Be patient withe me, Buhari begs Nigerians

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62451

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

10 questions Nigerians want Obama to answer as Buhari visits

BUHARI'S VISIT:

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Is the US our friend or foe?

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is visiting the United States of America, courtesy an invitation from that country’s President, Barrack Obama.

It’s widely known that the relationship between the two nations has for the past two years or more been strained.

Buhari’s Media and Publicity Adviser, Femi Adesina, has highlighted

that the Nigerian president’s priorities are on how to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West Africa.

Continues on Page 14

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Be patient with me, Buhari begs Nigerians •Says he is committed to correcting past wrongs •Asks for prayers, support to move nation forward •Sultan, CAN, others congratulate Muslims, IGP orders tight security Security operatives lay siege to ex-NSA, Dasuki's homes in Abuja, 16 Sokoto

FROM MINIMAH TO BURATAI

The trial of •P.19 Serena Williams

Mr & Mrs

HANDOVER— Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah (right) handing over to his successor, Maj.Gen. Tukur Buratai in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

CORONER'S VERDICT: Lagos Govt to prosecute 10 Joshua's Synagogue church, contractor C M Y K

BUJA—AGAINST the backdrop of criticisms that he has been too slow since he assumed office on May 29, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, begged Nigerians for patience, saying he has been working meticulously to tackle the many national Continues on Page 5

Be patient!•P.17

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COLUMNISTS:

25 Generals asked to retire within 6 weeks Buhari sacks NIMASA boss, 600 parastatals' boards

By Sam Eyoboka, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Agaju Madugba

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

SERVICE OF SONGS—From left, former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple; former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chris Ngige; wife of former President Obasanjo,Mrs Bola Obasanjo; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd); and former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), at the Night of Tributes and Service of Songs for Chief Chinyere Asika in Abuja on Wednesday. Photo: NAN.

Be patient with me, Buhari begs Nigerians His words: “I remain share the thirst of my Continues from Page 1

challenges which he identified.

In his message to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Ramadan Fast, President Buhari stated that though there were heaps of misdeeds of the past administration, his government would ensure that every wrong of the past was corrected. He added that stamping out corruption still remained one of the cardinal objectives of his administration.

According to him, there is much work to be done and every step would be correctly taken to ensure that there would not be “business as usual.”

He, however, appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for his government, saying that he would not fail them.

wholly committed to giving the required leadership towards undoing the wrongs of the past, ensuring that Nigeria truly begins to unlock its great potential and that the benefits of our immense national resources are shared and enjoyed by all, not just by successive cabals of corrupt leaders and their cronies.

“I was aware of your high expectations when I assumed office and I reassure you, my fellow citizens, that since my inauguration on May 29, this year, I have been working with utmost dedication to meticulously plan and tackle the many national challenges which we identified and promised to resolve.

“To succeed, however, I need your continued support, understanding and patience.

“I fully understand and

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE There are four important words and actions in life. Love and respect, honesty and truth. Without these you have nothing — Take Heart Quotes

H

AVE you ever tried to see what happens within as you truly listen and also observe how you communicate with others? Do you show love and support through the way you talk and act? Do you even recognize how you show up for yourself, through selfless act of kindness, love and respect with others? Consider the idea that when one chooses limiting behavior, in part or in whole, it is a reflection of one’s character. If you find yourself yelling at someone, saying things you regret, or barking foul language, you eventually will be remorseful.

That is, of course, if you have a conscience. Sure, we all might have experience challenges and difficult days, but how we handle ourselves in those situations, whether or not we realize our flaws, is what makes all the difference to having a calm perspective and doing what’s best for us.

If there’s only one thing that comes from presenting yourself well, it is that you create a happier life for yourself. You do this by showing up for yourself; choosing your reactions. Since you’re more aware of what you say and do, you won’t get all worked up in the emotional end of a situation. In time, you figure out how to make every situation work better for you.

long-suffering compatriots for corruption-free government institutions that work efficiently to deliver visible development for the benefit of all citizens.

“I also share the feelings of those who think that we should be moving faster. But I urge them and all Nigerians to trust that my commitment to real and positive change in our nation is as firm as ever.

“There is indeed much work to be done, but we must do it well and carefully to ensure that the great opportunity which we now have is not lost to the “business as usual” group who selfishly or shortsightedly prefer a status quo that panders to their personal or group interests.

“The adverse effects of years of rot, corruption, inept and bad governance on our nation are immense, but certainly not insurmountable if we all resolve now to place the well-being of our nation above all other considerations and work whole-heartedly with the present administration to achieve greater peace and security across the nation, and reposition our country for faster economic development and progress.”

President Buhari congratulated the Islamic faithful who successfully completed their Ramadan fast, urging them to embrace self-denial for the growth of the country.

“I greet and felicitate with you all, especially our citizens of the Islamic faith on this auspicious occasion of the 2015 Eidel-Fitr celebrations.

“I congratulate all those who have successfully completed the Ramadan fast in keeping with the injunction of our Creator.

“Although we have come to the end of this year ’s month of Ramadan, I believe that a greater acceptance by Nigerians of its key lessons of self-denial and sacrifice will serve our dear country well as we strive to overcome our present challenges, undo the damage done by years of bad governance and accelerate the pace of national development.

“Reviewing our dire circumstances and the many missed opportunities of the past, some commentators and observers have said that this is Nigeria’s last chance to get its act together and finally begin to fulfill its God-given potential for greatness.

“While not going that far, I certainly believe that now, more than ever before, our country needs greater self-denial, sacrifice and patriotism from all of its citizens, if we are to quickly recover from our numerous problems and start moving in a positive direction.

“This current period of our life as a nation offers us a great opportunity to break from the vicious triangle of insecurity, corruption and underdevelopment. We must collectively resolve to seize this opportunity and unite to confront our problems”, the president said.

Sultan congratulates Muslims

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is also President-General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has congratulated Muslims across the country and enjoined them to reflect on the inherent lessons embedded in fasting which include faith, sincerity, sacrifice, humility, compassion, giving, piety, and commitment.

The sultan, in a statement signed by the JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said: ”The JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto uses this medium to once again thank Allah, the Most High, for sparing our lives to have observed one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, the Ramadan fasting. This indeed is a pointer to us all to reflect on the inherent lessons embedded in fasting which include but not limited to, faith, sincerity, sacrifice, humility, compassion, giving, piety, commitment.

“Once more, Nigerian Muslims are hereby called upon to always cast back their minds to the good virtues of the month of Ramadan and keep to

its teachings throughout their lives.

“Above all, Muslims are reminded to keep to strict adherence of the tenets of the Glorious Qur’an, for the dignity of the Ummah and humanity, for the redemption of the Ummah always lies in upholding the imperatives of the Qur’an, especially in this painful trying moment of our nationhood.

“Given the importance of Ramadan in the lives of the Muslims, we are all implored to sustain the spirit beyond the month of Ramadan.

“It is no longer news that many parts of the country are witnessing shortage of rainfall, thus the need for more concerted prayers to that effect.

“Most importantly, Muslims are also reminded of Zakatul-Fitr (ordained alms giving at the end of Ramadan fast) which preferably should be given out to the needy two days before the Eidel-Fitr day or before the commencement of the Eid prayer.

“This if done, will assist the down-trodden, to celebrate the Sallah happily with the rest of the Muslims.

“We, therefore, urge Muslim brothers and sisters to continue praying fervently for the peaceful existence of Nigeria, and keep to the pristine teachings of Islam.

“JNI, therefore, wishes all Muslim faithfuls an accepted Ramadan fast and successful Eid-el-Fitr.

In the same vein, Muslims are urged not to forget the recommended fasting of SittahShawwal, the sixth day after Ramadan fast and in line with the teachings of the Prophet.”

CAN, Catholic bishop congratulate Muslims at Eid-el-Fitri

THE Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos also congratulated Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts worldwide for successfully completing this year ’s Ramadan fast.

They called on the

Muslims in the country to utlilize the spiritual significance of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the gains of Ramadan which is also regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam to pray for a speedy end to the incessant terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians across the nation.

In an interview with Vanguard, the Secretary General of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake thanked God for the success of the fasting and prayers offered during the period, reminding the Nigerian Muslims that Sallah period is a time to reflect on the benefits of the month long spiritual exercise.

“They should keep the blessings of Ramadan and all that the Quran teaches especially the need for peaceful coexistence with everybody irrepective of creed and ethnicity. While we wish the best during this Eidel-Fitri celebration we pray that they will continue their prayers for an end to the continued terrorist attacks in parts of the country,” Asake prayed.

Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins also called on Muslim faithful in the country to utilize the spiritual gains of the holy month of Ramadan to pray for the speedy end to the incessant terrorist attacks on innocent lives across the nation Archbishop Martins, while felicitating with Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitri, which marks the end of fasting, also urged them to continue to spread the message of peace and harmony in line with the tenets of their religion, so as to help counter the hate messages of terrorists who use the name of the Islamic religion to perpetuate violence.

Meantime, the Police High Command has put all measures in place to ensure hitch-free celebrations, as IGP has ordered effective and extensive deployment of personnel including movement of necessary logistics to all nooks and crannies in the country.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2015

Kidnap victim rescued in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—ABAYI Police Division, Aba, Abia State, has rescued a kidnapped victim, Prince Chimezie, who was abducted at Umuode in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area.

Police sources told Vanguard that Chimezie was abandoned in a metallic grey-coloured Toyota Highlander with number plates FFC 77 CG, by the kidnappers, who fled into the bush as they sighted a police patrol team in the area.

According to the sources, when the police conducted a search on the abandoned car, two locally-made double and singlebarrelled shotguns were recovered.

Spokesman of Abia State Police Command, Ezekiel Onyeke, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, added that investigations were ongoing.

He appealed to the public not to hesitate to volunteer useful information about criminals to the police.

Robbers on rampage in Ogun

By James Adeyemi

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gang of armed robbers, Tuesday night, raided Iludun village, via Ilogbo in Sango/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The tranquillity of the night was interrupted by echoes of gunshots and residents of the area were robbed of their property and money, but no life was lost.

One of the landlords, who escaped being shot by the whiskers, but preferred anonymity, said the robbers rained bullets in the direction he was taking refuge, attributing his escape to divine providence.

The main gate of his compound was littered with empty shells of expended bullets from the robbers.

The policemen from Sango/Ota Area Command, who visited the robbery scene, have begun investigation into the attack.

CHANGE OF DUTY: A traffic warden mediating a fracas between two drivers, after one called the other Boko Haram, at Airport Junction, Abuja. NAN PHOTO.

Anambra revenue agents, tipper owners in free-for-all zPeople should appreciate increment for devt—GOV's AIDE

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—NO fewer than five persons were injured yesterday in Onitsha as revenue agents in Anambra State engaged tipper truck owners and their drivers in a brawl over increase in tolls and environmental remedial fees.

No fewer than 10 vehicles were damaged in the fracas that followed a protest by the tipper owners and drivers, who operate on the platform of Tipper Owners and Drivers Association of Anambra State, TODAS. The association had withdrawn its services since Monday to express grievances of its members against the increase allegedly effected by the state government’s revenue consultant.

They took to the streets of Onitsha, following alleged attack of five of their members and destruction of over 10 vehicles by the agents of the consultant.

The withdrawal of their service and subsequent protest had grounded building and construction activities in the state and they threatened that the situation would not change until government and their agents reverted to the N200 per trip of sandstone and other minerals they evacuate, instead of N1,400 and N1,000, respectively, they were being forced to pay.

Demands

The protesters wielded

placards with inscriptions such as “We say no to N600, N1000, and N1,400 per trip,” “We stand on N200 per trip,” “Governor Obiano save us from the hands of greedy consultants and agents,” “tipper drivers will not render service in Anambra until government reverts to N200 per trip,” among others.

Addressing newsmen at Ogbe Ijaw Sand Beach, near Ose Okwodu Market, Onitsha, spokesman of the protesting members, Mr. Hycenth Okafor, said they were paying N100 to the past government, but that after much pressure from the new government, they agreed on August 14, 2014, to pay N200 per trip.

He said: “We were surprised when they asked us through one Mr. Emeka Igwe, consultants to the government, to pay N600 per trip and we were still contemplating meeting with the government to agree on an amount lower than N600 when a letter from Anambra State Ministry of Science, Technology and Mineral Resources, Revenue Consultant/Monitoring Unit, stated that we will be paying N1,000 per trip for single-axel truck and N1,400 per trip for double-axel truck, for all types of sand, laterite and clay with effect from last Monday.

“We were not consulted before these increments were made. They did not consider what we make and the cost of filling the sand and stones into our vehicles. So we decided to withdraw our

services.

“We reconvened at our sites to have a meeting and met people who claimed to be agents to the consultants with dangerous weapons like machetes, bottles, and shovels.

“They started attacking our members and even destroyed our vehicles without asking why we were meeting.”

I'm not aware of protest, attack—COMMISSIONER

Contacted, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Mineral Resources Prince Chinedu Emeka, said he was not in Anambra State and did not know anything about the protest and attack.

However, Supervisory Head of Revenue Consultant/ Monitoring Unit of Ministry of Science, Technology and Mineral Resources, Mr. Emeka Igwe, who signed the letter for the new toll regime, refused to pick calls put through his phone and also failed to respond to text messages sent to the phone.

However, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr. James Eze, said people had always come up with all kinds of allegations when it concerned revenue collection.

He wondered why people could not accommodate increment in revenue that came to the state, more so when they were seeing the developments going on.

33-yr-old man jailed for rape

By Jane Echewodo

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33-year-old bricklayer, Taoreed Oseni, was yesterday sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for raping an 18-yearold bread hawker (names withheld).

The presiding judge, Justice Sedoten Ogunsoye, ordered that the imprisonment should take effect from the August 2, 2012, when the convict was arrested.

Oseni, who was slammed with a one-count charge of rape, was said to have committed the offence on July 20, 2012, at an abandoned public toilet in Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos.

The victim had, during the trial, told the court that Taoreed informed her that her boyfriend was calling her in an uncompleted building.

She said on getting to the building, the convict forced her to lie down, saying he wanted to sleep with her.

She said she started pleading with the convict, who brought out a bottle and hit her on the forehead.

She said that she then gave up and he had his way.

In his defence, the convict told the court that he was drunk when the incident happened.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—7

Burglars stripped, battered in Delta community

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—NEMESIS caught up with two suspected burglars at Oteri-Igbide in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Wednesday, as they were stripped and battered by a mob.

The suspects, Vanguard learned, had on Tuesday night,

broken into a building belonging to an indigene of the community, who had travelled with his family, and made away with some electronics and other valuable household property.

Sources said the burglars, who were between the ages of 19 to 21, gained entry into the building after they pulled away the burglary proof in one of the

windows in the apartment.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the burglars were in the process of transporting the items from a nearby bush in the early hours of Wednesday when the security man of a nearby building alerted residents.

The source said: “They were three in number, but youths of

the community apprehended two of them. The third escaped.

“Those caught were beaten mercilessly before they were handed over to the police.”

Efforts to reach the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oleh Police Division were unsuccessful at press time, but a senior officer in the division confirmed the incident.

DELSU students protest stabbing of 6

By Akpokona Omafuaire & Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—THERE was pandemonium, yesterday, as students of Delta State University, DELSU, Oleh campus, shut activities in the town, protesting the stabbing of six students by armed robbers.

The protesting placardwielding students, chanting war songs, blocked the road leading to the campus, although the arrival of school officials restored temporary peace.

Vehicular and pedestrian movements were restricted as shop owners hurriedly closed shops, not knowing what the outcome of the protest would be.

Leading the protest, an agitated Mr. Oshie Ewomazino, President, Student Union Government, Oleh campus, condemned the unwarranted attack in its entirety.

Ewomazino said: “This attack will not go down as other attacks on our students.

I lost my trusted friend in such attack last year, now six students have been attacked and are in critical conditions.

“We will march to the Odion Ologbo palace. If they cannot guarantee students’ safety, then we do not mind jeopardising our admission because we have to be alive to be in school.”

On his part, Professor Benjamin Okaba, Provost of the campus, wondered why students should be attacked in such a grievous manner.

He said: “I am shocked at what happened. Mr. Edward Okumaagba informed me of the incident and I had to rush there and ensure that the injured students were saved.

“Okumagba spent his money and I also spent money in giving them first aid and they have been rushed to the hospital for treatments.”

PROTEST: Professor Benjamin Okaba, Provost, Oleh Campus of Delta State University, DELSU (right), and students of the institution protesting the stabbing and robbing of six final year engineering students, yesterday. PHOTO: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Armed men kill couple, relation in Benue

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—A middleaged man, Ternongo Ajai, his wife, Rebecca, and one Iyormanger Nwana, all of Gbengen village in Utange council ward of Katsina/Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, have been reportedly gunned down in their homes by some unidentified persons.

Vanguard gathered from a source that the gunmen stormed the homes of the deceased in a motorbike while the couple were having dinner at about 8pm on Wednesday, and shot them to death.

The source said: “After killing the couple, the duo also rode on the bike to the home of their next victim, who was related to Mr. Ajai and was living just a stone throw away, and also shot him before fleeing.

“On hearing the gunshots, people of the community dashed to the scene of the killing with the intention of apprehending the armed men, and also rush the victims to the hospital.

“They could not do much because the victims were already dead and the gang escaped in their bike while pretending to be chasing the

murderers.”

Son of the victim, Philip Ajai, who was still in shock, confirmed the killings, disclosing that the third victim was a blood relation of his murdered father.

He said the matter had been reported to the police, and that the bodies of his parents and

the third victim were already deposited at NKST Comprehensive Clinic mortuary, Haaga.

When contacted, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hyacinth Dagala, confirmed the killing of the trio, saying further that the matter was being investigated.

Couple give up on 16-yr marriage over infidelity

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—A timber contractor, Ojo Owoeye, has asked an Ikare Akoko Customary Court in Ondo State to dissolve his 16 years old marriage with his wife, Bola, for allegedly sleeping with his junior brother.

Ojo said this in his defence in a case of marriage dissolution brought against him by his wife.

The wife had approached the court, asking it to dissolve her marriage to Ojo on the grounds of lack of care for her and their three children, desertion for the past four years and lack of love.

However, in his defence, Ojo did not disagree with all the allegations but accused the wife of infidelity. He said he decided to desert and abandon her because of her behaviour, which irritated him.

After listening to both parties, the court came to the conclusion that the union between the two was not appropriate and that all that transpired between them in the last 16 years was not marriage because it was not in conformity with Ondo State Customary Law, 2006.

The Court President, Chief M. Awe, declared that there was no marriage to dissolve and held that the two were free to go their separate ways and remarry.

He granted the custody of the first and last born to the mother, while the second child was ordered to be with the father.

Old soldier gets life sentence for raping 10-yr-old step-daughter

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—AN Ogun State High Court sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday sentenced a retired soldier, Alabi Ibrahim, to life imprisonment for raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter and infecting her with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV. In his judgement, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi said the accused faced a one-count charge of having sexual intercourse with the child. The offence, he said, was contrary to Section 3 of Child Rights Law. The judge said the court was convinced that the allegation against the accused had been

proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Akinyemi said further that the victim’s testimony, during cross examination, showed that she was telling the truth and not tutored and that there was concrete evidence that the victim was sexually assaulted, having also lost count on number of times the convict assaulted her.

The judge stated: “The court is convinced about the girl’s evidences; she is intelligent, she remained consistent during cross examination. She does not seem to have been tutored.

“I find her evidence credible.

Evidence of her mother corroborated her own.”

Akinyemi also made reference to a medical report, which stated

that the accused infected the girl with HIV, stressing that the convict’s action had brought a permanent stigma on the innocent girl.

The judge explained that evidence of the medical report did not suggest that the girl had earlier been sexually assaulted as alleged by the convict.

It would be recalled that the convict committed the crime in 2012 in his home, where himself, the victim and her mother lived.

It led to his subsequent arrest and trial, following the intervention of Ogun State chapter of Child Protection Network, CPN, an umbrella body of non-governmental organisations, NGOs.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — NO fewer than 25 Generals, who were affected by the appointment of their juniors as service chiefs last Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari have been given six weeks to voluntarily retire from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah, disclosed this yesterday while handing over to his successor, Major General Tukur Buratai at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

By army tradition, the affected Generals cannot serve under a junior officer to them and must mandatorily go home.

It was a moment of stock-taking and sober reflection as Lt. Gen. Minimah, handed over the mantle of leadership to Maj. Gen. Buratai.

In his speech, Minimah, who said that some very senior unnamed officers have been given notices of retirement, urged those affected by the development to take the notifications for retirement in good faith.

He joked that while the affected officers were given six weeks’ notice to proceed on retirement, the retirements of the former service chiefs were simply relayed to them on the radio.

While Minimah used the occasion to "showcase his achievements" while in office, Buratai, conscious of the arduous task that lies ahead of him, maintained a calm mien, listening to his predecessor with rapt attention reeling out his accomplishments.

Army was able to reclaim all Nigerian territories —Minimah

In spite of the mounting ravages of the Boko Haram insurgents, Minimah boasted that the Army under his control was able to reclaim all Nigerian territories taken by the sect and reduce them to petty thieves and a band of criminals.

Minimah also said that the army under his watch was able to push Boko Haram to a point that it remains a ‘certain defeat’ by the Nigerian army.

He stated that because of the measures he put into place as the CoAS, the Nigerian Army had been built into a strong fighting force that can stands its own anywhere.

He said: “Today, I am leaving behind an Army that can hold its own against any adversary without batting an eyelid. It is an Army that has vowed never again to concede any inch of Nigeria to terrorists. It is a legacy I am leaving behind and I implore you to sustain it.

“As I hand over today, I am happy to inform you that the Boko Haram terrorists’ insurgency is at a certain defeat.

“During my tenure, we were

HANDOVER: Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah (5th left); New Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and other senior officers after a handing over ceremony in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

APPOINTMENT OF SERVICE CHIEFS:

25 Generals asked to retire within 6 weeks zAs Minimah hands over to Buratai z126 sacked soldiers drag Army to court, demand N1m each able to reclaim all territories earlier lost to the terrorists, sufficiently degrade their potency and reduced them to a band of criminals and petty thieves.

“Success did not come cheap.

It came with the sweat and blood of all of us. In the face of unusual events, we had to take unusual actions. Some may adjudge us as being too strict especially in dealing with cases of cowardice and indiscipline in the field.

“But, we had to do what we must to arrest the drift towards chaos that the army was heading. I am happy that the result in the field today justifies our actions."

Minimah, however, explained that he had to take some drastic measures to save the Army from collapse and anarchy, apparently referring to the court-martialling of many officers and men taking part in the ongoing war against terrorists for indiscipline, cowardice and mutiny.

He said he was able to boost the morale of officers and men under his leadership and free military institutions and facilities earlier seized by terrorists in the Northeast.

Buratai harps on discipline, professionalism

Receiving the mantle of leadership from Minimah, the new COAS, Buratai, assured Nigerians that priority would be given to the maintenance of strict discipline and

professionalism during his tenure.

Buratai said: “Your tenure as COAS has brought discipline into the army. Discipline must be maintained. The highest standard of discipline must be maintained.”

He pledged his loyalty to the President and asked officers and men of the military to be loyal to constituted authorities in the country.

Shortly after the handing over ceremony, Buratai headed to the North-East for his first encounter with troops as the Chief of Army Staff.

Meanwhile, the new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral IbokEte Ibas and his Air Force counterparts, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, would take over leadership of their respective services on Tuesday.

The former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, had earlier handed to his successor, Maj. Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin.

126 sacked soldiers drag Army to court

Meanwhile, 126 out of 255 soldiers who were sacked by the Nigerian Army on January 13 and 14, 2015, for alleged disobedience to standing order and failure to perform military duties, have gone before the National Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja to seek redress.

The plaintiffs who were part of the troops that fought to reclaim Bazza in Adamawa State from the grip of Boko Haram insurgents in October 2014, are insisting that their dismissal was unconstitutional, illegal, irregular

and ultra-vires.

