC is determined to promote corporate governance for the telecommunications industry.”

For him, “the telecommunications sector is of strategic and high significance to the economy at a macro level and has considerable reach at the micro level. ”The combined factors of the strategic importance of telecommunications and the unprecedented growth of the sector which has seen over 130 million mobile subscribers, with extensive reach across all social and demographic groups in the Nigerian economy makes it imperative that operators in this critical sector to apply and uphold a code of corporate governance, which is specific to their industry.”

Chairman of the Corporate Governance Working Group, Dr Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, corroborated Juwah “corporate governance in our emerging economy is driven by the need to develop a system of control which is aimed at increasing shareholder value and surpassing the expectations of other stakeholders. This is more so in recognition of the fact that the corporate governance culture adopted by companies have positive or negative impact on their growth and development.

“This code of corporate governance for the telecommunication industry seeks to foster good governance practices in Nigeria telecommunication industry. It hinges on international based practices” he added.

Road to new law Juwah, however, hinted that the first consultation on the issue of corporate governance code for the industry was in April 2012 with the theme ‘Corporate Governance in the Telecommunications Industry—Compliance with Standards, Processes and Procedures` where it highlighted the necessity for a common code by which all telecommunications operators should abide.

However, having discovered the importance of this code and the interest industry professionals showed for it to be introduced, Juwah said the commission in October same year, inaugurated the Corporate Governance Working Group, CGWG, which members were drawn from the operating companies, the commission and decision makers in the corporate world.

Also, in June 2013, the commission said it organised the second stakeholders’ consultation on Corporate Governance, with the theme ‘Enhancing Stakeholders Responsibility’, Earlier in her goodwill message, Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson noted that the main challenge for corporate governance however was to create a system that holds decision makers accountable while according proper respect to their position in the company.

Johnson, who was represented by a director in the ministry, John Ayodele, said the key considerations for a successful corporate governance regime included elements of voluntary commitments and good business practices by the regulated entities.

Johnson advised that “the Code should be backed up with effective monitoring and enforcement processes, while continuously assessing compliance with the basic principles of this Code in line with the best international practices”, she stated.

Meanwhile Hi-Tech gathered that the NCC board agreed that the code should be reviewed on a yearly basis to allow for continuous improvements where applicable.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Huawei to Africa: Build mobile broadband networks for digital economy figure in 2013? It was 5.7 billion USD. Isn’t that figure unbelievable?

ICT is changing our daily life. It changes the way we work, we buy, we sell, and we communicate.

It changes every industry. It connects this world in a smarter way.

That’s why we say we are global citizens living in the global village.

B

arely three weeks after the launch of its latest flagship, Huawei P7 Ascend Smartphone, the President of Huawei, West African Region, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, Mr. Peng Song organized strategic engagement with its vendors and partners.While outlining the company ’s strategies for West Africa in an exclusive interview with EMEKA AGINAM, he discussed many industry issues including several advantages of building Mobile Broadband networks for Africa as a good option.

Excerpts: On west Africa telecom industry Huawei predicts a sustainable and stable growth in telecom industry. We also see mobile broadband to be better solutions for West Africa. That is why we are committed to building a better connected world for people in West Africa.

There are several advantages for building mobile broadband networks in Africa. First, fixed-line infrastructure in most African countries is limited and underdeveloped. According to ITU, fixed broadband penetration in Africa is only 0.3%.

Therefore, upgrading from existing fixed-line infrastructure will be more costly and less effective. Secondly, building mobile networks can significantly extend broadband coverage to people living in rural and underprivileged urban areas, because Mobile Broadband users are always connected wirelessly to fast, responsible, and reliable data network.

Third, constructing mobile broadband networks can make effective use of existing equipment and technologies, and therefore lower the cost of initial investment. Finally, mobile broadband enabled devices will be wmore affordable.

Performance in enterprise business The revenue of Huawei enterprise business was 2.5 billion in 2013.

Huawei achieved a 32.4% year on year growth globally.

In Nigeria, Huawei is deploying the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone

(NICTIB) project for federal government. Huawei has successfully deployed e-libraries, eclasses and smart campus networks. Now Huawei is expanding the business with all industries. For instance, Huawei is working with banks to provide smarter mobile money solutions and data centers.

The company’s strategy in enterprise business is to provide innovative, customized, and easily integrated products and solutions tailored to industries’ particular needs. Huawei aims to achieve this by cooperating with local partners.

Nigeria as strategic market Nigeria is Huawei’s key market in terms of the big potential and strong consumption demand. We partner with operators to provide the consumers with Huawei phones and the company is now trying to build more channels to make Huawei phones easy to buy in shopping malls and electronic markets.

Huawei is also trying to run its own store in West Africa. You will soon find some in this region.

Huawei launched its flagship product Huawei P7 in Nigeria recently and it shows Huawei’s strategy of introducing more Smartphones to Nigeria to meet different demands in this market.

Huawei has been the top 3 Smartphone supplier on Shipment for the past 5 quarters worldwide and we are trying to be the top 3 player in Smartphone market in Nigeria in the near future.

Impact of ICT on the economy Let me share two sce-

Mr. Peng Song narios with you before I answer your question.

The first one is in Nigeria. The farmer in rural Northern Nigeria used to spend hours to go to the town to check the prices of grains, vegetables and fruits in the market. Now what he needs to do is to call his friends in the market to check the prices and to find the best timing to sell his goods. Some of the farmers are surfing

the internet to do business with buyers all over the world. Isn’t it cool to be a modern farmer?

The second one happened in China. Taobao, a Chinese website for online shopping similar to eBay and Amazon, has its annual promotion day,every 11th of November. In 2011, it recorded sales revenue of 850 million USD. It increased to 3 billion USD. Can you guess the

CSR programe Huawei promises to grow with the local society by creating jobs, paying taxes and expanding local investment. CSR program is part of Huawei’s promise of contributing to local society.

Besides the 1,000 girls training and ICT girls program, Huawei also set up an ICT scholarship in University of Lagos to support the cultivation of the talents.

Huawei is soon to establish another ICT scholarship in the Africa University of Technology and Science in Abuja.

Huawei is trying to bridging the digital divide and Huawei has done many CSR programs in Ghana, Cameroon and other countries

in this region.

The challenge here is how Huawei should bring the innovative technologies, affordable solutions and dedicated services to Africa. There are still lots of things to do to improve the infrastructure. This is not just Huawei’s challenge; but it is a challenge for all the players.

We aim to enlarge the ICT infrastructure to build a better connected Africa. Our core business here is consistent with our global strategy, which includes carrier business, enterprise business and consumer business.

We provide products for service providers to build their networks. We provide integrated solutions to the enterprise customers and provide devices, like smart phones, tablets and home devices to the consumers.

I am very optimistic about the economic growth in Africa. I believe technologies are going to play more important roles in this process. Huawei is committed to delivering innovative, affordable solutions and dedicated services to Africa.

NgREN to provide internet access to tertiary institutions

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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HE recently commissioning of first Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) will provide fast Internet to tertiary institutions to facilitate learning, teaching, research and connectivity to the global academic world.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who stated this at the commissioning of the phase 1 of the NgREN in Abuja recently disclosed that the NgREN is a World Bank-assisted project that will create an effective infrastructural backbone to interconnect all research and education institutions in the country and link them with other Research and Education Networks worldwide.

Phase 1 is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, The World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.

According to him, the NgREN is aimed at ensuring a seamless knowledge flow between Nigerian Educational institutions and their counterparts around the world. President Jonathan who was represented by Minister of State for Education-Barrister Eyesom Wike also emphasized that the project is expected to drive down the exorbitant costs of bandwidth while at the same time increasing the capacity of the network members to deliver world class teaching and research services.

President Jonathan stressed that the FG was committed to fully revamping the educational sector to make Nigeria a reference point globally.

He said that in line with FG’s transformational agenda, the educational system is being transformed through effective partnerships for maximum impact.

President Jonathan

stressed the importance of ICT for enabling transformational development and disclosed that the ICT sector in Nigeria now contributes almost 9% to Nigeria’s GDP.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 29

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Edo Assembly crisis about rule of law—Speaker

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PEAKER of the Edo House of Assembly, Hon Uyi Igbe, has described the ongoing crisis in the state House of Assembly as a battle between light and darkness in which the light must always prevail over the darkness Igbe who spoke in Benin City said that what was playing out in the legislature was a battle between a group of lawmakers who are democrats and prepared to uphold the rule of law at all times and a group of lawmakers who are antidemocracy, lawless and have no respect for the rule of law.

While blaming some forc-

es outside the State House of Assembly who are desperate for power at all cost irrespective of their past antecedents that made the people of Edo State to reject them at the polls in the past and will do same today and the future.

“What is going on in Edo State House of Assembly is about the rule of law. If people who are supposed to make laws for the good governance of the state start breaking the laws of the land, then it becomes dangerous for the survival of democracy. Majority of the members took a decision to suspend some members who ran short of the house

rules. Instead of obeying the very rules that guide us as law makers within accepted and legal channels, they resulted t to self help .This is not acceptable to Edo State people whose mandate we all represent in the house.”

He revealed that the suspended lawmakers led by Mr Festus Ebea and their PDP counterparts were being used by forces outside the assembly to destabilise the state in a desperate attempt at power grab. “They will not succeed, Edo people have rejected them before and they will reject them again. The people know what is good governance.”

From right: Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Special Duties and head of delegation, Alhaji Auwalu Tukur, Chief Imam of Kakaudu Community, Asaba, Alhaji Habib Faruk, CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and another guest during the visit of Arewa Community in Delta State to the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, weekend.

HIC will expose criminal identity – NIMC

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

BUJA— THE Direc tor General of National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Barr. Chris Onyemenam, has said that the ongoing harmonization of the national identity card with relevant stakeholders across the board will expose criminals and address the issues of identity challenge currently bedeviling the nation. The NIMC boss stated this at the 8th meeting of the Harmonization and Integration of Databases Committee, HIC held in Abuja.

He said the HIC process, when completed will not only bring Nigeria into the realm of financial activities but also raise the self esteem of Nigerian citizens.

He attributed the nation’s identity challenge to the absence of the necessary infrastructure that enables the system reconcile the duplication of individual identities of peoples irrespective of the time and distance of such registrations. ‘‘HIC will arrest issues of identity criminalization and also bring us into the next realm of financial activities.

The challenge we have as a nation, which we have been seeing for so long is that people still find it difficult to reconcile themselves with the major possibilities that identity management is about creating an infrastructure that enables you to affirm your identity. In this card, there are 13 applications; one of the applications is EID, electronic identity, the sum of information we collect from you will be installed, you cannot access that outlet unless we have authorised you to do that."

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 31

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Germany World Cu return to huge fa •Mascherano

World Cup pain will last forever, says Mascherano

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RGENTINA midfielder Javier Mascherano said the pain of losing the World Cup final in extra time to Germany on Sunday would live with him forever.

“Unfortunately the pain will be there for life because this was our chance,” said the Barcelona midfielder after the 1-0 defeat in Rio de Janeiro.

Argentina played extra time in three of their four knockout games and also had a day less to rest ahead of the final than the Germans after squeezing past the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-final last Wednesday.

And the 30-year-old said they ran out of steam in the second-half of extra time when Mario Goetze struck the winner seven minutes from time.

“It is difficult to explain. It escaped from us at the last minute, we did everything to try and win.

We had the best chances until we ran out of gas.

“The pain is immense because we wanted to take the World Cup back to Argentina but we gave everything. We are empty, we gave what we had and we are sorry for ourselves, for the people that came here and for the people that are in Argentina.

“Football is like this and we have to raise our heads and deal with the pain.”

Argentina also had claims for a penalty turned down early in the second-half when Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer dangerously charged into Gonzalo Higuain with his feet raised.

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H

UNDREDS of thousands of jubilant fans massed at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate yesterday to cheer the World Cup winners and new national heroes bringing home football’s top prize for the first time to a reunified Germany.

The flag-waving crowd, which began gathering before dawn, erupted in applause under warm summer sunshine when the triumphant players arrived from Rio de Janeiro.

Germany coach Joachim Loew told more than 250,000 supporters at the so-called Fan Mile stretching behind the Gate, the symbol of national unity, that they shared the title with his players.

“We are all world champions,” he said. “Of course we are all overjoyed now to be with the fans.”

Captain Philipp Lahm hoisted the World Cup trophy to a giant roar from the crowd.

“What a mood here, thanks so much to everyone,” Lahm said as he passed the golden statuette to his fellow players.

Team members wearing black shirts emblazoned with the number one took the stage in groups to greet ecstatic supporters.

They carried a long banner reading “Obrigado Fans”, “thank you” in Portuguese in a nod to tournament hosts Brazil, and “the fourth title is ours”.

Mario Goetze, who scored the only goal in Sunday ’s nail-biter final against Argentina, called the

Thousands welcome home Argentina

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crestfallen Lionel Messi kept a low profile as thousands of people greeted the Argentina squad on their return home Monday, just hours after their World Cup final defeat to Germany.

Television networks carried live coverage of the Aerolineas Argentinas plane — painted in the blue-and-white colors of the flag with the words “Thank you Argentina” — as it touched down in Buenos Aires, where about 500 fans braved the cold to meet the

flight from Rio de Janeiro.

Thousands more fans lined the team’s route from the airport, waving sky blue and white flags and swarming the convoy of three buses, which moved at a snail’s pace through the crowds.

Nationwide the atmosphere was one of pride as much as disappointment after the team played its first World Cup final since 1990 and Messi claimed the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament — a decision that Argentine football legend Diego

Mara “I ju welco morni a rece at the Assoc “I w the C count we ju Mat squad sentim everyt

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 33

Brazil consider foreign manager

up heroes an party

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Blatter “surprised” by Messi’s Golden Ball win F

IFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that he was “a little bit surprised’ to see Argentina star Lionel Messi crowned as the best player of the 2014 World Cup. Messi scored four goals in the group stages, but then failed to produce his best form in the knockout rounds as his country limped to the final before losing to Germany.

Joey Barton and Stan Collymore are among those who have questioned Messi being awarded the prize by FIFA’s 13-man Technical Study Group, rather than the likes of James Rodriguez or

Arjen Robben.

Blatter concurs that Messi was perhaps not a deserving winner of the Golden Ball, but did stress that his earlytournament form was crucial in helping Alejandro Sabella’s side make a strong start.

He told reporters: “I was a little bit surprised when I saw Messi coming up to collect the best player of the competition.

“If you compare the beginning of the tournament and why the Argentina team got into the final, they were decisive.”

COLARI was on Monday told his contract would not be extended after the host nation could only finish fourth.

The decision was inevitable after Brazil were demolished 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals, before losing 3-0 against Holland in the battle for the bronze medal.

The South Americans have never had a foreign manager, but pressure is mounting on the Brazilian FA to make big changes in the wake of such a woeful end to their tournament.

Some fans have demanded to know why Pep Guardiola was reportedly not even invited to an interview when he expressed an interest in the job after he quit Barcelona in 2012.

And Brazil legend Zico said: “We need to choose new people with new thoughts about how to play the Brazilian way.”

If Brazil do continue their policy of home-grown managers, the two strongest candidates are those who have been in charge of two of the biggest clubs in the country.

We are all world champions, Loew tells fans

G

ERMANY coach Joachim Loew told hundreds of thousands of jubilant fans in Berlin yesterday celebrating his team’s World Cup victory that they shared the title with his players.

“We are all world champions,” he said at a massive street party at the capital’s Brandenburg Gate after the team’s triumphant arrival from Rio de Janeiro.

“Of course we are all overjoyed now to be with the fans,” he added, as the capacity crowd at the so-called Fan Mile venue behind the landmark symbol of national unity waved black, red and gold German flags.

Captain Philipp Lahm hoisted the World Cup trophy to a giant roar from the crowd.

“What a mood here, thanks so much to everyone,” Lahm said as he passed the golden statuette to his fellow players.

Team members wearing black shirts emblazoned with the number one took the stage in groups to greet ecstatic supporters.

after final defeat

dona said was undeserved. ust want to thank everyone for the ome,” Messi, who spent much of the ing with a pained look on his face, told eption with President Cristina Kirchner e offices of the Argentine Football ciation. would have liked to have brought home Cup and enjoyed it with you (the try). We gave everything we had but st didn’t manage it.” ias Ruiz, 17, one of those who met the d’s charter flight from Rio, echoed the ments of many, saying: “They gave thing for us and they deserve our support.”

•Loew

Brazil back to reality after World Cup blues

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HE World Cup is over,. The Brazilian national team was humiliated and now it’s back to harsh reality : A slowing economy and presidential elections in October.

Brazil had hoped to land a recordextending sixth title in front of home fans.

Instead, it was forced to cheer for Germany to defeat rival Argentina in the final — despite the Selecao’s 7-1 defeat to the Europeans in the semi-finals.

While Brazilians were bitterly disappointed by their team’s fourth-place finish, observers concluded that the World Cup had been a success on and off the pitch, with a flood of goals and no major incidents or large protests.

•Scolari C M Y K

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 35

A

detowun Awofeso is a graduate of Industrial Chemistry. She delved into fashion out of dissatisfaction with clothes made for her by Nigerian tailors. She started first as a mender then began to make her own clothes in 1984 by self training. She started making clothes for friends and family in 1987.

Through self development and training in pattern-making, she went commercial in 1994. In pursuit of excellence on the job, in 2005-2006, she attended the prestigious London College of Fashion where she bagged a Diploma in Fashion Product Development specializing in Garment Technology. This exposed her a great deal to the nittygritty of quality ready to wear garments. She has since been running The Wardrobe, a fashion retail store in Ikeja, LagosNigeria and Celebrity’s Fashion the fact that these Academy where she trains businesses come with young Nigerian Fashion advanced technologies Designers in this chat with that require only few Esther Onyegbula she talks human capitals. about harnessing the potentials Nigeria fashion in the fashion industry and entrepreneurs can also become global players other sundry issues affecting For Nigeria to benefit the industry.

