Military bombards terrorists' camps

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61884

N150

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

FG to withdraw Amaechi's security aides

•P .1 2

CBN to arrest traders of Naira notes •P.8

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof.

Abdullahi Mustapha; Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans at the launch of the Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Programme (ETEP) at ABU, Zaria, yesterday.

Military bombards terrorists' camps

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, BEN AGANDE & NDAHI MARAMA

A

•Streets deserted in Maiduguri, Yola, Damaturu •Curfew in affected states as Defence Hqtrs deploys more troops

BUJA—FOLLOW ING the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan last Tuesday, and the deployment of over 3000 troops and Counter Terrorists Squad (CTS) within 24 hours of the declaration, the miliContinues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

DONU KOGBARA All hail Jonathan

•P.17

ADISA ADELEYE The joy of patience in a culture of —P.56 impatience

Mr & Mrs

DEPLOYED—File pictures of military patrol and checkpoint in Maiduguri, Borno State. An estimated 3,000 troops have been deployed to embattled states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, following the proclamation of State of Emergency in the states on Tuesday. Photos: AFP.

How I was kidnapped by my lover — Victim •P.6 C M Y K

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

SPECIAL ENVOY—President Goodluck Jonathan (R) receiving a letter from the Cameroon Special Envoy, Amadou Ali at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. State House photo.

Military bombards terrorists' camps Continues from page 1 tary, yesterday, launched air and ground offensive in the thick forests of Sambisa, Borno State, an area which the Boko Haram sect was reported to have used as a recruiting and training

base. A curfew (6 pm to 6 am) has also been imposed in the three states while banks and other public and government businesses have also been instructed to suspend their operations.

Some of the residents in Yola, welcomed the offen-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Expectations equals Disappointments. Never underestimate a person’s ability to disappoint you; be careful what you expect.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

In all situations you must stop before you move.

Not until you stop, look, and listen will you receive divine guidance. Stop worrying. Stop blaming. Stop being angry. Look at the situation from all angles. Look for the lessons and the blessings and share your responsibility. Always go within for guidance —Iyanla Vanzant

T

HINK back to the time when you were sixteen, nineteen or twenty years old. Remember how you were convinced that you knew everything you needed to know. Now remember how your mind was changed, your attitude adjusted through various experiences, some good, some not so good. The people you knew and thought were so wonderful turned out to be just the opposite. The things you thought you couldn’t live without are now scattered memories. Your opinions changed. Your loyalties shifted.

Those experiences were preparation and training for who you are and what you do now.

No matter what is going on in your life today, remember, it is only preparation. People roam and go; situations rise and fall; it is all preparation for better things. We must stretch, reach, and grow into goodness. Without the preparation we receive through adversity, disappointment, confusion, or pain, we can not appreciate the goodness when it arrives.

sive with a trader in Jimeta Market, Audu John saying, “the state has been under the control of gunmen for so long, this state of emergency is long overdue."

Soldiers dislodge sect members A senior military officer who spoke under conditions of anonymity said that soldiers attacked the area and dislodged the sect members who fled following the heavy military onslaught.

The source added that the sect was yet to mount any serious offensive stressing that the Nigerian Army was backed by the Nigerian Air Force who are part of the operations. The source also said that soldiers are hunting down members of the Boko Haram sect in all their identified bases in Gashua, Yobe State.

According to the source, “in line with the directive from Mr. President and military authorities to immediately dislodge the sect members, who are terrorising the states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno in particular, as well as some other northern states of the federation since 2009 to date, our men raided some terrorist camps in

the Sambisa Game Reserve, and other camps of the sect in the affected states, which I believe will have a positive outcome”.

Another source who corroborated this claim said: “So far, more than 2,000 troops have been deployed to Borno, and as I am talking to you, the massive operation and manhunt for Boko Haram members along Sambisa Game Reserve has started”. He, however, declined to comment on the forces sent to the other affected states of Yobe and Adamawa.

The commencement of the offensive has also affected telecommunication services in the affected states as calls could neither be made or received which was believed was aimed at giving the security operatives easy chance to embark on their mission without hindrance.

Defence Headquarters deploy more troops The Defence headquarters also, yesterday, ordered the deployment of more troops to take care of new hideouts (bunkers) and escape routes recently discovered.

This followed intelli-

gence reports that the Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents are now looking for how to escape the expected bombardments on their bases.

It was further gathered that the new deployments would see units and military formations from the Southern flank of the country being airlifted by Air Force Hercules C-130 and the G222 medium range carriers to parts of the North as back up on standby.

This is as a result of the fact that over half of the standing troops of the Infantry, Artillery and Armoured Corps in the Northern flank have continued to flood the three terror-prone states whose land mass and mountainous terrain is expected to pose challenges.

A military source said: “These miscreants underestimated the capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces. What they are seeing now and running into their hideouts is just deployments and movement. Wait until we begin continuous bombardments, then they will realize that democracy doesn’t mean you take the country for a ride”.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig. General Chris Olukolade, when contacted, confirmed that more troops are being deployed from other divisions of the Nigerian Army in the Southern region.

According to him, more logistics are also being provided by the military authorities to back up the deployment.

Olukolade said that no amount of deployment of troops to the troubled areas would be too much until the terrorists are wiped out from the Northern flank.

He said that deployments have already commenced to all the border towns of the

three states and that very soon the dividend of the operation will begin to manifest.

Gen. Olukolade declined to disclose the number of troops so far deployed but said that a sizeable number are already on ground and if need be, more will be sent to the area.

“As I am talking to you now, we are not only sending troops but they are heavily backed up with equipment that can stand the test of time when confronting the insurgency”, he added.

Cameroon agrees to cooperate with Nigeria Meanwhile, Nigeria and Cameroon have agreed to strengthen cooperation and collaboration on trans-border security following the declaration of a state of emergency in the NorthEastern states which share borders with Cameroon.

This was disclosed, yesterday, after President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan met with the Cameroonian Vice Prime Minister, Mr. Ahmadou Ali, who brought a special message from the Camerounian president Paul Biya to President Jonathan.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, yesterday, said the special message from President Paul Biya included an invitation to attend a summit on security and maritime safety in the Gulf of Guinea to be hosted by Cameroon.

He said President Jonathan accepted the invitation, and said current global security challenges make it imperative for countries to cooperate maximally in order to protect their citizens.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

One dies, 3 trapped as 4-storey building collapses in Lagos

BY PEACE ONYEUKWU

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AGOS— ONE person died while three workers were trapped as four-storey building under construction at Liverpool Estate in Ijegun, Lagos collapsed.

At press time, rescue operation by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency was on-going, as more persons were believed to have been trapped in the building.

It was gathered that the building was already marked for demolition by Town Planning authorities for contravening the building by-laws of the state.

Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Building Collapse Prevention Guild, Mr Otuoke Augustine, an architect, who was at the site, appealed to builders and developers to desist from patronizing quacks and to cooperate with the government and the guild to prevent further collapse, by complying with the 2010 Lagos State Building Law.

Victims of JTF attack resort to oil bunkering

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI— VICTIMS of the Joint Task Force, JTF, May 19, 2009 invasion of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State have allegedly resorted to oil bunkering to eke out a living.

President of the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities, FNDIC, Chief Bello Oboko, who disclosed this at a low-key ceremony in Warri to mark the fourth anniversary of the bombardment, said soldiers destroyed the homes and means of livelihood of the villagers in the affected Ijaw communities.

He lamented that since then, neither the federal nor state government had rebuilt the houses and people were wandering about homeless.

Four years ago, military authorities endorsed a search for the militants, who killed nine soldiers in a gun battle, which led to the bombardment of Okerenkoko, Oporoza and other Ijaw communities.

4 die, 4 injured in Umuahia building collapse

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — FOUR persons were confirmed dead when a building under construction collapsed in Agbama Housing Estate in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

Four other persons sustained various degrees of injury and are now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

The identity of the victims could not be ascertained at press time, but unconfirmed information from some residents claimed that a family of four was involved.

The incident occurred Wednesday night at about 8 o’clock and threw the entire residents of the estate into panic.

The reason for the collapse was not clear but residents alleged that the owner was trying to raise the building originally designed for one storey to a three-storey without proper reinforcement.

Regrettably, the collapsed structure was said to belong to popular building materials merchant in the city.

The incident happened when the National Emergency Man-

agement Agency, NEMA, was holding a seminar in Umuahia.

NEMA officials who arrived the town that evening rushed to the scene to assist in the rescue effort.

Security agencies, the Red Cross and other paramilitary agencies were involved in the rescue exercise. A construction

company and the state Ministry of Works moved in their equipment to assist in the evacuation effort.

Early visitors to the scene were the deputy governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ananaba; outgoing Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mgba Agu Mgba; Assistant Inspector General of

Police, Zone 9 and the Commissioner of Police, Usman Tilli Abuabakar. Governor Theodore Orji is out of the state in an official assignment in Abuja.

The deputy governor later went to the hospital to see the wounded and urged the hospital management to take proper care of them.

Scene of the collapsed building. (INSET) Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Emeka Ananaba, at FMC Umuahia to see the injured persons.

How I was kidnapped by my lover — Victim

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A 28-year-old man, Ayodele Olaoye, who was allegedly kidnapped by a lady, Esther Phillips, he met at Pegas Club in Opebi, Lagos, has narrated his ordeal before an Ikeja High Court.

Esther was said to have conspired with six others to commit the alleged offence.

The other suspects are Patricia Nna, Kingsley Okonwa, Osita Adigwe, Uzochukwu Ezioha, Jude Sunday and Michael Olarenwaju, who are being prosecuted by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP. The seven defendants who were arraigned on March 5 are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and neglect to prevent felony.

Led in evidence by Mr Ade Ipaye, Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Olaoye said he had taken the accused to bed twice since they met in February 2012 and they became friends.

Olaoye, who said he came back into the country in December 2011, after his graduation from a university in England, said the first defendant gave her name as Jenny and claimed to be a student of Lagos State University, LASU. Olaoye who was testifying at the trial of the seven kidnap suspects before Justice Olabisi Akinlade, said on April 22, 2012, at about 4 p.m, which was on a Sunday, the first defendant asked him to follow her to her

hostel in LASU and he agreed because he trusted her.

How I was kidnapped

Olaoye said he drove his Nissan Muranno SUV and picked Philips up at a first generation bank in Opebi and they moved towards LASU with Phillips giving the directions that he should go and pick her friend, the second defendant, whom he said gave her name as Juliet.

He said after they had picked up Nna, the second defendant at Dopemu, Philips told him that the lady was her school mate.

According to him, after driving for sometime, they told me to stop at an isolated place because they were pressed, adding that immediately he stopped the car, three men, Okonwa, Adigwe and Ezioha, entered his car through the back door.

He said the defendants who were armed with a battle axe and knives dragged him to the back seat and took his mobile phone, wrist watch, necklace and money.

Olaoye said he was tied up, blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination by the first to fifth accused persons who told him to cooperate or they would kill him, adding that they took his phone and called his mum first to inform her that he was in a cage.

The ransom

The plaintiff said after speaking with his mum, they also called his father and told him that he was in a cage and demanded a ransom of $400,000.

He said Phillips specifically

told him to try and convince his parents to pay the money or the guys would kill him.

Olaoye said he was incarcerated for four days, adding that the defendants collected N5 million ransom from his parents.

According to him, his father, Mr Segun Olaoye, paid N5 million to them which they shared among themselves.

My escape

sharing the money that he was able to sneak out of the house where he was being held and took a motorcycle to his father’s office in Gowon Estate in IyanaIpaja.

After which he wrote a statement at the Police station but he couldn’t remember the exact date or the particular police station.

However, Justice Akinlade adjourned the matter to May, 17, 2013, for continuation of trial.

He said it was while they were

Bomb scare: Shoprite shut in Enugu

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU — THE multi-million naira shopping centre in Enugu capital city, Shoprite and operators of other business outfits within the complex, yesterday, locked up their shops for hours following alleged threat by some unidentified persons to bomb the complex.

The two major entrances to the complex were locked as early as 6 a.m. when reports of the bomb threat, allegedly circulated through text messages, got to the authorities.

Security operatives including mobile policemen and men of the Anti-Bomb Squad as well as private security men guarding the complex, prevented workers and customers from entering the premises as tension gripped residents of the area.

Some officials of the state government were seen within the

premises talking with the senior managers of Shoprite on how to beef up security in the complex while operatives of the police Anti-Bomb unit were busy searching for explosives within the large complex.

When the search was completed and no explosive found, the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, who led some security chiefs to the complex, directed the workers to open their offices to customers at 12.30 p.m.

Even after the shops were opened, many customers and visitors, who were hanging outside for about four hours refused to move inside to make purchases until the police officers gave them a firm assurance that the complex was safe.

At press time, the Shoprite and other shops in the complex had resumed operations but the patronage was poor.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 7

4 killed, 5 injured in Bauchi auto crash

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI — NO fewer than four persons were burnt beyond recognition while five others sustained injuries in a motor accident in KareKare village, along Darazo road, about 30 kilometres from Bauchi metropolis.

The Bauchi State Federal Road Sector Commandant, Mr. Henry Sunday Olatunji, who confirmed the incident, yesterday, said the accident which occured around 7.45pm, involved a commercial Toyota Hiace bus and a Mercedes Benz 190 car.

According to the Sector Commandant,“a total of nine per-

sons were involved in the accident. Among the victims, eight are male while one is a female.

The number of casualities are four persons of which three are males while one is a female.The five people that sustained injuries are all males.”

He said men of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC

conveyed the dead bodies to Darazo General Hospital while the injured persons were taken to Soro Hospital.

Henry who attributed the cause of the accident to overspeeding and reckless driving, urged motorists plying the highway to ensure that they observe traffic rules and regulation at all times.

Commuter bus crashes into shop in P-Harcourt

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT — AN intra-city commercial bus burst into a roadside shop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wednesday night, leaving a passenger bleeding profusely with a ruptured skull and others with various degrees of injury.

The incident which happened at about 9.30 pm at Ada George Road would have been more horrible if the shop owners who sell tiles and ceramics had not closed business for the day.

Fabian Woke who witnessed the accident said a squatter trader who uses front of the shop to sell kerosene and fuel

Delta LG boss, scribe in fisticuffs over SURE-P file

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI – CONFUSION enveloped Ughelli South Local Government council secretariat, Delta State, yesterday, as Chairman of the Local Government Council Transition Committee, Chief Ovis Uto, and his secretary, Mr Henry Tafri, allegedly engaged in a free-for-all over the council’s SURE-P file.

A dependable source who pleaded anonymity, said trouble started when the council chairman, Chief Ovis Uto asked the secretary to send the SURE-P file to his office.

He said the council chairman after waiting in vain for the file, decided to go to the secretary’s office where they allegedly engaged in a combat before they were separated by civil servants and other politicians.

Contacted, the council chairman, Chief Ovis Uto denied fighting with his secretary, adding: “We had disagreement over the SURE-P file I asked him to send to me.

“I had to trace him to his hotel and took the file from him. I later discovered that he had removed all the vital documents from the file before handing it over to me.

“My brother, I did not fight him. As a chief of Ughelli kingdom I am not allowed to fight.

Any Ughelli chief who fought is fined N500,000 and a cow.

So I did not fight with him; as we speak, I am in my office.”

at night was even luckier when the bus broke into the shop.

“The guy was lucky. He closed earlier than usual to watch the Chelsea/Benfica Europa Cup final at a nearby barber shop. It didn’t take 10 minutes after he left when the bus came crashing into the shop,” Woke said.

Among the victims of the incident was a pedestrian who was swept of the roadside by the bus and dragged underneath with a deep gash to his belly.

When Vanguard visited the scene, a team of policemen was said to have moved the wounded to hospital for medical attention.

Scene of the crash It was not clear what lead to the accident, but Woke quoted an unhurt passenger in the crashed bus as saying that a

female passenger had a scuffle with the driver following argument over the balance of her fare.

Policeman, robbery suspect killed during shoot-out

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — A Police Corporal attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos, and a suspected member of a robbery gang were, yesterday, shot dead during a crossfire in Ifo area of Ogun State.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased robbery suspect identified as Mustapha Owolabi was arrested in Alagbado area of Lagos at about 3 a.m, yesterday, by operatives of SARS. During interrogation, the sus-

pect reportedly confessed that his gang members were responsible for several robbery incidents in Lagos, Ogun and other states. He further disclosed that his gang’s leader whose identity he gave as Morufu Aleba resides in Ifo area of Ogun State The operatives, as gathered, took the suspect to Ifo, apparently with a view to arresting his members.

But when they reached the apartment about 4 am, report said members of the gang opened fire on sighting the policemen.

This led to a gun battle said to

have lasted for over 20 minutes, at the end of which one of the Policemen, Corporal Sunday Fafoluyi with Force number 387951 was gunned down alongside Mustapha. Other members of the gang managed to escape with bullet wounds.

Two AK 47 riffles, three double barrel and one triple barrel local made pistols, including 6 AK 47 magazines, all loaded with 118 AK 47 ammunition were reportedly recovered in the robbers' apartment. Also recovered were 60 cartridges.

Police probe bomb scare

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, said it had begun investigation into threat by some unknown person to blow up Shoprite offices in the state.

Vanguard reliably gathered that an unknown person sent a text message informing owner of Shoprite of his group’s intention to blow up all Shoprite shops in Nigeria.

Although the unknown sender did not state the reason, but he disclosed that already, members of his group had planted some explosives in some packs of fruit juice at Shoprite Victoria Island branch.

The text message caused panic as customers reportedly fled the entire mall while motorists deserted the route, with text messages sent to loved ones around the vicinity to avoid the route.

It was even rumoured that there was a bomb explosion around the area.

Part of the text message read: “It is true, we do not deserve amnesty. You’ll even be surprised how I got your number. We came to Shoprite on a mission to drop a bomb.

That day, we sow bullet into Five Alive packs. We are from Niger. Someone gave us your number from Abuja. We will make sure we destroy every Shoprite...”

But sources at the Lagos State Police Command told Vanguard that investigation had begun to ascertain the identity of the sender. Although sources dismissed the text message as mere threat but said the command would still go ahead with its investigation.

Lebanese woman rescued from kidnappers' den

L

BY EVELYN USMAN

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command has rescued a 61-year-old Lebanese business woman from kidnappers' den, two weeks after she was abducted.

Surprisingly, one of the masterminds of the kidnap was discovered to be her nephew.

The woman identified as Essa Dannawi was abducted from her apartment in Abule Nla Street, Ebute-Metta West area of Lagos at about 3.15 a.m and taken to the kidnappers' hideout in Oyingbo on May 2, 2013.

But she was reportedly rescued by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, led by the officer in charge, Mr Abba Kyari, before ransom could be paid.

During investigation, the command’s boss, Mr Umar Manko, said the operatives beamed their searchlight on the victim’s relatives, during which her 23-yearold nephew, Mohammed

Dannawi, opened up during interrogation.

Manko said: “When the nephew confessed, he was arrested and we used him to set a trap for the remaining members of the gang. On the pretext that the ransom was being delivered, the gang leader was arrested. ”Thereafter, we stormed their hideout in the Oyingbo area of Lagos, rescued the victim and

made some arrests. Investigation is still on-going, as we have at our disposal details of the whereabouts of the remaining gang members who are currently at large.”

The alleged ring leader’s identity was given as Obi Kwentua, a Nigerien.

Vanguard gathered that during investigation, the arrested nephew told policemen that he

duplicated the key to the victim’s room and thereafter, gave to kidnappers to facilitate their entry into Mrs Dannawi’s apartment .

According to Mohammed, “yes, I masterminded it because she was not treating me well. I have been serving her for seven years. For instance, my wife came all the way from Lebanon to visit me only for aunty (Mrs Dannawi) to send her away.”

Minister woos investors to transport sector

BY GODWIN ORITSE

J

OS — MINISTER of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has wooed local and foreign investors to take advantage of the friendly investment policies and structures by investing in the transport sector of the economy.

Speaking to participants of the Course 35 at the International Institute of Policy and Strategic

Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, near Jos, Umar said transport policies, programmes and projects were substantially anchored on the principle of Public Private Partnership, PPP, with a view to attracting investors and as a framework for economic development.

Umar further stated that the window of opportunity which the new policy direction of Public Private

Partnership provided in the transport sector had necessitated government’s invitation of local and foreign investors to invest in the sector He named some of the current and on-going projects in the transport sector to include development of Badagry and Ibaka deep sea ports; six in-land container depots and management of in-land river ports.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

CBN to arrest traders of Naira notes  Denies responsibility for scarcity of new notes

BY MICHAEL EBOH

T

HE Central Bank of Niger ia, CBN, yesterday, said it was working with security agencies to begin the arrest of persons engaged in the trading of new naira notes.

The CBN in a statement by Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Director, Corporate Communications, said it was aware of the unpatriotic practice of some Nigerians, who, despite media sensitization by the CBN, continue to sell new Naira notes to interested members of the public.

He said: “In our determination to nip the unwholesome practice in the bud, the CBN has perfected plan of trailing such currency notes being sold to individuals, using the serial numbers.

“The CBN is working in concert with the police and other security agencies to arrest erring persons and therefore warns those bent on perpetrating the unlawful act to desist forthwith or risk facing the long arm of the law.”

The CBN also denied claims attributing the artificial scarcity of new naira notes in circulation to its refusal to disburse such notes to commercial banks.

According to Okoroafor, the apex bank operates a ‘clean note policy’ and not a mint policy, adding that this implies that commercial banks and other customers will only be paid in clean notes made up of processed and mint notes.

He said the CBN has established channels of distribution through which it disburses clean naira notes to licensed banks in Nigeria, noting however, that the CBN always pays out lower denominations of N5, N10, N20 and N50 notes to commercial banks in mint.

Okoroafor also debunked allegations that the CBN are in the practice of hoarding new currency notes only to release same to their agents, who pay them commissions after selling the mint naira notes to interested members of the public.

He said: “The CBN does not have the responsibility for the supply of cash to Automated Teller Machines, ATM, as ATMs are owned and deployed by Deposit Money Banks, as well as independent outfits".

NEF to Jonathan: You 've declared war on Northern Nigeria

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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ORTHERN elders, yester day, broke their silence on the slamming of state of emergency on three states, describing the action of President Goodluck Jonathan as an indirect declaration of war on Northern Nigeria.

The President’s action, which took the northern elders by surprise, came barely three weeks after Jonathan accepted a roadmap from the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, on how to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

The elders had successfully impressed upon the Presidency to raise the Boko Haram committee to dialogue with the sect to restore elusive peace to the region.

Jonathan, who met with the NEF leadership in Abuja in April, subsequently inaugurated the Turaki-led committee with a mandate to broker peace with the sect and compensate their victims within a two-month time frame.

However, after inaugurating the panel, the sect leadership rejected the amnesty offer, saying that it was the government that should seek amnesty for having killed its Muslim brothers.

But irked by continuous bloodletting in several parts of the north, President Jonathan on Tuesday called on the armed forces to move into the states of Borno, Yobo and Adamawa, arrest suspected terrorists and restore peace in those places.

Many reports indicated that soldiers armed with armoured tank were already on the ground in the affected states preparatory to take out terrorists from their strongholds scattered in the North Eastern part of the country.

But a spokesman for the NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, who relayed the position of the group, told Vanguard that they were disappointed by the sudden change of tactic by Jonathan on how to resolve the crisis in the north.

Abdullahi said: “It is very sad to see that the President has easily changed direction from dialogue and reconciliation to war in his bid to end the cycle of violence in the north.

“The volte-face by Jonathan amounts to undermining our agreement with him on peace and reconciliation and we are disturbed that he has opted for force rather than peace to end the violence.

“What the President has done has now justified the fear of those who rejected membership of the Boko Haram amnesty

committee on the suspicion that he was not sincere in setting up the panel and that it was programmed to fail so as to justify military action against the north.

“We hereby call on the President to immediately disband the so-called Boko Haram amnesty committee, as there is no need to continue to waste public funds on a matter, whose purpose has been deliberately truncated by the very person who initiated it.

The NEF has lately been

mounting opposition against Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015, insisting that it is their turn to occupy the top post.

Vows to truncate Jonathan's 2015 presidency The group has vowed to wrestle power from Jonathan in 2015 by presenting a candidate that would defeat the President at the polls.

At a meeting with the Borno

State Governor on Tuesday, the NEF stated that they had what it takes to produce the next President of Nigeria and they would seek to do just that.

Though Jonathan has not openly declared his intent to run, his kinsmen and foot soldiers have been threatening there would be war if he is dumped at the poll.

The Presidency is yet to condemn or distance itself from the strident calls by various Ijaw groups and individuals in the Niger Delta for him to be re-elected or for Nigeria to break up.

MEETING—From right: Vice President Namadi Sambo; National Planning Minister, Dr. Samshudeen Usman and Minister of State Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, singing the National Anthem at the National Economic Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

FG to stop abuse of Nigerian workers

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE & VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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HE Federal Government, yesterday, expressed its determination to protect Nigerian workers from abuse in the place of work ,especially employees engaged through private employment agencies, warning employers to stop patronizing unlicensed private agencies. It also threatened legal action against such employers.

To achieve this objective, it launched the Code of Conduct for private employment agencies in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of the new code which is a product of the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, HuCaPan, facilitated by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA,

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Labour , Dr. Clement Illoh, promised that Nigeria would ratify Convention 181 of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, which came into force 13 years ago.

He said, labour controllers in all the states of the federation would be directed to work with HuCaPan to ensure that private employment agencies adhere to the code of conduct.

President of HuCaPan, Mr. Neye Enemigin said “services provided by Private Employment Agencies represent a modern answer to reconcile the requirement of labour flexibility for user companies and need for work security for employees”.

Mr. Enemigin, who acknowledged the input of the ILO and the European Union in the document, said his organisation believed “that the credibility and reputation of the private employment sector will be shaped by the

code of conduct , as it will instill confidence and sanity in the industry and help private employment agencies become better service providers”.

The Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Olusegun Osinowo, said though employers had a right to engage in out sourcing of employees, it must “comply with the decent work agenda” adopted by the ILO. The ILO’s country director for Nigeria, Ms. Sina Chuma Mkandawire, represented by Mr. Pius Udoh said the “ ILO recognises that private employment agencies can play useful roles in a well-functional labour market.

Some of such roles include protection of workers against abuses; facilitation of the right to freedom of association, promotion of collective bargaining and social dialogue necessary for a wellfunctioning industrial relations system”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 9

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

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BUJA—THE Minister of In terior, Abba Moro, has revealed that 19, 000 illegal immigrants have been arrested and repatriated by the Federal Government to rid the nation of expatriates suspected to be fueling insurgency in parts of the country.

Moro told newsmen that: “19,000 illegal immigrants have been sent out of the country and that surveillance equipment would be installed at the nation’s borders, in collaboration with the United States of America.

According to the minister, “extra-ordinary problems require extra-ordinary solutions and we will do what is necessary to address the current challenges”.

Explaining the cost implications of installing the surveillance equipment at the borders, Moro revealed that the earlier quotations by two foreign firms with the expertise to undertake the project, ZTE and Hawaei conglomerates, were in the region of about $2. 6 billion (about N405 billion).

His words, “on the cost of implementating the surveillance equipment in our borders, we are in the process of certifying one of those that can be awarded. It is within the region of $2.6 billion and it was tendered by a Chinese firm, ZTE and Hawaei conglomerate”.

He added, however, that with the offer by America to play a role in the project, the cost would be reduced in the final analysis.

“That money may be reduced as the United States Government is also in touch with us in fighting terror and the US government has

FG repatriates 19,000 illegal immigrants US to provide surveillance equipment at Nigeria's borders — Minister offered to provide surveillance equipment which we will deploy to the borders".

The minister noted that checking the influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries was a great challenge due to the porous borders in the Northern states but every necessary step would be taken to stop them, especially with the war on terrorism.

Massive troops deployment at

the Northern borders have since been undertaken by the military authorities, following Tuesday’s declaration of State of Emergency in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Prisons reform The minister also expressed the Federal Government’s determination to reform the nation’s prisons by bringing in private sector

managers and decentralizing the system.

According to him, once the National Assembly amends relevant sections of the nation’s constitution which placed prisons on the exclusive list, the executive would vigorously pursue the policy in the interest of efficient prison management .

He said: “The prison service is an exclusive element of the constitution. We have repeated-

ly indicated the readiness of government to introduce the Public Private Partnership model in the Nigerian prison.

"We have had visits from of our friends from South Africa and the United Kingdom and we are tinkering with the idea of the decentralization of the prison system to enhance efficiency. But until the relevant sections of the constitution is amended, it remains the responsibility of the Federal Government".

Govs seek 25% waiver to buy INEC's data capturing machine

BY BEN AGANDE BUJA—STATE governors, yesterday, requested the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to grant them 25 percent discount for the purchase of computers used for capturing data during the registration of voters in 2010.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the National Economic Council meeting, Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State said INEC has offered to sell a total of 78,701 excess laptops and webcams to the States for distribution to Secondary Schools for the promotion of computer literacy.

The Edo State Governor who

A

was accompanied by Governors Aliyu Dankwabo (Gombe); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi) and deputy governor of Niger State, as well as the Minister of National Planning, Usman Shamsudeen and Director General of the Debt Management Office, DMO, Abraham Nwankwo said INEC should also give 10 percent discount on the computers that are new.

He explained that further negotiation on the mode of payment is expected to be finalized by a committee with INEC earlier set up by the council.

The computers and direct data capture machines bought for the 2011 general elections are valued at N35 billion.

Governor Oshiomhole said: “Council agreed that States are going to buy the machines and INEC should give discount of 25 percent for the old machines and 10 percent for the new ones.

Further negotiation on the mode of payment will be finalized by the committee with INEC”.

NEC also received a report of the National Seminar on Corruption which was held in Minna, Niger State in collaboration

with the National Planning Commission.

According to the Deputy Governor of Niger State, the report noted that a National Development plan was required for economic and social stability, with stringent measures of punishing offenders publicly.

It further emphasized the need for merit which must be genuinely elevated above partisanship.

In tomorrow's Saturday Vanguard

Why my father honoured Oshiomhole — Crown Prince Ehenede Erediauwa  How

five Police officers were shot by irate mob

CHILD-TRAFFICKING BOOMS!

The ordeal of child-hawkers on ever-busy Lagos traffic DISCHARGE—From left: Leadership Newspaper political correspondent, Mr. Chibuzor Ukaibe; Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; and Group News Editor, Mr. Tony Amokeodo, after their discharge over alleged forgery at the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Actress Omoni Oboli speaks on what binds her with hubby

LOSS OF ORIGINAL RECEIPTS This is to inform the general public of the Loss of Original Receipts of Land renewal receipts issued by Lagos State Government with receipts number and date as follows: M718853 issued on 10/10/97, N152037 issued on 23/11/98, 2293487 issued on 17th July 2007, 2293587 issued on 17th July, 2007 and 2293768 issued on 18th July, 2007—all belonging to lkoyi, Estate Developments Limited.

All efforts made to trace the said receipts proved abortive.

Lagos State Government, Ministry of Lands, and Ministry of Finance, Lagos State and the general public to note, if found return to the nearest Police Station.

Plus  BizLaw  Aunty Julie  Muyiwa Adetiba Relationships Bunmi Sofola and more

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Edo govt woos investors

NRC introduces luxury coaches

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DO State Government has said investors who want to take advantage of the enhanced infrastructure in the state will receive needed support from the state government.

Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, spoke in Benin, when he played host to a delegation of Stallion Group who paid him an official visit.

Ihonvbere expressed satisfaction that the reawakened infrastructure in the state by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration was now a clear signal for investors to take advantage of the abundant potentials in the state.

He said the indication by the Stallion Group to invest in the state, especially in agriculture among others, was worthwhile.

The SSG assured of adequate partnership to achieve the vision since it would enhance job creation efforts of the state government and the economic fortunes of the state.

Business Development Manager, the Group, Mr. Sunil Dhermappa said that the company has vehicle assembling plants in Lagos and Kaduna.

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

N

IGERIA Railway Corporation, NRC, has said it has added one air-conditioned passenger coach to its Lagos mass transit fleet.

According to a statement by the corporation’s Assistant Director of Public Relations, David Ndanusa, the move was to reduce the problem of congestion and increase the volume of passenger traffic that it moves per trip.

He said: “To alleviate passenger congestion, a minimum of 10 standard class passenger coaches, with one air-conditioned passenger coach and a powergenerating car per train, is being made available for the commuters in Lagos mass transit trains.

“With this improvement, each of the Lagos mass transit trains will carry about 1,650 passengers at about 150 passengers per coach. All the coaches come with improved interior facilities like lightings, fans, seats, and toilets.”