In their suit with number NICN/ABJ/92/2015, which is already before the President of the NIC, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, the plaintiffs decried that the Nigerian Army terminated their appointment through oral communication.

Most of the affected soldiers were enlisted in the Army in 1979, while others joined the army between then and 2013.

The suit was lodged on their behalf by a Lagos-based human right lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN. The plaintiffs consist of four Warrant Officers, and others in the ranks of Sergeants, Corporal, Lance Corporal, and Private.

Some of the plaintiffs that endorsed the suit were Warrant Officers Akanny Welcome, Davou Nta, Ibrahim Usman and Adediran Ogunmuyiwa.

They told the court that they were part of the joint force codenamed ‘OP Zaman Lafia,’ which they said was pooled together from different Divisions and Batallion of the Nigerian Army to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the North East part of the country.

The plaintiffs said their dismissal was communicated to them orally at their station by LtCol. M. J. Gambo on January 13, 2015, and by the Garrison Commander, Gen. B.O Akinroluoyo, the following day.

The Army authorities had maintained that it was the refusal of the plaintiffs to obey their Commanding Officer, LtCol. A. A Egbejule, during a

counter-attack by Boko Haram elements in Bazza, Adamawa State, that led to the recapture of the territory by the terrorists.

However, refuting the allegation by the Army, the plaintiffs through a statement of fact they attached in support of the suit, said they were not accorded fair hearing before they were summarily dismissed.

In the statement which was deposed to by a lawyer in Falana’s chamber, Deji Morakinyo, the sacked soldiers said they were denied “inviolable opportunity to be heard and make representation in defence and to state their respective cases.”

Morakinyo said the soldiers had only retreated on the order by their Commanding Officer for “tactical withdrawal” after the terrorists re-grouped and overwhelmed the soldiers with AA anti-craft guns, APCS, RPGs, GPMGs, and other sophisticated and superior weapons.

According to him, “the claimants particularly aver that due to the insurgents’ counterattack, and the re-capture of Bazza from the personnel of the defendant (the Nigerian Army), their Commanding Officer, Lt.Col. A.A Egbejule, in line with military tradition, ordered tactical withdrawal by the Joint Force so as to re-strategise.

“The claimants further and particularly aver that consistent with military tradition, the Joint Force had to comply with the superior order of their Commanding Officer, hence they withdrew as ordered by their Commanding Officer.”

Consequently, they are praying the court to among other things, declare their sacking on the basis of failure to perform military duties and disobedience to standing order as “unconstitutional, illegal, irregular and ultra-vires.”

As well as to order the Army to pay them their accrued salaries and other entitlements since they were sacked in January, N1 million to each of them for breach of fundamental right to fair hearing and freedom from discrimination, likewise the sum of N5 million to cover the litigation cost.

Meanwhile, the NIC has slated October 19 to commence hearing on the matter, even as the Army has through its lawyer, Commander A. A. Agu, raised preliminary objection against the suit.

In its notice of preliminary objection, the Nigerian Army maintained that the plaintiffs were duly sacked.

It has therefore asked the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it lacks the jurisdiction to meddle in such matter as was brought before it by the plaintiffs.

It said: “The claimants were summarily tried, convicted and dismissed from service, thus this honourable court lacks requisite jurisdiction to hear and entertain the suit as constituted and conceived."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—9

CBN probes Naira depreciation in parallel market zMakes BVN criteria for BDC forex transactions

By Babajide Komolafe

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AGOS — CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has commenced investigations into the persistent depreciation of the naira in the parallel market.

The Naira has depreciated by N42 in the parallel market since June 28, when the apex bank banned 41 items from the foreign exchange market. From N220 per dollar as at June 28, the parallel market exchange rate rose to N242 as at yesterday Miffed by the pace of this depreciation, Vanguard investigations revealed that the CBN dispatched three of its directors to Lagos, Tuesday, to conduct market surveillance.

Specifically, they were given the mandate to discuss with Bureau de Change (BDC) operators to ascertain what is causing depreciation of the Naira in the parallel market, and measures that can be deployed to address the depreciation.

Confirming this development to Vanguard, Managing Director, Sabil BDC, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the CBN team wanted to know why the Naira is depreciating even on Wednesdays when the CBN sells to BDCs. “We told them that the reason is that the forex users know that CBN sells to BDCs on Wednesdays, hence they always position their demand against what the BDCs will get from CBN. But because what the CBN sells to us is not enough to meet the demand, the exchange rate rises further.

“We also told them that the solution is to increase the amount of forex they sell to BDCs. That is how we can narrow the N46 gap between the official rate and the parallel market exchange rate.”

This was corroborated by Managing Director, H. J. Trust BDC, Mr. Harrison Owoh, saying: “The depreciation of the Naira in the parallel market is driven by genuine demand from importers banned from the foreign exchange market. You know we cannot sell to them. They can only buy from the black market. Hence the black market is dictating the rate.

"More so, BDCs have only two sources of dollars — what we buy from CBN and from walk-incustomers. So, we don’t have supply, we also are limited in who we can sell to. So the market is determined by the black market.

The solution is for the CBN to increase dollar sales to BDCs, otherwise the rate might continue to go up.”

BVN now criteria for BDC transactions

Meanwhile, the apex bank has directed that all foreign exchange transactions by bureaux de change (BDCs) must have Biometric Verification Number (BVN) of the customer, and must be included in periodic returns. It also mandated all directors of BDCs to submit their BVN latest August 15, 2015.

In a circular to BDCs, yesterday, and signed by Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department, Mr.

Kevin Amugo, the CBN stated: “This is to inform all licensed BDCs operating in Nigeria that, with effect from August 1, 2015, all transactions consummated by a BDC must have the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of the customers.

"This information must be included in the Returns to the CBN. In the case of corporate customers, the BVN of a director or an authorised signatory of the entity must be provided.

"To ensure a hitch-free

implementation of this directive, the list of all licensed BDCs would be provided by the Central Bank Nigeria to the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System, NIBBS, to enable the company provide necessary hardware token that would be used by the BDC in access the NIBBS website.

"NIBBS has been directed to make a portal available on its website to facilitate access for the confirmation/validation of the BVN of the BDCs’ customers. This is to ensure that the correct BVN is recorded by the BDC and included in the returns to the CBN. "

VISIT: President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State during his visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Kalu raises alarm over high cost of newspaper production zAppeals for Buhari's intervention to avoid job losses

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AGOS — FORMER Abia State governor and Publisher of The Sun and New Telegraph newspapers, Dr Orji Kalu, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to come to the aid of print media owners to avoid job losses due to increasing cost of production in the industry.

Kalu, who made this call, yesterday, said the way things were in the print media, the industry was getting closer to the precipice as the industry runs at a loss because of the rising operational cost that is threatening the existence of most media organizations.

He, therefore, pleaded with the President to urgently intervene to prevent job cuts to which media owners might resort to stay afloat.

He said: "The operational cost media houses have to contend with is huge and keeps rising daily. We are dying from the burden. Our businesses are suffering. From the cost of newsprint to ink, blankets and plates, our consumables in the

print media are expensive.

"The Sun Publishing uses 2,800 tons of newsprint every month, for instance. Add that to the cost of freighting, the dwindling fortunes of the Naira and power challenges and it becomes obvious that our business terrain is facing more difficulties by the day.

"The Federal Government needs to come to our aid. If this bad tide is not stemmed, media owners may resort to downsizing to save cost and that will further worsen the nation’s already bad unemployment figures."

Media houses producing at a loss

The Chairman of Slok Group, a multinational concern, went on to reveal that all media houses are producing every copy of the newspapers Nigerians read at a loss.

According to him, "the average cost of printing a copy of a newspaper is N500 and we sell for N150 or N200. That means media owners are subsidizing every copy our readers get with N300. How long can we go on like that and

stay in business? The government has to intervene to ensure journalists keep their jobs and we stay afloat."

Urges NPAN members to support appeal

According to the former governor, the media industry deserves special intervention fund from government at a reduced interest rate among other palliatives to carry on with the business of publishing.

Kalu called on other members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, to speak and lend their voice to this appeal to the government.

He said: "All members of NPAN must join this appeal.

We all need to work together on this. It is our battle, it is about our survival and if we don’t work together, all our businesses are at risk. For as long as our operational costs keep going through the roof, for that long will the fortunes of newspaper houses keep diminishing."

One year after: Nigeria not ready for another Ebola attack

By Sola Ogundipe & Chioma Obinna

L

AGOS — ALMOST a year after Nigeria recorded its first ever case the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, a cross section of local and international experts have said the country is not prepared to respond in the event of another outbreak.

This development is not unconnected with the call by the World Health Organisation, WHO, on Nigeria and other countries in sub-Sahara Africa to build robust health systems that are resistant to Ebola and other disease epidemics.

The resurgence of the Ebola virus in Liberia and its persistence in Sierra Leone, has also raised concerns even as countries in the sub-region continue battling with poor public health infrastructure.

Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said with a weak public health infrastructure, Nigeria is not ready for another resurgence of Ebola.

Idris who said Nigeria still has serious challenges in the health sector at the national and state levels, lamented that Ebola is still around and requires the nation to be on its toes to build a proper public health infrastructure.

His words: “Nigeria is not ready to prevent Ebola. We have done something but we are not ready. As a nation, as a country, we must do what we can to prevent epidemics or disease that is the essence of National Health Security.”

Also speaking, Director General of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Prof Innocent Ujah, said Nigeria failed to utilise the opportunity of the outbreak to build the capacity of the institute.

Ujah, who said the 2014 Ebola outbreak in the country provided the perfect opportunity for the institute to be upgraded, noted that despite a position paper written to the Federal Government, nothing was done about it.

He said one year after Ebola came to Nigeria, the lab at NIMR, which is the country’s only medical health research institute, is still unable to carry out complex laboratory tests on live viruses.

On its part, the World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said feedback from partners in the response against the West African Ebola epidemic, showed that the Nigerian government and others within the sub-region should invest more in building resilient health systems.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

EJIGBO ASSAULT:

Another secret testimony in court

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—FOR the second day running newsmen were barred from covering the proceedings of those accused of torturing siblings accused of stealing pepper at Ejigbo market, a Lagos suburb three years ago.

One of the three women tortured, Nike Agomo, 17, continued her testimony yesterday before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court.

At the resumed hearing of the trial, journalists have to vacate the courtroom as they were told the lady still continue with her testimony.

Those charged are Isiaka Waidi, 61; Saheed Adisa, 29; Lateef Tijani, 37; Ahmed Adisa, 65; Azeez Akinosun, 36; Jimoh Busari, 50; Adekunle Adenuga, 38; Oloruntoyin Dauda, 46; Buhari Yusuf, 22; and Abdullahi Haruna, 20.

In an amended charge, the defendants were accused to have at Oba Morufu International Market in Ejigbo inserted a stick into the private part of Nike Salami and Juliana Agomo.

They were also accused of assaulted one Ajoke Agomo by stripping her naked, beating her up and rubbing pepper all over her body.

CORONER’S VERDICT: Lagos to prosecute Synagogue, contractor

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, with Agency reports

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AGOS—ALMOST a year after a guest house being built by Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, collapsed in Ikotun area of the state, killing scores of worshippers and workers, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, said his administration will enforce the verdict of the Coroner’s inquest in consonance with the rule of law to prosecute the church and the

contractor handling the construction.

The building collapsed on September 12, last year amid controversy thereby generating public interest internationally.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said his government will uphold the sanctity of the law in the state, just as he urged residents to also respect the rule of law.

“His Excellency hereby reiterates his Government’s commitment to

uphold and enforce the sanctity of the law in the state and calls on all Lagos resident to respect the rule of law”, the statement said.

To this end, he said the Coroner’s verdict of 7th July 2015 made a number of recommendations which the state government will act upon accordingly.

The governor said that one of the provisions of the Coroner Law 2007 is that empowers a Coroner to commence an inquest to find out the cause and manner of death

INSPECTION: From right: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Mrs Elizabeth Kappo Petetin, Executive Secretary, Badagry Central LCDA; Chief Adeniyi Matuton Sanni, Numeton1, Baale of Gberefu Island Badagry and Point of No Return and Mr. Agoro Joseph, Executive Secretary, Badagry West Local government, during the governor’s inspection tour to the proposed site for Sea port and Point of No Return at Gberefu Island, Badagry, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

$1.5bn Badagry port construction begins Sept – LASG

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, said construction of the planned $1.5 billion Badagry Deep Seaport will commence in two months.

This came barely six days after the consortium for the project expected to be the largest deep sea port in Africa emerged.

Ambode disclosed this when he led a team to inspect various developmental projects such as; the ongoing expansion works on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway into 10 lanes, Badagry Deep Seaport, among others.

According to him, “We hope that in the next two months, we would commence construction work on this project. This is my reason for coming here personally to see things for myself.”

Assuring investors, he said, “We know that they (investors) have done their best to ensure the project comes to fruition,” we will also do our best to see the project commence operation within the shortest possible time.

“The project means a lot to us in terms of employment and establishment of new settlements,” the governor added.

Ambode stressed that his administration would work effectively to bring development to the communities in the state.

Appealing to the warring communities, the governor said “There are 12 communities here; we will ensure that they are all compensated.

“But in a situation where we have one or two communities still at the negotiation stage, we will ensure that we reach necessary conclusion.

“I just want to appeal to one of the warring communities -Aivoji, that they are safe.

On the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Ambode said, “We are going to mobilise immediately to see that what has been done from Mile 2 to National Theatre (end of the Blue line of the Lagos lite rail) continue to Marina within the next 12 months.”

He added that, “We should be able to put to use whatever has been done from Mile 2 to Marina. We will protect the

interest of every community by working with them to ensure supporting them. We will be that all issues are sorted out soon.''

Lagos community laments 2-month blackout

By Peter Ojo

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ESIDENTS of Orile-Iganmu community of Lagos State have been in total blackout since June, following what an official of Eko Distribution Company described then as a slight problem to be fixed at once.

The residents, who had endured two weeks without electric power, besieged the company’s office at Jimoh Odutola Street last month, where the official assured them of power restoration.

However, weeks after, streets in the area, including Jubrila, Disu Esan, Lasisi, Osho, Nurudeen, Ashiata, Adeyemi, Abu, Arikewuyo, Kekere Ekun, Alhaja Hasana, Osho, Adeyemi, Ago Egba, among others, are still without electricity.

Lamenting the economic hardship the situation had thrown them into, the residents called on EDC to restore power to the area for the sake of their businesses, adding that hoodlums had also capitalised on the situation to harass and rob people in the area.

which occur in an unusual manner.

He said that consequent upon the collapse at the premises of Synagogue Church building, the state government applied that a coroner’s inquest be commenced into the cause of the tragic deaths.

The Governor said the state government “Will cause the prosecution of the contractor, Engineer Akinbela Fatiregun of Hardrock Engineering Company Limited and Structural Engineer, Oladele Ogundeji, who constructed and supervised the collapsed building respectively at the Synagogue Church of All Nations for professional negligence”.

The governor said his government will also prosecute SCOAN for neglecting to obtain building approval before commencing the building, contrary to the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010.

The governor therefore appealed to residents of the state to always allow emergency responders perform their duties of emergency as they are trained for this purpose.

“He enjoins land owners within the state who intend to embark on construction to employ the services of qualified and competent engineers who must obtain building permit before construction”, the statement said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 11

UNPAID SALARIES: Osun workers ignore labour’s resumption order

Tribunal reserves ruling on Ondo Rep's petition

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—CIVIL servants in Osun State yesterday ignored the directive of the labour leaders in the state to resume work following the truce reached with the state government over unpaid salary arrears.

Vanguard’s check in various offices and schools to monitor the compliance with the directive, showed that the gates and classrooms were under lock and key.

The NLC chairman, Comrade Jacob Adekomi and chairman Joint Negotiation Council, JNC, Comrade Bayo Adejumo,had in a statement in Osogbo on Wednesday ordered workers to resume work immediately.

Furore in Assembly over cttee on anti-Aregbesola petition

Also, controversy yesterday trailed the composition of the adhoc committee set up by state House of Assembly to investigate the petition written by a serving judge in the state, Justice Folahanmi Oloyede seeking the investigation of the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola over alleged financial recklessness since coming into office about five years ago.

The speaker of the state assembly Hon. Najeem Salami had announced the constitution of a seven-man committee consisting of members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, during a press briefing in the chamber of the house.

By Dayo Johnson

A

BRIEFING: Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam (middle) handing over Justice Oloyede's Petition to Chairman, 7-man Investigative Committee, Hon Akintunde Adegboye (left) and a member of the committee, Hone Timothy Owoeye, during a press conference to inaugurate the committee at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo, yesterday.

The committee chaired by the deputy speaker, Mr. Adegboye Akintunde (Osogbo) has Owoeye Timothy (Ilesa-East), Adebayo Ajibola (Olorunda), Ogunsola Adeleke (Aiyedire), Olalekan Rsaheed (Ifelodun), Akinola Adufe Olasunkanmi (Irewole) and Oladoyin Folorunsho (IfeSouth) as members.

The speaker disclosed that the Director on Legislative Matters and Director of Legal Services in the state will join the committee and serve at its secretariat.

He said that the committee which has two weeks to submit its report would carry out its assignments in camera.

But the composition of the committee did not go down well

with the two minority members from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as they accused the house of allegedly side lining them.

Speaking after the press conference, the minority leader representing Ife central, Mr. Makinde Oladejo expressed displeasure at the decision of the house saying “we the minority have no confidence in the committee.”

When asked why there was no member of the opposition party in the committee, the Speaker said the committee should comprise of experienced hands and not new members in the house.

Salaam said Governor Aregbesola has forwarded his response to the petition.

N200M LOAN SCAM: Ogun teachers threaten bank

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—NO fewer than 120 teachers in Ogun State whose names were supposedlyused to fraudulently access a loan of N200 million from First Bank Plc in the state, have threatened to sue the bank for maligning their names and reputation.

The chairman of the state chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Dare Ilekoya, stated this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the matter.

He said all the affected teachers who were taken to Lagos for interrogation by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were innocent.

The 120 teachers who were mainly from public secondary schools in the Abeokuta South Local Government area of the state were accused of obtaining N200 million loan in 2011 and were

interrogated two weeks ago.

The affected teachers who were asked to report at the EFCC Lagos office were divided into six batches of 20 and they had been quizzed by the operatives of the commission.

While giving the report of what transpired, Ilekoya said all the teachers were cleared by the EFCC, saying none of them took any loan from the bank, from the investigation conducted.

Ilekoya, who said the NUT would be waiting for the outcome of EFCC’s investigation into the fraud, advised that the anti-graft agency should beam its searchlight on the bank in order to fish out the perpetrators and their accomplices.

While he described the affected teachers as ‘heroes of the struggle,’ the NUT boss warned that the issue must not be swept under the carpet, describing the

fraud as a national disgrace.

He said, “This is a national disgrace, an assault on our collective psyche which must not be swept under the carpet. All the culprits and actors found culpable in this shameful act of fraud must be brought to book at all costs.”

He said “After the report was made available to the house, the superior argument of the 26 members that make up the house will prevail and people may be surprised as to the decision of the house.”

He assured that Governor Aregbesola and the petitioner would be summoned to the house to make their cases orally before a final decision is reached.

PDP rejects composition

Meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the composition of the committee to investigate the petition by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, against Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The party, in a statement by Prince Diran Odeyemi, the PDP director of media and strategy, said the “lawmakers were not clever enough by deliberately leaving members of the opposition in the house out of the committee”.

The PDP alleged that the lawmakers were acting the script prepared by Governor Aregbesola and are now at the second stage of their plans.

Oyo govt denies down-sizing workforce

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BADAN—AGAINST reports that the Oyo State government is planning to retrench workers in its civil service owing to its planned reduction of ministries from 23 to 13, the state government has said the on-going verification exercise among civil and public servants in the state was for the restructuring of public service and not for retrenchment as being speculated.

The state’s Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, stated this while addressing newsmen at his Secretariat Office, Agodi, Ibadan.

Eniade said following the decision of the state government

to reduce the state ministries from 23 to 13, there is the need for restructuring of staff.

He said the exercise would give the government opportunity to re-align and re-engage the entire work force and determine the strength and weakness of each ministry, department and agency The verification form has eleven columns with spaces for names, date of birth, qualification, expected date of retirement, salary grade level and other relevant information about each employee.

KURE—THE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, Ondo State yesterday reserved ruling on an application for the recounting of used and unused ballot paper during the election into Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency.

Chairman of the three member tribunal Justice Obojor Ogar, said the panel would rule on the application for recounting by the petitioner on July 29 this year to know may be there would be a recounting or not.

The All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in the election, Mr Oluwole Akinmoyero had filed a petition to challenge the election of a member of the House of Representatives, Prince Mike omogbehin of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on the ground that there were electoral irregularities during March 28 poll in the constituency.

Fagbemi for burial

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HE burial of Chief Joseph Ojo Fagbemi, the Baba Isale of St John Catholic Church,Ilupeju, Ekiti holds tomorrow at the church.

A wake-keep service will take place at his residence at 1, Aita Street, Ilupeju Ekiti at 5pm today.

Late Fagbemi was a retired accountant with defunct National Electric Power Authority.

He is survived by several children and grand children among whom is Mrs Olabisi, Ayopo, a manager with Ibadan Electric Distribution Company.

.Late Chief Fagbemi

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

OSHIOMHOLE TO OKONJO-IWEALA:

Blackmail

won't help you B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has told former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala that resorting to blackmail will not help her case, insisting that the former minister must explain what happened to the $2.1billion Excess Crude Account, ECA, funds.

In a statement, yesterday in Benin, by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs to the governor, said “It is instructive at this point in time to state categorically without equivocation that there is nothing “personal” between OkonjoIweala and Oshiomhole in terms of the request by the Edo governor that Okonjo-Iweala should come clean on the issue of revenue that accrued to the Excess Crude Account.

“As much as her spokesman tries to dramatize his response in defense of his boss, he has shown a manifest uninformed disposition to issues of simple economics of naira and kobo. Here is a former minister who has changed her position four times in the last 40 days, each position exposing her dubiety of facts and inherent contradictions in the concocted tales she has been weaving on one simple issue: what happened to the $2.1b ECA funds?

“The simple questions which the governor asked were: how come those accruals into the Excess Crude Account got depleted without the knowledge of the National Economic Council? How come monies that were supposed to accrue into the said account cannot be found in it going by the balance sheet provided by the former minister?

“How come the minister

unilaterally dipped her hand into the Excess Crude Account to spend money in defiance of the constitution and the laws of the land? How come that the minister finds it convenient to publish allocations to States and Local Governments, but refused to publish accruals into the same account for us to know the status of the account at any point in time; how much was left from where she was distributing from?

“What the governor stated was that; it was interesting to note that by December 2012, the ECA had a balance of over $10billion.

This had been depleted to $2.07billion by May 2015, according to the former Finance Minister. Between January 2013 and May 2015, not more than $4billion was shared among the three tiers of government.

Indeed, the last time any money was shared from the ECA was in May 2013."

AGM: From left, Mr. Chris Ekpekurede, Mr. G.Omatseye, and Mr. Foluso Fasoto, National President, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN, at the Annual General Meeting of the APBN in Effurun, Delta State.

GOV POLL: Dickson woos Bayelsa voters

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has described the forthcoming governorship election in the state as a veritable opportunity for Bayelsans to once again demonstrate their love and trust for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Addressing political appointees numbering over 400 at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, Dickson said that Bayelsa remains a stronghold of the PDP, despite the activities of mischiefmakers, who were bent on using propaganda to deceive the unsuspecting public.

Describing the PDP family in the state as strong and united, he noted that all well meaning Bayelsans believe in the ideals and programmes of the PDP as the only national party that had given the Ijaw people a sense of belonging by providing a platform for Dr Goodluck Jonathan to emerge as an elected president of the country.

He expressed optimism that Bayelsans as true Ijaw people, would come out in their numbers to express gratitude to the PDP by casting their votes for the party and maintain the pride and dignity of their ethnic nation, rather than support sectional and

selfish political parties.

