Falae identifies kidnappers, 5 docked

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62606

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Ministerial appointment: Again, Senate shifts Amaechi, Shittu's screening 8 GOWON VISITS THE AWOLOWOS: Former

Falae identifies kidnappers, 5 docked

Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon(Retd) paid a condolence visit to the Awolowo family at Ikenne, Ogun State, yesterday. From left: Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, Gen Gowon and Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu during the visit.

See story on Page 11

•N823,900 ransom recovered from suspects •Police recover N137m from fleeing robbers in Rivers •FESTAC robbery: Police Area Commander transferred

By Dayo Johnson & Jimitota Onoyume

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KURE—FORMER Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, who was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen on his 77th birthday and released after paying N5m ransom four days after, has identified his abductors who were paraded before him by

Continues on Page 5

More forex restrictions coming November 9

Mr & Mrs

ABDUCTION—Top left: Suspected kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae with their leader, Abubakar Auta holding N823,900 of the ransom in Akure, yesterday. BELOW LEFT, RIGHT: Arms, amunition and part of the N137m recovered from fleeing robbers in Port Harcourt. Photos: Dayo Johnson and Jimitota Onoyume.

COLUMNIST: Ministers from S-West: The kill or maim him syndrome See inside C M Y K

Dubai, Abu Dhabi calling •P.19

FG probes agencies for remitting in naira, revenue realised in dollars 4

2 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015— —3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

FG probes agencies for remitting in naira revenue realized in dollars As Govs Ayade, Mimiko, others assure bailout funds won't be diverted

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—THE Federal Government has launched an investigation into activities of some of its agencies for remitting in naira revenue realized in dollars, saying the agencies would be punished if found culpable.

Some of the agencies included the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, among others.

This followed a briefing received by the Nigerian Economic Council, NEC, from the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele yesterday.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting that held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, who led his counterparts in Ondo, Taraba and Sokoto, states, Olusegun Mimiko, Darius Ishiaku and Aminu Tambuwal respectively, said that investigations had already commenced.

He said: “A brief report on the FGN agencies remitting dollar revenues in naira into the federation account was also given by the CBN governor.

He said investigations are ongoing. Such agencies include but not limited to, NNPC, NIMASA and NPA.” The governor also revealed that a total sum of $2.2 billion was in the Excess Crude Account, ECA as at October 15, adding that about 27 states had applied for provisional loans from the ECA.

ECA

He also stated that the federal government had also taken into consideration the issue of flooding in some states.

“The permanent secretary briefed the council on the excess crude account which stands at $2.2 billion as at October 15.

“Also on the provision of provisonal loans to states based on collaterisation of the excess crude account, the CBN governor said that 27 states have made request for the N10 billion facility and is currently being processed. He has called on the affected states to complete all necessary documentation for the same money to the 27 states.

“It should be recalled at this point in time that not all states have indicated interest on this ECA collaterised loan."

The refund on excess expenses incurred by C M Y K

TAKE HEART: Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (right) being condoled on the death of his mother by his Kwara State counterpart, Abdulfatah Ahmed, during the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, yesterday.

state government "The Vice President also briefed council in detail of this and has said that for all those who have followed the right procedure and due process in incurring expenses, processes are being undertaken at this time to ensure that refund for such federal government-based road expenditure by states is processed.

Flood

“Also there was an update on all states that are being affected by flooding. The Vice President also briefed us and has confirmed that the federal government is processing all of such affected states with a view to assisting such states affected by flooding”, he said.

Fielding questions from the correspondents on why some states were still owing salaries of workers despite the bail out funds from the federal government, Ayade and Mimiko said that their states were not owing salaries.

They also denounced insinuations that the bail out funds were diverted for other purposes.

According to them, there was a verification process which was responsible for the delay.

Ayade said: “CRS is not owing and we are deploying the funds but also do not forget that as the money comes, there is a verification process to be done. The ICPC

is sending a team to intervene. Guidelines and modalities were prescribed on the way and manner this money will be disbursed.

“So some states are just beginning to receive the money and they need to get through this procedure before the money can be released. I want to assure you that for any state that has received salary-based bailout, the money is specific to salaries and it is not gong to be used for servicing of any other business or for any infrastructure project. The money is specifically for salary bailout and all states will comply as far as we have received because it is a computation of what has come up.

“When states were doing the compilation of their salary indebtedness, they included things like gratuity and all other things which were removed by CBN when they were paying. So all of that difficulty needs to be streamlined at the level of state government before they can effect payment and that explains some of the delay.

Definitely there will be no movement of the fund outside the mandate of paying salaries”, he explained.

In the same vein, Governor Mimiko said: “It is also important to emphasize that the bail out is a short time solution to the issue of ability of states to pay salaries. The bail out was a calculation of arreas of salaries being owed by the states.

“But the truth is that because of the ongoing fall in revenue accruals to states from federation account and IGRs many states complained in council today that moving forward, these accruals will still not be enough to pay salaries monthly. So the issue of bailout is not the final solution to the perpetual shortfall in acruals for paying salaries.

“But there is no doubt that it has helped the states. In Ondo State, everything we received we have paid. I think it is a very welcome development.”

Also, the governors commented on the outbreak of flood and funds set aside for such emergencies.

On his part, Governor Mimiko said: “The details were not discussed as per what individual states should be doing, but there is no question about the fact that individual states are customizing their responses deepending on the level and implication of the flood that has been experienced. What council discussed was the mechanism whereby the FG will come up with a holistic assistance. We have not discussed the details, the details may be discussed at the next meeting but it does not mean that the states are not intervening to mitigate the disaster."

In his own comment, Governor Ishaku said: “Let me add that before this flood took place the FG had issued

alert warning. We have evacuated most of the people in the flood prone areas. But you know that there are some communities that find it very difficult to relocate and now they are facing the realities on ground.

“But a lot of efforts had been done in most states and the VP has also asked us that those states that have not briefed the FG, they should compile their report, and most states have done so."

Governor Ayade, said: “It is only normal for us to get back to our past. It is continuity and to that extent I am sure that the committees that were set up will also look at what the previous government and indeed the other council had done. But it is necessary to emphasise the urgency of these warning signs that have come.

“Most communities that live in flooded plain, the challenge of relocating them means a dislocation of the community causing them to move and live in areas that they are not used to, neither do they have means of productivity in those areas "The VP has briefed us that they are ready to come to the aid of the state governments.

It must be understood that this kind of thing is classified as an emergency and to that extent the FG is coming in. When this will happen it is a matter of state by state and how much a state can push up its own programme."

In his own remarks, Governor Tambuwal said: “Just as alluded to by my colleagues, much as the state govenments that are affected are concerned about the plight of the people affected by the flood, the FG too is very much concerned and by way of some temporary intervention, even last week the DG of NEMA was in Sokoto on behalf of the FG and delivered certain relief materials to the affected victims.

"I took him round some of the communities that were displaced. In Sokoto State we are reviewing and assessing the situation. We are relocating some of the communities that have been suffering from these flooding over the years. We are completely relocating some of these communities. I am sure when it is time the FG will also intervene in supporting the states. In any case, the FG is working hand in hand with the states in ensuring that this challenge is actually addressed.

“For example, I am sure the FG will use the instrumentality of ecological fund to support states as has been the case in the past."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

NEC MEETING——From left: Governors Ibukunle Amosun, (Ogun State); Chief Willie Obiano (Anambra State) and Capt. Idris Wada, of Kogi State during the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Falae identifies kidnappers, 5 docked Continues from Page 1 the police. Falae was abducted on Monday, September 21, 2015. On Tuesday, he identified three of the suspects as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom. Chief Falae, according to a police source, also identified one of the kidnappers who was kind to him.

THIS CAME AS THE Police, Wednesday evening, recovered N137m from robbers who raided a new generation bank on Trans-Amadi Road in Port Harcourt.

Falae's abductors

Five of Falae’s kidnappers were arraigned, yesterday, before an Akure High Court, Ondo and Chief Falae will be a star witness when the trial commences November 10.

The suspects, who were docked for kidnapping, conspiracy and armed robbery 24 days after abduction were Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal.

Three of the kidnappers admitted that their share from the N5m ransom

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO LWAYS measure your performance in life by the amout of results you generate rather than the activities you engage in. It doesn’t matter how many hours you spend working, but how productive those hours were. It's up to you

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be —Henry David Thoreau

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LABEL good or bad only defines an aspect of you. Defining yourself with labels is a universal human behaviour because of something called the social self. On the other hand, your essential self, the set of qualities at your core, doesn’t define itself with labels at all, or bend or shift depending on whom it encounters. Respect others but never invalidate yourself.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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N old woman who throws away an old basket with her left hand, on the day of her burial, it will be brought back with the right hand.

collected was N100,000 each. The accused persons could not speak English and were ordered to be remanded in prison custody by the high court judge, Justice Rotimi Olamide till November 10 when the case would be heard.

The service of an interpreter, Bassey Victor who is a security operative was sought by the court.

Another leader of the gang, Abubakar Auta was also arrested in Niger State with N823,900 cash, part of the ransom money by Police Special Intelligence Response team put up by the Inspector-General of Police.

The cash with the wrappers of a commercial bank in Akure, the Ondo State capital paid as ransom for the release of the former Finance Minister was discovered in the booth of the vehicle being driven by the suspect before his arrest.

The accused person, who spoke with newsmen before his arraignment, confessed that they kidnapped the septuagenarian politician.

They were arraigned on a five-count charge of procuring or counseling another for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting, aiding and abetting, contrary to Section 2 of Antikidnapping and AntiAbduction Law of Ondo State, 2010.

The charges

However, when the charge was read to the

suspects in court, they all pleaded not guilty.

The charge reads: “That you, Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed, Idris Lawal and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did give information for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did aid the kidnapping and abduction of Chief Samuel Oluyemi Falae.

“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did Kidnapped Chief Oluyemi Falae, the Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and did not release him until N5,000,000 ransom was paid.

“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did conspire to commit a felony to wit armed robbery.

“Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal, and others now at large, on or about Monday, September 21, 2015 at Kajola/Eyinala Community in Akure Judicial Division did rob Chief Olu Falae of N15, 000 and his handset while armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons”.

The offence, according to the prosecution, is contrary to Section 2 of Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law, 5(1)(a) of the AntiKidnapping and AntiAbduction Laws, Section3(11)(b) of the Anti-Kidnapping and Abduction Law, Section 6(b) of the Robbery and Firearms(Special Provision) Act,Cap R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act,Cap R11, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Vanguard was informed by a top police source that Abubakar Auta was arrested in Niger State; Idris Lawan, Masahudu Muhammed and Bello Jannu were arrested in Ekiti, while Umar Ibrahim was picked up in Ondo State.

Two other suspects, Usman Kato and Babawuro are already in the custody of the Directorate of State Service,DSS. Babawuro was arrested in Lokoja, while two other members of the kidnap gang are still on the run.

The exhibits Exhibits recovered from the gang leader Abubakar Auta include cash of N823,990:00, 12 SIM cards, a phone used for negotiating the ransom of Chief Falae and a Red Bajaj Motorcycle with Reg No; KER 385 QA which was used to convey Chief Olu Falae to their camp when he got tired of walking in the bush.

During interview, Umaru Ibrahim said they have a boss called Baba Uro who they have not met but who sent the N100,000 to them after the ransom was paid by Chief Falae’s family.

He said that their boss lives in Abuja and that he has only spoken with him once.

Ibrahim told newsmen that he paid a debt of N60,000 from his own share of the ransom.

Also, Idris Lawal confirmed that he received N100,000. He said that they spent five days in the bush and that they are eight in number.

He confessed that he hails from Katsina State and he is a herdsman.

The fourth suspect, Masahudu Muhammed declined to tell newsmen how much his share of the ransom was.

It will be recalled that Chief Falae was abducted by Fulani herdsmen on Monday, September 21, 2015, the day he clocked 77 at his farm in Ilado, Akure North council area of Ondo State.

He was released four

days later.

Police recover N137m from fleeing robbers in Rivers A statement released Wednesday night by the Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, DSP Ahmad Muhammad said the Police got a distress call at about 5.12pm on Wednesday that robbers were operating at the bank, and they immediately mobilised to the scene.

He said before the Police got to the bank, the robbers had driven out but they pursued and caught up with them.

DSP Muhammad said during an exchange of fire, two policemen sustained bullet wounds, adding that they were responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.

Continuing, he said among items recovered from the robbers were N137 million, one AK-47 rifle, a rocket, a pistol and six magazines.

He said the items were found in a vehicle abandoned by the fleeing robbers who could not stand the fire power of the police.

He said: “At about 5.15 pm, we received a distress call that some criminals robbed a new generation bank at Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt.

Instant action and hot chase by our men forced the armed robbers to abandon their operational vehicle, a Lexus SUV and escaped with gunshot wounds.

Items recovered from the vehicles include the stolen money to the tune of N137m, one AK47rifle, rocket, an English-made pistol and six magazines".

The fleeing robbers, according to the Police, also abandoned another Lexus SUV at Rukpokwu area of the state capital.

The Police PRO said the Police will not sleep until those behind the robbery were brought to book.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

18-year-old, 2 others docked over alleged robbery

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By Bartholomew Madukwe

AGOS—AN 18-year-old boy, Shakiru Moshood, and a member of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Tosin Akinsanya, have been charged before a Lagos High Court in Ikeja for allegedly robbing one Miss Tope Tijani of N705,000 while armed with a gun.

The duo, alongside Tijani Tajudeen, 25, are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearm.

One of the charges read: “Tijani Tajudeen (M), Tosin Akinsanya (M) and Shakiru Moshood (M) on July 15, 2011 at Odo Nla Ikorodu, Lagos, in the Lagos Judicial Division while armed with an offensive weapon to wit: a gun, did rob one Miss Tope Tijani of the sum of N705,000.”

State counsel, Mr Akin George, informed the court that the offence was contrary to Section 402 (2) (a) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

However, when the charge was read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty and trial commenced.

According to a statement from SARS-Ikeja, allegedly made by one of the defendants (Tajudeen): “I hereby state further that without duress, the armed robbery attack on one Tope TijaniofLandcraftCompanyonJuly 15, 2011 in the afternoon was organized by Tijani Tajudeen, ShakiruMoshood,TosinAkinsanya and Ahmed Oshin."

The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, adjourned the case to October 15 for continuation of trial.

Woman, 7-year-old daughter die in Calabar inferno Building razed C

By Ikechukwu Uchechukwu

ALABAR—A woman and her seven-year-old daughter died Wednesday from a generator fire which also razed their apartment located at15 Andem Street, 8 miles, on the outskirt of Calabar metropolis in Cross Rivers State.

Vanguard learned that two other family members, including husband of the deceased, Mr. Lawrence, and his brother-in-law, who also sustained burns are currently hospitalised.

Old generator set

It was gathered that the duo were trying to refill the generator with petrol when it caught fire.

However, a source who preferred anonymity, revealed to Vanguard that the generator had not been in use for a long time, and that the husband of the deceased had instructed his brother-in-law to re-engage it.

Having fuelled the tank, the young man was said to have yanked off the cord before the generator exploded.

A neighbour, Mrs. Gift Peters, said of the incident: “It had been long since they used that generator, so the man, Mr. Lawrence, asked the boy to start the generator and warm it properly since it had been long since they used it. So they bought the fuel and put in it. Immediately they started the generator, it exploded.”

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AGOS—TWO men, Isah Ali 36 and Kashalla Hassan 35, have been charged before a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly stealing two cartons of brand new phones valued at N4.2 million.

The accused persons were alleged to have committed the offence at about 5am, on October 10, 2015, at 4, Otigba Street, Computer Village in Ikeja.

It was gathered that the suspects conspired with each other to steal the phones, property of one Duru Remy.

stopped, the third time, it rang and stopped. I did not have Fire Service number on the phone I was using yesterday. ‘’I didn’t bother to call anybody again. I tried my best since I am equally a public servant. We did our best, though it was not enough.”

When Vanguard contacted fire division of the QIS, the officials said they responded promptly, contrary to neighbours who disclosed that the fire men arrived two hours after they were called, and that they ran out of water.

Unit Commander of Fire Service at the QIS, Mr. Daniel Ibor, said his men arrived the scene 30 minutes after they were called due to the distance from Calabar to 8 Miles, which is on the outskirt of the city.

'We did our best'

‘’Despite the distance, we still did our best to get there on time.

We have been asking people not to put fuel into a steaming generator. We advised them to allow it cool first. ‘’If it was a free burning fire, by the time we got there, we still could’ve saved a lot. Our response really stopped the fire from spreading to other property.”

He further explained that the water in their truck got depleted and that they had to collect more from the fire unit of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and not from a private water tank as some eyewitnesses reported.

Explosion

Vanguard gathered that the explosion set off other generators belonging to the deceased, and also that of the occupants of the twin flat which were all lined up at the backyard and walled in by burglary proof.

Occupants of the twin flat were said to have fled upon sighting the fire, but the deceased and her daughter were reported to have been trapped inside their own apartment as the doors and windows apparently were shut in

2 charged for stealing phones The suspects are answering worth N4.2m questions to a two- count charge

By Jane Echewodo

the heat of the flames.

Eyewitnesses said they noticed the fire at about 8:45 pm Wednesday , and battled to put out the flames while alerting the Quick Intervention Squad, QIS. One neighbour, Mr. Age Edward, said: “When I heard that there was a fire, I rushed over to assist since they are my neighbours. When I arrived, the fire was so thick that we could not help out. ‘’We tried all we could to quench the fire, it was so horrible, it was later I heard that the man’s wife and child were inside.

“Personally, I contacted Quick Response, QIS. I called over three times, they did not respond. The first time it was busy, the second time it rang and

He said: “We were called at about 9:30 pm and immediately we turned out for the fire. It is quite unfortunate that the fire involved fuel.

of conspiracy, felony and stealing before the court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Y.O. Aje Afunwa.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, Samson Ekikere, told the court that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 285 (7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Y. O. Aje-Afunwa, granted the defendants N500,000 bail each and two sureties in like sum.

She subsequently adjourned the matter till November 25, 2015, for trial.

FIRE: The building which was gutted by fire where mother and daughter lost their lives in Calabar.

Man hacks octogenarian mother to death in Jos J

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

OS—A middle aged man, Bravo Kunde, said to be a junior staff in a branch of an old generation bank in Jos, in the early hours of yesterday, allegedly murdered his 80year-old mother in cold blood.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emmanuel Abuh, confirmed the incident which occurred at Jenta Mangoro community of Jos North local government area.

The deceased, identified as Mama Yakubu, was said to have sustained head injuries

as a results of machete cuts inflicted on her by her son.

A relative of the deceased, Baba Nati, said: “Neighbours heard shouts in the house at about 6am as the old woman was crying for help but before they could get there, the old woman was already lying in the pool of her blood.”

It was gathered that relatives and neighbours beat the suspect, who was into excessive drinking and smoking, to coma. DSP Abuh said the suspect was picked up by the police in a state of coma and taken to hospital, adding that investigation

was ongoing.

A family member, Moses Yakubu, explained that the suspect, who is his elder brother, was restless the night before the incident and that no one could tell what prompted him to commit the dastardly act on their helpless mother.

According to him, the suspect is in the habit of drinking and smoking excessively and the situation led to his mental derangement “Before now, he has been doing strange things, but this is the worst thing he has performed,” he lamented.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—7

2 corpses recovered as bus plunges 2 die in another accident into river in Ogun A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—TWO persons reportedly lost their lives as an 18-seater commercial bus plunged into Omo River, around J4 at Ogbere, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

A source at the scene of the crash stated that the Okitipupa-bound passenger bus had taken off from Idumota on Lagos Island where it was loaded with goods.

Though the cause of the crash remains unknown at the time of filing this report, it was, however, gathered that it took the combined efforts of personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, policemen in the state and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for the vehicle to be removed from the river.

The state commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Adetunji Adegoke, and the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in separate interviews, confirmed the incident.

Both of them said the bus was a Toyota Hiace hummer bus with number plate, ONDO AKR 747XA, disclosing that it was carrying only five passengers with goods.

The bus, according to Adegoke and Adejobi, was heading to Ondo town when the accident occured.

Adegoke, however, said the bus and the two passengers who died had been recovered.

According to the FRSC sector commander, the passengers comprised three males and two

females. He said while the two who died had been recovered, three others were yet to be found.

According to the PPRO, the command mobilised all its men such as Divisional Police Officer, Area Commander and had employed the services of local divers and the command's Marines.

Adejobi said the owner of the bus had been contacted and given information about the number of the passengers on board.

Meanwhile,four separate accidents also claimed two lives, while several others sustained injuries.

The accidents reportedly occurred along Abeokuta - SiunSagamu as well as Benin-Ore Expressways.

The four other accidents occurred at Onipepeiye village, along the Abeokuta-SiunSagamu Expressway when a Toyota Hilux police pilot van with number plate, LAGOS BP 542 KSF, escorting a Bullion van belonging to one of the old generation banks, crashed around 1:15p.m, leaving the driver and six police officers critically injured.

Other crashes involved a Maazda car with number plate OGUN WDE 773 AAA, which

crashed around 12; 29pm at Orile Imo village, while a Toyota Camry car with number plate, LAGOS KJA 96 BG, also crashed around the same Onipepeiye village around 12: 50pm.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement, TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed all the crashes, also said the fifth lone accident occurred around 1:30pm and involved a truck with number plate, LAGOS APP 301 XN, along the same Onipepeiye axis.

Akinbiyi, however, attributed the crashes to over-speeding as the front tyres of the affected vehicles exploded.

PASSING OUT PARADE: A cross section of NYSC Batch "C" corps members, during their passing out parade at the Isaac Boro Park, Mile One, Port Harcour, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Pregnant woman, 7 children die in Delta flood

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

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SABA—EIGHT persons, including a pregnant woman, and seven children, have drowned in the ravaging flood at Utchi in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government council, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwura, disclosed this yesterday in an interaction with newsmen, shortly after a stakeholders meeting on Improving Synergy on Management of the 2015 Predicted Flood at Asaba, the State capital.

She said the deceased were on their way to the community when the storm met and threw them into the water. ‘’The pregnant woman and the children are nowhere to be found but they later found a little child along the river bank of one of the communities. The seven children were not all her children, I think they were coming from the school,

so they all died,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the state government has solicited the support of traditional rulers and community leaders in the management of the flood which, it said, was already ravaging about 15 of the 25 local government areas in the state.

State Deputy Governor, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, who was responding to complaints by

some of the traditional rulers and community leaders at the stakeholders, stressed the need for effective collaboration between the state government and the leaders of the affected community.

He lamented that some of the victims of the flood impacted communities had primordial attachment to their homes and had refused to move, thereby making it difficult for the

government to effectively address the challenge.

Speaking on efforts by the state government to ameliorate the suffering of the flood victims, Otuaro disclosed that the government had set plans in motion to establish Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. camps in Burutu Local Government Area where the flood was already at a high level.

Man shoots wife's lover dead in Bayelsa

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—A 53-year-old man, identified as Rafael Solomon, has reportedly shot dead a man for allegedly having sex with his wife at Aduku in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The tragic incident, it was gathered, occurred Tuesday at about 8.30 am.

The victim, a bricklayer, identified as Preye Bernard, allegedly met his untimely end while having sex with his

assailant’s wife, Joy Godwin.

Community sources told Vanguard that prior to the tragic killing, the suspect had been suspicious of his wife’s dealings with the deceased and started monitoring her movement.

It was gathered that on the fateful Tuesday when the woman left her home for the farm, the husband followed her without her knowledge and allegedly caught the wife and her boyfriend making love in the bush.

The enraged man was said to have shot the deceased with a

locally made gun and fled the scene.

He, however, was arrested the next day by a team of police detectives at Gudugudu camp, Odoni, also in Sagbama Local Government Area.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the development.

He said: “On October 13, 2015, at about 2030hrs, one Raphael Solomon, 53, shot and killed one Preye Bernard with a locally made pistol at Aduku, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State."

2 arraigned for stealing 1,200 bags of fertilizer

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By Sodiq Alausa

AGOS—A 42-year-old man, Aminu Jika, and Abdullah Yaro, 38, and others still at large, were yesterday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate's court for allegedly stealing 1,200 bags of fertilizer worth N8,000, 000.

The defendants, who have no fixed address, are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy, false pretence and stealing preferred against them by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Tony Idibe, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on July 30, 2015 at about 2:00pm at Ajegunle, Olodi Apapa, area of Lagos.

He said the defendant stole 1,200 bags of fertilizer, belonging to one Alhaji Musa Nuhu.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Consequently, Magistrate T. Abolarinwa granted the defendants bail in the sum of N2,000,000 with two responsible sureties each in like sum. He adjourned the matter till November 12, for mention.

Police nab 2 smartphone thieves in Lagos

By Abdul-lateef Ligali

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AGOS—OPERATIVES of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of Lagos State police command, have apprehended two suspects operating at Abule-Oja in Yaba, who specialised in stealing handsets and valuable items from shops.

The two suspects, Ufoma Asakpa, 22, and Augustine Omedo, 20, were caught in the act, on Tuesday October 13, 2015, at about 18:22 pm, after they had successfully stolen three handsets from a particular shop in the area.

The suspects confessed that their trick was to disguise as a buyer of goods, and that once they found out that the seller was sleeping or not attentive, they would pick phones, money, bags and other valuables.

One of the suspects, Augustine Omedo, who hails from Ndukwa Local Government Area of Delta State, said his parents must not know that he was caught for stealing.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

appeared before the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

The panel told him that it was subjudice to discuss the petition over alleged corruption against him by the Integrity Group because the case was in court.

According to Senator Samuel Anyanwu, PDP, Imo East, it was not feasible for the Committee to still look at the petition or still probe Amaechi as the issues raised in the petition before the committee were already in court, adding that in line with the Senate Standing Orders, senators will not attend to it.

Standing Orders

MEETING: From left— Governors Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State; Abdulaziz Yari, Zamfara; Akinwumi Ambode, Lagos; Ibrahim Wada, Kogi; Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi; Sanni Bello, Niger, and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT:

Again, Senate shifts Amaechi, Shittu’s screening To be screened next Tuesday alongside 7 others Senate receives petition against Sokoto nominee No order stopping Amaechi’s screening— Rivers APC insists

By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Joseph Erunke & Grace Udofia

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BUJA—THE Senate has, for the second time this week, deferred the screening of former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. Also deffered is that of the nominee from Oyo state, Mr. Adebayo Shittu.

They will be screened next Tuesday alongside seven other nominees. The remaining nine nominees will be screened next Wednesday and thereafter, the 18 of them are expected to be approved and confirmed for appointment.

On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed 18 of the 36 nominees, for which Senate President Bukola Saraki wrote President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, to officially inform him of the outcome of the exercise.

Meanwhile, the Senate received a petition against a nominee from Sokoto State, Aisha Abubakar.

Senator Ibrahim Gobir, APC, Sokoto East, who presented the petition, demanded replacement with a more competent person, saying the people of Sokoto State were yearning for a more competent person.

Saraki writes Buhari

Formally communicating President Buhari on the confirmation of 18 nominees for ministerial appointments,

Senator Saraki, according to a statement by Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), sent an official letter through Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative Matters (Senate).

He informed the President that the Senate had found the 18 nominees, who have gone through its confirmation hearing, suitable to occupy the office of ministers as provided for in Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Cleared

The nominees, whose appointment by the President have been confirmed are Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Lt. Gen. Bello Danbazau (retd), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, Engr.

Suleiman Adamu and Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril.

Others are Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Dr. Chris Ngige, Senator Aishat Al-Hassan, Mr. Solomon Dalong, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Senator Hadi Sirika.

... on Amaechi

Amaechi, who was among the first batch of 21 ministerial

nominees President Buhari sent to the Red Chamber could not face the exercise on Tuesday and Wednesday due largely to non-submission of the report on petitions against him by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Petitions.

Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye, told newsmen, yesterday that the former Director-General of Buhari Presidential Campaign Organization, would be screened with eight other nominees on Tuesday, when the Senate reconvenes.

He said:”Further screening and confirmation of the remaining ministerial nominees has been slated for Tuesday, next week.

“We are going to screen nine of them on Tuesday and the remaining nine would be taken on Wednesday.

The confirmation of all the nominees would be taken on Wednesday.”

Speaking on Amaechi’s case, Senator Melaye said: “The committee has a one-line report that the matter is in court and that in compliance with our laid down rules and regulations, any case that is undergoing judicial remedy cannot be discussed.

“We have distanced ourselves from it and the report will be presented on Tuesday by the grace of God. I assure Nigerians that former

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, by the grace of God, will be screened on Tuesday.”

The Order Paper of yesterday, which ought to have contained the names of Amaechi, Shittu and the remaining ministerial nominees, did not have them.

At the close of plenary on Wednesday, it was announced that Mr. Amaechi and Mr. Shittu would be screened yesterday but on resumption yesterday, the Senate postponed further screening of ministerial nominees to next week.

It would be recalled that the petition against Amaechi, bordering on corruption was not attended to by the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges because the case was still in court.

Amaechi divides c'ttee

Strong indications emerged yesterday that members of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions are divided over the screening of Amaechi.

Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that some senators elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and members of the committee were moving against the screening of the former Rivers State governor.

Amaechi had, on Monday,

Section 41(7) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, as amended, reads: “The Senate shall not receive any petition on any matter for which there is a judicial remedy.”

Amaechi’s name was later slated on the Order Paper on Wednesday as one of those to be screened by the senate, but was dropped because of nonsubmission of the report by the committee.

With assurances from Senator Anyanwu that the report will be ready yesterday, hopes were high that senators would screen Amaechi.

A source told Vanguard that soon after Amaechi appeared before the entire committee, some PDP members of the committee met with the petitioner, the Integrity Group, following which it became very difficult for Senator Anyanwu to call his colleagues to a meeting.

The source noted that the Senators do not want to be seen as a rubber stamp.

Members of the committee are Senators Bala Ibn-Na’ Allah, Omotayo Alasoadura, Binta Garba, Olaka Nwogu, Muhammad Shitu, Dino Melaye, Peter Nwaoboshi, Jeremiah Useni; Ogba Obinna and Omogunwa Yele.

Rivers APC reacts

Meanwhile, Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC, has insisted that there was no court order from any part of Nigeria compelling the Senate not to screen Amaechi.

The party came out with the position in a statement following rumours that a member of PDP in Rivers State had secured an injunction stopping the Senate from screening him.

In the statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, Rivers APC said: “We have search at the Federal High Court across the country and did not find any such proceedings pending or order, the Federal High Court being the only court that has jurisdiction to determine any matter in which the Senate is made a party and its duties and functions are the subject matter, in view of Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—9

‘More forex restrictions coming Nov’

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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HERE were indications that foreign exchange market is on further squeeze as tougher measure to control utilization of foreign currency reserves has come on stream in banks.

Some banks’ currency dealers, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, said that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has tightened noose on their foreign exchange transactions with customers by reducing amounts available to individuals.

According to them effective November 1, they will effect a reduction in the annual international spending limit on Naira debit cards from USD50,000 to USD25,000.

Consequently, for customers requiring transaction spending above the limit, they will be required to obtain a dollar debit card by opening an individual domiciliary account funded by electronic transfer to ensure continued card usage abroad.

This would effectively curtail usage of foreign exchange reserves by individual travellers as they would be required to fund such accounts from sources other than the official foreign exchange windows.

It would also track usage of the Naira debit cards for illicit funds movements out of the country.

would reduce, thereby helping exchange rate management.

CBN has resisted calls to further devalue the Naira in the face of a plunge in oil revenues.

However, the bank has continued to intervene at the interbank market periodically to provide forex liquidity support for the local currency.

It also sells dollars twice weekly to the bureau de change operators as part of efforts to support the Naira and narrow the gap between the official forex and parallel markets.

The local currency traded at N225 to the dollar on the parallel market yesterday.

Though slightly weaker than N224 traded on Monday, it

still presented a wide gap with the CBN window rate of N197.

Bond rates crash

Meanwhile trading in the bonds market has shown that high liquidity in the money market was depressing yields in that instrument.

Yesterday, Debt Management Office, DMO, announced that the N120 billion worth of Nairadenominated bonds maturing in 2020 and 2024 it issued at an auction on Wednesday, was traded at lower yields than the returns at its previous auction.