Developing a homemade brand will make vision 2020 a reality It is the vision of the federal Government of Nigeria and indeed the hope of all Nigerians that the nation becomes one of the world twenty leading economies in year 2020. This is sincerely not impossible because the country has all the resources that are required to achieve this noble objective. However, there are many factors militating against this vision. It is no doubt that the world is now a global village.

Economies are becoming more open.

Businesses are becoming more fluid and investors are migrating all over the place and Nigeria too is partaking of this global movement. For Nigeria to succeed in this, it must be balanced flow. That means, foreign investors come into Nigeria and Nigerian investors too go out to other Countries, so as to create equilibrium.

This can only be successful if Nigeria has developed many home made businesses and Brands that can serve this purpose. It is no gain saying that international businesses in any economy contribute little to its sincere growth because in all cases, the investors have only come to make money and of course the money must find its way back to their home country. Most sympathetic is now is C M Y K

from this, the home made businesses must move up to the level of global players too. The nation can only achieve this only when the growth starts from within then open to the outside world. A populous nation like Nigeria needs developments and projects that use more human power so as to keep the populace employed. This is why businesses like garment making especially in the area of ‘ready to wear’, which is a labour intensive business, must be fully developed in Nigeria.

Developing this industry will help in the take off of so many cottage factories producing nicely tailored ready to wears garments that can compete with the rest of the world.

These cottage factories do not even need huge start up capital and they are good sources of employment.

Nigeria has become a dumping ground for all manner of branded goods

Can Nigerian Designers ever make ready to wear garments that can compete globally? With boldness and confidence, we can answer, yes we can It is no hidden fact that a chunk of our foreign currency goes into the importation of garments from different parts of the world because of our huge demand for nicely tailored wears. Nigeria has become a sort of dumping ground for all manner of foreign brands to the detriment of our economy. There is the need for us to develop the ready to wear industry in Nigeria so as to stem the over importation of garments into the country.

High cost of production in Nigeria There is no doubt that the cost of garment production is higher in Nigeria when compared to Asia and Turkey. This is due to a lot of factors like, availability raw material, electricity supply and modern technology. This however should not prevent a nation from investing and developing her garment construction industry; if Turkey and India could develop her ‘ready to wear ‘industry despite the threat from China. The high cost of production in the Western world does not stop the growth and success of the fashion industry in the Western world.

The way out Nigeria Fashion Designers to put their creativity to work by developing fashion Brands that are distinct and unique with a bit of African touch.

This can give a competitive advantage and its pricing is self determined and cannot be compared to the prices of foreign brands. There is also the need to really give these ‘Home Grown’ labels, good brands identity by doing all the needful for brand success as it is the practice in the Western world.

Nigerians now embrace home made brands as we can see in the music industry. The truth is that a product that not only meets the essential needs of a buyer but can also compete with others in quality and standard cannot but be bought.

Excellence is a value that we cannot afford to ignore. This I believe we can achieve by doing these by training Nigerians in the global and professional way of fashion products development.

Also by producing fashion Brands that can compete internationally and also by providing a platform for ‘Home Grown’ fashion brands to showcase their works by running indigenous world class fashion retail outlets Putting experience to work As an experienced player of over twenty five years in that industry, I believe I can both bring my local and international experiences to work to achieve this dream. It is for this reason I have offered to put all my experiences in that field to play by not only developing my own home grown fashion brands but to also raise an army of young Nigerians in developing their own fashion brands.

Making a difference with ‘yes we can’ In pursuit of this dream, I have started to train young energetic and determined Nigerians in the critical path of garment making, most especially in the production of ready to wear and how to have their own labels that can compete globally. It is quite amazing to see the great works that have been done by these young Nigerians within the period of 12months. It is for this reason we have decided to put all these together at an exhibition where the graduating trainees showcased our world class ready to wear collections.

There has always been the question in the hearts of Nigerians that says: Can Nigerian Designers ever make ready to wear garments that can compete globally? With boldness and confidence, we can answer, yes we can.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

How lose land borders promote insurgency

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

I

T is no longer news that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) is facing a huge challenge trying to curtail the influx of foreigners into the country especially now that the nation is battling to free itself from the dastard grip of Boko Haram insurgency.

The task according to a

top official of the NIS, who spoke to Vanguard Consular Advisory, is most challenging and disturbing to the Service.

He said that the influx of foreigners was an unhealthy trend to the country’s security and as such demands urgent attention, adding, “on a daily basis, we have to deal with several cases of foreigners’ infiltration and it is important for the country ’s regulatory

bodies to consider appropriate measures towards tackling the issue to ensure proper security of lives and abduction control.

It is sad to know that the Federal "Government has not taken serious consideration on tightening up porous land borders, in order to cut down on insurgencies and incursion by foreigners.”

Vanguard Consular

•Seme border command Advisory also gathered that the poor security situation in the country was the reason behind countries advising their citizens against coming to invest in the country, thereby portraying the nation in bad light.

The source also stated that such situation has created a sense of frustration to the international community, resulting in the United Nations (UN), issuing travel warnings about coming to Nigeria.

Reports also stated that countries like the US, Canada Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Finland and many others, have sent traveling advisories to their citizens, warning them against making non-essential travels to Nigeria.

The statements were strongly worded, declaring that the security situation throughout Nigeria is unpredictable, with a significant risk of terrorism, Kidnappings, crime, inter-communal clashes, and other crime related incidences.

Investigation by VCA revealed that while these countries send out travelling warnings, it has not in any way deter foreigners both legal and illegal, from coming into the country through its four international airports and land borders.

Another security expert who also declined identification based on security reasons, told VCA that the NIS officials are seriously battling with how to cope with the infiltration of foreigners and refused to believe that the Federal government of Nigeria is doing enough to ensure that the loose areas through which Nigeria encounters many of its unfavorable insurgencies, are tightened.

Solution to insurgency He also noted that while the country is battling to find a lasting solution to insecurity, some of the country ’s evil collaborators are thwarting all efforts towards curtailing the failing security across all borders in the country.

“Although there is no country without security challenges, it is important for the nation to understand the reason it must be security conscious and improve on surveillance, and to achieve this, the Federal Government must show a level of seriousness on its part, by way of ensuring that the nation’s loose land borders are strongly guarded.

“We understand that the sponsors of Boko Haram who pretend to be fighting for a progressive Nigeria, are among us. So, the Federal government must do everything in its power to fish them out and make sure they are prosecuted for promoting the insurgencies.” the expert added.

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VANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, JUL Y 16, 2014 —39 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA JULY

He's too friendly with the neighbour

Dear Bunmi, I’ve been married for eight years now and have fallen in love for the second time in my life - with a colleague. The problem is, I believe my marriage is preventing this man from making a commitment. A few weeks ago, I told this man I fancied him and he said he was flattered, but couldn’t start a relationship that would ruin my marriage. But I’m the first person he makes eye contact with when he enters the room, and his body language implies he’d like us to be more than friends. I can’t stop thinking about him and every time I see him, I just want to grab him and kiss him. Please help.

Mulikat, by e-mail.

Dear Mulikat, You haven’t fallen in love you’ve fallen in lust. You tell us nothing about this man, except that you fancy him. Is he funny or smart or sensitive? Is he married or single or dating? As for his ‘body language’, that is just as open to misinterpretation as any other human language. His eyes seeking you out, for example, could be due to wanting to keep tabs on you be-

cause of anxiety about your persistence. And other signals may simply be because he is flattered by your desire.

You say this is your second time in love. I hope you still love your husband and, if you were ever in lust with him, I hope you will try to restore it before you destroy the rela-

tionship. As is often the case, you’re hoping that true love, in the shape of your colleague, will rescue you from trouble at home, and excuse you from having to confront the real problem. Why not talk to your husband about making your marriage fun and happy again?

Still in love with my ex Dear Bunmi, My ex-boyfriend has an older girlfriend who is pressuring him to move in with her.

A few weeks ago, he came to my flat and we had fantastic love making. Unfortunately, the condom split and he saw how anxious I was as it was during my ovulation period.

Thank God I wasn’t pregnant but I was devastated when he didn’t even phone to check if I was Ok when my period was due. He said he was too scared to speak to me and that he didn’t feel he could give me what I wanted.

We were great together when we were an item and I won’t want to lose him again but can a leopard really change his spots?

Selina, by e-mail.

Dear Selina, You won’t lose this man again - you can’t, because you don’t have him in the first place. If you’re smart, you will retreat and let his current girlfriend be the one to pressure him. But I doubt if she’ll get him either. His behaviour is trying to tell you what he hasn’t the nerve to say outrigtht - that he is not ready or willing to commit to relationship with anyone right now.

Despite the old saying, spots do change and maybe his will someday. In the meantime, change yours. Find other leopards to play with until this one grows up.

Dear Uju, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this dude of yours has trouble with a capital ’T’.

Of course, you should worry.

All the signs are that your partner is having a great time with your neighbour and wants to put you off the scent.

This is where an ultimatum sets in - he either dumps the neighbour or you dump him.

Don’t expect excuses or buy his claim that he loves you it’s a load of rubbish!

If he loves you, he’ll care for the way you feel. I’d dump him, anyway, if I were you.

He has betrayed and lied to you. His next move might even be to stay the night in this his neighbour’s! It may be hard at first, but the earlier you showed him the door, the better for your peace of mind.

,

Married but in love with another man

Dear Bunmi, I’ve been in my current relationship for a couple of years and I now live with my partner. The problem is, he’s become friendly with a girl down the road and he keeps popping in to see her. They knew each other from their university days and whenever I protest, he says I’m stupid not to trust him.

The other day, he went over to her on the pretext of collecting something and didn’t come back until after two hours. When I went over to check on what was going on, the· curtains were drawn and they took ages to answer the door.

Am I right to think something is going on?

Uju, By e-mail.

If he loves you, he’ll care for the way you feel; I’d dump him, anyway, if I were you; he has betrayed and lied to you; his next move might even be to stay the night in this his neighbour’s

,

Depression prevents me from loving I was in it for money my son

Dear Georgina, You need to seek professional help for your condition.

Talk freely with your doctor on

how you feel and ask him to put you on to some professionals who offer advice and a friendly listening ear. Also, don’t hide indoors with your son. Give yourself a break once in a while by going out with friends and leaving him in the care of capable hands.

Speak to close friends and

,

DearBunmi, I’m a 25-year-old mother of an 18-month-old son and he’s the sweetest child you could ever hope for. He likes being around other people but screams and throws tantrums when he’s around me. I had a very bad case of post-natal depression when I had him and I’m not completely over it yet. My husband couldn’t understand why I couldn’t bond with our first child, so I pretend to be enamoured by him.

The only problem is that I’m still depressed and I cry a lot.

I change, feed and bathe him and I do everything a mother should, but I’m like a robot. I want to get better and enjoy my work and my marriage. I look at other mothers and they seem so capable. I feel worthless in comparison to them.

Please help.

Georgina, By e-mail.

your family about how you’re feeling. Once they realize how tough things are for you, they would rally round and give you their support.

You’re not a monster. Just a new mum grappling with post-natal depression which is a common but treatable condition.

You need to seek professional help for your condition; talk freely with your doctor on how you feel and ask him to put you on to some professionals who offer advice and a friendly listening ear

,

Dear Bunmi, A few years ago, I was made redundant and couldn’t afford the rent to my flat. It was a struggle to maintain my car, let alone buy new things.

Then I met this kind married man at a party and he took up my bills. He came to the house as often and as freely as he could for love making. I don’t think he loves me and the feeling is mutual.

I now have a good job and I’m back on my feet financially. Unfortunately, this man doesn’t want to believe I no longer need him and continues pestering me to make love. Should I sit him down and explain how things are

now, or should I ignore him and hope he gets the message?

Ayokei, by e-mail.

Dear Ayokei, As shocking as this arrangement of yours might be to some people, you seem to regard it as a business arrangement, in which case, you don’t owe him an explanation. You just cancel the ‘contract’ and that’s it. He’s a married man after all, and there is a limit to the extent of trouble he can make for you. He may be more likely to leave you alone if you tell him why it’s over.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

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42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

My governorship plans are for real — Helen Esuene S

enator Helen Esuene, PDP, Akwa Ibom South, is the widow of Col. Jacob Esuene, administrator of the former South Eastern State. She was at one time minister of state for Health, then minister of Environment, and currently the Chairman Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development. Mrs Esuene in this interview lays down her plans for the governorship of Akwa Ibom in 2015, saying she is not returning to the Senate after her one and only term.

Excerpts

BY CHIOMA ONUEGBU

Y

OU have been listed as the only female aspirant in the 2015 governorship race in Akwa Ibom. What exactly are your plans for the state?

Yes, I am aspiring to become the next governor of Akwa Ibom State and for me this is not an event. It is a consciously planned project. I have gathered a lot of experience over the years in various segments of the society as a public servant, as an entrepreneur, in communal affairs, better life and so forth and also now in the legislature. So, I have gathered a lot of experience which I know this state will stand to benefit from.

As a governor of Akwa Ibom State I want to take democracy to another level.

This is a season to try new people in governance, to try the female folk in governance. It is very instructive to note that out

National Assembly. When it comes to the National Assembly it will go through the normal processes of bills.

The incumbent governor of this state has declared that he will produce his successor are you one of them in that group?

The governorship has been zoned to Eket Senatorial district and I come from Eket Senatorial district. The government of Akwa Ibom state is under the platform of the PDP so I qualify, however, you look at it. Whether he has told you or he has not told you or whoever he has told but I am in the line, I am very much in the line, yes, and I know that by the grace of God that I will make it.

What is your reaction to the stalemate at the National Conference over the issue of derivation?

You know when it comes to money matters there is no formula that will satisfy everybody. If you satisfy some people there will always be people who will be frowning. So there cannot be any

Whether I make the governorship race or not, I am not going back to the Senate because I believe that we should start to exhibit integrity in politics

,

of the 4 countries that qualified for the Semifinals of the World Cup, that 3 out the four Countries are headed by women. They are Germany, Argentina and Brazil. This speaks volumes and like I said there are times and seasons. We have tested the men. The men have been there and they have done a fantastic job, but it is time to try the women and I want to say that this is the season to put more women on the job of governance.

How will the National Assembly treat the report from the National Conference?

The answer is yes and no. At the end of the national conference I believe that the Presidency will articulate all the recommendations or resolutions into bills and send to the

,

formula but by the time they really get down to their recommendations and whatever they have accepted, like I said it will still come to the National Assembly, so whatever is happening now is not the end of it.

Were you called upon by Eket people to contest or is it your personal conviction that you can become the first female governor of Akwa Ibom state?

In going for an election it is a personal decision no matter who comes to you to say come and run.

It is your personal decision because you are going to face the challenges on the road, so I would say people came to me to say run, but I personally decided to run.

If you happen to become the next governor what would you do as regards industrialising the state?

• Helen Esuene When I become governor by the grace of God industrialization, job creation will be on the front burner and I will also go a step further to make sure that the system works, the entire network.

When I say the system I mean from governance down to the grassroots including the village head, the traditional rulers, the elders, the youths and the women.

What have been your achievements as Chairman of the Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development?

I have in the past three years drawn a lot of attention to female issues, issues of rape, issues of violence; issues of 35 percent Affirmative Action and so on and so forth. My Committee I can tell you is the most active Committee in the National Assembly because there is hardly any week there is no activity on women, or youths, or children.

How do you react to suggestions that your governorship pursuit is only a platform for you to negotiate a second term in the Senate?

This is very, very far from the truth. When I was campaigning for the position of Senate I specifically told my Oron brothers and sisters that I will do one term because the unwritten agreement in my senatorial district is every federal

constituency that is in the Senate will do it for two terms and then it will move to another Federal Constituency. Senator Udo Udoma from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency did two terms, and my sister Senator Eme Ufot Ekaette did one term and both of us are from Eket Federal Constituency and I told my people that I will only do one

term so that it will move to Oron Federal Constituency. Whether I make the governorship race or not, I am not going back to the Senate because I believe that we should start to exhibit integrity in politics. I do not want something that will stand against my children in future that, ‘your mother said like this but she did not keep to her words.

Security agents are S

enator Clever Ikisikpo, is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties and represents Bayelsa East Senatorial District. In this interview, he accuses the security agencies of being involved in the oil theft that has shamed the country across the world. He also speaks on other security challenges facing the country and how to tackle the challenges.

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU What’s your take on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria HE issue of insecurity in Nigeria has been a problem to everyone because just like I used to say that security is the problem of every person and if you think that security is only for the security agencies then we are deceiving ourselves. The issue of security should be taken seriously especially in areas where we have insecurity. With insecurity there will be no development, it is only in a country where there is security that development can go on. If the way the president is working, there had been no insecurity in those areas, development would have spread homogeneously in all parts of the federation. But I used to say that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria is in a way, self inflicted because most of us do not know that when you incite the youths, the youths will take a step more than what you are telling them.

T

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—43

Osun is about to be free – Fadahunshi rince Francis Fadahunshi is a retired Deputy Comptroller general of Customs and a chieftain P of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State. The

Ilase born Prince is also a member of the reconciliation committee of the party in the state. He spoke on his experiences being part of the PDP campaign team of Senator Iyiola Omisore and the chances of the party in the August 9 election.

Excerpts

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

How have you been received in your campaigns round the state? t has been very warm and interesting. We have been enjoying warm reception in every part of the state visited.

As a group that will soon form government, we are taking notes of all those things we saw.

Personally, I am taking notes about what I have seen that may help to do one or two things for the people. As you can observe, we have been going to the “forgotten ones”, the rural dwellers, who do not even know that any government exist in the state because they are just abandoned to their fate there.

Our candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore has been telling them his plans, if voted on August 9 and these people have been telling him also what they want him to do. So I believe our job is half done already. We are only waiting for the election to pass and as soon as Osun people regain their mandate and hand over to us, you will all see the difference. But I can assure you that we have been getting very fantastic reception.