ZUS' workshop

Z

US Bureau Limited has said it will be holding a client service skills development workshop in Lagos.

In a statement by Aniefiok Suzan, the firm said the workshop, to be facilitated by Chris Doghudje, would hold on the 27th of June.

The workshop would feature topics such as X-raying today’s client service executives, How to obtain/ write a stimulating advertising brief, among others.

Transition

M

R. George Okelue Onyejeoseh of Onicha-Uku in Aniocha North local Government area of Delta State, aged 78, is dead.

A wake keep held at his residence in Idumu UmuOmu, Ishiekpe Quarters, Onicha-Uku, yesterday.

The body will depart Onicha-Uku General Hospital today for his residence for interment and other burial rites.

One of his children is Mr. Gabriel Onyejeoseh, a Senior Staff of Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba.

JUBILEE: From left— Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd.) Chairman of the occasion; Alhaji Waheed Olajide, Secretary to Oyo State Governor, and Dr. Ismail Adewusi, Chairman, Wemabod Estates Limited, at the golden jubilee anniversary luncheon of Wemabod in Ibadan, yesterday.

900 CCTVs deployed in Lagos O

VER 900 closed-circuit television, CCTV, cameras have been deployed in Lagos State and already supplying video footages to relevant agencies, State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, has said.

Mabadeje, at a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, said that the current deployment of the CCTV by the Federal Government was not in conflict with the earlier efforts by

the state government.

According to him, the state would soon embark on the pilot resident registration exercise, which would enable the government to collect, collate and manage a database of all residents.

He noted that the state government had advertised and called for the expression of interest by private investors with requisite expertise and funding for “a world-class’’ forensic laboratory under a

Public-Private Partnership in which the government will provide land in Badagry.

Mabadeje stressed that the state government expects to receive inputs from the Federal Government and security agencies in executing the project, which he claimed would save the state hardearned foreign exchange expended in carrying out forensic investigations and studies on crime and health-related matters overseas.

... as Lagos arrests 120 criminals

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOOWOPEJO

N

O fewer than 120 crimi nals, pretending to be beggars, have been arrested and prosecuted in the last one year by the Lagos State Government.

The government also said seven persons were sentenced to a minimum of seven years imprisonment for violating the state child rights law through the state family court.

Commissioner for Sports, Wahid Oshodi and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youths and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, spoke yesterday, at the 2013 ministerial briefing, in Alausa to commemorate the sixth year anniversary of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration.

Badru said: “These were among the 3, 114 beggars/ destitute/mentally challenged person arrested across the state in the year under review."

Giving a breakdown of the statistic, he explained “out of these numbers, 2,695 were sent to the rehabilitation and training centre, 96 children arrested for cleaning windows at traffic light points were transferred to the state child protection unit and Special Correctional Centre.

"Eight children were transferred to the Child Transit Home and 315 persons, out of which 203 were male and 54

females, suspected to be criminals, were however handed over to the state task force for prosecution.”

Maritime workers commend Jonathan on capacity building

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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ARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan, for capacity building and empowering Nigerians to take up critical jobs in the nation’s maritime industry.

This came as the union called on the President to do more and ensure that Nigeria would in the nearest future become a supplier of highly trained professionals in maritime industry to other sub-Saharan countries.

At a rally in Kirikiri Jetty Phase 1, Lagos, to support the President Goodluck Jonathan for positive impact on the maritime industry, President of MWUN, Anthony Nted Emmanuel, said over 2000 Nigerians had been sent abroad for training a captains, Marine engineers, Naval Architects

among others, saying before the end of the year 1000 would going for similar training.

He recalled that Nigeria used to a have a fleet of vessels managed by Nigerian National Shipping Line, but all had disappeared and the captains, Marine engineers and other highly trained pro-

fessionals had left Nigeria for greener pasture.

He said: “Today, President Goodluck Jonathan, has been trying to revive this area dearth of highly skilled professionals in the country and so far, he has done well. But like Oliver Twist, we are expecting more."

Oil, insurance firms head for court over APB

A

N oil service company, UM Petroleum Limited, has threatened to drag an insurance company, to court over alleged failure to meet up with its obligation on an Advance Payment Bond, APB, it issued on behalf of a sub-contractor to the oil company.

It is claiming an outstanding N4, 202, 771.06 in default. The insurance company, Leadway Assurance Company

Limited, is said to have issued the APB to Control Systems International Company, which allegedly defaulted by not completing aspects of the work in the sub-contract.

Although, Leadway declined comments on the allegation, a letter dated April 19, 2013, by UM’s counsel, Stanley Onyenze, stated that the insurance company, had an outstanding N4,202,771.06 to pay his clients or face court action.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 11

Mimiko rallies support for Jonathan, faults politicising of security challenges

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, yesterday, called on Nigerians to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid to bring an end to the security challenges in the country.

He chided those who have chosen to embark on undue politicisation of current national security challenges facing the country.

Mimiko said that the present security challenges confronting the nation can only be surmounted if Nigerians rally round the President.

He spoke in Akure while playing host to members of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, led by its Chairman and Pro-chancellor, Mr. Mahmud Yahaya (SAN).

Mimiko said: “With the array of Nigerians from diverse ethnic stocks in the Governing Council of FUTA, the obvious point is made that our destiny as a nation is one and so Nigerians must work with the President to evolve a united, peaceful, and prosperous country.

“I am of the view that the effort to bring an end to the security challenges in some states, through the recently declared State of Emergency, should be lauded by all.

“For me, this is the time to rally round the President and jettison all forms of divisive and non-productive politicking.

“It is also the time to tell those who are disposed to feasting on the national security challenge that they are alone.”

He said those opposed to the President on account of political differences should offer genuine, logical and coherent alternatives instead of blanket

condemnation of all that emanates from the Presidency.

Earlier, Mr. Yahaya sought the support of the state government in the development

LABOUR: From right— Mr. Olusegun Osinowo, Director-General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA; Dr. Clement Illoh, Permanemt Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity; and Mr. Neye Enimigin, President, Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, HUCAPAN, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Funmi Komolafe.

Kidnapped 84-yr-old mother of Ondo ex-Commissioner released

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—MADAM Olufunke Olatubora, the over 84-year-old mother of former Commissioner for Education in Ondo State, Remi Olatubora, abducted five days ago, has been released.

The old woman, who was kidnapped at her residence in Iyansan, Irele council area

of the state, was freed in the early hours of yesterday.

The former commissioner said in an SMS in Akure: “My 84-year-old mother, Mrs Olufunke Olatubora, who was abducted last Sunday at her home in Iyansan in Irele Local Government Area, was found overnight at the beach of Owena River in Iyansan.

“Her abductors dumped

Amosun faults Daniel's govt over Agro-Cargo Airport, road projects

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, yesterday, disagreed with his predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, over the commencement of Agro-Cargo Airport, proposed to be sited at Ilishan-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

He said he did not meet anything on ground despite the billions of naira allegedly spent on projects.

Amosun also faulted the claim allegedly made by the past administration that it had constructed the Ilishan-Irolu-Ijebu/ Ijesa road, which cut across Ikenne, Ijebu-North and Odogbolu local government areas of the state.

Addressing newsmen during an inspection of some projects in Ogun East Senatorial District

of the institution’s skills acquisition centre.

He lauded Governor Mimiko for the unprecedented transformation of the state.

of the state, Amosun said that his administration had budgeted N7 billion for the 26-km abandoned Ilishan-IroluIjesa-Ijebu road, which has three bridges.

Both Agro-Cargo Airport and the Ilishan-Irolu-IjesaIjebu road were said to have been taken to an appreciable stage by Daniel’s administra-

tion.

Amosun said: “People talk to me as if Agro-Cargo Airport has taken off. But up till now nothing is on ground.

Not even the feasibility study; we asked for it.

“Some People said that the government owe them billions of naira and that we should pay. I said how?

her at the beach in the early hours of this morning (yesterday),” adding that the family did not pay any ransom before his mother was released.

It was gathered that the state Anti-Robbery Squad and Gallery Security, belonging to an ex- militant, Bibopiri Ajube, was instrumental to the release of the former commissioner’s mother.

Acting on a tip-off, the teams stormed the hideout of the kidnappers and they reportedly fled leaving the old woman behind.

Olatubora commended the state Police Command for quick intervention in the release of his mother.

Police image maker in the state, Wole Ogodo confirmed the release. Ogodo said detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department worked round the clock to secure her release, adding that the kidnappers would soon be apprehended.

NGF lauds Ekiti, Anambra at S-West parley

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KITI and Anambra states have been acknowledged at the ongoing second Nigeria Governors’ Forum (South-West) Governance Share Fair in Lagos as the two states in the federation that have so far completed the Peer Review Exercise.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Forum,

Mr. A. B. Okauru, noted that the Governance Share Fair was set to create a conducive space for peer learning among states through the sharing of good practices, showcasing of reform, achievements and to develop areas of collaboration and further networking.

He noted that the Forum

had overtime become more focused on priorities calculated to reduce poverty, enhance development and create better connection between government and the citizenry.

The six governors in the South-West zone, who were represented at the occasion, delivered goodwill messages.

5 arrested over PHCN staff, Okada riders' clash

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI—NO fewer than five persons have been arrested in Ikere Ekiti by the police over a violent clash between officials of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and commercial motorcyclists, also called Okada riders.

The Okada riders and youths in the community were said to have embarked on protests since Wednesday, over power outage in the community in the last two weeks.

During the face-off, the Okada riders took to the streets and made bonfires on Ado-Akure highway.

All commercial centres were said to have been shut as the motorcyclists, had allegedly swooped on the PHCN officials for allegedly serving the house owners with outrageous electricity bills, in spite of the epileptic power supply being witnessed by residents.

A reliable source confirmed to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, that the Okada riders became enraged with the way PHCN had been issuing high bills.

Transition

P

A Festus Odufuwa, 90, retired staff of Daily Times Nigeria Limited, is dead. He died March 22.

Today is wake keep at his residence, Adetola Lodge, 78, Ejirin Road, Imepe Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, while the funeral service holds tomorrow at Emmanuel Anglican Church Archdeaconry, Italupe, Ijebu-Ode. Reception holds after the funeral service at the Precious Stone Primary School, beside Christianah Hotel, opposite Lagos Garage, Ijebu-Ode. He is survived by many children, among whom is Mr. Ademola Odufuwa, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Late Pa Odufuwa.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

FG to withdraw Amaechi's security aides ...it's false —Rivers CP

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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HE face-off between the Federal Government and Rivers State governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, has degenerated, with allegations that the governor's security details may be withdrawn soon, just as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Otelemaba Amachree, yesterday, alleged that his police aides had been withdrawn by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu. Meanwhile, the state Police boss, Mr. Mbu has denied the allegations.

The Speaker, in a statement, said: “Sequel to my letter to the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, of plans by some persons to unleash mayhem in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr. Mbu, has unceremoniously withdrawn the Police orderly and escort attached to me.

“Recall that I had earlier expressed my fears about plans to withdraw security operatives from the governor and top officials of the Rivers State Government, including me, making us vulnerable to attack by hoodlums. Now my fears are made worse by the recent murder of an aide to Chief G. Ake, Mr. Eric Ezenekwe, at his home town in Erema, Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

“On this premise, I still stand on my earlier call for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mbu.” Similarly, it was gathered that the plot to re-

move Amaechi's security details include the alleged withdrawal of the policemen, soldiers and operatives of Department of State Security, attached to the governor, who is also Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

Sources hinted that barring any last minute change of plans, the withdrawal could take place as early as this weekend. A security source privy to the plan, said: “The plot was to first withdraw the police security details attached to the governor, including his orderly and Aide

de Camp(ADC). When the governor and his people would raise alarm about the withdrawal, the police would quickly try to defend the withdrawal as routine redeployment of officers and men, and that other policemen will be posted to the governor."

However, the state Police boss, Mbu, has denied the allegations.

Speaking through the Public Relations Officer, Angela Agabe, he said security men attached to the Speaker were intact, adding that those in Government House were still firmly on ground.

Edo govt assures on Benin road

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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DO State Government has assured residents of Adolor College Road, in Ugbowo, Benin City, that the road will soon be rehabilitated as details needed for its reconstruction are now ready.

Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, during a career talk organised by his Alma Mata, Edo Boys

High School (Adolor College) Old Boys Association, said the road would be part of road contracts to be awarded in the next contract awards.

He said: “The access road to this place, down to the gate of the school and beyond, had been added to the next award of contracts. The governor is worried about this road, the school and the people around this area and wants to do more here.”

Jigbo festival holds in Oko-Olomi

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T was singing and dancing galore for residents of Oko-Olomi Village, Bogige area of Ibeju – Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State as the annual Jigbo Festival began, yesterday.

Spokesman for the community, Mr. Femi Bakare, said the festival was unique as it was an opportunity to offer sacrifices and prayers to their ancestors and a

time, when sons and daughters of Oko-Olomi in the country and Diaspora converage on the village.

Bakare said the grand finale will come up on Saturday with a carnival and that entertainment of guests follows on May 18, 2013.

He said adequate security had been put in place throughout the duration of the festival.

We'll sustain Boro’s legacies—Dickson

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—THE Ijaw nation, yesterday, converged at Kaiama, in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to commemorate this year's Isaac Adaka Boro Day celebration, declaring that late Boro’s legacies, sacrifice, courage and belief would be sustained.

The history of the struggle for true federalism,

resource control, implementation and respect for the principle of derivation and the struggle and contradiction of the Nigerian state, were the issues that pushed Isaac Boro and his colleagues, as young men, to be involved in what has become known as the Twelve Days Revolution.

The day, which is usually celebrated on May 16, is set aside to remember Boro, who began the struggle for the emancipation of the Ijaw nation and died while fighting

for the unity of Nigeria in the civil war.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who led other prominent Ijaw people, drawn from Delta, Edo, Rivers, Ondo and Akwa Ibom states, among them, former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; President of Ijaw National Congress, Senator Tari Sekibo, to lay wreath at the mausoleum of the late Isaac Boro, reiterated the commitment of the Ijaw nation to his vision.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 13

Edo commissioner denies sacking casual workers

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—EDO State Com-missioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, has denied media reports that over 100 casual workers in the state's media houses had been sacked by the state government, describing the reports as false and unfounded.

Speaking with Vanguard, yesterday, in Benin, Odion said Governor Adams Oshiomhole from his days in the labour movement had always been against casualisation of workers, an action which he said the governor described as exploitative.

He said: “Governor Oshiomhole had often said that he was against the caualisation of workers, right from his labour days. As a labour friendly governor, he recalled some teachers that were earlier dismissed and even paid them arrears of salaries.

“The governor believes that if a system needs your services, it should engage you. We are going to put in a mechanism to check sharp practices because you cannot pay workers with funds that cannot be verified.

“The respective ministries and parastatals had been told to forward the list of vacant positions to the relevant authorities, applications will be entertained and and competent applicants will be short-listed and employed.”

N-Delta leaders urge Jonathan to contest 2015 poll .…All regions need one another —Clark

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—PEOPLE of the Niger Delta region, under the auspices of Niger Delta Leaders Assembly, have told President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election, otherwise he should not return home, insisting that “it is a must do project.”

Speaking during a courtesy call on Chief Edwin Clark at his Kiagbodo country home, Delta State, National Chairman of the group, HRM Carson Agidah, said despite the fact that God has made them feeder station of the country, their brothers in the North, East and West had never allowed people from the South-South region to preside over the affairs of Nigeria, but for President Jonathan, who emerged through divine intervention.

He said: “We have been shortchanged for too long, impoverished by our extreme attention to the needs of our brothers. We have made the bourgeois of the North, East and West feast on our wealth to the detriment of our children. Our magnanimity is taken for granted; we have been mocked for allowing our wealth to be accessed by all; our generosity has turned to an offence as we are rated as those who do not know the value of their wealth.

“Politically, our region has always been known to be the shopping centre for votes and support to make others President of Nigeria. As far as presidential elections are concerned, we have never been qualified to be voted for.

“Respectfully, our dear elder statesman, we are here to let you know that we are set to reverse the tide. We are set to break that jinx in 2015 for posterity. For the 2015 presidential election, we the people of Niger Delta have a candidate. Our candidate is Dr Jonathan. He must contest the 2015 presidential election.”

Responding, Chief Clark said

all the regions in the country needed one another to move on, noting that, “Alhaji Shehu Shagari was to do eight years when the military struck; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did eight years; Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua was to do eight years before his death; so Dr Jonathan is entitled to eight years.”

Urging the group to meet with other regions to seek their consent and support, he said the group or the Niger Delta region alone cannot make Jonathan president come 2015. He added that he will convey the mes-

sage of the group to President Jonathan.

He said: “President Jonathan has resuscitated the railways. He has improved on the power situation in the country; air transport has been improved upon; the aviation industry is being improved upon and he has also improved on the educational sector.”

Clark said all the states in the country now have a federal university, adding that “President Jonathan is doing his best. He believes in one man one vote and he has strengthened democracy.”

VISIT: Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State (left), and the United States of America Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, during a visit to the Banana Farm, in UekenTai, Rivers State, a joint venture agro project between the state government and a Mexican firm, yesterday.

2015: Stop beating drums of war, Lori-Ogbebor warns politicians

BY NNAMDI OJIEGO

T

HE Igba of Warri, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, yesterday, warned politicians to desist from making inciting statements capable of heating up the polity.

Ogbebor, who addressed newsmen in Lagos on the

state of the nation, maintained that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration must deliver Nigeria as an indivisible entity in 2015.

According to her, the state of insecurity in the country has become worrisome as same had risen to an alarming height.

She said: “I never thought that there would be a time in Nigeria when bombings and kidnap-

pings would be the order of the day. That gets people like me, a mother and grandmother, very worried. So, to think that at my age, I can’t move out of my house without fear and even when I’m inside my house, I’m afraid, then there is fear everywhere. What I’m going through now is what every Nigerian is going through.

We are afraid, we are an-

U.K-based Oghara indigenes award scholarships to students

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N a bid to contribute to the educational advancement of indigenes of Oghara Kingdom, Delta State, as well as enhance capacity building of the coming generations of youths, Oghara Clan Union in the United Kingdom, has commenced an annual scholarship grant of N100,000 per student to bright indigent sons and daughters of the kingdom in higher institutions in the country.

Presenting the grant to bene-

ficiaries at the palace of HRM Noble Eshemitan, UkuOgharaname (Orefe III), Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Ganiga, President, Oghara Clan Union, U.K., said they thought it wise to contribute towards the human capital development of youths in the kingdom in select disciplines of medicine, law, accountancy, engineering among others.

gered.

“President Jonathan was not voted into office by gun, but the whole country voted him en masse to do certain things, to reduce unemployment, to ensure stability of the country and make us proud Nigerians.

“Jonathan needs peace of mind to carry out the task we voted him for. He must be given that chance. What should be important to Jonathan is to deliver this country by 2015 as an indivisible entity. We gave this country as Nigeria and by 2015, he should deliver it back to Nigerians. So he needs all the peace to deliver.”

Advising politicians making inciting statements to desist, the Itsekiri leader cautioned those who said they were helping President Jonathan or those who said they were his friends, to stop the drums of war as they would be creating more problems for him.

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Chinua Achebe’s day of tributes

BY ESTHER ONYEGBU-

L

LA

AGOS—IT was, in deed, a day of tributes yesterday for the late literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, as dignitaries from all walks of life gathered to pay him tributes for promoting and showcasing excellence in his life time.

The event witnessed epic renditions from students of the University of Lagos, coordinated by Professor Merini and Dr. Nnabuihe.

Some of the rendition include “Paradise, the holy city ”, written by Steve Adams, amongst others.

Speaking on the occasion, Arthur Mbanefo referred to late icon as a man everyone must look up to because depicted honour integrity, and self confidence.

“What he depicts is not a myth; he tried to practice what he wrote about, something that very few people have done in Nigeria.

“Achebe played honest politics; he stood his ground at all times. He stood straight till the end, he refused the highest national honours because he felt that the hands that would give him that honour are not clean enough,” he said.

In his tribute, Prof.

Anya O. Anya extolled Aka Ikenga for organising the event, and noted that Prof. Chinua Achebe was his next door neighbour.

He said: “God has kept Igbo nation for the future. Achebe was never a minister or government official but was so celebrated all over the world. “ He was defined by whom he was; a humble, simple and intelligent, though he was not perfect as no one is. His life challenges the Igbo people to carry on the legacy he has left behind.”

Prof. George Obiozor described Achebe as a world figure, an African and Igbo man to the core, adding that in his last works, ‘There Was A Country,” he spoke his mind with candor and intelligence without fear or favour.

Another baby factory uncovered in Imo O

By CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—ANOTHER breakthrough has been recorded in Imo State by security agencies in their current fight against the establishment of baby making factories and trafficking in human beings, as no fewer than 14 pregnant teenagers were rescued by security operatives who stormed a building located at Umuguma, Owerri, Imo State.

Vanguard gathered that the latest baby making factory is said to be owned and run by a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, simply identified as Pastor Chinedu.

Feelers from some residents of Umuguma, claimed that the Pastor was a staff of one the local governments in the state.

A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, told Vanguard that the security operatives stormed the premises last Wednesday afternoon.

“The security personnel rescued about 14 pregnant teenage girls when they stormed the place (baby making factory). They also arrested the owner of the baby factory,” the villager recounted.

He recalled that the pastor recently hired an uncompleted building in the community and quartered the pregnant girls in the unhealthy environment.

Vanguard recalls that only re-

cently, the state police command raided a baby factory at Umuaka, run by a woman simply identified as Madam One Thousand.

In this particular operation,

no fewer than 26 pregnant teenagers were rescued, while a 23-year-old boy said to be hired by the woman to impregnate the girls, was also arrested.

VISIT: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (left); Chief Tony Anenih, Board of Trustees Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP (right) and others, during Chief Tony Anenih’s visit to the governor in Umuahia.

Mbaise priests, laity protest imposition of bishop

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—ECONOMIC activities were yesterday grounded at Mbaise, following a peaceful protest organized by priests and lay faithful of Ahiara Catholic Diocese to press home their total rejection of Monsignor Peter Okpalaeke as the new bishop of the Diocese.

The protesters, who spotted black attire, marched slowly between Saint Brigid’s Parish and Cathedral Church, saying their rosary and periodically sang Christian songs.

Some of the placards displayed by the aggrieved Catholics read: “No ordination of Okpalaeke in Mbaise”, “Awka has five bishops, Mbaise has no bishop”, “Mbaise unequivocally rejects Okpalaeke”, “We reject injustice”, “We want Mbaise son as Mbaise bishop”, and “Bishop Chikwe is betrayed”.

In a six-page declaration signed by the President and Secretary, Ahiara Diocesan Priests Association, ADPA, Rev. Fr. Austin Bernadine Ekechukwu and Rev. Fr. Dominic N. Ekweariri respectively, the protesters strongly contested Okpalaeke’s suitability for Ahiara Diocese, given its uniqueness and pastoral realities.

“We, the priests and lay faithful of Ahiara Diocese, having in view the peculiarities of our Diocese, state that we categorically reject the appointment of Msgr. Peter Okpalaeke as the bishop-elect of Ahiara Diocese,” the priests stat-

ed.

They also made it clear that because they were impelled by the pastoral realities of their Diocese and being solicitous for the promotion of the Catholic faith among their people, they had the obligation to reject anything that imperilled the faith of their people.

“Our opposition of the appoint-

ment of Msgr. Okpalaeke draws from our perception of the paramount importance of the salvation of the souls of our people. The salvation of the souls of our people in Ahiara Diocese commands our primary allegiance before any other consideration,” the priests said.

Stating that the appointment

of Okpalaeke contradicted natural justice, the priests equally argued that it sent a very reprehensible signal about the status and reputation of about 500 Catholic priests who traced their origins to the soil of Mbaise, a Diocese that had been globally acclaimed as the Ireland of Nigeria.

....As crisis looms in Abia community over Ezeship tussle

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

M UA H I A — TRADI TIONAL heads and other leaders of Umuhu Autonomous Community in Abia State have rejected Bob Onyema who was issued with a staff of office by Umuahia North Local Government authorities as the Eze. They said the community was not aware of any election held anywhere that produced Bob Onyema as the traditional rulerelect.

Addressing journalists in Umuahia, the traditional heads, including Village Head of Amaogwugwu, Chief Iroanuonwu Nwoke, and traditional Prime Minister of Umuhu Autonomous Community, Chief Sunday Nwankwo, vehemently denied knowledge of any election that produced Onyema as the Eze-elect.

Flanked by others leaders in the community, they said the two villages that made up Umuhu Autonomous community (Umungasi

and Amaogwugwu) had unanimously presented a candidate, Chief Emeka Orji, to the Local Government Authorities and

were asked to return the staff of office of the late Eze, Robinson Ahamefule Onyema, before a new one would be issued to them.

Anambra 2014: Arthur Eze backs power shift

A

WKA—A major political stakeholder and financier of PDP in Anambra State, Prince Arthur Eze, has thrown his weight behind power shift to the northern senatorial zone of the state.

Arthur Eze made this known when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, paid him a courtesy visit at his Enugu residence. Prince Eze said he was prepared to follow Anambra north senatorial zone into the battle of the governorship race with all his resources, adding that he was granting his support to the zone in

the spirit of equity, fairness and justice.

Eze noted that aspirants as Dr. Chris Ngige, a serving Senator and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Soludo who came to him to solicit his support were told plainly to drop their aspiration for now in respect to the power shift to the North.

Noting that Anambra North people were honest and transparent, Eze described Obiogbolu as a very good material for governorship, based on his achievements in the public service but added that he had not endorsed any aspirant as claimed in some quarters.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 15

Madala bomb blast: I’ve no case to answer, Kabiru Sokoto tells court

Reps okay N260bn FCT Budget

Set to make a no case submission on June 7 As FG closes case against him

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA—MEM BERS of the House of Representatives yesterday passed N259,649,520,705 as statutory revenue for the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, in the 2013 budget.

Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who presided over sitting of the House after dissolving it to Committee of Supply, undertook various sections of the appropriation’s clause by clause deliberation with members.

Yesterday’s passage came after what the House described as satisfactory explanations of all items in the initial proposed budget by FCDA officials.

FCDA officials, led by its Permanent Secretary, Engr.

John Obinna Chukwu, had appeared before House Committee on FCT, May 3, 2013, for budget defence.

Deputy Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Raphael Nnana Igbokwue, led the debate on the Bill.

He explained to his colleagues on work done so far by his committee since the budget scaled second reading late April.

A breakdown of the budget indicates a sum of N160,467,449,402, representing 60% as capital budget.

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU BUJA—THE alleged mas termind of the Christmas day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State, in 2011, Kabiru Umar, a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto, yesterday, insisted he had no case to answer.

This came on day the Boko Haram Amnesty Committee said it never met with him during its visit to Kuje Prison last week.

At his resumed trial before Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Sokoto queried the competence of the 2-count terrorism charge preferred against him by the Federal Government, contending that the government had failed to establish a prima-facie criminal case capable of warranting his conviction.

He stated this as government closed its case against him after it had called six witnesses that testified before the high court.

Consequent upon an application made by Sokoto’s lawyer, Mr Hassan Lukman, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, adjourned the case till June 7 to enable the accused person enter his no-case-submission.

Basically, a no case submission is made when an accused person believes that the prosecution has failed to prove the ingredients of the offence for which he is charged or that

A

the evidence adduced in court was such that a judge cannot rely upon to pass a sentence.

Specifically, the alleged Boko Haram kingpin urged the court to give him only seven-days to puncture the terrorism case against him, a request granted.

The court also gave the federal government five days to respond on points of law to whatever the accused person will file.

Besides, Sokoto, asked the

court to furnish him with the entire record of proceeding, a request that was declined by Justice Adeniyi.

Meanwhile, the last prosecution witness who testified before the court yesterday, alleged that Sokoto had confessed that one of the recognized leaders of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, told him that only members of the sect initiated into the “Shurah” cadre were allowed to know the ideology behind the current insurgency in the Northern part of the country.

A

The witness told the court that Sokoto had disclosed that whereas members of the “Shurah” which he belongs to, plan and mastermind attacks, other lay members were recruited to execute terrorist agenda of the sect.

However, Sokoto, through his lawyer, faulted the testimony of the masked witness, maintaining that he used the Hausa word “Anche” in his statement, a word he said meant “they said.”

DONOR CONFERENCE: Nigerian Ambassador to Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and The European Union, Mr. Felix Awanbor (left), and Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the donor conference for development in Mali, in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: State House.

NASS debates state of emergency, Tuesday

BY HENRY UMORU &

JOSEPH ERUNKE BUJA—THE National As sembly has slated next Tuesday for deliberations on the state of emergency declared last Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan in the three states of Borno,Yobe and Adamawa.

This followed the letter it received Wednesday by the President, seeking the legislature’s approval of the action.

Although, the President’s letter had not been made public, indications that the issue will be debated next Tuesday came yesterday, following announcement on the floor of the Senate by the Senate President, David Mark, before the commencement of yesterday’s plenary, that there was a crucial matter before the Senate for immediate deliberation.

Even as he was evasive about the “crucial matter”,the Senate President tasked all senators to endeavour to be present in next

A

Tuesday’s sitting, saying the urgent issue before the upper legislative chamber could not be handled without the legislators forming a quorum. ”I wish to advise all senators to endeavour to be present in next Tuesday’s sitting. Everybody should try to be present so

that we can form a quorum,there is a crucial matter before us,” he said.

He did not, however, mention the subject matter.

Vanguard gathered that the letter to the National Assembly from the President,which was in two copies, addressed to both the Senate

President and speakerof the House of Representatives, David Mark and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal respectively, arrived Wednesday afternoon through the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Mrs. Joy Emodi.

CNN to feature Chimamanda Adichie on African Voices

A

BUJA—FOREMOST ca ble news channel, CNN, will this weekend feature Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, on its programme, CNN African Voices.

According to a statement by the sponsor of the programme, Globacomm, the decision to feature Adichie is borne out of CNN’s philosophy to showcase successful and high-profile personalities who are shaping the African continent.

The company said

CNN African Voices highlights Africa’s most engaging personalities who are shaping the African continent in different areas of life, adding that it was in this light that the multiple awardwinning writer was being brought to viewers as special guest on the programme.

The company said: “The 30minute magazine programme, will be broadcast on Friday at 8.30 a.m., with repeat broadcasts on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. and on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.. There

will be further repeats at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Monday and at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday.

“Known for her thought-provoking and inspirational writing, Adichie was thrust into limelight

by Purple Hibiscus which she published in 2003. She followed it up with another sensational novel, Half of a Yellow Sun in 2006 and The Thing Around Your Neck in 2009.

“She recently released her last book, Americanah.”

FRSC trains 40 personnel in France

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA—THE Feder al Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has dispatched 40 of its personnel to France to undergo specialized training under the Safe- to- Load scheme, aimed at curbing road crashes involving articulated vehicles in the country.

The training programme was secured through a partnership with Total Nigeria Plc at the APTH Training school in LE Creusot, France.

Deputy Corps Marshal Operations, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi saidwhile addressing the first batch of participants, that the NYSC secured admission for 40 officers at the APTH Training school in LE Creusot, France, for a training of trainers who will train delivery drivers for oil products, especially fuel and LPG.

16—Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Man to die for murder, theft of motor-cycle, N200, 000

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI — A middle aged man, Mnsoga Terngu has been sentenced to death by hanging by a Makurdi High Court, presided over by Justice Ada Unum for robbing a man of his motorcycle and over N200,000 cash after killing him with a cutlass.

Prosecution had told the court that the accused was arrested in February 2011 with a bloodstained unregistered motorcycle near a primary school on the University of AgricultureGbajimba road by a police patrol team.

It was explained that upon interrogation by the policemen, Terngu confessed that he had earlier killed the owner of the motorbike with a cutlass before stealing both the motorcycle and the money.

In his defence through his counsel, Mr. Simon Ode, Terngu pleaded for leniency, even as he acknowledged that the punishment for the offence was prescribed by law.

Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice Unum pointed out that he was satisfied with the evidence adduced by the prosecution and other witnesses.

He added that the evidence before him clearly showed that the accused carefully planned and carried out the dastardly act in a rather bizarre and wicked manner, without respect for human life pointing out that Terngu’s confession was direct, unequivocal and unambiguous.

Emergency rule 'll save Nigeria — Ex-Gov Tapgun ...praises retention of democratic structures

BY TAYE OBATERU

F

ORMER GOVERNOR of Plateau State, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for taking a decisive step to tackle the security

problem facing the country, saying it would save the country from descent into anarchy.