The debt office raised N40 billion in the 2020 debt at 13.11 percent, compared with 15.95 percent at the previous auction in August.

The same tenor bond closed at 13.28 percent at the secondary market on Wednesday.

A total of N80 billion of the benchmark bond maturing in 2024 was issued at 13.87 percent compared with 16.84 percent of the same tenor debt attracted at the March auction when it was last issued.

The 2024 paper closed at 13.71 percent at the secondary market on Wednesday.

Yields on Nigerian debt have dropped sharply since last month, due to increased liquidity in the banking system, spurring demand for the local bond by pension and commercial lenders.

... as CBN explains forex flunctuations

Meanwhile, the apex bank has indicated that recent fluctuations in the exchange rate on its foreign exchange window was a reflection of the apex bank’s reactions to demand and supply at the market.

The closing rates have shown incessant fluctuations in recent times with a slight mark-up, yesterday, to N197/ USD1 from N196.98, the second time this week after a downward adjustment on Monday.

Currency traders said the regulator sent a message, announcing the adjustment which is the ninth since the bank introduced tight currency controls in February.

A Director in CBN, told Vanguard yesterday: “The apex bank was not fixing the rates, but only intervenes to maintain the rates within a certain band.”

According to him, the changes in exchange rate were in reaction to forces of demand and supply, which could necessitate CBN’s intervention sometimes.

He said the banks were also working with this understanding, adding that CBN would not let the exchange rate go beyond certain mark.

He expressed optimism that when the refineries come on stream with substantial local supply of petroleum products, the current demand pressure on the foreign exchange resources

FORUM: From left— Vice Patron, Mr. Oliver Johnson; President/Chairman of Council, Chief Olusola Dada, and Vice President, Mr. Lynn Nedd, all of Nigerian-Spanish Association, at the association's annual general meeting/business forum in Lagos, yesterday.

Scores dead as mutiple explosions rock Borno

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI— DOZENS of worshippers were killed yesterday, when suicide bombers targeted a mosque and public places in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“All the people in the mosque died; not a single one escaped,” said Muhtari Ahmadu, a trader near the scene, while another witness said he had counted at least 42 bodies after the blasts.

The multiple explosions, suspected to have been masterminded by Boko Haram suicide bombers, yesterday evening, rocked the mosque and various public gatherings in Mai Borti and Kangaleri villages of Molai area of Maiduguri metropolis, leaving scores of worshippers and innocent people dead.

Molai, located south and 10 kilometres from Maiduguri, had witnessed series of suicide attacks near military formations this year.

Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road had remained closed to motorists in the past one year despite directive by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, to reopen it.

The incident, according to sources, also left several others seriously injured as people scampered for safety on the eve of the swearing in of the newly-appointed Deputy Governor, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, who replaced late Umar Zannah.

Zannah died in Adamawa State two months ago, while on an official assignment.

According to some residents, who escaped from the scene and ran into Maiduguri, “male suicide bombers detonated multiple

improvised explosive devices, IEDs, in different locations, including a mosque in Molai where over 30 Muslims were observing their Magrib prayer around 6.10p.m.”

Another source said: ”Muslims were just observing their Magrib prayers in a mosque at Molai, when we heard a loud sound.

“We started running and motorists were driving recklessly to get out of the area. Confusion took over the entire place.

When the Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka, was contacted on phone to confirm the incident, he directed our correspon-dent to his Deputy at 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Tukur Gusau, whose phone lines were busy at press time.

101 firms bid for NNPC’s offshore processing agreement

By Michael Eboh

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B U J A — INTERNATIONAL oil trading companies, Glencore, Vitol S.A, BP Oil International and Total Oil Trading S.A, yesterday, joined 97 other local and international companies in bidding to partake in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s, NNPC, crude oil Offshore P r o c e s s i n g Arrangements, OPA. In the OPA, NNPC undertakes to allocate a dedicated volume of crude oil for refining at offshore locations in exchange for petroleum products at pre-agreed yield pattern.

The successful companies in the process are expected to lift about 210,000 barrels of Nigeria’s crude oil within a 12-month period, starting from January 2016.

Speaking at the bid opening ceremony in Abuja, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, stated that it was committed to ensuring that the process is transparent and beneficial to the country.

He noted that OPAs were very important in light of the fact that refineries are not working at optimal capacity.

He expressed optimism that the current bid process would present an opportunity for the best companies to emerge, adding that NNPC was concerned with companies with known track record, have solid investments in Nigeria, with global recognition and access to refineries.

He further stated that NNPC was hoping that this would be the last bid process for OPA, especially as it is expected that the country's refineries would resume production in the next couple of months.

Mrs. Esther NnamdiOgbue, the Managing Director of Products and Pipeline Marketing Company, PPMC, stated that the essence of the exercise was to provide a level playing field for all industry players.

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

MINISTERS: Ashafa lauds Tinubu over confirmation of Fashola, others

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HE Senator representing Lagos State East senatorial district, Gbenga Ashafa yesterday, praised the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the confirmation of former Lagos governor, Babtunde Fashola; his counterpart in Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi and All Progressives Party ’s, Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ashafa made the remarks in a statement he personally signed to felicitate with 18 ministers who were confirmed Wednesday by the upper chambers saying Tinubu’s foresightedness contributed to the emergence of the aforesaid ministers.

He added: “While I recognise that the task before them is both herculean and complex, I am confident in their ability to succeed and set Nigeria on the path of greatness. With our fearless and visionary leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, at the fore of this team, ably supported by the erudite Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, I am more than assured that this new government will deliver on its promises and make our economy competitive and productive.”

I am particularly proud of the intelligence, poise and grace with which our own former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola , conducted himself throughout his time addressing us in the Red Chambers. His thoughts and plans were illuminating as always. He represented Lagos State very well on that podium and will do very well in the Federal Executive Council. Of that, I have no doubt.”

Lawmakers confirm 36 commissioners for Lagos

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Ebun Sessou & Amarachi Chukwudi

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AGOS—THE Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, approved 36 commissioners designate for the state.

However, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is expected by law, to inaugurate the state Executive council any moment from now by swearing in the appointees.

The confirmation of the cabinet members took place during plenary of the Assembly, preceded by the presentation of the report of the 15-man adhoc committee set up two weeks ago to screen the nominees. The presentation was led by the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun.

The only nominee who could not be screened originally because she was resident in the United Kingdom, Mrs Yetunde Onabule, was said to have rushed down to Lagos to beat yesterday’s public hearing. She was also screened and approved.

In presenting the report, Eshinlokun revealed that all the nominees were invited by the committee and that they all submitted copies of their Curriculum Vitaes, CVs, and certificates, which were thoroughly verified by the committee.

SYMPOSIUM: From left; Board Member, Aart of Life Foundation, Mrs. Abiola Sanusi; Chairman Aart of Life Foundation, Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo; Managing Director, FM Synethesiz Nigeria Limited, Dr. Olufemi Olugbile, and member, Board of Directors, ALF, Mrs. Joke Jacobs, during a symposium on Pioneering Grief and Trauma Counseling in Nigeria, In Abuja, yesterday.

According to him; ‘’All the nominees submitted required document and original certificates for sighting and asked pertinent questions on issues that pertain to the state and that each of the nominees was endorsed by the lawmaker representing their constituencies, cleared by the committee and confirmed by the House. The lawmakers also took turns to commend the committee for the job.’’

The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa after voice votes on confirmation, directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Ganiyu Abiru, to convey the

HE Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Joseph Ikem Odumodu, has assured of SON’s uncompromising stance on standards as the key that will unlock the world’s vast trade and wealth for Nigerian businesses.

Odumodu stated this in Abuja while unfolding the programme of activities lined up by his organisation for this year’s World Standards Day which began on Tuesday with a rally in Lagos and continued yesterday with the walk

Joseph, Prof. Ademola Abass, Dr. Akintola Benson, Dr. AbdulHakeem Abdul-Lateef, Dr. Mohammed Akinkunmi, Dr. Babatunde Adejare,Dr. Femi Onanuga, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.

Others are: Mr Adebowale Akinsanya, Mr Wasiu Anifowoshe, Mrs. Lola Akande, Mr Agboola Dabiri, Mr Ganiu OkanlomoSanni, Mr Anofi Elegushi,Mr Rotimi Ogunleye, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, Mr Femi Odubiyi, Alhaji Musiliu Folami, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, Mr Adeyemi, Mr Labinjo Toyin-Suarau, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, Mr Deji Tinubu, Mrs. Mudirat Giwanson and Kehinde Bamigbetan.

Palace keeps mum as Ooni’s deputy, Obalufe dies at 83

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE Ooni of Ife’s second-incommand and the leader of IleIfe traditional kingmakers, the Obalufe (Orunto) of Iremo quarters, Oba Solomon Omisakin is dead, aged 85.

His death may have compounded the uncertainty surrounding the selection process of the new Ooni of Ife which has resulted in litigations.

However informed sources told Vanguard yesterday that; ‘’He had concluded the process of

selection of the new Ooni before he died.’’

Oba Omisakin’s death is coming barely three months after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade in a London hospital.

The Obalufe is also the prime minister of Ife and oversees affairs in the town in the absence of an Ooni.

Vanguard gathered that Oba Omisakin’s death occurred at about 10 am yesterday at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital OAUTH, Ile Ife. Though the circumstance

World Standards Day: SON charts Nigeria’s path to global wealth

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House confirmation of the commissioners designate to the governor for appointments into the State Executive Council.

Governor Ambode on September 21, presented the names of intended cabinet members to the state House of Assembly for screening and approval.

The approved commissioners designate were Mr Gbolahan Lawal, Dr. Jide Idris, Mr Folarin Coker, Mr Seye Oladejo, Mr Ganiyu Johnson and Mr Babatunde Hunpe, Mrs Yetunde Onabule, Fela Bank-Olemoh, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Alhaja Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Mr Kehinde

in Abuja, Kaduna and Awka. The celebration is tagged “Walk Against Sub-standards”.

Odumodu said that though “standards – the world’s common language” is the theme of this year’s World Standards Day which is yearly celebrated on October 14 or for days around this day, SON, has for local application, translated it to “Standards, the power to partake in global wealth.”

At the parley, the SON director of product certification, Mr. S.A.

Adegun, said that the organisation would be having three activities to mark the 2015 World Standards Day. One of the activities, according to Adegun, is the special facilitation visit to factories which will be led by the Director General.

He explained that “the DG will, during this visit, personally show some manufacturers how to conform to international standards so that more of their products can attract international usage.”

surrounding the death of the 85year-old Obalufe was still sketchy at the time of filing this report, a close family source said the Octogenarian slumped in his house located at Eleyele Area of Ile Ife and was rushed to the hospital, where he later died around 10 am.

When contacted, the chairman of Eleyele Landlord Association, Chief Elijah Adeyele, confirmed the demise of Obalufe, saying he had been in his residence to condole with the family.

Also, one of the daughters of the late monarch, who spoke to newsmen on phone amidst sob, said: “he was rushed to hospital this morning and died few hours later.”

But at Iremo palace of Oba Omisakin, sympathisers were seen trooping in, while some others, who could not hold back tears, were weeping, despite the decision of other chiefs to keep mum on the development.

On what the death portend for the ongoing selection process of new monarch for the town, a source within Giesi Ruling House, said that his passage will not delay the process.

He added that the next chief in rank, Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph

Ijaodola, will step in and take full charge of the functions of Obalufe.

45 corps members to repeat service in Lagos

By Dayo Adesulu

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HE Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Lagos State, Mr. Cyril Akhanameh yesterday, said 45 corps members, who absconded during their service year will repeat the service.

He said: “45 corps members will repeat their service year due to physical absence from their places of primary assignments.”

According to him, '''Many of the corps members left their places of primary assignments for over three months without permission, adding that when queried, they could not give any genuine reason for being absent.''

"The level of their punishments, he noted, will be determined by the level of their offences, stating that many of them will repeat, serve for three or four months in any part of the states that NYSC Authorities will choose."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015 — 11

How I lobbied HID to make Awo work for me — GOWON

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), yesterday, disclosed how he lobbied the matriarch of Awolowo family, late Mrs. HID Awolowo to convince her husband to serve as federal commissioner for finance and vice president of the Federal Executive Council under his administration during the civil war.

Gowon, who ruled Nigeria between 1966 and 1975 ,however, urged Nigerians to be patient with their leaders, describing the country ''as most difficult to govern.''

The former Head of State, who is the Chairman of Obafemi Awolowo foundation led his team

which comprises former World Court Judge, Bola Ajibola, Professor Emeritus, Oladipo Akinkugbe and Afenifere chieftains Ayo Adebanjo'and Sir Olanihun Ajayi, among others to Awolowo family’s house in Ikenne, Ogun State over the death of HID Awolowo.

Gowon, who spoke on behalf of other members eulogised the late Mama HID Awolowo for her role in his government, saying, he had to lobby her to convince her husband to serve under him.

According to him; ‘’In paying condolence to Mama, you cannot do it without really mentioning Papa Awolowo. And of course, you know that Papa was very instrumental to some of our successes in government in those days.

Alleged killers of FUTA's ex-VC remanded

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE two domestic aides suspected to have murdered their boss, the former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof Albert Ilemobade; Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale were yesterday

Mrs Ibironke Adewumi passes on

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HE family has announced the passing on of their mother, grand mother and great grandmother, Mrs Alice ibironke Adewumi, who died on August 30, 2015. She was Aged 105.

Celebration of life is slated for 16th October 2015 at Saint Luke’s Anglican Church, Uro, lkere-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Reception follows at Saint Luke’s Primary school field.

Late Madam Adewumi

arraigned in Court for conspiracy,murder and robbery.

They both pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge preferred against them despite their public confession when they were paraded by the state police command over two months ago.

In the statement of offence filed by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Adeyemi Tuki, the accused were charged with conspiracy to commit murder contrary to section 324 code, cap 37 vol 1, laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The particulars of offence stated that Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale about 21st of June, 2015 at No 1 Ikere street, Ijapo Estate, Akure in the judicial division conspire to murder one Prof. Albert Adeoye Ilemobade.

They were also charged with murder contrary to section 319 of the criminal code, Vol 1, laws of Ondo State. In the particulars of offence, the accused were said to have murdered the late Vice Chancellor by strangulating him to death.

The two accused persons were equally charged with robbery contrary to section 1(2) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) act, cap R11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“It was my fortune and I thank God that it was me that had the opportunity to release Papa from prison in Calabar to Lagos and to be able to help us have peace in the West at that time. Mama was very grateful for what has happened and I can assure that was what earned me the respect of Mama throughout her life.

“But, despite the fact that what we did was alright, there was also a need to get Papa involved and that would probably seal what we wanted to achieve, especially in the West, which was at the time pretty dicey. ‘’You’d remember Operation Wetie and then the coup and what not. So we had to seek Mama’s support to see if we could get Papa to come and join the government to help and of course, our hope was that when that happened we would be able to finish the war as quickly as possible so that we could return to democracy. ‘’Yes, we really pleaded with Mama; She was the one who encouraged Papa to accept that invitation and for that, we will ever remain grateful to her for what she did”, he said.

While urging Nigerians to be patient with their leaders, Gowon said; “You know what happened after then; we had a government that was not totally military but with some political juggernauts as the saying goes and we were able to start to make a move towards returning to normalcy. ‘’Let me tell you this; it was not easy. When I became Head of State, I hoped that three, six months the most, we would be done. But when you have problems in a nation, it is not easy to solve them overnight. So, you’ve always got to give time and you’ve got to be patient with leaders to be able to put things in order”.

Speaking on Nigeria’s present government, Gowon said “Whenever any government comes in, give them time to be able

to really put things right.

Nigeria is not an easy place to govern.

“I can assure there are as many problems as there are Nigerians in the world and everybody wants to do things in his own way and probably for his own interest. ‘’And you think of that, how are you going to get

all that put together and put things right? I think we’ve got to be patient and then we got to cooperate with the government to do the right thing. Always never be tired of telling the government what needed to be done in order to improve things”.

Speaking on behalf of

Awolowo family, the eldest child , Omotola Oyediran, lauded the members of the foundation for their efforts.

Oyediran, who appealed to Nigerians to pray for the family to continue enjoying unity amongst themselves, assuring Nigerians that, though , the family is large, the unity of the family will be taken seriously.

Afe Babalola wants private varsities to benefit from TETFUND

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI— FOUNDER of Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, has appealed to the Federal Government to allow private universities benefit from Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Association of ProChancelors of Private Universities, in Nigeria,

APPNU, which held in ABUAD, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Aare Babalola described the exclusion of the category of universities from the beneficiaries list of TETFUND as unjust.

The legal luminary said that TETFUND was a levy on industrial establishments owned by private individuals as a form of their own contribution to educational advancement in the country.

He however, lamented

that the Federal Government had cornered the fund for the sole benefit of governmentowned Institutions.

He urged the federal government to amend Section 7(1) of the TETFUND Act which excluded private tertiary institutions, including universities from the benefitting from the fund, saying private educational institutions contribute as much to the advancement of education in the country as governmentowned ones.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Why world powers are supporting Buhari —CARRINGTON

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—FORMER American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Walter Carrington, yesterday said the American government and other world powers were prepared to assist Nigeria regain its position as the giant of Africa because of their confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari was an honest leader and “tough enough to turn this country around.”

He spoke while delivering a lecture titled Nigeria and the future of the Black World, at the First Eminent Lecture Series of the University of Benin, UNIBEN. He asserted that President Buhari would make life uncomfortable for the few Nigerians who corruptly enriched themselves to the detriment of the vast majority of the people.

He said: “As a private citizen Buhari lived modestly and since taking on the duties of president, he has set a refreshing example of financial transparency which all public

officials should and must emulate. I believe that having been elected democratically as a civilian president, President Buhari will fulfil the third of Abraham Lincoln’s prepositional triad making his a government for the people, a government which cares more for the

welfare of the poor majority and disadvantaged than for the unjust enrichment of the privileged few and their enablers who too often in the past have looted the national treasury.”

Ambassador Carrington, who reiterated his love for Nigeria which led to his

decision to marry Dr Arese, an indigene of Edo State, lamented that Nigeria, with its rich potentials, ought to be a leading light in the world economy, rather, the world leaders always referred to Johannesburg in terms of business instead of Abuja.

CONDOLENCE: Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah, leading other Niger Deltans to sign the condolence register opened for former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, at the IMG office in Ketu, Lagos.

Cleric urges support for Buhari's anti-corruption crusade

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By Emma Una

ALABAR—THE Anglican Archbishop of Calabar, Bishiop Tunde Adeleye, has called on Nigerians to support the anticorruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari and his up hill task of restoring the country to the path of peace and development Bishop Adeleye, who spoke yesterday, in Calabar, Cross River State, lamented that every facet of life in Nigeria had been bastardised due to years of neglect. He said that in order to restore normalcy the President required the total support and prayers of Nigerians.

He said: “It is not his fault that things are the way they are. He needs our support and prayers and we in Anglican Church are praying for him to succeed.In Nigeria, corruption has made public office holders to launder public funds and live exorbitantly.”

According to him, Buhari's fight against corruption is well intentioned and anyone who works against the anticorruption fight is an enemy of the country.

“Anyone who opposes the government’s fight against corruption should be described as our enemy and does not mean well for the country. All those suspected to have been involved in corruption should be properly investigated through due process and

nobody suspected to have embezzled or misappropriated public funds should be spared.

There should be no tribalism, no nepotism because a situation where members of a particular political party are

targeted leaving some others because of political leaning should not be allowed.”

NYSC remains beacon of hope for nation’s unity —OSHIOMHOLE batch C NYSC, members,

By Simon Ebegbulem

& Emem Idio

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme still remained a major beacon of hope for the nation’s unity and development.

The governor, who stated this during the passing out parade of the 2,476 Batch C NYSC members, posted to the state, said the NYSC scheme had continued to bring “our

young men and women across the country together despite their different religious and ethnic backgrounds.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Education in the state, Mr. Gideon Obhakian, the governor said: “The year must have been exciting and equally challenging to those of you who strived to imprint your names in the proverbial sands of time by initiating laudable programmes that have direct bearing on the grassroots."

Meanwhile, a total of 1,800

yesterday passed out of the service in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Addressing the outgoing corps members, at a ceremony held at the Armed Forces Remembrance Arcade in Yenagoa, Governor Seriake Dickson, represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Dein Binadoumene, urged them to see the NYSC as a scheme aimed at expanding the frontiers of development to the nooks and crannies of the nation.

DESOPADEC gives oil communities conditions for projects location

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—DELTA State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has said the remodeled agency would not achieve the desired change unless oil communities embraced attitudinal change towards delivery and maintenance of projects in their areas.

The agency's Executive

Director, Projects, Mr. Phillip Gbason, stated this in Warri, yesterday, when he hosted Warri North leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who paid a courtesy call to his office.

Gbason said: "The new DESOPADEC is already perfecting a sustainable development plan which supports a participatory needs assessment in which the communities determine what

they want rather than projects being forced on them to avoid misplaced projects.

"However, the change value in that policy will amount to nothing in an atmosphere where communities see public infrastructures as government property. The new order is that communities must be receptive to projects delivery and take ownership upon completion because the projects are for their own good."

Fitters union tasks Shell over unpaid salaries

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By Lucky Oji

IGERIA National Fitters Association, NNFA, has called on Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and GABSON Industrial Limited, to pay its members their nine months alleged unpaid salaries.

The union said it is in full support of the ongoing protest by members over the unpaid wages, insisting that the salaries must be paid in full.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Morrister Idibra, NNFA said: “This is one of the challenges Nigerian workers are facing with local content act. Many of our local contractors deliberately refuse to pay our members, thereby causing hardship, and in some cases death, to fitters.”

He urged the affected companies to pay up the workers’ benefits without further delay or face more stringent actions in the days ahead.

“We want President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the aspect of the monitoring in the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, is fully implemented to avert the maltreatment of workers by local contractors," he said.

PDP committed to prosperity of all Deltans —DEP SPEAKER

By Tare Youdeowei

D

EPUTY Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has said Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is firmly rooted in the nooks and crannies of the state.

Osanebi made the assertion in his office in Asaba when stakeholders and leaders of PDP in Ndokwa East Ward 9 paid him a visit.

He said: "Our party has triumphed and impacted on our people positively for the past years, because of its commitment, diligence and firm foundation. There is no other party in this state and you must be confident to do your home work properly. Tell our people in Ward 9 what our party stands for. Show them what we have done and tell them what we are doing, because PDP is committed to the prosperity of all Deltans.

You must work with this confidence, because nobody can shake PDP in Delta State."

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—13

Olu of Warri-elect performs traditional Iken rites for predecessor

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE Olu of Warri designate, Prince Godfrey Ikenwole Abiloye Emiko, yesterday emerged temporarily from seclusion to to lead Itsekiri chiefs in the Iken rites, the traditional escort of a departed Olu, to join his ancestors at the Itsekiri Royal Cemetery.

Prince Emiko, joined by Chiefs of the Traditional Advisory Council, CTAC, led his predecessor, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II, through Ode Itsekiri, their ancestral home, also known as Big Warri, to Ijala where Ginuwa, the first Itsekiri monarch, was buried and has since become the Royal Cemetery in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

The procession involved rituals.

After performing the rituals, the Olu designate returned from the inner cemetery where he prayed for the prosperity of the throne, the subjects, and the Itsekiri nation in general, ahead of a new chapter in the kingdom.

Chairman, Warri Study Group, Edward Ekpoko, speaking on the the significance of the event, said the Iken rites were integral to the role the Olu designate was expected to play before he could fully be crowned an Olu as gazetted in Section 9 of the customary law regulating succession to the throne.

According to Ekpoko: “What

has happened is a condition precedent to the Olu Elect’s own installation. The law declares that failure to perform and conclude the Iken rites by an Olu designate is a barrier to his installation as Olu. This Iken signals the commencement of the burial rites. The Olu designate will go back into seclusion, but for the next three lunar months, other burial rites will be concluded, paving way for

installation rites for the incoming Olu.” Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, the Igba of Warri, on her part, said: “The history that is being repeated in our kingdom by today’s event also signifies the real exchange of baton between the departed Olu and his successor.

The Olu designate went in with the departed predecessor to meet their ancestors and he came out alone. That bears a

strong message of handover.

This is even more significant than the open installation which is mainly ceremonial.”

Other chiefs who participated in the ceremony included Chief Yaya Pessu, Ojomo of Warri; Chief Felix Esisi, Olare-Aje of Okere; Chief Roland Omagbemi, Ewolufun of Warri and Chief Thomas Eyeritomi, AkitigbiAyeola of Warri.

B

ENIN—TWO-time governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, has said Edo Mass Movement, EMM, will support any governorship candidate that will sustain and improve on the development strides of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Dr. Ogbemudia, who yesterday, in Benin City, received a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Calsey Omon- Irabor, in his residence, said although the EMM was not a political party, the group would support only the best candidate that would ensure the continuous overall development of the state.

Speaking on the personality of OmonIrabor, he said: “OmonIrabor is a foremost legal practitioner and I have

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Ngozi Nwatarali, yesterday said two of the three corps members abducted on Monday, night at Rundele High School in Agba-Ndele, in Emohua Local Government, Area, of the state, had regained their freedom.

Speaking with newsmen, the state NYSC boss lamented that one of the corps members abducted was still in the custody of the kidnappers, expressing hope that freedom of the corps member would be soon. According to her, because of the sensitive nature of the issue she would not like to speak much on the incident.

Delta community tasks NPDC on clean up of spill site

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CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr., and a board member of Daar Communications Plc, Prince Shedrack Akolokwu, during a condolence visit to the Bayelsa State Government by top management of Daar Communications Plc, over the death of former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

EDO 2016: We'll back any candidate that'll better Oshiomhole's performance —OGBEMUDIA

By Gabriel Enogholase

2 kidnapped NYSC members in Rivers regain freedom

tremendous respect for his knowledge, the way he goes about his things and I believe he stands a good chance of picking the crown. Looking at him, and from all I have heard about him, he has above average intelligence, he is able to stand on his own and he would not have been a successful lawyer because a lawyer is one independent person that at all times, stands on his own.”

He advised Omon-Irabor to meet the governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,

to discuss his governorship ambition with him and seek for his support, noting, “It will be difficult for people like me to support anybody that the governor is opposed to.”

Ogbemudia also advised the governorship aspirant to meet and seek the support of the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and go close to members of the National Executive of the party, saying that “the National Chairman of the party cannot tell anyone that he does not know

who the governor of the state is going to be.”

The former governor told Omon-Irabor to go back to the drawing board there after and should be able to know the obstacles he would encounter and how to solve them.

By Ochuko Akuopha

LEH—THE people of Igbide, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, have told the management of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to take urgent steps to clean up the areas affected by last week’s oil spillage in the community.

They also demanded compensation for farmlands, crops and fish ponds destroyed by the oil spillage which they alleged was caused by equipment failure.

Addressing newsmen on the development, Chairman of the Ekpo quarter of the community, Chief Alex Akata said: “From the equipment failure the spill went to their drain and the drain collapsed so from there the crude oil spread to the farmlands, bush, fish ponds and houses."

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

DESIGN ATED OLU OF W ARRI ESCOR TUW AT SE II, TTO O JOIN HIS DESIGNA WARRI ESCORTT S OGIAME AATUW TUWA ANCES ON A OMAFU AIRE ANCESTTORS. PHO PHOTTOS BY AKPOK AKPOKON ONA OMAFUAIRE

The Olu Designate, Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko (left) and Chief Ayirimi Emami, Chief Priest Udueyin and Chief. S.S. Rone (1st, 2nd and 3rd from right) in preparation for the excursion of the departed Olu of Warri, HRM. Ogiame Atuwatse II.

From right; Chief Kofi E. Kartey, Chief E.T. Heymann, Billy Besiginwa, Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Tetsola, Pa. S.D.Brikinn, Chief (Sir.) P.D. Yalaju JP, and Chief Yaya Pessu, Chairman of Warri Council of Chiefs and Chairman, Advisory Council.

From right; Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor, Chief Roland Omagbemi and Chief Emma Jones.

Oma-Aja (boat paddlers) with Chief Priest Udueyin (clad in white regalia).

Some Itsekiri indigenes accompanying the Olu Designate, Emiko as he escorts the Departed Olu of Warri, to his final resting place.

MORE RESPECT S FOR LA TE TTOR OR CH TTAIRE AIRE RESPECTS LATE ORCH

The departed Olu of Warri, being escorted by the Olu Designate, and the Itsekiri people to his ancestors at Ijala Community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State in a boat regatta yesterday. (STORY ON PAGE 13)

ALLEGED N15M BRIBE: Prosecute Yobe REC, Fayose tells Buhari

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

Members of the Ladies Crusaders of Yaba Baptist Church, Lagos during their condolence visit to the Anthony Village, Lagos residence of the Taire family over the death of its patriarch, Late Torch Oritseweyinmi Taire.

C M Y K

DO-EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has called for the trial of the Yobe State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Abu Zarma, over the N15 million bribe he was alleged to have received to influence the Yobe State governorship election.

The governor said doing otherwise, will make nonsense of President Muhammadu Buhari’s avowed fight

against corruption, adding that “If nothing is done on a case as clear as that of the INEC REC, Nigerians can as well kiss President Buhari anticorruption fight goodbye.”

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said it was worrisome that despite the evidence of lodgement of N15 million into the two bank accounts of the REC, a few days to the April 11 election, which was admitted as evidence by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in the state, the REC has not been charged to court.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 15

Native doctor’s concoction kills Aba bizman in Enugu

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—OPERATIVES of the Homicide section,Enugu Police Command have arraigned Afam Nweke and Victor Agyula, an alleged native doctor, from Alaede, in Benue State over their complicity in the murder of Sunday Onwe, from Amuri in Nkanu-West Local Government Area of Enugu State, who sought ritual remedy to revitalize the ebbing fortunes of his business in Aba, Abia State.

It was gathered that the deceased left Aba for Enugu on June 22, to meet with Afam Nweke, who was already waiting with the native doctor to perform the necessary rituals as they agreed to re-enact his business in Aba. Further investigation revealed that the deceased booked a hotel for Afam and the native doctor at the Gariki, Awkunanaw axis of Enugu metropolis where they met before taking off to a bush in Ozalla, on Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, at about 4:15a.m. on June 23, where the ritual took place.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, DSP, who confirmed the incident in a release, the deceased was made to drink a liquid concotion suspected to have been prepared with acid.

“The deceased after drinking the concontion, was stripped naked while the remaining liquid was

also poured on him. He later became unconscious and fell down.

"The native doctor and Afam Ejima and other cohorts, believing that the deceased was dead, made away with his Toyota Avalon car, his hand-sets and the sum of N430,000, which he had brought down from Aba out of the sales he had made the previous day before setting out for the rituals.

“He was, however, rescued by

a good Nigerian, who ran into him while in a helpless state and was rushed to University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital,UNTH, Ituku Ozalla, with the burns the acid had inflicted on him internally and externally. It was at the hospital that the deceased managed to narrate his ordeal. His injuries was severe, prompting a referral to National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, from where he gave up the ghost.

“The state criminal intelligence and investigations department swung into action where they trailed and tracked down Afam Nweke on September 13.

He was investigated and later arraigned before a law court for conspiracy and murder, and currently on remand while the native doctor, who was also at large after the incident, was arrested at Markurdi, Benue State, on September 24", Police spokesman revealed.

VISIT: Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (3rd right), with Umuchu youth leader, Mr. Sunday Ogbogu (1st left); Dr. Oti Chidiebere (2nd left); Dr. Nduka Vitus (3rd right); Fr. Barnabas Okafor (2nd right), and Umuchu President General, Kingsley Onunkwo (1st right), during Obi’s visit to motor accident’s victims, at Visitation Hospital, Umuchu, yesterday.

Enugu govt partners Defence College to revitalize economy

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NUGU STATE government and the National Defence College are to partner on strategies to boost the state's internally generated revenue, IGR, and diversify her income base to address the present economic challenges in the country.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who spoke at Government House, noted that despite difficulties occasioned by the economic challenges, the state government had continued to keep faith with the aspirations of the people by making steady

progress in economic development.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, during an audience with participants of National Defence College, Course 24, Geo Strategic Study tour of Enugu State, Ugwuanyi

Ugwuanyi dissolves school management board, governing council

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved the dissolution of the Post Primary School Management Board, PPSMB, Enugu.