What positive or negative effect do you think Ekiti poll will have on Osun governorship election?

I

I have never harboured any doubt about the chances of Iyiola Omisore winning Osun governorship election. He is here and knows the terrain very well. He has been on this project for close to 20 years now committing his time, energy and resources to it. His political structure has even helped others attain seat of governor, so I am not in the category that became suddenly optimistic about PDP winning Osun governorship poll. By and large, having gauged the feelings of majority of Osun people, I am certain Omisore will win landslide.

The positive effect Ekiti poll is having on Osun people, as you can see is the open rejection of APC at the moment. In the past, people would have been afraid, but Ekiti people have shown the way and the people of Osun are groaning in the pains their rulers inflicted on them, are ready to free themselves from those ruling them with propaganda. That is one positive effect. It reawakes sense of readiness to free themselves from the shackles of bad government.

The negative effect would be for us to get complacent and that will never happen. We are working very hard to set Osun free and that will happen soon, I am assuring our people.

•Fadahunshi Do you see insecurity as a threat to the conduct of the August 9 poll?

I am a security expert and I know when I see a person or group that portend danger for the security of lives and properties of people. The worrisome aspect is that government of Osun State appears favourably disposed to those threatening security of Osun State now.

The group called “State Boys” has been unleashing terror on our party members wherever we go for rally.

There was an explosion in Ife, members of PDP were attacked in Ede, one of them nearly got killed by these hoodlums that are called “state boys”. We have

lost billboards and posters to the these boys, who have been given specific mandate to unleash terror on innocent and harmless Osun people. There have also been massive stockpiling of firearms by some desperate politicians who are smelling defeat.

But I can assure you that none of all these arms will be used that day. Security operatives must be alive to their responsibilities and prevent unnecessary loss of lives by acting swiftly on information.

But there have been insinuations that some members of your party have been using the tag of “State Boys” to cause mayhem in a bid to discredit government?

involved in oil theft in Nigeria—Senator Ikisikpo Latest ranking of Nigeria as country with high crude oil theft With the issue of crude oil, I would say it is difficult for us to account for all the crude produced because of leakages; leakages in the sense that we have illegal refineries, we have even unrecorded vessels taking our crude oil. How do they know the parameter for ranking Nigeria as one of the countries with highest crude theft? Yes, there are leakages, but I don’t believe that Nigeria ranks top in oil theft.

What could be done to stall oil theft?

You see one of the problems is sincerity; Sincerity in government. If you have an agency or ministry and everybody is sincere and transparent, we should be able to block these leakages. Now within the territorial waters, we have the Navy, the Customs and other agencies that are working within our territorial waters but how sincere are they?

Some of these Customs and Naval Officers are also involved.

So, if you are given security and you leave the work of security to involve yourself with those who are making loopholes to occur then how do you think we would be able to account for all that is going on within the crude oil

sector. So, most of the security people are really involved with respect to the oil theft that is happening within our territorial waters. And that is the only area that we can only block.

Pipelines are being tapped by illegal refineries, then, can’t we have a computerized system or way of knowing where someone is trying to illegally tap crude oil from our pipelines?

Because we have gone automated in so many ways, so, with the automated system of things happening in the country, we should be able to use automated way in knowing where leakages of crude oil are at any point for us to arrest the situation.

There seems to be relative peace in the Niger Delta. What has been responsible for this?

You see, when we talk about relative peace in the Niger Delta area, it is the handwork of every elder and youth within the region because all of us agree. That is why we always call on the north, where we are having these security problems, that if all the northern elders, emirs and chiefs should come together to say all these things such as insurgency should not happen, it will not happen. In the olden days when there were no police, people respect chiefs; people respect the emirs.

•Marcus Ikisikpo

If government of Osun state did not form state boys, how would anyone impersonate them? No PDP member would impersonate that criminal gang.

They carry weapons even in the presence of security operatives as if they are above the law. PDP is not associating with criminals and would never impersonate any dangerous group.

The administration of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola is believed to have done some turnaround of basic infrastructure. Do you agree?

He is building some roads in Osogbo and few other places but how has that improved the quality of lives of Osun people?

First, some roads are built in the city centres but those ones in the rural areas where the farm produce that feed the state comes from are neglected. Even those ones renovated or constructed by this government are done at cut throat prices that will still put Osun State at the receiving end.

I was part of PDP campaign to some places under Ila and Oke Ila, the roads in all those areas are impassible and no one is looking at the plight of these people.

The secondary school in my village, I employed ten teachers there and wanted to demolish it under the reclassification policy of Aregbesola’s government but people resisted them. The economy of the state is not in proper shape because of low purchasing power. New market has been commissioned but no money to trade there.

Local contractors are not being patronised and this is affecting everyone.

The rate of failure in external examinations has increased, drawing education back several years. The gains recorded under previous governments have been destroyed on the altar of politics!

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

NEPDC, UNIDO explore new export prospects

Group launches N10m tree planting exercise in Delta

BY DANIEL GUMM

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EW areas for development and promotion of non-oil export sector are being explored by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, and United Nations Industrial Development

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—THE O w h e l o g b o Community Social Foundation, OCSF, has launched a N10 million tree-planting campaign in Owhelogbo community, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, in an effort to conserve the environment.

Speaking during the launch, Chairman of the Lagos branch of the Owhelogbo Community Development Union, OCDU, Mr. Godwin Edegwa, said the exercise was an “important activity that complements ongoing national efforts that are in place to preserve our environment.

“The campaign is the baby of OCSF under the auspices of OCDU Lagos Branch. Today, our environment is being rapidly threatened by increasing human population and industrialisation, which has led to an increase in human activities and encroachment on forestland.”

Reiterating the desire of the foundation to commit about N10 million to the project, Edegwa said: “It is our plan to plant a minimum of 10,000 tress in Owhelogbo this year.”

Organisation, UNIDO, says the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo.

Speaking in Abuja at a meeting with the Country Representative of UNIDO in Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Awolowo said the Council had collaborated with UNIDO

over the years in areas of human capital development with the establishment of Leather and Leather Products Common Facility Centre, CFC, in Aba, Abia State; Kano CFC on textiles and the Human Capital Development Centre, HCDC, also known as the AGOA Training School, in Lagos.

The council has also

Aggrieved party members demand dissolution of Burutu PDP ward exco

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

T

HE aggrieved Ward 9 members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, have called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the leadership of the party to dissolve the ward’s Executive Committee over alleged imposition of the executive.

Mr. Godday Smith, who spoke yesterday on behalf of the aggrieved party members, said the appeal, if not addressed, would escalate the division generated by the situation in a manner likely to threaten the party chances at the coming October council polls in the state.

He said: “The Burutu Ward 9 executive is not truly representative of Gbekebou, Ofoinibaiyan, Ogbeingbene, Agbedebiri, and Egoudo communities, which form the ward. Few persons unilaterally imposed their brothers and cronies without ward congress, which is against PDP’s constitution.

“The same self-styled leaders now want to impose unpopular

candidates on the party for the October council polls. This is unacceptable.

“We challenge the state PDP leadership and the Burutu council boss to correct the

anomaly by conducting proper congress for a new executive before we begin to talk of delegates and candidates for the coming elections.”

Delta North should forget 2015 guber— UGBODUMA

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GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Delta State, Dr. Theophilus Ugboduma, has dismissed calls for power shift to Delta North senatorial district, saying Delta Central was better positioned to produce the next governor of the state in 2015.

He said: ‘’The entire Delta State at an enlarged stakeholders meeting agreed

that the governorship in 2015 should be zoned to Delta Central for the sake of justice, fair play, equity unity and state cohesion.

“Delta North cannot produce the next governor for the simple reason that they have the state capital and the three biggest metropolitan towns namely Asaba, Agbor and Kwale.’’

One injured as fire razes Hausa Quarters in Bayelsa

BY EMEM IDIO

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ENAGOA— ONE person was severely burnt, while property worth over N1 million were destroyed in a Monday inferno, which razed a section of Hausa quarters in Arietallin Street, a suburb of Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State, mainly populated by

northerners.

Although the main cause of the fire could not be ascertained at press time, an eyewitness and a resident of the area Mr. Lawali Bello, said that the fire was allegedly caused by a food vendor, who was using a fire booth belonging to a Suya seller before the fire went out of control, adding that no fewer

than 15 makeshift apartments were affected, including a mosque.

Meanwhile, the food vendor, who hails from Nassarawa State, had since fled apparently for fear of arrest.

Although men of the Bayelsa State Fire Service were contacted, damage had been done before they arrived.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

prioritised some products for export as part of its efforts to instill export culture among Nigerians, with future plans to establish a world class export training institute.

Awolowo explained that concerted efforts were being made by NEPC to shift focus from post to pre-shipment incentive with the reintroduction of the Export Development Fund, EDF, which is targeted at promoting Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, exporters.

Responding, Dr. Kormawa confirmed that there was need to build strong export culture within the ECOWAS subregion before launching out to other regions, adding that the development of a national policy that would ensure acceptable international quality standards for exportable products was of paramount importance.

He noted that for the country to actualise the objectives of the National Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, stakeholders in the non-oil export sector and relevant government agencies in the sector should own and drive the plan.

Towards this end, he said, UNIDO was willing to partner relevant agencies and identified stakeholders in proffering strategies that would help achieve the goals and objectives of the NIRP.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On suspension of ASUP strike

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HY the strike then?

After 10 months, still government intervened and used diplomacy to give them one month.

Ask ASUU about their agreement with government since 2009. In the next two years nothing will come out of all these.— Ms. Abaraonye Nkiru, Worker.

A

SUP went on a useless strike. They think they can intimidate the government. They should not have suspended the strike.

They should continue.

There is God and someday we shall all give account of our deeds on earth.— Mr. Humphery Eze, Secretary.

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HEY are busy delaying other people’s education while their children are busy schooling outside the country. May God have mercy on us. It is high time we stopped all these strikes and adopt better means of negotiation.— Mr. Ikechukwu Francis, Businessman.

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HIS is half solved and let students go back to school. I thank God for my school did not join in the strike. I am unhappy for my fellow students that have stayed at home for months. It is well with Nigeria and our education sector.— Mr. Akowe Stanley, Student.

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FTER the long strike, ASUP did not achieve their aim.

Well glory be to God. What will happen if government fails to go into an agreement with them? They would start thinking of strike again or what? Only God will save us.— Mr. Temple Igody, Self Employed.

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ONGRATULATION to every ASUP student. Now that the strike is suspended, it is time to roll-up your sleeves and make up for the session lost. I am sure that students will have to read beyond their usual capacity now.— Mr. Je-Ola Iyanuoluwa, Fashion Designer.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—45

Delta 2015: Why we want Olejeme as gov —Itsekiri leaders

Mortgage scandal: Court renews order against GT Homes

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ROMINENT Itsekiri leaders have advised Deltans at home and abroad not to focus on gender, but to look at the individual personalities, the person’s qualities and what he or she can offer the people as a governor.

They also described the chairman, Board of Directors of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, as an honest, simple and accomplished administrator.

“Dr. Olejeme has the knowledge and the skills to succeed in the state.

So, we are mobilising our people, friends and inlaws across the state. We are quite confident that she will become governor in 2015,” the leaders said in a statement in Warri.

The statement by the Chairman of Itsekiri Movement for Good Governance, IMFGG, Mr. Francis Diden, also commended Olejeme for her contribution to the development of human resources in the state.

Edo 2016: Binis won't vote Esan gov—Uyigue

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—A Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Elder Sunny Uyigue, yesterday, said that the Binis will not vote for an Esan man as governor of the state in 2016.

Uyigue, who dumped Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC, last year due to what he described as the alleged dictatorial leadership style of the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, pointed out that the current crisis in the state House of Assembly was “as a result of PDP's desperation for 2016. But they will never win any election in Edo State because our people have had enough of their arrogance.

“It is shameful that PDP has become so lawless that they can no longer obey court orders."

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BY ONOZURE DANIA

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GROUND BREAKING: From left: PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State, his wife Obioma and Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran, during the ground breaking ceremony of UPDC's Golf Estate in Calabar. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Oru’s appointment, good for N-Delta devt—stakeholders

BY FESTUS AHON

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BUJA—AS Deltans celebrate the swearing in of Dr. Steve Oru as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs by President Goodluck Jonathan, stakeholders and political leaders in the state have described his appointment as a good omen for the development of the Niger Delta region.

In separate chats with Vanguard, Deltans said Oru’s knowledge of the problems confronting the region would facilitate its development.

Those who spoke include, Mr Daniel Idonor, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Mr Sam Marierie, Evangelist S. Olotu, Chief Andrew Oru, Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu and Olorogun Jaro Egbo.

Mr Idonor said: “There has never been a time a minister, who was nominated by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has received wide acceptance like we have today. Dr. Oru is acceptable to PDP members at every lev-

el. This is the first time I am seeing Delta State so united in this manner.”

Member representing Ughelli South in Delta State House of Assembly, Olorogun Tebite, expressed confidence that Oru would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duties as minister in charge of the Niger Delta.

“As a true son of the Niger Delta who has lived with the people, Oru is conversant with the needs of the people and he knows how to tackle them. We the people of Urhobo nation are pleased with his appointment.”

Also, the Deputy National President of Urhobo Youth Council, Olorogun Egbo, said that Oru's appointment is a welcome development, adding, “his appointment as a minister is in line with the yearnings of the Urhobo people."

On his part, the member representing Ughelli North constituency 1 in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Sam Marierie, said: “Oru's appointment is a square peg in a square hole because this is somebody who has served this country and our great party in various capacities. He is somebody that knows the Niger Delta very well.”

Also speaking, Evangelist S.O. Olotu, said: “As someone from the area, a lot is expected from Oru especially in road development and youth empowerment. His appointment is well deserved and this is the first minister that Urhobos are having in the President Jonathan administration. We are sure of rapid development in the region.”

Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu, said; “Oru is an amiable man who is close to the people and he is very accessible. We know he will do well and all of us will be proud.”

Why Boro is Warri South-West PDP Chair —ICM

BY DANIEL GUMM

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ARRI—AS controversy rages over who produces the next Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State in the October 25 council polls, a pan-Itsekiri socio-cultural group, Itsekiri Consolidated Movement, ICM, has condemned those against the power rotation agreement between Itsekiri and Ijaw of Warri South-West council, describing their argument as “mere emotions bereft of basic knowledge of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, politicking in Warri South-West.”

ICM in a statement by the

Chairman, Mr, Oritsegbemi Besidone, in Warri after its emergency meeting, said that it was as a result of the power sharing arrangement that Chief Ayirimi Emami, an Itsekiri, stepped down as Chairman of PDP Warri South-West and Chief Boro Opudu, an Ijaw, became the party's chairman to pave way for Itsekiri in PDP to produce the next council chairman.

“It is unfortunate that people who are neither members of PDP nor know much about the party would make inciting statements regarding the party’s rotation principle.

For the records, when Chief Emami was the PDP Chairman in Warri South-West, an Ijaw man, George Ekpemupolo emerged the council chairman based on consensus of a single tenure each and it was against this backdrop that Chief Emami stepped down as party chairman, while Chief Opudu took over to pave the way for Itsekiri to produce the next council chairman,” he said.

He stressed the need for all PDP members at every level of government to always respect political agreements.

LAGOS High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, has renewed its earlier order restraining GT Homes Limited and Primewaterview Limited from conspiring to sell two separate apartments located at Safecourt Estate, Ikate, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Trial judge, Justice Iyabo Kasali, had earlier directed parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of a suit by a customer of Primewaterview claiming ownership of the apartments.

The judge renewed the order following allegation brought to her notice that GT Homes, now known as Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited, had attempted to change the locks to the apartments in issue before the court.

Disturbed by the development, Justice Kasali asked lawyers in the matter to impress on their clients the consequences of disobeying a valid and subsisting court order.

The judge also adjourned till October 3, 2014 for hearing of all pending applications.

The customer, Mr. Ola Falade, had dragged GT Homes and Primewaterview to court, alleging fraudulent conspiracy to deny him ownership of the two apartments in the estate, which he said he had duly paid for.

He also prayed the court to restrain Primewaterview and GT Homes from preventing him from gaining access to the apartments, pending the determination of the suit.

The claimant also asked the court to restrain the Registrar of Titles of Lagos State Lands Registry from accepting any document of title registration for the said two apartments described as Block H, P/H 700 and Block H, Flat 601 pending the determination of the suit.

At the resumed hearing in the matter, the claimant said his investigations revealed that Primewaterview had illegally assigned the individually-purchased apartments to GT Homes with GTHomes being aware of the full beneficial status of these individual subscribers.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

NAF, NDLEA partner in war against drug trafficking

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI—THE Nigerian Air Force, NAF, is to partner the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to combat rising cases of illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the country.

Commandant of the NAF School of Air Intelligence, NAFSAINT, Group Captain Benson Omoyungbo made this known yesterday at the graduation ceremony of the Intermediate Intelligence Course 10 officers from the school, held at the Air Force Base, Makurdi.

Omoyungbo said such partnership would be in furtherance of the vision of the Chief of Air Staff which he said was “to consolidate the transformation of NAF. ”One of the key drivers of the CAS’s vision is advocacy for credible partnership. It is in the quest to achieve this that we are partnering the NDLEA,” he said.

Mechanic, 26, jailed for obstructing wife's arrest

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BUJA—A 26-yearold mechanic, Mohammed Isah, was on Monday sentenced to two months in prison by an Upper Area Court sitting in Gwagwalada, FCT, for obstructing arrest of his wife.

The judge, Alhaji Alhassan Kusherki, however, gave him an option to pay N 10, 000 as fine.

“The court convicts you, Mohammed Isah, of the offence of obstruction which is contrary to Section 148 of the Penal Code and punishable under same section which you said is true. “You are hereby given the option to pay a fine of N 10,000 or spend two months in prison in default of payment.