Reacting to the declaration of a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, he said the President acted well in the circumstance

Journalists urged to gain Nigerians' confidence by following ethics

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

I

LORIN — JOURNAL ISTS in the country have been asked to always discharge their duties in accordance with the ethics of their profession in order to earn the confidence of Nigerians.

Kwara State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Alhaji Abiodun Abdulkareem gave this advice, yesterday, during the inauguration of a new executive of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ. Abdulkareem further said journalists had a vital role to play in the sustenance of the nation’s democracy by ‘’deploying our weapons of trade in line with the ethics’’ of the profession. ”As journalists, we need to redefine the essence of the profession and preserve our integrity so as to earn more respect from Nigerians and for people to rely on us. We have a responsibility towards this nation; we have the weapons but we need to deploy the weapons in line with the ethics of the profession,’’ he added.

The NUJ chairman also called on government to give more support to journalists and provide them with the enabling environment considering the nature of their job.

I

LORIN— THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has begun massive campaigns with all its affiliate unions for the re-industrialisation of the country which would pave the way for the availability of locally produced goods as was the case in the past.

National Vice President of the NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu made this known, yesterday,

democratic structures in the three states, which he said, was in line with the country’s constitution.

He urged Nigerians to support the effort of the Federal Government to restore normalcy to troubled parts for the smooth implementation of the transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration.

He also urged the National Assembly to give full backing to moves by President Jonathan to tackle the problem of terrorism and insurgency in different parts of the country.

From left: Mrs. Abidemi Ademola, Company Secretary, Unilever Nigeria Plc; Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, and Mr. Thabo Mabe, Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, at the 88th Annual General Meeting of the company, in Lagos, yesterday

...asked to raise people's consciousness, govt's attention to rural people

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA — KOGI State Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Elder Daniel Alemika has urged journalists to play critical roles in raising the consciousness of the people and

drawing government attention to the plight of the rural dwellers.

Alemika spoke at the review meetings between the agency and media practitioners, facilitated by UNICEF, Zone C, saying that journalists must brace up to the challenge of mould-

NLC begins massive re-industrialisation campaign

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

as no responsible government would allow individuals or groups to hold the nation to ransom and threaten her sovereignty. ”I commend President Jonathan for this decisive step. it is positive and it will save Nigeria from descending into anarchy. I call on him to continue to take such proactive steps that will protect the country’s sovereignty and guarantee the safety of lives and property. I see it as a positive development,” he said.

Tapgun also praised the president for retaining the

at MINILS, Ilorin, Kwara State capital, during the closing ceremony of a two-day capacity building workshop with the theme: Capacity building and skills development for the union,National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers, NUTGTWN, in collaboration with Friedrich Elbert Stifling Foundation, FES, Germany.

Aremu lamented that unlike in the past when Nigerian made goods were the order of

the day, imported products had now taken over the markets, thereby killing the nation's economy.

He further noted that this trend must be reversed in order to revive Nigeria’s ailing economy.

According to him, various union leaders were being sensitised on the need to play strategic roles that would ensure the re-industrialisation of the country.

ing the opinions of people.

He, however, commended the journalists who recently visited nine local government areas affected by last year ’s flood in the state, noting that the data collected would assist in planning for the survivors of the flood.

According to the NOA Director, for government to effectively tackle poverty and under development, journalists must give timely information to all stakeholders.

In his contribution, the NOA Programme Officer, Muhammed Abdullahi said that the visit to the flood affected areas had thrown up some challenges which require the concerted efforts of all to resolve.

Abdullahi, who said both government and the people must work together to bring immediate relief to those affected by the flood, commended UNICEF for taking the lead.

NAN senior editor, Onowu is dead

A

BUJA — MR. Azubuike Onowu, a Senior Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, has died.

Onowu, who hailed from Obosi, Anambra, died in Abuja, yesterday, at the age of 52 years.

“Onowu Obosi” or “Chief,” as he was fondly called by friends and colleagues, joined NAN on Dec. 1, 1989 and rose

through the ranks to become a Quality Control Editor until his death.

He was head of the agency’s Kogi office from 2002 to 2004.

The late Onowu showed outstanding performances in the course of his duties, particularly when he was covering the solid minerals and petroleum and energy beats.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 17

All hail Jonathan

contacted me (including Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark) are staunch Jonathanists who told me off for “being very unfair” to Mr President, while others who contacted me said that they’d never had any faith in Jonathan in the first place and blamed the likes of me for voting him into power.

But most respondents sadly or angrily expressed concerns about Jonathan’s track record…and said that they felt let down by a man they’d once supported.

However, as I’ve said in the past, Mr President has potential and CAN become a highly effective Head of

State; and I think he should be hailed from the rooftops for declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

His tough “enough is enough” approach thrills me and makes me feel safer; and I’m glad that he had the raw guts and strength of character to ignore the influential lobbyists who have been urging him to avoid this controversial path.

Boko Haram terrorists are turning parts of this country into tragic, messy war zones; and a state of emergency makes complete sense within this context.

F

OR the past couple of weeks, this column has contained criticisms of Mr President’s handling of various leadership challenges. My disappointment is based on the fact that I campaigned for him and expected him to do well; and I’ve received many responses from readers who felt moved to comment on my belief that he is losing the plot and will have to up his game pretty sharpish if he wants to retrieve disillusioned fans and win the 2015 election fair and square.

Some of the people who

M

Y Personal Assistant, Mavis, is a truly wonderful person. She has been a dedicated employee and loyal, honest, caring friend to my family since 2008.

When my son, Oliver, was at a day school in Abuja, Mavis was a loving big sister and surrogate mother to him at times when I was too busy with stressful work

•President Goodluck Jonathan

•Gov. Nyako of Adamawa State

American injustice

commitments to provide him with the attention he needed and deserved.

Shortly after Oliver’s l6th birthday in 2011, his father and I decided to send him to a boarding school in America for two years; and he and Mavis missed each other terribly and stayed in touch via regular

*Terence P. McCulley, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

emails and phone calls.

Whenever Oliver visited Nigeria on holiday, he and his darling Mavis would get into cosy, happy little conspiratorial reunion huddles and hang out together.

When the school wrote to inform us that Oliver and his classmates would graduate on June l this year, I invited Mavis to accompany me to the ceremony, told her to apply for an US visa and provided her with every form of documentation that the American Embassy in Abuja could possibly require.

I wrote a letter to confirm that I would cover all of her airline/ hotel bills and day-to-day expenses. I also clearly stated that we would travel to a handful of American cities to do a bit of sightseeing after the graduation ceremony but did not intend to stay in the United States for more than three weeks.

I also listed my professional credentials (member of a Rivers State Government Board, Vanguard columnist, contributor to the British Broadcasting Corporation and other foreign media outlets, including a

•Gov. Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe state

magazine that is owned by a major American TV network). I did this because the lady who was helping us process Mavis’s visa application said I needed to prove that I was a responsible sponsor.

I then supplied bank statements that proved that I wasn’t a total pauper and could cope with the financial commitments I had made on Mavis’s behalf.

Meanwhile, Oliver’s school authorities also wrote to the Embassy - to say that they and Oliver would gladly welcome Mavis to the graduation ceremony.

Since I’ve written the odd pro-American article and have never had any US visa problems, I assumed that Mavis would also have a hitchfree ride through the American Embassy process/system if I was sponsoring her.

But it was not to be; and I was shocked and depressed when the application was coldly rejected for a reason I can only describe as spurious.

What Mavis was told, via a photocopied rejection slip, was that she doesn’t have enough strong ties in Nigeria. And it didn’t help that the guy who

interviewed her flatly refused to look at my letter and the other supporting documents.

One wonders what these people mean by “enough ties”.

Mavis lives in a flat in Asokoro – one of the more salubrious Abuja neighbourhoods. And she comes from a respectable and successful family that is firmly rooted in Nigerian soil; and she has gotten visas to travel to other foreign countries over the years…and has always returned on due dates because Nigeria is her home.

Shame on the American Embassy for being so uncompromising and unjust!...and for preventing Oliver from sharing his graduation experience with a dear friend.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY,MAY 17, 2013 WHEN emergency rule arrived Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States on Tuesday, it was long overdue. Debates about its content, allowing elected political office holders to remain in office and the non-disclosure of its duration show how different the current measure is from other emergency rules.

President Goodluck Jonathan deserves commendation for the courage, and the wisdom in navigating the political obstacles that would have made emergency impossible. In getting this far in managing the security situation in some parts of Nigeria, he has walked a minefield with more success than was imagined.

However, there were still surprises. Why was Nasarawa State, where many security agents have been killed and some are missing, not included? The same question has been asked about Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna States? Would putting more States under emergency rule have confirmed that the country was in dire straits?

The justifications for emergency rule were unnecessary. Everybody has heard about the mayhem that the terrorists unleash on their choice locations. Impunity emboldened them.

They attacked who they pleased, where they wanted and when they liked. The extent of the

Humanised Emergency Rule insecurity in certain parts of Nigeria, and its impact on the national economy were fairly known.

Democratic structures in the three States would continue running, a clear departure from emergency rule in 1962 (Western Region), 2004 (Plateau State) and 2006 (Ekiti State).

Sole administrators were appointed in those cases, governors and legislators lost their jobs for the duration of emergency. Retaining their jobs comes with the responsibility of cooperating with troops who would be seen in more numbers.

Security agencies have sweeping powers to act as they would in an emergency. They have

“authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lockdown of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons,” the President said.

Concerns about how the operations would affect civilian populations and abuses from the security agencies are real. The security agencies should be proactive in this aspect of their operations. The operations would benefit from good relations with the local population.

The protection of civilians – as distinct from terrorists – should be a major calculation in the operations.

Nigerians support the new security measures. No government would have ignored the killings, the arsons, and the concerted efforts to make the country ungovernable. “Whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice.

No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror,” Jonathan said.

Nigeria would hopefully know peace again, soon.

OPINION

BY EMMANUEL AJIBULU

I

N the past, broadcasting was an exclusive central government preserves which means private individuals do not have the right under law to invest in the sector. Broadcasting is an aspect of modern mass media which meant that signals could be sent out to anyone within broadcast range who possessed the equipment to pick it up.

This was a vast change from the physical delivery necessary to connect print media like books and magazines with readers.

Once the mechanical infrastructure was in place at both the broadcasting and receiving ends, no further physical connection was necessary between the two.

Among the many advantages for broadcasting is the instant nature of these media. News and stories about current events can be served to the viewers live and from the location of the event simultaneously, differing from newspapers, which can at best print a special edition within several hours.

Likewise, entertainment programmes can take advantage of the audio and visual capabilities of these media in ways that print media cannot, bringing stories to life in viewers' living rooms.

The immediacy of news and public information programming is important to audiences as well. Action can be taken quickly when important news is broadcast, and in emergency situations, broadcasting can be dedicated to potentially life-saving instructions from government officials and C M Y K

Babangida's legacy of private broadcasting other concerned agencies as the case may be.

Unlike advertising in print media, advertisers in television and radio can present a face or voice to represent a company or product. This can be accompanied by an array of production techniques, such as music and special effects. All of these elements combine to increase trust, intrigue, excitement or whatever emotion the advertiser desires. In addition, television allows the advertiser to demonstrate the product, rather than simply talk about it. All these were the juicy benefits enjoyed by both state-owned and federalowned radio and television stations particularly, the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, until former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, broke the monopoly and liberalised the broadcasting market in favour of private investors.

The advent of private broadcasting, however, reveals a very competitive industry with indicators suggesting that the private stations are giving the public stations a run for their money in terms of acceptability through quality programming leading to increased patronage and attraction of adverts. A key significance is the sociocultural, economic and political gains of the deregulation for Nigeria. In the first case, it is seen that private broadcasting has

promoted the cultural values of the country with the production and broadcast of indigenous programmes such as dramas, Nigerian home videos, musicals and soap operas, etc. Secondly, several job opportunities have been created in Nigeria where unemployment is rife. Politically, the deregulation has engendered a new spectacle and grandeur in political reporting and analysis. The various political programmes of some of the private stations such as ‘‘Kakaaki’’and ‘‘Focus Nigeria’’ of Africa Independent Television, AIT, ‘‘Sunrise Daily’’, and ‘‘Politics Today’’ on Channels Television, ‘‘Head 2 Head’’ on Silverbird Television etc, provide platforms for not only objective and timely political developments within the polity but also reveals a clear departure from hitherto placid nature of news and political coverage during the era of sole government domination of the industry.

H

owever, in Nigeria for several decades following the inception of broadcasting in 1957, the industry led a sheltered life shielded from the winds of free market forces as successive regimes ensured that the sector remained an exclusive monopoly of the central government. Even the 1979 constitutional

provision for the establishment of private electronic media could not change the trend. It could be argued that perhaps government’s initial monopoly of the industry may not be unconnected with the seeming potential of broadcasting as a tool for social change and engineering which as such ought not to be left in the hands of ‘‘just anyone’’. In another twist it is probable that private entrepreneurs would emphasize an orientation towards exclusive commercialism rather than consideration for national interest.

Arguably that may be another reason for governments grip on the industry for many decades.

Be that as it may, the much realistic and feasible deregulation materialised in 1992 when the Babangida-led regime promulgated decree 38 which deregulated the industry and also established effectively the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. This decree (38) of August 24, 1992 empowered the NBC to regulate the entire broadcast industry in Nigeria, both public and private. This singular act by the administration of the then military President Gen. Babangida eclipsed the over 50 years of sole government domination of the sector in Nigeria. In economic term the action by that government heralded proliferation of private electronic media as entrepreneurs and investors for profit maximization in the larger interest of the citizenry. *Mr. Ajibulu, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 19

I

WAS distressed by the reports in some newspapers on May 1, this year, that a group of youth in Benue State attacked, in protest, the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Botwev Orhii and some officials of the agency at the destruction site for counterfeit medicines along the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, UAM, Gbajima Road, on the outskirts of Makurdi, the state capital.

But the agency had to swiftly react to the report, describing it as untrue. The image maker of the agency, Alhaji Abubakar Jimoh, said no such thing happened-that Dr Orhii was not anywhere near the destruction site let alone attacked by the angry youth.

Subsequent checks had confirmed the agency’s position to be the correct version of the narratives in a section of the print media.

What was, indeed, correct about this other strange narrative was that a group of youths actually but uncommonly protested the location for the destruction of counterfeit medicines on grounds of the unsubstantiated claim that the emissions or smokes from it constitute a dangerous pollutant that could cause serious hazards to the health of the people living in and around the community.

Spokesperson for the youths, Francis Udoma, was quoted to have said that they would no longer allow toxic wastes to cause harm to the residents. The question to ask is: Have they been victims of toxic waste before now and who

was responsible?

Read Udoma’s claims: “The burning of expired drugs has contaminated the only source of water in the area, resulting in the death of live stock; it has also caused rashes and body itching among the residents.” Was it the umpteenth time fake drugs would be burnt in Benue? Whether his claims were founded or not is neither here nor there. NAFDAC did not forcefully take over the site for destruction of fake drugs. The Benue State Ministry of Environment, according to reports, carved out the destruction site after carrying out the necessary environmental impact assessment.

What the protest by the youth succeeded in doing was to delay the exercise for about two days as the drugs valued at over N400 million were eventually burnt in the full glare of the public. With the burning of the drugs, the agency has succeeded in taking the destroyed quantity out of the system. It can no longer find its way back into circulation.

Destruction of drugs worth over N600 million had similarly, in December, last year, taken place in Kano State where hundreds of cartons of counterfeit Chloroquine, banned Analgin injections and 14 million tablets of Tramoldine drugs often abused by commercial drivers and motorcyclists were affected.

There was no protest in Kano; or, anywhere else where indigenes of the community embarked on a protest to hamper the incremental progress being recorded through the burning of impounded fake medicines. Burning of the seized caches of drugs serves to

NAFDAC, much more than Orhii, needs the genuine support of all Nigerians, including the political elite in Benue, to combat the menace of fake drugs

,

complement the other methods, especially the cutting-edge technologies such as Truscan equipment, Mobile Authentication Service and Black Eye that have been deployed by the agency to attack frontally the menace of fake medicines.

B

ut beneath the protest in Benue, which incidentally is the home state of the agency’s DG, was an obvious political undertone- an attempt to politicize the campaign by the NAFDAC to rid the state of fake medicines.

There were even reports that the youths, who protested, issued warnings and threats to Orhii to wait for his time to be governor of the state. One must condemn the cheap resort to blackmail and politicisation of an issue as serious as waging a war against counterfeit drugs.

Although, Orhii, who is a thoroughbred technocrat, has not indicated his intention of going into politics, it is not surprising that some persons somewhere who perceive him as a potential threat to their ambitions in the event that

Deluding ourselves

BY ABUCHI ANUEYIAGU

I

NASMUCH as I've told President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to be a true statesman of honour and integrity and avoid the (devilish, dangerous and unpatriotic) lure of going for another term as Nigeria's President and emulate General Abdulsalami Abubakar who had all the powers and resources available to stay in power for long but honourably and responsibly chose to avoid such lure and its negative consequences and stayed in power as Head of State of the same country Nigeria for only 12 months (June 1998-May 1999), I personally don't see anything wrong in Nigeria peacefully splitting into any possible numbers of separate states as happened with countries like former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR, or former Czechoslovakia or former Yugoslavia, etc.

After all, present day Pakistan and India were at one time under one country, while Zambia and Zimbabwe were under one country, but today all have gone their different ways as separate independent states and heaven never fell and none is regretting separating from the other(s).

It is only those who are unduly looting the treasury of Nigeria that are pretentiously shouting against its splitting into separate states and using the instruments of coercion available to them and their co-travellers to go against any voice in support of separation because they're all afraid any such peaceful development will not be bloody but will rather remove their cancerous lips from Nigeria's breast that they have been ruthlessly sucking while Nigeria groans in severe pains over the endless sucking of its

breast by these suckers. Japan, Norway, Finland, etc, have no oil, yet they are among the world strong economies. They became ingenious and not lazy and indolent and turned what would have been adverse natural environment of theirs into great resources and economic strength. Japan, surrounded by nothing other than stones, mountains and deep ocean water without any oil under or within their environment, turned their adversity into fortune and became the world's greatest maker of ocean vessels, motor vehicle manufacturers, electronics and electrical devices giant, and, of course, a stable democracy and economy.

The same goes for Norway which is known for Nokia phone making and stock-fish export. I can count on and on. So, those who erroneously feel they or others will not survive without oil are simply deluding themselves. The only survival approach is being ingenious and hardworking. Did the Northern part of Nigeria not at one time or the other depend on hides and skin, ground nuts, tin ore and cotton as its economic main stay and not only survived but became strong economically? So was former Western region with cocoa, and the Eastern region with palm produce. Did Okpara or Awolowo or Ahmadu Bello use petroleum resources to transform their respective regions?

Emphatic no!

Necessity is the mother of invention. If necessity did not arise for the then Biafrans the ingenuity that came from them in technology, such as in manufacture of instruments of mass destruction (Ogbunigwe), armoured personnel carriers and other military equipment, refining of both oil palm and petroleum, eating of certain plants or leaves, etc, wouldn’t have been made.

,

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

,

Depoliticising the war against fake drugs

he decides to throw his hat in the ring are already panicky. It simply means that that they see some positives in the anti-counterfeit medicines campaign that he is driving at NAFDAC. Should he now ride on the wave of the wonderful performance to build political machinery back home? This is the issue those trying to politicize the anti-fake medicine campaign in Benue find difficult to relate with. Rather than try to undercut his great effort at sanitising and controlling our drug and food market, the institution of NAFDAC, much more than Orhii, needs the genuine support of all Nigerians, including the political elite in Benue, to combat the menace of fake drugs that has unfortunately and painfully robbed us of loved ones over the years and will continue to do so if all hands are not on deck to fight back.

This collective will does not need to be bogged down on the altar of politics, ethnicity or tribalism as death occasioned by ingestion of fake medicines does not know politics, ethnic background or tribe. Death through fake medicines diminishes mankind and reduces all of these primordial considerations six feet down the grave. At least four persons were reported to have died in the state about the time of the “protest drama” over the site of fake drug destruction after they were administered with fake procaine penicillin and gentamycin injection.

Orhii, according to media reports, said the victims died in Gboko, Makurdi and Otukpo local government areas of Benue State. His disclosure was at a oneday Consumer Awareness and Sensitization Forum held in Gboko. He had urged Nigerians to stand up against the fakers of drugs in Nigeria, stressing that drug fakers were worse than armed

It is only those unduly looting the treasury of Nigeria that are pretentiously shouting against its splitting into separate states and using the instruments of coercion against any voice in support of separation

,

Just as the White man came with his Bible and the centre could no longer hold and we became no longer at ease (apologies to the iconic Chinua Achebe), the White man again perforated a part of our land in the late 1950s and some black liquid gushed out in the name of oil and we lost our ingenious brains, became indolent and corrupt, divisive and elusive, pretentious and hateful of one another and Nigeria's moving train of progress and development got thus derailed and we have not been able to live harmoniously with one another, but merely pretending to be one.

L

et’s look at the following inflammatory war of words as credited to leader of Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and quoted by the media: “There will be no peace, not only in the Niger Delta, but everywhere, if Goodluck Jonathan is not president by 2015.

“I want to refresh your memories with comments made by these Northerners, who had in the time past threatened war and break-up of Nigeria.

“In 2010, one Lawal Kaita said and I

robbers. I agree completely.

Armed robbers will collect all you have at gun point without pulling the trigger and leave you to pick up your pieces; but drug fakers will take the money for purchase of the drugs and still kill as many as possible that are unlucky to ingest the drugs.

Responding to this challenge requires guts and passionate commitment to stand and be counted on the side of the movement of those who would spare nothing to make a huge success of the anti-fake medicine campaign. It is cheering that successive leadership of NAFDAC has always provided the focus of attack against the sophistication and conscienceless courage of fakers of medicines as well as their importers and hawkers.

It is clear that the NAFDAC leadership understands how well to prosecute the campaign by attacking the menace in multidimensional ways. One other way, apart from the use of cutting-edge technologies to which burning of impounded fake drugs is complementary, is the conscious effort to promote local production of drugs. Research has shown that drugs that are faked are the imported drugs that are usually very expensive.

Orhii, according to media reports, had hinted that the Agency had approached the Federal Government for a N200 billion pharmaceutical intervention fund to help provide funds for pharmaceutical companies to aid the production of drugs locally.

His rationalisation is that when finally approved, the fund would be readily available and accessible to pharmaceutical companies in the country to aid the production of drugs and thereby discourage the importation of fake drugs.

*Mr. Ojeifo, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

quote: ‘Anything short of a Northern President is tantamount to stealing our Presidency. Jonathan has to go and he will go. Even if he uses the incumbency power to get his nomination on the platform of the PDP, he would be frustrated out…The North is determined, if that happens, to make the country ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan or any other Southerner who finds his way to the seat of power on the platform of the PDP against the principle of the party’s zoning policy’.

“Today insurgent groups, in furtherance to Kaita’s call are wreaking havoc, attacking military barracks and seizing weapons, but we will not sit and watch. Kaita made this statement, nobody arrested or called for the arrest of this fellow, today he is walking free.

“Buhari made this statement in 2011, he was never arrested and nobody ever called for his arrest. In other countries, former leaders are being tried, but here, a man who overthrew a legitimate government continues to threaten us with blood and nothing has happened. I am not afraid of arrest. I am saying it bold and clear without mincing words, that the consequences of my arrest, Nigeria will be history.

“The last time Obasanjo arrested me, my arrest reduced Nigeria oil production to 700,000 barrels per day. This time, it will reduce it to zero barrels, and we will match violence with violence, intrigues with intrigues. We are ready for them. Goodluck Jonathan will complete his tenure of two terms, whether they like it or not. I am daring them to arrest me if they can. If they don’t, they are cowards and shame on them.”

If not for the oil, all these shaking words and violent ‘religious’ activities of Boko Haram in the north, as well as the restive militant youth activities in the Niger Delta belt of Nigeria wouldn’t have erupted. *Mr. Anueyiagu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard , FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MAY 17 , 2013

*Some of the pregnant teenagers rescued at the baby factory

UMUAKA BABY FACTORY:

The untold story of Madam One Thousand L

ONGMAN Dictionary of Contemporary English defines “factory” as “a building or group of buildings in which goods are produced in large quantities, using machines”.

The same dictionary defined “factory farming” as “a type of farming in which animals are kept inside, in small spaces or small cages and made to grow or produce eggs very quickly”.

Factory farming best describes the industry set up by the now fleeing “Madam One Thousand” at Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. This time, however, the woman was neither producing goods nor services but human beings!

She either built or rented a building for her human factory.

Events have equally proved that she fortified it very well. Apart from the teenagers that were holed up in the compound, not many people in Umuaka knew what was actually going on in the place. What people around the place knew was that “she was into production of sachet water”.

Madam One Thousand registered the place as Ahamefule Hospital and Maternity with laboratory services. The signpost of the establishment also read:

“Government Approved Centre for Motherless Babies Home”.

The motto read: “Service to God and humanity”. Everything looked real.

The modus operandi of Madam One Thousand was handled with clinical finesse. She engaged canvassers whose business was to scout for youngsters carrying unwanted pregnancies or vulnerable girls that are ready to bear children for a fee. Real business strategy!

Apart from these “business canvassers”, Madam equally hired a 23-year-old boy, simply identified as Oyibo. His business was to ensure that the young girls lured into the compound were impregnated. So, he was at liberty to sample all the girls as he wished and possibly as propped up by the owner of the flourishing human factory.

How the ‘factory’ operated: It was not very clear when this baby factory was opened. It was, however, clear that for the illicit business to thrive all the necessary connections were already in place. It must be placed on record that a yet to be identified doctor(s), had reportedly been taking care of the medical needs of the pregnant teenagers.

Again, it was not clear if the doctor(s) was/were retained by Madam One Thousand or part

of the entire business. Another curious thing was the age range of the girls. They were between 14 and 25 years, and what may be called the very sexually active years of any youngster.

The compound was uniquely built in such a manner that nobody can scale through the perimeter fence. Apart from the high walls, no visitor was allowed to get into the enclosure where the girls were quarantined. Only specific and known individuals had the ‘visa’ to get to the girls’ enclosure.

Anxious newsmen Adaobi Akubueze, until she was sweet-talked into coming into the compound, was a student in Lagos State. The 17-year-old girl told anxious newsmen that she was referred to the compound by a medical doctor, who allegedly conducted pregnancy test on her.

According to Miss Akubueze, the test was positive and doctor cautioned her against aborting the foetus, pointing out that he (doctor) knew where she and the new born baby would be taken care of until she would be in a position to fend for herself.

“Armed with this supposed medical advice, I ran away from home. My parents did not know

where I ran to. On getting to this compound (baby factory), I was asked to produce my letter of introduction and thereafter, my mobile home was taken away from me. This place became my new home until the police

,

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

counted with grief.

Inmates recount experiences: The story about what the inside looked like is best told by the inmates. Miss Akubueze recounted that they were kept in crowded rooms. Ventilation was equally poor, while a doctor visited periodically to take care of their medical needs.

Continuing, Miss Akubueze recalled that no inmate was allowed beyond the first gate, which was Christened “Green Gate”, while one boy all the inmates called “Oga”, also came periodically to sleep with the girls, especially those that were not pregnant.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that when any of the girls was ready to deliver, such a fellow was taken to another location unknown to the inmates.

Madam One Thousand only came back to announce that such a fellow had been delivered of her baby. Nobody saw the young mother again in the enclosure!

Police account: On getting credible information about the goings-on in the place, Imo State Police Command swung into action. It sent a crack team of plain clothes operatives to investigate the report and when the operative turned in their findings, their informant was vindicated.

This led to the recording of another success in the Command’s renewed fight against crime and criminals. The child trafficking and baby factory syndicate in the state was burst.

Disclosing this to newsmen in the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, said the Command has clamped down on an illegal motherless babies home, as well as rescued 17 pregnant teenagers. This

My friend brought me to this place (baby factory); she encouraged me to stay here and get pregnant

stormed the compound,” Miss Akubueze recounted.

Chinyere Onwuegbu’s case is different. She was also 17 but not pregnant before being trapped by the baby factory web. She was staying with her widowed mother until a friend of hers and possibly one of Madam One Thousand’s canvassers convinced her about the huge money that awaited her if she got pregnant and sold the baby after delivery!

“My friend brought me to this place (baby factory). She encouraged me to stay here and get pregnant. The Madam told me that she would pay me N60,000 if I had a baby boy and N30,000 if I had a baby girl. Soon after I was impregnated, I was now made to do very hard work despite my condition. I wept everyday but there was no way for me to escape,” Miss Onwuegbu re-

,

number has since increased to 25 as nine of the pregnant girls, who ran away when the police struck have been rounded up.

According to the Imo Police boss, one of the illegal homes, Ahamefula Motherless Babies Home, located in Umuaka, Njaba local council area, is allegedly owned by a middle aged woman simply identified as “Madam One Thousand”.

Mr. Katsina equally disclosed that during the police raid, no fewer than 11 minors, who were possibly waiting to be sold to prospective buyers, were rescued by his men.

The bizarre aspect of the police finding was that a 23-yearold boy, simply identified as Oyibo, was fingered as being responsible for impregnating the expectant girls, whose ages ranged between 14 and 17.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 21

Infrastructure deficit: Nigeria faces exclusion from global business potential

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

From left: Acting Director-General, NCAA, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolam; Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah and Managing Director, NAMA, Mazi Nnamdi Udo, addressing House Committee on Justice and Aviation, investigating justification and circumstances surrounding the grounding of Rivers State Government Bombardier B700 Global Express Aircraft at Akure Airport, in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Nigeria’s food export to UK, EU faces challenges

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU & ALICE FESTUS

T

HE Federal Government has expressed its determination to tackle challenges of exporting traditional food produce to the European Union and United Kingdom.

Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment at a workshop and exhibition organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on export of Nigerian food produce to the UK in Abuja recently expressed concern over the loss incurred by Nigerian exporters due to noncompliance.

Aganga, who was represented by the Alhaji Dauda Kigbu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, urged the exporters to adhere strictly to the new conditions for the export of food produce recently issued by the European Commission.

He expressed the hope that the knowledge garnered from the workshop would help build the capacity of exporters for the two revered and rewarding markets.

The volume of Nigerian export of foodstuff to these countries is still on a very small scale considering the estimated 20 million people of Nigerian descent residing outside the country, with the majority living in the United Kingdom

(UK) and the EU. The few exporters of African foodstuff cannot meet with the demand of Nigerians which populations are increasing everyday in the US and UK. The exportable foodstuff to the foreign countries are smoked fish, garri, beans flour, melon seed (egusi ground), ogbono, cassava flour, bitterleaf, dried ugu leaf, palmwine, butter production, coconut processing, pepper, tomato paste, hibiscus flower, yoghurt, pap (ogi), ukazi.

The requirements include start up capital of between N150,000 and N200,000, an email, a mobile phone and an account with a reputable bank here in Nigeria, which most of the SMEs are finding difficult to meet. Michael Glavin, Head of Imports and Official Controls Unit, Food Standards Agency (FSA), UK attributed the rejection and destruction of Nigerian food produce at the border to non compliance with the importation rules of food produce to Europe. He said the issue

with most of the food produce from Nigeria has to do with compliance because there are standard to be met before products are imported to the European countries.

Glavin, who led a delegation from UK to Nigeria to give advice to Nigerian exporters said when the standards are not met, the products are either rejected or destroyed.

Nigeria can’t attain electricity self sufficiency unless… — Fashola

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of conservation as a way of life in all sectors, especially in the energy area.

Fashola, who made the appeal at the Lagos State Power Kids Awards 2013 grand finale, before a capacity crowd of pupils who are members of the Power Kids Club in 30 secondary schools across the state, their tutors and other stakeholders, explained that making conservation a way of life would guarantee everyone the opportunity to see and enjoy the future.

Noting that Nigerians might express skepticism about the call for energy con-

servation, especially in the face of inadequate power supply, Fashola argued that the nation would not attain electricity self sufficiency unless the people use energy very prudently and efficiently.

He explained that the launch of the Power Kids Programme in the state was part of his administration’s long standing plan to make the citizens understand the importance of conserving energy. ”Our plan is to add another 20 schools in the next programme so that we will take the number of schools participating in the programme to 50.

This initiative will always be about rewarding excellence in education. It is my hope that this would serve as a motivation to the schools to continue to improve.”

HE Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said in spite of its immense economic potential, Nigeria is likely to be excluded from global business if it fails to develop core infrastructure that would position it to be a global economic hub.

Hamzat, stated this while presenting a paper at the 3rd Distinguished Lecture Series of the “Think Oyo” group, titled, “Infrastructure: A Critical Ingredient for Development.”