This was contained in a statement made public from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Gabriel, O.C Ajah, yesterday.

Consequently, the governor had also approved the reconstitution of the board with effect from October 9, 2015, with Nestor Ezeme as its new chairman.

According to the government statement, Mrs. Favour Ugwuanyi will serve as the permanent C M Y K

secretary of the board, with Mr. Obi Kama and Mr. Clement Inyaba as members.

There are two other members of the board classified as parttime members and they include Mrs. Veronica Ezeugwu, and Mrs. Obiageli Igwesi.

In a similar development, the governor had also dissolved the

Governing Council, Enugu State College of Education Technical, with effect from October 9, 2015.

In reconstituting another Governing Council, the governor had appointed Ambassador Fidelia Njeze as its new chairman.

noted that the theme of the tour, 'Internally Generated Revenue as Catalyst for Development: challenges and Prospects in Enugu State,' was aptly chosen as it reflects the state’s efforts to restructure and revitalize the state’s economy.

“The theme of the tour could not have been more aptly chosen as it reflects our current efforts to the challenges occasioned by the current down-turn in the national economy," Ugwuanyi said.

The governor assured that in the course of the tour, the participants would be briefed in greater details on the modest efforts made by the state as well as on the other peculiar challenges facing the state with a view to promoting collaboration for intervention.

Assembly member sinks borehole at police Division in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE m e m b e r representing Aboh Mbaise constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Mike Iheanaetu, has sunk and commissioned a water borehole for the officers and men of Divisional Police Headquarters, Aboh.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the lawmaker explained that he opted to sink the borehole as a sign of gratitude for the good work they had been doing in the local council area.

While recalling that he promised during the electioneering campaign to sink boreholes in various communities, Iheanaetu, however, expressed happiness that he had already started actualizing the promise.

Obi lauds Anambra govt, visits accident victims

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HE FORMER governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has commended Anambra State Government’s response to the tragedy in Umuchu that claimed many lives.

Obi, who visited the victims of the motor accident at Visitation Hospital, Umuchu, gave the town moral and monetary support, was delighted when the President General, PG, of the town, Kingsley Onunkwo briefed him on what the town did and would do.

The PG also explained to him how some individuals and organizations, especially the Anambra government had come to their aid.

“Governor Willie Obiano visited the scene and pledged to pay the hospital bill of the victims."

Shun corruption, religious bigotry, gov counsels Youth Corps members

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, charged the 2014 batch ‘C’ of National Youth Service Scheme,

NYSC, members deployed to the state to shun negative tendencies including indiscipline, corruption, bribery, nepotism and religious bigotry, which had over the years brought bad image to the nation.

Umahi admonished them to be

prepared to surmount emerging challenges in order to contribute their quota towards rebuilding the ideal and better Nigeria for generations to come.

The governor, who was represented by the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly,

Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, during the passing- out parade ceremony of the 2014 batch ‘C’ Corps members at the Abakaliki township stadium, assured that his administration would continue to hold NYSC, in high esteem.

16—Vanguard,FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

PDP chieftain urges Deltans to support Okowa’s devt programme

By Tare Youdeowei

A

COMMUNITY leader and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Dr. Sylvan Ebigwei, has stressed the need for all Deltans to support the laudable programmes of the Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Dr. Ebigwei gave the charge at his Okpanam country home during the ceremony to mark the feast of the Patron Saint of St. Michael Catholic Church, the celebration of the new yam and first anniversary of his recognition/ confirmation of national award as Member, Order of the Niger, MON, by the past President Goodluck Jonathan.

The community leader, who is also the Iyase of Obodogba, Okpanam, enjoined the people to always pray and give their support to the federal and state governments so as to benefit from the various developmental programmes in the state and the nation.

He commended the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for appointing an indigene of the community as commissioner.

Madam Ogunyemi for final burial

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A D A M FLORENCE Ogunyemi (a.k.a Iya London) is dead, aged 75.

She will be buried today at her residence, 9, Safetedo, Iperu, after a funeral mass at Wesley Methodist Cathedral Church, Akesan Rd, Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

A devout Christian, her wake was held yesterday at her residence.

She is survived by children, grand children, brothers, sisters and nephews, among whom, is Dele Ogunyemi, a Londonbased businessman.

Flood sacks 10,000 in Anambra

By Enyim Enyim

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NITSHA—ABOUT 10,000 indigenes from three local government areas in Anambra State have been rendered homeless by flood.

The affected areas are Ogbaru, Anambra east and Anambra west local government areas where farmers have fled their homes to join their relatives and friends while others have moved to reserved camps in the upland where government had provided for them.

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—MEMBER, representing Ohaozara/ Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, Hon. Linus Okorie, yesterday, applauded the appointment of former President Goodluck Jonathan as Leader of 33-nation observer mission to the October 25, 2015 general elections in Tanzania.

Okorie, who emerged victorious at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Abakaliki, Tuesday, commended the Commonwealth for appreciating Jonathan’s democratic virtues, which he said, was by extension, a commendation on the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria.

He noted that Commonwealth’s recognition of Nigeria’s former President, barely five months after leaving office is an indication that Jonathan is a true democrat whose style of administration and politicking are enviable.

Okorie said by that singular appointment, Jonathan has achieved the status as a “Father

A

of Nigerian Democracy” and asked Nigerians to celebrate the former President’s undiminished legacies and the rule of law.

Jonathan was announced to lead the observation mission by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Yahya Simba.

PC CANDIDATE for the November 21 Kogi State governorship election, Prince Abubakar Audu has cleared the air on the N11 billion allegedly looted by him, amongst other questions tweeted at him by Nigerians using the hashtag #AskAudu. His answer: “When I was in office between 1999 – 2003, we received average monthly allocation of N350 million - about N16.8 billion for the entire four years of my tenure.

"With these, we paid all salaries, we built Kogi State University, Obajana Cement Factory (now owned and run by Dangote Cement), Confluence Beach Hotel,, Stella Obasanjo Library, Paparanda Square, Government (Lugard) House, Government Office secretariat and the banquet hall. We started the confluence stadium and built the Lokoja township stadium.

"Others are the Fed. Medical Centre equipped same with 25 state-of-art ambulances, NTA Kogi, Radio Kogi, Kogi Graphics Newspaper, 75 rural electrification projects, the presidential lodge, Governor’s lodge, Abuja and inter-state roads.We also built the specialist eye centre, commissioners' quarters and 200 housing units just to mention a few.

"In 2002, the Federal Government instituted a panel to evaluate and reward our performance. Out of 12 awards for the 36 state governors, I won seven. Now, how could all these have been achieved?"

IPMAN CRISIS: No notice of appeal served on me —Aba depot chairman

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—CHAIRMAN of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Aba Depot, Abia State, Chief Christian Ahukanna has said that no

notice of appeal has been served him in respect of the court judgment which declared him the authentic chairman of the association.

In an interview with journalists in Aba, Ahukanna, who was reacting to a report in a national daily (not

Isunambogu lauds Obidi over devt of Ibusa N ENTREPRENEUR, Mr. Ebenezer Obidi has been commended for his role in the development of Ibusa community.

The executive and entire members of Isunambogu Social Club of Nigera (Worldwide) made the commendation at a civic reception organized by Obidi to

proactive measure to assist the people through SEMA and called on the federal government to declare Anambra state a flood disaster area.

The member representing Anambra west constituency in the state legislature, Mr Victor Okoye called on various levels of government to intervene and requested that the people should be quickly evacuated from the affected areas in Anambra West.

Audu denies N11bn loot allegation

Okorie lauds Jonathan’s appointment on Tanzanian election

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C M Y K

saying that at present, Ogbaru, Odekpe and Osamala farms and houses have been submerged.

Another member of the House of Assembly representing Anambra east, Mr Obinna Emenaka also spoke in the same vein, saying that the surging flood in his area has not only affected houses and farmlands but fish ponds.

He said government was taking

CONFERMENT: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (centre), his predecessor, Chief Sullivan Chime (right),and the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi, on the occasion of conferment of chieftaincy title on Chief Chime, at Udi.

By Elizabeth Uwandu

Late Madam Ogunyemi

Apart from houses, farmlands had been submerged by the surging flood in the reverine areas, which destroyed their crops estimated in millions of Naira.

Speaking to Vanguard, a lawmaker representing Ogbaru in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Benson Nwawulu urged victims to without delay avail themselves of the camps in the upland already provided by government.

He hinted that government had provided about 21 speed boats for people in the affected areas,

host and thank the club for electing him as their patron.

The Isunambogu Social Club members, who spoke through its President, Mr. A.O. Okafor, described Obidi as not only an enterprising personality, but one of the rare community leaders that had shown tremendous interest in the overall development of Ibusa.

Okafor stated that the Isunambogu Club since its establishment had embarked on sand filling of potholes in the numerous streets of the community, provided scholarships to some students, donated vehicle to the police, and also contributing to the socioeconomic development of the community.

Vanguard) faulting the court judgment which confirmed him IPMAN Chairman, Aba depot, accused his opponent, Prince Bobby Eberechi Dick, of conducting a

parallel election declaring himself winner after he lost the election organized by IPMAN zonal officials .

The IPMAN chairman insisted that he has not been served with any notice of appeal or stay of execution of court judgment by Prince Dick and urged him to refrain from conducting himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015— —17

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 A MAJOR talking point in the global media at the moment is the tragic but avoidable death of over 1,000 pilgrims in the Saudi city of Mina on September 24, 2015. They were among thousands of Muslims from different parts of the world who converged on the holy city of Mecca for this year’s Hajj.

The victims met their tragic end following a stampede that led to their being crushed or suffocated.

The fatal stampede occurred after two large crowds of pilgrims reportedly collided while on their way to participate in the symbolic Hajj ritual of stoning Satan.

Weeks after, the deadly incident has continued to elicit shock, sorrow, outrage and recriminations across the globe. Indeed, the world is still trying to come to terms with the tragic irony that a pilgrimage in search of improved spiritual wellbeing could result into such

The Hajj stampede tragedy monumental catastrophe.

The Saudi authorities have been in the firing line for being allegedly negligent in the organisation of this year’s Hajj and for failing to put in place adequate safety measures. At the forefront of this chorus of accusations is the government of Iran which claimed that 464 of its citizens died with several others still missing.

The world wants the Saudi Arabian authorities to openly acknowledge responsibility for this tragedy and be compelled by the Muslim world to introduce better safety measures to avoid future occurrence. This

position is derived from the feeling that this perhaps is the climax of a succession of Hajj fatalities recorded in recent history. The Muslim world had, two weeks before the fatal stampede, lost 109 pilgrims to a crane crash at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Although the Saudi authorities insist that 769 people died with 934 injured, a breakdown of the death toll per country shows that Iran tops with 464 victims, with Nigeria recording 99 persons dead and 214 still missing. Egypt comes next with 75 dead and 94 missing pilgrims.

This inevitably makes Nigeria the

second highest loser in the Hajj disaster.

But it is curious that while Iran and other similarly affected countries have been raising issues over the tragic incident, especially calling the Saudi authorities to account over their failure to take adequate preventive measures, the Nigerian government’s reaction has somewhat been tepid.

We call on the Federal Government to take more decisive steps, in tandem with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to trace the whereabouts of the missing pilgrims and inform Nigerians of their fates.

We must begin to attach greater value to the lives of our citizens.

Nigeria must join other concerned countries in insisting that appropriate steps are taken to make the Hajj safer and more fulfilling for pilgrims.

OPINION General

election

Continued from yesterday

By Edwin Mbadiwe

I

F this expenditure was limited to the purchase of ticket, nobody would bait an eyelid. It went much further than that.

The national working committees of the two major political parties, APC and PDP are charged as accomplices in the grand design to destroy Nigeria’s democracy. A colleague in the 7th Assembly shared one Billion Naira to a few members of the national working committee of his party to secure a gubernatorial ticket. He eventually did not get the ticket and till this moment he is yet to get a refund as no receipt was issued. Some other colleagues bribed (for that is what it is) with mind boggling sums to the tune of N300m for House of Representatives ticket.This was denied them as well. These familiar stories are legion and form the butt of jokes in many pepper–soup joints. This system simply denigrates all of us.

In many cases, the panels picked by parties to conduct the primary elections had instructions on whom to deliver thereby making the exercise merely academic to satisfy the electoral law. The flip side to these shenanigans is that thousands of eminently qualified Nigerians out there are prevented from contributing to our national growth since they do not have the stomach to dare.Consequently, our country is much poorer by their non-participation.

For those who scale through the intraparty skirmish, the next stage which is the

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is

percursor

main election is FULL SCALE WAR. Professor Jega as INEC Chairman did a good job within what was under his immediate watch but the battle fields are very far from Abuja. The current INEC acting Chairman has complained that INEC (as a co – respondent in all election cases) cannot cope with the astronomical legal fees at tribunals.

We have trumpeted with glee to the outside world how free and fair the last elections were. But is this really the whole truth?

Undoubtedly the last election was a major departure and improvement from the charade which obtained in previous years where in some cases governors where elected and results written a day before polls opened and the polling day was for formal announcement of the pre-elected governor.

The perpetrators of these crimes against Nigeria know themselves and will certainly receive their due reward as they are consigned to damnation and infamy in the dustbin of history.

We will be doing ourselves great disservice as a nation if we fail to truthfully tell ourselves what happened. No sane person will lie to himself.

The corruption starts at the primaries and penetrates through the entire edifice. The poison is infectious. It looks like a system designed abinitio, to fail

to

corruption(2)

For the outside world, we can shout from roof tops about free and fair elections but as children of the bed chamber, we are aware there were instances where electoral officers were compromised; there were occasions where stubborn electoral officers were kidnapped and forced to rewrite results at gun point. There were cases of underage voting some of which was captured on national television.

This intervention is not a diatribe against any individual but it is rather a sober reflection on our collective deficiencies so that we can improve and move forward to building a Nigeria we all can be proud of.

With the elections over, the tribunals kick in. This is a very expensive night-mare for those declared winners by INEC. In Rivers, Imo, Anambra and Enugu states every successful candidate is in court. This is the season of harvest for lawyers and their bills run in millions. One senior lawyer appropriately summarised it to me this way: when going for an election he said, your resources should be shared in the following ratio: 30% for primaries, 40% for the main election and 30% for tribunals. These tribunals are explosive mine fields with no detectors for the location of the mines. One exasperated governor said to me that the tribunals are so powerful that they can change a man to a woman.

Victory at the tribunals lands the legislator at the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly. From day one, legislators walk into an entirely new set of challenges from their constituencies. Demands stretch from

providing rice for Christmas and rams for Salah; paying university school fees, hospital bills which can translate to funeral bills. The legislator is expected to set up his own STALWARTS in business. One legislator summarised it appropriately when she said that the constituency sees the legislator as their ATM machine whose cash never runs dry.

This is a snap shot of how the system currently operates and the corruption pressure it puts on the practitioners. The corruption starts at the primaries and penetrates through the entire edifice. The poison is infectious. It looks like a system designed abinitio, to fail. The weak ones buckle and corruption perpetuates itself.The system is poisoned a t birth.Can it be rectified? YES!!!

It is not yet Uhuru; it is still possible to reorient our psyche and conduct elections in a truly free and fair manner. It is less than four years to the next election cycle and that is a short period in the life of a country. It is desirable that the President sets up a small but effective committee made up of members from the three arms of government together with representation from civil society groups, students and trade unions to expeditiously take a look at our entire electoral process. The current electoral act needs a complete overhaul. As a parting shot,an Igbo proverb recommends that we start looking for a black goat while it is still daylight.

Concluded *Dr. Mbadiwe, a former member of the House of Reps., wrote from Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Dubai, Abu Dhabi calling

I

JUST spent about two weeks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) my longest in that country.

Each time, I learn new things.

One of them is a joke that brilliantly summarises the situation in the country. That EMIRATE is actually an acronym meaning English-Managed, Indian-Run, Arabs- TakeEverything. I also learnt that the UAE is like a caste system with Emiratis as first class, other Arabs as second, Europeans and Americans as third class, other nationalities as fourth, and the Bangladeshi being at the bottom.

The country is actually teaching the world, unique means of development. It is one to be studied in detail. Unfortunately, most people observe nothing; they are simply mesmerised especially

by Dubai. They are there just for trade and tourism; to behold the architectural wonders of a country that three decades ago, might not have featured in our imagination.

It emerged from the backwaters of underdevelopment and poverty to wrest the limelight of development from most countries including the developed ones.

The more oil it discovers, the more

it invested, the higher its returns.

It is not hooked on the direct foreign investment drug nor does it bamboozle its populace with the false rhetoric that the private sector is the engine room of development. The UAE has demonstrated again, as did China, that it is the public sector that can guarantee a rounded development.

The choice of work for the Emirati is the public service which efficiently runs almost everything in the country, from taxis to buses, power to construction. The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, which kisses the sky at a height of 828 metres was constructed by government which also runs the Emirates; perhaps the best airline in the world. Where Africans are told that subsidies are bad for their health, Emiratis are fed on diets of subsidy including fuel and electricity, and the country is the healthier for taking care of its people.

Yet, the seven kingdoms that federated on December 2, 1971 to establish the UAE, are not socalled democracies. They are

emirates run by Emirs with the Emir of Abu Dhabi, which constitutes 87 percent of the country, and has 10 percent of world oil reserves, as the automatic Head of State, with his brother Emir of Dubai being the automatic Deputy.

Dubai, its leading light, is an example in social liberalism in an Islamic state. On its streets, I saw no inhibition in type of clothes, especially worn by women. Those who want to take a sip from the bottle are free and Christianity is not only accepted, but seems encouraged. However, church service, like jumat, is on Fridays as Sundays are full work days.

While the Islamic State (ISIS) is busy demolishing historical sites and human heritage, claiming they contain or comprise of statues, I saw statue in Dubai.

The pyramid-shaped multi-storey building housing the Salam Stores, particularly, caught my attention. It had two statues of a Pharaoh in front. The country also has its Strategic Plan which it implements.

The difference between it and a country like Nigeria is visionary

With few factories, and a populace that is the ruling class, it seems that the fever that historically afflicts ruling classes, will catch up with the UAE

Is this secession threat, a crack on the wall?

By Clement Udegbe A man who stands for nothing, will fall for anything--Malcom X

A

N Igbo proverb says “If you know what will bring dispute don’t do it”. This implies that when a person or group of persons, decide to do things that will bring dispute, it is either that they have assessed their victim as a weakling, or they simply think that they can cause trouble, and get away with it.

I have wondered why after 55 years as a nation, Nigeria has remained unable to manage cows, and with all she has, as a people, she has failed woefully to address such a simple matter as keeping cows out people's farms, gardens, and public places.

The big surprise to any normal person is the ease and comfort, which our leaders in the past and present, rationalise, and condone such an unusual matter as the continued ravaging menace of the so called Fulani herds men in this country.

The real herdsmen of cows are Fulanis from the north and were usually simple minded humble fellows, but that was in the yester years. In the recent past, they have become infiltrated, corrupted, carry AK 47 riffles, rampaging, killing and destroying villages and communities, in the north, and the Middle Belt zones of Nigeria. They have spread their evil activities to the entire South of Nigeria, and is believed to have become a quick instrument of spreading terrorism in Nigeria.

The name ‘Fulani herdsmen’ conjure up horror in the mind of any that has read C M Y K

about or witnessed the destructions and killings by these men around the nation, be it in Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Enugu, Abia, Imo, Delta, Ondo, Ogun, and Edo States, to name a few, where they have been reported to have destroyed farmlands, killed, wiped out villages, and communities, rape women, and committing all kinds of atrocities. The cows of the Fulani herdsmen have also become hazards to road users and commuters in metropolitan cities across Nigeria, and the question is: What is Nigeria waiting for, before it will deal the correct death blow to this festering evil?

Today, the Fulani herds men, have become kidnappers operating principally in the South of Nigeria! They chose none other than a former Secretary to this Federation, an accomplished and distinguished elder of this nation, a leader and elder states man from Yoruba land, as their prime kick off victim. They kidnapped Chief Olu Falae, subjected him to inhuman treatment not minding his age, collected ransom, and even went back

Our leaders and law makers in the South, should legislate against the indiscriminate roaming and grazing of cows within their boundaries

leadership; where it has been able to manage its oil resources for the benefit of its people, the latter has displayed a marked appetite for perpetual underdevelopment and financial indiscipline. The UAE in transforming a desert into an oasis of glittering development, has like China, shown the immense possibilities of the human spirit.

Indeed, the UAE presents humanity with a complexity in development systems. It is a mini United Nations with virtually, all known nationalities in the world seen on its streets. Indeed, 84 percent of the UAE population are non-citizens. It is reliant on foreigners for physical and mental labour; from construction to management, cab driving to intellectualism.

The UAE does not seem to care about retaining good hands. It is a country, which no matter your qualifications, competence, managerial skills, scholarly achievements, investment, length of residence or contributions, you can never become a citizen. Not even if you are born in the country, or a third generation. It is also profitable for Emiratis to inter marry.

The UAE does not seem to brook opposition. There are no trade unions . It is a take-it- orleave-it, type employment culture. So, the workforce is not covered by international labour standards or decent work. So, why does it attract? First, the pay packet, many say, are higher than in most countries, although low, especially for construction

to destroy his farm the more! Enemies of Nigeria, they have targeted agriculture, to scare people from going to their farms in the South! If their aim is not to foment trouble, and dis stabilise Nigeria, why did they not kidnap any of their political leaders, Chiefs, Elders or Professors who is also a known farmer in the core north?

Their purpose include to embarrass and desecrate the highest symbol of good, accountable and responsible leadership in the South of Nigeria.

If Chief Falae was a thief like they expected, he would have paid some people to run his farm, while he lived in the choicest part of any city, dishing out press conferences, newspaper interviews and pontificating on how to make Nigeria One, protected by a harem of security personnel. But Chief Falae represents much more than that, he represents the real leader that Nigerians must aspire to be like, a flag bearer to noble and responsible leadership, in Nigeria, and that is what the Fulani herdsmen and their supporters do not want.

Whoever that wants to keep Nigeria one has a task to stop the Fulani Herdsmen now, before it stops Nigeria.

The threat of Fulani herds men, is much bigger than that of corruption in Nigeria, because this nation may not remain in the next ten years if the evil of Fulani herdsmen is not stopped!

The reason is simple; from 1966 to 1970, Igbos of the South East sought to secede and failed because Yorubas teamed up with the North to defeat Biafra. During the Chief Abiola June 12 struggle, the Yorubas asked for their rightful mandate to lead Nigeria, and the north placated them by handing over power to Olusegun Obasanjo, OBJ,in 1999. In the recent 2015 elections, the north wanted power or a break up, but the Yorubas worked it out for them, with the pure and good heart of former PresidentGoodluck

workers. But given the massive construction, it attracts many. It has very good security, guaranteed power supply, good roads which are well maintained, good environment and scholarship opportunities. For instance,at the Masdar Institute of Science & Technology where the UAE is trying to build a solar city, scholarship is given to graduate students from various parts of the world, with generous allowances. Uniquely, graduates are not required to stay back.

What it means is that the country is interested primarily in what the students produce or contribute before graduation. Of course, the UAE has created a buyers and sellers international market in Dubai with relatively liberal visa policy and a duty free policy.

The UAE presents the troubling question, is its unique system of development sustainable? Can a country whose economy and life is dependent so heavily on foreigners, with citizens exhibiting little appetite for work, be sustainable on the long run?

China’s sustainable development for instance, is guaranteed with a self-reliant populace, intellectual production and localised technology. But that of the UAE is not so certain.

There is no guarantee that it will always attract massive foreign labour nor that it can continuously utilize and maintain the massive structures ever rising to embrace its skies. With few factories, and a populace that is the ruling class, it seems that the fever that historically afflicts ruling classes, will catch up with the UAE.

Jonathan, trouble was averted. Now, the Yorubas have threatened secession, since the kidnapping of Chief Olu Falae, by Fulani herds men, if nothing is done now, if Nigeria fails to take this very seriously, and sort it our permanently and satisfactorily, it will mark the beginning of Nigeria’s Nunc Dimitis. God Forbid!

The Yorubas of the South West, of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Osun, ( the ELOOOO) states, have all it takes to sustain the threat of secession if allowed or pushed to do so.

First they are the moderators, and shock absorbers of the political and economic pressures of Nigeria. They have the infrastructural facilities, the education, the knowledge, the financial resources and the spirit, to really keep Nigeria one.

Second, they have the land and the agriculture, to sustain their own if it becomes necessary and finally, there is something about the Yoruba man, that others do not consider, they have rich culture and tradition.

God will always be with a people, like them, because God is Love! If I for one, have not eaten the cow meat since the last 30 years, and I am healthy, I do not see why cows and their matters should cause a break up of my country.

Our leaders and law makers in the South, should legislate against the indiscriminate roaming and grazing of cows within their boundaries, providing for determinate actions against itinerant, irresponsible grazing and actions of herds men, who also should be profiled.

Those who claim to love Nigeria should contribute to ensure that The National Confab Report is implemented to the letter, without any manipulations, prevarications, demurs, and the likes, to give Nigeria peace. *Mr Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Gathering storm in Ibeshe community as residents, miners clash over royalties

By Morenike Taire

D

ISPUTE over a leased mining title at Isashi-Ibeshe in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is fast generating restiveness in the once peaceful and beautiful community, with concerned stakeholders appealing to the Federal Government to urgently intervene before the situation gets out of control.

At the centre of the quarrel is Glossands Limited, a major dredging company which the indigenes accused of having operated in the community for over two decades without any meaningful benefit to the people or their environment, and a recent entrant, Eva & Kings. The others include Badewa and Bima dredging firms.

During their protest recently, some Ibeshe youths, led by their chiefs, urged Glossands Limited to move its dredging equipment from the other dredgers’ waterfront. The Otun Asashi of Isashi Community, Rafiu Aregbesola, told newsmen that Glossands started courting trouble when it ran its dredger across Eva & Kings’ waterfront and has snubbed all interventions to move its equipment.

Federal mining law According to Aregbesola, after the Ibeshe traditional authority’s several efforts failed to persuade Glossands to shift ground and allow the other legal firms some space to operate, the Olubeshein-Council, exercising the community’s right under Section 100 of the federal mining law, demanded that Glossands moved its equipment as a matter of urgency.

Our grouse, demand, by Ibeshe community: In their letter of September 28, 2015 to Glossands, entitled, “Urgent Demand For Compliance,” which was signed by over seven Ibeshe chiefs and copied the Director of Mines, Inspectorate Department, MMSD; Mines Officer, Mines Inspectorate Department, Lagos; MD, Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, and the Inspector General of Police, among others, the community sought understanding and cooperation among the dredgers.

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*Rafiu Aregbesola, Otun Asashi of Isashi Community “As host community of the mineral title in Isashi-Ibeshe, Ikorodu area, you would appreciate the critical role we are to play for peace and orderliness,” the letter read in part. “We feel slighted if our fatherly responsibility is snubbed by any of our guests and we would react appropriately.

“Recently, our traditional ruling council, upon a complaint by Eva & Kings Nigeria Limited, delegated four of our chiefs to inspect the coastline. They confirmed to us that your company placed its dredger and other equipment on the waterfront of Eva & Kings. In our investigation, we found out that Eva & Kings has authentic approval for the coordinates in the same place you positioned your dredger (Quarry Lease No: 021189).

“Since we want peace in our community, we therefore demand the immediate repositioning of

As host community of the mineral title in Isashi-Ibeshe, Ikorodu area, we feel slighted if our fatherly responsibility is snubbed by any of our guests and we would react appropriately

your dredger to your own area so as not to disturb the operations of Eva & Kings. We do not take kindly to your disturbing other people’s operations or interfering in their activities in our community.

“If you have any issue with them, direct such to the government which would take necessary steps. Don’t be an enforcer in our community and its environs because that can lead to a breakdown of law and order.

Please, if our demand is not respected, we might be forced to stop all dredging activities.”

Dredging activities However, the community leaders also complained that Glossands was not impacting the community and its people positively in any way, adding that it had employed only one indigene in its over two decades of operation. In view of this, they said, they would provide equal opportunity to competitors and would not allow them to be stifled out of business.

Isashi, Ibeshe youth leaders react: Similarly, an Isashi youth leader, Ogundeji Abideen, accused Glossands of trying to frustrate other operators out of the community, adding that the community wants all dredging firms to co-exist peacefully. Also, a youth leader from Ibeshe community, Adeshina Jamiu, urged Glossands to move its equipment from others’ waterfront and allow peace to reign according to the wishes of the people.

Eva & Kings, by available documents, was granted QLS21189 with three cadastral units of 0.6km area in Ikorodu vie a letter signed by the Director General of Mining Cadastre Office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, O S Nkom, upon acknowledging that it had earlier been erroneously granted to be on Victoria Island, contrary to the

*Dredgers deployed to sit by Eva and Kings application.

His notification letter of September 7, 2015, with reference No MCO/CONC/QLS/21189, stated: “I am directed to convey the Director General’s approval on your application for Quarry Lease No: 21189QLS. “Licenses/Leases will be issued subject to full payment of the annual service fee of N60,000 only. Failure to pay this fee within 14 days from the date of receipt of this letter will lead to the withdrawal of the grant in line with the provisions of Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.”

Signed agreement This requirement the company complied with.

Eva and Kings versus Glossands: Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Eva and Kings, Ukah Emmanuel Onyewuchi, alleged that the documents being paraded by Glossands over the lease title were forged in and that whatever recent agreement it signed with the community was not with the appropriate authorities.

However, a senior official of Glossands argued that the other dredgers were operating illegally, and that Eva & Kings had always encroached on Glossands’ licensed cadastral units without restraint. The source, pleading anonymity, said: “We are the

licensed miners for that area and have been operating in that coastline for over 20 years. Before now, we have been paying all royalties to the community. For instance, we have donated power transformers, offered scholarships and jobs to some indigenes.”

Displaying documents to prove an ongoing payment of N600,000 per month to the community as demanded, the official affirmed: “We have a Memorandum of Understanding with the indigenes till 2017. Why is the other company taking its case to the indigenes and not the government?”

The official wondered why the community met with and entered an agreement with Glossands recently and affirmed the subsisting agreement, only to organise a protest against the firm a couple of days after.

Nevertheless, the two batches of stern-looking military men at each of the operating areas, obviously brought in by the different camps, were not at Glossands’ instance but primarily to stem piracy, which has been afflicting the area, the official noted.

Maintaining that they remained open to a peaceful resolution of the crisis, the official said that Glossands had severally notified NIWA and other concerned ministry’s agencies of Eva & Kings’ encroachment but that the company refused to comply with government’s directive to vacate the place since the past one year.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

— 21

Foreign firm to invest $260m in Agric, power, other sectors hotel.

“Quantum is a fund manager in private equity. We have funds in certain sectors of the economy. We are looking at infrastructure, transportation, roads, mining, healthcare and agriculture.”

Behiblo said the organisation will invest the funds in batches while it has $50million ready for investment in power and hospitality.

Power and hospitality

FORUM - From left: Banjo Adegbohunge, Group Head, Corporate Operations, Access Bank Plc; Titi Osuntoki, Executive Director, Business Banking; Mr. Olakanmi Gbadamosi, Director, Trade & Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Ojini Olaghere, Executive Director, Operations & IT, Access Bank, and Roosevelt Ogbonna, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank, at a Customer Trade Forum organised by Access Bank, in Lagos.

By Favour Nnabugwu

looking at the mining sector, health care, hospital sector and structured equity whereby

Q

UANTUM Global, an international investment partner, has earmarked $50 million for investment in agriculture, power, hospitality and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Mr. Franck Alain Behiblo, Head of Corporate Development at Quantum Global who was in the country for World Pension Summit Africa in Abuja, in an interview with Vanguard, said that the fund manager is earnestly yearning to invest in the country’s power, hospitality, and other sectors.