According to him, PDP has what it takes to win the forthcoming poll, arguing that the overwhelming victory of the party in the March 28 and April

11, 2015 state and National Assembly elections speaks volume of the support the party enjoys in the state.

He said that with the announcement of December 5,

2015 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as date of the state governorship election, the PDP would soon kick off a formidable campaign in all part of the state.

Key into gas sector, Osinbajo urges Nigerian youths

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—VICE President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has urged Nigerians to key into the gas sector so as to boost their revenue base and enhance the economy of the nation.

Speaking during the

unveiling/ launching of a book Energy Security in Nigeria’s Gas Sector, authored Elo Adhekpukoli in Asaba, Delta State, Osibanjor said that the availability of energy and power was very crucial to the growth of the nation’s economy.

The Vice President, who was

represented by Chief Patrick Ide, commended the author for his initiative, commitment and urged Nigerian youths to engage themselves in meaningful ventures so as to better their lives.

He said that violence and criminality was counterproductive to the growth and development of the country.

Ijaw youths back Dickson's second term bid

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AGOS—THE leadership of Ijaw Youth Club, IYC, Lagos, has set up three standing committees to ensure the victory of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayalsa State, during the forth coming Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries in the state.

A statement by National Secretary of IYC, George

Deinkoru, said that the committees include Media and Publicity, Contact and Mobilization and Women.

He added that setting up the committees had become imperative since Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has released the time table for the election. “Members of the various committees have been

mandated to ensure that they do a very good work to ensure the victory of Dickson. Over 1000 youths would be deployed to all local government areas in a programme tagged Operation Creek Storm to begin grassroots and door to door campaigns to all Bayelsans to ensure that Dickson gets the PDP ticket for December 5, 2015.”

NIS counsels stakeholders on new law

B

By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—EDO State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, has said that the new immigration law provides a stronger legal framework for the control and regulation of the employment of expatriate in the country.

Edo State Comptroller of NIS, Mr Olusegun Alana, made the disclosure, yesterday in Benin, at an interactive session with stakeholders in the state to enlighten them on the provisions of the new Immigration Law of 2015.

Assistant Controller General of Immigration Zone G, Mr. Emmanuel Gbuuga, who also spoke on the occasion, said: “We maintan best practices to facilitate the growth of the economy and ensure that there are no hitches in our operations.

“The NIS cannot be left behind, so the need for a structure that will help us adapt best global practices.

Now we have a new law but it is not yet launched."

Women group worries over spate of child defilement

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY— WORRIED by the growing incidents of girlchild defilement in Edo State and lack of behavioural attitude among girls, the Association Against Women Export, AAWE, yesterday, tasked secondary school principals and teachers on the need to concentrate on the teaching of morals and character formation for the girl child.

President and Founder of AAWE, Rosaline Okosun, when the group had its 6th annual Character Counts Awards where over 60 female students from secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state were rewarded for their distinct characters, said that the students were selected by their principals and teachers based on their distinct behaviours besides their academic performance.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—13

Tension, as HOSTCOM leaders fight at Delta Assembly DESOPADEC BILL:

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—TENSION, yesterday, enveloped the Delta State House of Assembly complex as various interest groups and stakeholders from oil bearing communities and ethnic nationalities in the state mobilized to the House for the public hearing on the proposed State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC amendment bill, following a free for all.

The various interest groups that were armed with documents to back the memorandum earlier submitted to the Chief Denis Omovie led seven-member Adhoc Committee on the DESOPADEC amendment bill, presented divergent views mostly characterized by ethnic sentiments.

The massive mobilization of the various interest groups, compelled the Ad-hoc committee to call for re-enforcement of mobile policemen to forestall possible breakdown of law and order as there was earlier free for all between the two factions of the state Host Communities of Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM at the Assembly complex.

The free for all lasted about 20 minutes and caused apprehension in the complex, as some persons were wounded including one of the factional leaders, Mr Benjamin Eweta, who had his cloth torn while participants and staff of the state legislature ran for safety.

The other factional leader, Dr Peter Egedegbe, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the fight, described Eweta and his faction

as illegal as their mission was to disrupt the position of host communities in the proposed amendment bill. Eweta on his part said he was the authentic chairman of HOSTCOM in the state and accused Egedegbe of causing disunity in the body.

Chairman of the Ad-hoc

Committee, Chief Omovie who took time to explain the essence of the public hearing, commended the enthusiasm shown by stakeholders and assured that the Assembly will not undermine the views and contribution of Deltans on the proposed amendment bill.

Emphasizing that the major aim of the amendment was geared towards making DESOPADEC more responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of stakeholders, Omovie said that the memorandum presented underscores the need for the old DESOPADEC bill to be touched.

FORUM: From left, Tammie Kingmate, Manager, Gas, Notore Chemical Industries Plc, James Odiase, Senior Manager, Commercial Gas, Seven Energy, Ndidi Ejekam, Senior Account Lead, Seven Energy, Steve Tierney, MD, Accugas, and Bode Agagu, Head, Project Delivery, Notore Chemical Industries, during the Accugas SME forum in Port Harcourt.

Save us from erosion menace, Gov Emmanuel begs FG

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, has appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state in tackling the menace of gully erosion, saying that the

situation has seriously affected some state and federal roads, cutting off some parts of South South and South East regions.

He also said that commercial activities in the area had been brought to a standstill and solicited the assistance of President Muhammadu Buhari through some special commitment.

Udom who was at the Presidential Villa, yesterday, spoke with State House Correspondents after his meeting with President Buhari.

He said: “I came to see the President and to tell the President how we are doing and what could be done as governors in our own states and also to discuss with the

President about the nation. Let me start with the bad news first.

We have problem of gully erosion.

"If you watch the news in recent time, you will see a lot of interventions and the devastating menace on some federal assets and federal roads which the state government has actually tried to intervene."

B

ENIN—SUSPENDED chairman of Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Mohammed Alasa has been indicted by a panel of inquiry set-up by the state government to investigate his involvement in the alleged protest against late chairman of the council, Mr. Kadiri Hassan.

It will be recalled that late Hassan was on his hospital bed when some youths led a violence protest to the council secretariat C M Y K

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT—: Two persons were killed and houses reportedly set ablaze, yesterday, during a clash between Wakama community in Ogubolo Local Government Area and Kporghor community in Tai Local Government Area both in Rivers State.

Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace KokoIringe, confirmed the killing, saying Police had moved into the areas to restore peace and order.

Condemning the incident, Movement For the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, alleged that Kporghor and Gio villages were attacked by youths from a neighbouring community, yesterday.

Media aide to President of MOSOP, Mr Barierie Kpalep called on security operatives to step in to protect the people of Wakama community.

According to MOSOP, "this incident is not the first time the community would be attacked," adding that MOSOP had made several calls on the Police and other security agencies to step into the situation to save lives.

Dickson orders payment of LG workers salaries

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—BAYELSA State Government is to commence the payment of salaries of workers in the Local Government Service, starting with the June, 2015 salaries.

Panel indicts Edo LG boss

By Gabriel Enogholase

2 killed, houses razed in Rivers communal clash

demanding his removal over alleged ill-health.

Hassan died few hours later after the protest and his deputy; Mohammend Alasa was later fingered as the brain behind the protest and was suspended moments after he was sworn-in as substantive chairman.

Chairman of the panel, Nosa Osifo, who spoke while presenting report of the panel to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, said findings showed that Alasa sponsored the protest against late Kadiri.

Accordingly, Governor Seriake Dickson has directed relevant officials of the state government to work with the Chairmen of local governments by way of rendering the needed assistance to facilitate the prompt payment of salaries of the workers in the third tier of government in the state.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said though the payment of salaries at that level of local government was purely the responsibility of the councils, the state government had decided to intervene to ameliorate the plight of the council workers,addingthat,stepswerealready being taken to ensure the payment of the outstanding arrears of the salaries, within the shortest possible time.

The statement enjoined all council staff to exercise restraint, as every necessary step would be taken to ensure that all arrears of their salaries were paid.

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

10 questions Nigerians want Obama to answer as Buhari visits Continued from Page 1 President Buhari would also be seeking America’s support for his administration’s war against corruption as well as fresh measures to boost trade relations between the two countries.

Beyond photo-ops, Nigerians expect that this trip should be one that delivers enduring results.

These are 10 of the questions Nigerians are asking – and which Nigerian and American officials must not gloss over as they interact during this visit for America to show that Nigeria – Africa’s largest democracy and the world’s sixth largest democracy - is worth more than a dime in its books.

•Why, indeed, did President Barrack Obama simply not include a visit to Nigeria in his trip to Africa rather than inviting President Buhari to America?

•Former President Goodluck Jonathan had in 2010 also visited the United States of America on the invitation of President Barrack Obama. But, nothing much changed thereafter in the two nations’ relationship. Is this history repeating itself?

•Will President Barack Obama use this trip to state clearly what his Administration’s policy priorities for Nigeria are?

•Obama has consistently shown that America’s is determined to “degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group ISIL (by) harnessing all elements of American power, across our government — military, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, development and perhaps most importantly, the power of our values” but it would seem that the United States and its allies have made only vows but no action in the fight against Boko Haram. Will Obama use this visit to roll out not only a comprehensive strategy but also an action plan to end the rising insurgency in Nigeria’s north east?

•Recently President Obama said America with “take direct action against terrorists (and) con-

tinue to also partner with nations from Afghanistan to Nigeria to build up their security forces.

We’re going to work day and night with allies and partners to disrupt terrorist networks and thwart attacks, and to smother nascent ISIL cells that may be trying to develop in other parts of the world.” Will he use the opportunity of this visit by to outline a Timeline. Action should speak more than words.

•The United States reportedly refused – and even blocked other nations which were willing to sell military equipment to Nigeria. What will change, now that a new administration headed by a man with impeccable anti-corruption records and who has demonstrated uncommon resolve to end insurgency in Nigeria, is in charge?

•Secretary of State John Kerry had also “pledged support for the continuing efforts by African nations to find the (Chibok) girls.”

America has undoubtedly reneged on its pledge to offer all possible military assistance to bring the girls back? What will change now?

•On 6 April 2010, America and Nigeria signed the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission “to strengthen and deepen the partnership” between the two countries. Specifically, the Commission was aimed, among others to ensure “broader collaboration on security and counter-terrorism”, closer working relationship on energy reform and investment and stronger focus on food security and agricultural development. Will this visit be an opportunity to revive this Commission as it seems it is in limbo?

•How can President Obama make his Power Africa initiative more result-orientated in Nigeria?

•How is America going to help Nigeria fight corruption particularly where it concerns American companies which have colluded with Nigerians to launder money?

Ortom appoints 13 special advisers

G

OVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday announced the names of 13 special advisers as approved by the House of Assembly. He had earlier sworn in two special advisers at separate ceremonies bringing the number of his advisers to 15 The governor, who made the announcement at a meeting with his strategy committee at the new Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House also fixed Tuesday, 21st July, 2015 for the swearing in ceremony of the advisers and 13 commissioner nominees cleared by the assembly by 11am at the IBB Square Makurdi.

He said to save costs he had reduced ministries from 17 to 13 C M Y K

and advisers from 28 to 15.

The names of the ministries and nomenclatures of the advisers were also unveiled at the meeting.

They include: Rev. Joe Ogezi (Ado); Alhaji Isah Usman ( Agatu); Hon. Dr. Adzer Abya (Buruku); Hon. Dr. Bem Melladu (Gboko); Dr. (Mrs) Magdalene Dura (Guma); Hon. Titus Zam (Gwer West); Tsenongo Abancha (Katsina-Ala); Sarwuan Tarnongo (Konshisha); Moses Odu (Ogbadibo); Barr. Patricia Kupchi (Oju); Godwin Idoko (Okpokwu); Dr. Augustine Idoga (Otukpo); Arc, Joe Ikyaagba (Vandeikya.)

Advisers earlier sworn in were; Edwin Jando (Ukum); Tahav Agerzua (Ushongo)

TONY ELUMELU ENTERPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME: From left; CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Pariminder Vir; Chairman/CEO Ebonylife T.V, Mrs Mosunmola Abudu; Chief Executive Officer Bestman Games Ltd, Mrs Mimi Akinkugbe; Chairman, Heirs Holdings Mr Tony Elumelu; Former Director-Genreal ,Security and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh; Actress/Enterpreneur, Mrs Omotola Jolade Ekehinde and MD/CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, during the Tony Elumelu Enterpreneurship Programme Booth Camp at Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State.

RAMADAN: Ambode, Mimiko, Ahmed, Lalong, others urge peace, love among Nigerians

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Dayo Johnson, Demola Akinyemi and MarieTherese Nanlong

G

OVERNORS Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos state and his counterparts in Ogun, Kwara, Ondo, and Plateau have congratulated Muslims across the country on the successful completion of Ramadan Fasting and urged the citizens to continue to embrace peace, love and be tolerant of one another In their separate sallah messages, the governors urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan, especially the values of good neghbourliness, patriotism and respect for the sanctity of human life.

Governor Ambode, in his message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, said “We are all members of one nation and in spite of our diversity; we are bound by a common humanity.”

Ambode advised Muslims, especially, to see the Eid-el-fitri not as a period for mere festivity but as one of deep spiritual devotion and rededication to the values of humility and respect for the dignity of human life.

According to him, “The month of Ramadan is intended to teach us how to live good and compassionate lives. It is a month of sacrifice, abstinence and above all, love. In that respect, I encourage us to be our neighbour ’s keeper.

Look out for your neighbour in the firm belief that he too will look out for you”.

Ambode wished the entire citizens a safe and splendid celebration.

In his own message signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa , Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said

Nigeria will overcome its current challenges and emerge a strong, united and prosperous nation.

He said “The attributes of self-discipline, compassion, brotherliness and patriotism exhibited during the holy month of Ramadan, if sustained, will bring within our reach and attainment the dreams of our founding fathers for a united and prosperous nation.”

He called on Muslim faithful to be in the vanguard of the campaign for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians and respect for the sanctity of life, noting that “Islam is a religion of peace.”

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has also urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan. Governor Ahmed in his Eid-el-fitri message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba yesterday identified greed and selfishness as causes of Nigeria’s socio-political, economic and security problems. He emphasised that if Nigerians demonstrate the kind of compassion and love for one another as displayed during the holy month of Ramadan, Nigeria will surmount its numerous challenges and become a role model to other nations.

He advised Muslims, especially, to see the eid-el-fitri not just as a period for mere festivity but as one of deep spiritual devotion and rededication to the values of humility and respect for the dignity of human life.

Governor, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state in his message admonished Muslims in the country not to return to habits they dropped before the Rammadan. In his Eid-el-Fitr message issued by the State’s Commissioner for Information,

Kayode Akinmade in Akure yesterday Governor Mimiko called on Muslims in the nation to sustain the lessons of Rammadan by allowing the God-like characters they lived all through the period of the Ramamdan to become a way of life for them.

Dr Mimiko said love, tolerance and peace are Islamic virtues that true muslims should not compromise, positing that making these permanent habits will go a long way in making the country a better one for all to cohabit. He wished muslims all over a hitch free celebration as they mark the end of the Ramaddan fast.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has called on the Muslim community in the state to use the spiritual lessons learnt during the month of Ramadan for the betterment of humanity as enjoined by Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

The Governor in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle noted that “Islam preaches peace and peaceful coexistence, hence it’s mandatory on all her adherents to work for peace and commit themselves to community vigilance that would aid security operatives’ fish-out all agents of boko haram and terrorists from the country.

“Peace and good neighbourliness is a commandment of the Holy Book, the virtues of which must have been restated in the lessons of the Ramadan for the good of society.”

The governor called for special prayers for the nation’s leadership and all people in authority for the nation to witness the rapid transformation, they entire citizenry are looking forward to with the APC government and restated the determination of his administration to pursue the peace and security of all the inhabitants of the state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —15

C M Y K

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

DEFENCE FUNDS:

Security agents invade ex-NSA, Dasuki’s homes

By Soni Daniel, Regional a Editor, North

B

ARELY five days after being removed from office, the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) is being trailed by security agents.

A source privy to the matter told Vanguard that many armed operatives of the Department of State Security Service, DSS, in four unmarked trucks, swooped on the home of the retired military officer frisking everyone around his Asokoro residence.

A close source hinted that the operatives who appeared to be acting on higher instructions were after Dasuki in connection with the amount of money said to have been spent under his watch as NSA since his appointment by exPresident Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

The DSS team led by one Mohammed reportedly stormed Dasuki’s home in four Hilux vans around 6:40pm on Thursday and were still in the compound as at 9pm, claiming that there were in his house for “official reasons” but did not give details and who sent them. As they took positions around the compound, the operatives neither allowed movement into or outside the building but there was no sign that Dasuki would allow them in.

One source close to the large compound said: “The ex-NSA has not allowed them entry into his home and has not come out to meet them but they are threatening to force their way into the house.”

A source familiar with the matter told our correspondent the invasion of the residence of the former NSA might be part of the effort of the Buhari administration to get vital father vital evidence relating to the way he managed defence budget in tackling the raging insurgency in the Northeast. It was learnt that the new administration’s resolve to uncover what was spent by the sacked service chiefs in the last four years was responsible for the invasion of Dasuki’s home.

Although Vanguard could not reach Dasuki for his reaction, a source close to him said that the former NSA was alarmed that his home could be invaded by security agents without the courtesy of inviting him to their office if they had any issue regarding his activity while in office.

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Buhari out to woo South-East •To rebuild Zik’s mausoleum •Full involvement in burial of Zik’s son •2nd Niger Bridge in focus

By Clifford Ndujihe

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ONTRARY TO fears being expressed in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari will overlook the SouthEast in appointments and execution of capital projects because the zone did not give him maximum support in the last election, he is out to woo the zone, a source has said.

According to the source, the President wants to carry all parts of the country along in his administration and would execute projects in the South-East that will surprise his ardent critics.

So far, the President appears not to have factored the South-East in his initial appointments of media aides and service chiefs.

Indeed, a private radio, on Wednesday, accused him of expressing anti-Igbo sentiments in a recent BBC Hausa Service.

The Presidency had dismissed the private radio’s claim as unfounded. A statement issued

by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the claim was “completely false, malicious and slanderous.”

The voice being ascribed to President Buhari in the recording repeatedly played back by the station was definitely not the President’s voice and the last interview the President had with the BBC Hausa Service, lasting not more than five minutes, was on the day he was declared winner and given his certificate of return as President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “President Buhari is the President of all Nigerians and will continue to treat all citizens on the basis of fairness, equality and equity,” he said and enjoined Nigerians to ignore all propaganda designed to sow seeds of discord among them and promote a separatist agenda against national unity, solidarity and progress.

Speaking on the issue, the source, which was part of the efforts to actualise Buhari’s change agenda, said: ‘’The president does not hate Ndigbo.

Remember, he ran with late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke for the presidency in 2003 and 2007.

Now, he has agreed to be part of the burial of Owelle Chukwuma Azikiwe, the first son of Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. ‘’Besides, he has directed a committee, which has former Senator Chris Ngige and some Igbo leaders as members to assess the Zik’s mausoleum and speed up the reconstruction of the historic site.’’

Indeed, a delegation from the Azikiwe family met the president recently to brief him on their

preparedness for the Chukwuma Azikiwe’s burial.

Those at the meeting included Nwamulunamma Onuora Azikiwe (spiritual head of the family), Akunne Arah Azikiwe (youngest brother of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), Engr.

Chukwuma Njaka (PA to late Ow- elle Chukwuma Azikiwe) and Senator Chris Ngige (exgovernor of Anambra State) According to the source, the plan was to rehabilitate Zik’s mausoleum before the burial of Chukwuma Azikiwe.

Vanguard gathered that Senator Chris Ngige and other members of the team had visited

INAUGURATION: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State with the 24 newly sworn-in Commissioners and 11 Special Advisers, shortly after their inauguration at the Government House, Enugu…yesterday. On his left are: Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Chief of Staff, Sir Victor Atounwu, Head of Service, Mr. Chidi Ezema, newly inaugurated Commissioners, Ms. Rita Mba, Princess Peace Nnaji, and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi (right)

SALLAH: Police beef up security at praying grounds, flash-points —PPRO

By Austin Ogwuda ENUGU—ENUGU State police command said it has beefed up security in all the Muslim praying grounds, churches and other recreational centers to forestall any ugly incident during the Sallah celebration.

Spokesman of the State police command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement yesterday that “the command has fine tuned its security architecture as contained in its operation for a hitch free sallah celebration in the state.

“This is sequel to Inspector General of Police directives to

Confusion as govt agents destroy illegal structures in Owerri

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—PALPABLE confusion gripped Douglas Road, the commercial nerve centre of Owerri yesterday, as government pay-loaders went rumbling and destroying perceived shanties and illegal structures along the road.

The state government had last Monday, destroyed scores of shops, shanties, kiosks and other illegal structures located close to the Maria Assumpta Catholic Cathedral end of the ever busy Owerri-Onitsha dual carriage

Ogene Onira residence of the Late Azikiwe at the instance of The Presidency to assess the real situation of things.

The committee is expected to meet with the president when he returns from his trip to the United States.

“At the meeting, the team will tell the president their findings and discuss the president’s plan for the South-East, which include completion of the Second Niger Bridge and Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

"We have told the president that the South-East will be highly indebted to him if he does these things,’’ the source added.

way.

Traffic was held up along the road for hours, while economic activities were brought to an abrupt end, as the government agents ignored the wailing and curses heaped on them by the affected citizens. ome of the traders who spoke to Vanguard claimed that most of them lost their wares to the equally rampaging hoodlums that took advantage of the raging confusion.

“Most of us have lost a lot of our wares to rogues that took advantage of the raging

confusion to help themselves with our goods. This is a bad day for us”, a telephone handset seller lamented.

Another lady, Ngozichukwu who spoke also on the development, accused Governor Rochas Okorocha of “insincerity in tackling the affairs of Imo people.”

While recalling that the Ikedi Ohakim administration started the demolition of illegal structures in Owerri, the lady opined that the Okorocha administration should not have ignored the policy.

the Command's commissioner of police to ensure adequate security with standard operation procedures before,during and after the celebration; to secure key and vulnerable points, Eid praying grounds and other places of worship including public places and recreation centres”, while assuring residents in the state of hitch free celebration.

In a related development, Amaraizu said the command has arrested a member of an armed gang that came to rob a filling station in Nsukka.

According to him, “operatives of Nsukka Division of the Nigeria police Force, Tuesday, engaged hoodlums that have come to rob a petrol station at Nsukka in the evening ."

“It was gathered that on arrival to the scene, hoodlums opened fire at the operatives and in the ensuing gun duel, one of the hoodlums became fatally injured as others escaped while a barret pistol was recovered.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —17

Be patient!

I

have received several complaints from Vanguard readers who feel that President Muhammadu Buhari is moving too slowly.

And I must admit that I too have been very concerned about the fact that he has yet to appoint ministers because I believe that he will not get the best results until he has a good team in place.

The APC’s symbol is a broom; and Mr President needs many broom-wielding hands to help him sweep away the rubbish that the Jonathan crowd left

Purchased amnesties?

R

UMOURS are rife about former President Goodluck Jonathan employees quietly buying themselves out of trouble by returning, behind closed doors, money they have stolen.

If these rumours turn out to be true, I will be very upset indeed because one of my reasons for voting for Buhari was his super-strict reputation.

I am tired of greedy, ruthless, selfish dignitaries who betray our trust, stunt our country’s development, deprive us of vital facilities like decent roads/hospitals, etc, and transform themselves into billionaires at our expense; and I certainly don’t expect Buhari to blithely let all manner of crooks off the hook, simply because they may agree – under duress - to secretly refund vast amounts of ill-gotten cash that never belonged to them in the first place!

They should be rounded up, one by one, and arrested, named, blamed, shamed and jailed…NOT provided with cushy, cynical, clandestine amnesty deals.