The commissioner noted that Nigerian transport facilities- roads, rails, ports and airports- have only limited cargo handling capacity, though Nigerians travel extensively, there are no facilities to handle high capacity plans.

Hamzat, while also stating that Nigeria has significant infrastructure deficit with a fast growing population and stunt in growth of infrastructure, urged the Federal Government to address issues of development quickly.

The commissioner noted that the infrastructure deficit has also worsened the unemployment situation in Nigeria, adding that the low quality infrastructure has resulted in such social consequences as family disintegration and social dislocation.

Highlighting the state’s experience on key projects, Hamzat said the dearth of skilled artisans such as welders has slowed delivery of projects.

He added that most skilled artisans and would-be artisans have taken to Okada riding business, a situation being addressed by the restriction on their areas of operation and the skill acquisition and vocational training centres.

143.7

-0.85

2,324.00

+9.00

16.96

-0.06

103.00 +0.40 94.18 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.74 POUNDS 236.5201 EURO 200.8835 FRANC 161.6084 YEN 1.5205 CFA 0.2871 WAUA 230.8867 RENMINBI 24.9543 RIYA 41.2563 KRONA 26.9493 SDR 230.6245

155.24 237.2843 201.5326 162.1305 1.5254 0.2971 231.6328 25.0354 41.3896 27.0363 231.3697

-0.03 SELLING 155.74 238.0486 202.1817 162.6527 1.5303 0.3071 232.3788 25.1165 41.5229 27.1234 232.1149

CBN Exchange rate as at 16/05/2013

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 201 3

BRIEFS

M&B assures of better results as sales hit N6bn

M

AY & Baker Nigeria Plc has announced its audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2012, indicating that total sales rose by 17 percent to about N6 billion.

Key extracts of the audited report, which was prepared and approved in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), showed that turnover continued to rise on the back of recent expansion. Total sales closed 2012 at N5.7 billion, as against N4.8 billion recorded in 2011. Gross profit also increased from N1.9 billion in 2011 to N2.1 billion in 2012. Profit for the year stood at N75.9 million in 2012.

Commenting on the performance of the company, Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, said the company expects better results in 2013 based on increased output from its new multi-billion naira world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing plan and ongoing business restructuring efforts.

He added that expected improvement in the business environment that could result from positive developments in the resolution of the country’s security challenges, would give the company unhindered nationwide access to market her products and consolidate its performance.

According to him, the company also expects to reduce finance costs as a result of a recent access to soft loan provided by the chairman of the board of directors, which is expected to significantly raise the profitability of the company in 2013.

UBA, Total share prices rise on Q1 result … as profit taking depreciates Cadbury share value

By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

T

HE shares of United Bank for Africa Plc and Total Nigeria Plc reacted positively to their first quarter result released during the week, just as profit taking depreciated the share value of Cadbury Nigeria plc.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) reported 18.4 percent growth in its profit after tax for its first quarter ended March 31st, 2013 filed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The bank recorded N15.56 billion profit after tax, as against N13.15 billion in the corresponding period of 2012.

Its gross earnings rose to N62.7 billion during the first three months of 2013, as against N52.4 billion in the

same period last year.

This prompted increased investors patronage for its shares, hence it t rose to its highest in six weeks on Tuesday.

The shares climbed as much as 1.8 percent and traded 0.4 percent higher to close at N8.23 per share on Tuesday, the highest since April 3rd.

More than 33 million shares were traded, or 1.1 times the three-month daily average.

The stock has risen 88 percent this year.

Net income for the three months through March increased to N16.3 billion from N12.3 billion a year earlier.

Total Nigeria Plc recorded a five percent drop in profitability due to huge administrative expenses in its

COMPANY Q1 RESULT COMPANY

GROSS EARNING

CURRENT PAT

PREVIOUS PAT

TOTAL NIG. PLC

N61.05bn

N1.15bn

N1.21bn

-5

CADBURY

N8.36bn

N1.14bn

N400.66m

185

UNION VEN & PET

264.31m

N16.73m

-4.98m

435.98

CCNN

N5.02bn

N376.62m

268m

40.53

SCOA NIG PLC

N1.2bn

N35.55m

N27.65m

28

UBA

N62.7bn

N15.56bn

N13.15bn

18.4

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has taken steps that will lead to the establishment of a Corporate Governance Index for listed companies in Nigeria.

Investor confidence in the Nigerian capital market has remained challenging based on perceived inadequate disclosures, corruption and poor understanding of fiduciary responsibilities on the part of directors, leading to weaknesses in the business environment and corporate

% CHANGE

its corresponding period of 2012.

Its revenue rose to N8.36 billion during the first three months of 2013, as against N7.2 billion in the same period last year.

The company’s share price has risen by 44.86 percent year-to-date. The company’s shares, however, experienced profit taking by investors who cashed in on the company’s Q1 positive result declared on Wednesday. The volume of shares traded on Wednesday rose by 84.2 percent, recording 799.28 million shares when compared to the previous day ’s trading of 433.89 million shares. This led its share price to depreciate by N1.50 or 3.4 percent to close at N42.01 percent from N43.51 it opened. Share price of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, CCNN, Plc also reacted negatively to its Q1 2013 results. Its price value fell by 0.85 percent or N0.08 as at Wednesday. Its year-to-date return has, however, grown by 101.2 percent. Its shares witnessed low investors’ appetite as it traded 155.57 million shares in contrast to 519.2 million shares traded the previous day.

CCNN recorded a 40.53 per cent rise in profitability in its 1st quarter, 2013.

Courteville not a 50kobo stock, says MD

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE Managing Director of Courteville Business Solution, CBS, Plc, Mr. Adebola Akindele, has said that the stock is under priced at 50kobo, blaming the present value on under-performance by the designated market maker to the company.

Akindele made the blame while presenting the facts behind figure of the compa-

ny to the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and the stockbroking firm in Lagos.

The share of the company presently trades at 50kobo per share, which is the nominal price allowed in the market, even when other stocks have risen by as much as 200 percent within the first four months of the year.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Stock Exchange,

NSE partners CBi on corporate governance

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1 st quarter, 2013. The company reported N1.15 billion profit after tax in its Q1 unaudited result in contrast to N1.21 billion recorded in preceding period of 2012. Its revenue grew by 20 percent, to N61.05 billion in 2013 Q1 from N51.02 billion in corresponding period of 2012.

The company’s share rose by 8.86 percent or N14 to close at N172 per share on Wednesday after it released its Q1 result to the investing public. Its year-to-date return has climbed to 42.66 percent.

Cadbury recorded significant appreciation in its 2013 first quarter profit margin, with a 185 percent growth in its profit after tax.

The company recorded N1.14 billion profit after tax, as against N400.66 million in

governance.

The NSE has, therefore, entered into a partnership with The Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) to provide a steady flow of robust data that will be used to develop a Corporate Governance Ranking System for listed companies in Nigeria.

Established in 1997, CBi strives to empower people, their transactions, systems and institutions against corruption.

Speaking on this development, Chief Executive

Officer of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, reiterated that the NSE has placed Corporate Governance on the front burner as one of the critical fundamentals for ensuring a sound investment environment and maximizing investor returns. He further said that the creation of the Corporate Governance Index is in line with the NSE’s commitment to promoting firm and fair corporate governance regime for sustainable growth of the nation’s capital market.

NSE, had allotted a market maker to each stock following the inauguration of supplemental market makers to help create activity on the prices of stocks in their portfolio. Added to this, is the extension of barrier removal to all stocks in the market.

Akindele, therefore, stated that with recent efforts by the NSE to revive interest in the stock market, coupled with Courteville’s antecedent, the share price is supposed to be trading above 50kobo.

Lamenting the state of the stock, Akindele said, “We have met all our set targets since 2009 when we came for listing on the stock exchange.

We have consistently paid dividend and this year, we will be giving bonus of one for five and we have also grown profitability consistently over the years. We attach so much importance to corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. The community where we operate can attest to our CSR initiatives.”

“My stockbroker is more visible than my market maker; I do not know my market mak-

er because they are underperforming. The stock exchange should review this. You cannot be my market maker and not help to move my stock price forward,” he declared.

Meanwhile, he said that the company would embark on full diversification into and enhancement of e-business solution development and services; expansion of Autoreg MVAD franchise into other states in Nigeria, as well as construction of the AutoReg Business platform into a dominant franchise in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He sated that Courteville would target accelerated expansion into the African and Caribbean market, and would also engage in creation of universal e-payment solutions.

According to him, the company grew client’s revenue by 250 percent within the last 12 months and has achieved 99.8 percent web activity uptime.

Courteville grew turnover by 24 percent to N1.06 billion in 2012 from N855.6 million in 2011; other income grew by five percent to N272.7 million in 2012.

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N order to facilitate export of Nigerian goods to the United Kingdom, exporters must comply fully with the laws of the European Union as it relates to imports into these countries.

Head of Import and Official Control Unit, Food and Standards Agency, United Kingdom, Michael Glavin, said at the opening of a two-day workshop in Abuja that for Nigeria’s food items to be accepted in the United Kingdom, they have to meet all requirements in quality, packaging and must have undergone the scrutiny of the constituted regulatory agency as obtained in the regulation.

Glavin said the only sure way to facilitate export of food from Nigeria to the United Kingdom is for Nigeria to comply fully with laws of the European Union as it relates to imports into their countries.

According to him, the interest of his department is to educate Nigeria on the laws that are operational all over European Union countries including the United Kingdom in the area of the kind of food items that could be allowed into those countries.

Besides, Nigeria’s food items to be acceptable in the United Kingdom, they have to meet all the requirements in quality, packaging and they must have undergone the scrutiny of the constituted regulatory agency in their country of origin as obtained in the regulation.

He added that there is not going to be any form of compromise on the part of his agency on total compliance to

Amiwero calls for commercial regulators in ports

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Managing Director, Cadbury Bournvita Nigeria, Mr. Emil Moskofian (right) and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Enugu State, Mr. Jude Akubuilo during the endorsement of Cadbury Bournvita by Nutrition Society of Nigeria, in Enugu. PHOTO: HILL EZEUGWU.

UK states conditions for export to EU STORIES

BY DANIEL GUMM the rules if Nigeria is still interested in exporting food items into the United Kingdom.

“One of the reasons why we are here is to advise and give as much information to Nigeria’s export as an industry and especially the European Union compliance aspect. It is export to the United Kingdom area we are talking about here, but it is the EU’s laws that deal with it. Nigeria needs to know what to do in the area of compliance for its food items to be acceptable in the United Kingdom and other European Union countries.

Products that have not gone

through the regulatory agency in charge in Nigeria would be destroyed at the point of entry. We would not allow anything to find their ways into the United Kingdom without proper documentation and control.”

In his remark, the Executive Director of NEPC, David Adulugba, said informal exporters of Nigeria foods should not complain of seizure and destruction of such foods at the point of entry as they have refused to go through the due processes.

He said the era of people cutting corners in doing business are gone and advised intending exporters to register their produce with the

Str ong cereal pr oduction seen in 20 13 trong production 201 S TRONG growth is expected for global wheat, coarse grains and rice production in 2013, according to early forecasts published in the May issue of FAO's monthly Cereals Supply and Demand Brief.

Assuming more normal weather conditions than in 2012, global wheat production in 2013 is expected to reach 695 million tonnes, 5.4 percent up from last year's harvest and just some 6 million tonnes short of the 2011 record level.

And in 2013, coarse grains production is expected to set a new record at 1 266 million tonnes — 9.3% up on the previous high of 1,167 million tonnes registered in 2011.

Of this total, maize is forecast to account for about 960 million tonnes, some 10 percent up from 2012. The bulk of the increase is expected in the United States, the world's largest producer, where maize plantings are forecast to reach their highest level since 1936. Recovery from drought in the major CIS producing countries should also

contribute significantly to the record global production.

Still tentatively, FAO foresees rice production in the forthcoming 2013 season to rise to 497.7 million tonnes, 16 million tonnes more than in 2012, with particularly large increases expected in India and Indonesia.

Despite the expected production increases, world cereal utilisation is expected to stagnate in 2012/2013, constrained by rising grain prices and faltering ethanol demand. Global cereal utilisation is now forecast to be 2, 332 million tonnes, roughly unchanged from the 2011/12 level.

World cereal stocks by the close of seasons ending in 2013 are forecast at 505 million tonnes, up 1% (5 million tonnes) from the previous forecast, but some 3% (16 million tonnes) below their opening levels.

A sharp fall in world cereal trade is expected in 2012/13, involving all major cereals. At 304.4 million tonnes, it would be almost 1 million tonnes larger than forecast

last month, but still representing a decline of about 4% (13 million tonnes) from 2011/12.

FAO's Food Price Index rose for the second month running in April, climbing one percent, or two points.

As in March, last month's increase was driven almost exclusively by a sharp rise in dairy prices. Prices of most other food commodities fell.

agency formally.

“Many of Nigerians who goes to the United Kingdom to sell these items do not go formally, they do business informally, the statistics of Nigerian business in the UK are lost, and that is why we have the registration desk here now, we have been telling Nigerians like any other parts of the world to formalise their trade, they should fill all the necessary forms, the customs forms, the pre-shipment inspection forms and all the other documents. They should follow all the rules so that they don’t run into problems. But when they carry produces in bags and cartoons to export to the UK, they run into problem, of course such things would be destroyed.”

The minister of trade and investment, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, at the event noted that United Kingdom has been one of Nigeria’s top five traditional non-oil export destinations for food produce, this he said, would encourage the ministry to build the capacity of exporters in the area of education and compliance to the rules in the rewarding markets.

African countries must add value to export commodities — Trade Minister

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HE Minister of Trade, Haruna Iddrisu, has urged African countries to add value to their primary export commodities to enable them to sustain and accelerate the socio-economic growth on the continent.

Mr Iddrisu, who gave the advice at the Second Africa Congress of Accountants organised in Accra, said increased intra-African trade, provision of reliable supply of

energy and infrastructure at reasonable prices to businesses were other measures critical for sustainable growth.

He said the rule of law should be fully applied to check public sector corruption.

The three-day Congress, which is being organised by the Pan-African Federation of Accountants, is in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and ICAG.

PORT operator and National President of Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (CMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero has called on the Federal Government to have economic/commercial regulators that will monitor the competitiveness, tariff dispute resolution as a result of deficient port activities at the ports.

He said that after seven years into the concession of the ports, there is the need to ascertain if the objective has been achieved, with regards to Section 7 (c) of the port Act 38 of 1999 Amiwero noted that the high clearing port cost necessitated the setting up of committee by the Federal Ministry of Transport in February 2009, which looked into the charges and operation of terminal operators and shipping companies and other port operational deficiency.

The CMDLCA boss pointed out that the committee recommendation, which was not implemented, touches on duplication of charges, charges not tied to services and problems with regards to port charges and operation.

He said the Nigerian Shippers Council, an agency that is supposed to protect shippers’ interest, instituted an increase by 150 per cent, the increase which was tagged: “Progressive Storage Charges.,” makes Nigerian ports one of the most expensive within the subregion, due to lack of regulatory and monitoring mechanism, as it did not accommodate the objective of the concession in the reduction of cost but an astronomical increase in charges contrary to the objective in adopting the concession.

He said the authorities should look into the possibility of reducing the high clearing cost to reduce the incidence of cargo diversion to neighbouring ports, adding that the dorminant position of market power in port activities through proper regulations and monitoring of terminal operators and shipping companies.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Swaziland, etc, date palm cultivation could be enhance in Nigeria, especially in Sokoto, Jigawa, Katsina, Maiduguri, Kano, Yobe, Borno, Bauchi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Gombe, Adamawa, Plateau, Niger, Taraba, Benue, FCT, Kwara, Nassarawa and Kogi states.

FAO's figure on Date palm

Why Nigeria must grow date palm in the Sahel

By ABDALLAH ELKUREBE

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ATE palm, which is called phoenix dac tylifera, is a tree cultivated for its edible sweet fruit. Known to have originated from the Middle East (which is why it has been a staple food there), the date palm tree grows about a foot each year to a height of 80100 feet. Dates contain between 20 and 70 calories each depending on the size and species.

For agricultural purposes, date palm could be grown in the

Sahel states of Nigeria and exported as major foreign earner.

The example of the Middle East and some African countries is important where, according to UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO report of 2009, Egypt is the producer of the product (1,373.57 metric tonnes) followed by Saudi Arabia, 1,122.82 and Iran, 1,016.61 among the top 20 countries. In Africa, Libya produces 165.95 metric tonnes; Mauritania, 21.44 and Chad, 19.50.

For agricultural purpose, being a staple food, date palm is

reach in carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fiber, fat, protein, etc. It is also used as livestock supplements, syrups, jam, ice cream, baby foods, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, etc.

Date palms are susceptible to disease called Bayound disease, which is caused by the fungus Fasarium oxysporum; nematodes, parasitic and insects, parasitic.

If world producers of date trees include Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and other middle East countries and USA, Angola, South Africa,

ACCORDING to Dr. Chukwuemeka Eke, a Plant Physiologist with Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, NIFOR, Benin City, “Cultivating this excellent crop is profitable and would alleviate a lot of families from poverty and improve small scale farmers’ livelihood in Nigeria.

Nigerian farmers could earn as much as N2,000,000 per hectare per year.” Through selection, scientists have discovered that date palm trees could mature as early as in two years as against seven to 15 years with outstanding palms in terms of yield put at 60 kg per annum. Biotechnology is therefore important for the production of date palm tree, especially that researches are ongoing at research centers. This is the faster was that good quality crop genotypes could be developed and yield gains of as much as 15-20% could be obtained, according to Eke. Since it has been established that “demand for improved materials of date palm already exists, large-scale commercial date palm micropropagation to produce enough for the demand” should be embarked upon. ”Nigeria has a number of favourable factors and it can become a date producer of importance.

Beyond direct agriculture, this could be one beautiful means to also check desertification in Sahelian Nigeria,” Dr. Eke said.

With NIFOR substation in Dutse, Jigawa state, if Nigeria could embark of the production of date palm trees in the Sahelian north, apart from agriculture, it would also address the problems of desertification in Nigeria.

Poultry stakeholders team up with Customs to fight smugglers F

OR many Nigerians the taste of frozen wings and laps of chicken called ‘Orobo’ in local parlance is a delicacy they cherish, but unknown to them there is danger in it for their health.

Most of the frozen chicken in the country are smuggled in through Benin Republic and in the process of illegally bringing the products into the country, the cold chain is broken, thereby the quality of the product is reduced.

Once that that cool chain is broken, the smugglers use the chemical used in preserving corpses to preserve the frozen chicken unknowingly to many Nigeria consumers.

Apart from the health implication of the smuggled poultry products, the local poultry industry is also going under.

Before now, the Nigeria Customs have been accused of not doing enough to steam the tide of the illegal importation of frozen chicken into the country from Benin Republic, but things are changing as the Customs service has set up the battle to sanitise the boarder.

Last week , The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) destroyed about 17,294 cartons of smuggled poultry products worth over N74 million impounded by the service were destroyed in Ikeja.

Speaking before the destruction took place in presence of

Poultry farmers, processors and cold room operators,Deputy Controller of Customs, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja,Mr. Ogun IM said smuggling, in whatever guise, is condemnable and a heinous crime against the economy of any nation, particularly ours in Nigeria.

Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar speaking earlier in a meeting with the stakeholders in the poultry sector of the economy, said the Command is at the vanguard of a renewed onslaught to rid the frontiers of the nefarious activities of these smugglers, adding that the supply chain of these poultry

smugglers must be blocked to pave way for the indigenous poultry farmers.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)’s agriculture sector chairman, Prince Wale Oyekoya, while commending the Nigeria Customs Service for their efforts at ensuring compliance with the Federal Government directives on zero tolerance for the importation of frozen poultry products, said that their members have the capacity to meet local consumption.

He added that what are not consumed in Europe are sent to Nigeria, he urged Nigerians to consume locally processed poultry products as the farmers and processors can meet their needs.

Students distribute 55,000 Vitamin-A cassava stems to Oyo farmers

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N Oyo-based NGO, En trepreneurial Action By Us (ENACTUS), has urged farmers to eat the new Vitamin A bio-fortified cassava before selling for profit.

The spokesman of the NGO, Mr Joseph Ibikunle, made the plea when some student members of the group from Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo distributed 55,000 Vitamin A cassava stems to 220 local farmers.

Ibikunle said for rural farmers to reap the health benefits, they should first consume the crop also known as yellow cassava.

He said ENACTUS made the identification of needy local farmers a major focus of one of its projects known as “The Profit in Cassava, “ adding that this led to the free stem distribution exercise.

Ibikunle also said the organisation, made up of 100 students in different disciplines, had nine other projects which were ongoing for the benefit of local people.

“ENACTUS also wants to see how the farmers can make good use of the new Vitamin A cassava to make profit from it that will improve their standard of living, “ he said.

Ibikunle said members of the organisation got in touch with the Nigerian office of HarvestPlus, the global alliance that introduced Vitamin A bio-fortified cassava into the country about two years ago.

He also said the international organisation provided farmers with free stems.

In his speech at the occasion, the Oyo State Chairman, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), Mr Muideen Adekunle, thanked the organisers for the free stems.

Adekunle, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, said with the advantages of the new Vitamin A cassava, farmers were now assured of ready market locally and globally.

He said the distribution of free yellow cassava stems to NCGA members for multiplication would ensure the availability of the produce in the country.

Mr Paul Ilona, the Country Manager of HarvestPlus, advised the farmers to adopt a modern system of agriculture if they were to make agriculture a profitable business.

Ilona, who delivered a lecture on Vitamin A cassava, said the two varieties of stems given each farmer in two different bags contained a total of 250 cuttings.

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IGERIANS travelling to United Arab Emirate (UAE) spend an average of $110 million on visa annually as not less than 2000 Nigerians travel to the Arab country daily. Nigeria Ambassador to UAE, Ibrahim Auwalu, who disclosed this in an interview at the just concluded Arabia Travel Market in Dubai, said the figure is outside what is spent on airline tickets and accommodation.

“Nigerians visit UAE as a country on an average of 2000 people daily. On visa alone we spend $300,000 if you calculate the money at $250 per passport. When you do the arithmetic, it is like $110 million annually on visas alone.

“Now when you consider what people pay to buy tickets, the flights are always full.

There are three direct flights between UAE and Lagos and about 12 non-direct flights.

He added “because of its liberal visa regime, Nigerians have found it to be very open and receptive and nice to visit and that is why we have such lovely relationship between both countries.”

Ambassador Auwalu who has barely spent a year in the Arab country described the Emiratis as extremely friendly and welcoming people which have made it possible for Nigerians to troop into the country. He said the relationship between both countries is supper “under wise Nigerians will not be trooping to UAE in such large number. Definitely the relationship is good, they are good host and Dubai is one of the leading tourist destina-

•Nigerian Stand at the just concluded Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Nigerians spend $110m on Dubai visa yearly

By JIMOH BABATUNDE tions in the world.

Ambassador Auwalu disclosed that the liberal visa policy of the UAE is now creating problem for the embassy

as many criminal now see it as hiding place once they commit crime in Nigeria.

“Just like when we don’t need visa to enter UK, once a Nigerian commits crime in Lagos, he runs to London to

FTAN seeks tourism intervention fund

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S the Federation of Tour ism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) prepares for the first Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition , the body has called on government to introduce intervention funds for the tourism industry.

Speaking on preparation for the event billed for Abuja next week, the President of the association, Chief Samuel Alabi, said the tourism sector needs such funds with interest rate similar to the existing funds granted to some other sectors.

He explained that such will enable the tourism investors refinance their loan and if possible obtained reasonable moratorium period for the repayment of the repackaged principal.

“Some of the existing tourism establishment especially hotels are due for rehabilitation and upgradings. Availability of cheap funds would

afford the concerned investors handle the overdue work.”

Alabi explained that the forum in Abuja is all about creating new tourism business frontiers and expand the existing ones with the ultimate result of more employment opportunities and increase the income to Government by way of direct and indirect taxes.

He said the present situation at the Nigerian money market is prohibitive and it discourages investment opportunities. “An intervention fund for the industry will provide a reasonable alternative in this regard.”

The forum which is being held in partnership with Federal Capital Territory Authority, he disclosed is to strengthen the relationship between the tourism investors and their service and product providers as well as to organize and promote local tourism

products and destinations to Nigerian before taking same to the International market.

cool his heels that is the same problem we have here now because of the liberal visa regime they have.”

He added “The second challenge here is that those young girls going to Europe don’t do so any longer and they find solace here. I was in Nigeria last month in my flight we came back with some of them.“ Ambassador Auwalu disclosed that they are working to curtail such vices as they are holding discussions with

their host government as well as inviting Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the immigration services to come down to discuss with their counter parts in UAE. “If we don’t do it now and these people start coming here and the government of UAE knows about it, other Nigerians might suffer, but fortunately here they don’t just but everybody in the same basket.

They give you the benefit of doubt.”

Stakeholders berate govt on Runsewe’s removal

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TAKEHOLDERS in the tourism sector have described the sudden removal of Otunba Olusegun Rusewe as Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) as un-procedural.

One time Minister of state for Agriculture, Franklin Adejuwon said Runsewe’s sudden removal marks another era of inappropriate break in the annals of the industry in Nigeria.

Adejuwon said Runsewe before his sudden removal seemed to have been the only active Director General in the ministry, “he kept on burning the candle at both ends to keep the industry alive.”

He asked “why must he now be the scape goat while indolent Director generals are left to perpetuate their un-innovative existence?”

The one time Chairman of the Presiden-

tial Tourism Committee on National Tourism Masterplan said the government is indeed its own enemy in every circumstance, “it has always created and demolished, attempt to build and vitiate there after.”

Speaking in the same vein, the President of the Tourism Federation of Nigeria (FTAN), chief Samuel Alabi said the removal of Runsewe did not follow the normal procedure as there was no panel set up or probe despite having sometime to the end of his tenure.

He described Runsewe as a Director General who was so passionate about what he was doing, “he transformed NTDC from a dormant agency to one that has become the envy of all.

“If things must be done , it must be done properly, the removal to me was not done properly.”

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32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Energy resource mgt in a federal system: Challenges, constraints and strategies (3) In this concluding instalment Chief Philip Asiodu, CON, argues that there was no basis for the delay in auctioning of concession blocks, renewal of OMLs, etc., until the passage of the PIB as no one knows when the bill would be passed

BY PHILIP ASIODU

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The need to avoid delays There is a suggestion in some Government Circles that decisions on auctioning of concession blocks, renewal of

CHIEF PHILIP ASIODU OMLS, etc. must await the passage of PIB. This is a wrong approach. No one knows when PIB will become law.

Meanwhile, there are many good things similar to the intentions of PIB which can be accomplished negotiating and acting within existing laws. One may mention these few items: • re-negotiation of fiscal provisions in deep offshore

Map of Nigeria

Source: How Petroleum Wealth Shapes The Development of Nations, Michael Ross

production sharing contracts signed in 1993; •delay in auctioning new oil concessions; •delay in renewal of expired OMLS; •delay in formulating and implementing an internationally competitive regime for gas production to fuel domestic power production, and promote the establishment of many value-added petrochemical industries. I am aware of proposed gas-based industries whose promoters have been engaged in unconcluded discussions with NNPC and the Federal G o v e r n m e n t authorities for more than 10 years. In the event all we do is to drive such would be investors to more investment–friendly countries. Such more welcoming theatres are increasing year by year.

Let us consider the first item just listed: I recollect that the Product-Sharing contracts executed in 1993 under certain assumptions of investment required, probable discoveries and returns had three re-opener conditions for re-negotiating fiscal terms: • If the price of oil rose to US$20.00 per barrel.

This became a reality by 2000 AD. • If ‘mega’ discoveries were made discoveries of reserves above 500 million barrels. This was achieved within seven

years by a few consortia. • In any case after 10 years. This date was reached in 2003. I can see no rational explanation for not negotiating within the existing contracts to optimize Nigeria’s revenues up to the targets hoped for in PIB, while

,

HEY did, they indicated how to meet the requirements with a combination of gas fuelled thermal stations, and hydro power plants, the locations, investments required etc.

Unfortunately like many other critical Reports, the Report was forgotten. For nearly two decades up to 1999, there was very little investment in new capacity, even maintenance, transmission or distribution. A lot of useful work has been done since 2000. We are well embarked now on IPP and the restructuring of the entire industry. Also, there appears to be acceptance of the need for appropriate pricing in order to encourage investment and efficient service delivery. There is, however, need for proper coordination and to avoid sending confusing signals to investors and contractors.

financial hub: “We cannot afford to forget that public order, personal security, economic and social progress and prosperity are not the natural order of things, that they depend on ceaseless effort and attention from an honest, effective

I can see no rational explanation for not negotiating within the existing contracts to optimize Nigeria’s revenues up to the targets hoped for in PIB, while waiting for it to become law

waiting for it to become law. In the end, whatever the wishes of a nation in global competition to attract investment and partners in progress, it can only conclude internationally competitive contracts and must demonstrate a habit of respecting such contracts. The problems which have afflicted the management of oil and gas and the articulation and implementation of a coherent National Energy Policy are the same which have impacted negatively on all aspects of national life.

Things will only begin to improve if the Government and National Leadership will undergo a revolutionary change and embrace all the aspects of good governance. One must repeat this quotation from Lee Kuan Yew. Who in thirty years led his small island state of Singapore from a Third World subsistence economy to a modern First World metropolis and Regional economic and

,

government, that the people must elect”. There is a role waiting for A Player to initiate national rebirth and progress to global success and greatness.

The smoothest and least traumatic scenario is for the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, with the authority derived from a universally (local and foreign) acclaimed election to assume that role of imposing good governance in all its aspects on our nation during the next two years, i.e. to the end of his mandate. These entail:• The rule of law; • Efficient and prompt administration of justice; • Predictability, objectivity and consistency in government measures; • Respect for the sanctity of contracts; • Abandonment of the pursuit of self-enrichment as the motive for seeking political leadership and office; • Re-engineering his Party (and other parties will follow) to make it issues

oriented and patriotic, pro ? development, pro ? the Public Good and pro ? Vision 2020; • Zero tolerance for corruption and the prompt application of adequate sanctions against offenders including seizure of all properties corruptly acquired; • Efficient and timely service delivery by all government agencies; • Determined and continuing reform of the Public Service and all staff of the regulatory agencies so that they may earn a new image of a friendly, helpful, prompt, competent, non-corrupt, proinvestment patriotic public service; • Return to planning and submission to the discipline of planning, respecting predetermined priorities in the utilization of national resources; • Return to the principle of collective responsibility of government; and • Entrenchment of merit and the pursuit of excellence as a core national value • Imposing discipline and co-ordination in fixing salaries and allowances of all political office holders ? in party offices, legislatures, and the executive so as to avoid ?competitive corruption?

Eighteen months of sustained good governance will put Nigeria on an irreversible path to wealth, stability and greatness. A clear conclusion and message should issue from this Conference for the guidance of our decision makers in the Executive and the Legislature.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 33

BOMSHELL!

Afro-Candy to star Uche Ogbodo, Cossy and Anita Joseph in “soft porn movie” BENJAMIN NJOKU

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ontroversial American based Nollywood actress, Judith Okpara Mazagwu popularly known as Afro-Candy who last week released the trailer of her soft-porn movie, “Destructive Instinct” has revealed her plans to star the likes of Uche Ogbodo, Cossy Ojiakor and Anita Joseph in her next soft-porn movie.

The actress dropped the bombshell on her facebook page. She called on Nollywood producers to follow her footsteps by venturing into the production of soft-porn movies for the African market.

According to her, “ I was planning to cast Uche Ogbodo in my next movie

before she went public. I also have in mind to cast Cossy Ojiakor and Anita Joseph in my next production.

You guys can copy me.”

“Destructive Instinct” which is currently greeted with mixed-reactions from fans featured the 41-year old mother of 2 completely nude in sexually explicit positions as she tries to make a daring impact on the industry. Shortly after the release of the movie online, one of the major actors threatened fire and brimstone, as he has asked Afro-Candy to either remove the trailer from the internet or have his scenes deleted.

Afro-Candy said, “the actor claimed he had been chased out of his home by his baby mama, and is threatening her to take them all down.”

5 years after, OJ Simpson returns to court

F O.J. Simpson

ormer football star, O.J. Simpson returned to a Nevada courtroom from his prison cell for the first time since December 2008, last Monday.

Simpson showed off a much fuller figure and a more pronounced gray hairline when he lumbered into the morning proceedings. “And, my, what four-and-a-half years in prison can do!,” he said.