“We have about $260million funds for agriculture. We are

$3,089.00

$14.07

48.46

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

BUYING 195.98 301.378 223.574 205 1.6388 0.3207 275.9471 30.866 52.2432 277.1549 29.9632

Shippers Council, Customs, CBN brainstorm over dysfunctional scanners at ports

By Godwin Oritse

T

HE Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, has commenced moves to resuscitate the dysfunctional scanning machines in the nation’s seaports.

Disclosing this in Lagos during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters of Vanguard newspapers, Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, said that the Council has been meeting with the management of -0.40 Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and -20.00 Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on -0.02 how to rehabilitate

134.25

we will provide equity for some of the young companies in Africa, we are looking at

He said, “The total amount is not one I would be able to give. But we are investing more than $50million. We look at the power sector in Nigeria, we are keen about investing in those sector.

We have strong African roots and a global outlook and we are working hard to earn the mantle of being the partner of choice for African investors seeking global opportunities

and for international investors keep their money in domestic ventures because those are the regions they know best.

There’s no shortage of people with ideas in those regions so there’s no need to bother with international ventures.

He, however, urged the federal government to create an investment-friendly environment, adding that it is a bit difficult to invest in good projects in Nigeria without encumbrances.

“What we call good projects is well defined well packaged products. We mean you have a design, you have a feasibility study, you know where the cash flow is going to come.

It is not difficult to do business in Nigeria; there are a lot of opportunities. The business people in Nigeria are very eager, they are very entrepreneurial, they want to take risks, so which is good.

But the structure is very difficult, Behiblo added.”

-0.69

-1.02

CENTRAL 196.48 302.1469 224.1444 205.523 1.6429 0.3307 276.6511 30.9452 52.3765 277.862 30. 0396

CBN Exchange Rate as at 15/10 /15

196.98 302. 9158 224.7148 206.046 1.6471 0.3407 277.3551 31.0244 52.5098 278.5691 30.116

As far as shipping is concerned 100 percent examination is not done because it will cause delay and delay is costly

the scanning machines.

Bello said that faulty scanners had contributed to the delays being experienced in the course of clearing cargoes from the ports.

He also disclosed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is a member of the Committee set up to look into the Destination Inspection regime adding that a report of the Committee set up to look into faulty scanners was ready for submission.

Examination of cargoes The Council boss also said the one hundred percent examination of cargoes for clearance was unacceptable adding that these scanners must be up and running if the port must be efficient.

“As far as shipping is concerned hundred percent examination is not done because it will cause delay and delay is costly. “So these scanners must function maximally so as to accommodate the scanning of both Nigerian bound imports and cargoes meant for landlocked countries.

“There is an internal problem with the Customs and with the people that supplied the scanners but that is their prob-

lem, all we want is that Customs should be hundred percent automated.” he said He explained that automation of port operation is the key to an efficient port system adding that all stakeholders must work towards automating their operations.

The former legal Director of the Council further explained that it is when the nation’s port operations are fully automated that Nigeria can obtain a hub status.

He also said Nigeria as a maritime nation has obligations

to other countries that are landlocked with regards to the movement of transit cargoes.

“So these scanners must function maximally so as to accommodate the scanning of both Nigerian bound imports and cargoes meant for landlocked countries.

“We are aware of the fact that scanners are not working, we are aware of the tedious hundred percent physical examination of cargoes and that is why we have cargo dwelling time stretched beyond the normal cargo dwelling time “he added.

FG raises N120bn bonds

T

HE Federal Government issued N120 billion ($600 million) worth of nairadenominated bonds maturing in 2020 and 2024 at an auction on Wednesday, at lower yields than the returns at its previous auction, the Debt Management Office said on Thursday.

The returns on the paper reflected the prevailing low yields on local bonds at the secondary market.

The debt office raised 40 billion naira in the 2020 debt at 13.11 percent compared with 15.95 percent at the previous auction in August.

The same tenor bond closed at

13.28 percent at the secondary market on Wednesday.

A total of 80 billion of the benchmark bond maturing in 2024 was issued at 13.87 billion naira compared with 16.84 percent the same tenor debt attracted at the March auction when it was last issued.

The 2024 paper closed at 13.71 percent at the secondary market on Wednesday.

Yields on Nigerian debt have dropped sharply since last month due to increased naira liquidity in the banking system, spurring demand for the local bond by pension and commercial lenders.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

NIGERIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT 2015

Ministers, others must declare assets — Participants •Early 2017 budget preparation, legislative planning •Structural changes •Need for analytical formation of policies • Passage of PIB, other bills

By Peter Egwuatu & Emmanuel Elebeke THE stakeholders from private and public sectors, yesterday, moved that the incoming ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be mandated to declare their assets as a step toward having a transparent governance in line with the policy of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

They also moved for early preparation of 2017 budget and legislative planning to ensure that the budget is passed timely to allow for effective and efficient implementation of programmes that would help accelerate economic growth and development.

The participants at the summit called for structural changes in the economy and the need to have analytical formation of policies that should lead to growth and development of the nation in a holistic manner, just as they demanded for the quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB to accelerate the growth of the petroleum industry.

civil servants of the people, particularly at this period of economic downturn in the country.

“I challenge all public servants to join the cue with President Mohammadu Buhari in declaring your assets in this moment of economic difficulty facing the nation as a show of your support for transparency and anti-corruption. I was one of the two ministers that did it under late President Yar ’ Adua’s government, including the President himself. I expect all public servants to do the same including the National Assembly if we are serious with the anti-corruption war.”

Early preparation of 2017 budget He also called on the federal government to consider early budgeting plan to forestall im-

minent delay in 2016 budget presentation and legislative consideration and stressed the need for the planners to do detailed and analytical work on the budget before the public presentation.

“There is need for early budgeting. In US, budget is submitted nine months before legislative consideration and with this; they do not experience difficulties as we do. This will enable government look into all the policy and legal implications before consideration.

Government should start 2017 budget very early at least by March, so that it can carry the National Assembly along, so that by 2017, we will begin to have a proper budget system.”

Structural and analytical policy formulation

Budget framework Speaking at the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit Group,NESG which came to an end yesterday in Abuja, with the concluding session on “ National a Budget Framework to aid Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability” Former Minister of Finance and Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission, Shamsuddeen Usman said “ compulsory declaration of assets by all public servants serving at all levels of government, particularly, the legislature and judiciary must be made”.

Shamsudeen, who threw the challenge to the audience at the summit said “ the call became necessary for public servants to make their assets public due to the moral burden on them as

From left, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Imo State, Governor Ben Ayade, Cross River, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Oyo State, Governor Willy Obiano, Anambra State, Frank Aigbogun, Publisher Businessday, governor Ibikunle Amosu, Ogun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State and Governor Adams Oshiomole, Edo state at 21st NESG in Abuja

The 2015 budget was reckless as it only concentrated more on expenditure and less on revenue

“I think there is need for analytical and strategic framework in budget planning, which I know underpins government actions in the execution of budget. This we must take serious, if we want to get it right” the former minister added.

The Former Minister further charged the organizers of the economic summit (NSEG) to come up with strong statement on anti-corruption war by compelling all its company partners to follow the United Nations Global Accountability Pact and Clean Bill Initiatives, if it hopes to assist government in changing the rot in the Nigerian system and boost investors confidence in the system.

According to him “The NESG will be losing opportunity without coming up with a strong statement on asset declaration. That is the kind of expectation from private sector, discouraging member companies from taking bribes in doing business.

“I think, what NESG should do is to compel its member companies to sign the UN Global

Accountability Pact, particularly the Nigerian business community. Also, they should compel them sign the Clean Bill Initiative as partners. This will boost Nigerian confidence for foreigners wanting to do business in Nigeria”.

He challenged the National Planning Commission, NPC, Secretary to take the reports to government. Everybody is looking up to government, what is private sector doing to support anti-corruption war. I call for every minister, national assembly members to declare their assets. Though, it is not a constitutional requirement but a requirement of morality.

Restructure the economy now, Akabueze tells FG Former Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Lagos State, Mr. Ben Akabueze in his presentation at the Summit, called on the Federal Government to restructure the nation’s present economic structure if it hopes to achieve its economic change agenda.

Akabueze, cited the Lagos State example said the need for structural change in the nation’s economy cannot be overemphasized, considering the difficult situation the nation’s economy presently finds itself.

Nation’s economy According to him “the present economic structure must give way for a scalable and sustainable economic structure that would spur wealth creation, job opportunities and increase in capital projects”.

He contended that government must change from the present economic structure to boost the lean earnings coming into the federation accounts and ensure proper spending on the available resources.

“I think we need structural change in planning the economy. In doing that, government must plan for economic stimulus for Nigerian business community, if the economy must grow. There must be new structure that will encourage rapid economic growth and revenue earnings for Nigeria to get right. That is what we did in Lagos.”

The former Lagos planner also said that government must be prepared to offer economic stimulus to the business community for the nation to experience rapid economic growth.

He said the business community is in dare need of government intervention to drive their budding businesses, which he considered imperative for them to expand their enterprises for overall growth of the economy.

FG already preparing budget for 2016- Bassey Ekpeyong In his own speech, Mr. Bassey Ekpeyong, Secretary of the National Planning Commission, said “ we are in the presentation of the 2016 budget and the medium term plan for 2016 and 2020. The Presentation is arranged in four sessions as follows: the introduction, the macro-economic framework and broad policy thrust and priority programmes of the present government, and the role expected of the private sector.

“On the introduction, we asked ourselves, why medium term plan. It is relevant because it impacts on the discussions we have been having here for the past two days, namely, Competitiveness, Inclusive growth and national development.

It is the requirement to facilitate effective growth and development and consistent with the aspiration of change Continues on Page 23

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 23

NIGERIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT 2015

Ministers, others must declare assets —Participants Continues from Page 22 agenda of the current administration.

“Nigeria faces a dual task of trying to ensure high economic growth and ensuring that the growth is inclusive and sustainable. Prior to 2015, we witnessed the longest growth of accelerated GDP, which led to our emergence as the 21st largest economy in the 2014.

However, this growth is yet to address unemployment and growth in poverty rate. The GDP growth has declined from the 6.2 percent average in 2014, to 3.96 percent in the first and second quarter of the present year running, largely on the account of dwindling oil prices and revenue decline.

But, it should be put on record that previous medium term plan had tried also to address the issue of competitiveness, but because of the missing link in the operationalisation of the Medium Term Plan. There is a dis-alignment between the budget and medium term plan; we could not achieve much of that.

Lessons From other Countries “What lessons can we learn from other countries, that has been consistent with their planning processes. For instance, countries like Malaysia has done 45 years in their medium term plan, India has gone 55 years, Singapore 40 years and Nigeria has done 15 years.

Nigeria has done just 15 years.

Looking at these countries, the Medium Term Framework has impacted on per capita GDP, Poverty incidences, Global Competitiveness Index, and inequality index.

If we look out for GDP grading since 1975, Malaysia was $808 per head, Singapore $250,and Nigeria $450. By 2015, due to consistency of planning, Malaysia moved from that position from $808 to $10, 000 and more per capita income. Indonesia moved from $1500 to $3400, and Nigeria after doing 15 years, was able to move from $450 to $2700 in 2015.

The lesson is that if Nigeria has been consistent with its 15

years of consistent planning, we would have grown better like the other countries cited above.

“The current effort is in ensuring strategic plans in achieving inclusiveness and competitiveness. If we look back, in the 70s and the 80s, we would notice that much of the infrastructure, as we have them now, is within the period of the first, second, and third implementation of the National development Plan.

For instance, the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, the deep sea ports, and other infrastructure we can boast of are done within the National Infrastructure Development Plan.

“It is in this context that the current administration has embarked on reforming budgetary process that would allow us go back to those days that would enable us plan and see what we are planning for.

We are developing a National Planning framework that would align with medium term plan.

That is why we are working closely with the budget office of the Federation, in preparation of 2016 budget and the medium term framework of 2016 -2020.

I think this would be sustained in achieving a sustainable growth and development.

Budget 2016 will be policy driven “The budget as explained by the Vice President, Professor

The telecoms worked well in this country not because there was money in the economy but because of good policy and determination

•Ayo Teriba Yemi Osibajo would be policy driven, and has to be done within the framework of a plan and zero-based budgeting, where we have to look at the need and we have to cost properly and ensure that we have value for money. The items that would be captured in the budget are those that are addressing the core thrust of the government’s policy. The time frame for this is November.

After the budget, we move into the 2015, medium term framework, and we would be focusing on macro-economic objectives, in ensuring stability in the Macro-economy that would lead to a conducive environment for growth with target on development.

We would also be looking at fostering broadbased inclusive growth, and developing resources on issue based targets focusing on health, education, research and development, and enhancing revenue mobilisation for effective development and growth”.

Strategies to be adopted include institutional reforms, in core areas of financial management and utilisation of credible monitoring and evaluation system, which fiscal responsible planning would be central to it.

“We need to grow revenue to sustainable level, increase efficiency and accountability with the TSA, GIFNIS, and

•Shamsuddeen Usman increase capital expenditure and forging an atitudinal change.

The key assumptions that would be used on 2016 Plans and the Medium Term Framework would be based on: Global Output assumptions, to population growth assumptions. These are figures that would actually translate to the amounts, the values we shall be looking at.

“We shall also look at crude oil benchmarks, and expected output result.

Another thing we are looking at is the real GDP projections.

We projected 4.7 percent in 2016 ,with expected rise to 5.09 percent in 2018 and 5.21 percent in 2020.

Human capacity The measures to sustain faster growth also include investments in electricity and human capacity development among others. Another strategy is to also to measure the targets that we have set for economic indicators. We would also be watching out for proper realignment of the budget system with the National development plan to ensure we are on course.

“The six areas of thrust for us include: Economic and Social Development, structured governance environment, in addition to states and regional development. We would also be targeting economic diversification while re-aligning with the states in their areas of competitive advantage” he noted.

NPC should enhance policy formulation-Ayo Teriba

Bassey Ekpenyong

•Ben Akabueze

In his own contribution, Dr. Ayo Teriba, a renowned economist said” the NPC should enhance its policy formulation.

Budget 2016 should be unique

as it is going to be the first budget from the new government. The government no doubt inherited a budget driven crisis.

The 2015 budget was reckless as it only concentrated more on expenditure and less on revenue. So the 2016 budget should be strengthened. The new government should be able to tell us what have been realized in the course of blocking leakages so far. A revenue constrained government is not the best for the economy and especially for the government that wants to do well. “ The telecoms worked well in this country not because there was money in the economy but because of good policy and determination.

This government should be able to identify which sectors that are doing well and the ones not doing well so as to be able to revitalize the ones not doing well.

The 2016 budget is a good opportunity for the new government to communicate on what they are going to do. We would like to know what they are doing to fix the crisis linked budget. We need to boost medium to long term capital inflows that would strengthen our economy.”

NESG will follow up recommendations-Kyari Meanwhile, the Chairman of NESG, Mr. Kyari Abba Bukar has assured that the recommendations at the summit would be followed up to ensure that government implement most of the recommendations.

In his words” we are happy that the Vice President assured us that government is going to look at the reports critically and act on them. We are happy with the new government in its resolve to tackle corruption and drive transparency”.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

UBA’s bad loans rise to 130% in nine months

By Babajide Komolafe

U

OPENING: From left: Yetunde Faulkner, Head, Commercial, RenMoney; Stephen Jennings, Founder, RenMoney; Ojoma Okotie, Deputy General Manager, Sales and Graham Lee, MD/CEO at opening of the RenMoney retail branch location at CSS Bookshop House, Broad Street, Lagos.

Nigerian banks must develop robust recovery plan —PwC

By Nkiruka Nnorom

P

RICEWaterhouseCoopers, PwC has emphasised the need for Nigerian banks to develop a robust recovery plan in the face of an uncertain global economic environment. This is one of the highlights of key issues examined in the latest edition of PwC Nigeria’s Financial Services in Nigeria journal released recently in Lagos.

The firm also examined the challenges facing financial institutions around strategic cost management and regulatory issues in relation to Anti-money laundry compliance.

The Nigeria Financial Services Journal, which is in its second edition, features insights from subject matter specialists from Nigeria and beyond and is a product of the firm’s rich knowledge base gathered from many years of operating in this market and supporting some of the biggest financial institutions in the country.

Financial institutions The journal explored in detail the current tax regime for Nigerian insurance companies, which is believed to unduly put insurance companies at a tax disadvantage when compared with other companies in the financial services sector. The Transfer Pricing issues within the financial services industry was also discussed with clarification provided for rules in the various Tax Acts around transactions between related parties and with emphasis on the need for taxable entities to observe the arm’s length principle.

In addition, the Journal examined the new auditor reporting standard issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board

(IAASB), with a focus on what will be changing in the auditor’s report going forward.

On money laundering, the journal informs that the antimoney laundering (AML) regulators in advanced countries are shifting from a documentationcompliance based approach to a

The second edition of our Nigeria Financial Services Journal focuses on what the future landscape of financial services in Nigeria might look like

collaborative risk-based approach as advocated by the global intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force. It lists some of the repercussions that come with noncompliance to include larger fines and more stringent settlement terms, among others.

Commenting on the Journal, Patrick Obianwa, Partner and Financial Services Leader for PwC Nigeria noted: “The second edition of our Nigeria Financial Services Journal focuses on what the future landscape of financial services in Nigeria might look like. In this publication, we touched on some immediate challenges facing Financial Institutions (FIs), especially around cost management and gave our insights on how CEOs can move beyond ‘cost cutting’ to ‘cost restructuring’ thereby achieving more sustainable results.”

SEC organises regional roundtable on Non-interest products

T

HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC), in its effort at expanding the depth of the Nigerian Capital Market and promoting financial inclusiveness through the Capital Market is organizing a High level Regional Roundtable Workshop on Non- interest Capital Market (Islamic Capital Market) with the Theme: “Financing Development through Islamic Capital Market - a Viable Alternative” scheduled for Monday October 19, 2015 This is in line with its strategic Ten year Master Plan on NonInterest Capital Market. The objective of the workshop is to encourage states to explore the alternative model for financing infrastructure projects through Islamic Capital Market Products such as Sukuk.

Guests expected at the workshop include States Commission-

ers of Finance for Kano and Jigawa States, States Investment Companies, States Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Manufacturers Associations, SMEDAN, BUK Institute of Islamic Finance, market Operators within the region, corporate organizations and other stakeholders.

Only last week, the Commission revealed that it is planning to grow non-interest capital market products to be 25 percent of the overall market capitalisation.

The Commission further stated that it intends to build a strong regulatory regime for non-interest products, encourage stakeholders in the non-interest capital market and ensure the emergence of Nigeria as a prominent non-interest capital market hub both at the regional level and globally.

NITED Bank of Nigeria (UBA) Plc has recorded 130 percent increase in its nonperforming (bad) loans for the nine months ended September 30th 2015.

According to the Bank’s unaudited report for nine months ending September 30th, 2015, submitted to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), total non-performing loans rose to N5.395 billion from N2.347 billion in the same period of 2014.

Profit before tax however rose by 34.84 percent to N57.36 billion from N42.543 billion in the same period of 2014. The increase in profitability was driven by 17 percent increase in gross earnings, which rose

to N247.2 billion from N210.71 billion the previous year. Interest earned on loans rose by 14 percent to N175 billion from N149.4 billion in 2014, while interest paid for deposits rose to N72.97 billion from N67.45 billion in the previous period, indicating 7.3 percent increase. Total Assets rose to N2.872 trillion from N2.762 trillion the previous year, indicating increase of 3.9 percent.

Meanwhile the price of the bank’s shares fell by 1.9 percent or eight kobo at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday. From N4.18 per share, the price fell to N4.10 per share at the close of trading, with investors trading 33,473 units of the bank’s shares at N134.93 billion.

CBN weakens naira on interbank market

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria weakened its exchange rate peg slightly to N197 to the dollar on the interbank market on Thursday from 196.98 it set on Monday, traders said.

Traders said the regulator sent a message announcing the adjustment which is the ninth since the bank introduced tight currency controls in February.

“The Central Bank sent a broadcast today advising us on its buy and selling rate on the interbank market at its intervention session,” one dealer said.

The bank has resisted calls to further devalue the naira in the

face of a plunge in vital oil revenues. It devalued the currency last November and later pegged the exchange rate in another de facto devaluation.

But the bank has continued to intervene at the interbank market periodically to provide forex liquidity support for the local currency. It also sells dollars twice-weekly to the bureau de change operators as part of bids to support the naira and narrow the gap between the official forex and parallel market.

The local currency traded at 225 to the dollar on the parallel market on Thursday, slightly weaker than 224 traded on Monday.

FBN sustainability series: Awosika calls for devt of entrepreneurial skills

By Princewill Ekwujuru

F

OR Nigeria to take its rightful position in the world of entrepreneurial knowledge, it needs to be developed and updated to meet with global trends.

These were the words of Mrs Ibukun Awosika during First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) sustainability series aimed at helping Nigerian women build a sustainable business at the Lagos Business School (LBS).

Awosika said that Nigerians have abundance of entrepreneurial energy, but the level of entrepreneurial knowledge was insufficient.

She said that fund is no longer a bigger challenge, but how to access the available funds. “if you get all the money that you need but fail to carry out proper and due diligence on how to manage the finance, and the discipline to stay committed with your business idea against all odds, by not diverting the resource to personal need, which leads to waste of energy

and time.

She continued: “Ideas are good but what is important is how to shoot through those ideas, identify ideas that are valuable for the time being because one may have a great idea now, but not good for the present location where you are or for that particular moment.”

According to her, “there are lots of what I call disruptive technology or business model coming out that is changing the way things are done. What takes traditional model business 20 years to build, some of the new technology can build in two years. So traditional business must learn how to survive and respond to changes around them.

“The bank found women as a critical group because the demography of our population says that almost 49 per cent of our population are women.

Now, if you don’t pay attention to what is almost half of your population, then you are not making a smart move.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 25

Yes! I can date or marry an actor — Belinda Effah Fast rising Nollywood actress, Belinda Effah has continued to prove her mettle in the movie industry since her emergence in 2011. In this interview, the beautiful actress talks about her acting career and sundry issues.

By Juliet Ebirim

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HAT are you presently working on?

I just finished filming a project for Closer Pictures, which was produced by Uduak Oguamanam. It revolves around family and marital problems. It’s a project to look forward to.

Are there particular roles you have an affinity for?

As an actor, I have an penchant for playing various roles. I don’t want to be stereotyped, that’s why I take up several roles.

Has there ever been a role you feel you didn’t interprete well?

As a matter of fact, for every role I play, I always feel like I could have interpreted it better. I am my own critic.

What influences your choice of roles and movies you feature in?

First and foremost, the script. I always look out for a great script.

Then I consider the director as well as the cast and crew.

Have you turned down any role in the recent past?

It’s inevitable to turn down a role.

Sometimes, you have no choice but to turn down some roles probably due to a busy schedule, bad script and other reasons.

What’s the most challenging role you’ve played in a movie?

Every role I have played have been challenging for me. I play every role in order for the role to be outstanding irrespective of how simple it might seem. The simpler the role, the more challenging it is for me. Other actors might have played similar roles but I always strive to make mine different. I get very apprehensive each time I get a new script because then I have the task of interpreting it in a C M Y K

unique way.

What has been your relationship with men within and outside the industry?

My relationship with men in the industry is that of mutual respect knowing that we have a common goal. Outside the industry, I don’t have control over them. If the man gets close enough, he could either become an acquaintance or friend.

Going down memory lane, what was your first time on set like?

My very first time on set was an experience I will never forget. It was on the set on ‘Shallow Waters’, a TV series produced by Tope Idowu and his beautiful wife.

It starred the likes of Moyo Lawal.

It was my very first time acting professionally. So I was very

nervous. I was glad the producers liked my performance despite my nervousness.

How have you been able to stay scandal-free?

Life for me is simple and I live it simply. I put God first in everything because nothing is really anything. I only want the favor from God and so far that has sustained me.

Have you ever been turned on while playing love scenes on set?

No, I don’t get carried away. I keep it very professional.

Would you date or marry a colleague in the industry?

Of course, I can date or marry anyone whether an actor or not.

What’s important is that we have

•Belinda Effah mutual understanding and that it’s God’s will for me.

Are you in a relationship at the moment?

What difference does it make if I say yes or no? I just want people to appreciate me for my work.

Besides, I cherish privacy a lot and would rather not talk about it. Let’s focus on my work and leave it at that.

What’s your idea of an ideal man?

Seyi Shay backs ‘Slum 2 School’ charity project T

By Juliet Ebirim

OP female vocalist Seyi Shay has joined hands to support the ‘Slum 2 School’ charity project - an initiative put together to get less privileged children across Africa the proper education they desperately need.

Seyi Shay and her charity organisation, “Shay: A Ray of Hope” have invested a lot into this project, as she h a s

always made helping the less privileged a top priority for herself.

Since its inception three years ago, the ‘Slum 2 School’ charity project has with the help of over 5000 volunteers from 25 countries, supported over 600 children to go to school and impacted over 3000 children through medical support and various psycho-social support programmes.

This year, the Slum 2 School organisation has set a goal to support over 1000 children living across slums and various remote communities in Africa A Charity Music Soiree was held at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos last Sunday to raise funds for the children benefiting from this project. Seyi Shay volunteered alongside Isaac Geralds, Eric Arugbayi, Monalisa Chinda amongst others at the event.

My ideal man is a God fearing man.

Would you quit acting for marriage?

No, I wouldn’t. Acting is my passion, so whoever I’m going to get married to should be willing to support me.

How have you been able to hold your own despite the competition in the industry?

The truth is I am my own competition, I don’t see any other competition. If I say I’m competing with someone, it’s like saying I expect to be the only actress in Nollywood. On the contrary, actors compliment each other. The sky is big enough for all of us to be relevant. There can only be one Belinda Effah. I strive to surpass my previous glory.

So far, how would you describe your journey into Nollywood?

It has been amazing. I count my blessings and name them one by one. Where I am in the industry today is just by the grace of God. I am very grateful for all the struggles, challenges, breakthrough ...that’s what makes it a journey. For me, the journey has just begun.

What’s unique about you as an actress?

I stay true to myself and the characters I play. If I don’t feel it, I can’t give life to the character. I always challenge myself to go the extra mile, so I guess that could be it.

26— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

I was depressed about my condition but music gave me hope —B.O.G, blind singer who won a talent hunt show

By Benjamin Njoku

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IGHTEEN-year-old physically challenged budding singer,Godspower Ikharehon popularly known as B.O.G who recently emerged winner of the maiden edition of the “SOO Live The Dream Music Talent Hunt” competition, is still immersed in the euphoria of his victory.

The visually-impaired singer just returned from Dublin, where he performed at this year’s Miss Nigeria-Ireland 2015 Pageant.

B.O.G emerged winner of the maiden edition of the grassroots music talent hunt competition which rounded off recently, in Ubiaja, Edo State. He was in Dublin alongside the first runner up, 16-year-old, Deborah Christy Odiboh and the second runner up, Destiny Ogunnubi, a trained sound engineer.

*Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun presenting cheque to B.O.G at the grand finale

Aspirations of music oriented youths At the grand finale of the show, the initiator, Barr. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, a member representing Esan North-East/ South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives had promised that the winner would enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Dublin.

He later extended the gesture to the first and second runnersup when it turned out that a physically-challenged contestant won the competition.

B.O.G blew the minds of the judges comprising Muyiwa Asenuga a.k.a Nomoreloss, Sydney Shocker, Monique D Vibes and Elcee McEdwards away with his unique voice to emerge the winner of the show.

B.O.G performing on stage The competition was targeted at giving life to the aspirations of music-oriented youths from Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State.

The budding singer wowed the audience when he performed Cobhams Asuquo’s evergreen single, “Ordinary People” from his soul-lifting contemporary Christian album. His sonorous voice and dexterity on the keyboard not only earned him a resounding ovation from the crowd, but it really floored the judges. After a suspense filled performances by the top 10 contestants that made it to the final round, the judges declared

B.O.G the winner of the show.

An elated Godspower, who fell down on the floor with joy, started dancing while being held by his brother, a move that brought the audience and fellow contestants to tears. Having been dazzling from the first day of the auditions with unique voice and dexterity with the keyboard, B.O.G revealed that at a point he was afraid he would not make it through.

“While I was at home I usually believed that I would win but when the auditions started and I started listening to some of the contestants sing, I was afraid that I had lost it all. My condition

Coke Studio Africa r eturns F

OLLOWING the popu lar Studio Season 2, Afric ity of Coke songs from featured art a’s much loved istes music platform returns This season will bring . with Season 3 which together 28 boasts of a line-up of artistes from five differ established and new ent countries to musicians, starting fro sing 52 songs, showca m October, to run until sing their local December 2015. and signature styles to pr oduce unique According to the Mark songs. Nine Nigerian eting artistes Director- Coca-Cola, to feature on the show billed Patri inc Jemibewon, the show cia Eva Alordia, Ice Prince, lude, will Flavour, feature ‘mash ups’ Chindinma, 2Face, of top Yemi m us ica l ta le nt on Alade, Olamide, MI th e Abaga continent, through and Afri Dija, while tal musical ented fusions and regionally music maestro Co inspired bhams music. It will reviv As uq uo wo ul d br e the in g hi at m os ph er e of liv expertise to bear on s e the re co rd in gs an d show as Executive performances, Producer.

•Eva providing music as There would also a platform to bridge be a radio show cultural and version for Coke national barriers, St ud io Af ric a, encourage unity and bringing the best the introduce a sense of co ntinent has to African pride. Coke Stu offer on and it will air ac dio Season 3 will be ross seven cities in distinct segments; (Lagos, Abuja, PH mash ups between , Kano, Aba, Nigerian and East Af Anambra and Ibadan). rican artistes; Artiste challenges; acoustic pe rformances; and new C M Y K

helped me to be serious in the sense that when I hear the performances of the other contestants, I would be spurred to work harder. The fact that I don’t see their faces is an advantage to me and I worked hard,” he said.

The winner, a student at Ihogbe College for the Blind in Benin, Edo State disclosed that at a point in his life he was depressed about his condition but has music to thank for taking him away from his self-pity and putting him in the limelight in his community.

“Whenever I go to church and listen to people sing I feel very happy. In fact, inside me I would wish I was the one doing the songs. There were times I felt hopeless at such moments especially with my condition. I

used to say people can walk, sing, see and here I am not able to see; I felt that was how my life would be wasted but one day I took a decision and made a step to start singing. That decision helped me to get over self-pity and built my confidence that music is for me. Since then, I have never looked back and I must say that immediately I took that first step, God took it up from there,” he said.

While presenting prizes to the winners, a member representing Esan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and sponsor of the project, Barr.

Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, said he was happy with the outcome of the event and believed the next edition would be better.

Marriage can’t stop me from Disc Jockeying — DJ Lambo

By Anozie Egole

A

LTHOUGH she will be saying ‘I Do’ to her long time boyfriend any time next year, talented female Disc Jockey and Chocolate City artiste,Olawanmi Okeryi, a.k.a, DJ Lambo has said nothing would stop her from doing what she knows how to do best - disc jockeying.

She made this remark in a chat with WG. According to her, “I doubt if anything would change about me.

The whole point of being with someone you love is about understanding. It is about being with the person regardless of stereotypes and the norms. If my spouse likes me the way I am, then I don’t see any reason why I should change my career because I am getting married.” Speaking further, she said, “Even if I am going to change my style in the long run, it would be because I decided to and not because of what anybody would say or as a result of societal pressure.”

Describing herself as “a nonconformist and a rebel, DJ Lambo said, marriage would not stop her from being a disc jockey. “After getting married, I would still be a disc jockey and I doubt if anything would change about me,”she said.

She however, revealed that she took after her father, who was a former DJ, with the stage name, DJ Tony Lewis. Despite looking masculine, she said, “I get a lot of advances from men. In fact, I am getting married next year by the grace of God. And when I get Dj Lambo married I would still be a disc jockey and I doubt if anything would change about me.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 27

Girls meet tech at GoogleWAAW training

By Laju Iren & Gabriel Olawale

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LTHOUGH the figures vary from study to study, it is an established fact that there are more women than men on the internet. In this century, it is almost impossible to develop as an individual,

organisation or country without the right amount of computer literacy and access.