And before you accuse me of being partisan, let me say that I will be delighted if errant APC personnel are punished as harshly as errant PDP personnel.

C M Y K

President Buhari behind!

But it’s hard to find ideal hands that can handle tough challenges competently and honestly, so let’s be patient and give him time in which to choose well.

Another complaint I keep hearing from Vanguard readers revolves around the fact that most of Buhari’s appointees so far have been his fellow Northerners.

Again, I urge patience. I am sure that he will eventually balance the books and dish out lots of senior jobs to people

from all four corners of Nigeria.

As for the widespread dissatisfaction about the fact that nothing is being done to key individuals from the previous administration who are strongly suspected of having committed major economic and other crimes: Let us please remember that this is not a military regime and that it is necessary to acquire concrete evidence before any fingers can be officially pointed at alleged miscreants.

I

’M in London at the moment and my UK doctor has advised me to eat less and start exercising regularly because I’ve put on a lot of weight in recent months.

An English girlfriend who lives near me has just received the same lecture from her doc. So we decided to exercise together, to give each other moral support.

“Let’s swim for at least 30 minutes every other day,” she suggested.

“Great idea,” I agreed. And then I wryly smiled to myself.

I’m 55 and she is 57. And neither of us owns a private pool, so we’ll go to one of the public pools in our neighbourhood. And the thing that made me smile wryly was the thought of the

Stress-free swimming disapproving reactions that women of our age would inspire if we were seen in swimsuits – half-naked! - in a public pool in Nigeria.

One of the things I love about Europe is the freedom I enjoy out here.

Nobody will bat an eyelid when we show up. Nobody will say that we are embarrassing ourselves or our families. We will just blend in, quietly and anonymously, with the many other unyouthful swimmers we will meet there.

*Swimmers frolicking in a pool

Eliminating wanton extravagance

T

HERE is a British saying that if you take care of the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves; and there are SO MANY ways in which Buhari can claw back the zillions of pennies that the Federal Government has been wasting every day for decades, thereby releasing plenty of pounds for worthy projects.

Drastically reducing the travel costs associated with privileged public servants is one of the many ways in which Mr President can save significant sums.

As things stand, senior government officials and their top aides are entitled to First and Business Class tickets when they travel within Nigeria or go abroad.

Having personally benefited from this largesse myself on numerous occasions – when I was Special Assistant to a Minister, when I was a member of a presidential committee and when I was a non-executive Director of a Rivers State Board - I am not in a position to be sanctimonious about this issue.

However, our economy is ailing; and we’re still a

developing, essentially poor country that has serious infrastructural problems and not enough indigenous industries…and suffers from power outages, etc; and it’s time for Nigeria to quit being delusional about its finances and Get Real and live within its means and spend less on the pampered individuals who

I have long felt that Nigerian VIPs have an inflated sense of their importance and are way too obsessed with luxuries and need to come back down to earth

inhabit the corridors of power.

UK Ambassadors – such as Sir Andrew Pocock, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria - humbly and uncomplainingly travel in Economy Class cabins unless there are special circumstances, such as the flight being over 10 hours long.

If distinguished foreign diplomats - who represent Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and do valuable work for a highly developed nation that once controlled (via its extensive Empire) a quarter of the earth’s surface, now heads the Commonwealth and is much richer than Nigeria – can cheerfully tolerate cutprice travel options, why can’t our dignitaries make similar sacrifices?

I have long felt that Nigerian VIPs have an inflated sense of their importance and are way too obsessed with luxuries and need to come back down to earth.

There are good people in the PDP and the APC and bad people in both parties; and I have long felt that the only real difference between the APC and the PDP is the fact that the APC is headed by Buhari

– a famously unmaterialistic gentleman who abhors theft, doesn’t own much, has exceedingly modest tastes and isn’t interested in crude wealth acquisition or conspicuous consumption.

Quality leadership can work wonders; and I am praying that Buhari’s mindset and behaviour patterns will have a miraculous impact on his foot soldiers and Nigeria…which will continue to flounder depressingly until it is forced onto the right path by a true patriot who has the integrity and guts to say “enough is enough” and refuse to be sidetracked by those who do not share his Vision Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 FOR years, it was more of a rumour. But now, it is no longer a secret. No one can keep that kind of secret for long in these days of highly inquisitive and vibrant social media. It is official: iconic reggae star, Majekodunmi Fasheke, better known as “Majek Fashek the Rainmaker”, is a drug wreck.

If you compare his situation now with his photographs of 1988, the year he released his epochal Send Down The Rain, you are bound to be struck by deep sadness at the self-wastage of an artiste who was once rated as the much-sought “replacement” of reggae legend, Bob Marley.

After storming the dance scene with his hugely successful first album, Majek Fashek who toed the lifestyle of Jamaican Rastafarian spiritualists, sojourned to New York City in 1991, where he released So Long, an album in which he asserted his personal signature to escape the tag of being what his critics called a Bob Marley “copycat”.

Helping Majek FFashek ashek Before long, the pressures hit, and Fashek, who had balanced on the fringes of marijuana abuse while in Nigeria, became a hard drug addict. It not only destroyed his career, it also emasculated his person. Today, reports say he is homeless and destitute..

However, help appears on the way for Majek Fashek. Some notable Nigerians, have thrown their weight in the ring in an effort to raise funds to help bring back Majek Fashek from the brinks.

We commend this initiative and throw our moral weight behind it. Though his problem is self-inflicted, we should rush to

his help. Let us remember those who, in their youth, made us happy and relieved our stress with their God-given talent, especially when they are on the verge of death. It is still a big dent on our collective consciences that when the late Sonny Okosuns was suffering from a terminal disease, most of us looked the other way, and an artiste who bristled with patriotism with his work and distinguished himself as a general in the anti-Apartheid war, was abandoned in his time of need.

Let the life of Majek Fashek be a lesson to all, especially the youth. It is yet another proof that drug indulgence and addiction, membership of cult groups and fraternities eventually bring one to a sticky end.

With appropriate lessons learned, let us be generous and come to the aid of Majek Fashek. He can no longer help himself right now even if he tries. The burden is now a collective one for all of us, even those who did not share the passion for his music and his message.

OPINION The economy: What Nigeria needs

By Obinna Nwachukwu

I

N the quest to improve the material wellbeing and welfare of the citizens, various governments in Nigeria have over time embarked upon numerous developmental policies, plans, programmes and projects.

Looking back, it is clear that the economy has not actually performed to its fullest potential, particularly in the face of rising population, and enormous resource endowment.

Undoubtedly, Nigeria and other African countries need investment and developmental projects from other countries.

Many African countries have low levels of development and technological advancement, while countries like China, Brazil, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, etc, though also referred to as developing countries, have higher levels of technology in railway, power, car plants, manufacturing, engineering, ICT, space technology and aviation.

Since independence, Nigeria has witnessed minimal industrialisation which does not reflect her level of resource endowments.

Many East Asian countries that were far behind Nigeria in terms of GDP per capita in the 1970s, today have transformed their economies and are not only miles ahead of Nigeria, but are also major players on the global industrialisation chart.

History has it that Malaysia at the early stage of its development procured improved oil-palm and rubber seeds from Nigeria and C M Y K

became the world’s largest palm-oil producer/exporter and a major exporter of rubber.

Indeed, Nigeria needs to embark upon some major strategic reform programmes with infrastructure and technological development top on the list of sectors that need urgent attention. But how then will Nigeria develop and why should it develop?

These are questions that need urgent answers as they point the way forward for a country with a population of over 160 million and abundant resources including oil and gas, bitumen, limestone, zinc, gold, uranium and others.

As a country, we have to decide what sort of economy we want to run: Do we want a trader’s economy or a production-based economy? My thought is that every comparatively advantaged economy like Nigeria will choose the latter. Secondly, we need to look at specific areas of comparative advantage globally and stimulate such areas effectively in order to create wealth and value for the economy. My thought is that Nigeria is well positioned to take a leading position with industrialisation and

We need to look at specific areas of comparative advantage globally and stimulate such areas effectively

Information Technology. These fields have the potential and capability to produce more than oil and gas for Nigeria if we know how to proceed.

The government of President Muhammadu Buhari should open its doors and allow countries such as the Asian Tigers and other developed economies to come in especially during this period of economic crisis, to turn around our country and industrialise the nation.

Nigeria will not be the first or last nation to do that. In fact, economic history contains stories of countries such as Japan, Germany, France that once had a closed economy but later opened their doors to foreign investors and industrialists. The US and Europe initially dominated the world but later transferred their technology to Japan, later to China. China has also transferred to less developed Asian countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam. Recently, these technologies are being transferred to African nations like Ethiopia and Kenya. This is what Nigeria must allow to happen for her to catch up with other nations.

Regrettably, Nigeria is still lagging behind in industrialisation. Except Lagos, there is no other functional Free Trade zone. The one in Calabar is moribund. Steel and Iron mining firms such as Ajaokuta, Delta Steel, Itakpe Iron Ore, Oshogb Steel rolling mill which would have galvanised our industrial base have been allowed to rot away despite various industrialisation plans from 1960 to date. In plain language, what Nigeria needs to develop is industrialisation.

A major way out of this problem is through acceleration of the economy by external

sources of money (foreign investment) and technical expertise. Foreign investment would serve as means of augmenting Nigeria’s domestic resources in order to carry out effectively, her development programmes and raise the standard of living of her people.

Take for instance, China. The country has now entered a new phase of development, with more attention being paid to the quality of economic growth, and has resolved to deal with the surplus of production capacity in its economy.

Moreover, China's aspiration in production capacity cooperation is by no means its way of transferring outdated capacity to the less developed countries, as the world's second largest economy knows that only costeffective equipment and technologies can succeed in overseas markets.

What's more, China has no intention of emulating Western colonialism as its investment in Third World countries continues to increase, because China's cooperation with those countries is based on mutual respect.

Unlike Western countries, China wants to facilitate the long-term growth of other countries instead of just snatching up local raw materials.

Nigeria still needs foreign assistance in the form of managerial, entrepreneurial and technical skills that often accompany foreign direct investments. Without foreign investments, Nigeria industrialisation remains a mirage because no nation does it alone. *Mr. Nwachukwu, a public affairs, wrote Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

The trial of Serena Williams

M

AY it please this Court.

This is the case of the State versus Serena Jemeka Williams.

She is charged with revolutionising the Tennis World not only in dominating the women championship which had been a preserve of whites, but also amassing a wealth of over $70 million and more importantly, at 33, and after over a decade of unfair dominance, refusing to give way.

Whereas the white world has been forced over years to cede the turf of some essential parts of human existence to blacks, the latter continues, with malice to contest others with us.

We had abandoned to them what was the beautiful art of boxing since 1908 when Jack Johnson won the world heavyweight title before he was joined by others like Joe Louis and that lousy fellow, Mohammed Ali. Sorry for the use of language.

We abandoned music for them, and see how greedy they are with one man, Michael Jackson, dominating the scene

since he was a mere seven old. May his soul rest in peace. See the rash of people they produced in the industry; Sidney Poitier, Sammy Davis Jr, Pam Grier, whom we suspect the accused is taking after. Spike Lee came, and see the type of movies he is producing; Malcolm X ! Admittedly, Bill Crosby has played the stereotype for long, but see his sex scandal; you just can’t trust these N….., sorry, these blacks.

See what they have done to the track race; seeking to privatise a human endeavour. Jesse Owens, Carl Louis. It was good that the ‘bullet’ Ben Johnson was disgraced. This is what should have happened to the accused, but despite our very best efforts, she is just too clever. Now they have handed the baton to their Jamaican kinsmen led by another ‘bullet’, the exhibitionist, Usain Bolt.

A turf like golf had been safe for us, until a tiger emerged from the woods. But like many of them, he has been consumed by his success. Too much money turn their heads. That sadly, has

not happened to the accused.

Mi Lord! The prosecution will lead evidence to show that the accused is the product of a fake Tennis coaching programme as her father, Richard Williams, was neither a coach nor a talent scout.

If coaching becomes an all-comers affair, what will be left of this beautiful sport? He is also a suspected racist who encouraged his children to whip white women on the Court. We shall adduce evidence to show that Mr. Williams who has made Tennis suffer indignity, fixes matches between the accused, and her sister, Venus. Your Lordship, our main witness on this, is the great Tennis legend, Mr. John McEnroe.

So if Mr. Williams has made us suffer not just the dominance of the accused, but also of her sister, then he should be charged as an accomplice; an

We submit that the possibility of defeating the accused on the Tennis Court is very slim, there is therefore the need to defeat her in the Court of Law especially when she is scandal-free

Spreading Boko Haram like a virus

By Clement Udegbe "It is easier to get yourself in to a situation, than to get out of it, because “entering a bathroom isn’t like leaving it” - Egyptian Proverb.

B

OKO HARAM seem to be gathering the confidence of a thing that has come to stay in Nigeria. They have grown from a small cell of violent persons,to a big international terror group within the last six years, and even more with their allegiance or affiliation to ISIS. They have won and lost caliphates within Nigeria, and are very committed to wasting the blood of more people in this country. Since the inauguration of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, PMB, six weeks ago, Boko Haram has created more confusion in the North East, killed over 400 persons, rendering many more families disoriented in every sense in their struggle to regain the momentum they lost during the last period of the past government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ. It may be that Boko Haram is taking advantage of the distractions necessarily associated with the relocation of our military Command Head Quarters from Abuja to Maiduguri, as directed recently

by PMB, or that their affiliation with ISIS is beginning to yield results for them, giving them more confidence and ferocity. Whatever may be the seasons for their recent strength, Nigeria as a nation must not let any type of pussyfooting allow this group to recover the momentum they lost already. We must use all tactics, including distractions, delays, weakening

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of morales, hot but undercover intelligence gathering to deal ruthlessly with this evil, especially as they have changed tactics to killing anybody irrespective of religion or tribe.

Boko Haram is the worst enemy of Nigeria, assisted so far, by sabotage, corruption and lack of vision by sections of those put in-charge of this war. That we have a retired General as a President is encouraging and comforting, but the rate of policy summersaults, the slow pace, and the body language of favoring mostly Muslims in the appointments so far, give cause for concern.

While some of us believe that PMB needs time to ride these bulls we call Federal Ministries and their Parastatals directly, in order to understand the system, before bringing in some hawks who will parade themselves as Ministers, there is absolutely a very urgent need for him to pay a different attention to Boko Haram.

It is important that he takes advantage

A government that ignores and disparages the sentiments, feelings, aspirations and yearnings of those it claims to be governing must be deep into selfdeception and delusion

accessory after the fact.

Evidence will be adduced that in fact, Serena is a man. Our main witness in this is the head of the Russian Tennis Federation, our brother, Shamil Tarpishev who in a television programme publicly pronounced that the twosome are in truth the “Williams brothers” as “it’s scary when you really look at them” Mi Lord, Mr. Tarpishev who has headed the Kremlin Cup, Russia’s only women tour event for eighteen years should know, and knows what he is talking about. Therefore, it was unfair for the Women Tennis Association (WTA) to fine him $25,000 and suspend him from tour involvement for one year.

There is the need for the Court to declare Tarpishev innocent and order his rehabilitation.

The accused has won 21 Grand Slam titles and has been for the 25th consecutive week, No 1 in world ranking. All these at 33! Doubtlessly she is on steroids and this we shall prove by calling as our main witness, the eminent American, Mr. David Frum, former Adviser to President George . W. Bush. He will convince this court beyond all reasonable doubt, that given the physical appearance of the accused, she cannot but be on drugs. This gives her an unfair advantage over white women, who like ladies should be, are not fleshy and have legs like models.

An example is the way she humiliates one of our greatest, Maria Sharapova, a beautiful blonde the accused has beaten the last seventeen times they have met. But we are not as stupid as the blacks think, so

of the momentum built up by the military during the last days of President GEJ in office.

There are many in his party APC, who are yet to realise that; they are no longer in opposition, the time for propaganda has passed, it is now time to take charge, and deliver change as promised during the campaigns. Those leaders and governors in his Party, who are more committed to political vendetta, than bringing change to the livelihood of Nigerians must be discountenanced in every effort to deal with Boko Haram. People like the governor of Edo State, who are focused more on distractions like chasing the former Finance Minister, for whatever reasons, and others who speak from both sides of their mouth on crucial issues, having jumped through parties to APC, should be handled carefully in order to contain Boko Haram.

The type of politics that played out recently and still raging at the NASS and Senate cannot be allowed to influence strategies to deal with Boko Haram, if PMB intends to prevail over the terrorists.

The recent transfer of Boko Haram detainees from the North East to Ekulobia in Anambra state is therefore an illadvised step.

Since we know that the modus operandi of the terrorists includes to seek to attack places where their members are kept in an attempt to release such members, keeping such people in the South East, that has been struggling to keep terror out of their zone, is like spreading the virus. While some have reasoned that Prisoners can be put anywhere by government, after all, we are running a Federal System, and the South East is part of it. Such reasoning should not be allowed to stand, for the myopia in that thinking. It should be dropped by government, for the simple fact that when a genuine protest of a people is ignored, it breeds a greater resistance over time.

while the accused wins the Grand Slams, her sister wins the money; in 2014 while the accused garnered $11 million in endorsements, Sharapova amassed $22 million, that is twice the endorsements of the accused.

Your Lordship, you can be sure that we are working very hard to expose the accused; she is the most tested, in and out of the Court. We even followed her to Africa and carried out a test when she was relaxing. She dares not complain about harassment or being stalked by our team of experts. What we aim at is to get her implicated in in enhancement performing drugs so she can be stripped of her titles and denied her place in the Tennis pantheon.

By chancing in on her every time and accusing her of being a man, we had hoped that she will develop psychological problems and start believing that she is actually a man, trapped in the body of a woman.

Who knows, she may even have a sex change. We want this court to ignore whatever evidence a misguided person like J.K. Rowlands may produce. Don’t forget that this is not about fiction or another Harry Porter series.

There is the need for the Court to find the accused guilty so as to save the noble sport of Tennis and stop her further amassing such stupendous wealth which can be better shared amongst other players. We submit that the possibility of defeating the accused on the Tennis Court is very slim, there is therefore the need to defeat her in the Court of Law especially when she is scandal-free. We so submit.

If for the first time in several years, the major markets in Onitsha, and Enugu were shut down in protest against the transfer of these Boko Haram detainees to a medium security facility in Ekwulobia, the next protest might take a wider dimension in nature and form, if nothing is done.

Except if this is part of a big plan calculated to distress and dislocate the economy of the South East, by engineering frequent restiveness in the region, the detainees should be removed.

Majority of South Easterners ab initio, view this administration with suspicion of disliking, and of Islamising them, and there is no better way to confirm their fears than for PMB to lend a deaf ear to their call for the Boko Haram detainees to be removed from Ekwulobia.

It is even rumoured that more terrorist detainees will be transferred to Enugu prisons very soon! If nothing is done and fast too, about Ekwolobia detainees, political jobbers may seize this moment, and PMB will have widened the political chasm between himself and the South East. I pray this does not happen.

Ignoring the voice of the South East over their security will be the first step to creating the nemesis of this administration, politics or no politics. Put another way, a government that ignores and disparages the sentiments, feelings, aspirations and yearnings of those it claims to be governing must be deep into self-deception and delusion.

PMB in his quiet time, may admit that this Nigeria as we have it today, is not the Nigeria for which many South Easterners were killed in the 1966 civil war. The main path to changing Nigeria must include a necessary change from the present attitude, to that of respect of the strong views, feelings and aspirations the South Easterners, irrespective of their political leanings. *Mr Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Fists of fury: Show of shame as govt, security officials turn Govt House to boxing arena zDSS operatives batter governor’s CPS

By Wole Mosadomi, Minna

O

RGANISERS and promoters of boxing tournaments in Nigeria should take note of this if they are looking for an appropriate venue for the next important showdown among pugilists.

The Niger State Government House may just as well serve that purpose. Reason? It is now turning to a boxing arena even without a boxing ring, no thanks to some government officials and security personnel who find it difficult reining in their anger when provoked.

Sampler: Barely three weeks into the new All Progressives Congress, APC, administration in the state, two newly appointed aides directly under the Governor( names withheld) publicly exchanged blows within the Government House. As if that show of shame was not enough, similar and more disgraceful scenarios have been unfolding in the same seat of power.

Rather too frequently, there had been exchange of angry words between top political appointees, between security agents and politicians, with press men sometimes getting involved in the ensuing fra-

cas in the course of their normal routine assignments. Also not rare are burst ups between security agents.

The latest and most embarrassing was the sad incident which happened late Tuesday evening when no fewer than five DepartmentState Services, DSS, personnel descended heavily on the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the State Governor, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba, beating him to stupor within the premises of the Government House.

The CPS was said to have gone to the office of the Deputy Governor with some visitors for an official engagement but was prevented from gaining entry into the office by some DSS officers attached to the Deputy Governor’s office.

Despite explanations by the governor ’s spokesman that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso, sent for him through the protocol officer from his office, the security officers bluntly refused him entry into the office and this led to a hot argument.

Dr. Dooba was said to have introduced himself to an DSS official by saying: “I am the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and I am here to see the Deputy Governor officially and on his invitation.”

leagues and stormed the Office of the CPS. They lied to the CPS that the Chief Security Officer, CSO, to Government House, Ibrahim Gambari, wanted to see him for settlement and he obliged.

But on their way to the CSO’s office, five of the DSS officers were said to have descended heavily on the CPS, kicking and hitting him all over; they tore his clothes which bore blood stains from the injuries they inflicted on him.

They insisted that he must be dragged to their state office to face other punishments, but other Government House staff quickly intervened to save the situation from degenerating into full blown chaos.

The situation also attracted the attention of the ADC to the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, in person of Isah Murtala Raji, who arrived the scene and prevented the irate DSS officers from taking the CPS to their office.

Similar scenario Battered...Dr Ibraheem Dooba, after he was beaten by DSS officials at Government House, Minna.

The DSS official was said to have replied thus: “Should I stand up and be dancing because you want to see the Deputy Governor?”

ROVING CAMERA

This infuriated the Chief Press Secretary and he was said to have slapped the securityman and left straight for his office without seeing the Deputy Governor.

The DSS man was said to have later mobilized his col-

Five of the DSS officials were said to have descended heavily on the CPS, kicking and hitting him all over; they tore his clothes which bore blood stains from the injuries they inflicted on him ‘Ye, mo gbe o!..’ a commercial driver screams as his bus went up in flames along the LekkiEpe Expressway. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele C M Y K

The CPS was immediately immediately taken out of the Government House for medical check-up and did not report back to office again for the day.

Vanguard Metro reliably gathered that few hours to the sad event, a similar scenario also unfolded at the main gate of the Government House where another DSS operative had slapped a female police officer on duty.

There was said to have been a hot argument between the DSS officer and the police woman, both on duty, over who between them was duly authorised to allow visitors into the Government House.

The police woman who had been on the post for years was said to have explained to the DSS man on the need to pass one of the visitors in based on the fact that he was not a visitor but a staff. This, however, did not go down well with the male security officer who felt the police woman was trespassing and trying to control him.

The issue degenerated into a hot argument between the duo. The quick intervention of other security personnel on duty saved the situation from getting out of hand.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

— 21

FCMB, Acugas, others sign N87.7bn gas infrastructure deal

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Jonah Nwokpoku

F

irst City Monument Bank, FCMB Ltd and Acugas Ltd have entered into a financing agreement that will see the bank and four others lend $445 million, (about N87.7billion) to Acugas to develop gas infrastructure in Nigeria.

Other lenders involved in the deal include FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, FBN Capital, FCMB Capital Market and Ecobank.

Speaking to journalists at the signing ceremony in Lagos on the significance of the deal to the bank, FCMB’s Executive Director, Tolu Shonibu said the deal provided the bank the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the development of the energy sector in Nigeria.