Afro-Candy

Simpson is attempting to earn a new trial over his September 2007 assault, robbery and kidnapping charges that landed him in the pokey in the first place.

The former football star, who was famously acquitted of doublehomicide charges in 1994, was jailed for an armed confrontation against two sports memorabilia dealers in a Les Vegas hotel room.

Muna impostor dupes fans

Simpson claimed he was trying to take back mementoes that allegedly belonged to him The new legal bid has almost unanimously been called a “Hail Mary” across media outlets.

Simpson alleges that bad advice from his attorney, Yale Galanter, led him to his sentence, one that won’t see him eligible for parole until 2017.

Don’t toy with our BB, user userss tell NCC

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

HOT FLASHES! Uche Ogbodo

Uche

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n a recent interview, actress Uche Ogbodo declared her readiness to act nude if that’s what’s required of her. Hear her; “I can do anything in acting. There is no limit to what I can do on stage as an actress because I’m a professional actress and I don’t care because that role I am playing is touching somebody somewhere. If you give me a nude role that has something to teach people, and does not affect any culture and tradition, I will do it. That is why I am an actress. I don’t care what people might say or think about me.

What this world is turning into?

Omawumi

Omawumi or multiple award winning F song-stress, Omawumi Megbele, it is a pay back time. A week

after she got a fat cheque from Glo as one of the company’s newest ambassadors, the songstress was revealed as the new face of Konga.com, Nigeria’ online megastore during the week. Omawumi’s unveiling put to rest the several weeks of speculations about which mega star would team up with konga.com to increase people’s confidence and spread the gospel of online shopping in Nigeria. To several people, Omawumi was chosen as the favourite to emerge, as the lyrics from her popular song ‘Bottom Belle ft Flavour ’ were interpreted by many to show her support for Nigeria’s Online Mega store, Konga.com.

No doubt, the songstress is on top of her game.

tional wedding will hold in June in Lagos, while their white wedding comes up later in the year in Italy.

What another destination wedding.

Bez and Bolatito got engaged on Wednesday, May 1, after dating for a few years. Bola is a banker with FCMB and also the daughter of exgovernor of Oyo state, Rasheed Ladoja.

THE TEAM

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he buzz is that alternative soul sing er, Bez Idakula, and his fiancée, Bolatito Ladoja are getting married next month. A source close to the couple confirmed to newsmen that their tradi-

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n ambitious married woman’s temptation by a handsome billionaire leads to betrayal, recklessness, and forever alters the course of her life.

Starring in the movie are Kim Kardashin, Vanessa Williams, Brandy Norwood. It is a drama-thriller film produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. The film is adapted from the play of the same name written

by Perry, with several changes.

EXHIBITION SCHEDULE FOR 17TH- 23RD MAY, 2013

Soul singer Bez and fiancée, Bolatito Ladoja

Bez & Bolatito

Synopsis

OBLIVION G.I JOE THE HOST JOURNEY TO SELF WEEKEND GETAWAY

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Eucharia

TEMPTATION

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Eucharia Anunobi ast Saturday, actress-turned-evan gelist, Eucharia Anunobi added another feather to her cap when she received the “Ambassador of Religious Peace and Unity International Merit Award 2013,” courtesy of the National Leadership of the Niger Delta Christian Network, Abuja.

The honour was bestowed on her by His Eminence, ArchBishop Ambrose Joseph Milner, of Yeshua Embassy of Churches Int’l Inc. Philadelphia, USA at Excellence Hotel in Ikeja. But come to think of it, has she really dumped acting for the work of God? Your gaze is as good as mine!

BOX OFFICE

BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com

AYO ONIKOYI OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Temptation: 1;45pm, 4:10pm, 6;25pm, 8:45pm.

Host :11:30am,5:10pm,7:35pm Journey to self :2:55pm,5:45pm Oblivion: 11:20am,6:00pm,8:55pm.

GI Joe: 11:20am SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Temptation: 11;25am, 4:10pm, 8:55pm The Host:1:40pm,6:25pm Journey to self :4:55pm,9:05pm Gods are still not to blame: 12:35pm Weekend Getaway: 2:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, ABUJA Temptation: 12:20pm,2:30pm, 4:50pm, 7:10pm, 9:25pm The Host:12:30pm,3:00pm,5:30pm,8:00pm The Gods are still not to Blame: 4:10pm Journey to self :12:00pm,2:00pm, 4:40pm Lion of Judah :11:40pm,4:00pm.

Identity Thief: 2:10pm,8:30pm, Oblivion: 11:30am,2:00pm,6:30pm,9:10pm.

G.I Joe: 4:40pm, 6:50pm, 9:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Temptation: 11:55pm, 4:00pm, 6:10pm, 20:30pm.

Journey to self:12;00pm,4:30pm Gods are still not to blame: 2:20pm.

Looper : 20:30pm Weekend Getaway: 6:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS PORT HARCOURT Temptation: 11:50am, 1:55pm, 4:00pm, 6:15pm, 8:30pm Journey to Self :2:10pm, 4:15pm, 6:20pm.

Oblivion: 12;40pm 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm G. I JOE: 12;10pm, 4:10pm, 6:20pm, 8:30pm Lion of Judah: 11:15am.

Weekend Getaway :12:10pm.

The Gods are still not to blame: 6:35pm, 8:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS UYO Journey to Self :11:40am,2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm Weekend Getaway :12:30pm,2:40pm,4:50pm,7:00pm Hotel Transylvania : 12:25pm, 2:15pm,4:05pm Django: 6:05pm.

The Gods are still not to blame: 2;20pm, 6:40pm Silverlining: 11:45am, 2:10pm,4:30pm,6:50pm.

Looper: 11:50am, 2:05pm, 4:25pm,6:45pm OZONE CINEMAS LAGOS Temptation: 2:30pm, 4:45pm, 7:00pm, 9:10pm The Host : 3:05pm,5:35pm Identity Thief: 10:00pm Oblivion : 8:00pm G.I Joe: 11:25pm.

Weekend Getaway: 12:10pm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 35

Muna impostor dupes fans

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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his might not be the best of time for former beauty queen and rapper, Munachi Abi, a.k.a, Muna, as she is presently battling to save her name from being dragged to the mud, as an impostor is using it to dupe unsuspecting fans.

According to her, the said

impersonator is a Lagos based damsel whom she described as a “bleaching Brazilian hair she-males.”

WG gathered that the said impostor wears Muna’s favourite coloured-hair which makes her look so much like the singer. She goes about town, pretending to be Muna and in the process extorting money from the unsuspecting fans.

Muna took to Twitter account during the week to cry out against the ugly development.

“I shall collect all that has been stolen from me. ALL!!!

Biko(please) bleaching Brazzillian hair she-males don’t come and be reaping where you did not sow. But you gotta(must admit) admit I must be a big deal for you to go about duping people pretending to be me..”, she tweeted.

Muna

Ajebo raises stakes with Tosan Jamide set to break record comedy album

Ajebo

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aija FM On-Air-Personality, Erem Emeka Nehemiah popularly known as Ajebo is set to change the face of comedy business in Nigeria with a comedy album entitled House of Ajebo.

Ahead of the release of the album, the fast-rising standup comedian and creative writer dropped his first song entitled “Lie lie.”

With House of Ajebo, the past winner of AY boasts that Nigerians will be treated to something new. “I am bring-

ing humour and broadcasting together which is what I do as a broadcaster. This is my creative gift to give a new face to comedy. We are bringing something new to the table by taking comedy to another level. This is trendy and everybody wants to listen to the song. We will release the video soon.”

According to him, a marketing deal will soon be wrapped up for the distribution of the album which is expected to hit the shelves in June.

Explaining further, he adds “You know everybody is waxing audio comedy CDs, where they just crack jokes from the beginning to the end. But I am offering a comedy album. It is a comedy album where you have about 14 to 15 tracks. It includes jokes and skits among others. It is not like the stereotype, where you just crack jokes. I am doing a well rounded comedy album, after which we will shoot the video of the all album.”

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ith the ceremonious unveiling of the tallest cake in Africa yesterday at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, Tosan Jamide no doubt has written his name in gold.

The intention did not only stop at breaking a record, it also extends to promoting tourism in Nigeria in particular, and Africa at large. The event according to Tosan, is another way of paying back to the society that made him

what he is today, as he plans to use the proceeds from the event for community development and encouragement of talented youths. The cake which is about 28 feet has been estimated to cost N10m.

D’banj becomes ambassador of BoI

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

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ood things are beginning to come the way of one of Nigeria’s heavyweight stars, D’banj this year, as he has landed a multi-million naira deal as the new ambassador for the Bank of Industry.

The Kokomaster himself took to social network, Twitter, during the week to announce this development. Confirming his claim, he posted a picture of himself flanked by Ms Evelyn Oputu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry.

With this new deal, D’banj seems to be over the moon, as this so far, appears to be the highest among his achievements. “Beginning of a New Era. BOI(Bank of Industry) Ambassador. OooSssHhhEee Thank you Lord,” he tweeted.

D’banj

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 —37 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com

Don’t toy with our BB, users tell NCC

BY WINIFRED IMONLUAMEN

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he news just went viral last week that the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, was planning to shut down Blackberry services. Although the NCC almost immediately denied the rumour, Blackberry users in the country are still nursing fears that their cherished service may go under the knife of the regulator.

Most of them still insist that there is no smoke without fire.

Majority of them who expressed their opinions through pinging messages said that although the ban happened in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, there is no ground for its success in Nigeria. ily without actually calling Miss Morayo Adebayo - a stu- them. It has easy access to dent: Why would anybody ever the internet reducing the think of it! Banning Blackber- risk of going to the cyber ry? Its not reasonable in any- cafe or carrying laptops way. But I know the way things about. Bank transactions go in Nigeria, there is no and so many things can smoke without fire but the be done on the Black truth is that the device has Berry. Abeg, they done a lot of good than harm. should leave our BB The advantages include alone! cheaper way of people to get in touch with friends and famMr. Tam Nimi Jack: Banning of Black Berry for security reasons is like closing banks because of fraudsters or armed robbers. Rather than this retrogressive step, NCC should put more resources on security and cyber police to tackle the problems of crime and offences related to Black curity chalBerry. lenges facing the Mr. Innocent Onoja: If NCC country, I have nothing feels banning of Black Berry is against them. But they the only way to handle the se- should also consider the im-

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU & VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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o matter what anyone says, Blackberry has cut the bug, particularly among Nigerian students.

The addiction is wild and the love is always expressly declared each time you get in contact with them.

We bring you a check we ran at the Lagos State University, LASU, recently on the type of Blackberry phones they use and why.

Ekenimoh Prisca, Mass Communication use Blackberry Touch and I like it so much. It actually has very low memory but its okay for me. The camera is fantastic to take pictures.

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Taiwo Nike use Blackberry Bold 2 which I bought for 82,000 naira. It has lasted long without developing any fault. I pay subscription fee

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pact of information in every civilized country like Nigeria through the social networks.

Today Facebook and Black Berry Messenger are the most crucial services that enable people to effectively communicate with one another and even find old friends Dr. Lucy Omizebga : The plan to ban Black Berry is oppressive, communist and not fair to us, the citizens who are Black Berry users. I hope it is all rumours because we are not there yet. So to shut the little that is giving us hope would be counter productive Mr. Oye Obaitan: I just heard of the rumour and I still believe it is rumour. I think that the best way Nigeria should be thinking of security measures, is to first arrest the Boko haram insurgence and not to remove the small joy we are now deriving.

When we are thinking of banning BB, what about Facebook, WatsApp, twitter and others” However, NCC, through its Director Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, had declared that there was no substance in the rumour. “the attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to an information making rounds that the NCC had at a meeting this morning agreed with CEOs of telecommunications networks to shut-

What LASU students students do do with withtheir BB BB of N1, 400 every month. This enables me send messages for as many times as I want Through my BB, I connect with friends and search for classmates on facebook. I check their lifestyle, know what they are doing at every point in time. Also, I get information on academics from course mates or school mates whenever I am not in school as well as during holidays, through networking.

Apart from my Blackberry Bold 2, I also use Nokia 5310 which is a touch screen phone that I use for browsing, the camera is 3.5 mega pixel which gives me clear pictures, it is durable.

Theophilus Amaechi, Microbiology 0% of our students here, use Blackberry phones no matter the type. Mine is Blackberry Bold 2. It is a phone that gives me the freedom to do so many things at the same time. I bought it for 48,000, I

take pictures with it and print them and check email. Sometimes, I do my assignments by getting information on the internet through Google.

James Ebuta, Microbiology use Blackberry Touch. For me, it is not a status symbol though. I use it to keep

I

my academic pursuit oiled.

Through my BB, I’m educated as it teaches me things I did not know before.

At the moment, I use Airtel but believe me, its a mistake because they take my money any how.

Aderonke Balogun, Medicine and Surgery use Blackberry Curve 2 and it helps me so much with sourcing information from the internet. I usually go through Google. Another thing I like is the camera though I can’t see how many mega pixel it has but it gives me very clear pictures.

I

Sanusi Aminat lackberry Curve is my lovely phone and I use it for browsing, it is strong, portable and just okay.

The applications in it make me do a lot of things with ease.

I chat through Facebook and at times, I use it for my assign-

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8

Esther Ezemezue, a LASU student

down Blackberry Services in order to deny Nigerians the use of that very important social network.The Management hereby states categorically that there was never such a meeting held, nor was there ever a resolution to shut down Blackberry services.

The Public is please advised to disregard such information” he added.

ments. It also helps me know what is happening around my friends.

Akin Bola y phone is Blackber ry 98100 touch and I bought it 72,000 naira. I love the yahoo MSM as I use it to connect with friends on facebook. It has 5.0 mega pixel camera and that leaves me with superb pictures whenever I take shots.

M

Chioma Jennifer use Blackberry Javelin.

I love it because of its numerous applications such as the BBM, Pinging.

It browses faster and it is a camera edge phone

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Esther Ezemezue use Blackberry Bold2 for social networking. It helps me to down load information within a short time, for my assignments.

I chat, Twitt, and the camera is beautiful.

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38— Vanguard, FRIDAY ,MAY 17, 2013

So you want to be a Blogger! the latest web technologies, cameras, trends, and so on.

You must breathe your blog.

It’s a business.

Newsflash, a business is a business whether you are running it virtually or in real life. A media business is a business even though there is no tangible product you can see, and all the rules of good business practices apply including research and development, marketing and customer relations. During the earlier periods, creating avenues for feedback will be a dealbreaker in determining which direction your blog will grow.

Physically visit businesses you are going to be doing business with but also make alliances online by sharing links and joining groups that can create avenues for profitable networking.

organizations- now recognizes the need to be interactive with the public. Leave room for outsiders to input their contributions in order to give them a sense of belonging and ownership.

Develop a thick skin

(Or would it be more accurate to say a thick screen?). Prepare for the worst. Make peace from the beginning with the fact that not everyone will be in agreement with you and some folks have not so pleasant ways of expressing their disagreement. Realizing from the very beginning that everyone has a diverse range

of opinions influenced by different circumstances and just as you have the right to express yours, they have a right to express theirs.

It’s not just Style

Yes, most of our local blogs are about style, so there’s a tendency for there to be the misconception that it’s all about clothes, fashion, celebrity and gossip. Well, there’s quite a lot of space in the pond for that, but they are not all going to be great commercial successes, so unless your blog is just created to amuse your friends it might be wise to focus on other areas of interest, or even to diversify into multiple areas.

Do your Research

Linda Ikeji

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kay. So, one day, Ariana Huffington, decided to put her thoughts to paper or to the screen, as it were. Her blog became the Huffington Post, the multibillion dollar online newspaper which- wait for this-In 2011, AOL acquired The Huffington Post for US$315 million and made Huffington president and editor in chief of The Huffington Post Media Group.

In addition, she was in 2009, Huffington named as number 12 in Forbes’ first-ever list of the Most Influential Women In Media while moving up to number 42 in The Guardian’s Top 100 in Media List.

Moving closer home is belligerent blogger Linda Ikeji, who has courted more fame and fortune- while getting her own fair share of insults. In August of 2012, Forbes Africa dedicated itself to celebrating African women that issue. With the knowledge that women are the bedrock of the African society, Forbes profiled Africa’s 20 Most Prominent Women in the latest issue of the magazine. In that issue an entire section was dedicated to the women in Africa who are breaking the mold to make a name for

themselves in the business world. The issue featured profiles on two young Nigerian women: Chibundu Onuzo and Linda Ikeji.

Another home-grown blog success whose site has morphed into an entertainment e-supercenter is Uche Pedro, whose popular blog known by the name Bellanaija . in September 2012, Bellanaija was listed by the Guardian UK Fashion Blog as one of the top 10 African fashion blogs.

Define your blog

Before you begin blogging for profit whether material or otherwise, have a vision for the end as much as for the beginning. If your blog if going to morph into a newspaper, magazine, documentary or research reference point, it will be because you intended it to morph into that from the very inception. It does not happen by accident.

Be prepared Money-making blogs are not only full time jobs, they take constant innovation, creativity and other people’s inputs to grow. Ensure that you have the time and other resources to dedicate to your blog. You also have to be up to date with

The laws governing online abuses of information are as yet not fully developed. Yet it is important to be mindful of the information you put ‘out there’, particularly where it affects other people. More important than the marketing team is the research team, which ensures that all information is current and accurate before processing and passing it on.

Involve your Public

Virtually every organizationparticularly media

Ariana Huffington

Ti t b i t s

First Black Minister: Italy is not celebrating

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hile the world appears to have settled into the idea of women taking elected as well as selected leadership positions in government all over the world, Italy appears to be trailing the rest of the world in this regard, with her first female and black Minister Kyenge, an eye doctor and Italian citizen originally from Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), suffering attacks as she was named integration minister by Prime Minister Enrico Letta last Saturday, one of seven women in the new government. Kyenge, who arrived in Italy alone at 18 years old so as to pursue her studies in medicine, has also faced race-tinged insults from Mario Borghezio, a European parliament member of the pro-devolution white supremacist Northern League, which has been allied in the past with former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

It is unclear whether the hostility is inspired by her race or her gender as a stream of messages containing sexually violent images have been left on her phone. She has been known to say that when a woman takes up public office, sexist aggression sets off against her which, whether simple gossip or violent, always uses the same vocabulary of humiliation and submission.

She also rejected the term “coloured” used to describe her in many Italian press reports, saying: “I am not coloured, I am Black and I say it with pride”.

Cecile Kyenge

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 39

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he spent most of her acting career trying to promote the ‘big, black and beautiful’ mantra, looking firmly away from the fact that being big does not automatically translate into being curvy, and that it is actually the physical equivalent of sitting on a time bomb. In actual fact, every scientific study ever done shows being overweight makes you eligible for a good many diseases, including the terrible four: diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and cancer. Being on the smaller side also increases your

Drop the pounds — the Monique way chances of being successful in your career, not tom mention making your options far more plentiful.

It was only a matter of time before Monique opened her eyes to the reality of her excess weight, even as it made her stand out in the crowded world of Hollywood and probably made her famous.

Best known as the hyper, semi illiterate single mum Nikki

Parker in sitcom the Parkers who had an obsession for a professor and was determined to get the very best out of life against all odds, Monique finally decided to shed the famous folds, and she insisted on doing it the clean and hard way. The result has been astounding.

Losing more than a hundred pounds (she was lugging almost 300), Monique has thrilled her fans around the world and is keen on sharing the story of her incredible journey, in the hope that other ‘big girls’ might get a hint or three.

1 Use Criticism

Overweight people tend to get more criticism than their thinner counterparts about the

way they look, particularly from people who are closest to them. Sometimes, this is hurtful, depending on how you receive it. In Monique’s case, the constructive criticism came from her own husband and continued until she decided to do something about it. While she emphasizes that she always felt in the past that she was a big and beautiful woman, she says it is her husband who caused her to step back and look at the damage she was causing to her body (due to her weight).

2 Set clear Goals

From nearly 300 pounds, Monique’s goal was to reduce her weight to between 190 and 200 pounds. And not only did she have clear goals of how

much weight she needed to lose, she knew how she wanted to lose it, knowing that weight loss is a very technical endeavour.

Monique used an odometer to count the number of steps she took each day, and her minimum goal was 10,000 steps. Choose the form of exercise that you are comfortable with and which is approved by a professional.

3. Reward/Share your successes

When you share your successes you become an inspiration to those who knew you when you were ‘bigger’.

It is also important to reward every little milestone you achieve in your weight loss journey. There are a million and one ways to do that without going on a food binge, even though the occasional cookie or chocolate treat would not kill anyone. Do not backslide into the habit of gorging yourself uncontrollably with these things and do not touch unless you are absolutely sure of your discipline level. For Monique, daily tweets sharing her milestones with the public did not only enable her lighten her load but helped her be an inspiration to other women.

4.

Look yourself

outside

Deciding to embark on the weight loss journey in the first place can be the difficult first step, but might never be taken by most unless something enables the push. For Monique the push was her children and step children whom she is motivated to live for. According to her submission in a television interview, she had to stop being selfish, and eating everything!

5. Shun Shortcuts

Monique

Monique

The market is awash with a thousand and one pills and concoctions which promise to help you drop several dress sizes within an incredible period of time. There is of course the last resort option of a private nip and tuck, which no one needs to know about except you and your doctor.

These, of course, do not give the permanent results which adopting a fit lifestyle will give. Says Monique: you don’t have to let them cut you and suck it out, you don’t have to let them staple you up, you don’t have to let them give you a pill, you don’t have to let them put a band around your organs. “If you put the work in, baby, I promise you, it comes off.”

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

How Onolememen ensures progress in road transformation •Urges ministry workers to embrace effective service delivery

BY LEKE ADESERI

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HE Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen, has achieved another milestone in the ministry’s determination to ensure steady transformation of the road sector as programmed by the present Federal administration.

Before the coming of the Jonathan government, Nigerian roads were described as death traps.

Many road projects were abandoned and lots of interim certificates remained unpaid. Worse still, the morale of the engineers at the ministry was very low.

The nation came to that sorry state of affairs in the governance of the road sector which was marked by dilapidated roads, because the leadership of our country in the past four decades failed to develop the right attitude to road development. A paradigm shift became inevitable in the development of roads infrastructure in our country, judging by the recent experiences of the near collapse of roads infrastructure in Nigeria. We needed to reclaim the National Road Network from its dilapidated state and elevate it to an enviable state where it could once again help to promote national economic growth and prosperity.

Works minister, Mike Onolememen

Only recently, the minister, in his determination to ease process of doing business with the ministry inaugurated the Ministerial SERVICOM Committee in Abuja.

During the inauguration, he urged the ministry’s staff to contribute positively to effective service delivery in the roads sector, urging them to particularly give timely attention to files. He also asked them to have zero-tolerance for corruption and demonstrate absolute transparency in all duties. The minister said the committee had the mandate to consistently demonstrate commitment in ensuring the ministry’s members of staff “render selfless service from the time of arrival on

,

Today, travel times between most origins and destinations on these arterial routes have been drastically reduced

It can, therefore, be seen that the current administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, and the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Works were confronted with a situation that required urgent and far reaching changes and reforms especially in the areas of policy, management and financing of roads infrastructure in Nigeria. About two years on, Nigerian roads are no longer described as “death-traps” due to the marked improvement in the condition of the roads as a result of the unprecedented and massive rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of major arterial highways under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Honourable Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen.

Today, travel times between most origins and destinations on these arterial routes have been drastically reduced. Also maintenance costs of vehicles have also been reduced as a result of improved driving surfaces, devoid of potholes that hitherto put “holes” in the pockets of vehicle owners due to frequent repairs.

,

duty to departure.

“The committee will also spearhead the ministry’s strategy for improvement of service delivery, ensuring the promotion of quality assurance and best standards in the performance of its duties.

It is also to manage the ministry’s customer relations policy, including providing opportunities for customers’ feedback on services, among others.”

He said that would help in transforming the country’s federal roads into functional, pleasurable and accident-free roads.

“This will in turn rekindle the trust and confidence of the citizenry in the Federal Government.” Onolememen said the ministry was committed to effective service delivery in the road sector “because our citizens deserve the right to be served in accordance with international best practises." He added: “We are required to give timely attention to files, have zerotolerance to corruptible acts and demonstrate absolute transparency without anybody nudging us to do what we are paid for. This is

the hallmark of service delivery.”

Onolememen said the ministry’s mission was to elevate Nigerian roads to a standard where they became veritable national economic assets and a tool of national integration.

Earlier, Mr Sylbriks Obiriki, the National Co-ordinator of SERVICOM, had urged the ministry to use its available intellectual, management and material resources to make Nigerian roads motor able at all times.

Service delivery He said the establishment of the Ministerial SERVICOM Committee meant that the entire service delivery activities of the ministry would be handled by the committee. Obiriki said the committee would provide a comprehensive and effective training policy for the ministry’s frontline staff on customer relations and related matters. “It must be part of the fundamental shift of culture, whereby public servants see themselves first and foremost as servants of the citizens of Nigeria, rather than the reverse.

“Improved service delivery cannot be achieved only by issuance of circulars, but through a dynamic process, out of which a completely new relationship is developed between the public service and its individual customers,” he said.

Obiriki said SERVICOM was introduced in 2006 and the SERVICOM Index was launched to determine the compliance level of ministries. He said 84 Ministerial SERVICOM Units were evaluated yearly to determine the compliance level. “All these efforts are aimed at sustaining the momentum and ensuring that service is provided in the right form for every Nigerian.

“Hence the slogan 'you have the right to be served right’,” the SERVICOM official said.May 14, 2013

Re: The Star I Dream of the Sports Minister

BY JULIUS OGUNRO

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FTER reading Onoche Anibeze’s column of last week, I found it hard to believe that a sports editor of his calibre would display the gross lack of knowledge that he showed in the article, “The star I dream of the Sports Minister.” I had to rub my eyes and re-check the by-line just to be sure that the opinion was indeed Anichebe’s. It was!

In the piece, he claimed he was not aware of any programme by the National Sports Commission geared towards ensuring that Nigeria has a successful outcome at Rio 2016 Olympics. He further stated that he had given up on government regarding sports revival in the country.

In his words, “…I pleaded with Nigerians not to rely on the sports ministry and indeed the government to change the face of sports.”

It is indeed a wonder how Mr. Anibeze arrived at these points, given what he is in a position to know of efforts by the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi to mend the gaps in our sports development strategies and to revive mass participation in the game. A successful performance by Team Nigeria in Rio 2016 is only one of the goals of these policies; the long-term plan is to build a vibrant and successful sports sector that requires minimal government support.

Willful ignorance Like all serious minded sports editors did, maybe if Mr. Anibeze had taken time to attend the last National Council on Sports meeting in Ilorin, he would have educated himself about what he is now proudly proclaiming willful ignorance of.

Although Anibeze conceded to the fact that the Minister achieved stability and peace in football, he was scornful of the idea at that time, especially the minister’s effort to meet with Sepp Blatter FIFA’s president in Zurich. On the day the Minister made the trip, Anibeze reported that “Abdullahi in Zurich, Blatter in Brazil,” suggesting that the minister was on a wild goose chase and would not meet Blatter.

Ha, what reforms? I am sure Anichebe would ask. But as a sports editor of ‘great repute’ he should be aware of the major restructuring of our football league. The previous board running the league was

plagued by several financial and ethical scandals.

When it was removed, the Minister ensured that only credible people were appointed into new body. The new League Management Committee is reforming the league in line with the Minister’s vision of a private sector-driven league. It has registered a company, the LMC, to run the league in line with best football practices in the world.

In so short a time, the LMC has restored credibility and transparency to the management of premier club football in Nigeria and for the first time in three years secured a title sponsor for the premier league.

Any dispassionate observer would not but agree that this is the direction to go.

In fact, Vanguard, the paper Anibeze works for, on Thursday, last week did rare back page commentary supporting the League Management Company (LMC), and indirectly giving kudos to the Minister.

I can go on and on about the initiatives and programmes of the Minister to reform and develop Nigerian sports.

I could also mention medals upon medals he has racked up within the short time he was made the substantive Minister of Sports, not just in Football but in Athletics, Wrestling, Weightlifting and Chess. A few examples include AFCON 2013, the Senior Athletics Championship in the Republic of Benin and the Junior Africa Athletics Championship held recently in Warri, in Delta State.

But while the Minister may be humble about his achievements, it is sad and painful to see this hard work being rubbished in Anibeze’s column. This is unfair. The Minister works tirelessly to reposition sports. I see it everyday.

Fortunately, other wellmeaning editors and journalists in the industry know that the Minister works hard to achieve his mandate of sports development.

He doesn’t deserve pity. It is his cross and he carries it well. However, if you will not give him credit for all the good work, please don’t pull him down. That is bad journalism.

•Ogunro is Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Sports.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 —41

TREBLE CHANCE Newcastle South'pton Swansea West Ham Getafe Granada Levante Atalanta Cagliari Augsburg

v Arsenal v Stoke v Fulham v Reading v Valencia v Osasuna v R.Vallecaro v Chievo v Lazio v Gr. Furth

SOCCER TIPS 'Mourinho felt betrayed

by Pepe' FORMER Portugal international Paulo Futre believes that his friend will have felt betrayed by the centre-back after he criticised the Real Madrid coach's treatment of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Chidi fires East Bengal into quarters EAST Bengal thrashed Myanmar's Yangon United 5-1 in the AFC Cup round of 16 clash at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. The Red and Gold have made it into the quarterfinals of the continental competition.

'We still got everything to play for' - East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan said.

East Bengal are to face Yangon United in AFC Cup pre-quarters. Morgan said their objective was to win.

Remy arrested on suspicion of rape THE Metropolitan Police have confirmed the France international, currently under contract with QPR, has been arrested along with two other men and . is currently in custody in west London on suspicion of rape.

We ha ything havve e evver erything needed to beat Chelsea FOUR HOMES LATE TIPS TIPS

1 X 2 X 3 X 11 PAIR FOUR AWAYS 15 24X 25 X 31 X X 34 19 PERMUTATION 4 X 5X 6 X 9X AVOID 13 X 14 25 TIPS RISKY 20 21 X 29 X 33 CREDIT Montpeller 2 Sampdoriat 2 Troyes 2 Hannover 3 Stuttgart 3 Freiburg 3 Augsburg 3 Cagliari 3

EXCELLENT Newcastle 7 South'pton 7 Swansea 7 West Ham 5 Getafe 5 Granada 5 Levante 5 Atalanta 5

BENFICA manager Jorge Jesus believed that his side were more than capable of taking on Chelsea on Wednesday evening in the Europa League final at Amsterdam. But Chelsea beat Benfica 2-1 to lift the cup.

Lampard agrees to new Chelsea deal THE Blues have been boosted ahead of the Europa League final by their alltime leading goalscorer rejecting LA Galaxy to finally agree on a deal to stay at Stamford Bridge for one more season.

Chelsea aim for historic Europa League final victory and Lampard can make the difference for Chelsea, says Ola John.

Benitez merits one of Europe's top jobs WITH the Spaniard set to oversee his fourth major European final, his record proves he is still one of the best managers around - even if he is not the right man for Chelsea.

X-RAY OF THE DRAWS WEEK 44

F.A . Bar cla ys Premier ship Barcla clays Premiership 1 Chelsea 2 Liverpool 3 Man City 4 Newcastle 5 South'pton 6 Swansea 7 Tottenham 8 West Brom 9 West Ham 10 Wigan

v Everton v Q.P.R. v Norwich v Arsenal v Stoke v Fulham v Sunderlan v Man Utd. v Reading v Aston V.

1 1 1 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX

Spanish BB VA La Liga BBV 11Barcelona 12 Deportivo 13 Getafe 14 Granada 15 Levante 16 Mallorca 17 Sevilla 18 Zaragoza

v Valladoli 1 v Espanyol 2X v Valencia XX v Osasuna XX v R.VallecaroXX v R. Betis 2X v R.SociedadX2 v Ath'Bilbao X2

Italian Serie A 19 Atalanta 20 Bologna 21 Cagliari 22 Inter Milan 23 Palermo 24 Pescara 25 Roma 26 Sampdoria 27 Siena 28 Torino

v Chievo v Genoa v Lazio v Udinese v Parma v Florentina v Napoli v Juventus v AC Milan v Catania

XX 1 XX 1 X2 2 2 2X X2 X2

German Bundesliga 29 Augsburg 30 B. Dortmund 31 M'Gladbach 32 E. Frankfurt 33 Freiburg 34 Hamburg 35 Hannover 36 Nuremberg 37 Stuttgart

v Gr. Furth XX v Hoffenheim 1 v Bayern M 2 v Wolfsburg 1 v Schalke XX v B.Leveerkusen2 v F. Dusseldorf X1 v WerderBremen 1 v Mainz XX

4 5 29 39

French Ligue One 38 ETG 39 Montpeller 40 Nancy 41 Nice 42 Paris SG 43 Reims 44 Rennes 45 Sochaux 46 St. Etienne 47 Troyes

v Valenciennes 2 v Lille XX v Bastia 2X v Lyon 2 v Brest 1 v Lorient X1 v Ajaccio 1X v Toulouse 2X v Marseille X1 v Bordeaux 2X

Potuguese Premeira Liga

48 Biera Mar 49 Benfica

v SP Lisbon 2 v Moreirense 1

Revised Pairs 4 x 5, 6 x 9 29 x 33, 37 x 39

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

A

Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

The bounty of Allah in Rajab and it is time to prepare for the holy month of Ramadan.