To address the short change of girls in the area of Information and Communication Technology, Google in partnership with Working to Advance African Women, WAAW Foundation

and Vision Spring Initiative, VSI, has trained female students from four secondary schools in Lagos on computer programming activities using Arduino, Rasberry Pi and Javascript.

Speaking during the two-day training workshop, WAAW’s Operations Director, Florence

Note 5: Bigger display, slimmer package

By Richard Udofia & Anosike Maximilian

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HEN Samsung first came out with the Galaxy Note a few years ago, it was a breakthrough, not just for the Tech giant, but for the industry as a whole.

Considering how quickly things move in the digital world, the note phenomenon is no longer an enigma, hence the need for companies like Samsung to keep pushing the envelope further.

Samsung seems to understand this, hence, its move to leave no stone unturned creating the Note 5. Managing Director of Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said at the launch in Lagos recently that “”Samsung has continued to improve the Note series w i t h e v e r y n e w version crafted with metal and glass, the Galaxy Note5 boasts of a beautiful screen, suite of helpful

productivity apps to accompany its super precise stylus. Bigger screens have gone from niceto-have to a must-have and the display which was once called a gimmick is now the norm.”

Meanwhile the Director of m o b i l e , Samsung Electronic W e s t

Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revematas, said, customers desire a big brilliant display but not a bulky device, thereby causing them to choose between screen size and portability.

“At Samsung, we did not think that was a choice our customers had to make. With the Note 5, they have a big display in a slimmer package.

The Note5 is an intuitive and efficient device; it is the Galaxy re-defined, re-imagined and red e s i g n e d , ” Revematas said.

“The little wave of shortcut buttons, which appear on the screen when the stylus is popped out, can easily be customized and the device will send an alert whenever the stylus is not in its holster,” he explained.

“There is a special option in Screen Write that lets you capture an entire page; so piecing together multiple screenshots for web pages or

Ogunbor said that the programme which targeted secondary school girls within the age of 12-14 years was aimed at developing the interest of girls in science and technology by getting them involved in simple computer programming activities.

Her words: “At the end, this

project will improve kids’ creativity and innovative abilities. It would provide them the opportunity to employ computer science and technology innovations in solving real world problems in their community.”

Ogunbor who lamented the low engagement of female students in science courses said that part of their commitments was to encourage them to be bold and strong enough to take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM. Continuing she said: “Girls must remember how useful they are to the economic development of our nation.

There is need for more women to be technologically inclined and contribute to nation building.

The vision of WAAW Foundation is to empower African women to become impactful leaders and technology innovators through STEM education.”

s t s a c e r fo t e n a r t c e Sp broadband growth, y e n r u o T lf o G s r o s n o sp

By Favour Anthony

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S Nigeria marks its 55th Independence anniversary, broadband Internet Service Provider, Spectranet 4G LTE has sponsored this year’s edition of Ikeja Golf Club Independence tournament.

David Venn, Managing Director, Spectranet, said that at 55, Nigeria has made notable strides in internet adoption and projects, that by the time is clocking 60, almost everyone will have access to high speed broadband internet which has a richer internet experience.

He also said that “Technologically, if you look at where Nigeria is now as regards Internet, a lot of people are still using the old 3G networks. With 4G, it brings you to the modern economy via high speed reliable internet.”

“We currently have an affordable service covering the whole of Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and we are about to launch in Port Harcourt while four to five other cities will come shortly afterwards. We are hoping to roll out as quickly as possible but we want to make sure that it is going to be a good reliable and affordable service.

Noting that Nigerians are sport lovers and watch sports a lot on Pay-TV, he said that broadband

offers an alternative means to enjoy this cherished culture without subscribing to satellite TV once there is an active broadband connection.

“A lot of people here love sports and movies. I have the traditional pay-tv satellite decoder at home.

I have not watched it for almost a year. I watch almost everything on broadband, whenever and whatever I choose to watch; I watch streaming videos, movies and live sports.

All of these are available on the World Wide Web. You need a good connection to watch that.

At 55, Nigeria has come a long way. I see a lot of hope in this country. I see a lot of people expecting good things to happen and if we all come together, the country has got a wonderful future.”

Endorsing Spectranet’s Sportsmanship, Captain of Ikeja Golf Club, Air Cdre Tokunbo Ajomale (rtd) said, “I believe that Spectranet is much appreciated by consumers. If not, they won’t be strong enough to sponsor this golf competition. He concluded by saying that “Spectranet happens to be one of those companies out there that has the interest of the game at heart. So socially, the brand is impacting positively to societal development.

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28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

‘Nigerian applicants’ will enjoy fair handling of visa issues’

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu&Prisca Sam-Duru

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VER since Nigeria and Germany established bilateral relationship, both countries have committed themselves to ensuring that they maintain good, close, sustainably stable and trustful relationship, especially in key sectors of both countries’ economies.

At the recent German Unity Day anniversary celebration, the Republic of Germany's Consul General to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Ingo Herbert, who just assumed his diplomatic appointment to oversee consular activities at the German consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, promised that his office will ensure that Nigerian visa applicants receive a fair and decent handling of visa issues.

Herbert who appeared to be delighted on both countries common interest in maintaining a healthier and more fruitful partnership, said that Germany was proud to be one of the countries with which Ni-

geria established a bi-national commission, adding that the German-Nigerian energy partnership remains a focal point in both countries relations, as well as other key areas, which in real terms, are progressively enlarging the two countries diplomatic ties.

“The Germany National day, and or Unity Day, is a special day to Germans and I am particularly happy to see Nigerians celebrating here with us.

The truth is our business re-

lation with Nigeria is healthy and fruitful and all major companies in Germany are delighted to come to Nigeria to see what kind of business opportunities they can share with Nigerians and we also assist them in this regard. ''We have German companies everywhere in the world.

We have in Indonesia, Middle-East, Northern America, and then in Africa and so on, and would like to do more than economic relations, in other words, sharing more of cultural relations, as well as academic relations and so on,” Herbert said.

Academic relations

We will provide good service, fair service to all visa applicants and according to the Schengen regime

Promising that he will ensure a more conducive visa processing procedures for Nigerian visa applicants, Herbert emphasised, “We will provide good service, fair service to all visa applicants and according to the Schengen regime, what is valid for all Schengen countries and I would like with my very com-

•Mr. Ingo Herbert petent staff to guarantee a decent handling of the visa issues.

“I know once you have a visa regime, there could be some challenges and although we have too many visa that are applying and you may not have enough staff, but I can say our consular section is also very big. It is the biggest unit at the consulate and my staff dignifies a lot of deserved visa issuing and they are service oriented.”

However, it was pointed out at the gathering that Nigeria is a leading nation in Africa and with its fast-growing economy will find a commit-

ted and close partnership in Germany, while also hoping that Nigeria in similar note, with its immeasurable creativity and influence in Africa, will serve as a bridge to strengthen both countries relations in various capacities.

Vanguard Consular Advisory (VCA) also gathered that a good number of German companies and compatriots have strong presence in Nigeria and are operating successfully in various capacities, while many more hope to becoming part of the success both countries are currently experiencing as a result of the sustained healthier bi-lateral relations.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015— —29

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30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16,

2015

Assembly since 1999 as a case study has systematically increased. In the current 8th National Assembly, there were more women honourable members and distinguished Senators over what was produced in 1999, 2003 and 2007. The same goes for the number of local government chairmen that were produced.

They noted that no political gathering in Nigeria is ever complete without women, but when key positions are to be contested for, women are not considered for it nor encouraged to participate.

Minimum standard

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adebule Oluranti (2nd right), with others at the conference in Lagos.

Governance: Lagos govt, DFID partner on closing gender gap

By Olasunkanmi Akoni HE United Kingdom, UKaid Department for International Development (DFID) in collaboration with the Lagos State Deputy Governor’s office organized a Southwest Nigeria regional conference on Women in Governance from 29th to 30th September, 2015.

As a follow up to the one held in February, 2015, the purpose of the conference was to build synergies between Women in

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Business and Private sector, Politics and Civil society to develop strategies and take actions that will ensure that the target of 35 percent participation of Women in Governance will be met in order to achieve national developmental goals, with the overarching objective of Ensuring Better Social Inclusion and Good Governance At All Levels of Government.

The conference was themed: “Women’s Participation in Democratic Governance in South West Region.”

Dogged pursuit of improved society over the years has seen significant leaps towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs at all levels and the social inclusion of women in democratic governance since 1999.

The agency and state

Anti-rape activist, Itoro Eze Anaba writes for Lipstick!!

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EGINNING from next week, multiple award-winning anti-rape activist, Mrs Itoro Eze Anaba, will be feeding you with everything you need to know about the societal menace called rape, right here on Lipstick.

Itoro is a lawyer who has been actively involved in the promotion and protection of women’s rights in Nigeria, in C M Y K

recognition of which work she was invited to participate in the US Department of State International Visitors Programme on Trafficking in Women and Children; as well as in the exchange programme of the Law Society of England and Wales.

In 2005, she received a scholarship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for her LLM Masters in Law programme at the American University, Washington College of Law, Washington DC where she specialized in Gender and the Law. On her return to Nigeria, she established Partnership for Justice, a non governmental organization with a mission to provide an innovative range of services to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria.

She is presently the Managing Partner at Mirabel Centre, a safe haven for abused women and

girls in Lagos, Nigeria.

Itoro’s achievements in the women’s rights movement are inexhaustible.

She is reputed for drafting the first ever Domestic Violence Bill in Nigeria and engaging in advocacy campaign for its passage into law in 12 states and at the National Assembly

Women's rights She also established Blue Ribbon, the first ever all-male advocacy group campaigning for women’s rights in Nigeria Another landmark is West Africa’s second and Nigeria’s first-ever sexual assault referral centre in Nigeria, the Mirabel Centre, which she co-founded to support survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Itoro is a researcher and an international consultant.

government put the conference to analyse women participation, roles in democratic governance in the country with the aim of adopting actions to bridge what they termed, “unacceptable” gender gap, in political representation in the country.

Interestingly, women representation in the National

The participants at the conference who addressed how women could take advantage of the minimum standard to a large extent, contended that just as politics and governance are siamese twins so should women and men be on the issues that affect the lives of both genders especially as it relates to governance.

They called on President Buhari to provide more opportunities for women in his emerging administration.

Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central District in the Senate, in her address as a keynote speaker lamented that the 35 percent affirmative action for women was not being followed across all political divides in the country. She noted that while Continues on Page 31

Boko Haram: UN Women call for gender-friendly counter-terrorism strategies

By Funmi Ajumobi (New York) & Josephine Agbonkhese (Lagos)

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HE United Nations has called for a more gender-sensitive approach to battling insecurity in Nigeria, advising government and stakeholders to give consideration to the negative impacts of counter-terrorism strategies on civilian populations, particularly women and girls.

This is amid a heightened offensive launched against terror-sect Boko Haram by the Federal Government in recent times.

Executive Director, UN Women, Phumzile MlamboNgcuka, who spoke in the light of deepening insecurity and spread of Boko Haram across the West African region with specific impacts on women and girls, said gender equality must be placed at the heart of

interventions.

“Motorcycle bans, for example, have limited movement of teachers and children trying to go to school.

For girls, the interruption in their education has increased their exposure to further rights violations, including child marriage and trafficking.

Schools must be kept going, not only for the education they give, but for the strength, security and solidity that their routines provide to children whose world is being so profoundly disrupted,” she stressed.

A more gender-sensitive approach, according to Phumzile, is the only sustainable, systemic way to prevent and respond to the spread of violent extremism.

“We must engender counterterrorism. Recognizing that the acts committed by Boko

Continues on Pg 31

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 31

Governance: Lagos govt, DFID partner on closing gender gap Continues from page 30 more women have come into governance and participated in elections since the advent of democratic rule in 1999, the quest for reaching the 35 percent women representation must be sustained until it is achieved and even surpassed.

Tinubu added that since women constitute more than half of the population and also majority of voters during the elections, it is ironical that they are the minority compared to the male.

“Women constitute about half of the Nigerian population going by the 2006 census figures. Women also constitute a great majority in the voting population, yet they are a minority when you look at the number of candidates running for elective positions or the few who actually get elected”.

“The time has come for more women to move-on to leadership positions. This is the time when our number should increase geometrically even beyond the 35 percent for which we have been demanding over the years”, Tinubu declared.

Leadership positions She stressed that the average Nigerian woman combines the task of keeping her home, taking care of the children and also pursuing a career creditably well and as such she must be encouraged to seek higher leadership positions, which she said should go beyond electing a larger number of women in positions but also changing the perception that public office is only for the men.

Tinubu urged women to support one another and use their numerical advantage to challenge the current situation.

While sounding a note of caution to women already in government and other leadership positions, she challenged them to leave a worthy legacy through their performance while in office and in their service to humanity and also acting as role models to upcoming women, noting that “it is when this is achieved that the call for more women representation can be properly considered and respected by the male dominated public service.”

Bolanle Ambode in her paper noted that if the country could produce women LG chairmen, women deputy governors, C M Y K

senators, wondered why the women cannot be governors and ultimately, the president.

She said, “I believe this is possible and I am optimistic that soon, it will happen, because we have what it takes to achieve it in terms of numerical strength. We also have what it takes to deliver in terms of intellectual endowment. All that we need to fine tune, are the strategies to achieve the lofty ideals in good time.

Ambode continued: “This conference, would serve to build necessary synergies between women in business and the private sector, politics and the civil society, to help realize the targeted 35 percent of women representation in government.”

She therefore, appealed to the womenfolk to take advantage of the continuous electoral reforms to make more daring moves towards elective offices at all levels.

Ranti Adebule, in her address stated; “Before now, this important subject has been discussed at different fora all with the intention of creating awareness and motivating women to get more involved in democratic process and governance.

“While report card cannot be so disappointing considering where we are coming from as a marginalised group, we know that we are not yet at the Promised Land.

“It is unarguable that the role of women in political process

It must be established that we are not and should not be advocating the displacement of men from the governance stage but we must remain resolute in our calls for more women to be given the chance to be active and important partners

Internally displaced women and girls and governance is of utmost importance to the extent that it forms part of the political equation for winning elections.

But women are not aware of their own political advantage.”

“If we say democracy and democratic governance which are critical to addressing the challenges of living irrespective of gender are hinged on mass participation and women form more than half of the population of Nigeria, why are women not in the majority of decision makers on issues that affect them?"

Decision makers We have issues like children and maternal health, education, security and arms conflicts, food security, sexual assaults, among others that affects women yet to be resolved and women are scarcely partakers in the decisions geared towards resolving them.”

The Deputy Governor noted that women were still not aware of their political advantage and how to use such advantage to get more positions for women in government.

She lamented that women “are usually relegated to praise singers and crowd pullers at political gathering but never

seriously considered when key positions are being shared or contested for.”

In an apparent move to clear the motive of the event, Adebule explained that the conference was not to advocate displacement of men from governance but an avenue to insist that women be given more of a say.

“It must be established that we are not and should not be advocating the displacement of men from the governance stage but we must remain resolute in our call for more women to be given the chance to be active and important partners and this

is the platform this conference provides for women to understand the issues militating against them while also learning from other accomplished women”, Adebule stated.

Others speakers spoke in the same vein at the conference which also had in attendance the first lady of Osun and Oyo states, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Sosan, All Progressives Congress, APC, Women leader, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Folashade Jaji, women political and corporate leaders from across the South West region and Kwara State among others.

Boko Haram: UN Women call for gender-friendly counter-terrorism strategies Continued from page 30 Haram, and the strategies used to counter them are profoundly gendered.

Governments of affected States should ensure a gender sensitive approach to analysing and responding to extremist violence by ensuring effective participation of affected persons,” the UN boss said, drawing from a new report by the Office of the High

Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, on violations committed by Boko Haram.

The soon-to-be-released report which is in line with key findings of a 15-year review of women’s role in peace and security, provides strong evidence of the dramatic positive effect of women’s engagement on the durability and success of response to conflict and achievement of settlement.

The conference made the following resolutions as contained in the communiqué:

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O advocate for 35 percent affirmative action to be incorporated into the Nigerian Constitution and the constitution of the political parties; to pursue building of platforms to make political demands from our party political leaders; to ensure that women vying for political positions build enough Political Capital through robust engagement at the community level and volunteering for recognition and to advocate for the appointment of more women with merit and competence into positions and produce more credible candidates for elective positions.

Others are; Ensuring that women in political position use their good offices to effectively represent and project needs of women and not

block opportunities for upcoming female aspirants, to continue to raise the consciousness of men and engage some as champions of equality and women’s empowerment; to promote the establishment of Political Action Committee by private organizations, which can solicit for funds and distribute to vetted political aspirants; to advocate to Private sectors to adopt CSR initiatives that focus on educating women on their right to be voted for, to advocate for women to help define and entrench a new and better culture of campaigning and political activism and cut out waste (different uniforms for rallies) as well as to advocate for producers of feminine products to support female aspirants in Nigeria.

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16,

2015

Women’s group rises to unemployment crisis, equips 44 with income generating skills

By Josephine Agbonkhese

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N cognisance of their indispensable role in nation building, a group of women under the auspices of International Inner Wheel District 911 Nigeria, have risen up against Nigeria’s worsening unemployment crisis.

The group, which embarked on a five-week vocational training exercise in Lagos, recently graduated 44 youths at a colourful ceremony characterised by an ostentatious display of income generating skills ranging from catering and events management, decoration and events management, makeup and makeover, bead making, Ankara craft and website designing.

“Permit me to say that today’s graduates took their respective programmes seriously, displaying high level of discipline and interests which, no doubt, have equipped them to face the future squarely and push towards financial independence,” Chairman, Inner Wheel District 911 Nigeria,

Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale, said while giving reasons for the proud display.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the distribution of start-up materials such gas cookers, professional makeup boxes, laptops, shoe-making tools, bead-making materials and tools for Ankara craft.

Speaking to Lipstick, a beneficiary simply identified as Jamiu, who acquired skills in website designing, said he always had his eyes on acquiring the skill but did not get the opportunity until Inner Wheel made it happen.

The 300 level Crawford University undergraduate said: “My goal is to set up a job search website devoid of fraudulent advertisers, where young people can reliably go to, in search of jobs.”

Though originally intended for women and girls’ empowerment, the training had been meant to accommodate a few ambitious males like Jamiu.

Another beneficiary, Risikat Solomon, an Accountant with a Masters degree holder in

Management from the University of Salford, Manchester, who said she understood the importance of skill acquisition, irrespective of academic qualification, spoke cheerfully of her newly acquired skill, makeup/makeover.

“I feel very happy with myself for acquiring this skill. I have just finished my Masters and have not got a job yet. With this, I believe I can start generating income for myself,” Risikat said.

Learning environment Mrs Zainab Ikheloa, Chairman of the vocational training exercise which was facilitated by Lagos-based Zeekay Vocational Training Centre, reaffirmed that the beneficiaries trained under strict learning environment and had individually displayed discipline and passion, characteristics she said were very reassuring for Inner Wheel.

Earlier in her address, Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale expressed gratitude to donors who made the project achievable.

But like Oliver Twist, she asked for more, saying, “I want to encourage others to assist us in our goal this 2015/2016 Inner Wheel year, which again, is to train women and girls in our society with a view to empowering them.”

The event was attended by the Vice President, International Inner Wheel, Mrs Oluyemisi Alatise; National Representative, Mrs Vivian Alade, and past District Chairpersons as well as members of Inner Wheel.

Cross section of medical practitioners at the School Health Conference.

Outreach Medical Centre set for School Health Confab

By Kehinde Ajose

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CHOOL plays a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behavior patterns. Research shows a link between the health outcomes of young people and their academic success.

To have the most positive impact on the health outcomes of young people, government agencies, community organizations, schools, and other community members must work together through a collaborative and comprehensive approach.

The School Health Conference is planned to bring local and international stakeholders together and educate them about the latest

trends in school health, forge strategic alliances and assure focused resources on effective school health.

Dr Efunbo Dosekun, Chief Executive Officer, Outreach Medical Services, observed that the safety of the learning environment is critical to their learning.

Learning environment “Parents send their children to school to be safe. When you talk about safety, there is also safety of the environment. If your toilet doesn’t work and you don’t have water to flush, it’s unsafe.

Do we have the statistics of schools that do not have a functional toilet? We need to have these statistics .Some of the benefit of having a school

health conference is to help us know where we are, in terms of the components of a school health system. We need to have standards on how safe our schools are. We need to start having conferences and action groups in these areas of development.”

Chief Operating Officer, Dr Segun Ebitanmi also stated that school health is important to saving the lives of children.

“In our quest to save the lives of children, we realize that a very important tool for that is school health. Children spend half of their waking life, if not more, in schools.

If you want to change their behavior and attitudes towards health, a very important environment to do that is in their schools. This led to the birth of our school health outreach.”

WEP calls for climate justice for women

By Funmi Olasupo

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OMEN Environmental Programme, WEP, has c a l l e d on the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure climate justice for women by implementing policies and programmes that increase clean energy access for Nigerian urban and rural poor women.

This call became necessary because of the devastating effects women suffer due to lack of clean energy access in the country.

A statement signed by the Executive Director, Women Environmental Programme (WEP) Priscilla Achakpa noted that Nigerian women are faced with energy challenges ranging from health problems resulting from the use of crude energy sources for cooking, to wastage of agricultural produce due to poor energy access for preservation and processing.

Nigerian women have come out to speak with one voice that enough is enough of this injustice

Achakpa stated further that women are unfortunately affected more by lack of access to clean energy as they are the ones involved with energydemanding activities.

Similarly, she explained further that women are the ones responsible for cooking energy as they are primarily responsible for domestic cooking.

The statement reads: “This huge energy lack is coming out of the huge energy resources the country is endowed with – hydro, wind and solar – which could be harnessed to make energy accessible to all the nooks and crannies of the country.

Preservation and processing “The implication of this energy situation on women is widening inequalities between women and their male counterparts. This is further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, making women poorer and increasing their vulnerabilities.

“Nigerian women have come out to speak with one voice that enough is enough of this injustice.”

Achakpa, stated further, “We challenge the government to as a matter of urgency implement all policies and programmes that will harness our huge energy resources and make clean energy available for Nigerian women.

We have suffered lack of energy for too long and can take it no longer.”

Statistics: 60-80% In Nigeria, research shows that women produce 60-80% of agricultural food and also make up almost 100% of those who process basic food stuff. Billions of Naira is lost yearly due to wastages of agricultural produce as a result of lack of preservation facilities.

1billion USD It is estimated that Nigeria loses $1 billion annually to fresh tomato wastage.

120 million Lack of clean energy access has seen over 120 million Nigerians use firewood as cooking energy.

98,000 World Health Organization estimates that 98,000 Nigerian women die annually due to illnesses that result from the smoke they inhale while cooking with biomass fuel.

23.73 About 23.73 million households in Nigeria, out of 28.9 million households in the country have no access to the national electricity grid, according to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—33

SENATE SCREENING:

Wishy-washy or what?

The ongoing confirmation hearing of ministerial nominees shows that the change mantra is yet to be fully absorbed in the character and conduct in the executive and legislative branches of government.

•Dr Kayode Fayemi (right) making a point during his screening on Tuesday

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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O its credit, the Bukola Saraki Senate did not turn itself into a praise-singing choir in the screening of the ministerial nominees presented

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, that may be the only plaudit critical observers of the ongoing process would give to the Senate underlying the continuing flaws in the country ’s leadership recruitment process.

Nigerians who stayed into the night to watch the CNNsponsored debate for Democratic Party 2016 United States presidential candidates last Tuesday would have been appalled at the way, and manner custodians of Nigeria’s commonwealth are assessed.

Questionable tradition Even more, the Saraki Senate has continued with the questionable tradition of not asking former senators questions.

The seeming hollowness of the confirmation hearing were not helped by the president’s failure to affix portfolios to the nominations presented to the Senate.

The president may have acted in accordance with the dictates of the constitution which did not compel him to attach the portfolios. However, given the

new administration’s stance on change some had expected President Buhari to depart from the norm and attach the portfolios to the nominations.

Remarkably, one of the more steadfast disciples of the president, Governor Nasir ElRufai of Kaduna State had taken the unusual step of attaching portfolios when he presented his nominees to the cabinet to the State House of Assembly. In the words of the governor, the attachment of the portfolios was “in the interest of a transparent screening process.”

Screening process Regrettably the president, however, decided to follow the custom of the preceding Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidents in refusing to attach portfolios.

It was as such not surprising that senators were left in the lurch in their screening of the nominees.

Maybe because of his rich background in advocacy in environmental issues, Senator Uche Ekwunife asked the nominee from Plateau State, Solomon Dalong “if you are appointed minister of environment what would you do to improve the sector?”

Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the double nominee for commissioner in Ogun State and minister, was quizzed largely on finance apparently

because of her background in the sector.

The confusion was, however, most apparent in the screening of the lawyers who by far constituted the largest majority of the nominees.

Among the lawyers so far screened were Raji Fashola, Udoma Udo Udoma, Lai Mohammed, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Aisha Jummai Alhassan and Solomon Dalong.

It was as such not surprising that some senators kept on asking “assuming you are

appointed the Attorney General” or “if you are appointed the Attorney General,” suppositions that do not in any way give fiber to the change and purposefulness that is expected of the Buhari administration. Even worse, it had been expected that after waiting four months to pick the cabinet that the new administration could have easily designated the portfolios for the nominees.

The Senate, however, failed to raise the issue and understandably so, given the cloud over the leadership.

Even if the praise-singing of the past was absent, senators failed to grill the nominees on issues of their past.

Expectations that General Abdulrahman Dambazzau would be grilled on how he mobilized the army to fight the Boko Haram insurgency were dashed.

Even more awkward is the geopolitical reflection of the Intellectual female nominees as quotient it was pointed out There was no doubt that that out of the six Dambazzau just like Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Lai female nominees, Chris Ngige only one is from the Mohammed, among others have more than South, a enough qualification to hold office, but senators in large part development that failed to draw out the may have bemused intellectual quotient of the nominees.

Buhari’s female The dubious tradition of not admirers in the questioning former senators designated for federal South appointments may well be

unique to Nigeria. Senator Hillary Clinton faced a six-day questioning when she was nominated for Secretary of State

by President Barack Obama in 2008 at both the committee level and the plenary.

The lack of preciseness in the screening was also compounded by the failure of the female senators to raise the issue of the poor representation of women among the lot.

Women represent a measly 16.7 per cent of the nominees, a development that has been strongly flayed by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

While drawing the attention of the president to the country’s obligations to women under international conventions, Hauwa Shekarau who is the national president of FIDA Nigeria in a statement said: “We, therefore, urge President Buhari to ensure that the ‘Change’ we all clamoured for is rather progressive and not regressive. FIDA Nigeria notes that the role and achievements of women in the last administration can never be over-emphasised albeit the challenges currently facing a few of them.”

Even more awkward is the geopolitical reflection of the female nominees as it was pointed out that out of the six female nominees, only one is from the South, a development that may have bemused Buhari’s female admirers in the South.

34—VANGUARD, FRIDAY,

OCTOBER 16, 2015

•Abaribe

The candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chris Nkwonta, had petitioned the tribunal seeking nullification of Abaribe’s election on the basis of electoral irregularities

By Gbenga Oke

A

S the deadline for the expiration of Election Petition Tribunals sitting across the country draws nearer, results emanating from the tribunals have elicited mixed feelings among the various political parties.

While the Court of Appeal is regarded as the last resort for National and state legislative election petitions, presidential and governorship election petitions terminate at the Supreme Court.

The various petitions presently going on at the tribunals are expected to be decided this month in view of the 180 days time limit stipulated by the Electoral Act.

Election tribunals So far, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems to be at the losing end especially at the National Assembly election petitions tribunals across the states. States were some cases had been decided include: Abia, Enugu, Ogun, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Kogi.

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) also lost some seats in the National Assembly election petition tribunal.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe The election of Enyinnaya Abaribe was nullified in Umuahia. Delivering the judgement, the lead judge stated that the election of Senator

•Danladi

•Kashamu

In delivering the judgement, the electoral tribunal in Taraba State nullified the election of Danladi, of the PDP and ordered that fresh elections be held in more than 40 polling units in the Taraba North Senatorial district

The Election Tribunal in Ogun State nullified the election of Buruji Kashamu and ordered a rerun in 110 polling units where irregularities were established

ELECTION PETITION:

The emerging twists, triumphs Abaribe was inconclusive due to irregularities in two local government areas namely Obingwa and Ugwunagbo.

The candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chris Nkwonta, had petitioned the tribunal seeking nullification of Abaribe’s election on the basis of electoral irregularities.

Senator Abaribe, a three-term senator has been in the Senate representing Abia-South since 2007.

Sani Abubakar Danladi ThePDP suffered another setback with the loss of former acting Governor of Taraba state, Sani Abubakar Danladi.

In delivering the judgement, the electoral tribunal in Taraba State nullified the election of Danladi and ordered that fresh elections be held in more than 40 polling units in Taraba North Senatorial district.

Ali Sani Kona of the APC had petitioned the tribunal requesting cancellation of the April 11 election arguing that it did not conform to key provisions of the electoral act.

Senator Godswill Akpabio In the case of the minority Leader of the Senate, Chief

So far, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) seems to be at the losing end especially at the National Assembly election petitions tribunals across the states

Godswill Akpabio, his election was affirmed by the Tribunal sitting in Abuja. In its judgement, the tribunal headed

by Goddy Anunihu, he dismissed the petition that was brought against Akpabio’s election by the APC and its candidate Chief Inibehe Okori. for the Akwa-Ibom North West Senatorial District.

The tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove that the erstwhile governor was not validly nominated by the PDP, to

contest the March 28, 2015, National Assembly election. The tribunal held that the fact that Akpabio was in an initial list that was sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by the PDP, but erroneously identified as the Senatorial candidate for AkwaIbom North East, did not invalidate his election.

Senator Gilbert Nnaji The National Assembly Election Tribunal led by Justice M.O Adewara in Enugu State, nullified the election of Gilbert Nnaji of the PDP and ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in 90 days.

Delivering the lead judgement, Adewara of Kwara State High Court agreed with the petitioner that the March 30, 2015 Enugu East senatorial election that produced Nnaji was marred by gross irregularities and that the petitioner, who is former governor Chimaroke Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Change, (PDC), tendered enough evidence to show there was over voting and falsification of electoral sheets.

Senator Buruji Kashamu The Election Tribunal in Ogun State nullified the election of

Buruji Kashamu and ordered a re-run in 110 polling units where irregularities were established.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, candidate of the APC, Ogun East Senatorial candidate in the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly Election challenged Kashamu’s victory at the tribunal claiming that Kashamu was not validly elected.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Tobi Ebimowei said that there were some irregularities and anomalies in the election that threw up Senator Kashamu.

Ebimowei held that Ijebu Ode Local Government Area was the only local government out of the nine in Ogun East that election results were not cancelled because the irregularities were minimal.

Proven irregularities He however stated that having perused all the evidences before the tribunal, 37,008 votes were declared unlawful on grounds of proven irregularities.

Ebimowei also said the total valid and lawful votes for the first respondent after the deduction and adjustment is now 75,856 compared to 99,540 declared by INEC. Senator Ike Ekweremadu The election of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was upheld by Justice Michael Edem maintaining that the APC Senatorial Candidate for Enugu Continues on page 36

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—35

We 'll shock PDP, APC — Ozigi, PPA candidate

By Kingsley Fanwo

should have no business with f e d e r a l allocation.

“As an operator in the organized private sector, I am sufficiently enlightened about the opportunities that abound in Kogi State.

Tourism and agriculture alone are capable of delivering over N200 billion annually to our treasury. With that, we can fund our education, human-capital development and comfortably pay salaries.

G

OVERNORSHIP Candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, Mr. Emmanuel Enesi Ozigi, has promised to ensure the defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC in the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State by leading his party to victory.

Ozigi said PPA has built a team of volunteers who see the future of the state as being more important than party affiliations, saying November 21 will herald a new era in the political history of the state.

He said: “Everyday, we are faced with new reasons to liberate our state from bad governance. Everywhere I have been, I see hundreds of young men and women who have volunteered to help build a new Kogi where the people will take the centre stage of development and where opportunities abound for true transformation.