He said: “It’s not so much about the importance (of the deal) to FCMB. It is about the client, Acugas that is actively making ongoing contributions to the development of Nigerian energy space. The investment they are making in gas infrastructure is critical to the country ’s energy development. It has been said more often that one of the challenges we face is gas infrastructure and that is what Acugas is doing and for us at FCMB group, this is a very exciting opportunity for us to be able to support a company that actually focuses on Nigeria’s infrastructure

development energy.”

He added,

to

boost

“FCMB’s

Capital Market was also one of the two financial advisers who structured the entire deal.

So, from advising and helping

AWARD: From left: President, ABRO Industries Inc, USA, Mr. Peter Baranay; Chairman/ CEO, Coscharis Group of Companies, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, presenting an award to number one Customer of the company, CEO Ecobel Investment Nigeria Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwuebuka and Vice President, ABRO Industries Inc, Mr. Tim Demarais during the customer’s forum organized by auto care and consumer products division of Coscharis Group, in Lagos.

to put it together, and bringing other lenders to the table, FCMB Capital Market played a significant role.

FCMB the bank was also a lender in it. So across our organisation, we basically leveraged the entire platform to support the client.

“In addition the FCMB Capital Market was also the technical bank and in that regard we worked with the technical advisers to make sure that all the technical and operational risks were properly allocated because without these, we would not have reached bankability and financial close. So I think those key roles that across FCMB that we played signify how important we see Acugas and its parent company, Seven Energy and the role we have continued to play with the client because today is just the first step. The work is still ongoing and in our role as a technical partner, we have a significant role to play towards the project’s completion.”

Job creation: IES to empower 3m entrepreneurs

By Grace Udofia

T

he institute of Empowerment and Strategy, IES, has announced plans to empower over three million entrepreneurs with the resources to grow their businesses and positioning them to contribute meaningfully to job creation and economic development.

Speaking at its inaugural meeting in Abuja, Director General of the IES, Dr Boniface Afifia-Oru , $127.35 -0.65 said the institute is on a rescue mission to $3,366. 00 -99.00 complement the efforts of the Federal Govern$12. 22 -0.24 ment in changing the tide of impoverishment , unemployment and $57.81 0.76 other social malaise.

He stated that the 51.10 -0.31 IES, in collaboration with its parent body, CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL the Institute of EmpowDOLLAR 195.95 196.45 196.95 erment and Strategy POUNDS 305.1333 305.9119 306.6905 International, will proEURO 216.27 216.8219 217.3737 vide funding for entreFRANC 207.403 207.9496 208.4789 YEN 1.5896 1.5937 1.5977 preneurs with viable CFA 0.3109 0.3209 0.3309 projects that are capaWAUA 273.4205 274.1182 274.8159 ble of contributing posRENMINBI 31.5581 31.6391 31.7201 itively to the economic RIYAL 52.245 52.3783 52.5116 advancement of NigerSDR 273.7617 274.4603 275.1588 ia.

KRONA 28.9751 29.049 29.123 He said, lWhat the CBN Exchange Rate as at 16/ 07 /15 parent body does is to

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contribution was significant in two ways. One, as a lender, we are one of the largest lenders in the facility. But FCMB

seek for financial synergy from different works of life for projects in under developed nations like Africa. By the time they get the fund and supporters from all works of life then we the Nigerian IES present our projects that entrepreneurs have presented to us.

“We inform them that we have certain entrepreneurs with certain viable projects, explaining to them that we believe that these projects, if supported, will give advancement to the development of the country.

Wehave commenced the administrative process but people don’t know us yet, that is why we want to create awareness.

From then, we will proceed to the point of exchange which is the empowerment

“They will look at what we have accessed, and if it has met with the required standard they can liaise with our local banks.”

He said the institute was designed to cater fully for the economic needs of the African continent, with Nigeria having a guarantee status, especially as most of its projects and programmes are also in partnership with government agencies.

Strategic partnership Afifia-Oru further stated that the institute is partnering with government at all levels in developing several new estates in different parts of the country, adding that it also planned to enter into a strategic partnership with universities.

Continuing, he said, “We are not banks or financial institutions, we don’t keep money, and we work with papers. When projects are presented, it is then our duty to access the eligibility of the business, the technical know-how. When we see all these things in place we can now recommend the businesses to our parent body in the US for a loan.

“We have commenced the administrative process but people don’t know us yet, that is why

we want to create awareness.

From then, we will proceed to the point of exchange which is the empowerment. As soon as everything is put in place IES will commence empowerment fully.

“This is to say that it is in the hands of the entrepreneurs to get a viable business so they will be able to pay their workforce.”

This means if the cash flow is viable, if money is given to entrepreneurs to put in their business at the end of the day, their business would grow. This means at the end of the day the business can create jobs for us and make one a boss that is the main focus.

“However, in other for a business to qualify we would want to see their entry and exit plan, board of directors, staff strength and their general projections in carrying out their business.

Afifia-Oru also explained that the IES intends to transform joblessness to wealth creation, unequal status to strategic position, while he listed its six points objective s to include: education, economic empowerment, skills acquisition, development and intervention at community, regional and national levels, conduct research to enhance industrial technology and to sponsor seminars and issue certificates.

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Capital Bancorp foresees stock market rebound in 4th quarter zHolds investor forum July 23 Stories by Peter Egwuatu

C

APITAL Bancorp Plc has predicted that the current stock market downturn is likely to rebound by the fourth quarter of 2015, just as the company plans to host investor forum to enlighten both existing and prospective investors about investible opportunity in the Nigerian capital market.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Managing Director of Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Aigboje Higo said there are various investible opportunity in the capital market, stressing that both retail and high net worth investors can invest in the market through mutual funds and other classes of securities in various sectors.

According to him “We want more local investors to participate in the Nigerian stock market.

Foreign investors If we have 60 per cent of local investors and 40 per cent foreign investors it would be better for our market. This is one of the reasons why we want to organise this investor forum to enlighten Nigerians of the opportunities that exist in our market. The forum will hold next week after the public holiday at four points by Sheraton Lagos.”

Higo said “The objective of the forum is to encourage active participation of domestic high net worth individuals and institutional investors in the Nigerian Capital market. We want to bolster confidence of current and potential investor in the Nigerian capital market.

TRANSNATIONAL Corporation of

BRIEFING: From left, Head, Human Capital, Capital Bancorp Plc, Tosin Olojo; Head, Investment Services, Mr. Mudashiru Ademola; Managing Director, Mr. Higo Aigboje and Head, Stockbroking Operations, Opeyemi Ayoola, during a press conference in preparation for investor forum, in Lagos.

It is also good to have competition in the market. The recapitalisation exercise will not lead to oligopoly as we expect to have between 100 and 150 operators in the market that will scale through

We want to show with empirical evidence that domestic investors who have stayed in the Nigerian stock market post 2009 and invested wisely have indeed enhanced their wealth.”

The speakers expected at the forum, he said include: Mr. Osacay Onyema, Chief Executive, Nigerian Stock Exchange (Keynote Speaker ) , r. Henry Erimodafe, (Panelist) Mr. Bola Ajomale, Managing Director/ CEO, NASD Plc (Panelist), Mr. Kayode Falm, Executive Producer, Kayode Fahm Productions (Panelist) and Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Managing Director/ CEO, RTC Advisory Services Limited.

Commenting on the recaital-

isation of capital market operators, he said “ It would enhance investor value. It is also good to have competition in the market. The recapitalisation exercise will not lead to oligopoly as we expect to have between 100 and 150 operators in the market that will scale through. Competition will be fierce. Investors would look for better service and value. Nigerian investors are becoming enlightened and much wiser, so also is the market developing with the advent of technology.”

He explained that Capital Bancorp had met all the requirements for re-capitalisation and minimum operating standard.

United Capital grows gross earnings by 22%

U

NITED Capital Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading investment banking and financial services firms, has recorded earnings growth of 22 per cent for the half year ending 30th June 2015.

The company posted N 2.75 billion in the period under review from N 2.26 billion in the corresponding period of 2014 . Its Profit Before Tax grew by 20 per cent from N 1.50 billion in first half, H1 2014 to N 1.79 billion in H1 2015. Profit After Tax also improved by 13 per cent from N 1.2 billion in H1 2014 to N1.4 billion in H1 2015.

During the period under C M Y K

Transcorp Agribusiness invests in international grade extraction technology

review, United Capital Plc successfully closed key capital market transactions that boosted its Fees and Commission Income, which accounted for 30% of Gross Earnings amounting to N 817m. In addition to this, Investment Income also rose by 53 per cent to N 285million.

“Our strong start in Q1 has propelled the success of our business this year. Despite several challenges in the market, United Capital has managed to exhibit sustained growth for H1. We believe this upward growth will continue through Q3 and Q4. We look forward to continued delivery

of superior service across all of our businesses for the second half of the year,” stated Group Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatoyin Sanni.

Some of the key transactions in H1 that led to the Company ’s profitable margins include: Benue State bond: Lead Issuing House and Underwriter; Fidelity Bank bond: Issuing House and Underwriter Based on these results, it is evident that United Capital is well positioned to further enhance its performance as it transitions to Q3. The continued competitive returns

to its shareholders have consistently improved the Company ’s performance across all of its strategic business units.

United Capital Plc is a financial and investment banking services group providing bespoke valueadded services to its clients. United Capital is well positioned to play a strategic role in helping African governments; individual and corporate citizens achieve their strategic objectives through our robust suite of financial and investment banking service offerings.

Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) has announced that its agribusiness subsidiary ,Teragro Commodities Limited has acquired and installed extraction cup technology, instantly enabling the company to deliver superior quality juice concentrate that meet international quality standards.

“The extraction cup revolutionizes our production process and ensures that concentrates we produce will pass even the most stringent international standards,” Teragro CEO Dupe Olusola said.

“This investment elevates us to the top of local concentrate producers and ensures that Teragro is able to compete with any international concentrate producer from Spain, Brazil, the United States and more.”

Teragro processes orange and pineapple concentrates, mango purées and orange-peel oil for industrial markets in a 26,500mn TPA capacity plant called Teragro Benfruit Plant in Benue State.

In addition to helping Teragro products meet international quality standards through tests conducted in International labs in Brussels and France, the new technology increases the capacity of Benfruit Plant.

The CEO of Transcorp Pl, Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom stressed the importance of this investment for Teragro, saying, “We have received positive commendation from our biggest customers. The acquisition represents a clear commitment to meeting their requirements and ensuring that the country’s largest beverage manufacturers have local suppliers with the highest quality products on offer.”

The company is certified by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC) of Nigeria and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) with ISO 9001:2008 and FSSC 22000:2005.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —23

3AGT: AUC, NEPAD charged on alternative sources of funding

By Jimoh Babatunde

T

HE African Union Commission (AUC) and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) have been urged to facilitate the mobilisation of investment finances required for the operationalization of the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated African Agriculture Growth and Transformation (3AGT).

The call was made by participants at the just concluded two-day Leadership Retreat for engagement with Permanent Secretaries (PS) / Heads of Ministries of Agriculture in AU Member States held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The over 90 participants , comprising Permanent Secretaries, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Focal Persons and representatives of Regional Economic Communities (RECs) among others, said the investment finances needed should include identification of alternative sources of funding and other innovative resource mobilization strategies.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, the participants underscored the urgency of reviewing National Agricultural Investment Plans to align them and recommended the strengthening of CAADP activity coordination within countries to give greater impetus to the implementation of the Malabo Commitments.

The Retreat also called upon Member States, that have not already done so, to fast track the development ofNational Agriculture Implementation Plans(NAIPs).

The Retreat also agreed on the need to put in place coordination mechanisms in the countries, particularly to align political will and technical coordination for the implementation of the Malabo Declaration. In this regard, the Retreat noted the critical importance of building necessary human resources capacity for CAADP country teams.

While noting the renewed vision for CAADP and related commitments for results and impact, the Retreat

recommended the need for a well-articulated CAADP Communication Plan and the use of national legislation to enhance the delivery on CAADP in unlocking opportunities and resources within the national economies, “including the removal of policy and institutional constraints to achieving the CAADP targets.”

The participants reaffirmed the leadership role of Permanent Secretaries as paramount to successful implementation of activities aligned to the CAADP documents including internal mobilisation and allocation of financial resources.

The catalytic role played by

Permanent Secretaries as a main link between political and technical governance arms involved in the implementation of Malabo was also brought to the fore as the PS have capacities and expertise at different implementation levels; to ensure smooth implementation process and progress.

“As a result, Permanent Secretaries help bridge the gap between political commitment and the actual delivery of the CAADP results and impacts.”

The communique noted the need for accurate data for evidence-based decision making and reporting and called on AUC, the NPCA and the RECs to support development of the needed systemic capacities at country level, also taking note of the need for gender and youth disaggregated data collection and analysis.

RELIMINARY results from experimental plots carried out by researchers working under the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) led Cassava Weed Management Project show that by switching to improved weed management practices, Nigerian cassava farmers can double current national average yield of 12-13 tons per hectare.

The current national average yield of cassava puts the yield per stand of cassava plant at 1.2-1.3 kg.

However, recent harvest from trial plots recorded a breakthrough as a single cassava stand at Igbariam in Anambra State produced 34 kilograms roots.

“Elsewhere our preliminary results show that average national yield of 20-39 tons per hectare is achievable if farmers can simply adopt and use improved weed management practices,” said Dr Alfred

C M Y K

W

HEN it comes to premature death and disease, what we eat ranks as the single most important factor, yet many people don’t pay attention to the source of what they eat. To reverse this tradition, Evron Food Store is set to reinvent how people get ingredients for what they eat.

Evron Food has introduced an online food shopping experience for Nigerians with the launch of its online food store that guarantees deliveries of goods within three hours of order placement.

Speaking with journalists in Lekki, Lagos on the evronfoodstore, the founder, Dele Farotimi, disclosed that the online food market offers a wide variety of food products and farm crops using a highly interactive and innovative platform that allows customers to shop for almost any food item you can think of in the food store.

“A customer can simply click on the ‘Afang Soup Bundle’ and all the ingredients for Afang soup will be selected, packaged and dispatched immediately upon checkout.”

Rural farmers

From left: Founder, Evron Foods Store, Mr. Dele Farotimi; Brand Manager, Evron Foods Store, Ijeoma Olujekun and Lead Consultant, X-Ray Farms Consulting, AfricanFarmer, Mogaji at the official launch of Evron Foods Store, in Lagos.

Farmers can double cassava yield with improved weed control — Report

P

Online foodstore set to boost smallholder farming

Dixon, Project Leader for the Cassava Weed Management Project.

“The results we are seeing in the field reinforce the fact that weeds are a major factor limiting yield and eliminating them (weeds) from cassava can help African farmers benefit more from the investments in research,” he added.

Researchers estimate that in uncontrolled fields, weeds wreak havoc on cassava pulling down about 80 per cent of cassava yield. Women farmers who bear the brunt of keeping cassava farms weed free in most cases end up with backaches.

Dr. Adeyemi Olojede, who is the Coordinator from the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, described the results as “great.”

“Nothing special was done to the cassava fields. All we did was to ensure the fields were without weeds,” he said.

Though weed control is a major bottleneck to cassava production, it has never gained desired attention as compared to pest and diseases of livestock.

Prof Friday Ekeleme,

Nothing special was done to the cassava fields.

All we did was to ensure the fields were without weeds

Principal Investigator, Cassava Weed Management Project observed that weed control in cassava is a major constraint to productivity because the crop is left for a long time in the field usually 9-12 months before harvest.

Farmers therefore have no other choice than to control weeds over this long period of time to keep the farms free of weeds.

“Also the spacing of cassava usually one metre by one metre leaves enough space for weeds to grow and compete with cassava for nutrients, water and light,” he said.

The results of the harvest from the first year experiment have revved up excitement among the Project team members with strong indications that some of the technologies would be transferred to farmers next year.

He noted that to get the ingredients to customers fresh that the company has an outgrower scheme where they are working with farmers in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states, “Evron has invested in rural farmers in Sepeteri, Oke odan and other places where we have farmers collaborating with us.”

Speaking on how they get their perishable vegetable fresh, Farotimi said they have famers that harvest leafy vegetable late at night and come ready for the shelves in the morning, while some are harvested late in the evening for early shoppers.

He added that they will ensure shoppers get quality supply that they have equally entered into an arrangement with fishermen and a reputable company in Lagos for the supply of livestock products.

Farotimi noted that in seeking to ensure high quality standards for items sold at the store, Evron Food Store wishes to know and influence how the food seed are grown.

“We are passionate about great tasting food in its purest state.

That is why quality standards for food prohibit leafy vegetables grown with chemical fertilizers.

We base our decisions not just on food chemistry, but also on ideology, philosophy, proper labelling and critical evaluation of the promise we’ve made to our customers, which is freshness, always.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—25

•Nyako:Former Adamawa

governor

It was an era that saw the prosecution of some high-profile corrupt individuals, ranging from Nigeria’s former chief law enforcement officer to several bank chiefs and an impeached governor.

Despite modest achievements, the EFCC under Obasanjo, in the estimation of many, was a handy tool to deal with perceived political enemies. For that reason, some convictions recorded then were described as cheap political points.

The commission under late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua created more drama in the fight against graft with the prosecution of no fewer than 17 former governors, who were accused of embezzling state funds.

Jonathan’s toothless bull dog

•Ohakim: Former Imo governor

•Buhari: Frowns at corruption

ANTI-CORRUPTION: Real war this time or razzmatazz?

AT a time the anti-graft war appeared to have lost its momentum, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is once again taking on perceived corrupt ex-public officials with same old 'method that yielded little in the past.

By Charles Kumolu & Iheoma Nwanyanwu

N

IGERIA, a nation where official corruption thrives is at it again, dramatically chasing after those, who allegedly stole the country’s commonwealth.

The development was long C M Y K

expected since President Muhammadu Buhari, on whose desk the buck stops, boasts of the rare integrity of being regarded as incorruptible.

That is why sights and sounds of the arrest of some high profile Nigerians on corruption related allegations by the EFCC did not

come as a surprise.

However, the manner the commission is approaching the task this time is generating heat in the polity.

The high emotions over the modus operandi is borne out of the fact that anti-corruption cases in the country since 1999 had been prosecuted with high-wire drama and controversies leading to poor results.

Drama under Obasanjo, Yar’Adua Retrospectively, the administration of former

•Lamido: Former Jigawa

governor

President Olusegun Obasanjo, which heralded the fight against perceived corrupt serving and former public officials, was carried out with much energy and perhaps jaundiced rationale.

In the light of this unimpressive record, there is cautious optimism in the land over the possibility of recording convictions this time

Given the accompanying razzmatazz in those trials, many had expected several convictions.

Apart from former governors, Lucky Igbenedion and Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and Chief Olabode George, most top notch cases are still pending in the courts.

Whatever was left of the commission’s public support base vanished during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, who was accused of turning the EFCC into a toothless bulldog.

With various allegations of graft against top officials of the administration being allegedly swept under the carpet, it was easy to conclude that the administration lacked the requisite political muscle and will to fight corruption.

For that reason, the EFCC was unable to optimally discharge its statutory functions.

While the commission had blamed Nigeria’s slow criminal justice system for being responsible for shoddy prosecution of graft cases, some observers said the commission was undermined by frequent political interference in its operations.

In the light of this unimpressive record, there is cautious optimism in the land over the possibility of recording convictions this time.

Essentially, the argument of those who share this view is that the Federal Government may get little or no result if the same approach that was used in past is employed now.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah is among those concerned about the manner the anti-graft war would be prosecuted in this dispensation.

Wild goose chase Kukah, in an exclusive chat with Vanguard, cautioned thus: "There are different ways of doing that. We elected a President not to look for scapegoats. We elected the President to get a job done

Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

NASS LEADERSHIP: It’ll be a grave mistake to exclude S-East — Rep Chukwukere Mr. Austine Chukwukere represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview, he faults the plot by some members of the APC leadership to exclude the South-East zone from sharing of principal offices in the National Assembly. Excerpts:

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Continues from page 25 and I am convinced that if Buhari wants to prosecute thieves he will do it because as the President there is no kind of information that he cannot access.

Prosecution of corrupt people does not necessarily have to be done through theatre and drama. Obasanjo did it quite efficiently.

"He got back a lot of money without shouting. There were a few theatricals, but Obasanjo himself did say to my hearing that there were people who returned money even through pastors. So what is the use of wasting money trying to prosecute somebody? Doing that quietly without noise will be better because the business of governance will go on".

Quiet prosecution •Chukwukere: South-East is a veritable part of Nigeria Nigeria.

You should also note that the South-East played a significant role in ensuring that President Muhammadu Buhari emerged as president because if South-

Personal opinion That the chairman sent a letter to whoever in the National Assembly, might be that the chairman was just thinking aloud, that is his personal opinion. That it came on the letter headed paper of the party is a different thing. But as far as I am concerned, there is no party position on that issue.

Anybody who is thinking that the Southeast will be excluded in the affairs of this nation or in the sharing of positions in the National Assembly is making a grave mistake. It is a grave mistake that must be corrected and should never be allowed to stand anywhere. The first reason is that South-East is a veritable part of the Nigeria project and the South-East has shed blood for Nigeria to stand. The SouthEast can never be swept aside on any issue that concerns C M Y K

in terms of erosion, general ecological issues, bad roads and lack of amenities like water and power supply.

This is not good and those are the things they talked about and I sympathise with them because I also feel the same heat. What I am going to do and what I will do even include calling on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to do everything possible to save my constituents, who are suffering.

ANTI-CORRUPTION: Real war or razzmatazz?

O

N fears that the House of Representatives crisis will continue when it resumes next week I want to believe that before the House resumes, these issues will be solved. I just hope and pray the issues will be solved before we resume.

How will it be resolved when the leadership of your party, the APC excluded two geopolitical zones in the sharing of principal offices?

I don’t think that the party has excluded the South-East. The party has not made its position known with reference to zoning in this issue. There is no official party position with regard to principal officers of the National Assembly.

If anybody is brandishing a letter purportedly written by the party, I don’t think it is from the same APC we belong to because as far as I am concerned, the party has not taken any decision on these issues.

The letter to the Speaker with names of nominees for principal officers position was written by the National Chairman of the APC which perhaps authenticates it, are you not worried that judging from the letter, your zone has been excluded?

I believe we have not been excluded. Like I said, the party has not taken any decision.

facing them, how are you going to tackle the problems?

I can tell you the South-East has been neglected over the years by the Federal Government. We have been suffering a lot of neglect and this is why some of our constituents said we want to send you, go there and talk about these neglects and ensure that Nigerians listen and come to our aid. Our people are suffering in the South-East. We are suffering

Anybody who is thinking that Southeast will be excluded in the affairs of this nation or in the sharing of positions in the National Assembly is making a grave mistake

East APC did not play its role adequately, there is no way we will be talking of President Buhari as the president of Nigeria today.

So, I still believe that APC should encourage the South-East to come fully on its stake and do what is needful. So, anybody thinking that we from South-East should be swept aside because we are only two is making a big mistake and that is not politics.

What was it like being an APC candidate during the elections?

You know the South-East was one of the strongholds of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Some of us, who carried the APC message to the South-East were tagged as people who didn’t know what they were saying.

Our opponents in PDP used all kinds of campaign of calumny against us that we were Boko Haram, that APC was Boko Haram, etc. They tried to convince and confuse people not to believe us, but we kept pushing and telling people that APC is not Boko Haram, that Boko Haram is a terrorist outfit and a creation of the hardship caused by the PDP. Your constituents recently presented myriads of problems

distraction.”

Punitive anti-graft war Not differing from Kukah’s submission, Chairman, League of Patriotic Lawyers, Abubakar Yesufu, said: "President Buhari ran as anti-corruption man and a man of integrity. It was on that basis that we campaigned for him. There is no way he can carry out his programmes without correcting the mistakes of yesteryears. We are not talking about the punitive aspect of fighting corruption; we are talking of recovery and discontinuity of corrupt practices.”

Also making his position known, a retired Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav told Vanguard thus: ‘’I am grudgingly amazed at the seemingly newly acquired zeal and call to duty by the EFCC as displayed through the arrest and arraignment of three former governors and others.