“This punishment would serve as a deterrent to others and for the convict to be a good citizen,” he said.

The prosecutor, Insp Martha Paul, told the court that on July 13, the convict obstructed one Cpl Adaji Ominka and one other policeman, attached to Gwagwalada Police Station from arresting the wife.

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PDP-led FG benefits from Boko Haram insurgency — APC L

AGOS—THE All Progres sives Congress, APC, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP of aiding, abetting and benefitting from the Boko Haram insurgency, saying the mismanagement of national resources, massive corruption under the PDP watch and the incompetent handling of what started as a localized insurgency have been responsible for the festering of the crisis.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also accused the Federal Government of using the fight against the insurgency as an excuse to punish and witch-hunt the opposition, trample on civil liberties and abuse national institutions on a scale that is unprecedented in the country’s history.

It said had the PDP-led Federal Government not misgoverned Nigeria since 1999, perhaps the country could have been spared the cankerworm of terrorism epitomised more than anything else by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Backing up its claims that the Jonathan's administration is profiting from the Boko Haram insurgency, it said the PDP is using the crisis to launder the image of the Jonathan presidency by securing attendance and participation for President Jonathan at important international summits and meetings.

PRESENTATION: From left—Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina; Permanent Secretary, Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Dr. Kayode Oguntimehin; representatives of Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JITA), Ms. Koga Sumiko; and Mr. Matsuoka Sadatoshi, during the presentation of Honda CRV Car to the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board by JITA, in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. ‘’Curiously, Boko Haram has pose emergency rule in states ing visits and assistance to areas become a way of getting the in- and areas controlled by opposi- affected and effective response to ternational community to talk tion political parties, harass and kidnappings and abductions (e.g. and meet with President Jonath- restrict media freedom (through the Administration was silent over an and gain international me- military clampdowns), and to jus- the Chibok girls kidnaps for over dia coverage. The PDP-Federal tify other illegal activities.

15 days). Little wonder that it took Government is also using the ‘’The Boko Haram crisis is the visit of the Pakistani girl eduBoko Haram crisis, especially the readily used by the PDP to ra- cation campaigner, Malala to Ni#Bringbackourgirls campaign, tionalise the Jonathan adminis- geria to force President Jonathan to blackmail the main opposition tration’s abdication of its consti- to now promise to meet the parparty and the Civil Society, im- tutional responsibilities, includ- ents of the over 200 school girls who were abducted over three months ago in Chibok. ‘’Under the guise of ensuring security, the Maiduguri Airport has been closed, hence the Borno Govas “the self style chief butcher” ernor and the people of the state, including the pilgrims heading to of the insurgent camp.

The statement alleged that he less Hajj, have been forced to travtained in a statement issued by was linked to the recent slaugh- el by road to Kano to board their the Force Public Relations Of- ter of seven people, including flights. However, the reason for ficer, ACP Frank Mba, in Abuja. women and children. shutting the airport has suddenly The statement described ZakaIt said that the suspect was ar- vanished as the private plane conri, who hails from Kaigamari vil- rested on Saturday at about 2 veying Ali Modu Sheriff was allage, Daptchari in Darazo Local p.m. following a massive on- lowed to land at the airport on MonGovernment Area of Bauchi State slaught by security forces day, the same day the Governor against the activities of insur- had to travel by road to Kano to gents in the Balmo forest in see his brother who was involved in an accident on the same road!

Bauchi State. ‘’It is also not a secret that bilIt added that Zakari was arrested on Darazo-Basrika road lions of Naira have been allocated Pam noted that the analysis of while fleeing from intensive to security in order to tackle the the revenue collected in the pe- counter insurgency operations Boko Haram menace, yet our troops have not been adequately riod under review showed that around the forest.

The statement revealed that equipped to confront the insurgenthe service collected N2.97 billion from other sources while Zakari was tutored in the art of cy. One wonders what happened N1.24 billion came from the min- insurgency at Gombe forest un- to the huge funds allocated to the istries, departments, agencies, der the leadership of another anti-terror fight.''

The party called the attention fleeing insurgent, Abba Taura.

MDAs. It said that the suspect moved of Nigerians to the testimony givAccording to the breakdown of the revenue, road taxes amount- to Balmo forest three months ago. en by a US official, at the US “He is discovered to have ac- House Foreign Affairs Sub-comed to N220.52m while N85.14m was generated from sales of ve- tively participated in the April mittee on Africa’s hearing last hicle number plates with attack against customs officers at Thursday in Washington, idenN72.71m accruing from sales of Kari town, along Maiduguri tifying the human rights abuse record and uncooperative attiroad, Bauchi State,” it said. car stickers/vehicles tags.

Meanwhile, the Police High tude of the Nigerian government Similarly, the PSIRS said that it collected the highest Command had urged people in and its military authorities as facrevenue of N813, 033, 465.27 the affected area to be on guard tors hindering the security asin May with the lowest, N567, for any suspicious or strange sistance offered to Nigeria by 660, 013.07 coming in April. character fleeing from the forest. the US to tackle Boko Haram.

Police arrest suspected Boko Haram member in Bauchi

A

BUJA—THE Nigeria Po lice yesterday said its detectives attached to the Bauchi State Command arrested one Mohammed Zakari, 30, a senior member of the Boko Haram sect.

Notice of the arrest is con-

Plateau's IGR hits N4.2bn BYMARIE-THERESENANLONG

J

OS—THE Plateau State government has said that it now generates N4.2 billion internally every month.

The state Internal Revenue Service, PSIRS, which made this known in Jos, the state capital, pointed out that it had been maintaining the feat in the last six months.

Chairman of PSIRS, Mr. Samuel Pam, who spoke on the issue yesterday, described the achievement as commendable.

He praised the staff of the PSIRS for their commitment even as he pointed out that the efforts could still be improved upon.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—47

Saraki lauds ASUP for courage to return to work

DELTA COUNCIL POLLS:

Group petitions Uduaghan, Mu’azu over alleged imposition of candidate

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

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BY ETOP EKANEM

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HEAD of the planned October 25, 2014 local government elections in Delta State, political leaders in Oshimili North Council of the state, under the aegis of Oshimili North Progressive Front, have petitioned Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mua'zu, urging them to call to order the state PDP chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi whom they alleged has imposed a chairmanship candidate, Mr. Louis Ndukwe against their wish.

In a statement signed by the group’s chairman, Mr. Mike Onochie and Philip Chukwuka, they said that Nwaobosi without consultations with party leaders in Oshimili North Council, single-handedly picked Ndukwe as the PDP chairmanship candidate, out of the many aspirants, an action which has thrown the party in the area into greater crisis.

According to the group, “Front has been drawn to the purported endorsement of one Loius Ndukwe as a chairmanship candidate for Oshimili North Zone. Our position is that if our party leadership has agreed that it is the turn of the North to produce the council chairman, equity and justice demand that we should be given the right to shop for a credible candidate who will suit our needs and aspirations and effectively represent us rather than impose one without pedigree and experience.”

The group further added that the imposed chairmanship candidate in his characteristic brashness was already everywhere throwing his worthless weight around intimidating opponents and handpicking councillorship candidates in the council, thereby fuelling further crisis in the party.

It further alleged that the handpicked candidate has been boosting that the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) was at his beck and call and will be used in his favour through his said god-father.

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From left: Mr. Richard Uche, immediate past President receiving a gift from Mr. Larry Ettah, President, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, during the 57th Annual General Meeting of NECA, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

INSECURITY: Nigeria 'll come out stronger — Emir

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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INNA — THE Emir of Lapai, in Niger State, Alhaji Umaru Tafida III, has said that the country will come out of the current security problem in the country stronger than, even as he called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the nation.

The traditional ruler disclosed this in his palace when he played host to delegates consisting members of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, who were in Lapai to monitor the ongoing work on the Maritime

Institute at the Ibrahim Badamosi Babagida University.

Tafida siad the security situation was only a phase that would soon pass by, noting: “We will come out stronger from the present security problem. Each time and everywhere we go, we should continue to pray for the unity of this nation.”

He said those who witnessed the civil war (in the 60s) will not want another one and commended the Federal Government for siting the institute in Lapai, stressing that the action has strengthened the community’s believe in “Project Nigeria.”

Tafida commended the

chairperson of Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Zaynab Abdulkadir Kure, for her uprightness and dedication to duty.

He noted that the chairperson’s dedication to ensuring the development of the maritime industry and especially the completion of the institute being sponsored by NIMASA, underscores her desire for a better Nigeria.

Responding, Kure said the visit was part of the committee’s oversight functions, adding that the committee had earlier visited other maritime institutes in other parts of the country.

Aganga tasks BOI board on sustainable economic growth

A

BUJA — THE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, urged the newly inaugurated Board of Directors of Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure an inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the country.

Aganga made the call at the inauguration of the fourth Board of Directors of BOI, yesterday in Abuja.

Aganga urged the board to work toward its mandate of providing financial assistance for the establishment of large, medium and small projects and to create an enabling environment to stimulate domestic investment.

He said the country’s objective was not just to grow the economy but to ensure that the funding needs of the Micro, Small and Medium enterprises, MSME, were prioritised.

Aganga enjoined the ministry to give policy guidance to the bank toward the achievement of these objectives.

On his expectations of the

board, he said: “I expect your board to forward to me quarterly progress reports showing performance in the quarter and year to date.”

The nine-member board members are Mr Abdusamad Rabiu (Chairman); Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa (Managing Director); Mr Muhammed Alkali ((Executive Director, Operations)

and Mr Waheed Olagunju (Executive Director, Corporate Services).

Others are Mr Kenneth Efa; Mr Abubakar Isah (representing Ministry of Finance); Mr Olufemi Fabao (representing CBN; Mrs Uju Hassan-Baba and Chief Lawrence Osayemi (representing Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN.

LORIN — FORMER governor of Kwara State and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in in the state, Dr Bukola Saraki, has commended the members of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, for calling off its 10 months old strike, describing the development as a cheery news to the academic community.

He also applauded the incumbent, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for prioritising the welfare of the youths especially, students.

Saraki, who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, particularly commended the governor for appointing Patrick Adewumi Adekunle as Special Assistant on Students’ Matters.

Saraki in a statement he signed in Ilorin, yesterday, said: “Congratulations to the newly appointed Special Assistant on Students’ Matters to the Kwara State governor, Comrade Patrick Adewumi Adekunle from Oke-Ero; the appointment is timely and well deserved gesture from the state government which places students as integral part of our society. ”I commend our governor, Alhaji Ahmed for his keen and fatherly interest in educational development in Kwara State which he has demonstrated through the appointment of the SA Students’ Matters.

"Even as I specially congratulate all students in various institutions across Kwara, I also hail the courage of ASUP for calling off the 10month nation-wide strike and return to work; this is good news for the academic community and the society at large."

‘Women crops’ more profitable than ‘men crops’—Study

A

BUJA— A STUDY by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA, has shown that ‘ women crops’ are more profitable than ‘men crops.’

According to the study, although all crops could be cultivated by both genders, some were commonly grown by women, while others by men.

Dr Ephraim Nkonya, Senior Research Fellow at the institute, stated this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja.

Nkonya identified women

crops to include vegetables, pepper, tomatoes, onions, and noted that women’s crops were simple to grow, and have high value due to their popular demand.

‘Men’ crops, he said, include rice, maize, yam, adding that they were men crops because “the nature of men is that they don’t want to bend their backs and work for long hours”.

“But women are created in a very special way. They are very delicate, and they can bend down working for long hours and handle delicate crops which men

cannot do.

“These crops handled by women are very high value crops, and are the ones which are very good and appropriate for women.

“Men crops need a lot of energy to grow; rice, maize, cassava and yams. These are men crops that do not need a lot of bending and delicate hands. Those are the ones men can afford to grow,” he said.

Nkonya said that the institute’s research in Nigeria had revealed that pepper, a woman’s crop, was the most profitable crop in the country.

48— Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

VISIT: Chidi Onyeukwu-Ajaegbu, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (2nd right) welcoming Uyi Akpata, Senior Country Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers , PwC, (2nd left), Rotimi Omotoso, Registrar/CEO, ICAN (left) and Tola Ogundipe, Leader Assurance, PwC, during the visit of PwC Senior Country Partner to the ICAN Corporate Head Office in Lagos.

TREE PLANTING: From left: Chairman, Shomolu Local Government, Hon. Gbolahan Bago-Stowe, representative of Lagos State Governor, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and representative of Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Abashin Odunbaku, during the 7th Lagos Tree Planting Campaign in Shomolu Local Government. Lagos.

Director General,Directorate of Technical Aid Corps, Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi (left) addressing 52 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) volunteers to the Islamic University of Uganda, before their departure in Abuja, yesterday.

DINNER: From left: Country Director (Nigeria), International Republican Institute, IRI, Mrs. Robina Namusisi, Political Strategist, Mr. Craig Smith, President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, and Vice-President, AAAN, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, at a dinner/interactive session with Mr. Craig Smith in Abuja.

From left: Guinness Distributor of the Year 2014 and MD, Edinho Nigeria Ltd, Chief Edmond Okafor, Regional Sales Director, South West, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Afeez Ajibowu and MD/CEO, Guinness Nigeria, Seni Adetu, during the 2014 Guinness Nigeria Sales and Distributors Award in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

From left: Kola Oyeyemi, convener, Destiny Walk, Larry Izamoje, CEO, Brila FM, popular Nigerian comedian, Tunde Adewale (Tee A), leading a crowd comprising eminent Nigerians, students and parents, at a Walk tagged ‘Readers Are Leaders’ Destiny Walk, to create awareness to revive the reading culture among Nigerians, in Yaba, Lagos.

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LECTURE: From left, Representative of Lagos State Governor and Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Lateef Ibirogba, Chairman, Island Club, Prince Demola Dada and, Royal Father of the Day, Oba Ojora of Ojora, Oba Aromire Fatai, during the Island Club Annual Ramadan Lecture in Lagos.

Students of Loral International Secondary School, Igbesa, Ogun State, on Gold sash bands, who were recently recognised for their outstanding academic performances with some parents and Teachers, at the event.

PRESENTATION: From left: Director, Peacock Group of Companies, United Kingdom, Mr. Oluwatosin Shobowale, Mayor of London Borough of Richmond, Jane Boulton, and Manager, Peacock Travel and Tours, United Kingdom, Mr. Keith Lloyd, during the presentation of ‘Sustained Excellence in Corporate Travel 2014’ award to Peacock Travels and Tours by UK's Acquisition Magazine in London.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 49

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50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Mouka instant win promo

Mobile phone data helps combat malaria

M

OUKA Limited has announced its Mouka "Instant win promo”from July 17th 2014. The National Business Manager, Mouka Limited, Mr. Olufemi Asa said: "at Mouka, we are dedicated to providing quality mattresses that help our consumers have a good night rest after a hard day's work. It is only fair that we reward our devoted consumers and also people who are interested in purchasing our top ranges of mattresses to enhance their sleep experience."

Marketing Manager, Mouka Limited, Mr. Olusegun Ajala said choice of mattress purchased will determine the instant prize which ranges from neck rest, mosquito nets, towels, to shopping bags.

Prizes will be redeemed immediately at the purchase centres.

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

A

N international scientific study has explored how mobile phone data can be used to help combat malaria more effectively.

Conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton and the National Vector-borne Diseases Control Programme in Namibia , the study used anonymised mobile records to measure population movements within the country between 2010 and 2011.

By combining this data with information about diagnosed cases of malaria, topography and climate, the researchers identified geographical malaria “hotspots” and design targeted plans for its elimination.

"Understanding the movement of people is crucial in eliminating malaria. Attempts to clear the disease from an area can be ruined by highly mobile populations quickly reintroducing the parasite which causes malaria,” said a Geographer at the University of Southampton, Dr Andy Tatem.

Tatem says if malaria is to be eliminated, the right measures in the right place must be deployed, but figures on human movement patterns in endemic regions are often restricted to local travel surveys and censusbased migration data.

"Our study demonstrates that the rapid global proliferation of

THAT

Edmark introduces organic toothpaste

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

I •Mobile phone could be the secret weapon against malaria. mobile phones now provides us with an opportunity to study the movement of people, using sample sizes running in to millions.

This data, combined with disease case based mapping, can help us plan where and how to intervene,: he declared.

Twelve months of anonymised Call Data Records were provided by a service provider to the researchers -- representing nine billion communications from 1.19 million unique subscribers, around 52 per cent of the population of Namibia. Aggregated movements of mobile users between urban areas and urban and rural areas were analysed in conjunction with data

based on rapid diagnostic testing of malaria and information on the climate, environment and topography of the country.

Results of the study helps improve targeting of malaria interventions to communities most at risk. Specifically they have helped with the targeting of insecticide-treated bed net distributions and will continue to help prepare for a large-scale net distribution in 2014 and deployment of community health workers.

Importation of malaria from outside a country will always be a crucial focus of disease control programmes, but movement of the disease within countries is also of huge significance.

N a bid to improve the oral health of Nigerians, Edmark Nigeria recently introduced splina chlorophyll toothpaste made from natural organics during its 4th international convention in Lagos.

The General Manager, Mr. Maurice Etim, said the 100 percent organic toothpaste gets rid of bad breath, prevents tooth decay and heals blisters in the mouth.

"All over the world, people are going organic and Edmark is offering Nigerians the opportunity of improving their oral health with a toothpaste is pure organic. Presently, it is the only organic toothpaste in Nigeria".

We are proud to have these quality health products at affordable rate in Nigeria he added.

Sam low Ban Chai, Chairman and Founder Edmark Group of

companies said the vision and mission of the company is to serve humanity, promote health and wellness among Nigerians as well as transform the lives of people's lives via providing them employment opportunities as distributors of natural health products and improving their economic status.

He said in the last four years, Edmark has continued to provide healthy food supplements for Nigeria, as well as empowering Nigerians.