The month of Rajab is the month of planting the seed.

Shaaban is the month that the seed wil grow and bears fruits

during that month, then Allah (SWT) will remove punishment away from that person for one year.

Hear what the Prophet told a very weak man who com-

,

LLAH created the heav ens and the earth; He made the days; the months and the years. Another year has rolled by when we saw this month. Many who failed to appreciate the blessings of Allah have another opportunity of glorifying Him today. At least for being part of those who welcome another month of Rajab. The days, months and years will continue to move according to the dictates of Allah, whether we still exist of not, until the appointed time when everything will cease to be. But Alhamdullilah that we are able to observe another Rajab. May Almighty Allah spear our lives beyound Shaaban, Ramadan and give us the grace to witness many more years.

Believers, every minute of the day counts as glorious opportunity to make amends where we’ve wronged. After the last Ramadan, a lot of Muslims went back to their shell of docility, of complacency and became very weak spiritually. For those who were steadfast during the last month of Rajab to Ramadan and those who were regular in their supplication and duas as well as those who committed substantial part of their wealth to charity during Rajab, Shaaban and Ramadan; it is time to continue and reap even bigger this year. It is time again to reawaken ourselves to major essence of our living. It is time for repentance, it is time for charity, it is time to intensify on our dua

But who will rescue Nigerians from the grip of these vampires; who will deliver us from these orgies of killings, kidnappings, and cultism? Certainly, it is only Allah that can restructure our destiny only when we are in good relationship with Him

,

in Ramadan. So, how are we prepared for the exercise.

Although, the fasting in Rajab is not obligatory on you in Rajab, but if you do, you will win big for yourself.

If we show respect to only one night properly, and do what we are supposed to do

plained he could not fast in the month of Rajab. The Prophet said (s.a.w): “Fast during the first day of the month and during the day that comes in the middle of it, and also during the very last day of the month, for then you will be given the same reward as someone who

has fasted through the whole of the month, since one good deed is equal in value to ten of the same kind.” But that was meant for the weak person, what about you.

T

he crimes in our country are so monumental that our government seems helpless. But who will rescue Nigerians from the grip of these vampires; who will deliver us from these orgies of killings, kidnappings, and cultism?

Certainly, it is only Allah that can restructure our destiny, but only when we are in good relationship with Him. Using this month of Rajab, we can wake up, turn around and seek forgiveness. The door of forgiveness is always open.

The opportunity is beckoning again and mercy will descend to His servants. Whatever error you must have committed, turn around and ask Allah, you will be forgiven. InshaAllah ar-Rahman.

That is one of the reasons the

month is referred to as Shahrullah al-Asabb, which is the Bountiful Month of Allah. It conveys that Divine Mercy (Rahmah) will descend more upon His servants during the period, with generous favours and rewards like never before.

It is also called Shahrullah al-Asammuh, Uthman, one of the caliphs went onto the pulpit during a Jumat prayer and declared that “Well now this is the 'Deaf Month of Allah'.”

The reason it was called deaf month of Allah (Shahrullah alAsamm) was because as soon as the new moon was sighted for Rajab, the Arabs, who were perpetually engaged in feuding with each other, would lay down their arms. As a result, the noise of the clashes of arms and spears would not be heard for the duration of the month.

The issue is not in the name but what we use the period for.

How many people know if they will see another Rajab? As believers, you should care less about tomorrow but make your today better and live as though it is your last.

If you let this month fly away just like that like other months, then you may not be able to catch up easily with the spiritual benefits of the next two months. (Shaaban and Ramadan).

May Allah make it easy for us. Allahuma Barik lana fi Rajaba, wa Sha‘bana, wa balligna Ramadan - O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha‘ban and let us witness Ramadan. Amin.

Muslim groups hail Oloyede, Arisekola’s NSCIA appointment

S

ome Muslim groups in the country have commended the appointment of Prof Ishaq Oloyede as the new scribe of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

In separate congratulatory messages made available to Facing The Kaabah, the groups said the appointment of Oloyede and others would usher in a pro-active council. The groups include Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Obafemi Awolowo Univer-

sity Muslim Graduates A s s o c i a t i o n (UNIFEMGA), Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF). Oloyede, a former Vice chancellor of University of Ilorin and Executive Secretary of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), was recently appointed as the new Secretary-General of NSCIA at the National Executive Council meeting of the council in Kaduna. Other appointments by NEC of

NSCIA was Alhaji Abdulazeez ArisekolaAlao as the Deputy President-General (South) and Prof. Tijani ElMiskeen as Deputy- Secretary- General (North).

Others were Sheikh Adam Idoko as Deputy SecretaryGeneral (South) and Maj. Gen. Abdullahi Mamman (rtd) as National Treasurer.

In the congratulatory message, MMPN Chairman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun said the coming on board of Oloyede should serve as a catalyst for the apex board.

Alhaji Lateef Balogun, the Coordinator and Osupa Adini of The Muslim Prayer Group, Mushin, and other awardees.

C M Y K

The Chairman of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon Taofeek Adeyemi t(2nd left) turbaned as the Baba Adini of The Muslims Prayer Group, Mushin,his Vice Hon Razaq Ajala turbaned as Serili Adini of the group recently.

Alhaja Mulikat Adetola (left) installed as the Iya-Adini of The Muslim Prayer Group, Mushin and other awardees at the occasion held recently in Mushi, Lagos.

Vanguard Vanguard,,

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

—

43

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Lucky Jupiter makes an ingress into your positive angle today with good luck to you. Financial success is closer to you than you can imagine. Give big push.

SCORPIO; Here is a good day when influential personalities around you will be willing to assist you but you will need to take the initiative. Take good advice.

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day. The more ambitious you are along your career line the better for you. And friends are willing to give the needed supports; you’ll be lucky.

CAPRICORN; Your mind is truly active and if you’re more practical about it success’ll crown your efforts.

Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

By Richard Eromosele

I

am sure you will not be happy with a child that wakes up in the morning and refused to greet you. It is the same way with God. The scripture admonishes us to give Him thanks and praise every time. And it is important we do this in conjunction with our family members. The

Of family prayer – 2 holy writ says where two or three are gathered for His sake there He will be.

I listened to a story in one of our services the other day on two children who were taken to the United States to live with a

relation. It happened that for reasons best known to their uncle, they were driven out. I guess you will be wondering, where did they go to? They went to the church and explained their predicament. And the

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

church not only sheltered them, they took up the responsibility of catering for them. Now ask yourself, supposing they were not brought up to appreciate God, where would they have turned to?

Always pray with your family members. For the family that prays together sticks together.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS ; Coming of Lucky Jupiter into a positive angle to your Star sign is a big plus. On a day like this the more ambitious you are the better.

It’s good to be loving PISCES; The more willing you are to listen to your partners and/or spouse the better for you today.

Friends are trying to convince you that the are reliable.

ARIES; Success is boldly printed on your cards today. The more push-full you are along your career/ business lines the better. Embrace new method at work.

TAURUS; Here is a day you are not meant to ignore new ideas that come suddenly. It’s good to take matters of the heart more seriously. Listen to your spouse please.

GEMINI; Lucky Jupiter is joining mighty Sun and romantic Venus bringing you to the fore for collection of well deserved honour, glory and LOVE. Certainly you’re becoming more important in many ways. Be more ambitious.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Another lucky day for you is here.

Although your being co-operative can enhance your scope, your personal ideas and initiative are guarantee for bigger do.

LEO; Those of you who are more consistent will have more to gain. Good ideas on monetary issues will enhance your finances. Be more family minded.

VIRGO; Entrance of lucky Jupiter into Sagittarius is meant to enhance your finances. The more willing you are to take good advice the better. Be loving.

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

What is my Horoscope?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, I am a young man willing to go higher in life.

Kindly tell me everything I should know about my horoscope.

Gani. Oshogbo Dear Gani, Here-under are what space can take.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE Preponderance of fixed quality within the heavenly bodies when you were born pointed to you as a person who always find it relatively difficult to change his mind once you made up your mind on very important issues. And as ambitious Saturn was the final dispositor (that is the only planet at home) when you were born, CAREER&IMAGE always take precedence over all other things when taking important and final decision.

From distance others will see you as a tough and aggressive person but with less than 50% of pushfull influence in your chart you are actually not as difficult as others thought you are. Truly you are loving, caring and your sympathy can easily be aroused. Most of the time you prefer to attract what you want rather than go after such in straight aggressive way. However because you are an Aquarian nobody can take you for granted especially about your personal FREEDOM..

Placement of the Sun (the indicator of everybody’s inner-self and/or conscious self) also Moon (an indictor of emotion/sub-conscious self) in AQUARIUS and SAGITTARIUS respectively are indications of your being mainly an Aquarian and partly Sagittarian. Meaning that basic characteristics of the two Star signs, are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

C M Y K

44—Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Mayakor, market leaders to empower SMEs

M

AYAKORP Nigeria Limited, a provider of business development solutions, in collaboration with The Market Leaders Association of Nigeria, holds the inaugural edition of Annual Business Empowerment Summit.

The summit will bring together over 5,000 small and medium scale traders from the automobile, telecommunications, information technology, agriculture, food and beverages, building materials and household wares sectors in an interactive business forum with their product and service providers.

Highlights of the summit slated for July 4, in Lagos, include business lectures on loan facilities and asset finance, training on application and management of modern business tools and equipments in small businesses as well as business networking and interaction.

The summit is an opportunity for SMEs to interact directly with service providers, especially on areas of improving their businesses at a low costs.

SME service providers, especially from banking and finance, telecommunications, information technology, manufacturing and other allied sectors, can exploit the opportunity to showcase and market their products and services.

JTF adopts non-combatant approach in N-Delta

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—JOINT Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, in the Niger Delta, has adopted a non-combatant approach to the security campaign against illegal bunkering in Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta communities.

JTF’s current strategy is to engage the elders and traditional heads of the communities to reach out to the youths on the need to avoid the illegal act.

Operatives of the 146 battalion of JTF, according to its Spokesman, Lt. Col Onyema Nwachukwu, had been deployed to Okpomakiri, K-Dere and B-Dere and communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, to commence the exercise.

Nwachukwu, in a statement in Yenagoa, said the operatives, while on a sensitisation visit to the communities, admonished the elders on the dangers inherent in community youths engaging in pipeline vandalism.

He said: “They solicited the support of the elders of the community in curbing the menace and urged them to

caution their youths to desist from any acts of illegality.”

Meanwhile, JTF said it had seized a self-propelled (V1) barge and scuttled 22 illegal crude oil distillation camps,

18 open boats, 133 plastic surface tanks and 28 pumping machines used in crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The self-propelled barge, according to JTF, was inter-

Omene, youths' leaders back Aziza on UPU leadership tussle

BY GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE—FORMER Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, Dr. Wilson Omene, has supported the calls on President-General of Urhobo Progess Union, UPU, Major General Patrick Aziza (rtd), to remain in office and complete his first tenure rather than resigning.

It was gathered that some members of his executive had asked the UPU leader to resign and hand-over power to his deputy, Mr. O. Majoro.

Omene said the UPU President's office belonged to the people of Urhobo for whom he holds the office on trust and would return the office to at the expiration of his tenure.

He also advised Gen Aziza to seek re-election for a second

W

ARRI—THE European Club Sapele, now Sapele Athletic Club, founded during the colonial era, is set to celebrate its 100 years of existence with former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, John Major; Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, President Ayo Oritsejafor; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of

I

JAW youths across the Niger Delta have warned against any attempt to use the National Assembly to seek replacement of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Ziakede Akpobulokemi.

They said that the National Assembly should not allow self-

ish individuals and groups to use it to blackmail the NIMASA boss.

The warning was given by the President of Ijaw Youth Development Association, IYDA, Mr. Prince Oniyemofe, when he led hundreds of Ijaw youths across the Niger Delta to pay a courtesy call on the Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, Mr.

Delta State, Justice Azinge and other prominent Nigerians, to be in attendance come November.

Chairman of the Anniversary Committee, Chief Faith Gbagi, visited Oritsejafor in Warri, to brief him on their intention to celebrate the existence of the club and also invite him as a Sapele man and one of their outstanding citizens in the country.

Chief Gbagi, who con-

gratulated Papa Oritsejafor on his re-election as CAN President, said Oritsejafor had contributed to the peace, security and harmonious coexistence of all Nigerians.

He told Oritsejafor that since the colonisers left Nigeria after the 1914 amalgamation, the club had become a shadow of its former self and that the need to revamp it had become imperative to give it a new life.

Joseph Evah, in Lagos.

The youths said that their visit to Lagos was to find out from the Niger Delta activist whether Akpobulokemi’s life was under threat by detractors.

Evah, the former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress, INC, assured the youths on the safety of the NIMASA DirectorGeneral.

Evah said those plotting against the DG were enemies of progress in the maritime sector, noting that the sector was in shambles before the emergence of Akpobulokemil as DG. He said: ‘’Some of the childish argument was that Akpobulokemi has no background in maritime studies, but I asked the detractors why they were not demanding that citizens from the Northern part of the country should not be employed in NIMASA and the agency be reserved for only riverine people in the country?”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

tenure, at the expiration of his current tenure in December, if he so wishes.

Meanwhile, Urhobo Youth Leaders’ Forum has frowned at the activities of some Urhobo elites, who, it says, were attempting to “circumvent the constitution of UPU by meddling in the affairs of the executive committee elected for a three-year term, so they can foist the candidate of their interest on the people.”

Ijaw youths warn against removal of NIMASA DG

Sapele Club celebrates centenary anniversary

BY EMMA ARUBI

cepted by the Maritime Component troops of the JTF deployed at Forward Operations Base, FOB, in Burutu, Delta State on the Bonny Channel, with stolen petroleum product.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Should oil theft attract death penalty? (3)

D

EATH penalty is not always a better way of addressing crime, but if people, especially people at the top, cannot stop stealing our oil and making themselves more rich, then dead penalty can be the next option. — Mr Okie Darlington, Student

B

EFORE we talk about making death as penalty for oil thieves, what about those in government that steal billions, like the police pension thief? Are they not all in the same category? So death should not be the first option.— Mr Femi Igwe, Engineer

I

subscribe to death as penalty for any one caught stealing the nation’s wealth and property, which the oil represents. It is high time Nigerians enjoy their fatherland and reap from its good. — Miss Maryann Anagbogu, Student

T

HERE should not be any bloodshed ding, especially in the name of penalty for oil thieves. I think what should be done is to seize the oil thieves’ property and every other thing they acquired from the money.— Miss Bereford Cole, Singer.

A

S far it is an issue that has to do with this country, I would not want to stress myself saying what I know against the government. All I can say is that the government needs to check itself first and send away the corrupt ones. — Miss Joy Jibuike, Student

L

ET them kill all the oil thieves and give every Nigerian at least N20,000 each from the oil money. I am sure that Nigeria will not be broke because we see the amount that is being stolen regularly from the public treasury. — Mr. Martin Onuigbo, Bussinessman

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013—45

Rep congratulates Oritsejafor

W

ARRI—A MEM BER of the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, has described the recent reelection of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, as a clear testimony of the positive, transparent and godly leadership which he (Oritsejafor) has so far provided to the religious association since he was first elected to the position.

Speaking, yesterday, in a telephone interview, Reyenieju said that by the re-election, Pastor Oritsejafor had further brought honour to the constituency.

He prayed God to further endow the Christian minister with the necessary wisdom to pilot the Christian community in Nigeria to greater heights.

DHT rewards partners with cars, houses

D

IAMOND Holiday Travel, DTH, a travel service marketing company, has concluded plans to reward its partners, who qualified in the multi-level marketing activities, with cars and houses during its 3rd African convention to be held in Lagos.

Briefing newsmen on the forthcoming convention, President of DHT, Nigeria, Mr. Moses Ofili and his counterpart from South Africa, Billy Ruyobeza, said the choice of Nigeria for the annual event was to create awareness on the presence of DHT in the country.

Idemudia passes on

M

R. Kehinde Ide mudia, of Usen in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, Edo State aged 65, has passes to glory.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Awele Idemudia, two sons, and five sisters.

A statement by the family said funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Delta reads riot act to rampaging Hausa/Fulani herdsmen

BY EMMA AMAIZE

O

G H A R A — D E LTA State Government, has warned Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, who had been on rampage, in the state, lately, killing, maiming and raping natives, as well as destroying farm crops with their cattle, that their activities were no more acceptable.

Rising from the State Security Council meeting at Oghara, the state government directed that any herdsman who allowed his cattle to destroy farm crops, kill, or cause bodily harm to farmers in the state, would be arrested and expelled.

Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay, who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting presided over by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, said the decision was reached because of the increasing act of criminality by cattle rearers in the state.

He said that Hausa/Fulani leaders in any community, where such acts were carried out would be made to fish out the erring herdsman.

He said: “The meeting de-

cided to arrest and expel any Hausa/Fulani cattle rearer that allows his cattle to destroy farm crops or kill or cause harm to any farmer in this state. The Hausa/Fulani leaders in such communities will be made to fish out the culprits.”

Macaulay, meanwhile, said that that the amnesty programme of the Federal Gov-

INSPECTION: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (middle); his Deputy, Lady Valerie Ebeh (right); Obong Paul Ekpo (left) and Mr. Enoidem (2nd left), during the governor's inspection of Ukpom Bridge in Abak Local Government Area of the state.

Youth employment’ll end security woes —Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has identified youth employment as a sure way to end the security challenges currently facing the country.

Oshiomhole, yesterday, during a visit by the management of the Nigeria Bottling Company said, “Government alone, will never be able to provide all the jobs the citizens require.

“The challenge facing the country, more than anything else, is youth unemployment.

It is now settled in development literature that government will never be able to provide all the jobs the citizens require. It is also increasingly appreciated by Nigerians that the best jobs are not in the public sector, whether in terms of pay, compensation or security of employment.

“Any responsible government will be delighted to deal with a company such as Coca-Cola, considering the reputation that the company had established over the years.”

Oshiomhole said that it

was in the interest of the government to do whatever it could to encourage businesses to be established in the state and those in the state to expand.

“For us in Edo, we cherish your activities and I am happy to learn that you are going to dialogue with us on your plans for investment and expansion. I assure you even before I know the details, that whatever you want us to do, including providing land and constructing road, we will do them and provide any other incentive you require," he added.

Govt officials welcome probe of private jets

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— TOP officials of Rivers State Government have welcomed the call on Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCCA, to produce licences and documentations of all private jets in the country within 48 hours.

Some of them who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt on condition of anonymity, said the development would resolve controversies surrounding the state government’s Bombardier global 700 jet.

like a criminal.

“The state government decided at this meeting to remind youths in the state agitating for a third phase of the Federal Government's amnesty programme that the programme is over and anyone caught disrupting the peace in the name of amnesty will be treated like a criminal.”

ernment for repentant militants was over, adding that there was no third phase, and that there was nothing the state could do about it.

He explained that the state only complimented the Federal Government’s initiative, adding that any youth agitating for a third phase of the amnesty programme should desist forthwith or be treated

They expressed surprise at the sudden denial of the role of Caverton Helicopter in the acquisition of the Bombardier Global jet by the management of the firm.

It will be recalled that the Secretary to Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii, had said that importation of the aircraft was done through a Nigerian company, Caverton Helicopter, a claim the company reportedly denied.

Feyii, who maintained that the aircraft belonged to the state government, said that the state government only incorporated

a limited liability company, the Bank of Utah Trustee, to facilitate the transaction. Feyii explained that the government had been paying all operational charges on the aircraft.

“The above position shows that the plane belongs to the Government of Rivers State.”

Meantime, the top government officials in the state, said the decision of the Ali Ahmed Committee in the House of Representatives to direct that all licences and documents for all private jets in the country be brought before it would resolve the controversy surrounding the state government’s aircraft.

Rumpus in ex-militants' camps over non-payment of stipends

P

ALPABLE fear exists among the Third Phase ex-militants' leaders in the Niger Delta following the alleged exclusion of some warlords from monthly stipends of N65,000 by the Federal Government Amnesty Committee.

The third phase ex-militants warned that if they fail to get positive response from the Federal Government on or before May 25, they will storm the Amnesty Office in Abuja with their boys to register their displeasure.

Following the development, some of the ex-militant leaders had alleged threat to their lives and their families by some warlords and called on the Federal Government not to jeopardise the prevailing peace in the region by acting fast.

Briefing journalists, shortly after a meeting of the ex-militants in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State, state chairman of Phase Three of the amnesty programme, Mr. Kingsley Odiri, expressed appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for approving the inclusion of the ex-agitators in the third phase of the amnesty programme.

46—Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Okonjo-Iweala, others to speak at WIMBIZ forum

Anambra House asks Obi to reconstitute boards of parastatals

M

INISTER of Finance, DR. Ngozi OkonjoIweala; Victoria Sekitoleko, former Minister of Agriculture of Uganda, and founder of Uganda Culture Community Centre; Adedotun Sulaiman, a renowned management and strategy consultant; Jane Kiragu, advocate of the High Court of Kenya; Alyse Nelson, co-founder and president, Vital Voices Global Partnership; and Kah Walla, CEO and founder, Strategies from Cameroon, would be the keynote speakers at the Vital Voices Global Partnership and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service, WIMBIZ, forum holding in Lagos on May 23, 2013.

The forum would highlight business women’s advocacy for increased economic empowerment across four African countries, namely: Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and host Nigeria.

Celena Green, Senior Programme Manager, Africa of Vital Voices Global Partnership, a Washington DC, United States-based organisation, said this year’s forum will discuss “the importance of women’s leadership in Africa’s economic growth, and the advocacy that women’s business organisations are undertaking to promote greater investment in women, and improvements in the business environment that will provide equal opportunities for women’s economic participation.”

Monarch petitions police, alleges threat to life

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

T

HE traditional ruler of Lej ja at Nsukka, Enugu State, has petitioned the police over threat by a politician (names withheld) in the area to assassinate him.

The royal father, Igwe Ochike, said his problem with the politician was engendered by the fact that he wanted equity and justice in the distribution of political offices at Lejja.

In the petition addressed to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Nsukka, copies of which were sent to the state police commissioner, local government chairman and police Area Commander, Igwe Achike, said efforts by Lejja Adhoc Town Union to broker peace between him and the politician proved futile, as the latter’s supporters had been threatening hell and brimstone over his boldness to challenge their principal.

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O CONDOLENCE—From left: Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on InterParty Affairs, Sen. Ben Obi, and National Chairman of People's Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, during a condolence visit to Obi on the death of his wife, in Abuja, yesterday.

Ezu river: Residents bemoan abandoned water project

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—RESIDENTS of Amansea in Awka North local government area of Anambra State whose Ezu River, which is the source of water supply to the community was polluted, following dumping of dozens of dead bodies in the river this year, have bemoaned the seeming delay in the completion of two water borehole promised them by both the state government and the senator representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, Dr. Chris Ngige.

This came as the Ezu River has turned yellow, a development the residents attributed to flood water that has continued to empty into the river from its source in Enugu State.

As a result, the river can no longer serve any purpose for the people.

A visit to the area showed that the site of the project had been overgrown by weeds and the

person who claimed to have donated the land for the water project has begun to farm on it.

However, Ngige told Vanguard that ‘’the borehole had been completed; test-run done, pumping and the water, bacteriology all done, with excellent results.

“Members of of the community drank the water. The water storage elevation tank was also done and the solar panels ordered by the contractor is being cleared from the ports, hence the stoppage of work because the solar panels will be mounted at the roof of the building.

“The advantage of the solar system in a poor rural village over electricity from the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria, PHCN, cannot be over-emphasised since there will be no power failure, no lack of diesel to power the submersible pump. We are giving them the best.’’

Senator Ngige was among the first set of visitors to the area after the incident during which he promised and actually commenced the construction of a borehole for people of the area in February this year, with a completion period of two months.

The state government also promised and began the construction of another borehole in the area at the same period and although water has been struck there, it is yet to be reticulated.

Presently, it is being used by the people from the point of the drill.

Some of the natives and residents who spoke at the site of the project regretted that their hopes have been dashed, adding that it would appear that their misfortune was being used as a political gimmick.

Mrs. Esther Okeke, whose husband donated the parcel of land, told Vanguard that she decided to farm on the land when it appeared to her that nothing was happening.

I remain authentic APGA chairman—Umeh

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—NATIONAL chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday, described the Awka High Court judgment which vacated the order restraining Maxi Okwu from parading himself as national chairman as a miscarriage of justice, insisting that he remained the authentic chairman of the party.

The order of the Federal High Court which restrained Maxi Okwu from parading himself as national chairman, was Wednes-

day vacated by the same court which some people interpreted as a victory for Okwu.

But Umeh, in an interview with Vanguard, noted that the interim order was to last for only 14 days, adding that its vacation did not affect the stay of execution granted by the Court of Appeal in Enugu.

He also explained that it did not affect the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the matter.

INEC recently affirmed that Chief Victor Umeh remained the national chairman of the party.

Vacating, the court order the presiding Judge, Justice M.T. Salihu, ruled that the court was quick to say that the vacation of the exparte order on Okwu was not in any way aimed at vitiating the stay of execution by the honourable justices of the Court of Appeal that reinstated Victor Umeh on April 8 as the national chairman of the party.

Justice Salihu, after a long argument by counsel of both sides, said the rule of the Federal High Court exparte order had a life span of 14 days, stressing that the order was meant to be obeyed and, therefore, vacated the order.

NITSHA—ANAM BRA State House of Assembly, yesterday, called on Governor Peter Obi to reconstitute Boards of five parastatals that had been operating without chairmen and members.

The House in a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Onitsha north II, Mr Emeka Idu, described as illegal and unconstitutional action of the governor to have allowed the parastatals to function with appointing chairmen and board members.

The five establishments are state civil service commission, post primary school board, local government service commission, Anambra State universal basic education board and waste management authority.

Speaking on the motion seconded by Mr Pauly Onyeka, Idu who expressed anger on the development and asked the governor to reverse those appointments and reconstitute the boards for effective and efficient operation.

Knights lament deplorable conditions in prisons

BY DANIA ONOZURE

T

HE Metropolitan Grand Knights of Saint Mulumba has deplored the pitiable conditions in prisons, affirming that its efforts had led to the release of over 600 awaiting trial inmates in various prisons in Lagos.

Speaking at a briefing to announce the conference on prison reforms slated for May 23, 2013, the Grand Knight, Sir Patrick Ikemefuna, said efforts must be geared towards decongesting the prisons.

Ikemefuna, noted that the Lagos Metropolitan Council of KSM, had over the years, focused substantial its charity efforts on the prison system when it built and donated the St Augustine’s Catholic Church at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Lagos, valued at N65million to the Nigerian Prison Service in 2011.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013—47

AGM: From left: Mr. Nicolaas A.Vervelde, MD/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Chief VISIT: From left: Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, Hon. Abdulmalik Usman, Kolawole Jamodu, Chairman, and Mr. Uaboi G. Agbebaku,Company Secretary/Legal Hon. Tobias Okwuru, and Chairman, House Committee on Works, Adviser, at the company's 67th Annual General Meeting, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, during a working visit to Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State in Abakaliki, yesterday.

Photo Editor.

LAUNCHING: Mr. Olu Akanmu, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Nigeria; Mr. Nick Imudia, MD, Nokia West and Central Africa; Mr. Chris Brown, General Manager, Nokia Nigeria, and Mr. Mark Ihioyan, Consumer Channels Group Director, Microsoft, at the launch of Nokia Lumia 720 and 520, in Lagos yesterday. Photo Joe Akintola Photo Editor.

PRESENTATION: From left: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Chief Abimbola Fashola, PR/Event coordinator and manager, Dufil Prima Plc, Ms. Tope Asiwaju, presenting a pack of indomie noodles, trophy and cheque to the winner of 2013 Lagos State/ Indomie Spelling Bee competition, Master Boadley Juwon Afolarin, of Omole Senior Grammer School, Ojodu, Lagos, and Lagos State commissioner of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, in Lagos. Photo Joe Akintola; Photo Editor.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr. Osama Rasoul, Sales Manager, Borderless Network Architectures, Cisco; Nabil Badr, Business Development Manager, Borderless Network, Africa, and Mr. Valentine Nwabueze, Sales Manager, Cisco Nigeria, at a briefing in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintoala, Photo Editor.

UNVEILING: From left: Vice-Chairman, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros; Mrs. Elizabeth Ajibola, a distributor; Marketing Manager, Golden Penny Foods, Mrs. Modupeola Babalola, and Group Managing Director, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Mr. Paul Gbadebo, at the unveiling of Golden Penny Sugar Variant in Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Mr. Metu Ejike, Chairman, Association of Anambra State Development Unions, AASDU, Lagos State; Mr. Chidi Abajuo, Secretary; Chief Mezie Okoye, Vice Chairman, and Chief Uzoma Okwuma, during a visit by the ASSDU team to Vanguard Newspapers' office, at Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

LAUNCHING: Head, Marketing, KFC Group, Mr. Vikram Varma (middle); Assistant Restaurant Manager, KFC Ikeja branch, Mr. Oseni Saheed (right), and Shift Manager, Mr. Wahab Muyiwa, at launch of Snacker food product, by KFC, in Lagos.

GRADUATION: From left: Mr. Adeola Adetunji, MD, Coco-cola Nigeria Ltd; Mrs. Sandra AgueborEkperuah, MD, Lady Mechanic Initiative, and Mr. Ben Langat, MD, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, at the graduation cermony of first batch of lady mechanic in Benin. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Nasarawa police boss assures on security

Kogi to set up starch firm

L

OKOJA—The Kogi Gov ernment is to partner with a U.S. firm, Carghil, to establish a starch company at Agbadu in the Kogi West Senatorial District.

Gov. Idris Wada, who made the announcement in Lokoja, yesterday, said that the company would also produce sucrose and other sweeteners to be used in the manufacturing of other products. He said that the company would source its raw materials from a special variety of cassava which it intended to introduce to the country through the Kogi Government.

Wada who said that 15, 000 hectares of land has been allocated to the company added that three thousand hectares would be cleared by the government as part of incentives to the company.

The governor had just returned from the World Economic Forum in South Africa, where he delivered a paper at the instance of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

He said that the company, a food manufacturing company would also offer expert advice on the government’s accelerated rice production scheme and the newly established crop development zone also at Agbadu.

The governor, who described his trip as successful, said that he used the opportunity to market the state’s potential in agriculture.

Council chief bags integrity award

C

HAIRMAN of IpajaAyobo LCDA, Hon. Yusuf has been conferred with the Global Leader of Integrity Merit Award (GLIMA) for honesty good governance transparency and accountability in leadership by Proven Integrity Communication Network Limited, publishers of Integrity International magazine in Accra, Ghana.

The event which attracted accomplished professionals across the African continent and beyond, according to the head of African operations, Integrity International, Dr. Richard Ipada, has among its aims sensitisation of African leaders on the need to embrace the virtues of integrity in leadership, promotion of sustainable economic growth and social political development in Africa. Other aims, he said, include promotion of excellence through self less service that will engender durable leadership style that will stimulate economic growth and development in Africa.

BY ABEL DANIEL

L

CONVOCATION—L-R: Dr. Simon Otuanya, Commissioner for Education, Enugu State; Amb. Dr. Hassan Adamu, Chancellor ESUT, presenting honorary certificate of Doctor of Business Administration to Dr. Maduka Onyeishi, Chairman Peace Transport Company Ltd.; Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, VC ESUT, Prof. Aloy Uzoagulu, DVC ESUT at the Enugu State University of Technology convocation. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu

Disband amnesty committee, Rep urges FG

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—MEMBER represent ing Plateau South/Plateau East Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, has called on the Federal Government to disband the Kabiru Turaki-led committee on amnesty for Boko Haram as the declaration of a state of emergency in three states no longer makes the issue of amnesty tenable.

Reacting to the declaration of a state emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in a statement in Jos, he said the issue of amnesty was no longer relevant given the lack of remorse from the sect members.