Does it mean that former President Jonathan was interfering with the job of EFCC? I commend their efforts but I am yet to be convinced about their

Going further, he said: ‘’I am not against prosecution, what I am saying is that the business of governance should not be abandoned. I said it during the Oputa Panel (hearing) that the unfortunate thing about prosecution in Nigeria is that the criminals have the money to get the lawyers.

Since these things can be resolved institutionally, why going on a wild goose chase? Nigerians don’t even have to know who the criminals are.

Obasanjo, who has a very retentive memory, can tell Nigerians the people who brought back •Oronsaye: Arraigned money without making noise. He only told them sincerity. What of the case to go and sin no more. involving Princess Stella Oduah Only a foolish man will and the first batch of former appreciate that going after the governors? biggest thieves in Nigeria is the ‘’I remember making eight biggest solution to our problems. written statements to Lamorde God has his way of getting things and even provided documentary work. Given the enormity of the and pictorial evidence about a issues we are dealing with, former governor, but the ex creating distraction should not be governor has not appeared encouraged because once that Continues on page 27 route is taken, there would be

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—27

EBONYI TRIBUNAL: How Umahi won two rounds THE supposed apprehension behind the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki over the 2015 governorship election in the state was last week reduced following the ruling of the tribunal on the petition filed by the Labour Party, LP Governorship Candidate, Edward Nkwegu challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governorship Candidate, Engr. Dave Umahi.

By Peter Okutu

B

EFORE the tribunal started its sitting in Abakaliki, many had thought that the LP candidate would not petition the tribunal since he openly congratulated and embraced Governor Dave Umahi before former Governor Martin Elechi and prominent stakeholders at the Government House Abakaliki but the reverse had become the case.

The governorship election result as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Umahi of the PDP winner of the election. Governor Umahi, according to the results, won in all the 13 local councils of the state.

Now, some critics of Umahi, who predicted that he would lose the election are looking for ways to worm their way into his administration. They had spoken confidently that the former Governor Martin Elechi’s candidate, Arc Edward Nkwegu

would defeat Umahi during the last election their predictions and permutations did not materialize.

One of the reasons that made some people in the state to support the LP governorship candidate was because he had the backing of Martin Elechi.

Umahi's supporters said his critics failed to realize that Governor Umahi had been the brain behind the myriads of politiical successes recorded by the out-gone administration.

According to them, Umahi, a former PDP chairman, initiated and powered the victory of Elechi’s first and second term victories in the state.

They said Umahi had been the political backbone of Elechi but the fact which had been hidden from many stakeholders was unraveled during the election as Umahi proved his political sagacity, experience and dominance in the political arena of the state.

However, Nkwegu picked

•Umahi: Ebonyi State governor

holes in Umahi's victory and approached the tribunal to reverse it.

The court in its first ruling delivered by the Chairman of the tribunal, Theresa Alabi, ruled that it is unconstitutional for the governorship candidate of Labour Party to bring in 46 additional witnesses from across the 13 local councils of the state contrary to the earlier six witnesses attached in his petition.

In the second ruling delivered by the presiding judge, justice E. Oresajiafor ruled that the first

ANTI-CORRUPTION: Real war or razzmatazz?

Continues from page 26 before any court till date. We are waiting to see if the commission will get convictions this time after Fani-Kayode’s acquittal.”

Whether the commission would heed the advice of employing a workable method of fighting graft in the prosecution of those, who have been arrested and arraigned so far, is still to be seen.

Those currently being prosecuted include; former governor of Adamawa State, Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd) and his son, Abdul-Aziz Nyako; immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), Steven Oronsaye and ex Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim.

Nyako and son The anti-graft agency arraigned Nyako and his son before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Evoh Chukwu on a 37count charge of money laundering, including an alleged C M Y K

conversion of N240 million state funds to the development of their Hill View Estate in Mpape, Abuja, between October 2011 and June 2012, an offence punishable under Section 15 sub-section 1A of the money laundering prohibition Act, 2011.

Lamido and sons Lamido and his two sons were arrested for an alleged N1.3 billion fraud. Operatives of the commission investigating the trio alleged that billions of naira belonging to the state government was traced to the accounts of their companies.

Oronsanye’s pension troubles Oronsaye was arrested for alleged involvement in over N6 billion biometric pension enrolment scam.

It was learned that apart from being associated with the mismanagement of huge pension funds, he is being investigated over allegations that he used his position as the chairman of the Presidential Standing Committee on Financial Action

Taskforce to fleece the government.

Ohakim’s $2.29 million case Ohakim was arrested over allegations of money laundering and consequently arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of an Abuja Federal High Court on a three-count charge of laundering $2.29 million.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He was remanded in custody and subsequently released on bail.

Nnamani’s assets forfeiture Similarly, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and presided over by Justice Mohammed Yunusa ordered the forfeiture of multi-billion naira assets owned

by Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, the former governor of Enugu State to the federal government.

The assets comprised of undeveloped properties and transmission equipment of Rainbownet Nigeria Limited; properties of Hill Gate Investment Limited (Cuena Phones Limited): assets of Cosmo 105.5FM, and 22 duplex buildings at Ebeano Estate, now known as Fidelity Estate.

petitioner did not have the consent or authority of labour party from the beginning to institute the petition.

He sited section 133(1 & 137) of the Electoral Act 2010 that the interested parties participated in the last general election which the first respondent of the PDP won whereas the second respondent of the LP, Nkwegu did not deny that he did not participate in the election.

Oresajiafor struck out the name of Labour Party from Nkwegu's petition stressing that the LP was not interested in the petition challenging Umahi's victory in the last general election.

LP hails ruling: In a reaction, the national legal adviser of labour party, Barr Akingbade Oyilaka, commended the tribunal for the ruling and for expunging the name of Labour Party from Nkwegu's petition challenging the victory of PDP candidate.

“I appreciate the tribunal for doing justice to this matter, the party which was not interested in the matter from the beginning was dragged into it and I tell you,

Oresajiafor struck out the name of Labour Party from Nkwegu's petition stressing that the LP was not interested in the petition challenging Umahi's victory at the last general election

the integrity of the party must be maintained at all cost” he added.

Also, the council to the first respondent (PDP), James Igwe (SAN) said “the applicant filed a motion seeking to amend his evidence to bring additional 46 witnesses from across the state but we said no to it because it is a trick to bring in a new evidence at this time and it is unconstitutional.

“The tribunal ruled that the applicant cannot at this time bring additional witnesses and that they are bound to proceed with the earlier six witnesses” he added. The counsel for the PDP governorship candidate include Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, Barr. Roy Umahi while, JUK Igwe, SAN and Peter Eze among others are standing for the PDP. Why Nkwegu lost: In a chat with Vanguard, Barr. Roy Umahi argued that the witnesses approved for the Petitioner were not enough to prove any case against the PDP or its governorship candidate during the last election.

Legal interpretation “The legal interpretation is that any allegation by Labour Party will no longer hold water. If tthey made an allegation with reference to Labour Party alone, that will not hold water because LP is no longer in the petition.

“It is not our cup of tea that Labour Party pulled out. As far as the party is concerned the election went fairly and freely; the party is not making allegation against the winner of the governorship election.

“That is what the winner comes to gain; the party is satisfied with the conduct of the election.

However, the LP candidate is now pursuing his petition as the candidate of the party even though the party is not aggrieved over the election.

“The most devastating aspect of the ruling is that the LP governorship candidate is no longer allowed to bring millions of witnesses or documents to substantiate his case.

“That is where they have problem and even as his lawyer tried to manipulate his way at the tribunal, there is no more way; how can six witnesses prove or challenge what happened in the last election in 13 local government areas, 171 wards and over 2000 polling units across the state? It will be turning water into wine for him to win at the tribunal” “For Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu’s case, the law is straight forward that when a person did not participate in an election, that person cannot challenge the outcome of that election. “That is an area of Law that is already settled; he went to court to ask for the cancellation of an election he never participated in.”

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Court order: How distorted interpretation nearly set Rivers on fire

By Jimitota Onoyume

T

ENSION is probably the apt word to capture the mood in Rivers State at the end of proceedings at the National Industrial Court, Bayelsa State, last Monday.

Twenty-two council chairmen in the state had, among other things, secured a restraining order from the Industrial Court to stop the state government from sacking them. They got this order before they were dissolved by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. So the matter came up again at the Industrial court on Monday.

Shortly after proceedings ended at the court in Bayelsa, a neighbouring state, stories went viral in Rivers State that the Industrial court had ordered immediate reinstatement of the 22 sacked council executives.

Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Davies Ikanya, and several others went on air calling for the reinstatement of the sacked council bosses in line with the Industrial court judgement.

A lawyer in Port Harcourt, Ken Atsuwete, joined the fray, saying the Industrial Court did not vacate its earlier order restraining the government from dissolving the 22 chairmen so it meant that they were still in office.

Confusion, panic There was confusion, panic and tension in the state particularly among residents.

Some media houses also did not help issues as they saturated the polity with news of the purported order to reinstate the sacked council executives.

There were unconfirmed reports of party faithful planning to storm the various councils the following day.

Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Emma Aguma, who later briefed media men in Port Harcourt Monday night, pleaded with the state to ignore stories of order by the industrial court to reinstate the sacked chairmen as untrue.

He said he had calls from his children and friends wanting to confirm if it was true that he had been kidnapped or slumped at the Industrial court because of the purported judgement.

His words: “I had to wait in Bayelsa state to have this record of proceedings in court to brief the media this night.

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Governor Nyesom Wike: Sacked the council bosses My family called me from England that I fainted in court today. Another member of my family called to say that I had been kidnapped. All these stories were what went out today after the activities at the Industrial Court in Bayelsa. ‘’There have been stories that the court set aside the High court judgement in Port Harcourt and also reinstated the dissolved council chairmen.

I find this very strange because I was in court. The most important thing is that the court said that all parties should file the necessary processes. No court order was set aside.

Nobody was reinstated.

they should double check their facts to retain credibility.

Police intervention The following day, Tuesday, Police men mounted minimal security at some of the council secretariats to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.

The 22 two caretaker committee chairmen, their members, staff and visitors to the various

The judgement

False reports ‘’As a rule, I don’t like commenting on court proceedings.. The person maligned in the false stories is not me. It is the judge. The judge did not do anything about reinstating or setting aside.

The issue that the verdict of a federal high court had been set aside is a lie and it is a lie. The Federal High Court, Port Harcourt applied its punitive jurisdiction. The meaning is that the 22 local government chairmen were never elected.

The industrial court is not an appellate court. I was in court, I did not faint.”

Aguma, who took a swipe at some of the media houses for running unverified stories said

council secretariats were allowed unhindered access to the councils by the Policemen.

Later, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Chris Ezike, told newsmen that the Industrial court judgement before him did not in anyway order reinstatement of the sacked executives, adding that he had also not received any other contrary judgement. He warned those seeking to foment trouble in the state with lies to desist, stressing that the Police would not tolerate any act of lawlessness.

A photocopy of certified true copy of the judgement made available to newsmen showed that Justice James Agbadu-Fishim adjourned to October 6 after asking all parties to file the necessary processes and relevant exhibits

A photocopy of certified true copy of the judgement made available to newsmen showed that Justice James AgbaduFishim adjourned to October 6 after asking all parties to file the necessary processes and relevant exhibits.

“I have listened to the arguments of all the counsel for the parties in this matter. I am of the view that there is the need to allow all parties to file the necessary processes and put in all the relevant exhibits to support their applications as well as to react appropriately.

Therefore by the agreement of all counsel in this matter, this case is adjourned to 06/10/2015 for definite hearing of all pending applications accordingly,” the judge said.

It will be recalled that the outgone state government conducted local council election into 22 of the 23 councils on May 23 amid protest from the then main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that the move violated regulatory laws for such exercise in the state.

The party also shunned the exercise on account of its argument that the process leading to the election was fraught with irregularities among other things.

Finally on May 26, the former governor swore in those elected in the controversial election and bowed out of office on May 29.

Justice Lambo Akanbi of Federal High court I in Port Harcourt on July 9 nullified the election of the council executives, saying that the former government went ahead with the election in spite of a pending court order asking all parties in a suit filed by the PDP in the state challenging moves to conduct the election.

Justice Akanbi said the wind of change was all over so there was no room for acts of impunity and rascality, adding that the court had to apply its disciplinary jurisdiction to retain its place as an institution that should be respected and regarded by all.

Respected institution “Parties should not resort to self help when a matter is before the court. Once the parties are aware of the court process parties are bound to respect the court process. They should on no account resort to self help. Whenever there is such the court must invoke its disciplinary jurisdiction.

Unless the court exercise its disciplinary jurisdiction in appropriate cases it may lose its respect. It may be reduced to a toothless dog which barks but can’t bite.

“Consequently, the application of the applicants is sustained, setting aside the purported local government election conducted during the pendency of the suit,” he ruled.

The PDP in Suit No. FHC/ PH/CS/84/2015, had sought the court to declare the conduct of the local government election of May 23, ultra licit um and of no effect. The respondents in the Suit were: Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), former governor Rotimi Amaechi and four others.

Chairman of the APC, in the state, Mr Ikanya who expressed displeasure with the verdict said his party will challenge it.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 29

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30 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

By Damilola Sholola & Aderonke Adeyeri

H

OW did your journey into the world of acting begin?

I have always wanted to be an actress. I read Theatre Arts at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. After graduation, I worked briefly with Know Magazine in Enugu before joining the industry. I obtained Actors Guild of Nigeria membership form, after which I became a registered member of the guild. It has not been easy but we’re pushing it.

How has the experience been so far?

You know, the industry is highly competitive and everyone particularly the actresses are doing everything to outshine one another. But I don’t think I’m in for that.

What stands you out among your colleagues?

I am not like every other actress. Most of these actresses are desperate to hit the top and sometimes, they meet challenges along the line.

How many films have you featured in so far?

I have featured in two Igbo soap operas, but they are yet to hit the silver screen. I have also featured in two films.

What role did you play in one of your films, Father?

I played the role of a bad girl who was sent to seduce a Reverend Father. But when she failed to accomplish her mission, she ended up killing the Rev. father Which one pays your bill, movies or soap operas?

I think featuring in films pay my bill.

As an actress, where do you see yourself in the next four years?

I see myself as the next Rita Dominic of this generation.

But Rita Dominic has played some controversial roles in movies?

I can also play controversial roles in movies.

Are you not thinking of getting married now?

I don’t think I’m interested in that for now But are you currently in a relationship?

For now, it’s my career first.

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I see myself as the next Rita Dominic of this generation — Kasi Benjamin Kasi Benjamin is one of the fast rising actresses in Nollywood who is carving out a niche for herself in the world of make-believe. A combination of beauty and brain, the fair-skinned actress was selected as the Face of Panasonic Enugu in 2014. She was also the former branch manager, Know Magazine before she ventured into acting. In this interview, she talks about her journey into Nollywood and her aspiration, declaring that she’s the next Rita Dominic of her generation.

But it doesn’t mean that if the right man comes my way, I wouldn’t welcome him in my life. It’s just that I have not found my dream man.

Meaning that you are single and searching?

On the contrary, I am single but not searching.

Do you think your choice of career may serve as a hindrance to meeting your dream man?

Not at all. My dream man will definitely show up some day, regardless of the role I play in a movie. In terms of the qualities, I look out for in a man, he must be handsome, kind-hearted, caring and supportive

For now, it’s my career first. But it doesn’t mean that if the right man comes my way, I wouldn’t welcome him in my life

How was growing up like for you?

I hail from Imo State but I was born and raised in the North. I’m the third child in a family of five; four boys and one girl.

My dad was a military officer.

Growing up in the North was like being in hell. Fighting and civil disturbance every now and then.

This month, we are in school, and the next one, we are out of school, owing to prevailing crisis in the region.

What was your worst experience growing up in the north?

That was in 2011.

It was a very terrible one. The government had imposed a dusk to dawn curfew that lasted for one month.

During this period, people were hungry and started killing animals to eat in order to stay alive. It was a very bad

experience.

What are you willing to do as an actress?

I don’t really know what sells; I can’t tell you that this is what will bring me to the limelight. But if I’m invited to star in a movie, I’d wish that

the role will be a challenging one. I want a more challenging role that will inspire me to do crazy things,

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —31

Synopsis TEMPTING FATE

I see myself as the next Rita Dominic of this generation

Tempting Fate is the story of two different brothers.

One has deep faith and the other buried in a life of crime have their worlds torn apart when the wrong one goes to jail and the other commits an unforgivable act.

Continues from page 30 but not going nude.

Can you wear a bikini?

That’s not nude. I wear bikini when I’m going to the beach

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Who is Kasi Benjamin off camera?

Kasi is a very a nice girl, loving and jovial.

She likes to be herself and she respects the feelings of other people.

Schedule commencing from Friday17th – 23rd July , 2015 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Tempting Fate : 1:10pm,5:25pm,6:30pm Minions : 11:10am,12:50pm,4:40pm Terminator : 11:30am,4:10pm,6:25pm,9:00p Ted 2 : 11:00am,7:00pm Jurassic World : 1:50pm,2:45pm,9:15pm

What accessories can you never be found without?

I can’t go out without my make up. My makeup comes first. For jewelries, I’m not really crazy about wearing jewelries.

What is your philosophy about life?

Be faithful to yourself and to God, be hardworking and courageous, believing that one day you’ll get to your destination.

Did your parents oppose your decision to go into acting?

My mom wanted me to read science but as time went on, I switched to Theatre Arts.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Tempting Fate : 1:2opm,3:10pm,5:10pm,7:10pm,9:00pm Minions : 12:20pm,2:20pm,4:10pm,6:10pm,

I was studying Biochemistry before I later switched to Theatre Arts. My mom really wanted me to study a science course and when I switched to Theatre Arts, she was mad at me. However, as time went on, she started supporting me.

Terminator : 12:00pm, 2:20pm,4:40pm, 7:00pm, 8:20pm, 9:20pm If tomorrow never comes : 12:10pm,2:10pm,4:10pm,6:10pm

Ted 2 : 4:30pm,6:40pm,8:50pm Jurassic World : 1:30pm,3:50pm,6:20pm,8:40pm Pitch Perfect : 4:00pm

Any regrets?

No regrets because my mom loves it.

She likes what I am doing at the moment.

Cobhmas Asuquo rates Project Fame high ...as season 8 beacons POPULAR music impresario, Cobhams Asuquo has described MTN Project Fame as West Africa’s foremost music talent hunt competition.

According to the Cross River State-born musician, songwriter and producer, “There’s a rigour and attention to detail in Project Fame that you can’t find in other talent hunt competitions. Beyond the glitz and razzmatazz that we see on television, Project Fame is a serious platform that is focused on bringing through the next generation of Nigerian music talents.

“Everybody involved in the show,” he continued, “from the judges to the faculty members and even the backroom crew tries to keep that in perspective and that’s why MTN Project Fame is the biggest musical show across West Africa.”

Cobhmas, also expressed optimism that this year’s edition will not only feature the best of upcoming musical talents in West Africa but also produce the next batch of music superstars. In his words: “We are happy that Project Fame has been able to produce the likes of the Iyanyas, Chidinmas, Praiz and others but now we are looking for the next batch of music superstars. Given the quality of talents we have seen so far at the auditions, I can assure the followers of the show that we will have a thrilling and exciting competition this year.”

Speaking on the quality of judges during the audition, Cobhmas added that the panel of judges featured some of the

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Tempting Fate : 12:00pm,3:05pm,6:55pm,9:00pm Minions : 10:50am,2:30pm,4:20pm Terminator : 4:00pm,6:25pm,8:50pm If tomorrow : 2:00pm Ted 2 : 12:20pm,1:35pm,4:25pm Jurassic World : 6:40pm,9:00pm

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Tempting Fate : 4:05pm,6:00pm,8:00pm Minions : 12:05pm,1:55pm,3:45pm,5:35pm Terminator : 12:30pm,2:50pm,5:15pm,7:40pm Jurassic World : 3:35pm,7:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Tempting Fate : 2:10pm,5:50pm Terminator : 10:00am,2:20pm,4:15pm,7:55pm OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA Tempting Fate : 11:45am,4:05pm,7:30pm Minions : 11:00am,12:45pm,2:20pm Terminator : 1:50pm,3:20pm,5:40pm,9:05p Ted 2 : 8:05pm,9:00pm Jurassic World : 4:10pm,6:30pm,8:45pm Oops Noah is Gone : 10:40am,12:20pm

Cobhams Asuquo biggest and most experienced stakeholders in the music industry.

“One of the selling points of this competition is the quality of the judges,” he said. “We’ve had notable people from the music industry - Tee-Y Mix, Shola Allyson, Gloria Rhodes, Blackky and Ade Bantu, Dupe Ige. We also had Matilda Duncan, GospelonDaBeat and others.

With such an impressive lineup of judges, the audience can be assured of an unforgettable experience in MTN Project Fame this year.”

Now in its eighth season, the MTN Project Fame auditions were recently held across Nigeria in Port Harcout, Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos, while the Ghana auditions was held in Accra.

FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS Tempting Fate : 12:45pm,1:30pm,7:25pm,7:45pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, KANO If tomorrow never comes: 10:40pm,12:40pm,3:45pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, APAPA Tempting Fate : 12:00pm,3:45pm,5:35pm If tomorrow never comes : 10:00am,1:50pm, FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Tempting Fate : 4:10pm,6:00pm,7:50pm If tomorrow never comes : 10:20am,11:00am,12:15pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA Tempting Fate : 10:20am,12:10pm,4:10pm,8:40pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR Tempting Fate : 10:40am,2:20pm,6:00pm,7:50pm If tomorrow never comes : 12:30pm,4:10pm

32— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Soap operas and the Nigerian woman zWhy the romance went sour THE secretary had gone to deliver a package to the raunchy old geezer. She was new, and he oozed sex appeal.

The chemistry was there from day1, but she had been determined to ignore it. She was never falling for any man again.

The package had arrived marked URGENT and it was Friday evening, when he had gone home. What if it was the contract they were expecting?

She’d had no choice than to take it to his house.

She had not anticipated the rain, which pelted massive water bullets at her as she made her way to the front door. Her hand touches his as she hands over the package to him. Electricity passes through her body, and their eyes lock. Their heads move closer together...

Then it’s all over, till next time.

Okay, that was not real life but a typical scene from a soap opera.

Intense drama, intense intrigue, intense suspense!

From the Village Headmaster to Winds Against my Soul; From Cock Crow at Dawn to Mirror in the Sun and Checkmate, soap operas held the Nigerian airwaves spellbound for decades.

That was until the introduction of Brazillian and Mexican soap operas (now we watch even Indian soaps). Then, before you knew it, everyone got an android or an i-pad, and the rest became history.

Love lives and emotion The result is that there are few soap operas left on Nigerian television, and definitely none that holds audiences enslaved as the ones above.

Women are worst hit. Whether we like it or not, women of all ages are more interested in other people’s lives- especially their love lives and emotions. While feminists continue to analyze ways in which representations of women in soap opera reproduce/ reinforce the subordination of women in contemporary society and explore possible strategies for women directors and writers who struggle against perceived prevailing sexism of the media; the stark reality is that soaps provide that perfect level of distraction to real life.

Feminists argue that while soap operas are for and about women and gives pleasure to millions of people; at the point of production,

Ego Boyo

Amaka Igwe

Clarion Chukwura

Village Headmaster set

Mirror in the Sun set

the soap opera is dominated by men. According to this school of thought, soap operas gives us male definitions of women and tells us how they relate to each other and to men. With regard to the areas of reproduction (family) and production (work), soap operas’ representations of women invite a serious challenge. The soap opera validates relationships: it does not celebrate structures, physical strength, and so forth.

Not least of the argument against the soap is that it is thrives on “utopianism-” the representation of ideal feeling.

Entertainment, they say, makes people experience utopia even if it does not show them how utopia would be organized or how to get there. These feelings include abundance, energy, intensity, transparency, and community.