"This year's convention which was indeed another platform for participants to share their experience, network, establish new contacts, exchange ideas and forge better understanding had people from different parts of Nigeria. Despite the increasing rate of insecurity in the country, Ban Chai believes if people would have the courage to take risk in Nigeria, there are lots of economic opportunities.

Current thinking on persistent pain Y

OUR nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the nerves in your arms, body and legs.

Millions of sensors sitting in the walls and ends of nerves send information to the spinal cord which then, most of the time, conveys it to your brain.

These sensors pick up mechanical, chemical or temperature changes like in a bee sting, burnt finger or sprained ankle and send these warning signals through nerves to the spinal cord and to the brain.

The more sensors that are open, the more charged the nerves become, and the more warning messages sent to the spinal cord.

Activity of these types of nerves is called "nociception", or , better still "warning reception".

This information is truly a warning; it is not pain itself, and is not even necessary for pain!

Like running a relay race, a chemical baton is passed from sensor to nerve to spinal cord and finally to the brain.

The brain then has the challenge of making sense of the warning signals it receives.

There is a difference between an uncomfortable chair and a cut finger.

Slower nerves, triggered by healing chemicals, are activated to tell the brain that healing has begun. The pain signal fades slowly until the cut finger is healed.

It used to be thought that most of pain was felt in the part of the brain called, the thalamus.

Not so anymore; there is no one pain centre in the brain.

Chronic persistent pain and sensitisation

In some people, the warning messages 'forget' to decrease, even after the injury has healed.

Imagine a relay runner, triggered by the starter's gunshot (the pain source) who begins to hand over 2 batons to the runner on the next leg (spinal cord) who then changes the batons

("modulation") and then hands over two or more batons to the third and last leg runners to the brain. Over time, long jumpers and track officials (nerves that don't normally carry warning messages) join the athletic race and start handing batons to the second leg runner!

You can imagine much work has to be done at the finish line (the brain) to sort out this mess.

This is known as "central sensitisation".

The brain and spinal cord have become more sensitive.

It gets worse!

Even when there is no starting gun or race (no painful sensation from the sensors), one lone runner carries one baton to the 2nd leg (spinal cord) which then sends two or more runners, with many batons, to the finish line (brain).

Throughout all this, pain is normal, but the processes behind it are altered.

The relay race looks normal.

doctor@lagospainclinic.com There are runners on an athletic track passing batons to each other and racing towards a finish line. But as dramatised above, more is going on than meets the eye.

Pain as an output

Pain used to be considered as an input into our nervous system to warn the brain. Not anymore.

It is more scientific to see pain as an output from the brain.

Messages that will not cause tissue damage but judged by the brain as dangerous, can be enough to cause pain, without us being aware of it.

Scientific evidence has shown that people with chronic persistent pain may only need to think about a movement for it to cause pain, and even imagining a

movement can also cause swelling in the painful body part!

Recurrent or multiple emotional or physical traumatic events, current or anticipated, might increase brain vigilance, leading to a more sensitised protective warning system. The brain's way of being protective is to make it hurt more so that we avoid those activities.

Fear can contribute to how we move and experience pain. The conscious or subconscious reluctance to do specific movements because of pain, can contribute to sensitisation.

This "fear avoidance" results in reduced physical activity, physical deconditioning and reduced ability to participate in work or social activities. This impacts the emotional state and leads to "the persistent pain cycle".

Chronic pain is real, distressing, but treatable.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 51

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52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Land Reclamation:

Safety concerns of a sand-filled Lagos L

OCATED inbetween Obalende and Third Mainland Bridge. On its right is the popular Isale Eko, an area believed to be the aboriginal home of Lagos indigines.

This community which was water-logged is located between the bridge that connects to the Third Mainland Bridge. Until recently, Ilubirin as the settlement was called, was inhabited by petty traders who traded on commodities that riverine dwellers are known for.

Specifically, their men fished while the women supply fish to the major markets in Lagos.

Like similar habitats scattered across Lagos, the areas until recently was inhabited by migrants from Benin Republic and Togo.

There were also Ijaws, Ilajes and others of Badagry ethnic background.

Though, the environment is not conducive for habitation, those who lived there found the place normal until the Lagos State government demolished the settlement.

The demolition led to the displacement of the inhabitants, while the government embarked upon reclaiming the place from the sea through the process of sand filling.

The government said that it planned to build on the reclaimed land, a total number of 1,254 flats comprising two and three bedroom apartments on eight floors.

The project was penciled down as part of the Lagos State Homes

Housing Scheme.

While the removal of people from the environment which was uncondusive for its inhabitants, was generally hailed, the reclaiming of land from the sea, has continued to attract condemnations.

Those who frowned at the sand filling argued that constant encroachment on the ocean and lagoon does not augur well for the state ecologically and environmentally. They maintained that the damage to the ecosystem by excessive reclamation of land is gradual, accumulative and imperceptible, noting that the effects are irreversible.

Environmental impact assessment Given that the act of reclaiming land from the sea is a global practice, it is surprising that the latest one by the state government has generated much controversies. With the expertise employed by the government in all its sand filling projects , the existence of fears about ecological and environmental impact assessment of the projects, has somewhat been sustained.

An environmentalist, Chief Osawe Irabor said he saw nothing wrong with the exercise. ‘’I see nothing wrong in sand filling or perhaps reclaiming land from the sea. If done in an organised manner, I believe no body will complain. But when it becomes rampant and reckless, the people must resist it because usurping natural settings could be disastrous in the long run,”

he said.

Backing his argument with contemporary examples Osawe said: ‘’Nearly every part of the Netherlands was reclaimed from the sea. What is happening in Lagos should not be different. I have this example for you. Statistics have it that China reclaimed 13,455 hectares of land from the sea in 2010, resulting in earnings of more than 7.82 billion yuan.”

Despite sounding this way, Osawe has fears about the practice in Lagos. ‘’With every sense of purpose, I will say that what is happening in Lagos is being driven by the desire to make money. It is business on the part of those doing it because poor people don’t benefit from the houses being built on the reclaimed land. I hope they are being done according to the best practices in order to protect the ecosystem,” he stated.

Still on his worries, he said: ‘’There are possibilities of buildings erected there to sink while the state stands the risk of being swept off by earthquakes and tsunamis.”

Having expressed his concerns, Osawe declared: ‘’land reclamation for the purpose of constructing properties in commercial quantities is risky.”

In his own reaction, a professor of Geography, Prof Kaine Amikpume told Vanguard Features, VF that the current fears about the rate of reclaiming land from the sea in the state, are not unfounded. He stated that the anger is in order, given the inherent dangers associated with

sand filling. ‘’We must tell ourselves the truth that this is a coastal state.

And we are not immune to natural disasters associated with littoral states. It is just that we have been lucky not have experienced something beyond an ocean surge. The state is vulnerable to natural disasters. Continuous reclamation of land from the sea distorts the ecosystem. But if done in an orderly manner with proper environmental impact assessment, the possibilities of failure will be minimal,”he stated.

terrain of Lagos is not as difficult as Bayelsa, yet some areas were opened up in addition to the reclamation from the sea. Therefore, tablelands should be opened up because you pay less to open up tablelands . But when you reclaim, you pay much and that informs the high cost of properties on reclaimed lands.”

VF recalls that the state Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had called on the Federal Government to halt the sand filling of the ocean and lagoons in the state in the overall

,

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

There are possibilities of buildings erected there to sink while the state stands the risk of being swept off by earthquakes and tsunamis

Buttressing this, he said: ‘’I understand what the state government is going through in trying to meet up with population explosion, but the future of those you are trying to cater for should not be endangered by the same process. What I am saying here is that if there are alternatives to sand filling, they should be explored so as to prevent the long term effect.”

When prodded on the alternatives to sand filling, Amikpume said: ‘’A city that was ranked by the United Nations World Urbanisation Prospects in 2007 as among the 28 current and prospective megacities in the world deserves expansion. But that should be carried out with careful regard to the ecosystem. The

,

interest of the country. The party also berated the Lagos State Government over what it described as “deceptive and diversionary evacuation of occupants from areas which direct government negligence has caused calamities.”

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Gani Taofik, the party said the call came on the heels of the frequent ocean surges which recently claimed lives and property at the beaches.

It alleged that the unnecessary loss of lives and property should be blamed on the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN-led administration which has “remained adamant, irresponsible

Continues on page 53

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Cancer: Hope at last ffor or impr oved impro care ffor or W est African countries West

Land Reclamation Continues from page 52

By CHIOMA OBINNA

N

EWS of the death of Professor Dora AKunyili came to most Nigerians as a rude shock.

More confounding to many of them was the report that such a high profile stakeholder in the health industry died of cancer. But she was not alone as many notable Nigerians and thousands from other West African countries have died from the dreaded disease.

Shortly after her death, there were reports that her cancer was detected earlier in Nigeria but she could not initiate treatment as a second opinion abroad dismissed the earlier report authenticated here in Nigeria.

This has been the fate of many Nigerians who would have been cured of *Inside the state-of-the-art Sweden-Ghana Medical Centre, the disease but due to lack of confidence in the country’s health sector and that of other the disease of the moment as courtesy of a new world class West African countries. This is no almost everywhere you go, you innovative cancer care facility in thanks to the absence of state-of- find a person with it. Some Accra, Ghana for their cancer the-art modern cancer centres. related treatments. people now sees it as a designer Unfortunately, in West Africa disease while some say it is The establishment of the centre where cancer has been found to almost fashionable to have known as Sweden-Ghana spread aggressively, lack of cancer. The disease is said not Medical Centre, SGMC, by the awareness, poor facilities, to discriminate; you don’t need Swedish and Ghanaian shortage of oncologists and to be old anymore before you investors will hopefully bridge absence of cancer centre have have cancer. Even paeditrics also the gap in cancer treatment in been the case.

West African countries and in the suffer cancer. Age is no longer a According to WHO, cancer factor. process increase survival rates in accounts for 13 percent of all the region.

To get a cancer cure in West deaths registered globally and 70 Africa, you will need to travel According to officials, Sweden percent of that figure occurs in miles away from home, that is if Ghana Medical Centre will middle and low income you can afford to detect it early provide cancer care services countries. In Nigeria, about and buoyant enough to face the using cutting-edge techniques 10,000 cancer deaths are challenges of treatment and combined with the Scandinavian recorded annually, while 250,000 management. For decades, treatment touch, high new cases are recorded yearly. It people of West African countries, productivity and competitive pricing to people from the West The establishment of the centre will African sub-region even though it was established in Ghana. hopefully bridge the gap in cancer treatment It is against this backdrop that in West African countries and in the process an elated Chief Executive of increase survival rates in the region SGMC, Joshua Tetteh told Vanguard Features during a tour is also worrisome that only 17 including Nigerians, have had of the centre that: “Incidences of percent of African countries are cause to lament the pains they cancer are alarming and most said to have sufficiently funded go through for early cancer West African countries do not cancer control programmes, screening due to high cost of have facilities to treat cancer. while less than half of all treatment abroad that requires Apart from Nigeria and Ghana, countries in the world have visas. most countries do not have Statistics show that most cancer functional plans to prevent the anything. There is no disease and provide treatment patients from Nigeria and other radiotherapy in any of the countries in the region go to and care to patients. countries, except Ghana and WHO indicates that the India, Egypt and Turkey. A Nigeria. Even when these shortage of functional cancer minimum of 500 to 1,000 patients patients are treated in these West control plans is especially leave for India every month and African countries the possibility alarming in developing that translates to about $2 million of re-occurrence is very high countries, which already account every month to India. because they do not have access However, Nigeria and indeed for more than two-thirds of the to radiotherapy unless they new cancer cases and deaths the whole of West Africa can now travel out and spend so much heave a sigh of relief, as an end each year. money. All these SGMC is Today, if you have not to the agony associated with early established to tackle. experienced cancer you may detection of cancer, high cost of “It will also help solve the know a relation who either died treatment, challenges of regions need for private of cancer or currently battling travelling and management is oncology services. To run an with the disease. It has become presently in sight. This is infrastructure like cancer centre,

,

and only pursuing business interest that it chose to sand fill the ocean in its purported Eko Atlantic Project where a plot of land is being sold for N350 million.”

The ACN had in its reaction through the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said: ‘’We take it that Lagos PDP is far gone in mischief or it is on its well known antics of conning Nigerians for sympathy when it blamed the ocean surge on the laudable Eko Atlantic City, which is generating worldwide attention.’’

“We feel that PDP’s greedy inclination which sees every opportunity as fat cow to be milked by greedy party men is leading it into reading such negative meanings into great projects that promise to lift Nigeria from the quagmire it had sank the country into.’’ ‘’It is laughable and awkward that the PDP, which has led a historical rule of rogues and vermin in Nigeria is seeking for means of sabotaging such a gigantic and ambitious project as the Eko Atlantic City based on its greedy instincts and selfish tendencies.

“We are very pained by the wanton loss of lives and property prevalent only along the coastal lines of Lagos beaches. We sincerely sympathise with the affected families. We are, however, vindicated because we had continually criticised the unprofessional manner the state government particularly encroaches the ocean and lagoon without due ecological and environmental impact assessment. The Lagos State Government has abandoned the welfare of the residents and embarked on all sorts of misplaced, bourgeoisie projects at the expense of the majority of ordinary Lagosians,” the party alleged.

Continuing, the party said; “One of such projects is the Eko Atlantic Project, where the ocean is being sandfilled to build another Dubai in Lagos and currently a plot there is being sold at N350 million with minimum of two plots to be purchased.

“The effect of the project is the recurrent ocean surge and flooding around the state after every rainfall and which has led to frequent loss of lives and property.”

Warning of the dire consequences for the state, the party said it may lead to extinction if not checked by the Federal Government.

— 53

,

you need 24 hours power supply, an enabling environment, the atomic energy permission and other support structures because cancer treatment requires a lot of efforts and logistics.

“SGMC is well-equipped with a modern 3-D planning system.

Our cancer care involves Linear Accelerator, medical oncology with out-patient chemotherapy suite and diagnostic services, “ says Tetteh.

Medical Oncologist, SGMC, Dr. Clement Edusa, revealed that since inception they have handled over 1,004 patients most of which are palliative cases. “We get a lot of late cases which cannot be cured but just managed to reduce the pain. 7 out of 10 are late. We need early cases which can be cured.”

Edusa called for increase awareness and early diagnosis in order to detect the cancerous cells quickly. He also revealed that SGMC patients outside Ghana are mostly from Burkina Faso, Togo, Sierra leone and Nigeria.

“In order to reduce cost of treatment, the governments of Burkina Faso and Togo have reached an agreement with us to support their citizens using our facility. We also run a microinsurance programme that enables the 185,000 members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) send any of their members plus one family member or relative with such ailment for free treatment”.

Available records showed that about 95 of the teachers have benefited from the scheme in the past nine months.

54—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JULY 16, 2014

MUTINY: 21 witnesses to testify against 19 soldiers

Chibok girls' parents shun meeting with Jonathan

T

A

WENTY-ONE witnesses have been lined up to testify against 18 soldiers who are being court-martialled for alleged mutiny.

They were said to have opened fire at the utility vehicle of the General Commanding Officer of the Army ’s 7 Division in Maiduguri, Borno State, Ahmadu Mohammed, on May 14.

The witnesses include a Major General, two Brigadiers-General, three colonels, two LieutenantColonels, two Majors, and three Captains.

Others are a Lieutenant, two second Lieutenants, one Master Warrant Officer, three Sergeants and a private soldier.

The court is also empowered to call up other witness(es) if the need arises during the proceedings.

The names of the witnesses are being withheld following concerns that revealing their identities might endanger them and compromise the ongoing trial of the soldiers.

The witnesses are expected to back the claims of the prosecution and tell the courtmartial that the suspects indeed committed the offences for which they have been charged.

The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, B.T. Ndiomu, had on July 20 convened a General Court Martial, GCM, to try the 18 soldiers for allegedly rebelling against the army, disobeying their superiors, threatening the lives of their commander and bringing the army to disrepute.

The court martial, which is already underway, is being presided over by C.C Okonkwo, a Brigadier General.

The army accused the soldiers of attempting to kill the GOC, Mohammed, who was immediately redeployed to another formation after the incident.

The soldiers had blamed Mohammed, a Major General, for the deaths of their colleagues killed in an ambush near Chibok where nearly 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped.

The military court is made up of seven members, two waiting members, a judge advocate and two prosecuting officers.

Others members include: a liaison officer, a contact officer, two officers authorised to sign any amendment, convening officer and eight other soldiers who form a court secretariat.

•As President accuses activists of politicising the abduction

BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA — A meeting scheduled between President Goodluck Jonathan and parents of abducted girls in Chibok, yesterday, could not hold as the parents shunned the meeting.

The meeting was arranged after education activist and a victim of terrorist attack, Malala Yousofazai, met with President Jonathan on Monday and pleaded with the president to meet with the parents of the abducted girls to encourage them.

Jonathan, in a statement delivered by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, accused the BringBackOurGirls activists of politicising the planned meeting by ferreting the parents out of Abuja before the meeting could hold.

Every arrangement had been made for the planned meeting with president, including sending a bus from the Presidential Villa to bring the parents of the girls.

The President’s statement noted that “those who would manipulate the victims of terrorism for their own benefit are engaging in a similar kind of evil: psychological terrorism.”

The President’s statement reads: “It now appears that our fight to get the girls of Chibok back is not only a fight against a terrorist insurgency, but also against a political opposition.

“It is with great regret that I announce the cancellation of the meeting with 12 parents of the abducted Chibock children, as well as five of the brave girls who escaped from the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram.

"I scheduled this meeting, which was to be open to the media for coverage by Nigerian and international press, to listen to their stories and to privately brief the parents and the girls on our efforts to rescue the abducted girls. My priority is not politics.

My priority is the return of these girls.

“Unfortunately, political forces within the Nigerian chapter of BringBackOurGirls have decided to take this opportunity to play politics with the situation and the grief of the parents and the girls. They should be ashamed of their actions.