The statement said: "Having de-

clared emergency rule, the prospect for achieving peace by granting amnesty to remorseless and ever rampaging terrorists has been invariably jettisoned. A band of terrorists who have categorically declined amnesty plans directed at them and who instead are beginning to overrun some parts of the country ought not to and must not be entertained in any form of dialogue. ”If the purpose of the emergency rule must be achieved, it’s time for government to call a spade by its name and save millions of taxpayers’ money from being wasted in a fruitless e n d e a v o u r . ” Kaze commended President

Goodluck Jonathan for “eventually mustering the guts to declare emergency rule in certain states where our national territorial integrity is already being compromised by rampaging Islamic terrorists” adding, “the primary purpose of government anywhere in the world is the security and welfare of its citizens.”

He also praised the president for not tampering with the democratic structures in the affected states but noted that “the recurrent and rather frequent declaration of emergency rule in Nigeria by the Federal Government since our return to constitutional democracy in 1999 is however self-indicting.”

Katsina disburses N35.8m to 6,966 pupils

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ATSINA—THE Katsina State Government has begun the disbursement of N35.8 million under its Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT, programme to 6, 966 primary school girls in the state.

However, Hajia Kaikai who spoke while issuing out the grant to some of the beneficiaries at Unguwar Tsamiya Village in Kaita Local Government Area of the state said that each of the girls would receive N5,000.

Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Shema on Girl-child Education and Development, Hajiya Bilkisu Kaikai, said the amount was being disbursed to selected pupils under the fifth round of the programme. This came even as the State Executive Council has approved two contracts worth N694, 839, 897.15k for the classroom blocks and workshops at the Information Communication Technology and Business School, Katsina.

She said the money was to support pupils from very poor homes in the pursuit of primary school education and urged parents in the state to enrol their wards especially girls into schools.

Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Mustapha Maikudi made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the EXCO meeting, yesterday.

Earlier, the coordinator of the programme, Alhaji Kabir Sani, had said that the cash assistance was intended to encourage girlchild education and asked parents of the girls to ensure proper use of the fund to enhance the education of their daughters.

On the construction of the blocks of classrooms, Maikudi said the contracts had different completion periods of 32 weeks and 12 weeks respectively.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant, Press Affairs to Governor Ibrahim Shema, AbdulHamid Danjuma, said Hijag Construction Nigeria Ltd, is to construct the second component of four blocks of class rooms and four blocks of workshops in the institution.

The Commissioner further said that each block of class rooms would have nine classes and one common room, adding: "The cost of this particular contract is N591, 247,947.15k."

He said: "The council further approved the contract for the furnishing and provision of furniture and beds at eight additional buildings at the new Government House, Katsina.

The buildings to be furnished and equipped with furniture include the press centre, steward quarters, energy centre and one additional office block. Others are blocks of Governor’s Guest Chalets, staff canteen and the quarters for presidential aides.

AFIA—THE new Commissioner of Police for Nasarawa State, Umar Shehu, has promised that the police under his command in the state would do everything possible to allay people’s fears following last Tuesday’s massacre of 103 security men by suspected Ombatse cultists at Alakyo, near Lafia, the state capital.

Speaking to newsmen in his office, Shehu said “while the command is mourning the death of officers and men lost recently at Alakyo village, it has become imperative to assure members of the public that the police cannot be deterred by the ugly incident that resulted to the death of many of our officers. The police is poised to carry out its constitutional responsibility and perform other statutory duties according to the laws of the federation.”

Shehu replaced the former Commissioner, Mr. Abayomi Akeremale, who whose retirement leave had been reportedly put in abeyance until investigations into the massacre were completed.

Kebbi appoints officers for state poly

BY SAAWUA TERZUNGWE

B

IRNIN KEBBI—KE BBI State government has appointed some principal officers for the newly established Kebbi State Polytechnic located at Dakingari in Suru Local Government Area of the state. They include Mohammed Kabir Nabade, Rector; Mallam Sani Abdullahi (Okios), Deputy Rector; and Alhahi Haliru Bello Dakingari, Registrar, respectively.

The Rector, Arch. Kabir Nabade, had served in the same capacity for eight years at the state polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi before it was converted to Federal Polytechnic where he still served as the pioneer rector for four years. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria between 1982 and 1987 and the Birla Institute of Technology, Birla, India, (1981-1982).

He is a member of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 49

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013—51

Deplorable road of Ira nla road under Oke Ira in Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State on Tuesday. Residents calling for government attention. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

Achebe is Nigeria's hero, says Metuh

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—NATIONAL Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday, said that Nigerians have voted the late literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe as the Nigerian patriot whose selflessness inspired many since independence.

His nomination, according to Metuh, in the social media sponsored promo entitled, The Nigeria Patriot Search and powered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), received the highest number of votes.

Announcing the winner in the strongly contested competition, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the exercise was among others, designed to search for the most patriotic Nigerian whose selflessness inspired many Nigerians since independence and to engage Nigerians in a soul searching to immortalize Nigerian citizens that have positively impacted on the society.

Metuh in the statement said that Mr. Destiny Young, a senior architect at Centre Point Technologies at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, who nominated Achebe has emerged winner of the promo that ran on the PDP official facebook page (officialpeoplesdemocraticparty) April 17 to May 15, 2013.

He said: “We initiated this promo with the objective to identify that Nigerian whose selflessness is worth emulating and who should be seen as a hero by every Nigerian. This is part of a re-orientation campaign we have initiated towards our goal of sustaining national unity. I wish to congratulate Mr. Young Destiny as the winner of this contest and also appre-

ciate every Nigerian who took part in this exercise.”

The promo which ended on Wednesday at 6.00 pm, attracted many comments and “likes” and was shared by a lot of Facebook users.

The person whose comment had the highest number of “likes” was to be declared the winner and have an opportunity of meeting and having dinner with a PDP Governor or Minister of their choice.

Metuh observed that the exercise was completely transparent and that the winner emerged based on automatic on-line and real time counting by Facebook which eliminated any form of participation or interference by the organizers.

He also congratulated

the runner-ups which includes Musa Mikaya who nominated Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Toba Owojaiye, who nominated General Theophilus Danjuma as well as Miss Nonye Amaliri, who nominated the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to emerge the only lady on the first four runners-up.

The PDP spokesman urged Nigerians, especially the youth to take advantage of the PDP social media platforms including the party’s facebook and twitter accounts as well as its website to participate in national discourse and to get information on the activities of the party.

Revoke licences of drunk drivers —Oni

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

HE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and other traffic management organizations have been urged to put in place a legislation that will ensure that licences of drivers driving under the influence of alcohol are revoked, Iyiola Oni, a professor of Geography at the University of Lagos has said.

The don made the call when he made a presentation on the dangers of drink driving at a capacity building workshop organized by the International Centre for Alcohol Policies, ICAP, through Global Actions on Harmful Drinking for Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC officials in Lagos.

He said: “The drunk driving intervention programme is very important for road safety in Nigeria since alcohol/drugs can alter perception, cognition,

attention, balance, coordination, reaction time and other faculties required for safe driving. Alcohol use is dangerous phenomenon among drivers of all categories in Nigeria and it accounts for estimated 30 per cent road traffic accidents.

Deterrence measure includes revocation of drivers’ licences and an increase in the perception of the risk of being caught.”

The training which is on how to curb the menace of drunk-driving also had some members of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Union in attendance.

Addressing the participants before the commencement of the programme, ICAP Global Actions Country Manager, Lanre Onigbogi said the programme would help drive interventions on drunk-driving during the course of the project.

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

IT is no longer news that the political lifestyle of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu catapulted some elite in Ibadan to heights they might never have attained in life. The list of those who benefitted from the popular ‘Amala politics’ is endless.

Some of them are Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, the former Deputy Governor of the state after the controversial impeachment of Senator Rashidi Ladoja in 2006; Senator Teslim Folarin, former Senate Leader; former Governors Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala; Professor Taoheed Adedoja, former minister of Sports; Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Professor Soji Adejumo, former State Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board and many others had their political tutelage in Adedibu’s school.

The reason they crowded round the politician was because he had the magic wand that could help them achieve their political ambitions. He had the native intelligence that singled him out even when many considered his style as been primitive. Five years after his demise, Oyo state elite are still at daggers drawn over the man’s value.

•Adedibu

•Akala

By OLA AJAYI

O

NE of the proteges of the late Lamidi Adedibu shared one of the episodes that earned him much respect by his admirers with Vanguard. According to him; “There was a mad man that used to visit Adedibu’s residence to eat. Whenever he came, papa used to give him money and when we asked why he was given so much attention, he told us that everybody has his own value.

“Then there was this election we wanted to win. There were other party agents keeping vigil at the polling unit. The opponents were having the upper hand and our preferred candidate was losing. Papa just told us to go and look for that mad man and when he came, we put our party’s apron on him to act as our party agent. He then went to join the other party agents.

When other agents saw the mad man laughing hysterically, it was not long before they realized that the man was mad. They needed nobody to tell them to run away and we won the election for our candidate.”

But June 11, 2008, the sun of Adedibu’s political exploits set.

Chief Adedibu died with all the native intelligence. The death of

,

•Ladoja

•Gbolarumi

Five years after: Adedibu’s soul troubles Oyo elite speak ill of the late politician or allow anybody to portray him in bad light is the former deputy governor of the state, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi who emerged as a result of political machina-

If he is now describing Baba Adedibu as a thug after being in his political camp for several years, then that means Ladoja himself is a thug

the politician shattered the dreams of many political hangers-on who were attached to the apron strings of the man. Since then, the politics of the state has not been the same. The former governor of the state, Otunba Akala once said: “His death was the end of an era”. While his death was a blessing to some politicians, others heaved a sigh of relief that there would be sanity in the political atmosphere of the state.

One of those that would never

•Folarin

,

tions of Adedibu. He was closer to Adedibu even more than his biological children. He stood with him till death took him away from them. No wonder then, that he took Ladoja up over alleged derogatory remarks on late Adedibu. He said Ladoja made the derogatory remark on the late politician while condemning the alleged disruption of a rally organized by the Accord Party by some thugs at Olomi in Ibadan recently.

“It is unfortunate that Ladoja

could be quoted as saying that Oyo State should not descend into Adedibu’s era where political thugs held the state by the jugular. How can Senator Ladoja make such an uncharitable remark about Baba Adedibu who was his political godfather and mentor? It is obvious from Ladoja’s remarks that he is a bitter man. But I will like to remind him that Baba Adedibu was one of the political leaders who fought for the enthronement of democracy in this country and he would continue to be remembered for the valiant roles he played in the country’s return to civil rule in 1999.

“Ladoja should not be an ingrate. Who made him politically? Was it not the same Baba Adedibu? It was through the grace of Allah, and the political machinery of Baba Adedibu that Ladoja first became a senator on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDPn and later a state governor on the plat-

form of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” Gbolarum said.

Instead of castigating Adedibu, Gbolarumi said Ladoja should remain grateful to Adedibu whom he said made him politically.

“Let Ladoja go and sort out his problems with ACN and Governor Ajimobi. He should not drag Baba Adedibu’s name into it.

Ladoja should also not forget that in our tradition and culture, and even in other climes, you don’t talk ill of the dead. What Ladoja is doing now amounts to biting the hands that fed him”, Gbolarumi noted.

To him, Ladoja was not only a good political son of Baba Adedibu, he was one of Baba’s right hand men. “If he is now describing Baba Adedibu as a thug after being in his political camp for several years, then that means Ladoja himself is a thug”, he said. Before the death of the politician, Ladoja had animosity against him because of the unconstitutional way late Adedibu

ensured his removal from Agodi Government House.

It was the Supreme Court judgment that reinstated Ladoja after late Adedibu had proved to him that he was indeed the kingmaker at that time. Even, the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described late Adedibu as a dry fish that cannot be bent but they would continue to manage him. Given the enmity that existed between Ladoja and late Adedibu, it would be difficult for the former to forget what he went through with the clandestine connivance of the former President who provided all necessary things including security for Chief Adedibu to see to the exit of Ladoja.The new can of worms will no doubt change the political calculation in the state.

Many members of the Peoples Democratic Party would never speak ill of late Adedibu because he had been of tremendous help to them.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013—53

tension in the land it would have been foolish for anyone to totally overlook politics in the meeting of the ten governors.

Indeed, prior to the Sunday meeting, political leaders of the Southeast geopolitical zone met in Enugu supposedly on routine consultation.

But if partisan politics was not directly an issue, the security challenges that have recently developed brought the governors to a convergence.

It was as such not surprising that the summit ended with a strong denunciation of the violence in the north and a robust endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Collective consciousness

GOVERNORS' MEETING— Below from left: Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Sullivan Chime (Enugu)and Liyel Imoke (Cross River). Top from left: Governors Godswill Akpabio (A-Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia) and Peter Obi (Anambra) at the South-South/South East Governors meeting held in Asaba, Delta State. Photos: Henry Unini.

Handshake across the Niger POLITICAL leaders from the former Eastern and Midwest regions met in Asaba in two different sessions last Sunday to ponder their options in the face of continuing political challenges collectively facing them.

A

SABA, the Delta State capital which has recently gained prominence as a favourite shooting location for Nigeria’s movie makers was the scene of two major political acts last Sunday.

Act one, scene one was an economic cum political initiative towards integration by the states comprising the former Midwest and Eastern Regions.

Act two, scene two was a robust caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the South-South to strategise and position the region ahead of the 2015 round of general

elections.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State was host of the two meetings and director and producer of the two energy sapping productions that saw an unprecedented gathering of some of the country’s major political actors.

The first meeting comprised essentially of the governors from the regions of the Midwest and Eastern regions which today have now been rearranged into the SouthSouth and Southeast geopolitical zones.

The meeting which was across party lines had in attendance Senator Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Peter Obi of Anambra, Chief

Theodore Orji (Abia), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Hon. Serikae Dickson, Bayelsa and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta.

Also present were Chief Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Rochas Okorocha while Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikulu.

The only exception was Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who that day received a chieftaincy title from his people. Remarkably, he is also the only Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN governor in the two geopolitical zones.

The meeting which some

tried to downplay as not essentially political was supposedly an opportunity to foster regional integration.

It is believed that the plan

,

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

In the communiqué issued at the end of the one day meeting that took place at the Government House, the South-South and Southeast governors condemned the behaviour and antics of Nigerians and those they described as their “evil collaborators,” who according to them, have decided to assault the collective consciousness of the nation by waging terrorism on the country.

It was undoubtedly a confidence building measure by the governors to tell their citizens and perhaps the president that they were not ignorant of the challenges that some northerners and their external collaborators have waged on the country.

For Governor Uduaghan, the meeting was perhaps an opportunity to project the dream of making Asaba a nexus for the economic renaissance of the two regions.

It is one issue the Delta administration has laboured to drive using as a platform, the Asaba airport which it hopes to drive the economy of

However, given the political tension in the land it would have been foolish for anyone to totally overlook politics in the meeting of the ten governors

to find areas of mutual economic cooperation could also dovetail into the quest for greater economic selfdetermination as has recently been championed by southsouth governors through the BRACED commission.

However, given the political

,

the states in the region.

The PDP caucus meeting that followed the governors meeting understandably had a more surreptitious agenda which eventually unfolded in the hall. Present were PDP

Continues on page 54

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

I'm not a spare tyre in Katsina — Faskari, Dep-Gov ALHAJI Abdulahi Faskari is the Deputy Governor, Katsina State. He is not new to matters of state, having been in government since 2003 when the former governor of the state and later president , the late Umaru Yar’Adua, appointed him as the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. He was reappointed to the same ministry when Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema became governor in 2007. Two years later, he was redeployed to the Ministry of Education before being drafted as running mate to Shema in the 2011 governorship election. Faskari says he could not have had a better relationship with his principal, among other issues. Excerpts: Beyond the fact that one is the deputy governor, I also supervise the local government affairs. There are a lot of assignments delegated to me by the governor even while he is in town. If you have a good relationship with your principal, that issue of being a spare tyre would not arise. I am not a spare tyre.

What brought about the new Government House. What happens to the present one?

The Katsina of ten or five years ago is different from the Katsina of today. Things have dramatically changed in terms of infrastructure. You find people who for sometime had not been to the state asking people before they can locate their way.

BY LEKAN BILESANMI

R

elationship with the governor I think if there is a word better than cordial, I will use it because that is what it is. I don’t have any problem with my principal probably because of a number of reasons.

The governor himself is a straight forward person. And once you understand his own approach to issues or things, it will be easier to go along with him. The governor is a professional colleague. He is a lawyer of international repute.

Don’t forget that I was attorneygeneral in the second administration of the late Musa Yar’Ádua.

The governor was privileged to be the first attorney- general in the first term from 1999 to 2003 and I took over from him.

And I was reappointed by the governor in 2007 still as attorney- general. He is an approachable personality and he has a straight forward outlook. Remember I said he is a professional colleague and in the legal profession, we have our discipline and we have been lectured on how you respect your senior. He is a senior colleague. We are in perfect harmony. It could not have been better than this.

Going by your experience, how true is the assertion that deputy governors are spare

Essence of new Govt House

•Faskari: I am not a spare tyre tyres?

That phrase I don’t think is applicable to me because I know of my own peculiar circumstance and system. If

others have problems with their principals, it should not extend to me because this can be attested to by everybody in the state that the number of work I have here is enormous.

Things have really changed.

If you see the Ring Road, you see that things are changing because it is connecting major townships in the state. The essence of the new Government House is not because the present one is not good but not in consonance with the new trend of what is happening in the state. Beyond that, the present Government House has been in existence since the colonial days.

This my office used to be that of the colonial masters residence and office which we

inherited after independence and, when the state was created, it was converted to Government House.

This Government House was not designed to be Government House, in other words, it has no lay out plan, unlike the new one we are building. This government house was just converted but the new one is specifically thought over, designed and built as Government House.

Mind you, the budget for the construction of the Government House has nothing to do with other developmental strides going on in the state. As a matter of fact, the money on the project is just our profits accrued from the state investments.

Is it a coincidence that the top three people (the governor, you and the secretary to the government) in this government are lawyers?

It is God that has arranged it that way. There is nobody who could have arranged such. For your information, the governor was also attorney- general, I succeeded him as attorneygeneral. The secretary to the government, a lawyer too, he succeeded me as attorneygeneral. From the governor to the deputy governor to the secretary to the governor, we are all former attorneys general.

Handshake across the Niger Continues from page 53 governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives national and zonal officials of the party from the zone.

The meeting was to forge unity, not just among themselves, but as it emerged, towards the zone’s leading political office holder, President Goodluck Jonathan.

The party’s leading enforcer, Chief Tony Anenih did not waste time as the meeting progressed to lay down the script that the zone must not join the cacophony of voices directed against the president.

Anenih in his remarks

upbraided party members who he said have become susceptible to the antics of opposition parties and especially condemned the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF which he said has derailed from its original purposes and become a weapon for confronting the Federal Government.

Chairman of the NGF, Amaechi was not at the meeting and was represented by his deputy.

Anenih’s speech also touched on other party affairs including discipline which he said has completely collapsed across all levels.

He also made a strong case

•Anenih: Reads riot act for supporting President Goodluck Jonathan who he said has become a target for

negative profiling by opposition parties who were being helped by renegade PDP members.

While calling for greater unity in the face of the evolving merger of some of the nation’s leading opposition parties, Anenih, nevertheless dismissed the proposed All P r o g r e s s i v e Congress, APC as a house built on sand which he said would collapse with the first drop of rain.

Though the communiqué

released fell short of declaring an endorsement for President Jonathan’s second term it, however, did not disguise its abhorrence for those who have recently mounted a campaign to intimidate the president from seeking a second term in office as the summiteers gave a ringing endorsement of his achievements so far in office.

The Southeast and SouthSouth governors and the South-South PDP leaders may have through the two major acts played out in Asaba last weekend demonstrated to all that they have had enough.

How the drama unfolds is another thing.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013—55

Perched in the peoples hearts:

Oloye lives on

Dr. Olusola Saraki determined the political landscape of Kwara State for more than a generation would have been 80 years old today if he had not died last November. Not even death has stopped the flow of appreciation to a political icon.

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN, the Kwara State capital, should today have witnessed an unprecedented assemblage of the country’s greatest living political stars.

The occasion that would have been the 80th birthday of the man who personified the politics of the state for more than a generation alas was cut off with the death of Dr. Olusola Saraki, popularly known as Oloye on November 12, 2012.

Today, two gigantic billboards with screaming inscriptions “The Titan Lives Forever” at the Unity/ Challenge junction round about and Geri Alimi/Asa Dam, junction both in Ilorin, are physical depictions of the extent the state government is going to pay its dues.

A more lasting legacy is the administration’s plan to rename the State University at Malate after the political icon.

His perch on the people’s hearts was even before the advent of politics. It is easily recounted how even before the advent of politics when he had just qualified as a medical doctor in the sixties how he showed empathy towards the squalor of his people. He provided water

tankers to supply water, built mosques and churches and provided funds for school buildings and even paved roads to give access to the people.

But his first political outing in 1964 for a seat in the House of Representatives ended as a failure. But he was unrelenting.

In 1978, when the then Federal Military Government lifted the ban on partisan politics, he became a foundation member of the then National Party of Nigeria(NPN) and with his financial prowess he helped to enthrone the party’s candidate, Alhaji Adamu Attah at the seat of government in Ilorin in 1979.

He, however, took his seat in the Senate and became the Senate Leader, giving a clout and muscle to the seat that has not been rivaled till date.

Saraki was to show his hold on the politics in the state when he successfully stopped Attah from a second term in 1983 after both men disagreed on issues of the party and governance. His quarrel with Attah was to become a tradition that followed the other governors he successfully and subsequently stopped from a second term.

At the beginning of the fourth republic he joined the All Nigeria

•Saraki: Peoples Party, ANPP but was no soon entrapped in the high stake intrigue that made him lose his cherished presidential ambition in the 1999 election. He subsequently laid low for some time before openly joining the PDP and using the party’s platform for another fight against

his one time political son, Governor Mohammed Lawal.

The 2003 gubernatorial election ushered his son, Dr. Bukola Saraki who became the first of his protégées to govern the state for two terms. But that did not mean that his own son left office without the traditional combat with

Lamido shows the light JIGAWA State is an exception in the country in the sustenance of democratic structures at the local government level with the conduct of regular elections since the advent of the Sule Lamido administration.

BY TINA AKANNAM

J

IGAWA under the leadership of Governor Sule Lamido is one of the few states in the federation that have been able to adhere to Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

When Lamido came into office in 2007, he was faced with many complexities in local government administration, which was why in August 2007, he appointed 27 caretaker committees comprising seven persons for each local government and three permanent commissioners for the state Independent electoral commission (SIEC) who were tasked to prepare and plan for the proper conduct of local government election in the state as soon as possible.

About seven months later, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) organized and conducted local elections, in

which the ruling PDP won all the 27 local government councils in the state, leaving the All Nigerian People Party, ANPP which was before then in control of the state for the preceding eight years with nothing!

Since then, the mantra of Governor Lamido has been to conduct local government election whenever due, making him an exception among his fellow governors in the respect of the democratic tenets at the local government level.

His inclination has, however, not been universally popular given the fondness of PDP members for the appointment of caretaker committees as a way of bestowing political patronage.

One controversy that has bestirred the polity in the state was the decision of the State House of Assembly to extend the term limit for chairmen and councilors from a maximum of

two terms to a maximum of three.

The speaker of Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adamu Ahmad Sarawa in defence for the House decision said the House amended the state 2008 local government law in the interest of the state.

The amended state 2008 local government law which paved way for the outgoing chairmen to re-contest for the third time according to the speaker is applicable for all political parties in the state because it has become the law of Jigawa state government.

However, many opposition parties in the state did not like the idea because they saw it as a strategy for the ruling PDP in the state to dominate the elective positions in the local government councils.

Obviously discouraged by the decision of the state House of

•Lamido: Assembly, the leadership of the two major opposition parties in the state boycotted the 2012 local government election alleging that the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission (JISIEC) will not be fair to them. However, Accord, even though not a known political

Oloye.

The source of Bukola’s conflict with Oloye was over the former’s succession. While Bukola favoured his own commissioner for finance, Abdulfathah Ahmed, Oloye favoured his daughter, Senator Gbemisola Saraki. In the bruising fight that ensued, Bukola led the rebellion that for the first time brought about a defeat for Oloye in a generation.

It was a bruising defeat that retired the old man from politics and painfully not long after from the earth.

Not minding the political squabbles that tore the family apart, over the governorship ambition of Senator Gbemisola, Bukola before the father’s death led a mission for reconciliation.

Bukola was said to have sent close friends and associates of his father to profusely apologise to him over the election that pitched them against one another and following the forgiveness, he Bukola brought the then newly elected governor, Ahmed to his father in a colourful ceremony at his GRA, Ilorin, home.

Oloye not only accepted the governor calling him his son, he also ordered the PDP members who followed him to the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria(ACPN) to return to the PDP to work with the governor and the government.

But the damage had been done and Oloye never recovered from it!

party in the state won councillorship position in Kiyawa local government and an ANPP member also won councillorship seat in Taura local government and they were both declared winners by JISIEC. Alhaji Abba Mohammed Daguro, Chairman Kirikasamma Local Government Council who is currently the state secretary of ALGON, said he has been serving as chairman since 2004.

According to him, it only in the present administration under Governor Sule Lamido that he was able to execute many projects for the people of his council because at the end of each month, all the 27 local government chairmen get their monthly statutory allocations from the federal government after all deduction which he said is enough to execute project’s without borrowing money.

‘I can confidently tell you that here in Jigawa State local governments have been enjoying full autonomy for six years now, we collect our allocations directly from the source without any interference from the state government’.

56—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

E

VERY week and every day, many Nigerians will like to discuss about the good fortunes or otherwise, of their country which bears the title of Nigeria since 1914. Even if the word, ‘Nigeria’, to some, is merely a ‘geographical expression’, the country is still geographically, a reality.

The love of the country called Nigeria is so great that enthusiasm for greatness is so high, especially during international competitions in sports where every gold medal is desired for Nigeria.

When a Nigerian wins a gold medal, it is a win for Nigeria, when the individual fails to win, his state of origin or tribe takes the blame. However, it has taken us a long time to realize that success is a function of absolute patience after a long period of training and preparation.

Nigeria is a young country of less than one hundred years old and has been subjected to colonial rule until 1960.

Between the advent of freedom in 1960 and the return of democracy in 1999, the country’s leaders had been politically remiss and economically amiss. The intervening period had allowed those countries which started the race of development with Nigeria in the 1960s to fare far better.

Although comparison might be odious, it might be refreshing to acknowledge the economic miracles of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore over the past fifty years, under strong and purposeful leadership.

Indonesia (population of about 250 million) could boast today of per capital income of $3,000; with more than sixty per cent of the population having access to safe drinking water.

Malaysia has a low rate of about four per cent of people living below poverty line, while unemployment rate was about 3 per cent in 2011; foreign exchange reserves stood at $129.6billion and GDP growth rate was about 5.2%; per capital income was calculated at $2,981 and about 87 per cent of the population have access to drinkable water.

Singapore is a typical example of phenomenal economic growth in the world. From a figure or $395 per capital income in 1960, that country has been able

07059197616

The joy of patience in a culture of impatience to raise her per capital income to $43,865 by 2011. Also, the whole population has access to clean drinking water.

(I am grateful to the Governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for the compilation of these figures through series of his lectures). Compared with the three countries mentioned, Nigeria could only exhibit not too impressive figures of $1,500 per capital income, more than 70% of the people living below the poverty line and less than 40 per cent of the population having access to good drinking water. Although with a 6.28% GPD growth rate in 2012, Nigeria’s current unemployment rate is about 40 per cent. Hence, the call for jobs and more jobs for the people.

In fact, as I have noted before in this column, by 1965, Singapore depended mainly on entrepot trade and provision of services for British Military bases, it had no natural resources. Today, Singapore has been able to transform herself into a prosperous country by embracing development strategies along these phases - import substitution; export drive; industrial reconstruction and diversification.

I mentioned also that the present day Nigeria could be said to have gone

Kogi/Anambra oil well feud:

State of Emergency

There is no doubt that every peace loving Nigerian will support the declaration of state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. Though the action by the President seems belated, there is hope that it is a necessary move to stop the drift towards anarchy in the country.

With the offer of amnesty still on, members of Boko Haram Sect and other agents of destruction should embrace peace for the survival of the country. It should be realized that the security of the country is a challenge to all Nigerians at any time.

Between truth and fallacy

BY MIKE ABU

T

HE lingering violent clashes involving the people of Ibaji in Kogi State and Aguleri-Otu in Anambra State over the ownership of a disputed oil well, which has left several people dead and properties destroyed assumed another dimension penultimate week.

It is remarkable that Anambra East Local Council Chairman, Chinedu Obidigwe, shifted the blames to Kogi State Government, when he accused the latter of encouraging violence in the dispute. The accusation came with resumed hostilities in the disputed area and signaled a tacit drawback to the recent measures commenced on both sides to maintain calm, pending the demarcation exercise by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) ordered by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Asked if Anambra people did not carry out reprisals, Obidigwe replied, “If somebody invades your place and starts burning your houses, what will you do?

Of course, you will defend

through all these stages of development, but haphazardly, and without due regard for assessing the rate of success at each stage. Perhaps, it is now time to return to the starting point and sort out the real growth motivators from the welter of conflicting economic policies.

Perhaps what is not properly understood by some analysts is that Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore grew under a relatively long period of political and economic stability (under a form of dictatorship). Each leader was given enough time to pursue his pro-growth, pro-employment and pro-poverty eradication policies. The people also, were patient enough to reap the joy of patience.

Even in Britain, ‘Thatcherism’ as a concept had eleven uninterrupted years to germinate, while Tony Blair and Gordon Brown spent ten to thirteen years to preach the gospel of ‘New Labour’. China, the new world economic power took some time to prepare, while the people suffered a lot of deprivations and loss of personal freedom, while waiting.

The pertinent question is; can or will Nigerians give President Ebele Jonathan enough time (patience) to translate his Transformation Agenda into economic prosperity and political stability? Or, can

the President sell his policy to the people to exert sacrifice and patience from them?

At the moment, there is a bit of confusion about what the President and his ruling party (PDP) think on the process of reconstruction and what the opposition feel is the right way. However, many analysts believe that the problems of Nigeria – Power, Security, Poverty and Mass Employment – are beyond the capability of the present ruling party; even if the government is trying cleverly to cover the mediocrity of its officials.

President Jonathan can save the nation by casting his net beyond the shallow waters of party politics. He could initiate a policy of common sense economics and sensible politics.

I think there are many ways of making the Federal Government the true friend of Nigerians in solving many of their problems. Though the Constitution talks about one Minister to represent each state, it does not specify that the person should be a member of the ruling party at the centre.

If the President could go out of his way to nominate members from the opposition states with the approval of the government of those states, he would be making things easy for himself and of his administration.

Many people believe that political considerations have affected the adoption of many progressive policies of the Federal Government in most of the states that are not properly represented in the Federal Cabinet.

•Awoniyi: Desireing peace yourself.?”

On the other side, officials from Kogi State have denied all the allegations, with a counter accusation that Anambra officials are the real aggressors who continue to victimize Kogi people, unprovoked. As far as they are concerned, it is a case of victims being made to look like the aggressors. . “All they accused us of doing is what they are doing exactly.

Harassment, intimidation, provocation and abduction of Ibaji people,” alleged Daniel Omatola, Kogi State Liaison Officer for Oil and Gas at Ibaji.

Kogi Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi described as “unfortunate” reports that a government official of the standing of a council chairman in Anambra has continued to make comments that are capable of undermining the peace effort and urged Anambra State Government to call Obidigwe to order.

Ibaji communities in Kogi have been living along the borders of Anambra East and West council areas and had co-existed peacefully with their neighbours until the commencement of oil exploration by Orient Petroleum Resources, believed to be owned

by Anambra indigenes.

Ibaji people, on whose land the oil is situated, alleged illegal encroachment by Anambra people into their land with a view to taking over their oil rich fields. The Anambra government was believed to have set up a security team comprising soldiers, policemen and vigilante

groups to protect the vital area and assets at the refinery.

“The oil find is in Odeke area in Kogi State, which is being processed by a company owned essentially by Anambra citizens.

This led to the erroneous belief that the oil well is in Anambra. It is quite clear now that the oil well is in a disputed territory,” declared Awoniyi in an interview.

Ethnographic differences He added, “Until the NBC is able to decide, using legal notices and ethnographic differences, where the oil well is situated, no clear declaration can be made as to the exact place the oil resides. This is the underlining issue. We in Kogi State will continue to impress it on our people not to take laws into their hands.”