In addition to celebrating the achievements of the way people live now, soap opera reassures, in terms of exploring the problems people face and providing resolutions fictionally.

The drawbacks are obvious: problems in life are rarely that

Babara Soky

simple for a variety of reasons, including psychological. The kind of reassurance offered by soap operas, suggesting that everything will turn out for the best, is false.

Soap opera is a certain kind of social drama on television.

However, week after week programmes like these convey the same message and exercise their charm-over children and women especially. And while it does not have the tight definition of a genre there are distinct

similarilties between every soap.

These include the potent abilityh to impose the release of adrenalin in a positive manner. cortisol levels are also reduced in people who follow soaps, and their confidence levels are increased when dealing with issues similar to those people have dealt with in the soaps they follow. Stress levels are much reduced, and who can possibly argue with that.

We could definitely use some good old soap operas with generous lashings of Nigerian flavour on our televisions.

The bo yfriend bag boyfriend 1. The backpack is usually associated with schoolchildren and men, but you can do it stylishly for maximum effect.

Tagging along to a golf/polo/squash game? Ditch the tote and pick up a girly backpack.

Richard Mofe Damijo

2.The Messanger bag hit a lot of high notes with the dudes, who played to the hilt the idea of having their own very bags. Now, girly messangers are becoming the next big things in bags. Sling one accross your shoulders on to a Sunday morning brunch and make a statement of easy elegance.

3. The briefcase is so flexible nowadays, it might be difficult to detect one, especially if it belongs to a woman who knows how to rock one. Downplay the severe twopiece with one of these, just to keep your co-negotiator ill at ease...

VOL. 1: NO. 16

FRIDAY, JUL Y 17 , 2015 JULY

•Ajimobi

•Fayose

•Aregbesola

Amosun

•Ambode

•Mimiko

SOUTH-WEST: Endless wait for Commissioners, Special Advisers

By Dapo Akinrefon

W

ITH Nigerians still endlessly waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to formally costitute his cabinet and those, who will form the next Federal Executive Council, some governors from the South West seem to be towing the same path.

The continuous delay in the formation of the State Executive Council is generating heat across the zone except states like Ondo and Ekiti, which are controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Though governorship elections were conducted in three states (Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States)during the general elections in April, only Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo and his Ekiti state counterpart, Mr Ayodele Fayose have constituted their cabinet.

C M Y K

Coincidentally, the four states that are yet to reconstitute their cabinet members are controlled by the All Progressives Congress, APC. While governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Ibikunle

The continuous delay in the formation of the State Executive Council is generating heat across the zone except states like Ondo and Ekiti States, which are controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP

Amosun (Ogun) are in their second terms in office, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is serving his first, having won elections conducted on April 11.

Unfortunately, the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola is yet to appoint his commissioners and Special Advisers despite being swornin for a second term in October, 2014.

For the two PDP governors (Mimiko and Fayose), it was not difficult for them to constitute their cabinet, but the same cannot be said of the APC governors.

Ekiti In Ekiti State, it was a tug of war between governor Fayose and lawmakers prior the conduct of the 2015 general elections.

The governor had difficulty in sending the list of Special Advisers and Commissioners to the State House of Assembly because of the face-off.

Soon after his inauguration in October 2014, the state Assembly and the governor were on a collision course owing to the fact that the house was controlled by the APC. The then Speaker of the

Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin and his 18 colleagues had initiated an impeachment process against the governor for allegedly flouting the 1999 Constitution.

Interestingly, the Fayose was able to have his way at the end of the day as he supported seven PDP lawmakers to 'impeach' the former Speaker.

This gave him the edge to send the list of commissioners and special advisers as well we the budget for approval by six lawmakers.

Ondo In Ondo State, Governor Mimiko was able to have his way in the screening of his commissioners and Special Advisers owing to his influence on the legislators.

Screening of the cabinet members by the lawmakers went smoothly without any

IN THIS EDITION

Furore over Ondo residency card — Kaadi Igbeayo

•Page 3

Hoodlums on the prowl: Coker traders, monarch call LASG to beefup security •Page 6

Continues on Page 2

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

ONDO STATE

Agagu's family unveils scholarship awards for indigent wards of the late academic and administrator.

It further said that the late governor was believed to have left things better than he met them by working passionately towards intellectual excellence, good governance and national development.

“Starting from the 2015/16 academic session, the foundation, in partnership

By Dayo Johnson Akure

T

HE families of the late former governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Agagu CON as part of their philanthropic support for the education of young, brilliant but Indigent Nigerians has unveiled a scholarship and award programme.

It’s to be known as Olusegun Agagu foundation and it’s a build up to commemorate his memorial anniversary.

This was contained in a statement by the Son of the former governor Feyi Agagu who is the secretary of the foundation.

According to the statement, “The Olusegun Agagu Foundation has in addition to the existing ones, announced the inauguration of a new series of education support programmes for indigenes of Ondo state and Nigerians at large.

It added that the Foundation’s educational programmes, are in forms of Full scholarship and Prizes for different categories of individuals who are students of Secondary schools and undergraduates in Nigerian Universities.

The statement said that the students were drawn in line with the Mission Statement of the Foundation and the credo

It further said that the late governor was believed to have left things better than he met them by working passionately towards intellectual excellence, good governance and national development •Late Olusegun Agagu...

Endless wait for commissioners, special advisers Continues from page 1

So far, only the Secretary to the Government, Alhaji

hassles.

Osun The failure by the Aregbesola administration to off-set seven months salaries of civil servants and pensioners in the Osun State, perhaps can be said to have led to the inability to set up the cabinet.

Aregbesola’s battle to clear the backlog of salary arrears inspite of the Federal Government’s bail out has not given the him the opportunity to inaugurate his cabinet eight months after being sworn in for a second term.

C M Y K

The failure by the Aregbesola administration to off-set seven months salaries of civil servants and pensioners in the Osun State, perhaps can be attributed to the inability to set up the cabinet

Moshood Adeoti, the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, and Director, Bureau of Public Communication, Semiu Okanlawon, are in office.

servants and so far, no aide has been appointed by the Ajimobi administration, a development that is causing ripples in the state.

Oyo Like Osun State, the same scenario is playing out in Oyo State. Governor Abiola Ajimobi is yet to send a list of his commissioners and Special Advisers to the State House of Assembly.

A factor responsible for this is Ajimobi’s inability to clear the backlog of salaries being owed civil servants.

About four months’ salaries are yet to be paid to civil

Lagos Governor Ambode seems to be taking his time in the appointment of his cabinet members.

Thus far, only the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Tunji Bello, and Mr. Samuel Olukunle Ojo as Chief of Staff. Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye was appointed Principal Private Secretary, while Mr. Habib Adamson Aruna emerged the Chief

with the Governing Council of Adeleke University, Ede Osun state, is awarding full scholarship for suitably qualified applicants to study Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Chemistry and Public Health.

“This particular scholarship at the Adeleke University, is specifically meant only for deserving students from Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state who have demonstrated a commitment to forging on in their education in inspite of the gorging financial hardships they are facing.

The late Agagu is from Okitipupa local governmen area of the state The statement added that “Apart from the existing ones at the University of Ibadan also for benefits of Nigerian undergraduates are the reinvigorated ongoing scholarship and Prizes at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

“These come in form of awards for best overall student in part 2, part 3 and graduating year in Geology at the School of Earth and Mineral Sciences (SEMS) of the University.

The statement said that registration for the full scholarship awards at the Adeleke University, Ede, as with others, can be obtained online via www.olusegunagagufoundation.com and closes on July 25th, 2015.

It added that “the award of these prizes are open to all RELEVANT applicants without prejudice to gender or religion.

Press Secretary, have so far been appointed by Ambode.

Pundits posit that Ambode’s decision to exercise patience is to enable him make the right choices.

Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary Aruna explained that “Governor Ambode picked his key officers like SSG, Chief of Staff, Principal Private Secretary and my humble self as CPS, so the system is running. But he is taking his time scrupulously studying what he met on ground, perusing the credentials and pedigrees of those he will work with to ensure they key into his vision and programmes before making his appointments. He will announce his cabinet very soon.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 3

ONDO STATE

•Governor Olusegun Mimiko during the unveiling of Kaadi Igbeayo...

Furore over Ondo residency card - Kaadi Igbeayo

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE – LIKE any other government programmes, criticism have continued to trail the introduction of the residency card otherwise tagged Kaadi Igbeayo introduced by the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State.

Despite explanations that the introduction of the smart card was one of the electoral promises of the Governor Mimiko, who had promised to know every citizen of the state, the opposition party and some public commentators have continued to pick holes in the initiative.

To show it’s disdain for the smart card, the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC in the state, has described it as ‘valueless’.

Residency cards However, Vanguard learnt that despite the scathing criticisms, over 850, 000 residency cards have been distributed free of charge to residents by the state government.

One of the grouse of those kicking against the smart card was the sudden introduction of the payment of N2,000 from whoever wants to collect the cards after a large number of residents of the state have joyfully collected theirs without paying a dime.

Those who gave knock at the introduction of residency cards, said the project is a drain pipe, pointing that the scarce resources expended on it should have been channelled towards providing food on the table Ondo people.

At the flag-off of its utilisation last week, the governor said that “I did promise at inception, that I would know you and where you live. With Kaadi Igbe-Ayo now, no resident of Ondo State will be lost in the crowd and more importantly, no resident of our Sunshine State will be left behind.”

However, criticising the project at its early stage, the APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya made available to Vanguard, said “the over-hyped Kaadi Igbe Ayo project is another conduit pipe deliberately built to siphon public funds by the Olusegun Mimiko-led administration in the state. The Ondo State APC wishes to draw the attention of the general public, especially the good people of Ondo State, to the anti-people and wicked policies of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko-led administration, which have assumed a dangerous trend.

“The Governor should know that what the people of Ondo State desire is a better life, good road network, job opportunities for the youth, revamping our moribund industries, accountability, urbanization of our towns and villages, portable water, affordable and accessible health care services, prompt payment of salaries and entitlements of workers and pensioners, not a valueless card that over N5 billion of their money have been spent to produce coupled with a levy of N2,000.”

Also, the opposition Party found an ally in the Pioneer Coordinator of the State Information Technology Development Centre, Engr. Tunji Ariyo who spoke against the payment of N2,000 for the card

by the people of the state before accessing government facilities in the state.

To Ariyo “the state government does not need to compound the woes of its citizens especially during the austere period by compelling them to pay for the card. There was no record that indicated that the people of the state have abandoned their statutory responsibilities in terms of payment of extant dues, taxes, levies or charges.

“My attention has been drawn to a newspaper report quoting the governor of Ondo State as intending to force the residents of the state to part with N2,000 before obtaining what it termed “kaadi igbe ayo''.

“The governor was quoted as stating that “it is a no card, no access, plan” and that they intend barring those without cards from any of the government’s heath care,

APC is yet to separate itself from the mentality of an opposition party to a rulling party much expected to deliver on the dividends of democracy as promised nigerians in their change agenda

economic and educational benefits. “ Information Technology is designed to make life more comfortable for the masses. It was never conceived as an instrument of terror as the government of Ondo State is now doing.

“Current technology does not require you to own a card or carry one before critical data on a subject could be collated, preserved or accessed, especially with advancements in biometric technologies; fingerprint minutiae and iris recognition technologies have been standardized.

“Their patterns become unique grids that could be activated for verification or processing purposes using machines at the point of use. This makes the need for the subject to own an expensive card both superfluous, archaic and unnecessary.”

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state while reacting to the barrage of criticism trailing the introduction of the smart card from the opposition party said the party has exhibited a high level of ignorance of the genuine and good intentions of the state government Its Director of Publicity Banji Okunomo said that the APC needed to be schooled on the importance and benefits of the smart card in order for it to stop running down the programme adding that the essence of the scheme was to provide a database for the citizens of the state.

Okunomo submitted that the “APC is yet to separate itself from the mentality of an opposition party to a ruling party Justifying the introduction of the smart card, he noted that the present PDP government in the state has recorded many success in the provision of social amenities for the people of the state which is also being enjoyed by the people of the neighboring states.

Data base According to him the registration became imperative to guarantee the legitimate right of the people of the state and to enjoy the facilities provided by the state government.

“In view of the foregoing, we are duty bound to let the APC and its co-travellers know that the essence of this scheme is to provide a data base for the citizens of this State so that they can have absolute access to the dividends of democracy that is solely designed for the people of Ondo State by their Government.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that the Ondo State Government has accomplished so much in the provision of amenities and social services for its people and yet another indisputable fact is that some neighboring States controlled by the APC have failed grossly to provide for their people and therefore their people have

simply moved over to Ondo State to enjoy from the social amenities provided for our people.

“Therefore the essence of the need for our citizens to enjoy registeration for the Kaadi Igbeayo is to guarantee their legitimate right to the good programs of the Mimiko administration rather than allow our neighbors to simply cross the borders and reap from where they are not entitled to benefit, “To continue to liken this project to the National ID Card scheme is to exhibit high level ignorance that is not permissible in view of the enlightenment done so far on the various applications of the multipurpose residency card.

He however called on the leadership of the APC to wake up to its responsibilities by piling pressure on its government to deliver its promises to the people of the country.

“APC is yet to separate itself from the mentality of an opposition party to a rulling party much expected to deliver on the dividends of democracy as promised nigerians in their change agenda.

Change agenda “The APC is unrepentantly trading in their act of castigating the PDP for their own incapacity to set the stage as a ruling party as it were.”

Unperturbed by the criticism from the opposition party and others, the state governor Dr Mimiko said the smart card would also assist in effective planning and implementation of developmental projects across the state.

Looking at it from the economic angle, the governor explained that the implementation of the residency card would also boost the internally generated revenue profile of the state.

To that effect,he announced that a new agency to be known as the “Ondo state Civic Data Center has been put in place as the coordinating hub for the operation and management of the residency card.

Listing the advantages of the cards, Dr Mimiko said "'it will include: facilitating efficient record keeping, anti-corruption solution in the public service to enable higher level of qualitative and quantitative service delivery in people oriented sub-sector, such as health, education, transportation and agriculture while he also said the card will facilitate the systematic development of database for

Continues on page 4 C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

ONDO STATE Furore over Ondo residency card Kaadi Igbeayo Continues from page 3 efficient security and surveillance purpose, facilitating the use and management of government facilities such as public transportation among others.

“Kaadi Igbe-Ayo is a statewide, dynamic, chip-based multipurpose transaction card that contains the Basic Bio Data as well as Socio-economic data of holders and the State welfare package Solutions and Applications. It is a smartcard that serves as an interface between the State Government and all residents. It is the instrument of access to all democratic dividends of the present administration.

“With this ceremony, Kaadi Igbe-Ayo becomes the entry visa into all State Government social services from our Abiye Safe Motherhood programme, to the micro-credit and economic empowerment, highlysubsidized agric input and supplies, Free Education and sundry others. Kaadi Igbe Ayo will not just be a new lexicon in our vocabulary but an integral part of life in our Sunshine state” Speaking further on the rationale behind the introduction of the card, Mimiko said “ You would recall that at the inception of this Administration in 2009, a 12- point programme tagged ‘A Caring Heart’’ was rolled out as a guiding paradigm of our people-oriented administration.

“This underlying philosophy formed the platform for our mission to mobilize the people

of Ondo State to harness all Godgiven resources, create and use wealth for the collective fulfillment, individual happiness, and peaceful co-habitation in an environment of transparent and honest leadership’. “ As a means of transmuting this mission into reality, we announced the introduction of Residency Card Project tagged ‘Kaadi Igbe-Ayo’ to facilitate the identification of all residents of Ondo State so as to deliver to them directly, the inherent social and welfare programmes contained in the 12 – point programme”. “ Kaadi Igbe-Ayo is a statewide, dynamic, chip-based multipurpose transaction card that contains the Basic Bio Data as well as Socio-economic data of holders and the State welfare package Solutions and

To show its seriousness to see the programme through, the state government has directed all head of Hospitals and Health centres in the state to immediately commence the use of the smart cards in their various hospitals and health centres

Applications. It is a smart card that serves as an interface between the State Government and all residents. It is the instrument of access to all democratic dividends of the present administration”.

Also speaking on the card, the Information Commissioner, Kayode Akinmade while explaining some of the reasons behind the introduction of the Residency card is set out to achieve include the following; Data-on-the-Move: where services will be rendered to beneficiaries at any service point with accurate and precise records of previous transaction available all the time saying essential data will be available on the cards to enable missioncritical decisions to be made by the service agents.

Akinmade added that the card will aid improved Service Delivery explaining that data will be available on the cards so that service can be rendered faster and more logically to beneficiaries while the residency card will reduce unwarranted greed, hoarding, racketeering and diversion associated with distribution of some social welfare programmes in government.

According to him” the residency card will reduce crime and criminal activities in the state through the unique security features of the residency card which will enhance surveillance for law enforcement

purposes as the card will promote systemic development of database for security and surveillance purposes, saying “this is particularly of interest because of the surge in terrorism and other anti-social vices in certain parts of the country.”

Another reasons for the introduction of the card is to reduce the influx of beneficiaries from others neighbouring states.

The commissioner pointed out that before the take off of the card that “about 70 percent of the beneficiaries of the state’s free health care are from outside the state.

Use of smart cards To show its seriousness to see the programme through, the state government has directed all head of Hospitals and Health centres in the state to immediately commence the use of the smart cards in their various hospitals and health centres.

The health Commissioner Dr Dayo Adeyanju explained that the steps taken by government was not aimed at making money from the people of the state as it was discovered that many of the people benefitting from the free medical services provided by the government were none indigenes.

Adeyanju pointed out that residents with the card , especially pregnant women and children from age 1 to 5 receive

uninterrupted free medical services, while those without the card would be made to pay stipends for medical services rendered to them.

However, findings showed that residents of the state, have embraced the smart cards now tagged “ cards of lmitless possibilities “in the state as they have been trooping out in droves to the designated Data Centres, in response to government’s call, to obtain the Smart card.

South West voice findings showed that the commendations the introduction had so far received outweighed the criticism which showed it’s acceptance by the people of the state Notable dignitaries who attended the flag off ceremony of the smart cards seems not to see the project the way critics are seeing it as they described it as another first in the series of welfare package of the present administration in the state for the benefit of the people.

Former Statistician General of the Federation Prof Doyin Akinyosoye in his remark during the flag off recommended the adoption of the smart card to the Nationa Economic Council NEC for effective planning purposes in the country.

My take on Ondo residency card Kaadi Igbe Ayo Governor Olusegun Mimiko to rig the 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. That is what he used the first launch data for in his first term as governor for his second term bid.

So he is basically preparing data for a post-Mimiko’s regime for the PDP! We must be at alert and watch it!!

By Jumoke Anifowose

T

HE Ondo Residency Card ‘Kaadi Igbe Ayo’ is of no use to the good people of Ondo State now. It is fraud in its current mode of implementation. How many times will the card be launched?

It was launched in Governor Mimiko’s first term or so! With less than two (2) years left in the 8 years of Governor Mimiko’s administration, what services (social services, specific social security scheme) will he provide to the people, which he hasn’t done in the last 6 years?

Why now? Governor Mimiko has spent millions of Naira on this project already. From my record, he has been planning this project before he became Governor of Ondo State. So why has the project not been concluded? So why should our people pay for the card?

Why not explore putting the Residency Information as an “applet” on the chip in the National Identity Smart Card?

Through such collaboration, Ondo State and its people will not have to incur cost on production C M Y K

•The Kaadi Igbeayo... of the Smartcard. What will be needed is the residency database infrastructure and its integration to the National Identity Database System/Infrastructure.

This has the added advantage of inter-operability. The ‘Kaadi Igbe Ayo’ in its current form has no payment application/applet (functionalities)! So it cannot help address issues of financial inclusion, or cashless policy of the national government.

Therefore, this entire concept of the project needs review, redesign and better implementation to focus it properly for what it should be.

It can’t currently work with

ATMs, POS terminals, etc.

Where is the government’s advocacy plan and strategy for the use, acceptance and understanding of this card’s purpose, strategic objectives and citizens’ support among many others? Workers are being owed four (4) months salaries or so!

Where will they get N2,000 to get the card? Some of my people working in Akure are asking me to send them money for this reason! Am I not indirectly going to pay for this Kaadi Igbe Ayo? And how many things I’m I going to pay for? Who knows?

Political Conclusion: this is another scheme, strategy by

Technical/Technology Where are the smartcard readers (card readers) (similar to the one used by INEC to read the PVC during election) in our communities that the Kaadi Igbe Ayo will work with? This is required! Where is the electronic

The ‘Kaadi Igbe Ayo’ in its current form has no payment application/applet (functionalities)! So it cannot help address issues of financial inclusion, or cashless policy of the national government

e-government portal where the Residency Number (RN) for example can be used to sign on to a personalized page of the governmental portal? The RN should be usable on its own without the smartcard! If this is available, then it should have been demonstrated to our people and undergo CitizensAcceptance-Test (CAT), UsersAcceptance Test (UAT) and Proof of Concept (POC) processes and with feedback to correct any anomalies.

What is the spread (spatial distribution etc) of broadband services among our communities (villages, hamlets, towns, cities etc) in Ondo? Assuming there are smartcard readers – will it ride on GSM networks, CDMA networks. If GSM – will the card reader use GPRS, Edge, 3G, etc Are these technologies available in our various communities? What is the government’s broadband plan for the State – in terms of universal service and universal access to telecommunications? *Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, lawyer, politician is the daughter of late Ondo State Governor Adekunle Ajasin

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 5

OGUN STATE community and the well water was no longer enough to satisfy the growing population in the community.

The association which is now clamouring for help from the State government, claimed they need amenities and pipe borne water because no water corporation pipe is transporting water to the area Sanni said “We have no pipe borne water in this area, and the only borehole we have is not functioning to the satisfaction of the people of this community.”

•A resident fetching water from Ogun River in Abeokuta...

Market women’s ordeal

Epidemic looms in Ogun over water scarcity ...as traders, students, residents narrate ordeal

By Daud Olatunji

F

OLLOWING the p e r p e t u a l scarcity of pipe-borne water in most parts of Ogun state including its state capital, there seems to be palpable fear of looming epidemic in the state.

The inability of the residents of the State to have access to clean portable water has been described as a menace that is capable of threatening the health of the people .

The most affected are traders and students while the residents of Abeokuta the Ogun state capital are not spared in the water problem.

Subsequently, they have raised concern over it which they said has been affecting their daily routine including the business operations.

Water project Findings have shown that, this acute shortage of water in the state, if not properly handled could result into cholera outbreak, diarrhoea, typhoid among many other diseases.

Sequel to this, Guinness Nigeria PLC has commissioned a water project in some parts of the state with a view to cushioning the effect of the water shortage in the state.

The Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale had hinted that over six hundred million people worldwide lack access to clean water wit over sixty million of the figure found in Nigeria.

According to him, scarcity of clean water in Nigeria has fuelled the spread of deadly, easily preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera and

typhoid.

This assertion by Sobowale may be true owing to the fact that residents in the state (especially those in Abeokuta, the state capital) depend on well water for daily usage.

Residents of Abeokuta are seen on daily basis with empty jerrycans searching all nooks and crannies for water.

Students are worst hit as they trooped to streets early morning in search of water. They besiege any functioning boreholes in their areas.

Some students even fetch water from the burst pipe in the gutter.

It was further gathered that, the growing number of students admitted into the public institutions in the state including Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Gateway Polytechnics, Saapade, Itori and Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa among others have compounded the woes faced by the residents in their search for portable and drinking water.

“As a result of lack of water in our area,we have abandoned our water closet, we defecate in a paper and throw it into a septic tank which is not good for our health.

“This government can not get credit from me if the issue of water is not properly addressed.

“A neighbour of mine spent over N20,000 on his son when he (the son) contacted typhoid recently.”

A student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ibrahim Ajasa said “water has been one of the major hindrances to easy learning for us (students) in this state especially during examinations.

“We face a lot of hardship trying to get water to use in our area, at times we have to bully and fight others inorder to get a fair share of the water gotten from wells.”