“The people of Kogi have accepted our determination to lead our state into prosperity through quality education, world class healthcare delivery,

2015: KOGI DECIDES

•Ozigi commercial agriculture, massive industrialization, youth and women empowerment, tourism revolution and security.

“Our message is simple: Both PDP and APC are putting forward people who had and still have been given the opportunity to fix this state. Yet, the current realities indicate their failure. It is high time we embraced tested and committed hands to move this state forward.

PDP doesn’t deserve Kogi central votes— Bello, Ex-speaker “The massive support we have received from all over the state shows that ethnic politics has given way to the desire for credible leadership. We have put time lines on our promises and we can be trusted to deliver”.

The Financial Consultant said dwindling allocation from the Federation Account was no excuse for the abysmal performance of the PDP-led government. He said Kogi

By Boluwaji Obahopo

F

ORMER Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Bello has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will be living in illusion if it thinks it will win majority of votes in Kogi Central senatorial axis in the November governorship polls.

INEC insists on card reader machines for polls

By Jude Opara

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it will still use the Card Reader machines and the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) for the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

This is also as the commission has assured that the muchawaited report on the 2015 General Elections would be released next month.

gave an update on the Bayelsa and Kogi elections, stating: “We have learned a lot of lesson from using card readers during the last election and I don’t think we will have any problem again using them for the Bayelsa and Kogi elections. It will be certainly used for the elections.”

“We will soon commence the update of voters’ register. We are just preparing towards that but you should also know that we are in very mournful mood

Post election lessons National Commissioner, Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, who revealed this in Abuja, yesterday, at a workshop on post-election lessons, also assured that the report will be very comprehensive and detailed.

On what led to the delay in the release of the general election report, Amb. Nwuruku answered: “I want to assure you that the report will be ready soon. We have prepared them but we are just putting the final efforts on the report.

It has not been easy preparing it but we will soon release it at least within the next one month.”

The National Commissioner

Bello,who spoke with Vanguard in an exclusive chat, said both the party and its flag bearer, Capt. Idris Wada had ‘offended’ the zone through their actions and inaction.

Bello said that Governor Wada had starved the people of the area the dividends of democracy in terms of projects as well as denied them the sole chance they have of governing the state.

His words: “It is obvious that Kogi Central will determine the winner of the November 21 governorship election.

Unfortunately for the PDP; the governor cannot point to a single project he has done for the area that warrant the people of the area to vote for him.

Political deed

•Zakari: Acting INEC chairperson

We have learned a lot of lesson from using card readers during the last election and I don’t think we will have any problem again using them for the Bayelsa and Kogi elections

“With the abundant mineral resources in the state, a lot of investors could be brought into the state, thereby generating thousands of jobs for our unemployed youth. It is time we stopped paying lip service to youth empowerment if we are serious about human development.”

because of one of us that died on Saturday even though it has not hampered the progress we are making towards the Kogi and Bayelsa elections. The delay in the updating of the voters register will not affect anything.

“I can tell you that some of the preparations we have put on ground for the election include: we have started recruitment of adhoc staff, we are about to train them and we are also about printing the ballot papers, the result sheets and sensitive and non-sensitive materials.

I assure you that they will be delivered within the time required by the law to have

them. We are preparing and I assure you that there will not be any shortfall.

“As for the general update of voters register, it is supposed to be a continuous exercise as its name suggests. It means that we should have registration officers permanently living in the wards.

When somebody attains 18 years he will go there and register, the names of those that have died should also be expunged from the register.”

On the security arrangements for the elections, Amb. Nwaruku assured that the INEC will continue to do its best to ensure the safety of staff and materials.

“First, on January 27, 2014, I was sworn in as acting governor of the State by the Chief Judge of the State. Capt Idris Wada was supposed to wait till May 29 to be sworn- in but in view of his impatience, he forcefully thwarted the system and got sworn in the following day by another judge thereby denying the people of Central the only chance of having a governor from the area, which denied them the sense of belonging in the state.

The people of the central senatorial district are yet to forgive him for that political deed.’’

•Wada: PDP governorship candidate

36—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Edo central deserves to produce Oshiomhole’s successor — Inegbeneki CHIEF Francis Inegbeneki is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State. Inegbeneki, who is also the publisher of the Mid-West Times, a weekly tabloid based in Benin, in this interview, speaks on the need for Esan ethnic group to produce the next governor of the state.

By Gabriel Enogholase

T

HERE seems to be tension regarding the senatorial zone to produce the next governor of the state in 2016. What is your view on it?

The tension was expected. As the election approaches, you are bound to see agitations and each senatorial district is struggling to produce the next governor of the state.

If we have to look at the issue critically from a positive stand point, you will realise that it is the turn of Edo Central Senatorial District to produce the next governor. Edo State has been a very peaceful state and the ethnic groups in the state have lived peacefully with one another. The governorship position of the state has invariably been rotational and I commend our leaders for this.

Chief John Oyegun spent one year and six months before his administration was truncated by the military. But when democracy was restored, the Bini said since Oyegun’s regime was truncated, they should be allowed to complete his tenure and as such they should take the first shot.

After him, Chief Lucky Igbinedion governed for two terms. The governorship position went to Edo Central Senatorial where Prof. Osarieme Osunbor comes from. Unfortunately, his administration was short-lived.

Power shift to Edo Central After him, Adams Oshiomhole emerged as governor. Now that Comrade Oshiomhole is almost completing his tenure, equity demands that power should now shift to Edo Central. Osunbor only spent one year and six months.

The argument against Edo Central is that the zone is the least populated with 16 percent of the population unlike EdoSouth and North. What do you make of such argument?

Such calculation does not add up. The so called numeric strength of Edo South was created by the late Abel Guobadia. I don’t want to dwell on that anyway.

Our son Prof.

Oserhiemen Osunbor won the election in 2008 because Edo South voted for him and Edo North voted for him.

There is no section of the state that can win election without depending on others.

I am again, passionately appealing to our brothers in EdoSouth to support us. The South has produced the National Chairman of the APC, they have the Inspector-General of Police and also a ministerial nominee.

There is no section of the state that can win election without depending on others. I am again, passionately appealing to our brothers in Edo-South to support us

•Inegbeneki: The APC is the party to beat in Nigeria On the recent defection of prominent PDP members to the APC The APC is the party to beat in Nigeria. We have been yearning for change and APC is the only party that can bring about change. That is why everybody wants to belong to the party.

However, we will be closing our doors soon against some elements.

Would you say that Oshiomhole has been fair to Edo Central in the last seven years?

I will say that he has been good to us. But I am appealing to him to do more because we need more developments in Esan land. In the area of school rehabilitation, he did well. He also reconstructed the Ewohimi/Igueben road that was abandoned for over 35 years. You can now drive within two minutes from Ewohimi to Igueben.

Important positions There is also Usugbemi/Ugbegun road that was also fixed. We need more roads to connect our communities. If all governors had performed like him, the story would have been different today. I can tell you that in terms of appointments, he has been very fair to us also.

The Head of Service who is the number four man in government is an Esan man. We also have Esan sons occupying important positions in his administration.

On President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration Four months is not enough to rate an administration. The PDP almost destroyed this country. And it is going to take some time to fix all these things. I want Nigerians to be patient with President Buhari because I am hopeful that things will get better. His pace may be slow, but things are looking up. We must not also ignore the role played by former President Goodluck Jonathan in ensuring that the country is on the right path today.

The emerging twists, triumphs Continues from page 34

West, Chief Philip Eze’s petition lacked substantial evidence and awarded a sum of N60,000 in favour of Ekweremadu and INEC the last respondent.

Edem said the petitioner failed to prove his case, adding that the evidence adduced in the trial showed that the petitioner was included and not “excluded” in the senatorial election which held on March 28, 2015.

At the conclusion of the election, INEC had declared Ekweremadu of the PDP as the winner.

Senator Abdulrahman Abubakar Senator Abdulrahman Abubakar of the APC lost his senatorial seat to Attai Aidoko of the PDP after the Kogi State Elections Petition Tribunal ruled in favour of the PDP. The Kogi State Elections Petition Tribunal handling petitions in the State ruled that Senator Abubakar should cede his seat to Aidoko because he is the legitimate winner of the April 11 the legislative election in the State.

Senator Bukola Saraki The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki is one of the latest Senators who had his election upheld by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Saraki who is the President of the Senate had his election challenged for Kwara Central Senatorial District by the PDP candidate, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

The claims by the PDP candidate that there was an improper conduct was dismissed and it therefore means Saraki remains the president of the county’s upper chamber.

Adekoya Adesegun Majid Adekoya Adesegun Majid, the candidate of the PDP for Ijebu East, Ijebu North and Ogun waterside at the last March 28, 2015 National Assembly elections had his election annulled.

At the conclusion of the election, INEC had declared Ekweremadu of the PDP as the winner

Justice Tobi Ebimowei ordered fresh election in 222 units where irregularities were noticed, following the successful challenge by Biyi Ismail of the APC. Ismail had approached the court to declare him winner of the March 28 , 2015 National Assembly election in the state.

The tribunal stated that the petitioner presented 21 witnesses while the respondent called 15 witnesses.

The petitioner said that many irregularities and non compliance marred the election and thereby called for the annulment of the election.

Total votes given to the respondent after deduction was 14,371 while the respondent had 14,234.

Tony Nwoye The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Anambra State declared Tony Nwoye of the PDP the winner in a petition brought against the election of Peter Madubueze of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Polling units According to the judgement delivered by Justice Nayai Aganaba in Awka, he declared Mr. Nwoye as the duly elected candidate in Anambra East and West constituency.

Mr. Nwoye had approached the tribunal asking it to set aside the election of the APGA candidate because the elections had been rigged in several polling units in his strongholds at Nsugbe Ward I and ll in Anambra East local government area.

Senator George Sekibo It was a major setback for APC members in Rivers state as Justice Pindinga refused to annul the elections of six House of Representatives members and that of Sen George Sekibo.

The PDP lawmakers whose elections were upheld by the tribunal were Senator George Sekibo, representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Jerome Eke of Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency); Bright Gogo Tamuno of Okrika/ Ogu-Bolu; Boniface Emerengwe, of Ikwerre/ Emeouha, Kingsley Chinda of Obio/ Akpo) and Mrs. Blessing Nsiegbe.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOMBER 16 , 2015—37

No court order against Amaechi's screening —APC MINISTERIAL NOMINEE:

By Gbenga Oke & Nwaorgu Faustinus HARCOURT—RIVERS PORT State Chapter of the All

Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday dismissed insinuation making rounds that one Mr Livingstone Wechie, had obtained a court order restraining the Senate from screening former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi as a miniterial nominee.

The party claimed the rumour was part of the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Speaking through the Publicity State Secretary of APC, Mr Chris Finebone, APC contended that the State High Court had no powers or jurisdiction in the Nigerian constitution to determine a subject matter related to the duties of the Senate.

According to the statement, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement being circulated in the media that Mr. Livingstone Wechie, has obtained a court order restraining the Senate from screening Rotimi Amaechi as a ministerial nominee. Following the announcement, we made frantic search at the Federal High Court across the country and did not find any such proceedings pending or order before any court in the country.

Clearly, the State High Court has no powers or jurisdiction under the Constitution to determine a matter in which the subject matter relates to the functions of the Senate. The distinguished and honourable Judges of the Rivers State High Court are fully aware of this constitutional provision.

We strongly believe that none of them would be drawn into such level of judicial rascality or abuse of office no matter the

inducement or incentive.

“We are aware of the desperation of the PDP and Mr. Livingstone Wechie on this matter, we have nonetheless carried out a search at the High Court Registry in Rivers State and no indication that such order exists at the High Court of Rivers State except if such order is given to Mr. Livingstone Wechie in the sitting room of a Judge which we know that no right thinking judicial officer will do so

especially this time that the National Judicial Council, NJC, is desirous of sanitizing the Judiciary. We urge all good people of Rivers State to remain calm and await the Senate report and action as it has been announced by the distinguished Senate President.

But we call on the Department of State Service, DSS, and the Nigerian Police to investigate this level of misinformation that is capable of breaching the peace of the state.”

PASSING OUT: From left: Rivers State SSG, Hon. Kenneth Kobani; State Co-ordinator of NYSC, Mrs Ngozi Nwatarali, and Timothy Opurum, during the passing out parade of 2014 NYSC Batch "C" Corps members at the Isaac Boro Park, Mile One, Port Harcourt yesterday.

Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Monarch wades into Delta Council crisis A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Owhorhu1, has urged the Delta State House of Assembly to stay action on the resolution of the Udu Local Government Area, LGA, legislative arm to impeach the council Chairman, Mr. Solomon Kpomah.

The legislative arm, it would be recalled, had in a letter signed by 16 of 19 of its members, requested the State House of Assembly, to unseat the council Chairman for alleged financial impropriety.

The monarch, in a letter addressed to the speaker of the assembly, enjoined the House to stay action on the matter to enable the palace wade in to ensure relationships were not strained to a breaking point.

The letter signed by the monarch and Secretary to the Udu Traditional Council, Justice T.K. Dugbo (rtd), said: “While we were not properly and formally briefed about the crisis in the council that resulted in the resolution by the councillors to remove the Chairman, we cannot feign ignorance of the development or behave like the proverbial elder who watches while a goat delivers on tethers.

C M Y K

We understand full well that it is the prerogative and constitutional right of the House of Assembly to take final decision on this matter.

But as traditional leaders of the Udu people, we crave your indulgence to use your good office to stay action on the letter while you graciously give us a little time to wade into the crisis to see whether there could be a

better way of resolving same without straining relationships to a breaking point.

“This is because we find it totally improper and indeed spiteful for the councillors who represent the various communities in Udu to have met to take a decision of this kind without involving the palace, which at the end of the day, they represent. We are therefore most

unwilling to back their resolution. At the same time, the chairman as a member of the Udu Traditional Council has not in any way taken us into confidence or given us a hint about the squabbles in the council. We therefore are completely unable to absolve him of blame in anyway."

Alamieyeseigha'll continue to be reference point for Ijaw nation —Lawmaker

M

E M B E R REPRESENTING Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Julius Pondi, has said despite contrary views about the late former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief DSP Alamieseyeigha, he will continue to be a reference point for Bayelsans, Ijaw nation and Nigeria as a whole .

He described his death as a colossal loss to the Ijaw nation, Bayelsa State and the entire Niger Delta region.

Pondi in a statement said the demise of Chief Alamieseyeigha at this period of the nation’s history was most painful as he still had a lot to offer considering his development efforts in

Bayelsa State which stood him tall among his peers.

While describing him as a political giant whose footprints would be difficult to wipe in Bayelsa and Nigeria at large, the federal lawmaker noted that his outstanding contributions would continue to speak for him.

Pondi maintained that his stance on resource control and the

development of the long neglected region endeared him to the people as a rare patriot who could sacrifice his happiness for his people without looking back and commiserated with the government and people of Bayelsa, saying they should be happy that a man like him came out from Bayelsa.

Re-union anniversary

T

HE19 71/1975 old students of St Peter Clavers College, Aghalokpe, will hold its first Reunion anniversary after 40 years.

Exciting activities have been lined up to re-unite old students who graduated between 1971 and 1975 starting from Friday, October 23, with an informal coctail party

to welcome old Clavarians and their families.

On Saturday, October 24, all Clavarian will visit St Peter Clavers College, Aghalokpe, after which there will be a dinner party to round off the event which is first of its kind in the annals of the college.

DESOPADEC counsels oil communities

By Egufe Yafugborhi WARRI - THE Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has advised oil communities to embrace attitudinal change towards the maintenance of projects in their areas to enable the commission achieve the desired change.

The agency’s Executive Director, Projects, Phillip Gbason stated this in Warri yesterday, when he hosted Warri North leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, who paid a courtesy call to his office.

Gbason said: “The new DESOPADEC is already perfecting a sustainable development plan which supports a participatory needs assessment in which the communities determine what they want rather than projects being forced on them in order to avoid misplaced projects.

However, the change value in that policy will amount to nothing in an atmosphere where communities see public infrastructures as government property."

.... As Rivers govt advises corps members

P

By Davies Iheamnachor

ORT HARCOURT— THE Rivers State Government has advised National Youth Service Corps members, to focus more on self-employment, rather than white collar jobs to overcome the rising challenge of unemployment in the country.

Governor Nyesom Wike of the state, gave the advice yesterday, during the Passing Out Parade for over 4867, Batch C corps members who completed their national service year in the state.

Represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Kenneth Kobani, the governor said it was worthwhile that the corps members who had successfully completed their national service toputinpracticealltheyacquired during the service year.

According to the governor, the advice was necessitated by the challengesofunemploymentthat had been bedevilling the nation at the moment, stressing that youths needed to be selfemployment.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 , 2015

Appeal Court upholds Rep’s election

Abia govt, APGA bicker over tribunal judgments

By Chidi Nkwopara

By Anayo Okoli

U

O

MUAHIA—ABIA State Government has disagreed with the main opposition in the State, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, over the outcome the election petitions so far decided by the tribunals in the State.

All the cases so far decided, namely National Assembly and one House of Assembly went in favour of the PDP and APGA has protested the outcome. But PDP

WERRI—THE COURT of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital, has upheld the election of the member representing Mbaitoli/ Ikeduru federal constituency in the National Assembly, Mr. Henry Nwawuba, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Apparently dissatisfied with the ruling of the lower tribunal, Mr. Nwawuba and his counsel, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, approached the Appeal Court, urging it to determine if the trial judges were right in continuing the hearing of the petition, based on the petitioner’s inability to state his score.

Making his submission earlier at the Court of Appeal, Chief Ekomaru fiercely argued that the petitioner did not clearly state the scores earned by all the electoral contestants, in line with Section 41C of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Honourable Justice J. C. Ige of the Court of Appeal, Owerri, aligned himself with the submissions of the appellant’s counsel, Chief Ekomaru.

Justice Ige also agreed that the petition filed by Mr. I. B. Okafor, to challenge the election of Nwawuba, ab initio, lacked merit.

“The petitioner (Okafor) made the score of the election an issue, when he prayed the Tribunal to declare him the winner of the March 28, 2015, election.

said it saw the decisions of the tribunals as “no victor, no vanquished but victory for Abia people.”

The National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Oye who was in Umuahia Wednesday said that “there is anger all over the place and people are not happy with some outcome at the tribunal. As law abiding citizens, APGA will take it to its logical conclusion.

“It is not in APGA's character to disparage the judiciary. It is not in our character. We as political party, though not happy with some of

their judgment are going to pursue them up to the Court of Appeal.”

But Abia Government said it was disappointed by the “timid reactions of the members and supporters of the major opposition group who having lost out, took to the streets and resorted to violent demonstration as a reaction to thee rulings.”

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Godwin Adindu also alleged that APGA planned to import thugs into the State and

Pan-Igbo group accuses FG of neglect,marginalization of S/East ...laments plight of IDPs in the region

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—AN Igbo sociocultural group, the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, yesterday, accused successive administrations in Nigeria of a deliberate neglect and marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone.

The group at a World Press Conference in Enugu equally lamented that even though Ndigbo had suffered unquantifiable loss as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency, they have not been factored in the agenda for the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. President-General of the association, Chief Ebere Ubani who spoke alongside the Chairman, IDPs, South-East, Ozo Patrick Mba, also drew the attention of the world to what he called “latest unimaginable and deliberate marginalization of Ndigbo on the IDPs saga”.

The President alleged that the Igbo nation was still under siege by an unforgiveable authorities in Nigeria, which he said had culminated in the total abandonment of the South-East in

all infrastructural and developmental facets in order to keep the zone in perpetual underdevelopment and political slavery.

Ubani, however, lamented that whereas other IDPs were being catered for, the returnees had been left to roam helplessly in all the nooks and crannies of the South-East, where according to him “the political nomenclature on ground for whatever reasons has failed to take cognizance of these human tragedy.”

The group, while calling for an urgent need to open IDPs camp

in the South-East, further stated that it had started collection of names and addresses of the returnees.

“It becomes imperative to appeal to the Federal Government, the South-East governors and political leaders to live up to their vows and provide succour to these millions of displaced Ndigbo so that they will not end up like the Biafran ex-service men and women, who today liter major streets in the South-East".

instigate members of MASSOB against the state, saying that “their aim was to create an atmosphere of pandemonium so as to portray the state as being in crisis over the rulings that mostly favoured the ruling party, PDP.” According to Adindu, the alleged plan was “a desperate strategy directed entirely to blackmail the tribunal into perverting the course of justice by giving the impression that there is a total breakdown of law and order as a result of the tribunal rulings.

“The victories are not the victories of individual ambition or the victories of a party but the victories of the standards of democracy. To Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, it is the victory of our state over any fettering chain that will draw us backward.

“We have not won a war and therefore there are no captives and no prisoners of war. We have merely won the wishes of the people. We have only ensured that their hope and aspirations are not thwarted; that their divine mandate is not hijacked. The law and the tribunal have only defended the will and soul of the people of Abia and we are only witnesses to the smooth berth of the wheel of justice."

SON mounts campaign against substandard products in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, yesterday, in Anambra State carried out a road-show to educate the people against patronizing substandard products.

The four -kilometre road-show, which coincided with the World Standards Day, took off from the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka and took the over 300 participants

through the popular Zik’s Avenue and terminated at the premises of Paul University for a mini rally.

The officer in charge of SON in Awka, Mr. Albert Wilberforce, who was represented by Mr. Edet Essang, at the ceremony, said the organization had been in the forefront of ensuring that only good quality products were circulated in the country.

According to Essang, the essence of the road-walk was to

enlighten people on the need to be watchful about the products they purchase, adding that the circulation of substandard products affect the country’s economy adversely.

He said: “Before now, the level of compliance by importers and local manufacturers was poor, but with efforts by SON management to ensure that only genuine products were made available to Nigerians, the situation has improved considerably.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Oliseh & Enyeama disagreement

T

wo wrongs can never make a right. Oliseh bears the blame because he is the boss. A boss is like a father. He did not play a fatherly role in the matter. Even in the family, seniority is considered.

Enyeama is the most senior player. -Mr. Imoni Jesukri, Journalist

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O

liseh could have used Enyeama as a senior man to do some coordination in order for the new keeper and Musa to gather wealth of experience. Enyeama is important to the Super Eagles, whether we like it or not.

He is an icon. -Mr. Martin Dickson, Businessman

I

agree that Oliseh needs lessons in emotional intelligence, but it is necessary for him to let everybody in the camp know who is the boss. The grave yard is full of indispensable men, Enyeama should count his blessings. -Miss Okereke Olanma, Worker

I

t is also a question of morale. The coach must build morale and and foster a spirit of oneness in the team. If your players perceive you to be arrogant and disrespectful, why will they play hard to make you look good? -Mr. Emmanuel Chuddy, Self Employed

S

uper Eagles coach (Oliseh) does not have what it takes to manage men. If you are a good coach, your players will play for you. But if you are a bad coach, morale will dampen, and your players will not put in their best. -Mr. Chinedu Chinweoda, Worker

H

uman relations is a critical part of the coach’s job description.

Knowing how the game is played and how to develop talents are not enough.

You have to know how to get along with players. Mr. Enyinna Okpani, Sports Analyst

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 39

Taraba Assembly confirms 20 commissioners

By John Mkom

J

ALINGO—TARABA State House of Assembly has confirmed twenty commissioners into the executive council of the state.

The list of commissioners was

earlier sent to the state House of Assembly by Governor Darius Ishaku on October 8 for screening.

After three days of thorough screening by the lawmakers, all the nominees were confirmed to

be commissioners.

Briefing journalist after the confirmation of the commissioners, the speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Peter Abel Diah, said all the nominees fulfilled their constitutional requirements to be commissioners in the state.

The speaker also stated that

members of the state House of Assembly were happy with the choice of the commissioners appointed by the governor, as all genders and ages were well represented in the cabinet.

He said the thorough screening was not aimed at intimidating or victimizing the nominees but to ascertain their ability to perform, if confirmed.

“The old, the young and women are well represented in the cabinet and is a welcome development.''

MTN Foundation to impact 200 communities

By Dave Oso

T

HE MTN Foundation (MTNF) has announced the closure of nominations for the # W h a t C a n We D o To g e t h e r campaign, following thousands of entries already received.

The next phase of the campaign, which will commence soon, will see 200 deserving communities selected for positive impact.

Launched as parts of efforts to reach out to more Nigerians, the nomination that was opened for three weeks, ended on October 9, 2015 after a huge number of communities have been nominated

by Nigerians, who participated in the process.

Speaking on the high level of participation in the process, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma said; “We at MTNF are indeed pleased with the massive participation of Nigerians in nominating the community of their choice.

Nigerians have partnered with the Foundation to ensure that this initiative is a success and we are glad with the responses we received.

“The short listing process has begun and the top 200 communities with the highest nominations will be selected to benefit from 200 projects across 200 LGAs in the country. These projects will include the provision of school furniture, boreholes, transformers or household items for orphanages in such communities.”

According to Nonny, this initiative is a demonstration of the Foundation’s firm commitment to continue complimenting government’s efforts in ways that can improve project development in various communities across the country.

“The short listing process has begun and the top 200 communities with the highest nominations will be selected to benefit from 200 projects across 200 LGAs in the country. These projects will include the provision of school furniture, boreholes, transformers or household items for orphanages in such communities.” ''This initiative is a demonstration of the Foundation’s firm commitment to continue complimenting government’s efforts in ways that can improve project development in various communities across the country.

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EXHIBITION: Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) Leadership, Ambassador Olusegun Apata (left), Chairman, Ben Langat (2nd left), Managing Director presenting 5Alive Pulpy Orange Fruit Drink to Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (right), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, MON, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (2nd right) and former South African President, Thabo Mbeki (middle), at NBC exhibition during the 43rd Annual General Meeting of MAN.

Ortom charges security agencies to arrest child kidnapping syndicate in Benue

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — BOTHERED by the increasing cases of child abduction in Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom, has urged security agencies in the state to assist the government track down the syndicate.

He gave the charge yesterday when some mothers whose children were recently kidnapped in the state, visited

him in Makurdi, the state capital.

Ortom said: “Benue cannot afford to be a safe haven for kidnappers as well as other criminals, kidnapping of even one child or adult is certainly not acceptable here.

“To check this ugly development, we shall, as a government do all in our powers to support and collaborate with the security agencies to track the kidnappers and

rescue the children.”

The governor enjoined police officers on patrol to always scrutinize commuters with the realization that not all people conveying children in their vehicles were the rightful parents or guardians.

He expressed sympathy and solidarity with families of the abducted children, and restated the commitment of his administration to secure the lives and property of the citizenry.

Nigeria to serve as host of WSOA Secretariat ...As Orji Kalu emerges Interim President

By Godfrey Bivbere

N

IGERIA is to host the secretariat of World Ship Owners Association, WSOA, following the resolution of the initial meeting of global shipowners in Washington DC, USA, early this month.

The group also appointed Nigeria ‘s Forbes billionaire and President of Slok Group, Orji Uzor Kalu, as President of the interim management, pending the election of substantive officials at the proposed Marine Conference scheduled for Greece in the third quarter of 2017.

In attendance at the initial

meeting in USA were mainly owners of container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, fishing vessels, barges, specialized ships and ferries from 29 countries, including the United States of America, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Russia, Nigeria, Denmark, Norway.

In a press statement signed by WSOA’s interim Director of Strategy and Communications, Isaac Marshall, the group acknowledged the efforts of stakeholders in advocating regional and international cooperation among national and regional bodies towards the

growth and development of marine business globally.

It noted that the association would primarily serve as the universal representative of the shipping industry worldwide.

The Interim President is to be supported by Romanian Forbes billionaire, Gabriel Popoviciu (Treasurer), Isaac Marshall (Director, Strategy and Communications), Mr. Thomas Cheng (Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs), Al-Fayed Hassan (Head of Membership and Partnerships), Tiffany Richmond (Head of Administration and Legal), all serving in acting capacities.

Give peace a chance, Bello urges Kogi central people

By Kingsley Fanwo

C

HAIRMAN, Fair Plus Group, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on the people of Kogi Central to give peace a chance and maintain the reputation of the Ebira nation as peace loving people.

Bello made the call in an exclusive chat with Vanguard at Okene, saying the crisis rocking Okene was unfortunate and didn’t reflect the true spirit of peace for which Ebira people were known.

“I want to passionately appeal to my Ebira brothers and sisters to let peace reign in Ebiraland. It pains and hurts our national ego as a people when we are in the news for the wrong reasons.

“The current crisis rocking our land is unfortunate.

Violence is all about using our best to do the worst to ourselves. We must choose development over violence at all times. We want an environment that will be conducive enough to attract massive investments into the highly blessed Kogi Central.

IPAC CRISIS: Exchairman urges Zakari to learn from Prof Jega

By Chris Ochayi

A

B U J A — IMMEDIATE past Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Dr. Tanko Yusuf, has bemoaned the current leadership of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over alleged command overbearing influence on the affairs of the agency, which he described a serious aberration.

Dr. Yusuf, who made the remarks while reacting to leadership crisis rocking the agency, was emphatic that IPAC is an independent body and so INEC has no power or role to play under its Code of Conduct.

Yusuf, who also the National Chairman of National Conscience Party, NCP, therefore, called on the acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs. Amina Zakari to learn from her predecessor, Professor Attahiru Jega and desist from meddling in the life of IPAC .

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

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AKPABIO'S VICTORY: Mrs Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio (2nd left); Akwa Ibom State Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Obong Paul Ekpo (3rd left), and others jubilating after the tribunal upheld Senator Akpabio's election in Abuja, yesterday.

OKOGIE LECTURES: From left— Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Pius Sinebe; His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos; His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, Bishop of Ilorin Diocese; and former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama, at the 8th Annual Anthony Cardinal Okogie Lecture/Foundation on 2015 Elections: Implications for Nigeria's Democracy, in Lagos.

CIPM CONFAB: From left— Past President, Mr. Abiola Popoola; Registrar/CEO, Mr. Sunday Adeyemi; Vice President, Mr. Udom Inoyo, and President/Chairman of Council, Mr. Anthony Arabome, all of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management CIMP, during the institute's 47th annual national conference in Abuja, yesterday.

VISIT: From left— Group Managing Director, SO&U, Chairman, APCON, Mr. Udeme Ufot; Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN, Goddie Ofose; Editor, Billboard Magazine, Mrs Maureen Umanah, and Janet Udogu of Billboard Magazine, during a courtesy visit to APCON Chairman in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

FOR HIV/AIDS: From left— Mr. Falu, representing the General Manager, Health Management Board; Territorial Sales Manager North, Total Group, Mr. Murphy Balogun; Corporate Affairs Manager, Total Nigeria Plc, Albert Mabuyaku; Executive Chairman, Area Council FCT Nig., Dr. Peter Usafa, and General Manager, CSR/SD Total Upstream, Dr. Charles Ngeribara, during the launch of the expanded Community HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Preventive Education project in Abuja.

FOURSQUARE: From left— Ishaga Zonal Secretary, Rev. Biodun Adeyewa; Sabo Oniba Zonal Superintendent, Rev. Godwin Onofomi; Ishaga Zonal Superintendent, Rev. Oluwakemi Oluwaleye, and Rev. Foluke Onofomi, during the inauguration of Foursquare Gospel Church, Ishaga Zone and installation of Zonal Superintendent in Mushin, Lagos.

SPANFEST: From left— Founder, Sarah Bulos; Vice Chairman, Funmi Olajoyegbe, both of Society for the Performing Arts of Nigeria, SPAN; Helen Epega of The Venus Bushfires and Coordinator, Indomie Fans Club, Faith Joshua, at a briefing on SPANFEST 2015 in Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

BRIEFING: From left— Mr. Bashir Braimah, GM, Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Ajibade Bade-Adebowale; Permanent Secretary, Information and Strategy, Mr. Fola Adeyemi, and Permanent Secretary, Transportation, Mr. Seyi Whenu, during a briefing on traffic gridlock in Lagos, at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOMBER 16 , 2015—41

Boko Haram: Nigeria welcomes US aid to Cameroun

N

IGERIA, yesterday, welcomed a US decision to send up to 300 military personnel to Cameroon to help the regional fight against Boko Haram, despite having itself requested more direct help from Washington.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, said the deployment was a “welcome development” while the military said it demonstrated cooperation was needed against the Islamists.