“Those who would manipulate the victims of terrorism for their own benefit, are engaging in a similar kind of evil: psychological terrorism.

“I want to be clear, this government stands with complete solidarity with the girls and their parents. We are doing

everything in our power to bring back our girls. Despite the shameful and disgusting games being played by the Nigerian chapter of BringBackOurGirls, as a father of girls, I stand ready to meet with the parents of our abducted children and the truly brave girls that have escaped this nightmare through the grace of God.”

Okupe accuses campaigners of showmanship

Addressing state House correspondents later, Okupe accused the BringBackOurGirls activists of stopping the parents of the girls from meeting with the president.

He also accused them of showmanship and not showing any serious concern for the tragedy that had befallen parents whose girls were

abducted.

Okupe, however, said in order to show that he was serious with meeting with the parents of the girl, Jonathan had directed that a formal letter be written to the parents of the abducted girls to reschedule the meeting.

Okupe said: “The meeting was scheduled for 4 p.m. today (yesterday) at the instance of the request that was made by Malala and the President graciously agreed within 24 hours to meet with them but unfortunately the BringBackOurGirls leadership prevailed on the parents of the girls, stopped them from coming.

"Therefore, what happened was that they actually shunned the meeting with Mr. President because the foreign media and everybody was waiting for this meeting and since they were no longer coming and they made it expressly clear that they were no

longer coming, in fact, that the girls were just few minutes away from Chibok, the meeting was aborted.

“It is obvious now that the BringBackOurGirls in Nigeria are interested in showmanship not genuinely concerned with the plight of the children and that of their parents. That is was has become clinically clear by this action because if the parents of the girls travelled so much from Chibok to Abuja, why will it be impossible for them to meet with the President who has graciously agreed to give an appointment within less than 24 hours to meet with them.

“We are just coming from the President and he has authorised that an official letter be written to the parents inviting them to formally come and meet him and it is going to be sometime next week.”

Illegal structures being demolished for a road construction at Bukuru in Jos, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN.

Ramadan: 55 jailed for alcohol consumption in Kano K

ANO — THE Kano State Hisba Board, Monday said 55 people were arrested and convicted for alcohol consumption in Kano during the ongoing Ramadan.

The board’s DirectorGeneral, Alhaji Abba Sufi, said that the convicts were apprehended last week following raids on their hideouts in Kano.

Sufi said: “All the 55 persons were sentenced to four months imprisonment without option of fine to serve as deterrent to others who might contemplate

doing same.

“From those arrested, 50 of them were married men while the remaining five were women.

“Even if we are not in the month of Ramadan, nobody should take alcohol because the state is implementing Sharia law.”

According to him, the board has also arrested another 27 people for the same offence and they will soon be charged to court.

He said the board would continue to raid hideouts with

a view to arresting them for prosecution.

On street begging, Sufi said the board had arrested over 400 beggars for violating the anti-begging law.

He said: “We arrest beggars on daily basis but we release first offenders after warning.”

Sufi warned that any person caught in the business of begging would be arrested and charged to court, while beggars from other states would be repatriated.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—55

Gunmen kidnap woman in Abia

BY ERIC UGBOR

A

BA— GUNMEN believed to be kidnappers, Sunday night, abducted a woman in the commercial city of Aba, Abia State, as she was riding in her ashcoloured Toyota Camry car.

Although information about the kidnap of the woman, whose name was given as Nkechi Ogbuka, was sketchy at press time, she was said to have been abducted along Aba/Owerri road at about 8.45pm.

It was gathered that the hoodlums accosted the lady as she was driving along the ever busy road and ordered her out at gun point.

The criminals then took her to their hideout from where they had reportedly demanded an undisclosed amount as ransom.

When contacted, Abia State Command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said he had not received any official report on the incident.

Man, 23, bags 14 years jail term for solar battery theft

BY ERIC UGBOR

A

BA—A 23-year-old man, Ugonna Emmanuel, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by the Chief Magistrate Court, Akwete in Ukwa East Local Government of Abia State for stealing four solar energy batteries.

The convict was said to have at about 1.00am on July 7, broke into a store at Mpkorobe, Ndoki in Ukwa East Local Government where he stole the four

solar energy batteries belonging to the community.

After the theft, as Emmanuel was fleeing, he ran into a police patrol team from Akwete division who promptly arrested him.

Last Friday when Emmanuel was charged to court, the prosecution counsel, Barr.

Chris Kpatuma, narrated how the convict was arrested after breaking the store and making away with the four solar energy batteries belonging to the community.

Kpatuma, who is also the Divisional Police Officer

(DPO) of Akwete Division, urged the court that based on the fact that Emmanuel had confessed to the crime, it should effect the provisions of section 411(1&2) of the criminal code Cap c38 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2014 as applicable in Abia State.

After pleading guilty to the charge, the presiding Chief Magistrate, E. Okereke, found the accused person guilty as charged and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine as canvassed by the prosecutor.

SWEARING IN: From left— Justice Peter Umeadi, the Chief Judge of Anambra State; Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, and Mr. Ifeanyi Udevi after the swearing in of Udevi into Anambra State Judicial Service Commission in Awka.

Strike paralyses courts in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI— SCORES of litigants in Imo State returned to their respective homes yesterday as their pending matters could not go on in all courts because of the strike embarked upon by judicial workers in the state.

Similarly, all the suspects brought to the courts by the police were taken back into custody as they could not be properly arraigned.

Our reporter, who visited seven out of 27 local council areas of the state to assess the situation, found out that the judiciary workers stayed back in their homes in full compliance with the directives of the national leadership of the Judicial Service Union of Nigeria, JUSUN. According to the circular dated July 9, 2014, and signed by the General Secretary of JUSUN, Comrade I. M. Adetola, the union’s decision to proceed on indefinite industrial action was taken during the National Executive Committee meeting of July 9, 2014.

This circular, which was placed at the gate of High Court read: “I am directed to inform you that further to our circular of June 17, 2014, on a nationwide strike, you are hereby directed to proceed on an indefinite strike, for non-compliance with the orders of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on financial autonomy and independence of the

judiciary in Nigeria by the state governments”.

JUSUN further ordered that “the strike is total as you are, hereby, expected to close all the courts from Friday, July 11, 2014, and should not be reopened until further notice.”

Adetola added that nobody was expected to address the press, but quickly added that if any issue was particular to any state, contact should be

made to the National Vice President of the affected zone, who would take clearance from the national deputy president, who is the chairman of the Monitoring Committee for the strike.

The JUSUN leadership also placed workers of Federal High Courts on red alert, on the possibility of joining their state colleagues, while the strike lasts.

... as MDCAN condemns call for debate over doctors' strike This is in reaction to the He said: “This is a novel

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA— THE Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, has described the call for a five-hour debate between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, by the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, as a clear demonstration of frustration.

recent call by the health minister for a five hour debate between the FG and the NMA before the Nigerian public on the issues in contention in the ongoing strike by the NMA. The MDCAN President, Steve Oluwale, who gave the condemnation while responding to questions from journalists in Abuja yesterday, advocated the involvement of external mediators to facilitate the early resolution of the differences between the FG and the NMA.

proposal by the Minister of Health. It is of little use second-guessing while this unusual method of solving industrial dispute was proposed or contemplated.

“The gallery of the public is unlikely to be sufficiently informed and grounded on the issues to play unbiased umpire between the Minister and the NMA Debater-inChief.

“The theatre of debate may, however, not do either party much good.”

Commissioner calls for NPC, NYSC reforms

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA— DR. Sam Ahaiwe, the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State in National Population Commission, NPC, has called for comprehensive reform of the commission, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to make them purely skill acquisition based.

According to Ahaiwe, the reform should be designed to give the NYSC members training in skills, especially in the rudiments of agriculture, to enable them be selfemployed after their service.

Ahaiwe said that youths of the country should be taken into consideration, so they could be engaged in meaningful ventures to guarantee their future.

The Commissioner spoke in Umuahia yesterday, as part of activities to mark the 2014 World Population Day, themed “Investing in Young People”.

He suggested that the reform in the NYSC should be carried out in a way that young graduates would be taught entrepreneurial skills to equip them for future challenges after leaving the service.

“As the Federal Government had brought up loans for farmers, they will benefit from the loan with which they will engage themselves after service,” the commissioner said.

He argued that when the youths were properly trained and equipped with good skills, the country would be better as more developments would be achieved.

Anniversary

T

HE choir anniversary of C.A.C., Mountain of Comfort, will hold on Sunday, 27, at the church premises at Temitope Street, Olorunsogo, Ajasa Command in Lagos.

The event, with the theme Son of Zion, has host minister as Prophetess R. B. Olaoye, and Choir master as Peter Fasesin.

56 — V anguard, WEDNESD AY, JUL Y 16, 2014 Vanguard, WEDNESDA JULY YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 SAGITTARIUS: Some of you will wake up from slumber and realise mistakes about your finances early enough and make amendment but those who are reckless will commit more blunder. Beware of joint venture.

CAPRICORN: Although erratic people from unexpected quarters may oppose you openly, your being self assertive will earn you both victory and financial success. Then tomorrow will prove more successful.

AQUARIUS: Yes! It’s your day again. The more ambitious you are the better for you. Then you will need to ignore those with queer characteristics within your working arena..

PISCES: Mixed trends are indicated. If you take good advice from your cool headed friends, you will benefit more than you imagine, but if you take to unpredictable attitude, you will today start fire that will burn with great intensity tomorrow.

ARIES: If you take the veterans within your base for granted, they will fail you painfully. Yet here is a lucky day for you when your being secretive and self reliant will earn you success. Be more ambitious.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

guess you know what the word’Retrieve’ mean. This simply means to get back something from the place it is now, especially a place it ought not to have

Retrieve Yourself been.

Many of us have lost it all – our identity, our values, our self esteem, our personality, our vision, self worth

TERROR MUDA

etc. If you have lost all of this what can you do? Get back your personality.

Get back your selfesteem. Be the man or woman you are destined to be. Be

in “Never say goodbye”

the person you are created to be and unleash yourself on the world.

Be the best God destined you to be.

Retrieve yourself from whoever you have subsumed it before.

By Lanre Kehinde

TAURUS: Some of the people around you may get on your nerve via careless remarks, you must not allow them to disorganise your plans. The closer you are to the influential people the better for you.

GEMINI: “Money is the root of all evils” says an adage.

And if care is not taken, money may set you and some other people fiercely against each other to the detriment of your cause. Be cautious.

CANCER: Opposition between the Moon and Venus may induce personality clashes you don’t need at lest for now. What can help you now is love and your being persuasive. Think of the future.

LEO: Positive events that started yesterday will continue today. Rely more on your ability to be as bold as necessary so that you can get things done your own way at work.

VIRGO: Good luck will smile at you. Romantic interlude that started last yesterday may become excitingly louder and melodious to the satisfaction of your soul.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LIBRA: If you allow domestic pressure to affect your working pattern, your senior colleagues may not understand and make things a bit more difficult. IF you’re stable, you will have more to gain financially.

SCORPIO: After snappy aggressive approach exhibited by you yesterday ,you are back at your being pleasant self to the admiration of others. This is the wrong time to take law and it’s agents for granted. Young-at-heart are favoured so also commercial activities.

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,

Why constant frustration?

Dear Joshua, Right now I am a healthy person yet I want your Astrological ex-ray about my star and tell me what to expect health-wise and/or how to manage myself, career and financially.

Dotun Ogun.

Dear Dotun, It is true that you have gone through a few moments of test but today you are a chief. Meaning that what you tagged as frustration are lessons.

Your parents must have gone through a few numbers of troubled moment while trying to raise you as you have what looked like a dirty childhood from both health and other areas as your life as indicated by opposition between conjoined planets across Pisces and Virgo when you were born Luckily for you however, as your natal Moon strongly got positive aspect from Venus, Your survival is assured.

And there are indications of better health for you as you out-grow the childhood problems.

Nonetheless what you will need to take seriously include constant worries, toothache, skin infection, headache (fever)lungs, stomach ache, feet and sometimes the bones (dislocation). Nothing fatalistic about everything started here but mere warnings.

Yours is a rugged personality suitable for military career of any type. And whenever you opt out of the military, it will be wise of you to give consideration to involvement with liquid related business especially the oil industry.

The computer world and essential needs of women. Actually dealing with women along your business line will prove most fortunate for you.

Fish farming and other agro-allied can be favourable but because of your love of changes, you may not be able to see such through.

As your natal Moon got good aspects from comfortable placed Venus (another money related planet), financial success is within your reach.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

V anguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 , 2014 — 57

BRIEFS

Iraq MPs break deadlock, elect speaker

I

Israel, Palestinians battle as Egypt initiates Gaza ceasefire collapses I

SRAEL yesterday resumed air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after agreeing to an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire deal that failed to get Hamas militants to halt rocket attacks.

The week-old conflict

seemed to be at a turning point, with Hamas defying Arab and Western calls to cease fire and Israel threatening to step up a week-old offensive that could include an invasion of the densely populated enclave of 1.8 million.

Under a blueprint announced by Egypt Gaza’s neighbour and whose military-backed government has been at odds with Islamist Hamas - a mutual “de-escalation” was to have begun at 9 a.m. (0600 GMT), with

Palestinians ride a donkey cart past a police station, which was under construction when it was destroyed in what police said was an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

hostilities ceasing within 12 hours.

Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, rejected the ceasefire deal, a proposal that addressed in only general terms some of its key demands, and said its battle with Israel would “increase in ferocity and intensity”.

But Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas political official who was in Cairo, said the movement, which is seeking a deal that would ease Egyptian and Israeli border restrictions throttling Gaza’s economy, had made no final decision on Cairo’s proposal.

The Israeli military said that since the ceasefire deal was to have gone into effect, Hamas had fired 76 rockets at Israel. It said the Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted nine of the projectiles and the rest caused no damage or casualties.

Russia derailment: ’19 dead’ in Moscow metro crash T HE death toll in yesterday ’s derailment on the Moscow metro has risen to 19, the Russian emergency ministry says.

Scores were injured, some seriously, when a packed commuter train braked abruptly between stations in the west of the city in the morning rush

The most seriously injured people were airlifted to hospital

hour.

Some of those hurt were carried out of the tunnel on stretchers, with the most serious cases airlifted to hospital.

The cause of the crash one of the worst incidents ever on the metro - is reported to be a power surge.

The train derailed between Slaviansky Boulevard and Park Pobedy (Victory Park) stations in the west on the city.

Some 50 people were in a serious condition, the Itar-Tass news agency reported, quoting a health official.

“The train slowed down abruptly, the lights went

off, and then there was a spark of fire and smoke. We were blocked in,” one passenger told Russian TV. Another, quoted by Reuters news agency, said: “We were trapped and only got out by some miracle. I thought it was the end. Many people were hurt, mostly in the front carriage because the cars ran into each other.”

A number of bodies were recovered from the wrecked carriages but some remained underground, officials said.

The packed commuter train was travelling from the north-west of Moscow to the city centre at the time of the crash.

Oscar Pistorius in row at Johannesburg club

S

OUTH African athlete and murder accused Oscar Pistorius was involved in an argument at a nightclub at the weekend, his spokesperson has said.

Mr Pistorius had an altercation with businessman Jared Mortimer who said he was drunk, The Star

C M Y K

newspaper says.

Mr Pistorius’ spokesperson said the argument took place after Mr Mortimer started to “aggressively interrogate” him about his murder trial.

Mr Pistorius denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

He says he mistook her for an intruder, but the prosecution says he

deliberately shot her dead after an argument.

Ms Steenkamp was killed at Mr Pistorius’ home in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, on 14 February 2013.

“I took that personally because I am very good friends with a member of the Zuma family,” Mr Mortimer is quoted as saying.

Pistorius and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp had been dating for three months before the fatal shooting

RAQI MPs broke their deadlock, yesterday and elected a new speaker of parliament, taking the first formal step towards forming a new government that is widely seen as crucial to confronting rebels who have overrun much of the country.

The legislature voted yesterday to pick Sunni lawmaker, Salim al-Juburi, as the new speaker with 194 votes in the 328-seat parliament.

It was unclear whether al-Jubuuri’s election indicated that a larger agreement had been struck among political blocs for the posts of president and prime minister.

Scores killed by car bomb in Afghanistan

A

car packed with explosives has detonated as it was passing by a crowded market in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika, killing at least 89 people and wounding dozens more, police said.

“Right now, police are taking all the wounded to hospitals,” a local deputy police chief, Nissar Ahmad Abdulrahimzai, told the Reuters news agency yesterday.

The attack took place not far from the border with Pakistan’s North Waziristan region, where the military has been attacking hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban in the past few weeks, prompting rebels to retreat towards Afghanistan.

“The explosion was so big it destroyed many shops.

Dozens of people are trapped under the roofs,” Mohammad Raza Kharoti, the district governor, told Reuters.

William Hague quits as foreign secretary in cabinet reshuffle

W

ILLIAM Hague has stood down as foreign secretary, but will stay in the cabinet as Leader of the Commons, Downing Street has said.

At least 12 men will leave their posts in the significant reshuffle, including Ken Clarke who is standing down.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is leaving the cabinet and is expected to be replaced by education minister Liz Truss.Philip Hammond has accepted the role of foreign secretary.

Labour described the reshuffle as “the massacre of the moderates”.

Mr Hague is to leave Parliament at the 2015 general election after 26 years as MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire.

BRICS stand against Western sanctions: Russian foreign minister

R

USSIAN Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday said that the BRICS bloc stood against one-sided economic and political measures by third countries, but that the emerging nations were not seeking confrontation with the West.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting between the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Lavrov said the BRICS were opting for a common approach to resolve global issues.

China pushes for developing world’s rights as BRICS summit opens

C

HINA will dedicate itself to “perfecting” the role developing countries play in international affairs to give them better representation and a greater say, President Xi Jinping said ahead of a summit of BRICS nations in Brazil.