Reported arrest of two Kogi indigenes from Odeke community by the police in Anambra on account of the burning of thatched roofs in a farm in Anambra area may have sparked a vicious reaction from Anambra people. Before then,

there were incidences over fishing rights around some ponds close to both boundaries.

Kogi government had appealed to its counterpart in Anambra for the release of the arrested person, which the latter obliged.

The other scenario that is also causing the crisis is the claim by Anambra that it had invested N4 billion on assets in the bush. To protect that investment from vandals and unwanted enemies, it was gathered that Anambra State decided to set up a joint patrol team to ensure the assets are protected.

The feeling is that about three weeks ago, when the directive of the President was to be carried out, some people from Anambra decided to raise the false alarm that their houses were burnt by our people so that this will thwart what the National Border Commission wanted to do. This was part of their game plan.

David Ina Ogu, immediate past Acting Charman of Ibaji has downplayed the drumbeats of war and given an insight to peace.

*Mr. Abu is the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kogi State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 57

Nigerien women kick against female genital mutilation A

BOUT 14,000 villagers from 20 communities in Niger took a public vow to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced under-age marriage as the West African country’s government steps up its fight against such abuses.

Though Niger outlawed the practice in 2003, FGM and other violent treatment of young women remain prevalent among some ethnic groups in the impoverished Sahel nation, which ranks bottom of the United Nations’ world development index.

At a ceremony in Makalondi, about 85 km (53 miles) west of the capital Niamey, villagers threw scissors, knives and blades into a pit in the village square which was then filled in.

Participants in the ceremony, sponsored by Niger’s government and non-governmental groups including U.N. child agency UNICEF, also vowed to end forced early marriages and the removal of young girls from schools.

About 38 percent of girls in Niger are married off before the age of 15, according to official statistics. Niger’s minister for population, women and child protection, said the

government was determined to end such practices.

“The government is aware of its responsibilities,” Maikibi Kadidiatou Dan Dobi said during the ceremony on

Wednesday. FGM is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia and leads to physical and psychological problems including painful sex and childbirth, infections, infertility and incontinence.

It is done for religious and cultural reasons and is prevalent in 28 African nations and parts of the Middle East and Asia, notably Yemen, Iraqi Kurdistan and Indonesia.

The World Health

RIME Minister David Cameron ordered rebellious lawmakers yesterday to back his plan for a law guaranteeing a vote on Britain’s European Union membership as he sought shore up his party, his leadership and the coalition.

Conservative rebels have been pushing him to take a hard line on Europe, resurrecting party splits that contributed to the downfall of former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major in the 1990s. An election is due in 2015.

Cameron’s promise in January to claw back powers from the EU and then put Britain’s membership of the bloc to a vote by 2017 failed to silence eurosceptics and halt the rise of the anti-EU UK

Gourmantche where about 65 percent of girls have undergone FGM. The rate is around 13 percent among the Peuls and about 3 percent among Nigerien Arab girls.

US. Turkey remain far apart on Syria

U

Soldiers from Niger patrol in an open field in Gao

S and Turkey remain far apart on how to handle Syria’s bloody civil war even as they agreed to step up action on war torn middle East country. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with President Barack Obama at the White House.

Erdogan is visiting Washington just days after two car bombs in Turkey killed dozens in the deadliest terrorist attack there in years.

Nations pledge $4.22 billion to rebuild Mali A

plan to turn Mali into a stable democracy rather than a terrorist haven drew massive support as various nations and

i n t e r n a t i o n a l organizations pledged 3.25 billion euros ($4.22 billion) to help reconstruct the conflictridden West African

nation. It would be recalled that the European Union has also provided a 500-strong training team in Mali for an initial period of 15 months.

Cameron woos rebelling British MPs on EU referendum

P

Organization estimates 140 million girls and women have undergone FGM. In Niger, the practice is still common among certain ethnic groups such as the

Independence Party.

He bowed to pressure this week when he agreed to guarantee his pledge in law, despite opposition from pro-EU Liberal Democrats coalition partners whose leader warned it would be a “calamitous mistake” to leave Britain’s biggest trading partner.

Liberal Democrat and Labour opposition and a lack of parliamentary debating time mean it may never become law, and any new law could be repealed by the next government.

Conservatives remain keen to debate the bill in parliament to show voters that they are serious about holding a referendum.

Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, said the

government should focus on fixing the economy. Tensions between EU nations in and outside the euro zone were highlighted on Thursday when French President

Francois Hollande called for a euro zone economic government with its own budget, a harmonized tax system and a full-time president.

The objective of the donors’ conference in Brussels had been to raise 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) to support an ambitious 4.3 billion euro ($5.6 billion) plan drafted by Malian officials aimed at helping what many observers now view as a failed state re-emerge as a stable and secure democracy.

By Wednesday evening, the pledges made far exceeded that goal.

Taiwan, Philippines fued over death of fishermen

T

AIWAN, yesterday recalled its envoy to the Philippines, froze applications for work permits and ordered military exercises in waters between the two sides to press its demand for an apology for the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman.

Taiwan earlier had issued an ultimatum to the Philippines to apologize to the family of the fisherman who died in a shooting last week by

the Philippine Coast Guard in waters off the northern Philippines.

“Due to the Philippines government’s insufficient ... sincerity and its inconsistency, President Ma Ying-jeou expresses strong dissatisfactions and he cannot accept the reckless and perfunctory responses from the Philippines,” the Presidential Office said in a statement.

After a high-level meeting, it added, Taiwan

decided to immediately impose sanctions, including the recall of its envoy and a freeze on work permit applications.

More than 85,000 Filipinos work in Taiwan, many as domestic workers.

Further measures could also be imposed, Premier Jiang Yi-huah told reporters, including an end to visa-free access to Taiwan for Philippine nationals and stopping economic exchanges.

Turkish authorities have blamed Syrian intelligence, and Erdogan has been calling for more aggressive steps to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government.

But the Obama administration remains reluctant to take the kind of action Turkey would like to see, including establishing a no-fly zone in Syria.

The disagreement did not spoil a day of pomp for Erdogan, who met with Obama as they were to appear in the Rose Garden at lunchtime for a joint news conference.

Monster tornado kills 6 in Texas

S

IX people were dead and seven missing after a powerful tornado ripped through a neighborhood that included housing for the poor in the north Texas town of Granbury, marking the deadliest severe storm outbreak in the United States so far this year.

Authorities were assessing damage and searching through rubble yesterday afternoon, hoping to find survivors among the twisted metal and splintered wood of flattened homes.

“This tornado was a monster,” said Hood County Commissioner Steve Berry. “It’s just devastating.”

The tornado, which brought winds of 166-200 miles per hour, was rated an EF4 by the National Weather Service (NWS), the second-most powerful level for such a storm, said NWS meteorologist Mark Wiley.

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

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— I,

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NNADOZIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Chika Nnadozie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Chika Ajoku.

All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IZEZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Monica Izeze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Monica Sokoh. All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANOMUOGHARAN— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anomuogharan Jennifer Roli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jennifer Roli Obazee.

All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGHWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghwe Fortune, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fortune Akpojevwa.

All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akpede Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Sunday Uwegba. All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOEBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Henrietta Steve Okoebor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Henrietta Ehiagwe Uwaya. All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TUBURU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tamaraebi Tuburu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tamaraebi Edah. All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A D I G U N — I , formerly known and addressed as Tolulope Omobolanle Sotomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Tolulope Omobolanle Adigun. All formerly documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DAVID—I, formerly known and addressed as Onyekachi Okwuonu and David Onyekachi Kennedy, now wish to be known and addressed as Okwuonu Onyekachi Ken. All formerly documents remain valid.

David Onyekachi Okwuonu and David Onyekachi Kennedy remain valid. General public please take note.

ODOEMELAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odoemelam Doris Ndubuka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Duruji Doris Ndubuka.

All formerly documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

DANIEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Helen Effiong Daniel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Helen Ubong Jackson. All former documents remain valid; General public please take note.

U D O S E N — I , formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ekanem Ekanem Udosen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Elijah Ogechi Udo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZENWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezenwa Nkiru Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebubealor Nkiru Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

EKEADA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihuoma Catherine Ekeada, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ihuoma Catherine Ayuba. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OKOLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Adaora Chinenye Okoli, now wish to be known and addressed as Adaora Kimberley Chinenye Igonoh. All former documents remain valid. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to certify that the names Ede Magnus Ikechukwu Celestine and Chukwu Magnus Ikechukwu Celestine, refer to one and the same person as Nnaji Magnus Ikechukwu Celestine. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, NECO, Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu and general public please take note.

AGUWA —I, formerly known and addressed as Aguwa Nancy Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ozoemelam Nancy Ngozi Okechi.

All formal documents remain valid. General Public should take note.

EZIASHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Josephine Obiageli Eziashi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Obiageli Nwoko. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ehimen Godwin Edeale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Godwin Reuben Ehimen Ediale. All formal documents remain valid. Glight Royal Resources, Lagos State University and general Public should take note.

ANNMARY —I, formerly known and addressed as Chizoba Annmary Okwara, now wish to be known and addressed as Chizoba A.Okwara StanIwuoha. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OGUNMODEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Opeyemi Esther Ogunmodede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Opeyemi Olayinka Bodunrin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M U N I R U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Muniru Semiyat Titilope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faleke Semiyat Titilope. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

MABIAKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abigail Abiodun Mabiaku, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abigail Ntiedo Johnson. All former documents remain valid. Delta State Government, PPEB, Asaba and general public please take note.

AINABE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omotese Blessing Ainabe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omotese Blessing Uaifoh-Ikekhua. All former documents remain valid. Crawford University, Igbesa and general public please take note.

ANYAEGBUNAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vivien Obiamaka Anyaegbunam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vivien Obiamaka Okpuno. All former documents remain valid. Delta State House of Assembly and general public please take note.

OGBEVOEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O g b e v o e n Ezemwenkhian Bridget, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. I g u n b o r Ezemwenkhian Bridget. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJINOMISANGHAN— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajinomisanghan Tsegbemi Rhoda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olatunji Tsegbemi Rhoda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U M E A K U— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Umeaku Chinwendu Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anusiobi Chinwendu Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMODU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mujidatu Amodu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mujidatu Olasupo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODEKUMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odekuma Onajite, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebenibo Onajite. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SWAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Clement Swan Ebi, now wish to be known and addressed as Clement Success Ebi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDEJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeji Evelyn Chinelo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyia Evelyn Chinelo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMINA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amina Asuquo Iya, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Precious Asuquo Iya. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KAMLA

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013—59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED N A S I R U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nana Hauwa Nasiru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nana Hauwa Okafor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADAMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Adamu Ali, now wish to be known and addressed as Adamu Aliyu. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Interior, Abuja and general public please take note.

EKPENKHIO —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss O z i e n k h a y e Ekpenkhio, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O z i e n k h a y e Nesiama. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and general public please take note.

AKINPELUMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Apeke Akinpelumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Arolasafe Feyikemi. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

E K E O B A — I formerly known and addressed as Chibuike Chidera Ekeoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Alfred Chibuike Chidera Ekeoba. All former documents remain valid. Christ The King College Gwagwalada and general public please take note.

N WAT TA H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwattah Ebere Jennifer, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anene Jonathan Ebere Jennifer. All former documents remain valid.

University of Abuja, College of Education, Zuba - Abuja and general public please take note.

OGOEGBUNAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Rose Ebere Ogoegbunam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebele Rose Emeka.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

N300m fraud: Pension thief, Yusufu, knows fate May 20 ••.As court rules on his application to quash charge

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Divi sion of the Federal High Court, yesterday, fixed May 20 to determine the merit of an application that was filed before it by the convicted pension thief, Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu, seeking to quash the fresh four-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Yusufu, who had earlier confessed that he conspired with six other civil servants and stole over N23billion from the Police Pension Fund, and subsequently ordered to pay a paltry fine of N750, 000 by Justice Abubakar Talba who is currently on suspension, is facing fresh trial following his alleged complicity in another N300million fraud.

He was said to have on or about February 14, 2012, knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form he filled and submitted, and equally failed to declare that he owns a company known as AYA Global Services Limited.

EFCC told the court that he used the name of the company and lodged in a fixed deposit account with the Zenith Bank, the sum of N250million, N10million in a fixed deposit account with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and another N29 million which he was said to have instructed one Danjuma Mele to lodge in his company account in the name of Jidag Technical Services Ltd with Diamond Bank.

The offence according to the prosecuting agency is punishable under section 27 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (Establishment e.t.c) Act Cap E1 2004. However, the accused person through his lawyer, Mr F.C Ibeh, challenged the powers of the court to try him over the alleged offence, insisting that having been convicted before, allowing him

L-r: Professor Charles Uwadia, the immediate past president(NCS); Sir Demola Aladekomo, president (NCS); and Chinedu Onuoha, the executive secretary at a press briefing by Nigeria Computer Society on the forthcoming 11th international conference of the Nigeria Computer Society in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

NHRC asks FG to build more prisons ••calls for an overhaul of criminal justice system

A

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA—THE National Human Right Commission, NHRC, yesterday, said there was need for the Federal Government to build new prisons nationwide, noting that existing ones should be expanded to cope with in-

Bayelsa G12 Forum flays timing of state of emergency

BY GABRIEL EWEPU BUJA— AS reactions continue to trail the declaration of state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States on Tuesday, a group known as G12 Bayelsa State 2012 Governorship Candidates Forum, yesterday, said the decision was ill-timed.

Chairman of the forum, Dr. Saturday Eberiye, said in a statement made available to Vanguard that the declaration

by Jonathan was not at the right time, adding that it would lead to destabilisation of the affected states.

Eberiye said: "The timing of President Goodluck Jonathan's declaration of state of emergency on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states is wrong. The inten-

A

to suffer another criminal prosecution would amount to “double jeopardy” which he said was against the tenets of the law.

While challenging the jurisdiction of the high court to commence hearing on the case,

Yusufu, urged trial judge to either hands-off his trial or quash the entire charge for want of requisite jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the EFCC, in its counter affidavit, opposed his application, even as it urged the court to discountenance it and proceed with hearing the matter on its merit.

tion could then mean that there is a plan to destabilize the strong holds of the opposition parties in the coming 2015 presidential elections.

“What are the criteria used to hand-pick only those three states? Mr. President should know that joint governance by civilians and military officials is incompatible because the governors of these states under emergency will no longer remain as chief security officers of their states. This action of Mr. President I must say is window dressing. “The President did mention 11 states that had security problems. Now, what parameter will he use in clamping down on only three? Out of 11 states and they are all from the North -East geopolitical zone."

creasing inmate population.

The rights body which made the call while releasing the 2012 Prison Audit Report in Abuja, yesterday, advocated a total overhaul of the criminal justice system in the country “to enable inmates have access to justice in real terms.”

Decrying the dilapidated state of most prisons in the country, the Commission, said: “Prisons are meant to be reformatory homes, where persons who come in conflict with the law are sent to for reformation and eventually reintegrated into the society as a better person.

“But this is far-fetched in the Nigerian context. This is so because most of the prisons visited across the country are far from being described as reformatory homes. The structures are old and dilapidated, with poor sanitary conditions, no recreational or vocational facilities and infrastructural facilities.

“This may not be unrelated with the fact that most of the prisons were built in the 19th century by the Native Authority. For instance, Azare, Bauchi, Ningi and Misau prisons were built in 1816, 1820, 1827 and 1831 respectively.

The Executive Secretary of

the Commission, Professor Bem Angwe who unveiled the report, yesterday, decried the increasing number of awaiting trial inmates in most prisons, adding that “in the 173 prisons audited, out of 50, 645 lockups, the number of convicts was 13, 901 compared to awaiting trial inmates of 35, 889."

Consequently, the NHRC recommended that “non-custodial sentencing, like fines, community service, suspended sentence, parole, etc, should be resorted to in the short and medium terms, especially in relation to offence that carry less that five years imprisonment.

“The welfare of inmates and prison officers in all its ramifications should be put on the front burner and periodically reviewed and enhanced. In this way, the despair, frustration and resentment which the present situation engenders, would be minimized, if not eliminated.

“The prisons should be provided with serviceable ambulance and dedicated vehicles, to enhance the quality of health-care delivery. Mentally ill persons should be removed from prisons and sent to psychiatrist institutions, where they would be properly attended to,” it added.

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 IKE Itemuagbor is a sports marketer of re pute and can confirm the difference between donation and sponsorship.

When you donate money to an organisation, it is usually for charity, some kind of help that you render without expecting anything in return.

But when you sponsor an event you expect some results from that event. And the result should earn you some mileage. It could be visibility which is capable of promoting your products and services.

Benefits accrue to the sponsor.

The sponsor, therefore, has a right to monitor how his sponsorship money is being used. Sponsorship creates mutual benefits to the sponsor and the beneficiaries. This is the difference between sponsorship and donation. In donation you may keep your eyes off. In sponsorship, you keep them on.

Today, I bring this message to the Globacom family as we, again, celebrate their return as the title sponsors of the Nigerian Premier League.

Last week, Globacom doled out a whopping N1.89 billion for the sponsorship of the league for three years. That is huge for the league you and I know could even deserve more if run well but which currently doesn’t worth the figure.

But Globacom has never assessed the viability of the Nigerian league before considering the value of their sponsorship. I think that they do so on the basis of patriotism otherwise they would be paying less for a league that doesn’t attract crowd, a league that referees, and not the performance of players, determine the winners, a league whose players and coaches cannot boast of professional contracts, a league whose players can sign for two clubs in one season and sanctions are not meted out to any defaulting party and a league that doesn’t give a hoot about welfare of the players and officials.

The league does not even respect decisions of the court of arbitration set to settle disputes. Clubs still owe players and coaches and the NFF lacks the willpower to implement decisions of the arbitration courts. That is the league that Globacom has doled out N1.89 billion to bankroll in three years. This is sheer patriotism and nothing more.

Glo and their chairman, Chief Mike Adenuga should take a bow.

However, it will be nice for Globacom to change a little bit. The last time they sponsored the league, the managers of the league had a field day helping themselves with the sponsorship money. They so stole and personalised the product that their boss always referred to the league as ‘’my league.’’

It was indeed his league.

The cost of the building they hired was inflated and when they renovated it the cost of renovation

M

08053068728

Why Glo must keep T an e eyye on LMC could build another house. You could then imagine what happened when they bought a house for their office in Abuja. Even the cost of their private visits to parts of the country and abroad were borne by the league secretariat. Cost of cars converted to even personal use was inflated. Globacom’s spon-

...they have so far invested about N10 billion in sports, more than half of it going into the league sponsorship.

What has the league given them in return?

,

Pyagbara, Lucky Omeruo, Uche Agbo, Samuel Mathias and Sikiru Alimi.

They are expected to join the squad training in evening by 5pm local time.

There are now 30 players in Germany with more players expected.

The team are due to announce on Friday a 30-

T

man provisional squad for next month’s World Cup in Turkey.

The team will leave Germany for the Toulon International Tournament in France on May 26.

Their opening game is against defending champions Mexico on May 29.

Total MD Cup final holds tomorrow

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

T

HE final of the Total Managing Director football Cup comes up tomorrow at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

Disclosing this yesterday, the Employee Relations Manager of the oil firm, Mr. Debo Atunwa, said that a walk race from the Victoria Island to Onikan stadium will precede the final match, which would be graced by a yet to be identified former Super Eagles

player and coach.

Speaking to Sports Vanguard at the Legacy Pitch at the National Stadium, Surulere, Atunwa said that the competition which is held once in two years, was meant to promote sporting competition amongst the staff of the oil company.

“The objective of the competition is to create an avenue for staff to come out and have a work-life balance. We want the staff who are doing the work to enjoy

,

sorship money became theirs. The league just became a bazaar courtesy Globacom sponsorship which at a time was in the region of N800m a year.

The clubs got little or nothing. Davidson Onwumi who, at a time was running Enugu Rangers, once fell out with the leadership of the league board because he made a case for the clubs to earn more sponsorship money. They got only 10 per cent.

They branded him an enemy and Onwumi kept his cool. Any person who raised a voice was intimidated. They had so much money that even when somebody petitioned EFCC nothing came out of it. oday, Globacom have come again with their might to rescue our league that has run for two seasons now without sponsorship. We should celebrate them. We should thank them. But we must plead with them to keep an eye on the managers

6 more join Flying Eagles S

IX more players have joined up with the rest of the Flying Eagles squad in Germany.

The players arrived at the team’s Ullrich Hotel in Elfershausen early Thursday morning from Abuja.

The players are Kingsley Madu, Christian

of the league. Nduka Irabor is doing a brilliant job with the reforms he is pushing. Some day, he will leave the place after organising election to usher in a new board. Globacom must ensure that their sponsorship money is not massively misappropriated. They deserve some mileage and must keep an eye on LMC especially when Irabor goes.

They ought to leverage from their sponsorship when the league develops into a brand that we will all be proud of, a brand on television, on radio, in print media and most importantly in the eyes of the public. his is achievable even if it can never be like it was in the 1970s, 80s and the 90s when our league was vibrant and commanded great followership. And that’s why I’m appealing to club managers (as Segun Agbede called them in his column) who claim to be club owners to support the reforms and make the league better. The League Management Company should be able to sit with them and sort out areas of misunderstanding. I prefer peace to war. I strongly believe that things can be sorted out. The club managers said that they were not being carried along. Their major grudge was on the shares that Irabor said he was holding in trust for them. Irabor must have lost his voice explaining issues.

He means well. He has done well and should be heard by the club managers who should see reason for a dialogue and reconciliation for the good of the league. We must appreciate the reforms. And we must thank Globacom for coming to our rescue again. This is a company that will celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. And they have so far invested about N10 billion in sports, more than half of it going into the league sponsorship. What has the league given them in return? To whom much is given, much is expected. PEACE!

themselves through sports. This competition helps to keep our staff healthy and on the long run they will be more profitable. It’s a work-life balance scheme programme initiated by the company to bring all our staff together to bond and at the end of the day, it increases their fitness level while their productivity also rises”. He said that deserving teams of the competition will receive trophies and certificates of participation.

P

RESIDENT of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba, yesterday described the appointment of Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye as the new Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), as commendable, insisting that it was a case of a square peg fitting into a square hole.

Ogba who last Tuesday got a fresh four-year mandate to lead Nigeria’s track & field, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for giving the NSC a per-

A message to AFN President

Chief Solomon Ogba returned as the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria on Wednesday. AFN, in the past four years, remained the most vibrant association. Those who opposed him claimed he was running a one man show and made the election tight. He won by 7 votes to Gusau’s 3 in the second ballot after the first ended in a stalemate. Ogba has done well and deserved to be returned. I congratulate him and urge him to accommodate all and move on with his plans for youth development and the Rio Games. This is the time to hire good coaches like Tony Osheku and increase sponsorship drive to fund his programmes. He will fail if he relies on NSC. That is my message to him as he begins a second term.

Ogba hails Elegbeleye’s appointment as DG sonality that understands the sports sector.

“This is a case of a square peg in a square hole. We in AFN are thanking President Goodluck Jonathan for this appointment we believe will complement and strengthen the progress made by the Honourable Minister and Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, to take Nigerian sports to the next lev-

el,” observed the former Delta State Sports commissioner.

Elegbeleye was appointed to replace Dr Patrick Ekeji who retired last month as the director general of the NSC after serving for eight years.

The new DG who hails from Ondo State was born on 1st October 1960, the day of Nigeria’s political independence.

Wheelchair Tennis attracts Golden Penny noodles

BY UCHE UDEH

F

OLLOWING the suc cessful hosting of its maiden coaches/players clinic and tournament which was held in Kano last year, Golden Penny Noodles is on the verge of moving a step further

in its determination to developing Nigeria’s wheelchair tennis.

Sources at the company said the management is concluding modalities for the hosting of the second edition of the event.

The country has been a dominant force in Africa and in the world but

the absence of competition has hindered the progress of the sport.

In recognition of this, last year, Golden Penny sponsored a week-long programme which attracted no fewer than 40 coaches and 200 players to the Pyramid City.Flour Mills Nigeria.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 61

‘Jose will get £100m to spend’ J

OSE Mourinho will be handed a £100million war chest this summer, according to Rafa Benitez.

The Special One is all set for an emotional return to Chelsea this summer as Benitez’s replacement.

And the Spaniard believes owner Roman Abramovich will hand Mourinho a megabucks transfer kitty.

The outgoing interim Blues boss told Spanish radio Onda Cero: “What I am sure about is that next season Chelsea will be much better because they will spend £100m and they will sign three or four players.

“The foundation is already there. The future is bright for them.

“I don’t know who the next coach will be, I am not the one who should

say, even though everyone speculates the same person.”

Benitez was speaking after guiding to Chelsea to Europa League glory against Benfica last night.

And the ex-Liverpool chief insists he will leave Stamford Bridge having turned around the form of his squad — in particular striker Fernando Torres, who scored the opener in Amsterdam.

Benitez added: “We know that he can hurt teams on the shoulder of the last defender and he did a good job.

“I keep repeating that he has improved — he has worked well with the fitness coach Paco de Miguel and he has made great improvements with his power, his strength and his speed.''

By BETHEL OBINNA, Abuja

T

•Mourinho

Pay owed coaches, players from sponsorship money — Players’ union tells LMC

BY UCHE UDEH

T

HE Association of professional footballers of Nigeria has requested the League Management

Company to deduct sponsorship monies due debtor clubs to pay their players and coaches in accordance with arbitration

Beckham Continues from B/P season on May 26.

He said: “I’m thankful to PSG for giving me the opportunity to continue but I feel now is the right time to finish my career, playing at the highest level.”

Becks began his path to superstardom at Manchester United, scoring 85 goals in 394 games, before switching to La Liga side Real Madrid.

He left Spain for a money-spinning move to LA Galaxy in 2007 and also enjoyed loan spells with AC Milan during his time in Major League Soccer.

After his contract expired Stateside, the former England skipper was reunited with exMilan boss Ancelotti in the French capital.

And having relocated from LA in January, Becks is expected to set up a permanent base in

London with his wife Victoria and four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

He added: “If you had told me as a young boy I would have played for and won trophies with my boyhood club Manchester United, proudly captained and played for my country over one hundred times and lined up for some of the biggest clubs in the world, I would have told you it was a fantasy.

“I’m fortunate to have realised those dreams.

Beckham won 115 caps for England and netted 17 goals, including the vital free-kick against Greece that took Sven Goran Eriksson’s side to the 2002 World Cup. He made his international debut in 1996 and scored in three consecutive World Cup tournaments on the way to becoming the Three Lions’ most capped outfield player.

NBBF ELECTION: Appeals Committee throws out petition against Umar

decisions of 2010.

In a written request made available to Sports Vanguard, the players body commended the LMC for “turning the league around,” the union insisted that “it is worthy to note that such efforts from the league body will not make significant impact on the game if the issue of players’ welfare is not seriously addressed.”

The request signed by

the scribe of the union said, “this is why the union is tasking the LMC to do what is needful by deducting sponsorship monies due the debtor clubs to pay the players and coaches.”

Several defaulting clubs were mentioned including Akwa United, Rangers International of Enugu, Enyimba of Aba, Bayelsa United, Kano Pillars among others.

Mikel & Moses Continues from B/P Aston Villa last Saturday - both players had played their parts in getting Chelsea into the final.

Mikel played four matches en-route the finals - against Sparta Prague, Steaua Bucharest and the second leg of the quarter final against Rubin Kazan.

His compatriot, Moses played six matches against Sparta Prague, Steaua Bucharest, Rubin Kazan and Bbasel. He scored two goals each against Rubin Kazan and Basel. He also

scored in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk.

It has been an eventful 12 months for both players, with Mikel winning the Champions League and FA Cup last May, the Africa Cup of Nations Ccup in February and now the Uefa Europa League.

Moses won the Nations Cup and his first club trophy - the Europa League.

Both players were listed in the 25-man squad released by coach Stephen Keshi for the Mexico friendly on May 31.

HE Appeals Committee on the Elections of the President and Vice President elect of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF in the National sports federations election conducted on Tuesday in Abuja has thrown out the petition filed by Engr.

Musa Kida, Babs Ogunade, Mark Igoche and Osita Nwachukw against Tijani Umar and Muktar Khaled; president and Vice president respectively.

The 8 man Appeals Committee headed by Barrister Abdulhakeem Mustapha while throwing out the petitions noted that two grounds were raised concerning noncompliance with the provisions of the Elections and Appointment Guidelines into the NonConcessioned Sports Federations and Intimidation of candidates and Bias.

Briefing the media men, a member of the committee Austin

Mgbolu said there was evidence of noncompliance with the provisions of the Guidelines by the Electoral Committee particularly the provisions of Item 2.1(i) when it committed the 2nd senior representative of an international body in the person of Col. Samuel Amedu(Rtd).

The Committee however noted that the proper person to protest in this case, Col. Amedu did not bring any petition and the time within which to do so as provided in Item 8.8.1(iv) has now lapsed. Therefore he is barred from so doing.

•Umar

Harambee Continues from B/P The team had not trained this week as head coach Adel Amrouche has been away attending a CAF seminar in Egypt.

Assistant coach James Nandwa said when the team resumes training next week they will only break once to allow players join their clubs for league matches.

The team will not play Ghana on June 1 as earlier planned after the Black Stars cancelled the match.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) Protocol Officer Alex Asante wrote to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Tuesday informing them of the impossibility of honouring the friendly.

The letter gave various reasons for the cancellation of the

match, among them the inability to assemble their top stars on time and a change in the dates for their World Cup qualifier against Sudan, which forced them to change plans.

“We regret to inform you that the Ghana Football Association cannot honour the match.

“The reasons for the cancellation are that the date for our qualifying match with Sudan has been shifted from the 9th to the 7th of June 2013 thereby forcing us to adopt new plans.”

“Secondly, there have been several changes in the arrival dates of our players who are based in Europe. Most of them will be arriving in Accra between the 28th and the 30th of May thus making it impossible to gather them for the match.

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — 63

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013

—Page 61

AU REVOIR! ... Beckham retires D

AVID BECKHAM has decided to call time on his glittering career.

Beckham, 38, helped Paris Saint-Germain lift the Ligue 1 title for the first time in 19 years at the weekend.

And despite being offered a one-year contract extension by the French giants, the veteran midfielder will retire after Carlo Ancelotti’s men play their last game of the

Continues on Page 61

Harambee Stars to train without break for Eagles H

ARAMBEE Stars home-based players will resume training next week in preparation for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Nigeria at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

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•Keshi

PUZZLE

M

IKEL Obi and Victor Moses were part of the Chelsea squad that beat Benfica 2-1 to become Uefa Europa League champions on Wednesday night in Amsterdam.

Even though they didn’t play in the victory - Mikel has been suffering from a hip complaint while Moses was injured in the last league game against

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QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Mikel, Moses in cloud 9

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Instruct (6) 5 Free (6) 9 Clergyman (5) 10 Tallied (6) 11 Deserved (6) 12 Not ever (5) 14 Staunch (4) 17 Entrap (3) 18 Present (4) 20 Consumed (5) 22 Claw (5) 23 Lived (7) 24 Colour (5) 26 Fresher (5) 29 Border (4) 30 Prow (3) 32 Tender (4) 33 Confusion (5) 35 Felt (6) 36 Tinker (6) 37 Senior (5) 38 Uniformly (6) 39 Soften (6)

DOWN 1 Scanty (6) 2 Insect (6) 3 Frank (4) 4 Loaded (5) 5 Salute (5) 6 Breed (4) 7 Burrow (6) 8 Soaked (6) 13 Meat (7) 15 Domesticated (5) 16 Mix (5) 18 Hell (5) 19 Wanderer (5) 21 Born (3) 22 Number (3) 24 Dog (6) 25 Disregard (6) 27 Waver (6) 28 Return (6) 30 Carelessly (5) 31 Broader (5) 33 Rind (4) 34 Trouble (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 4, Birth 7, Supper 9, Urn 10, Don 12, Atone 13, Lees 15, Ledge 17, Allege 19, Reel 20, Melee 22, Lad 24, Desired 27, Rig 28, Erode 31, Grab 33, Teemed 35, Amend 37, Wing 38, Fibre 39, Tip 41, Gap 42, Tumult 43, Angel.

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Asylum 2, Appeal 3, Wed 4, Brag 5, Inter 6, Tendered 8, Role 11, Negligent 14, Sled 16, Dear 18, Leer 21, Exertion 23, Deem 25, Site 26, Drew 29, Odious 30, Eighty 32, Barge 34, Edit 36, Meal 40, Pup.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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