US President Barack Obama, Thursday, said 90 personnel had already been sent and the full contingent would conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

“The United States has given the pledge to support the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria and in the region,” Shehu told AFP by telephone. This is the fulfilment of that pledge and we are very happy about it.

The United States’ move is quite commendable.”

Military spokesman Colonel Rabe Abubakar added: “This is how the fight can be done collectively with partners

cooperating with us to fight against a common cause - terrorism - which has been ravaging the region for some time now.

We appeal to other nations to emulate the good example of the United States. The United States has experience in fighting terrorism.

Fighting terrorism is not one nation’s issue. It requires a global effort. We all need to work together to fight this evil.”

Buhari, who took office in May has vowed to end the insurgency in December and on Wednesday met the US military ’s Africa Command chief General David Rodriguez in Abuja.

He has spearheaded efforts for a new, fivenation fighting force against Boko Haram. The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) was due to be deployed in late July but the deadline passed with no new date announced for it to start.

The US announcement comes after the Islamic State group-allied militants have increased attacks against civilians using suicide bombers in

border areas of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Diplomatic relations between Abuja and Washington were strained under Buhari’s predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, over the United States’ refusal to sell weapons to Nigeria.

Buhari repeated those criticisms in July on a visit to the US capital, asserting the embargo - in place because of his military’s human rights record - was helping Boko Haram.

Washington last year provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance expertise to Nigeria in the hunt for more than 200 girls abducted from their school.

ANNUAL DINNER/LECTURE: From left, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, National President, Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBO), Dr. Umar Abdulmuttallab and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Balabantex, at the annual dinner/lecture of BOBA at the Hassan Usman Katsina House, Kaduna on Wednesday. Photo by Olu Ajayi.

We are blocking unregistered SIM cards to track criminals —Dambatta

By Emmanuel Elebeke

E

XECUTIVE Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta has disclosed that the commission’s decision to block all unregistered SIM

cards was to assist security agencies monitor criminals.

Prof. Danbatta, made the disclosure, yesterday, while speaking at the NCC Day at the ongoing International Trades Fair in Abuja.

The EVC, who was represented by the Head of Public Affairs in the Commission, Reuben Mouka, said it was dangerous for subscribers

Caleb Varsity holds 5th convocation

C

ALEB University, Imota, Lagos State, will on Saturday hold its fifth convocation ceremony at its main campus in Imota from 10:00am.

The event, which will hold at the multipurpose hall will have 291 graduating students from the 13 degree programmes in the three colleges of the university.

Speaking with newsmen at a preconvocation press conference to herald the convocation of the university, the ViceChancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, disclosed that the first set of products of the University’s College of Postgraduate Studies will graduate nine with M.Sc. degree in Architecture, thirteen of the graduands are in first class.

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to use phone lines that do not bear their identities because of the security implications and warn them to stay clear.

“We have severally informed subscribers that it is dangerous to use phone lines that do not bear your identity because it may have been registered by a criminal. On the other hand, you should not give out your identity to be used by somebody who you do not know.

Therefore, you need keep your phones secure at all times”, said the NCC boss.

Also in his remarks, the Deputy Director Consumers Affairs in the Commission, Mr Femi Atoyebi, said the Comission had commenced monitoring of call data of suspected kidnappers and insurgents and had been

forwarding same to appropriate security operatives.

He said the commission had been working with security operatives on the fight against insurgency and kidnapping, and would stop at nothing to provide all the necessary support to rid the country of all forms of communication related crimes.

“We are not telling anybody this because the issue borders on security which is sensitive.”

He lamented that telecoms sector remains one of major victims of insurgency and criminal elements, leading to vandaliization of operators’ facilities, especially in the northeast and called on citizens to join hands in protecting them as critical infrastructure of the nation.

Buhari in closed door meeting with Abdusalami

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—Former Military Head of State, Gen. Abudusalami Abubakar, yesterday, held a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting which held in the president’s office in the presidential villa lasted about 30 minutes upon the arrival of the former head of state at about

3:30 pm.

Abubakar did not speak to journalists after the meeting as it was said to be a private meeting between him and the president.

It was not known whether the visit of Abdusalami who is the chairman of the National Peace Committee, set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan to midwife a peaceful 2015 general election had anything to do with the Committee’s assignment.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 43

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MODEME—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Beauty Keoliseyenum Modeme, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Beauty Keoliseyenum Asemiewalen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwosu Sonia Ejeoma Tivere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojevwe Sonia Ejeoma Tivere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I Y I N B O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Iyinbor Elizabeth Odegua, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iduoze Elizabeth Odegua. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGHOTA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Laura Oke Ighota, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Laura Oke Awhariado. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPONUMETA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bridget Ajirioghene Akponumeta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Ajirioghene Ejeneha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ATIFE—I, formerly known and addressed as Atife Vwegba Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Akpotitiemu Vwegba Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Peace Onya Ali, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Peace Onya Ali-Eche. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

KALU —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kalu Helen Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ama Helen Oluchi.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

N WA N KW O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Tochi Hilda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uche Tochi Hilda. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corp, IMSUTH and general public, please take note.

OKAFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okafor Francisca Chinelo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umeunegbu Francisca Chinelo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

STEPHEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Stephen Summerset, now wish to be known and addressed as Stephen Ingbeduba Summerset Tintinbo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGONIBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O g o n i b a Magdalene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. M a g d a l e n e Wellington Dick. All former documents remain valid. First Bank Plc and General public please take note.

STANLEY—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Briggs Stanley Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faith Williams Sinizibe Uku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONOJOVWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Matilda Afokoghene Onojovwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Matilda Afokoghene FureOnojovwo. All former documents remain valid.

Presentation National High School, Benin City, FieldCrest International School, EketeWater side and General public please take note.

OMOLE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omole Grace Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeniran Grace Kikelomo. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force, Akwa-Ibom State Polytechnic Ikot-Osurua, Federal Polytehnic Nassarawa and general public please take note.

CHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwu Theresa Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Theresa Ogochukwu Nanakumo. All former documents remain valid.

Federal University Otuoke and general public pleas take note.

ERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Hannah Ere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hannah Omonibo Ganagana. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKITI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sophia Benson Okiti, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sophia Edumnd Egule. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I, Adeniji Adedeji am the same person as Adeniji Tajudeen Adedeji. I now wish to be addressed as Adeniji Tajudeen Adedeji as appeared on my driver’s license and certificates. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONOJOVWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Master Jeffrey Iruoghene Onojovwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Master Jeffrey Iruoghene FureOnojovwo. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Government College Warri, FieldCrest International Schools, Ekete Waterside and General public please take note.

ONYEABOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Nneka Onyeabor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Nneka Udeanomaka. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

Confirmation of name

I W U O G O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Iwuogo Prisca Kelechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bright Prisca Kelechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that Okekwuo Adaure Joy Chinaza, Okekwuo Adaure Joy and Okekwuo Chinaza Joy is the same and one person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Okekwuo Adaure Joy Chinaza. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name

This is to certify that Giant Ayohworode and Giant Omonigho is the same and one person but now wish to be known and addressed as Giant Omonigho.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMENALO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edith Obumneke Emenalo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ujunwa Henry Edith Obumneke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

This is to confirm that Rabiatu Muhammed Sule, Umar Hauwa Tedman, Umar Abdullahi Tedman are the same persons, also known and addressed as Rabiatu Umar Tedman, Hauwa Umar Tedman, Abdullahi Umar Tedman. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa Plc and the general public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the name Gabriel Umukoro, refers to one and the same person as Gabriel Abiri. But now wish to be known and addressed as Gabriel Abiri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NEMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nemi Toritseju Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aghogho Toritseju Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPRARAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akprarah Ruth Orevaoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Unuovorhaye Ruth Orevaoghene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KALU-AGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kalu-Agwu Florence C., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awomuti Florence Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aka Patience Ndidi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogbolu Patience Ndidi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Julia Ephraim Adam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Julia Obot. All former documents remain valid. United Bank for Africa Plc and the general public please take note.

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44 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

New Hijrah celebration

Muharram 3, 1437 A.H.

Make your Hajj a turning point in your life

T

HE divine call to visit the Makkah al-mukarrama is in fulfillment of the fifth pillar of Islam. A Muslim is expected to fulfill the call once in a lifetime especially when the means and wherewithal are available, saying the slogan:”Labayka Lahuma labayk,” which means “I am here O’ Allah to obey your call.”

For all those who had just returned from the Holy pilgrimage, they should show gratitude to Allah. This is because it is a golden opportunity to have one’s sins forgiven, to be refined and become a new being. Also using the occasion to pray for the soul of all those who died in the course of obeying the call of Allah.

May Allah grant them all Al-janah Firdaus. Amin.

Pleasure of Allah The Hujjaj are blessed in the sense that going by the words of prophet Muhammad (s.a.w): “Whoever performs Hajj for the Pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it (free from sin) as the day on which his mother gave birth to him.” — Bukhari, wa Muslim. Another one which always strikes me is that: “Verily, there shall be no reward for a Mabroor Hajj except Jannah.” —Bukhari, Muslim.

May Allah make us candidates of Janah. May Allah make it possible for me to be part of the pilgrims next year. Amin.

Hajj is considered a blessing

and honor, while the Al-hajj becomes a role model and epitome of good deeds. His life changes from good to better and he becomes diligent in fulfilling Allah’s commandment; his love and inclination towards the Hereafter increases and love for the worldly pleasures decline.

One thing that should be uppermost in his mind is the readiness to shun all evil deeds, he should remember that Allah has obliterated his sins and he should not immerse himself in sin so as not to void his good works.

He should try his best to fulfill the obligations laid down by Allah and avoid all forbidden things by Him. He has to be conscious of Allah at all times, observe his prayers (salat) as and when due, pay zakah/charity, fast when it is required and show kindness to people. And when ye have completed your devotions, then remember Allah as ye remember

Whoever performs Hajj for the Pleasure of Allah and therein utters no word of evil, nor commits any evil deed, shall return from it (free from sin) as the day on which his mother gave birth to him

your fathers or with a more lively remembrance (Quran 2: 200) Also consider what Allah says again in Quran 90:200, Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed. Fulfill the covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted, and break not your oaths after the asseveration of them, and after ye have made Allah surety over you. Lo! Allah knoweth what ye do. (An-Nahl: 90-91) Importantly, you should be steadfast and guard this great deed against things that could nullify it.

Would one of you like to have a garden of palm trees and grapevines underneath which rivers flow in which he has from every fruit? But he is afflicted with old age and has weak offspring, and it is hit by a whirlwind containing fire and is burned. Thus Does Allah Make clear to you [His] verses that you might give thought.

Quran 2:266

Picture of a rich man

The lesson here is for those who did good deeds and then regressed replacing good deeds with evil ones. There was also an hadith which draws a picture of a rich man who did good acts out of obedience of Allah but he was not steadfast and the devil got upon him and he committed sins till all his good deeds were lost. We seek refuge with Allah The Exalted from this.

You can’t afford to let the extra-ordinary acts of worships in Kaaba; Arafat among others to be wished away by evil acts; you just have to be determined to make your Hajj a turning point in your life.

I hope those who have gone to Hajj learnt good lessons from this journey, apply all these in their daily lives and be charitable towards other Muslims.

We beseech Allah with all the name He named Himself and Hisbeautifulattributes to accept your Hajj, reward you for your efforts and make it easy for those of us who are anxious to go.

May Allah gives us the steadfastness and uprightness to gain The tallest man, Sultan Kosen, a Turkish farmer, in Hajj 1436 A.H Al-Janah. Amin.

C M Y K

From right: Dr AbdulHakeem Dodo,Sheikh Abdullah Akinbode, Chief Missioner, NASFAT, Alh Mahroof Azeez Onike, Dep Chief Missioner, NASFAT, Alh Najeemdeen Salman, Alh Akeem Khair, Alh Daud Oniyide during a special lecture to mark the begining of new Hijrah 1437 held in Alausa, Ikeja recently.

From right: Sheikh Laidi Orunsolu, Chief Imam of Egbaland, Dr. Samusideen Ayanwale (Chairman) Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola, Guest lecturer and commandant Isikeel Makinde, College Provost during the fifth edition of New Hijrah 1437 Public Lectures by Muslims Community of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps held at the Corps College OkeMosan Abeokuta, recently. BY WUNMI AKINOLA

NASF AT Zak aat and Sadaqah ASFA Zakaat

A beneficiary (middle) flanked by the GM of National Agency for Zakaat and Sadaqah, NAZAS, Alh Abeeb Ahmed and a Director of the agency, Alh Mustapha Bello

Beneficiary of Zakat (middle) flanked by organisers

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 45

Muharram 3, 1437 A.H.

Hajj Stampede: Let us reschedule our ‘stoning' rite — Hassan JUST as the number of Nigerian Pilgrims who died while performing this year’s hajj as a result of the stampede continued to increase while several others still declared missing, the Amir Hajj for Osun State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board, Zikrulahi Olakunle Hassan, who also doubles as Chairman of the State Pilgrims Board as well as Chairman of the Forum of Chairmen and Secretaries of the Pilgrims Welfare Boards in the country, in this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, said the issue of timing for the stoning should be looked into. Excerpts.

O

N this year’s hajj operations This year’s hajj is unique in number of ways. One, it is a hajj where the pilgrims went through severe weather condition. The temperature at a time rose to almost 50 degree celsius. It was very hot.

There was also severe heat in Madinah.

When we got to Arafah and Mina, it was also heat all the way.

The second remarkable thing about this hajj is the unfortunate number of deaths recorded. The first tragic incidence was the falling of the crane at the Holy Kaaba, It was a blow as over 100 people died.

That was the first incident that got many people scared, but as Muslims that we are, it did not stop people from going to the Kaaba.

Immediately, the area it happened was cordoned off, people continued with their acts of worship. People were not deterred or frightened by death, they moved on.

The truth as people died, Janazah prayers were held after every salat in Haram and that did not keep people away. So the good and positive side of it is that people still have the yearnings to pray there despite the unfortunate incident.

Unfortunate incident Another incident was the stampede that happened on the way to Jamarat , where pilgrims throw stones after leaving Arafah and Muzadlifah in the morning.

That incident was also baffling, because it also put people on their toes and frightening too, but again, it happened around past nine in the morning. Immediately after it happened, people still had the strong desire to go and perform their rituals.

What I am saying is that as unexpected and monumental the incidences were, they did not prevent people from performing their acts of worship.

I think these are the issues we should all look at in order to prevent a repeat of such incidences with a forum coming out to present the position of Muslims.

As we speak today, there are people who are still missing and those issues of missing people are issues that we will need also to resolve I am saying so because Saudi is not a place where rituals are practiced and so there is no

going to perform hajj; no Arab nation comes close to us in term of allocation of pilgrims every year. The first is Indonesia; they have the largest number of contingent, as they have the highest number of Muslims in the world. Then India followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh and then Nigeria. So, if they doubled the allocation to us, it will still not be adequate like every other country too, but they reduced the allocation to allow us to be able to use the available space pending when construction work will be suspended and also to achieve the time frame they have set for themselves.

Some have argued that why can’t they just stop construction during the pilgrimage, but it might interest you to know that immediately after the hajj, some people are also there

basis for suspecting that people had been taken for ritual purpose; it does not happen there.

Again, Saudi is a place where you have light everywhere, so dead bodies would not have been hidden anywhere for any purpose. Certainly not. So, why are people missing? These are issues we need to resolve.

And because there were no enough mortuaries for corpses and there was no preservation method of preserving bodies, that was why after some changes on the bodies, people could not recognise them again, and yet the

Major luggage

They needed to expand the place and that was why those machines were there.

They gave themselves some targets and in doing so reduced 20% across board on pilgrims from all over the world. If you look at it, Nigerian Muslims still need more seats •Zikrulahi Olakunle Hassan person is not receiving medical attention in any hospital, hence they declared them missing.

However, it is more reassuring that you have somebody who is dead than to say the person is missing.

On number of Osun pilgrims involved We were lucky that we returned with all the pilgrims we took from Osun state as nobody died either naturally or through accidents that occurred. But I should be concerned as there are other Nigerian pilgrims and Muslims from all over the world that died.

I will say we were lucky not because of our expertise or carefulness, but because Allah in His mercy spared our lives in Osun State.

On how to prevent reoccurrence of the Jamarah incident I don’t want to be forceful about this, we have no choice in the

thunder storm, but I think there are ways to make the machines more secured and in the event that such happened, the damaged will be minimal.

Now, on the Jamarah case, I think again, it will be more reasonable for us to look at a time when we know that the crowd could be less on the road. The issue of what happened was about the crowd and over rowdiness.

I am sure some Muslims would want to die in Makkah, but certainly, not that way. I don’t know of anybody that will want to be killed in a stampede or die in pains as that. I think what we need to do and I am sure we work on that at our own level here in Nigeria is to look at the possibility of throwing stones at a time when the crowd is less.

Statistically, there are times when the crowd are more and used to be after the morning prayer of Subhi.

When we left Muzdalifah, we went back to the tent in Mina before going for the stoning later in the day. In that way, the crowd was less.

On the early return of Osun State pilgrims from Saudi this year We had the support of our air carrier, Med view Airline, I must say the airline as headed by Alhaji Muneer Bankole is classically efficient. They were classical in their movement. We had an agreement which they kept to, even much more than 100%. I remember Med-view was ready the first day that once we got back to Makkah, everybody gets ready to return home.

matter or have control over it. The cranes encircled the entire place and it was difficult for anyone to say one particular place was safe or not.

So, if you look at such situations, our choices were very minimal, the only choice you had was to possibly stay in your hotel, but again, we also know people die in their sleep.

In fairness to them, as Muslim Ummah all over the world grow, every Muslim’s desire to go to there must be allowed to come to pass. They needed to expand the place and that was why those machines were there. They gave themselves some targets and in doing so reduced 20% across board on pilgrims from all over the world. If you look at it, Nigerian Muslims still need more seats. It will interest you to know that we are number five in the entire world in terms of Muslims

performing Umurah. So, it is a house like a typical hospital that is never closed. So, people worship in Haram 24 hours all through the year.

So, in a way the situation was almost beyond them as people scrambled to get visa to answer the call of Allah. The crane has to be there so that work will go on.

What we learnt was that in two years time they would have done substantial work and construction will stop. But what is going to happen is that in another ten years time, the yearning for more allocation will also be there. And also we can not prevent natural occurrence, I think with what they told us , if the crane had been stationary, instead of it moving, perhaps the damage would not occurred.

But, I think they need to do more of an engineering effort to prevent such disaster. We know natural occurrence is not preventable like

On our side, we got our pilgrims ready by getting their minds prepared as their major luggage have been shifted away from Makkah even before we left for Mina . So, we got ready but let me say we had an agreement with Med-view Airline and they were up to the task.

On expectations from the board in subsequent hajj operations If I have my way, I will want a hajj where my pilgrims spend one week in Madinah, one week before we go to Mina for hajj proper and the third day after our arrival we move back home.

But, there are areas we want to improve upon. I look forward to a situation where pilgrims will travel without having to carry any food and where we will be able to secure a caterer that can make available what they will want to eat.

This year, we were able to provide breakfast and dinner for our pilgrims, though it was not subsidized, we factored it into the cost of the hajj. We got a caterer there who provided the food, but I must say that we need more local content in the food that will make the pilgrims not miss home.

Our plan is to increase the meal from two to three so that our pilgrims will not have reason to travel carrying food to Saudi during hajj. I will also want a situation we give more enlightenment on hajj rites. What we did there was not enough. We discovered that most of the pilgrims cannot recite the Quran well. All in all, we give thanks to Allah.

C M Y K

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Diversify lending to various sectors, CBN tells banks

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

T

HE CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has urged Deposit Money banks, DMBs, to diversify their lending to include various sectors of the economy.

The Director of Risk Management of CBN, Ms. Folakemi Fatogbe, who addressed banks’ risk mangers at a roundtable in Abuja, yesterday, said concentrating lending in oil and gas, considered as the nation’s milk cow, could have grave consequences at a period like this when oil prices had crashed.

“Nigeria needs to continue to diversify its economy and stop its reliance on oil revenue.

Whilst this diversification requires strong leadership, good policies and political will, it also requires money.

“Ironically, income from oil is required to diversify Nigeria’s economy - to fill the infrastructure gap, to provide power and to create and grow other industries that are holding the country back.

“Infrastructure is the backbone of any country, generating jobs, improving the quality of life for the poor and boosting economic growth.

“Risk managers are uniquely placed in closing the long-term infrastructure financing gap by helping to identify and de-risk areas of market failure in order to bring in the private sector," she said.

After 11 months, PDP holds NEC meeting ...approves zoning of 2019 presidency to north ...urges FG to address Nigerians on state of the economy ...stops pressure for North East to continue as Chairman

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—NATIONAL Executive Committee, NEC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, approved the recommendation that the 2019 Presidential election be zoned to the North.

The National Caucus and Board of Trustees, BoT, of the PDP had also adopted the recommendation that the north should produce the next president on the platform of the PDP. Yesterday’s 67th NEC meeting, which was the first since the PDP lost the March 28 presidential election, came 11 months after the last one was held, September 19, 2014.

There was, however, mild

drama at the meeting as Vanguard gathered that efforts by the North East to sponsor a motion through an executive member from the Borno to make case for the zone to complete the tenure of the zone following the resignation of Adamu Muazu as Chairman was frustrated and this generated tension.

Earlier in his address, PDP acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on the state of the economy said, “ we call on the Federal Government to come out straight with Nigerians on the state of our economy, which is gradually sliding into recession.

“It appears that the lack of an economic direction and remedial

actions from the government is having a debilitating effect on the economy. Jobs are being lost and small businesses are closing shops as a result of the lack of constructive economic engagement from the APC government.”

Reading a communique at the end of the meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said: "After thorough consideration of the report of the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Post Election Review Committee, the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, resolves as follows: NEC adopted the recommendations of the Post Election Review Committee with amendments.

“NEC approved the recommendation of the Post Election Review

PROGRAMME: From left, John Jesse, Student, Samsung Engineering Academy; Ms. Diana Ussher, Human Resource Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa; Okafor Nkem, Student, Samsung Engineering Academy; Mr. Charles Ojei, Director, Enterprise Business, Samsung Electronics West Africa, and Mr. Columbus Favour, Student, Samsung Engineering Academy, during the company’s Employee Volunteer Programme, entitled, 'Launching People,' at Samsung Engineering Academy, Agidingbi, Lagos.

Dogara receives EU observer report on 2015 elections ....Approves independent candidates for future elections

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday, said that the fourth constitution amendment bill would be re-transmitted to the president for assent.

The Speaker in a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, stated this when he received report of the 2015 elections European Union Observer Mission in Nigeria from the Chief Observer, Mr. Santiago Fisas in his office.

He said the constitution alteration bill was forwarded to former president Goodluck Jonathan, but was not assented

to till the end of the last assembly.

Dogara said, the bill was still very much alive in the National Assembly as both chambers had provided savings for such legislation after amending their standing rules and that they would not commence afresh.

According to him: “I wish to inform you that some of the recommendations by the mission such as independent candidature has received the support of the National Assembly.”

Dogara told the EU delegation that the National Assembly had made provisions for independent candidates in the bill which was also supported by overwhelming vote of 2/3 majority of the state Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.

He, however, regretted that “it is one of the casualties of the nonsigning of the bill by the former President. I want to assure you that we will definitely revisit that amendment as it increases the democratic space and more citizen participation in the electoral process.”

He further said that Nigeria “is committed to the growing of a robust democracy that not only meets domestic aspirations, but indeed that which stands the test of international best practices in a world that has been reduced into a global village.”

He commended the EU for supporting the growth of democracy in Nigeria, especially through the committed participation of its Observer Mission in Nigeria’s 2015

general election.

In his submission, Mr. Santiago Fisas, who was accompanied by the EU ambassador to Nigeria, said the report contained 30 recommendations aimed at helping Nigeria to do better in subsequent elections.

He said the EU was not trying to impose anything on Nigeria, but that the recommendations were in line with both Nigerian and international law.

Among the recommendations was that the process of appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should be independent.

They also called for reviewing of voting procedure, which separated time of voting and that of accreditation.

Committee that the party should seek its 2019 presidential candidate from the north of Nigeria to enhance its electoral chances.

“NEC approved the biometric registration of members nationwide.

"NEC approved that the party will support and fight for our candidates in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

“NEC thanked the leaders, elected and appointed officials of the party and members nationwide for their commitment to the party, especially the progress of the National Working Committee, NWC, with regard to the rebuilding efforts.

“NEC noted and commended the activities of the party’s publicity in its constructive and robust engagement of the ruling party and urged it to continue in that regard.

“NEC assures that the PDP will continue to ensure credible, issuebased opposition as well as strict adherence to democratic tenets and the supremacy of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“NEC reassures on the repositioning of the party to regain its pre-eminence in the polity and return to power at the centre in 2019.”

Also speaking at the meeting, governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, who took a swipe at critics of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said that for him conceding victory does not make the election a perfect one.

Speaking at the 67th NEC meeting, Mimiko, who noted that Jonathan voluntarily surrendered power for the sake of the survival of the country, said that after a thorough scientific and forensic analysis of the election, the truth about the election should be clear for all to see.

He said: “I also want to use this opportunity to thank the former president and remind us that it is also very important that for those who seek to rubbish his legacy and rubbish everything that he represents, that if there had been no Nigeria, there will be no government to rubbish Jonathan.

“We thank God for the sacrifice he made. You all know that given the option, many PDP people would have wanted to contest that election because the fact that he had admitted or conceded victory does not mean that that election was one of the best we have ever had in this country.

“And I am sure in the fullness of time, after a forensic, deep forensic analysis is done of our 2915 election, all the deficiencies and irregularities will come to the surface."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—47

Uvwie monarch eulogises late Olu of Warri

PayPorte celebrates anniversary with Adamawa IDPs

H

RM Emmanuel Ekemejewan Sideso, Abe I, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State, has described the death of Itsekiri monarch, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, as a blow that has created a gap in the country’s traditional institution.

The Uvwie monarch made the remark in a letter of condolence to the Olu Advisory Council, when he led a delegation of Uvwie chiefs to the palace of the Itsekiri monarch in Warri.

In the letter read by the Usawre of Ekpan, High Chief Victor Otomiewo, the Uvwie monarch also congratulated the Oludesignate, Prince Godfrey Abiloye Emiko, wishing him God’s blessing and guidance as he prepares for coronation as the 20th Olu of the Itsekiri nation.

Bauchi APC Chair advocates reorientation

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—BAUCHI State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Uba Nana, has advocated the reorientation of Nigerians to support Federal Government’s effort in winning the war against corruption.

He made the call, yesterday, at the NorthEast summit and rally on anti-corruption organized by Buhari Youth Organization in Bauchi.

He said for the country to succeed in its crusade against corruption and other offences, citizens must serve as role models and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the entire system for the economic development.

A

PAYPORTE: Management team of PayPorte Global Systems, an online retail store; officials of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, at the Malkohi camp, Yola, Adamawa State, during PayPorte's first anniversary celebration with IDPs.

Benue gets N28bn CBN bail out fund

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—BENUE State government has received N28 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as its share of the bailout fund from the Federal Government for payment of backlog of salaries to workers.

The government had, few days ago, announced the receipt of N15.5 billion from CBN for the payment of local government staff, adding that the balance of N12.5 billion for the payment of the arrears of the state workers was received last Wednesday.

Governor Samuel Ortom, who announced the receipt of the fund in Makurdi through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Terver Akase, stated that a committee had been set up to handle the disbursement of the funds to workers without delay.

He said the committee would be headed by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Benson Abounu, while the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Targema Takema and the State Head of Service, Adaikwu Inwata, would be members.

Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Finance,

representatives of academic and non-academic staff unions of the state-owned tertiary institutions and representatives of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Benue State chapters.

Lalong lauds Plateau NYSC members

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—GOVERNOR Simon Lalong of Plateau State has commended the 1,700 Batch ‘C’ National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members, who completed their service year yesterday, for the positive impacts they made in their host communities.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Professor Sonni Tyoden, who addressed the corps members during their passing out parade at Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos, noted that they recorded achievements in education, health care delivery, rural transformation, social services and agriculture in various parts of the state.

He said: “We will not forget in a hurry the noble role

Kwara Perm Sec summoned over unkempt hedges

I

LORIN—KWARA State House of Assembly, yesterday, summoned the Supervising Permanent Secretary in charge of Ministry of Environment, Mrs Rhoda Ajiboye, to appear before it.

The summons followed a motion by Alhaji Ahmed lbn-

Mohammed (APC, KaimaWajibe) on the overgrown flowers and weeds on road divides in Ilorin.

The lawmaker said the Permanent Secretary should give reason for allowing overgrown flowers on some major road medians in llorin.

Ibn-Mohammed, who

Governor Ortom was quoted as urging the committee to ensure that the payment of workers commenced immediately.

He added that all matters relating to the backlog be effectively addressed.

spoke under matters of urgent public importance, said the overgrown flowers on the road medians were obstructing the views of motorists and pedestrians.

He said there was need for urgent action to prevent accidents and save the lives of residents.

played by the outgoing NYSC members in ensuring that the 2015 general elections were free and credibly.”

Earlier, State Coordinator, Mr. Abdulrazak Salawu, said NYSC had kept alive the dreams of its founding fathers and would do more, if given necessary support.

He said the scheme would continue to impact positively in the communities and sensitize youths on the dangers of idleness, drug and alcoholic abuse among other vices.

S part of activities to mark its first year anniversary, PayPorte Global Systems, an online retail store, donated relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Malkohi camp, Yola, Adamawa State.

While presenting the materials, which included clothing, foot wears and detergents among others, Managing Director/CEO of PayPorte, Mr. Eyo Bassey, said: “We are in Yola to commiserate with our brothers and sisters that have been displaced by challenges of insurgency in the NorthEast.

“We are marking our one year anniversary, but instead of a jamboree in Lagos, we decided to celebrate with the IDPs.” He urged other organizations to extend similar gesture to the IDPs, saying government cannot do it alone.

PayPorte’s Head of Corporate Strategy, Mrs. Irene Kayoma, expressed happiness over the 'warm’ reception received by the team from the IDPs.

Transition

M

RS Lottie Emuchay (nee McEwen) is dead. She died Friday, September 25 at her residence, in Surulere, Lagos.

She is survived by her son, Mr. Ikachi Emuchay, nieces, nephew and cousins, among who is Mrs Funlayo Yakubu.

Contractors, transport firm clash over alleged N120m debt

By Oboh Agbonkhese

A

GGRIEVED local contractors of the Niger Benue Transport Company, NBTC, located in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, have alleged that the company had refused to pay them for jobs executed.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Chairman, NBTC Contractors Union, Chief Amos Agboje, condemned the action of the new management of the company, which they accused of being insensitive to the

plight of the contractors.

He said the local contractors, numbering over 30, were being owed various sums amounting to N120 million since 2014, calling on the state government to prevail on the company to clear the outstanding contract debts.

Contacted on phone for his comments on the issue, NBTC’s Managing Director, Prince Godwin Ogbon, responded with a text message: “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.”

At press time, he still had not picked calls or replied messages to his mobile on the matter.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015—49 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CAPRICORN: 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. Youngs-at-heart are favoured so also commercial activities.

AQUARIUS: 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.

PISCES: 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.

ARIES: 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.

TAURUS: 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.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Need a friend?

E R YO N E E Vneeds a

friend. However, not everyone wants to do what could bring about the much desired friendship.

Friendship is a

deliberate and curteous act aimed at making the other man or woman to like yoiu. Do you want a friend?

TERROR MUDA

Then, be friendly disposed to other people. Today, one of my my closest friends is someone I met at the bible college. I

in “Scavenger Elite”

was sitting in one corner of the room when he accosted me, asking: Can I shine youir shoe?

And I quickly answered: Yes, you can. Tell me, who wouldn’t reciprocate such a friendly gesture?

By Lanre Kehinde

GEMINI: 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.

CANCER: 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.