China has already started doing this by promoting international development banks which will either be led by China or will have a very strong Chinese role, as opposed to Western-dominated institutions like the World Bank.

Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa are due on Tuesday to sign off on a new development bank being launched by the BRICS emerging market n ations.

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Ogbeni Aregbesola, Òrànmíyàn’s Chief of Staff

BY OGAGA IFOWODO

I

had sworn that my first visit to Osogbo would be to its world-famous Osun Sacred Grove. Instead, I attended a “mega” rally in the historic town of Iwo, one of many at which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is asking the Osun people to renew his mandate as their governor.

I set out from Osogbo at about 11 am with Mr Solagbade Amodeni, former Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo State, childhood friend of Ogbeni’s and now a voluntary political associate.

His mission of gauging the level of preparedness and mood of the people for the rally coincides with mine. Very early in the morning, we saw buses, some screen-painted with campaign posters, ferrying supporters to the venue, small roadside crowds brandishing brooms, the symbol of Ogbeni’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). We arrive in Iwo just after noon and feel immediately the energy in the air.

On Bowen University Road in the Oke Odo area, all feet, it seems, are heading to the township stadium (actually, only a fenced field), venue of the rally, about a kilometre away.

A record store is blasting Aregbesola’s praise in Yoruba.

Various tee-shirt groups, walking campaign posters: brown tee-shirts that say

•Aregbesola arriving for the Iwo campaign with the microphone stands.

With the help of Amodeni, I am allowed past security and onto the speakers’ deck where I can more clearly see the crowd. To get there, I have to walk past the covered stage, at the back of which is a big banner announcing Ogbeni’s signature programmes: “O’Reap (rural enterprise and agriculture), O’Schools (rebuilding schools), O’Meals (balanced diet nutrition for

,

Ogbeni has even had the staff stitched onto the breast pockets of some of his shirts and wears it as a personal logo

“’D’Team proudly support (sic) Rauf;” red-and-black shirts are the Progressive Torchbearers and say only “Rauf 2014 OK;” green shirts proclaim him “Oranmiyan— Yoruba Legend;” lemon-green shirts matched with baseball caps are “DeRaufs,” among many other political aso-ebi.

Finally, we are at the venue, a third full, the crowd swelling by the minute. Sounds of competing talking drum groups, in uniforms, can now be heard underneath the amplified music of King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, KWAM I, leading his Fuji band to entertain the crowd.

Brooms, banners and posters everywhere, and even more tee-shirt groups, among them a clutch of women in navy-blue shirts advertising Aregbesola’s” tablets of knowledge” programme with the slogan “Opon Imo, Empowering minds, Enriching lives.” I make my way towards the stage—two actually, one covered, with seats for dignitaries, and an open deck

C M Y K

,

pupils), O’Yes (employment). At the bottom of the banner, a sense of rhyme with O’seun! I climb up the speakers’ stage and scan the “stadium,” nearly half-full and quite agog by now.

The atmosphere is getting more electric, a red helicopter is hovering above the thickening crowd, circling the vicinity in wide surveillance arcs, and there is very little time to reminisce —that must wait till after the rally. Basiru and Semiu dart off and I turn to read the banner on the wall at the back of the speakers’ stage. “Òrànmíyàn, Leekansi!” it says. “Òrànmíyàn, Once more.” It is a clever pun, as another banner more baldly asserts: “The Return of Òrànmíyàn.” Ogbeni as the reincarnation of the legendary son of Oduduwa whose fabled staff in Ife is probably the most treasured ancestral relic in Yorubaland. Ogbeni has even had the staff stitched onto the breast pockets of some of his shirts and wears it as a personal logo. If the

fastidiously austere Aregbesola can be accused of self-regard, it would be in this appropriation of a hallowed ancestor, but I strain in vain for any outward sign of insincerity.

I see, instead, the clever use of myth, blended with pop culture. For soon, Fadeyi Oloro, a popular Yoruba actor famous for his roles as Ifa priest, comes on stage with his entourage, all in danshiki and blackened faces and hands, one of them carrying a basket of horns adorned with feathers, cowries, strips of red cloth; incantations follow. At their exit, pop culture takes the stage.

Campaign and security teams KWAM I has left his band on a stage 50 meters away to join Sir Shina Peters (Afro-juju/ Aregbesola, the difference is clear), Weird MC and Tony Tetuila for banter and photos with their fans among the technical crew and campaign and security teams. Then Peters, Tetuila and Weird MC perform. Back with his band, KWAM I leads sweepingdance choruses in-between his colleagues’ acts: “Igbaletim’owa, DEMO nimotigba.”

With this broom, I will sweep the reactionary party away, DEMO being a reference to S. L. Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party which allied with the Northern People’s Congress in the First Republic to break the dominance of Awolowo’s Action Group in the old Western Region.

More than three hours have passed since I entered the

stadium. And now a loud buzz followed by faces turned en mass to the stadium entrance warn of Aregbesola’s arrival. At the entrance to the stage, he dismounts and half-runs to the speakers’ deck to greet the crowd, not to speak yet, this time serenaded by KWAM I. Then he takes his seat on the canopied stage while Osun’s political worthies in the APC fold address the crowd: Isiaka Adeleke, the state’s first governor, now a senator; Senator Sola Adeyeye, the reelection campaign director; Najeem Salaam, speaker of the state house of assembly; Mrs Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, the deputy governor, among others.

At 4:55 PM, Ogbeni is introduced right after his deputy has addressed the crowd. He dances onto the stage, broom in hand, to the pulsating beat of Skelewu. He begins his address with a Muslim chant that progresses into a call-and-response with his audience, and then he goes through a long list of personalities and groups whom he greets.

Very stealthily, Ogbeni works the crowd to a passionate affirmation of his re-election against any machination of the opposition party, brooms hoisted, fists clenched and raised, talking-drums in frenzied rhythms and KWAM I supplying Fuji chants to every applause line.

Ogbeni had been speaking for over half an hour to a rapturous crowd. Amodeni comes upstage to nudge me off the loud-speaker box where I am now seating to give my feet a little reprieve. He says we should leave” just before Aregbe finishes his speech and

the crowd surges after him, hampering our exit. I follow him.

Many others have decided to avoid that scenario as well. Soon, we are back on Bowen University Road for the kilometre-long trek to where Amodeni’s car is parked. Under a large white canopy on the right side of the street, at about midway, is a gathering that will discuss the rally till the wee hours.

Stomach infrastructure Nineteen days after, Aregbesola’s brother governor in neighbouring Ekiti State shockingly loses his mandate to a former governor impeached on several grounds, including corruption, in an election that will be known to history by the unfortunate phrase “stomach infrastructure.” The very improbability of that victory gives the opposition in Osun, led once again by an aspirant under a heavy cloud of suspicion, high hopes. If what I witnessed before, during and after the Iwo rally is anything to go by, I doubt very much that it is not a highly misplaced hope. Aregbesola cuts the picture of a man totally immersed in his people and their history, one who comes from and is of the masses.

Blessed with boundless energy, he is astonishingly reanimated in their midst to star in the “total” people’s theatre that each of his mega rallies truly is. I don’t believe in reincarnation but I would bet on Ogbeni’s return as Òrànmíyàn’s chief of staff!

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014—59

PDP set to frame Adeleke — Osun APC •They are lying again — PDP

BY DAPO AKINREFON

T

HE APC and the PDP have exchanged sharp words over an alleged plot by the opposition PDP to frame a former governor of the State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke into a fathom plot aimed to embarrass him.

The APC, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said “information has just got to the All Progressives Congress from usually reliable sources within the PDP that the opposition party has decided to hide implicating material in or around the residence of Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, the first governor of the State of Osun.”

The party alleged that PDP’s plan is to “create an excuse for security operatives from Abuja to come and arrest the APC leader and whisk him away.

The plan is to replace their aborted attempt to assassinate him. There is no guarantee that the man may not be assassinated, after arrest.”

•Adeleke Besides, the APC said “When the APC accuses the PDP of anything in the state, they are based on credible information.

“We therefore want every citizen to take seriously this information, that the PDP intends to frame Adeleke in order to get security people from Abuja to come and take him out of circulation. The planned inquisition on APC

leaders by Federal authorities leading up to the August 9 governorship election in Osun has started.”

The Omisore Campaign Organisation dismissed the allegation as baseless and a concoction directed to distract the citizenry from the alleged failures of the APC administration.

The campaign’s Director of

Media and Publicity, Prince Diran Odeyemi, who spoke with Vanguard, said “I have said it several times that APC should stop accusing PDP of anything. The election is just 30 days away, why don’t they tell the electorate what they have done and what they will do, they should stop accusing the PDP of anything that happens because that is not campaign as far as we are concerned.” “Regarding Adeleke, he has been with us for years but we know within ourselves that he left the party three years ago even before he declared for the APC. Adeleke’s going to the APC was just a formality which we knew. When he left, we celebrated his departure. “ He said the PDP has “nothing against Adeleke, we wish him good luck because we know he cannot deliver Ede. Why should we implicate him?

The APC should focus on issue based campaigns rather than engage on campaign of calumny.”

BARELY 24 hours after six leaders of the PDP were expelled by the party for anti party activities, the expelled leaders yesterday formally joined the APC. The former PDP members were received into the APC by the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola at a campaign rally organised by the APC in Ilesa, his home town.

The PDP leaders who joined the APC are former state Secretary of the PDP, Chief Yinka Adeojo, former Chairman, Osogbo Local Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, former Personal

Assistant to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mr Razaq Oyelami and a former Assistant State Secretary of the party Alhaji Razaq Oyetunji.

Governor Aregbesola while speaking at the rally cursed

those who intend to cause confusion in the state ahead of the August 9 Governorship election.

He also encouraged the people of the state to curse those that plan to ruin the state

for political reasons.

Aregbesola also urged the people of the state to pray fervently for smooth conduct of the election, saying the election will determine the future of the state.

I Will Defeat Aregbesola, Omisore— Akinbade

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

A

LHAJI Fatai Akinbade , the standard bearer of the Labour Party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Osun State,has stated categorically that he would defeat both the incumbent governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and the PDP

candidate,Senator Iyiola Omisore at the polls.

Besides, Akinbade who pointed out that the electorate was now wiser, said no amount of money doled out or any form of inducement could sway them.

According to his Director of Media, Mr Kayode Oladeji, the antecedents of each contender

would be weighed, which would give the Labour candidate the edge. “ The APC is a party of propaganda. For them,its much noise and no movement.

This is why things have gone awry in the state today. As for Omisore and the PDP, theirs is a party of big names and chieftains without followers.”

Oke backs Omisore with vehicles, motorcycles

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

F

ORMER PDP gubernatorial aspirant Oluwole Oke has practically thrown his support to the quest by the party to win over the state by donating campaign materials and cash to the PDP flag bearer, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Among items donated were five Hummer Toyota Buses, about 30 motor cycles valued and an undisclosed lump sum of money to enhance the PDP campaign.

Presenting the materials to the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa yesterday, Oke urged party members to arm themselves with their voters

cards which he said is the potent weapon to effect the desired change of government. Oke also implored his supporters that “the only way to show your true love to me and our party is to accept Otunba Iyiola Omisore as our party’s flag bearer and vote for him massively on August 9th 2014".

He assured his admirers that “it is then your aspirations will be met because it is easier for me to empower you if our party is installed in Osun State”.

The State PDP chairman Alhaji Olaoluwa, while receiving the items, said “Hon Wole Oke’s gesture and magnanimity is not a surprise because it is inborn

and innate with him to render assistance to the poor and the needy”.

He also implored other party members to emulate Oke who he said doesn’t believe in politics of

do or die. Olaoluwa also observed that “he was the first to congratulate Otunba Omisore on April 5, 2014 after the latter was declared winner of PDP primary.

Rice politiking kicks off

BY DAPO AKINREFON

I

T is now becoming a trend in Nigeria’s politics where ‘stomach infrastructure’ needs to be taken care of.

Just as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ekiti State and now governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose was able to ensure the distribution of rice

•Oyinlola

BY DAPO AKINREFON

S

Expelled APC spies defect from PDP

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

Where is Oyinlola?

to the electorate translated into votes, the candidate of one of the major parties in the state has commenced a similar scheme.

Already, a trailer load of rice was seen off loaded at the campaign office of one of the candidates apparently waiting for distribution to the local government areas.

INCE the commencement of the e l e c t i o n e e r i n g campaigns, one person that has been absent from the rallies organised by the PDP in Osun State is the erstwhile governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Though he is waiting to be reinstated as National Secretary of the PDP, he is yet to throw his weight behind any of the governorship candidates.

He is, however, being courted by the APC-led government in the state but he is yet to give the green light.

The PDP candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore has carried on without his former political ally.

In a recent interview, the Director-General of the Omisore Campaign Organisation, Akogun Lere Oyewunmi had expressed optimism that all aggrieved members of the PDP including Oyinlola, would be brought back.

Oyewunmi said “I know Oyinlola will be brought back on board because he is too sophisticated to align himself with the APC. He is aggrieved but not to us in Osun State here, he has no issue with our candidate but it is an issue with the national leadership of the PDP. I consider APC’s recent visit as a wasted of time.”

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

We don’t rob on Fridays and during Ramadan — Bandits arrested in Ibadan

By OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

A

n unsuspecting womanizer would easily fall into their traps seeing their feminine faces made-up with cosmetics, with weave-on hairdo that dangles on both sides of their broad shoulders.

Their coated lips look inviting.

No doubt, countless men must have fallen prey to them. Many passersby who thronged the state headquarters of the Police command at Eleiyele, Ibadan to catch a glimpse of these attractive “women” could not hide their disbelief.

Though, their chests were flat which should convince doubting Thomases that the suspects were not women, some still insisted on seeing their private parts due to their looks.

But, behind these deceptive looks are more than meets the ordinary eye. The hearts of both Omooba Oyewole and Lawal Kabir are fortified with cold steel. They are suspected daredevil robbers. If they have conscience, it must be made of solid concrete.

One of the suspects, Lawal Kabir whose eyelids blink momentarily like a doll in the old Kingsway Store claims to be a devout Muslim and considers only Fridays and the Ramadan period as sacred days in the whole year when he thinks he should not engage in armed robbery. These days, especially Fridays, he said, he would go to the mosque to pray to God to forgive all his criminal tendencies only to continue his devilish acts thereafter. In fact, the suspect said he was arrested on Friday after observing the Jumat prayers.

Given their looks, one needed no soothsayer to discern that the suspects had carried out numerous deadly attacks on their victims even though they

•The suspects

them. Knowing their days of reckoning had finally come, the eight-man gang confessed some of the crimes they had committed to Crime Alert. Ayodele Olaitan, who wore a mask, one of the tools they use in their nefarious activities shook his head in regret and said: “It was my friends that pushed me

Behind these deceptive looks are more than meets the ordinary eye. The hearts of both Omooba Oyewole and Lawal Kabir are fortified with cold steel. They are suspected dare-devil robbers. If they have conscience, it must be made of solid concrete

,

,

admitted to have participated in no fewer than four successful robbery operations. According to them, they had made people cry in places like Osun, Sawmill, Iyana-Agbala and other places when they unleashed terror on C M Y K

into this. I joined the gang sometime ago and I have participated in at least three robbery operations. I am not the owner of the mask you see on me. It belongs to one of us called

•Recovered vehicles

pastor. He is dead now. I regret all my actions. I didn’t realize we could be caught. But, now the game is up, “ he said as he burst into tears.

Like other criminals, Lawal Kabir said he was pushed into the criminal world as a result of an unsuccessful business venture. “I took to robbery when my plumbing work was not booming. Three years after my freedom as an apprentice, I tried all I could to make both ends meet, but things did not work for me. I first stayed in Lagos before I later came to Ibadan where I was introduced to a gang of armed robbers. I have participated in four armed robbery attacks. I went with them to Osun State, Ibadan, Sawmill and Iyana -Agbala. I

•Recovered items

was arrested on Friday after I finished praying in the mosque.

Somebody we call a pastor, also a member of the gang called me without knowing the police had already arrested him. I don’t rob on Fridays and during Ramadan. I used those periods to pray to God to forgive me my sins. I know what I was doing was wrong but it was difficult for me to break away from it.”

Another member of the gang, Biola Alaba who wore a weaveon hairdo said they were eight in number and that they were arrested at a drinking joint while preparing to carry out a robbery operation at Bodija area of the city. He denied ever killing any of their victims.

“How can I commit two sins at the same time. I cannot rob

and kill at the same time. It is unfair to rob someone of his belongings and kill him. We don’t even rape our victims, “ he said.

As for Sunday Omooba from Ogbomoso who says he is a member of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, he narrated how he took charge of the armoury for the gang. “I helped them get bullets through one man. I just call the man any time I need bullets for the gang. I don’t rob with them. In fact, I did not know that they were using the bullets to rob. I also supplied that pump action gun to them. I bought the gun for N70,000 from a friend. If I knew that they would use the Continues on Page 61

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 —61

Continues from pg 60

weapons for robbery, I would not give them.”

The Investigating Police Officer in charge of the case alleged that Omooba supplied the pump action gun and killed the owner of the gun so that he could get the gun from him and did not give the money he promised to give him.

Other suspects who are car snatchers including those who bought the stolen vehicles from them were also arrested in Kaduna and Kano. Two of the suspects, Dolapo Olayinka and Yusuf Ibrahim, robber and accomplice respectively; gave their own accounts. Olayinka said he only used his commercial motorcycle to convey the robbers who dispossessed people of their items. He recalled how they crossed a woman’s vehicle and took N20,000 from her at gun point.

The owners of the stolen vehicles were at the police command to identify their vehicles. All of them pleaded anonymity for fear of being attacked by yet-to-be-identified members of the gang.

One of them said his car, a Toyota Camry, was snatched at gunpoint on October 1, last year around 8pm and he reported at the Special Anti robbery squad. He specifically commended the efforts of one SP Sola Aremu, the O/C SARS, Ogbomoso and his boys for going ahead to recover the car. He said: “I am full of thanks to the police. I never thought I could recover my car again. The SARS in Ogbomoso acted promptly. I have never seen police work like that.”

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa said, “sequel to tipoffs about a criminal hideout at a mechanic village, Iyana Church, Ibadan, a raid was organized and SARS operatives arrested the following suspected armed robbers: Olaitan Ayodele, Abiola Alaba, Oyewole Ogunwole, Adedeji Mustapha, Omooba Oyewole and Adedeji Mustapha. On interrogation, they all confessed to their past and present crimes within and outside Oyo State. They also confessed to have attacked and robbed two police officers.

All the people they confessed to have robbed were contacted and they corroborated their confessions. In order to recover some of their loot as well as arms and ammunition, a search was conducted in the house of the leader of the gang, one Ayodele Olaitan along Airport Road, Ibadan and the following exhibits were recovered; one pump action gun, one English cutto-size double barrel gun, one single-barrel gun, locally made cylinders and many others.

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

W

hen Alhaja Agbola was about stepping out of her apartment in Ikorodu on June 10, 2014, she received an international call. Without hesitating to check who the caller was, she immediately picked the call and started exchanging pleasantries with the caller whom she assumed to be her relative overseas.

But little did she know she was about falling victim of the antics of fraudsters who use such means to defraud gullible Nigerians. But by the time she realized she was being sucked into a scam, it was too late as she had already parted with a sum of N125,000, in addition to recharge cards.

How it all started Narrating how she fell victim of the fraudster, she said: “ When I saw the international call, I concluded it would be my uncle from London. To further convince me, he sounded exactly like my uncle. He asked after my husband and children and in the process, he said a colleague of his was in Nigeria and that he would want me to contact somebody who would help him secure an important document from National Immigration School (NIS). He sent me the number of one Kayode Owolabi whom he claimed would assist me in processing the document.

“When I called Kayode Owolabi on 08088968748 , he said that my uncle has already called him. He gave me the number of another person, one Elder Babalola , who resides in Ibadan, saying he would help me get the document from NIS. Again, I contacted Babalola on 08056542559. He started by praying for me in Yoruba, and promised to assist me get the document. He told me it would

How petty trader fell victim of fraudsters Kayode requested for recharge cards and I sent him Etisalat and Airtel airtime worth N4,000.

zCP Umaru Manko of Lagos State

cost N100,000 and asked if I would come to Ibadan to collect the document or to send it through courier which he said would cost extra N25,000. I opted for the latter.

“Meanwhile, I was still in contact with Kayode Owolabi and my supposed uncle in London to intimate them about the development. My uncle begged me to give them the amount that his friend would be leaving Nigeria for London the following day, promising to refund every dime spent. I immediately contacted my husband who borrowed the amount from a project fund and I paid it into a UBA account number 2069118593, given to me by Balalola. After the payment,

Alas, it was fraud “To my surprise, immediately I deposited the money and sent the recharge cards, all the numbers I had used to discuss with Kayode Owolabi, Elder Babalola and my supposed uncle went dead. That was when I discovered I have been duped. I rushed to the bank next day and explained my plight to the bank manager who went through the system but said he could not disclose anything to me except I had a police report. He also disclosed that the amount I paid had been withdrawn from a branch in Oyo the previous day. I have already reported the case to the police at Ajegunle area of Ikorodu,” she stated, still looking stunned.

Lesson She kept mute for a while and said: “ I know I acted foolishly. But I want people to learn from my mistake.”

Police intervention Police sources at Ajegunle branch hinted that investigation was ongoing. It was gathered that one of the policemen flashed the international number and the owner called back. But immediately the policeman mentioned the said document, the caller at the other end reportedly hung up. Attempts to reach the number since then have reportedly failed.

Musicians parle olice in Riv er parleyy with P Police River erss zExtol CP Ogunsakin

By KINGSLEY NDIMELE

T

he Performing Musicians Employees Association of Nigeria, Port- Harcourt, Rivers State, has described Rivers State Police Command as a new pyramid in the administrative system of protecting its citizenry.

The Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin and his team were also referred to as outstanding Police Chiefs” and were commended for the joint efforts in promoting stability and calm experienced in the state since his arrival.

The commendation came from a delegation of PMAN members led by their President, Lady IB, when they paid a courtesy call on the commissioner last week.

“The musicians who extolled the police boss for his activities so far in the state charged him to let his team know that musicians work in the night as a result of their profession. “We want police authorities to be with us and give us special assistance by covering us in the night while doing our duty.”

The PMAN also congratulated CP Tunde Ogunsakin for his institution of “quality policing and his all-inclusive policy

zThe musicians with CP Ogunsakin (third left) and his men despite his apparently busy schedule.” According to the PMAN President, “we want to officially welcome you to Rivers State and to say that for the period you have been here, it has been very pleasant, the wranglings that have been going on are no more. We thank you for your good gestures and

the good job you are doing.

“We will also solicit the attention of the police on the need to check the incessant arrest of our members performing at nights because that is the call of our profession.

We will also make a passionate appeal for the endorsement of PMAN state identity card by the

Commissioner of Police with a promise that all members would be of acceptable social behaviour.”

The group equally proposed areas where they were willing to partner with the Rivers State Police Command in discharging their duties. The identified areas include traffic decongestion, clamping down on pirates, information sharing and promoting peace through music.

In his response, CP O g u n s a k i n appreciated the PMAN delegation and expressed his satisfaction with the synergy that now exists between members of the public and the Rivers State Police Command.

He also gave assurance of the commitment of the Police to render help to the people of Rivers State whenever needed, stating that PMAN would not be an exception.

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Chelsea to offload £4.8m Mikel to Serie A

I

T’S reported Chelsea are offering John Obi Mikel to Serie A clubs for just €6m (£4.8m).

The Nigerian international midfielder has a contract with the Blues until June 2017, but is struggling for playing time.

According to Tu t t o m e r c a t o w e b , Chelsea representatives are desperately trying to offload Mikel to an Italian club this summer.

Considering the lack of interest in the 27-yearold, they have lowered their asking price to just €6m – around £4.8m.

However, there are still no apparent takers for the man who has been at Stamford Bridge since 2006.

Cole: I’m ready N

ew AS Roma acquisition Ashley Cole is relishing the opportunity of playing for the Capital Club as he begins his new adventure in Italy.

The former England international, whose contract expired with Premier League outfit Chelsea, signed a twoyear contract with the Serie A runners up.

“I decided to come here in order to continue to play in the Champions League at a great and ambitious club,” Cole told reporters after his first training session with his new club.

“This is a great challenge and I am ready, I am ready to fight for a place in the team

Conte resigns

•Cole and to try to win.”

Cole, who made 338 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea over an eight-year spell with the Blues, played a bit-part role under manager Jose Mourinho last season, but denied a rift with the Portuguese coach.

“Were there issues at Chelsea with Jose Mourinho last season?

I’ve always had a good relationship with Mourinho."

T

•Mikel

FIFA suspension: Falode pleads for common sense

A

S the battle to return Nigeria to the international football community, following its recent suspension by world soccer governing body, FIFA, gathers steam, National Women’s Football Coordinator, Aisha Falode, has said the way out is for common sense to prevail over sentiments and personality clashes.

Speaking in Lagos over the crisis, Falode, said she is also concerned about the future of Women’s football in the country, especially as the Canada 2015 U20 World Cup beckons with Nigeria as the big hope of Africa at the tournament. “Yes, we can fight and disagree but I know that ultimately all of us are targeting the betterment of Nigerian football, C M Y K

hence I will appeal to all concerned, especially Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commissioner, Hon Tammy Danagogo, those who went to court, especially Mrs Baribote and others we may not know of, who are aggrieved to tow the sober line for the good of Nigerian football and Women’s football in particular.

•Falode

HE coach who guided Juventus to three consecutive league titles and signed a contract extension in may but has made an astonishing u-turn by handing in his resignation Antonio Conte has resigned from his post as Juventus manager, depite signing a one-year contract extension in May, Goal can confirm.

The coach guided the club to a third consecutive league title last season and seemed to bring an end to the speculation surrounding his future in May when he pledged his future to the club until summer 2015.

However, the 44-yearold has made an incredible u-turn by handing in his resignation before the season has even begun.

Markovic has Liverpool medical

L

IVERPOOL are very close to completing the signing of Benfica winger Lazar Markovic, who is having a medical ahead of a £20m transfer.

The Serbian has already sent a message to the Benfica fans, which said: “Thank you for everything and goodbye.”

And Sky Sports reporter Vinny O’Connor said on Monday afternoon: “Lazar Markovic is all set to become Liverpool’s fourth summer signing.

Walcott relishing dream partnership with Sanchez

T

•Sanchez

•Conte

HEO Walcott is confident he and new Arsenal attacker Alexis Sanchez can strike up a menacing partnership this season.

Sanchez, 25, joined the north Londoners for a fee of around £35million from Barcelona, having scored 47 goals in 141 outings for the Catalan giants.

Sanchez also netted twice for Chile at the

recent World Cup in Brazil.

“Sanchez is a worldclass player and I enjoyed watching him play for Barcelona and for Chile at the World Cup,” Walcott told Arsenal Player.

“He’s still very young as well and he is going to show so much pace and power, which we lacked a bit last year.

“With me and him on the flanks, a lot of teams

won’t be looking forward to playing Arsenal this year.”

The England international added: “There’s a great buzz around the club at the moment.

“He is a marquee signing and something that the club has pushed on to - first you had Mesut Ozil and now it is Alexis Sanchez.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014 — 63

Bafana job: Keshi knows fate July 26 Suarez arrives Barcelona I S former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi to be named the new South African coach? We will find out on 26 July 2014.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) will hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on 26 July 2014, where the new Bafana Bafana coach will be announced.

“The position of the Senior Men’s National team needs to be ratified by the SAFA NEC; therefore, the longawaited announcement of the new Bafana Bafana coach will be made immediately after the NEC meeting next Saturday,” said SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble.

The South African National team has had 16 different coaches since their re-admission into international football in 1992, which is one of the highest turnovers in that department in the world.

Gordon Igesund was the latest man to have the job, but his tenor came to an end in May 2014.

Bafana Bafana have been without a coach since, but rumours suggest former Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi is the man set to take over.

News, however, coming out of the Keshi camp is denying any future contracts with Bafana.

Continues from B/P undertaken by the NFF this month.

A top official at the Sport Ministry said the National Sports Commission (NSC) deemed the action necessary as the Nigerian Government wants to avoid accusations of interference in the administration of football in the country by the world football governing body, FIFA. The NSC has directed the NFF to source its own funds to take care of its commitments for the month of July.

The government’s action, sources say, has thrown the country ’s Under-17 national team’s game against Congo DR this weekend in jeopardy as well as worsen the case of the Nigeria female underC M Y K

U

R U G U A Y international striker Luis Suarez is in Barcelona to complete his transfer from Liverpool.

Suarez will finalise his switch to the Nou Camp for a fee believed to be in the region of £70m.

The 27-year-old will link-up with Argentina skipper Lionel Messi and Brazil talisman Neymar in the Barcelona forward line when he is available for selection.

But Suarez will not even be allowed to train with

•Keshi

Mourinho defends under-fire Messi

C

HELSEA boss Jose Mourinho has jumped to the defense of

Argentina captain Lionel Messi after his World Cup final performance.

Barcelona star Messi was powerless to prevent Argentina going down to a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Germany.

“He sacrificed himself for the good of the team.

He was more focused on winning the tournament than being its best player, Mourinho was quoted as saying in tribalfootball.com “I saw him playing in areas of the pitch where he doesn’t usually play.

He dropped deep and picked up the ball a long

Continues from B/P

TALISMANIC : Messi (r) leaves his markers behind.

FG 20 team who are getting ready for the World cup as the NFF relies solely on funds from the Nigeria government.

Last week FIFA suspended Nigeria from all football related activities alleging Government interference in the running of football in the country after a Jos High Court sacked the Aminu Maigari-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Nigeria has been given up to 17th of this month to withdraw all court cases or risk further sanctions.

One of the employees of the NFF said on condition of anonymity that football will suffer in Nigeria if the Federal Government refuses to reconsider its stand on funds to the NFF.

“The immediate casualties will be the Under-17 team and the Female under-20 team but in the long run it will be a disaster for our football if Government stops giving funds to the NFF although we have sponsorship deals. But the money won’t be enough as we participate in all FIFA competitions hence we have 11 National teams to cater for,” the source said.

Presently we have eight different male national team from the Under-13, beach soccer up to the futsal (5 aside team) and we cater for three different women teams. If the government stops funding us I am afraid we have to withdraw from some tournament to be able to keep up.”

the Jos High Court to ensure that FIFA does not suspend Nigeria.

In a statement made available to Sports Vanguard the Minister said, “We want to assure the plaintiffs in court, the aggrieved faction in the NFF and the general public that government will stop at nothing to ensure that Nigeria is not suspended.”

The Minister, however, delved into other issues that may have led to the court case, assuring all sides of justice and fair play.

“Government will ensure that NFF is thoroughly sanitized and the complaints of unbridled corruption and highhandedness by the NFF leadership is addressed.”

He said “in furtherance of that, we shall immediately set in motion a machinery to ensure that the parties are persuaded to withdraw

way from the opposition’s goal.

“Messi has my utmost respect for what he did at the World Cup. “Playing football for your country is different to playing for your club. If he’d wanted to show just how good he is he’d have played tucked in behind Higuain, waiting for that moment to change the game.”.

The Argentina skipper has been under fire since being named the MVP of the 2014 World Cup.

Minister the case and suspension is lifted,” and “to encourage the Nigeria Olympic Committee to quickly activate the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).”

This, the Minister reasoned, was necessary to check the circle of disputes, court cases and suspension threats from FIFA, a development brought about by the fact that aggrieved parties in the NFF have no where to resort to for redress.

FIFA does not permit settlement of football disputes in civil courts and there is no active Court of Arbitration for Sports in Nigeria.

“This leaves aggrieved parties at the mercy of the NFF leadership who are the complainants, judge and jury against any member of the NFF who complains against any form of corruption and highhandedness and as such, in often cases, are visited with bans and other forms of punishment

his new club until the last week in October, after he was banned from all football activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in a recent World Cup match.

Suarez has previously served bans for biting Otman Bakkal of PSV Eindhoven in November 2010 while he was at Ajax, and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a match for Liverpool in April 2013.

He also received a lengthy suspension in October 2011 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League match at Anfield.

•Suarez contrary to the dictates of fair hearing ad justice,” the statement added,.

The NSC boss promised to look into allegations of “unbridled corruption” against the leadership of the NFF, “in view of the fact that FIFA also abhors corruption.”

4. We want to assure Nigerians that the sole motive of government is to promote the game of football and ensure that sanity prevails in the management of government resources deployed for the promotion of Sports. We believe that at the end of the day, our sports in general and the game of football in particular will come out better and stronger.

We therefore thank the Nigerian populace, the media, the football stakeholders and indeed, the teeming sports lovers for their support and patience while this dispute persists.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

•Bafana job: Keshi knows fate July 26 — P. 63

Chelsea to offload £4.8m Mikel to Serie A — P.62

•Mourinho defends under-fire Messi — P. 63 More stories on pages 32 & 33

FIFA ban:

Minister orders Baribote to withdraw suit against NFF •Tells NOC to activate CAS •To reinstate Maigari board thereafter •To set up machinery to probe corruption

ECSTACY: Ahmed Musa (m) is mobbed by teammates after scoring against Argentina at the World Cup.

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

BY JACOB AJOM

T

HE Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Dr Tamuno Danagogo has called on the feuding factions in the Nigeria Football Federation to do the needful in order to avert further sanctions against Nigeria from the world football governing body, FIFA. To begin with, the Minister has called on Mrs Rumson Baribote to withdraw the suit against the NFF from

Continues on Page 63

FG suspends NFF monthly grant T

HE Federal Government has in response to FIFA’s suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation refused to release to the NFF its monthly allocation for the month of July. The

•Danagogo

allocation amounts to almost N235 million.

The amount, we gathered would have covered Nigeria's participation in the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup, and other engagements being Continues on Page 63

•Maigari

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS Abrupt (6) 5 Discharge (4) 8 Disgrace (5) 9 Curve (3) 10 Shrewd (4) 11 Relax (4) 12 Long (5) 13 Swore (6) 16 Dale (4) 18 Revise (4) 20 Consumed (3) 22 Charged (3) 23 Lair (3) 24 Bearing (4) 25 Orient (4) 28 Choose (6) 30 Remedied (4) 32 Penniless (4) 33 Near (4) 34 Brown (3) 35 Calm (5) 36 Rush (4) 37 Span (6)

DOWN 1 Short (6) 2 Ornament (8) 3 Surpass (6) 4 Dull (9) 5 Appeared (7) 6 Intend (4) 7 Fastened (4) 8 Pig-pen (3) 14 Reverence (9) 15 Can (3) 17 Meadow (3) 19 Abandoned (8) 20 Sicken (3) 21 Ascertained (7) 26 Tie up (6) 27 Posture (6) 29 Box (4) 30 Manage (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Arise 9, Pierce 10, Afraid 11, Event 12, Edam 15, Ache 17, Delayed 20, Her 21, Women 23, Over 25, Pair 26, Rover 28, Jet 30, Negated 33, Eden 35, Line 36, Panic 38, Musket 39, Cather 40, Paint.

HOW TO PLAY SUDOKU

DOWN: 1, Speed 2, Pedal 3, Ace 4, Review 5, Sane 6, Eft 7, Match 8, Adder 13, Devoted 14, Maker 16, Hearten 18, Dozen 19, Rep 22, Naval 24, Rot 27, Resign 28, Jemmy 29, Tease 31, Tight 32, Decry 34, Data 36, Pep 37, Cat.

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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