LEO: “Money is the root of all evils” says an adage. And if care is not taken, money may set you and some other people fiercelly against each other to the detriment of your cause. Be cautious.

VIRGO: Opposition between the Moon and Uranus in your star sign 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.

LIBRA: 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.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

SCORPIO: Good luck will smile at you. Romantic interlude that started recently may become excitingly louder and melodious to the satisfaction of your soul.

SAGITTARIUS: 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.

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

When would frustration go?

Dear Joshua, I am a prominent chief around here. I know that everybody has heard what frustration is but I doubt it if someone somewhere has first hand experience of what frustration is more than me.

Why? 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.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Anonymous, Nigeria.

Dear Anonymous, It is true that you have gone through a few moments of test but today you are prominent. Meaning that what you tagged as frustration are needed challenges.

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.

T-square aspects formed by your natal Sun/Saturn, Uranus/Pluto and Jupiter will bring delay related frustrations. Miscalculation and gambling line tedencies are other things capable of militating against your finance.

Financial success will eventually be earned by you but you will need to embrace discipline nature in handling your finance.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Indian hospital trains 150 doctors in Lagos, Delta

N

O fewer than 150 Nigerian doctors were recently trained by medical experts from Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India on advance management of diseases such as Kidney related problems, epilepsy and sickle cell among others.

The training programme was aimed at paving way for capacity building and sharing clinical experiences with their Nigerian counterparts as well as improving diagnosis and treatment in the country.

Addressing journalists in Lagos shortly after the Continuing Medical Education, CME, programme in Lagos and Delta State, the General Manager, Marketing and Business Strategist, Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, Mr. Raj Kr Raina, said the consultants' visit was primarily targeted at improving health care services in Nigeria through partnership, especially in the area of diagnosis and treatment.

Raina who acknowledged that Nigerian doctors were among the best in the world said the doctors have proved their worth apparently due to the country's sound medical education.

He commended the country for its consistent sound medical education."We are primarily here to strengthen both countries' ties in health care delivery."

Speaking, Senior Oncologist with Apollo Hospitals, who specialises in bone marrow transplant, Dr. Jyotishankar Raychaudhuri, said technology in medicine has ushered in many breakthroughs in treatment of diseases,

including transplantation.

"Nigeria has one of the finest medical education system and the doctors are among the best in the world. But, not all the equipment are in place here. There are a lot of patients coming to India from Nigeria for treatment. We have come with our experiences to look at different areas where we can collaborate with the country.

Nigerian doctors have the theoretical knowledge but lack the infrastructure to practise what they know.

"We had similar situation in India some years ago but when Apollo Hospital was established, the situation turned around for the better.”

PAN warns against imported poultry products

By Olayinka Latona

N

IGERIANS that love imported chicken, turkey and other poultry products may have to seek other alternatives means due to the hazardous effect on consumer health and the economy.

A veterinarian and President, Animal Care Services Konsult Nigeria Ltd., Dr. Olatunde Agbato, who raised the alarm in Lagos, warned that such poultry foods which have emerged favourite delicacies due to their affordable prices, could contain a health damaging chemical.

WALK: Cross section of cancer survivors after the 10km walk organised by COPE weekend in Lagos.

Agbato who spoke on this year’s World Egg Day/launching of 4-Egg Funtuna Quadpak, said imported poultry products are often preserved with Formalin, a poisonous chemical.

He said over 500 metric tonnes of poultry products were being imported from European countries alone, despite efforts of Nigerian poultry farmers to raise local production levels. “Formalin, the chemical used to embalm corpses, is also used to preserve frozen food products before they are imported into the country and it is very dangerous to our health.”

He said the continuation of the practice was harming the economy stating that the poultry industry in Nigeria contributes 85 percent of the agricultural domestic product in the economy in terms of employment generation.

Calling on Nigerians to imbibe the culture of eating one egg per day, he said: “When you take an egg a day, your medical bill drops drastically. Due to lack of knowledge in the past, majority of Nigerians believe that cholesterol in food is not good. But research has proven there is difference between dietary and blood cholesterol and it is when cholesterol gets into blood that it damages the body.

Eggs are very low in saturated and trans fats compared to consuming beef.”

“Health Organisations around the world encourage people to eat more eggs to ensure they benefit from nature’s vitamin pill.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

D

EAR Uche, I am 54 years old, married with kids but I do not have any sex life again. For about five years now, I have not gone more than one round with my wife and I am so ashamed of myself. I am gradually pushing my wife to have extra marital affairs. For years now I have not had a full erection as well. My semen is also very scanty and watery.

Currently I am on high blood pressure medication and I am also treating for typhoid and other infections.

Twenty years ago I contracted Herpes Simplex virus and I understand it has no cure. Could this be the cause of my problems? Is there hope for me? I also have a small penis which is embarrassing and I am thinking of going for enlargement as well - Femi Dear Femi everything you are going through is quite common among adults and there are various ways of handling them. But first off all, I want to assure you that your performance problems have nothing to do with the fact that you have herpes. Herpes infection is very common. It will not kill you and it has no cure. With protection, you can have a normal sex life even with Herpes. It is just that once the outbreaks come, they can be very irritating because of the itchiness of the blisters. Herpes has no cure because the virus bonds with your spinal cord and becomes a part of you. But you can still live a normal life.

Now regarding your sexual problems, from what I can understand, you cannot go more than one round during sex. Also, your erection is not strong, your sperm is watery and your penis is small. The good news is that thanks to breakthroughs in the world of pharmaceuticals, one drug alone is all you need to solve these problems.

There are a few drugs out there that can handle all of these problems but the one I will recommend for you is Prosolution. Prosolution is a well-known and doctor designed performance enhancer for men that thickens the semen, gives you the stamina to have sex for long periods of time, shortens your recovery time so that you can have several rounds of intercourse back to back within minutes, gives firm erection, enlarges the penis and stops premature ejaculation. It is taken daily and it will change your life. So go for Prosolution. Power Zen Gold and VigRx Plus are also alternative medicines

that can handle all these problems at once, just in case you do not find Prosolution but we have it at www.zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche

I want to buy a gift for my wife that can help her enjoy life particularly her sex life. The woman has really suffered because it took us five years to have our first child and this affected her libido and prevented her from really enjoying intercourse for years. What is the best adult gift that I can give to her? James The first thing we have to do is to restore her sexual desire. Nothing does this better than the right aphrodisiac.

For this I recommend the G Female Tablets. It will balance her hormones, increase her desire for intercourse and help her lubricate better as well. And then to ensure she actually enjoys sex when she gets to have it, you need two things.

The first is an arousal gel and the other is a vibrator. For the gel, I recommend the Sex Accelerator Gel. For the vibrator, we have so many new ones now but if you want the best, you can either get her the Luxe G Thrusting Plush Rabbit or the Pirate Katsunis Revenge of the Sea Rabbit. Get any of these toys for your wife and you will change her sex life forever - Uche Please is Prosolution like Viagra that you take before sex to get erection or is it a capsule you take over time for permanent results. The issue I need to treat is weak erection, quick ejaculation and I want a larger rock hard solid penis - Afam Prosolution is not like Viagra. It is made of natural herbs and substances and yes it works over a period of time to give you permanent results in penis enlargement.

Within the period of taking it, Prosolution will also improve your erections, prolong your action, thicken your semen and give you stamina and quick recovery ability so yes it will help you in the ways you want it to - Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 51

US troops to stay in Afghanistan Oscar Pistorius to be moved to house arrest in policy shift P O RESIDENT Barack Obama has confirmed plans to extend the US military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2016, in a shift in policy.

Speaking at the White House, Obama said the US would keep 5,500 troops in the country when he leaves office in 2017.

Originally all but a small embassy-based force were due to leave by the end of next year.

But the US military says more troops will be needed to help Afghan forces counter a growing Taliban threat.

There are currently 9,800 US troops stationed in Afghanistan.

The US forces will be stationed in four locations - Kabul, Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar.

Announcing the plan on Thursday, President Obama said the troop extension could “make a real difference” for Afghanistan and Afghan security forces, which he acknowledged were “not as strong” as they needed to be.

He said the ending of Nato combat operations in December last year had come at a price, with

many Afghan troops and civilians killed since the Taliban stepped up its insurgency.

“It’s the right thing to do,” the president said about the policy change.

“As commander in chief I will not allow Afghanistan to be used as safe haven for terrorists to attack our nation again.”

For the Taliban, he continued, it should be clear that the only way to achieve a full pullout of US troops is through a lasting settlement with the Afghan government.

He described the mission in Afghanistan as “vital to US national security interests”.

1988 Lockerbie bombing:

Two new suspects identified

S

COTTISH and U.S. investigators have identified two Libyan suspects believed to have been involved in the Lockerbie airline bombing almost 27 years ago which killed 270 people, Scottish prosecutors said on Thursday.

Pam Am flight 103 was blown up over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on Dec. 21, 1988 en route from London to New York. In 2001, Libyan Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was jailed for life and remains the only person to have been convicted over the bombing.

A Scottish Crown Office spokesman said the two unnamed Libyans were now suspected of being involved with

LYMPIC and Para lympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, jailed for killing his girlfriend, is to be freed from prison to house arrest next Tuesday, a South African parole board says.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2014 after being found guilty of culpable homicide, or manslaughter.

He shot Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door but said he thought she was an intruder.

The prosecution has appealed, saying he should instead be convicted of murder.

That case is expected to be heard on 3 November.

Pistorius has spent 12 months in jail and will now spend the rest of his sen-

tence under what is termed in South Africa “correctional supervision”, the parole board said.

An earlier decision to release him in August was blocked by South Africa’s Justice Minister Michael Masutha, who said it had been made “prematurely”.

At the time, Ms Steenkamp’s family had said that 10 months behind bars was “not enough”.

Responding to Thursday’s decision, a lawyer speaking for the Steenkamp family said her parents had expected the early release even though they opposed it, adding that nothing could bring back their daughter.

The Pistorius family have said they have received the news of his planned release, but are not making

•Pistorius any further comment.

During his house arrest, Pistorius is likely to face restrictions in terms of gun ownership and may have to continue getting psychotherapy, reports the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko from Johannesburg.

Benin’s ‘father of democracy’ Mathieu Kerekou dies at 82

B PAN AM flight 103 exploded overLockerbie, Scotland killing all 259 people on board and 11 on the ground Megrahi in carrying out the attack.

“The Lord Advocate has today ... issued an International Letter of Request to the Libyan Attorney General in Tripoli which identifies the two Libyans as suspects in the bombing of flight Pan Am 103,”

the spokesman said.

“The Lord Advocate and the U.S. Attorney General are seeking the assistance of the Libyan judicial authorities for Scottish police officers and the FBI to interview the two named suspects in Tripoli.”

VW to recall 8.5 million cars in Europe Separately, the man OLKSWAGEN has tipped to become VW’s said it will recall 8.5 North America boss has million cars in Europe as resigned. a result of the diesel The company said Winemissions scandal.

The move was prompted by Germany’s automotive watchdog, which earlier told VW to recall ORMER House 2.4 million domestic cars.

Speaker Dennis HasGerman media reports suggest the KBA earlier tert plans to plead guilty rejected VW’s proposals on charges of lying to fedthat car owners could vol- eral investigators, accorduntarily bring their cars ing to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago. in for repair.

Hastert’s attorneys told Meanwhile, Italian police have raided VW of- U.S. District Judge Thofices in Verona and Lam- mas Durkin on Thursday borghini offices in Bolo- that they have reached a plea agreement on the gna.

Reports suggest Italian charges that he lied to fedprosecutors are investi- eral investigators about gating alleged commer- plans to pay someone he had wronged $3.5 million cial fraud.

V

fried Vahland was leaving because of “differing views on the organisation of the new group region”.

Ex- US Speaker agrees to plead guilty in hush money case

F

in hush money.

Hastert is scheduled to enter his plea at an October 28 hearing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern Illinois.

Only then will the details of the plea agreement be revealed, even though prosecutors submitted a draft of the agreement to the judge sometime before Monday.

Hastert was not in the courtroom for Thursday morning’s hearing.

•Kerekou

ENIN’S former Presi dent Mathieu Kerekou, the man hailed as helping to usher in multi-party democracy in Africa, has died at the age of 82.

Mr Kerekou had two spells as president totalling nearly 30 years, first coming to power as the head of a Marxist regime in 1972.

But he then accepted the

idea of multi-party democracy and organised elections, which he lost in 1991.

He became the first West African leader to admit defeat in an election.

Current President Thomas Boni Yayi described the former president as a great man and declared a week of official mourning.

Ugandan opposition presidential candidate arrested

K

AMPALA — Ugan dan police arrested opposition presidential aspirant Kizza Besigye on Wednesday as he prepared to travel to the country’s eastern region

for a rally, a move seen as escalating a crackdown on incumbent leader, Yoweri Museveni’s opponents.

Rights activists and government critics say

intimidation and harassment of opposition supporters and leaders is growing as presidential polls due between February and March 2016 near

Eritrean soccer players seeking asylum in Botswana face deportation

G

ABORONE — 1 0 Eritrean soccer players seeking asylum in Botswana should be deported, Botswana’s security minister said on Thursday, a decision their lawyer said he would challenge in court.

The Eritreans refused to board their plane home on Wednesday, the latest in a series of defections by athletes from a country under investigation by the United Nations for human-rights violations.

“The issue is simple: they must go back to their

country. You don’t come here to play football, lose, then say you want political asylum. There are proper steps that should be followed if you want to be a refugee,” Defense and Security Minister Shaw Kgathi told GabzFM, a local private radio station.

Eritrean officials could not be reached for comment.

Dick Bayford, a lawyer representing the players, told Reuters he would file an urgent court application on Friday to prevent

the government from deporting them.

The players are being kept at a police station in Botswana’s second city of Francistown, where they played a match on Tuesday.

Similar mass defections

by Eritrean soccer players occurred in Kenya in 2009, Tanzania in 2011 and Uganda in 2012. They were fleeing a country where slavery-like practices are routine and torture widespread, the United Nations said after a year-long investigation.

52— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Nig vs USA: Dike calls for caution F

ORMER Golden Eaglets coach, Alphonsus Dike has called for caution in the side’s opening match against the United States of America (USA).

The reigning world champions will open their defence title account against the USA in Saturday’s match day 1 of the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradaos in Santiago De Chile.

Dike said though Eaglets have everything to overcome the Americans in the tournament’s first test clash, the Nigerians should not, for whatever reason, underrate their opponents from the United States of America.

“Of course, the first match against the United States of America (USA) is quite crucial to the overall performance in the championship.

“However, considering the number of quality friendly matches the Golden Eaglets played prior to the commencement of the championship they must have gained the necessary confidence to face the US and any other opponents.

“The US are good side

FIFA briefs Eaglets on drugs, fairplay

W

•Amuneke and have moved very fast over the years in man power, equipment and technological development of their youth football programme.

“That makes the side difficult and tough to challenge but the pedigree of Eaglets stand them out only that they must avoid complacency or underrating their USA opponents.

“Eaglets must expect a highly determined and technical side which calls for carefulness but I know in the long run the Nigerians will triumph over the Americans,” said the

former Enugu Rangers and Nasarawa United coach to supersport.com.

The Eaglets are fourtime world champions and will compete for honour in Chile in Group A together with

hosts, Chile, Croatia and USA The championship runs from Saturday, October 17 – November 08 in the Chilean cities of Coquimbo and Santiago.

ORLD football governing body, FIFA has expectedly briefed players and officials of Golden Eaglets about details of their itinerary at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

In a formal meeting at the team’s Double Tree By Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, a team of FIFA officials including General Coordinator, Mario Monterrosa, Dr. Yacine Zerguini (FIFA Medical Officer), Esse Baharmast (FIFA Referee Instructor) explained clearly with video presentation the rules and obligations to be followed throughout the competition.

“There is a need to play safe and with integrity; and this is always the objective of FIFA ,”said Monterrosa.”

Of course, there is need to

Eaglets train ahead of tomorrow’s opener T

Eaglets captain Continues from BP team is the most successful team in the tournament’s history. In Chile 2015, the Eaglets are regarded as one of the favourites.

But coach Emmanuel Amuneke explained to FIFA.com recently, that their best play tends to come out on the biggest stage. “We do well at the World Cup because the pitches help us to play much better. This happened at the 2013 tournament in the United Arab Emirates,” a tournament the Eaglets won by a 3-0 margin over Mexico in the final.

The coach has in the last one year or so engineered a new squad he believes can successfully defend the title their predecessors won in the UAE two years ago. Some of the key players in the present squad include Kelechi Nwakali, Victor Osimhen, Ebere Osinachi and Samuel

Chukwueze.

But Amuneke said the team operates as a unit.

“This team is not based only on Nwakali or Osimhen; we have other good players too. We have some very good players in this team, but what matters to me is to see them function as a team because a team must play collectively.”

He said the Eaglets were ready for the tournament having been together for a long time now. “All we are asking of Nigerians is their support for the team and we promise to make them happy.”

Captain Victor Osimhen has insisted that they were in Chile to bring back the trophy and the USA cannot stand in their way. “I want to assure Nigerians that we will do our best to contain the USA in our opening match. We want to come home with the trophy.

The USA cannot stop our dream.”

playcleanandfollowtherules of the game in true spirit of sportsmanship and that is why this meeting is important.”

While Baharmast counselledtheplayersonhow best to avoid unnecessary cautions, Zerguini emphasized the need for players to safeguard their health by staying away from drugsnotprescribedbyteam’s doctor.

“I want to advise you against taking any drug not recommended by your team doctor not even supplements some people would advise would allow you score 10 goals,” advised the vastly experienced Algerian who is one of FIFA’s leading orthopaedic surgeons and also a member of Confederation of African Football (CAF) medical committee.

Eaglets in training

USA coach Continues from BP world champions, the Golden Eaglets when both sides clash in the group opener at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, tomorrow in Chile.

Their opening fixture comes up at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago De Chile before battling hosts Chile and Croatia at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina Del Mar and Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso Coquimbo respectively.

Williams also added that his players were not intimidated by the frightening record of their Nigerian counterparts.

“I think it’s a great challenge and I think the guys will be excited.

It’s a great opportunity

to compete against the champions of the last World Cup and I think our guys are going to have a lot of energy, they ’re going to be excited and they ’re going to be ready to play, so we’re looking forward to it,” he told ussoccer.com “I think every World Cup game is important.

You can’t say one is any more important than the other. You can’t overlook any team. It’s a World Cup game and everybody’s got to be ready to go.

“Whether you think they ’re the strongest opponent or the weakest opponent, it’s the World Cup and all the games are very important and very competitive and anything could happen,

especially if you’re not ready to play.”

“We had four good days of training there before we open up against Nigeria.”

“When you look over the two-plus years we’ve been together, we’ve had the ability to push forward and score goals with a lot of talented attacking players, but also on the defensive end we’ve had a lot of great games where we’ve defended well. We were able to play a good amount of international matches and domestic matches and we hope through all of those experiences we have a really balanced team of 21 players that comes together and gets positive results.”

HE Golden Eaglets on Wednesday began their training sessions ahead of Saturday’s opening game against the United States of America in the chilling spring weather in Chile with temperature swinging between 10 and 15 Centigrade.

The training session was held at the Centro Deportivo Azul (CDA) in La Cisterna district of Santiago-which is the training ground of the popular local side, Universidad de Chileabout 25 minutes drive from the team’s Double Tree by Hilton Hotel camp.

Team Liaison Officer, Lucas Pablo described the poor weather condition in Santiago as unusual though it’s even expected to rain in the coming days.

“This was our first real contact with the weather in training here in Santiago but unfortunately it is even colder than Buenos Aires where we had our training camp,” noted coach Emmanuel Amuneke after the evening drill where all the players participated. “You can see that it’s difficult for the boys but irrespective of our circumstance and even the weather, we shall do our best and be ready for our first game against USA on Saturday.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015–53

FIFA U-17 W/C: Eaglets on the march again •Begin title defence against USA

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IGERIA may have won the FIFA U17 World Cup a record four times but their last outing in the United Arab Emirates two years ago still evokes memories as the West Africans head to Chile to defend their title.

The Eaglets begin their title defence against the USA tomorrow in Satiago, Chile.

The ‘Class of 2013’ guided by Manu Garba played football with an uncommon élan which bowled over everyone from the start to the end of the tournament where they were crowned world champions, following the trail of their illustrious predecessors of 1985, 1993 and 2007.

The enterprising Nigerians who were losing finalists at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Morocco early in 2013, left nobody in doubt about their ambition to conquer the world again with a blistering

start of their campaign with a 6-1 spanking of Mexico, then defending champions in the Group F opener at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. But the Nigerians were jolted to the reality that the World Cup at whatever level is not a tea party three days later in their next game against Sweden.

The Scandinavian debutants shocked the West Africans with a 3-3 draw at the same venue.

The Golden Eaglets bounced back in style in the ultimate Group F match against Iraq at Al Rashid Stadium in Dubai ending the match with a flattering 5-0 win courtesy a brace from Musa Yahaya and a goal each from Musa Muhammed, Chidiebere Nwakali and Chigozie Obasi. The result saw Nigeria top the group with seven points and a date with another Asian side, Iran at the Round of 16 in Al Ain,

where the West African triumphed 4-1.

Nigeria saw off Uruguay 2-0 at the quarters thanks to a Taiwo Awoniyi double.

Making of World Champions Like the proverbial saying ‘what goes around comes around’ goes around; so was the case with the Golden Eaglets as fate yet again brought them face-to-face with group phase rivals, Sweden and Mexico at the semis and final respectively.

Sweden coach Roland Larsson was graceful in defeat after his side were thumped 3-0 by the West Africans for a place at the grand finale.

“I think we played against the world champions today; if you are going to beat Nigeria, you have to play without mistakes and take your chances,” Larsson admitted.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke (m) in a group photogrph with the Golden Eaglets on arrival in Santiago.

Sprite Triple Slam activation electrifies UI

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XCITEMENT was heightened at the University of Ibadan (U.I.) in Oyo State recently, when the Sprite Triple Slam experiential activation took over the campus with

Guinea square up against England at U-17 WC

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UINEA’s Under17 national team will launch their 2015 FIFA World Cup campaign in Chile against England in Coquimbo tomorrow.

The ‘Syli Cadets’ are making their fourth appearance at the showpiece event of U-17 football, with a fourthplace finish at the maiden edition in China in 1985 as their best achievement to date.

They booked their spot at the competition with a third-place finish at the 2015 African U-17 Championship in Niger, with Mali, Nigeria and South Africa the other African representatives in Chile.

Drawn in a tough Group B alongside Brazil, Korea Republic and England, the Guineans will be eager to get their campaign off to a positive start against the Three Lions in their ambitious bid to progress to the knockout stage.

“Undoubtedly we are in one of the toughest groups, and everyone thinks that we will lose our three matches. I have been able to watch our opponents. Brazil are a team with good technicians, England are C M Y K

powerful and Korea have excellent players, who are technically gifted,” Syli coach Hamidou Camara commented.

“But be rest assured, we will adapt. In the history of the World Cup, African teams have often done well, and I am

hopeful that we can play our part in continuing that tradition.”

Meanwhile, England U-17 will kick off their third World Cup campaign in South America, after making two quarterfinals appearances in Korea

Republic in 2007 and in Mexico four years later.

And while the Three Lions will be looking to reach the last four for the first time ever, the objective for the English boys remain to gain some valuable experience.

amazing displays of freestyle Basketball, Music and Dance skills by the students, and a brilliant musical performance by award-winning, reggaedancehall singer and songwriter, Patoranking.

The International Conference Center at the University of Ibadan, which hosted the event, was filled with students who not only experienced the energy of Sprite Triple Slam but got refreshed with drinks provided by the sponsors, Sprite, the delicious lemonlime flavoured drink.

Commenting on the Sprite Triple Slam activation, the Senior Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Toyin Nnodi, described the platform as a youth-oriented one which is aimed at enabling youths creatively express fresh, free-spirited, originality inherent in them.

“We are aware that Ibadan has a lot of amazing talent.

The amazing acts we saw during the five-day town storms and the main activation which held underscores the uniqueness of the city.''

SNEPCo Tennis: Itodo, Sanni, Godgift qualify

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HRIS Itodo of Kaduna State is on course to win the boys 16 title as he made sure of a semifinal place by beating Philip Abayomi from Ogun State 6-2 in his final one set round robin.

The one set round robin matches according to the organisers, the International Tennis Academy, is to ensure that all the players get a minimum of three matches with different opponents.

Also through in the boys 16s is Christopher Bulus who beat Chris Joseph 60.

•Gbolahun Salami

In the boys 14s, Musa Sanni, the most promising “Almajiri boy” beat Emeka Chukwu 6-1 in his final round robin match to qualify for the semifinals.

Ahmed Lawal from Plateau State also qualified for the semifinals

Salami to captain Eagles against Burkina Faso

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OR the first time in his Nigeria career, forward Gbolahan Salami is expected to captain the Super Eagles when they face Burkina Faso in Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifier.

The powerful forward

was named skipper owing to his wealth of experience with the senior national team.

“Gbolahan will wear the armband when Nigeria host Burkina Faso on Saturday,” the source told Goal.

“He has experience and the ability to lead the rest of the squad now that the team is without a skipper.”

Sharks’ Chima Akas was named assistant captain for the game billed for the Adokiye Amiesi maka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Aliyu Sanni in action

by Gabriel Friday.

In the girls’ categories, Marylove Edwards has qualified for the girls’ 16s finals where she will face Toyin Asogba. Chidinma Ezeh from Anambra will meet Rebecca Peter in the girls’ 12 finals.

54— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Sanchez better than last season – Wenger A

RSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has taken the time to praise Alexis Sanchez and believes the Chile international is even better than in his first season at the club.

The 26-year-old joined Arsenal from Barcelona in July 2014 and netted 25 goals in all competitions last term.

Sanchez endured a slow start to this season, but has since scored five times in his last two Premier League outings and Wenger has hailed his sublime form.

“He has had a bit of a difficult start because he came back late [from the Copa America] and you could see that,” Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

“But now he is back to his level and even better than before.

“His overall game and finishing, contributing and assists is excellent.

He works hard for the team and he finishes. His enthusiasm is contagious.

“He always gives you hope that he is going to do something and he always gets defenders on the back foot, provokes and that is top class.”

The attacker will be looking to add to his tally on Saturday, when Arsenal travel to Watford.

• CELEBRATION ... Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates his goal.

Jovetic: Inter will beat Juventus

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TEVAN Jovetic wants to please Inter ’s fans by taking three points from the Derby d’Italia clash with Juventus on Sunday.

Roberto Mancini’s team were knocked off top spot in Serie A by Fiorentina in the previous round of fixtures but still hold an eight-point advantage over their Turin-based rivals.

Montenegro international Jovetic - who has been struggling with a hamstring injury in recent weeks - does not believe the defending champions are enduring a crisis but hopes to add to their woes at San Siro.

“Physically, I’m fine and I’ll be ready to play.

We will have to be careful as they are a good team and I do not trust those who talk of a crisis,” Jovetic told Tuttosport.

“The fans want us to win against Juventus and we want to please them.”

The 25-year-old - who joined Inter on loan from Manchester City in July with a view to a permanent transfer - revealed that he came close to becoming a Juve player when departing Fiorentina in 2013.

“Before moving to [Manchester] City there

was strong interest from [former Juve boss Antonio] Conte,” he said.

“In the end I preferred England and absolutely do not regret the choice, even if that adventure didn’t go well [Manchester City coach Manuel] Pellegrini always preferred others to me.

•Jovetic

Chelsea v Aston Villa: Fabregas maintains Bale: I want to make title hope Real fans happy C

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EAL Madrid for ward Gareth Bale wants to carry the feelgood factor from Wales’ Euro 2016 qualification into his club form and contribute to a successful season at the Santia-

•Bale

go Bernabeu.

Bale was on target in Wales’ final qualifier against Andorra - a 2-0 win at Cardiff City Stadium sparking celebrations as the nation reached their first European Championship and a first major tournament in 58 years.

After criticism last season from sections of the Madrid support, a calf injury stunted the start of Bale’s campaign this time around under Rafael Benitez.

However, the former Tottenham man is keen to hit the ground running on his return to club action.

“It’s a dream, what we experienced at the Cardiff stadium is incredible,” he told Marca ahead of Madrid’s clash with Levante.

•Fabregas

ESC Fabregas has not given up on Chelsea’s chances of defending their Premier League title ahead of Aston Villa’s visit to Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho’s team have endured a dismal opening to this season, taking eight points from as many matches and appearing a shadow of the team that became champions in dominant fashion just five months ago.

Mourinho was given a public vote of confidence after Chelsea’s 3-1 home loss to Southampton before the international break, with an outspoken interview given by the Portuguese in the aftermath of that defeat landing him in hot water with the Football Association.

With their manager £50,000 lighter in the

pocket following his comments about match officials, 15th-placed Chelsea head into Saturday’s match only four points better off than third-bottom Villa.

Despite this dire state of affairs, Fabregas has not given up on reeling in the early Premier League pacesetters Manchester City, who are 10 points clear of Mourinho’s men.

“It is a very strange situation for Chelsea to be at the wrong end of the table. And, for most of us at the club, it is the first time we have ever been down there,” the Spain midfielder told The Sun. “Now we know how it feels and we all hate it.

At Chelsea, we always want to be at the top of the Premier League, fighting to win the Champions League, competing for every trophy.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015 — 55

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

USA coach talks tough •Warns

U

we have a balanced team

.S. Under-17s head coach Richie Williams has boasted

that his wards were prepared to match the Continues on Page 52

FIFA U-17 W/C: Eaglets on the march again —

•Begin title defence against USA

•Williams USA coach

We ‘ll contain USA – Eaglets captain T

Kick-off: 9pm

HE Golden Eaglets will open their 2015 U-17 World Cup defence with a clash against the USA tomorrow.

The Eaglets who have set the benchmark when

ALL SET: Golden Eaglets pose before a recent engagement. They begin the defence of the W/Cup tomorrow in Chile.

53 e Pag

Salami to lead Eagles against Burkina Faso — Pg.53

it comes to U-17 football - at least, on the global level will have their hands full as the Americans are plotting an upset. With four FIFA U-17 World Cup titles as well as three further appearances in the final match, the Nigerian

Continues on Page 52

•Osimhen

FIFA U-17 World Cup tomorrow’s Fixtures England Nigeria Brazil Chile

v v v v

Guinea USA Korea Republic Croatia

8 pm 9 pm 11 pm 12 am

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Bring (5) 7 Mirth (4) 8 Unspoken (6) 9 Delete (5) 11 Vehicle (3) 13 Free (3) 15 Sign (4) 16 Large (3) 18 Sport (4) 19 Agreed (7) 20 Jetty (4) 22 Heap (4) 23 Turned (7) 25 Price (4) 27 Youth (3) 28 Lake (4) 30 Fasten (3) 31 Father (3) 33 Beleaguer (5) 36 Strict (6) 37 Group (4) 38 Coach (5)

DOWN 1 Glimmer (5) 2 Charge (3) 3 Beverage (3) 4 Colour (3) 5 Enquire (3) 6 Shin-bone (5) 10 Dirty (4) 11 Dense (7) 12 Back (7) 13 Diminished (7) 14 Oozed (7) 16 Trite (5) 17 Stuck (5) 18 Marry (3) 21 Decay (3) 24 Domesticated (4) 26 Lubricated (5) 29 Wild (5) 32 Damp (3) 33 Wager (3) 34 Ocean (3) 35 Cask (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Essay 7, Recoil 9, Cap 10, Tic 12, Salon 13, Tail 15, Doped 17, Become 19, Erne 20, Clear 22, Ply 24, Deleted 27, Wit 28, Lodge 31, Mess 33, Feeler 35, Trend 37, Read 38, Canoe 39, Tar 41, Rap 42, Madman 43, Revel

DOWN: 1, Critic 2, Scribe 3, Lit 4, Ease 5, Spade 6, Adorning 8, Lido 11, Competent 14, Lead 16, Pelt 18, Crew 21, Leverage 23, Yell 25, Life 26, Doer 29, Dreamt 30, Ending 32, Store 34, Edam 36, Real 40, Raw.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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