President, Temidire Youth Development Association, Idris Sanni said that they depend mainly on well water in the

Lamentations of the residents Students dominated areas are the worst hit. These areas include Abeokuta, Itori, AgoIwoye, Ilese, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne among others.

According to Demola Keshiro, a resident of Onikolobo (one of the students-dominated areas in Abeokuta) who spoke to our correspondent , we have resolved to use pit latrine instead of the water closet due to the inadequate water supply in the area.

Students are worst hit as they trooped to streets early morning in search of water.

They besiege any functioning boreholes in their areas

Vanguard reliably gathered that some markets in the state have almost become a shadow of themselves following the lack of social amenities.

These markets include Omida, Sapon, Panseke, Lafenwa, Iberekodo. The traders there have lamented that their markets lack amenities including water ,electricity supply and toilet facilities thereby putting a lot of stress on them while carrying out their daily business.

Some market women in these markets have however decried the poor state of infrastructure in their markets during different interactions with our correspondent.

It was shocking when the Iyaloja of Omida market, Mrs Amoke Somefun explained the challenges faced by the traders at the markets.

She claimed that the market remains one of the markets which has suffered infrastructurally in the state.

“For the past three years, there has been epileptic power supply at this market, there is no water and neither a toilet to be used by the traders,” she said.

But succour seems to be coming the way of these traders whose shops, stalls and stores were demolished to pave way for the construction and expansion of the Omida-Ibara road in 2013.

The government has started the construction of an ultra-modern market which may have toilet and water supply.

Similarly, a coalition of the market leaders at the Panseke market which include leaders of fish sellers, pepper sellers, meat sellers among others have said that the level of infrastructure in the market was disturbing.

They claimed the market lacked social amenities such as toilet facilities, electricity, security.

Speaking on behalf of the market women, Alaba Akinlabi, Iyalode of Panseke market decried lack of water supply in the area which is posing a serious threat to their daily activities.

Also, a leader of the fish sellers at the market, Asanotu Egbeyemi said that “We need toilet and water because we pay money if we want to use the toilet or fetch water here in the market,” she said.

Stakeholders’ views When asked if the water available in the state is evenly distributed, State Chairman, Coalition of National Governmental Organisations in Ogun State, Adesegun Emmanuel confirmed that water was not being evenly distributed in the state.

He attributed this to the ongoing constructions across the state since some of the pipes transporting water were removed to pave way for the constructions.

He said “water is not that evenly distributed, I can attribute this to the on-going projects in the state capital. Particularly, in place such as Ita Iyalode, Ita Eko, Ibara, Abiola Way etc. in Abeokuta. Maybe after the completion of these projects, we may have water in the state.

Public discussion Adesina who is also the state Chairman, Human Rights Agenda Network in the state said this at a public discussion on a bill to establish Ogun state Water Sector Law organised by the State House of Assembly recently.

“For the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Ogun State Water Corporation to propose this bill, it is a very good one and if it is being passed into law, something good will come to Ogun State.

“Just as we have submitted our opinions, we are going to lobby seriously for the inclusion of our submission into the bill.

Also, General Manager, Ogun State Water Corporation, Engr.

Monsurat Agboola said the bill would help to reposition the corporation in a bid to supply adequate water to the residents.

“The Ogun State Water Sector law is about getting things right in the Ogun State water sector, it has clearly demacated the functions of Ogun State Water sector as an urban water sector.

“The law is in twofolds, the activities of OGSWC and OGSWRC will be established as we move on in the government because it is the law that will bring about the regulatory committee.

“The regulatory committee will be the one to control all the participants in the sector be it private, OGSWC etc. and their activities. So, we will bring in the committee. They will be the watch-dog of the water sector.

“For OGSWC, it will put us on our feet, the bill is going to be a performance-driven sector now, the bill will clearly state our responsibilities to the people. It also spells out the dos and don’ts for those in the sector so, nobody will crave ignorance.

C M Y K

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

LAGOS STATE

QUALITY CONTROL: Embattled Lagos hospitality operator returns after shut down

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode last weekend, assured residents of his administration's determination to take advantage of the huge potentials available in the hospitality sector towards creating jobs for youths in the state.

Ambode, who gave the assurance at the official commissioning of The George, a hospitality centre in Ikoyi , Lagos, said the government would expand the frontiers of the hospitality industry in the state so as to attract investment.

Stating that the current economic realities in the country have made it necessary for the state to develop a non-oil sector to ensure sustainable revenue source. The governor said relevant policies and incentives would be put in place to create an enabling environment for the development of the sector,

which according to him, is a key driver of his administration’s agenda.

“This is a happy occasion because it has reaffirmed the status of Lagos State as the first choice destination of investment. It also confirms the untapped opportunities in

We are committed to putting in place relevant policies and incentives that would create an enabling environment for the development of the hospitality sector as a key driver of our administration’s development agenda

tourism and hospitality sector in Lagos State”.

“Lagos state is known as the Centre of Excellence for a number of reasons . One of these is the accommodating nature of our people and the various tourism and recreation sites that abound in the state.

“We are committed to putting in place relevant policies and incentives that would create an enabling environment for the development of the hospitality sector as a key driver of our administration’s development agenda” , he said.

He therefore, called on other investors to key into the various opportunities that abound in the tourism belt spread across the state.

Earlier, Chairman of the hotel, Mr. Tien George said

•Governor Akinwunmi Ambode...

with the setting up of the hotel, they intend to play a key role in the development of tourism in the state as well as provide employment for the teeming youths in the country.

“We wanted to lift the hospitality business in Nigeria to a completely new pedestal.

We believe it was not worth our trouble to do what everybody else has done, we needed to do something different. We wanted to show our young men and women that the best of the world was possible in Nigeria”,

he said.

Meanwhile, the management of embattled Chocolat Royal, a popular restaurant and café in the state, which was recently reopened after being shut for a month by state regulator over quality control issue, has restated its total commitment to high standards, ethical values and respect for its numerous customers.

Continues on page 7

Hoodlums on the prowl: Coker traders, monarch call LASG to beef-up security

•Coker market....

By Ikenna Asomba

T

HE Baale of Olaniyonu Community, Ojora Kingdom, in Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, Chief Biliamin Ajadi and traders under the aegis of Coker Building Materials and Allied Products Dealers Union, CBMAPDU, have called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, as well as authorities of the state Police Command, to beef-up security within the market community.

Making this appeal during the inauguration ceremony of the CBMAPDU new executives, Chief Ajadi and the traders said the call became imperative owing to the illegal activities of extortions, C M Y K

intimidation and molestation by hoodlums disguising as officials of the state government. They also called on the governor and the Ifelodun Council authorities to assist them in the rehabilitation of drainage channels and inner-city roads linking into the market, noting that their deplorable and flooded state especially as the rains are here, were negatively affecting their businesses.

The Baale of Olaniyonu community, who commended the traders’ union for the peaceful conduct of their election, as well as their peaceful conduct within the community, however said: “Thank God these people (traders) come with their

money to invest here and they are creating jobs for people. But the major problem they face here is insecurity, because hoodlums and street urchins are really disturbing them. This has been giving me sleepless nights. I have called the present Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Mr. Adigun Adebayo, to help us check the illegal activities of extortions and intimidation by these area boys. These traders pay their levies as and when due to the council and state authorities, yet, these hoodlums will no allow them go about their legitimate business activities peacefully. I implore the state government to come to our aid to check their illegal activities in Coker, Odu-Ade, Alaba and Olaniyonu.

The monarch, who however stated that his leadership has been working with the Police and traders to secure the community said: “On our part, we have been working with the police stations within the community, as well as the traders to ensure the

maintenance of security within the community. We are presently working with the vigilante group to beef-up security within the market and the community at large. But these things cannot be done alone, because I’m only a traditional ruler, and not a budgeting officer. All these things need money, and that’s why we are appealing for the state government’s maximum support to secure our environment.”

On his part, President, CBMAPDU, Sam Okpala, who said the market was made up of mainly traders of Igbo

These traders pay their levies as and when due to the council and state authorities, yet, these hoodlums will no allow them go about their legitimate business activities peacefully

extraction, and a sizeable number of non-Igbo, however urged traders, to shun politics of ethnicity and sectionalism.

He pointed that for peace to continue to reign in the market, merit and not tribalism should be the yard-stick in the selection of leaders.

Okpala, who joined the Baale of Olaniyonu Community in calling for adequate security from Governor Ambode, said: “Security is the major challenge we have here in our market. We are almost daily faced with the issue of area boys (hoodlums) carrying out illegal activities; extortion, intimidation and molesting traders and our customers. We have though been fighting them through various security strategies and the robust relationship we have with the Police stations within this community, however, we still need more support from the state government.

On the deplorable state of roads into the market, as well as drainage channels, the market leader urged Governor Ambode to come to their aid, noting that funding such capital projects was beyond the financial strength of the traders.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 7

LAGOS STATE

•Lagos State High Court, Ikeja...

LAND DISPUTE: Legal

battle erupts btw biz woman, AG, others

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

business woman, Princess Josephine Momoh has asked a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja to restrain, the state Commissioner for lands and the state Attorney-General from trespassing on a parcel of land lying along Isheri/ Olowora in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos

State.

The claimant, through her lawyer, Ola Sobowale also joined Ikeja Saddle Club as a defendant.

The claimant is praying the court declare that she is entitled to the statutory Right of occupancy over the disputed land delineated on Survey Plan No. TJ/LA/47/77 dated July 12, 1977.

The claimant is also

demanding for N2 million as damages suffered as a result of the continued trespass of the defendant on the land in the dispute.

According to the claimant, the land in dispute is a portion of a larger piece of land originally settled upon by Ikumoworo, who was the first Onikoro of Oruba Agboyi and also of Isheri several years ago in accordance with Yoruba

Native Law and Custom.

Meanwhile, the defendants in their statement of defence, stated that the land in dispute falls within large expanse of land acquired by Lagos state government in 1969 for public purpose.

They described the suit as frivolous and misconceived, abuse of court process and urged the court to dismiss the case with substantial cost.

Continuing, the claimant in her statement of claim, averred that the said Ikumoworo was survived by three children namely Adekana, Oniseta and Ajayi Okee respectively, adding that the three children took joint physical possession of the land and were exercising various joint acts ownership over the same without let or hindrance from any quarter until their deaths several years ago.

According to her, the Ikumoworo land had not been partitioned until now and it has been the practices to recognise each of the subheads of the family branches as a family branch in such a way that the recognised heads of the family mush have

The claimant stated that she did not instruct the 1st and 2nd defendants to sell or lease the land in dispute to anyone including the 3nd defendant herein

consensus agreement for the sale of any portion of Ikumoworo family land.

The claimant averred that the said Ikumoworo family as representation by the Onikoro, the Oshorun and the Onikosi took physical possession of the land before the land was purportedly compulsorily acquired by the Lagos State Government.

The claimant stated that she did not instruct the 1st and 2nd defendants to sell or lease the land in dispute to anyone including the 3nd defendant herein.

The claimant averred that Lagos State Government did not pay any compensation to the Ikumoworo family but was merely using various portion the land under the guise that there had been acquisition notices, which had been gazetted but which notice was never served on the claimant’s predecessors-in-title required by law.

The claimant posited that sometimes in 1977, she approached the accredited representative of the Ikumoworo family as their attorney in respect of the Ikumoworo family, for the sale of the land in dispute to her.

The Ikumoworo family, she added decided to sell the land to the claimant due to the cordial relationship that had existed between them.

The claimant added that after the land was sold, she (claimant) was put in physical possession by the accredited representatives of the family who prayed for her peaceful and quiet enjoyment of the land she purchased for them.

The claimant added that she identified the area of her personal land purchased from the Ikumoworo family and fenced the same with barbed wire.

Quality Control: Embattled Lagos hospitality operator returns after shut down Continues from page 6 The restaurant Chairperson, Saada Elias Moussalli, stated this recently, at the reopening of the restaurant, the first French Patisserie and Chocolaterie in Nigeria.

While assuring that it would continue to dispense safe, high quality products and world class service without comprise, Moussali commended customers for standing by the restaurant during its one month closure.

“We are grateful to you, our loyal customers and friends who have inundated us with enquiries. We appreciate your concern and patience. We are thrilled, as we know you all are, to announce to you that Chocolat Royal has been authorised to reopen at all our outlets.

She said the restaurant is back with customers favourite and

We are back, we are better, we are grateful to them for standing by us. There was one of our customers, who came to us on the day we reopened and heaved sigh of relief that we finally reopened

mouth-watering dishes, adding that apart from it offering authentic French Pastries, Viennoiseries, handmade Chocolates, Breads, Dougnuts, Ice Cream and other intercontinental dishes, the restaurant would soon introduced African dishes into its menu at a very affordable price in a cosy environment.

Also speaking, General Manager, Chocolat Royal, Elie Yahchouchy said that the restaurant is fully back with better service delivery in a most dignifying way, after a month closure.

According to him, “First of all we just want to thank the public and customers for standing by the restaurant for the period it was shut down.

More so, for understanding the situation but now the restaurant

is up and running for better service. We have always maintained standard. It is just to either keep it as it is or take it higher and make our service better.

“We are back, we are better, we are grateful to them for standing by us. There was one of our customers, who came to us on the day we reopened and heaved sigh of relief that we finally reopened. To such customers, we are very grateful. We really appreciate their understanding, loyalty.

For us on our part is to maintain the standard.

“What happened will make people doubt but you know, that is not a problem; it is understandable. Time will tell.

One will be proven with good record of services over time to see that standard are

maintained with top class services,” he added.

“There are bunch of loyal customers that are just dieheard loyalists because here at Chocolat Royal, you are not just served with the meal, you are served with smile, dignity and honour and courtesy in a cosy environment. That is one of the things that endears customer to a waiter to make him or her feels, he want to come back,” he said.

Chocolat Royal, situated in Lagos Island, has been in the business of food delivery and eateries for over two decades and it is recognised as a global brand through several awards, including: The International Star for Quality (Geneva-2003).

The World Quality Commitment (Paris- 2007) and the Quality Crown (London – 2010).

C M Y K

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

OSUN STATE

Salary protests:

Aregbesola winning the war?

•Osun workers during one of their protests over unpaid salaries...

By Lateef Dada, Osogbo

T

HERE is no gain saying the fact that Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state has risen above the predicament bedeviling the state over his inability to pay the salary of workers running to six months.

The governor’s dilemma which has triggered cataclysmic reactions from all concerns including the retirees is becoming a thing of the past as Governor Aregbesola is apparently winning the war.

After several protests by civil societies groups in the state, some of the societies backed out and turned to Aregbesola’s fold thus created serious division among the society groups.

Planned protests Recently, the coordinator, Committee for Democracy and Rights of the people, CDRP, Amitolu Shittu, had led women, youths and other groups to the street, in a bid to prevent the planned protests of impeachment, organised by the Civil Societies’ Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEO), a situation that almost ran the state aground as the two opposing groups were dispersed by hoodlums who insisted that there must not be any protest in the state.

The CSCEO’s Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman Alimi, had earlier noted that over 20 civil and faith based societies who are members of CSCEO have been mobilizing their members towards the mass rally to call for the impeachment of

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, adding that the protest would include “The Voices, KIMPACT, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice, Grassroot Democratic Network, Christian Initiative for Nation Building, Christian Leadership Mobilisation and Better Future Initiative.

Others are Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Justice, Development and Peace Commission Movement (JDPCM), Positive Movement, Good Governance Support Group, Democratic Socialist Movement and Conference of National Political Parties (CNPP).

But, other groups, in a rally organized by Osun Progressive Left, trooped out with placards of various inscriptions such as: “No to impeachment, “Stop campaign of calumny against Aregbesola, “No to anti-Aregbesola conspiracy, among others, insisting that campaign against the governor must not hold.

Among those who trooped out for pro-Aregbesola were: Ola Oni

Our docility, gullibility omoluabi mentality and cowardice as a people, coupled with the greed and selfishness of the custodians of our traditions as well as the spiritual insensitivity and nonchalance of our religious leaders got us to this state

Centre for Good Governance, Osun State Civil Society Coalition, Committee for Democracy and Human Rights, Centre for Voters Awareness, Coalition Groups for Good Governance, Sharing Heart International, Climate and Environmental Awareness Initiative, who insisted that they must let those championing the campaigns of calumny against Aregbesola realize they were on an already failed mission.

While addressing the crowd at the popular Orita-Olaiya, the convener of De Rauf, Comrade Amitolu Shitu, said the people of Osun must be wary of selfish politicians using the salary issues to create tension and make Aregbesola appear like an enemy of the people.

Shitu said, “To the best of our knowledge, the Nigeria Labour Congress has identified at least 23 states of the federation where salaries are not paid up to date.

In fact, if you look at the local government workers, Osun is one of the states owing the least number of months.

“There are states with up to 8 months of unpaid salaries in councils. The same thing goes for state civil servants. Why then is this crazy stigmatization of Osun and its governor? We are here to say enough is enough.

Also, the convener of Osun Progressive Left, Wale Adebisi, described the campaign against Aregbesola as a sponsored one, insisting that they would resist any attempt to unseat him by the power seekers.

According to CSCEO, “Our demand is nothing but the removal of Ogbeni Aregbesola. If a chieftain of his party and indeed

a former National Chairman of APC and a one-time governor of Osun state, Chief Adebisi Akande can declare that 24-year old Osun is not viable under Aregbesola, then, we are of the view that the man at the helm of affairs should quit”, he stated.

Earlier, the group’s Secretary, Comrade Sulaiman Adeniyi said, “As it stands today, Osun is a failed state under the watch of Aregbesola, with all the characteristics already manifested; hunger, poverty, closed hospitals, schools, Government offices, courts, internal displacement of persons, failed and abandoned projects from roads to buildings.

“Jungle justice in the absence of the judiciary, collapse of public utility, insecurity, as burglary and petty stealing pervades the land arising from excruciating hunger and lack.

“We see the situation escalating, even beyond the control of security agents in the country as hungry men are angry men and conversely, angry men in their numbers are ominous dangers to the society.

“Wole Soyinka, regrettably an ally of the autocratic, dictatorial and unusual government of Osun state under the unusual Ogbeni, once said ‘the man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny’.

“Our docility, gullibility (“omoluabi mentality”) and cowardice as a people, coupled with the greed and selfishness of the custodians of our traditions as well as the spiritual insensitivity and nonchalance of our religious leaders certainly contributed in no small measure to get us to this deplorable state of things which we could never have thought of in our wildest imagination.

Wildest imagination “In addition to these is the failure of the State House of Assembly to perform her duties as enshrined in sections 4, 128 and 129 of the constitution as the watchdog of the executive arm of government”, he stated.

He urged concerned Osun indigenes including workers, artisans, pensioners and students to join forces with CSCEO to ensure that both the state House of Assembly and EFCC perform their constitutional responsibilities, saying there are enormous evidences of financial mismanagement by Aregbesola.

Apparently, a group of retirees within the Nigerian Union of

Pensioners on Tuesday July 14, 2015, assured Osun state government of its readiness to be part of all efforts to build an enduring financial strength and therefore bail it out of its present situation where it is affected by whatever happens to revenue allocations from the Federal Government.

The group of retirees, under the NUP Triangular Group, while paying a solidarity visit to the governor Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed that they were opposed to any plot to destabilize the state under the guise of pressing for pensions and salaries.

Specifically, they dissociated themselves from what they called politically motivated protests by a group of people last week saying such protest was not in the interest of pensioners.

Interest of pensioners They had trooped to the Office of the Governor, Osogbo to show their support for the governor and commend him for what they called the obvious developments strategies that have lifted the face of Osun.

The pensioners’ Chairman, Prince Rotimi Adelugba said, it is highly necessary to dissociate themselves from politically motivated protests said to have been embarked on by some people alleged to be pensioners .

He disclosed that all those who are protesting on behalf of the pensioners were a group being allegedly sponsored by the opposition party in Osun.

According to him, the Triangular group, which comprises pensioners in all the Local government of the state, identified the developmental strides of the current administration in the state.

He stated that the non-payment of salary, though affects thousands of workers in the state, is not peculiar to Osun alone. He argued that the financial impasse affected nearly half of the state of the federation and the federal government.

The pensioners’ boss said with the various measures being explored by the federal government, the state will soon get out of the financial lock jam.

THE TEAM EDITOR: Adeleke Adeseri CORRESPONDENTS: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo Ikenna Asomba

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17 , 2015 —33

Austeen Eboka, a US based writer, producer, director and independent filmmaker who was one of the pioneers of what we call Nollywood nowadays; having appeared in the many Nigerian great soap operas of the past including Checkmate, Mind Bending

by Lola Fani Kayode, Dreams and City of Gold.

He recently co-produced Feathered Dreams, the first feature-length movie in the history of the Ukrainian film production featuring Omoni Oboli; and plans to lead similar culturally mixed productions involving Nigerian artistes in the near future.Lipstick catches up wih him for a quick chat.

Nigeria lacks arts investors — Eboka

O

NE of the things that used to bind families together in those days were soap operas. This is no longer the case.

It’s a shame really. I remember back in the day when we used to gather to watch tv soaps. And now, with all the technology out there, nothing.

Why do you think there are not so many popular soaps in Nigeria anymore?

In as much as I have not lived in Nigeria for so long, I want to believe that, Arts in Nigeria have been so commercialized that most people only focus on productions that will generate instant profit. Unlike SOAPS, they believe movies more readily generate quick cash turn-around.

Austin Eboka and artists Secondly, it may be due to the fact that, very few scriptwriters are versed in the art of scripted series which demands a lot more details and suspense, character development as well as dedicated production personnel to guarantee the sustenance of the series. It would not be

farfetched to also state that funding is a major component that is lacking.

But don’t you think it has something to do with cable tv which has brought alternative modes of entertainment?

That could also be a contributing factor. However, if

the cable carriers are approached with products that are spellbinding, guaranteed to capture a wide audience, I’m sure they’ll jump at it. Out here, cable networks are constantly seeking such products becuse it is a sure way of building a dedicated viewing audience for

Traumatizing situations of widowhood: CWA calls for commonfront in fighting menace in Nigeria

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA - The state of being a widow, commonly referred to as widow-hood is indeed a pathetic situation, going by a comment of a widow, the reporter recently came across in the Federal Territory Capital, FCT. Regina Kaase, a mother of four from Obudu Local Government of Cross River State said: “I don’t even pray for my enemies to lose their husbands and become a widow, it is really traumatising.”

This situation was even confirmed by various testimonies of widows, who were given opportunity to share their experiences at the 10th Anniversary service of the Christian Widows Association (CWA) in Kuje, a satellite town in Abuja.

Among their ordeals is obnoxious culture against widow in some parts of the country. This, they testified, has been a part of what was being carried out

against them by relatives of their husband.

Some of their (husband relations) actions they alleged was targeted at ripping them (widows) off the belongings/ properties of their husbands, without having a rethink or concern on how the children left behind by the decease will survive.

Speaking at the occasion in Abuja, the National Director of CWA, Pastor Emmanuel Onyeke, who chronicled some situations faced by widows in the society, said the psychological torture they battled with were being compounded by the challenges posed in their unfortunate situation.

His words: “The loss of a lifepartner provokes the thought of a lonely future, where her dreams are shattered.

“The challenges of singleparenting children further heighten fear of the unknown future, thereby threatening their

psychological wellbeing. The cultural treatment meted out to widows during the grief and sorrow is often dehumanizing and debasing, thus compounding their sorrow instead of relief.

“Some of these traditional widowhood practices alienated the widows and in some instances frustrate their children and physically becomes a challenge to their security within the society which further heightens their fear.” The cleric maintained that their situation had gone worse in some places that even within the congregation in the church of God; they were being seen as liabilities.

“Young widows want to remarry but even widowers in the church do not want to marry them.

Should they marry unbelievers?” he asked.

According to him, the only area where some men want to relate to widows is to take them to bed.

Narrating an incident in Mararaba area of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Pastor Onyeke said a woman cried to him over victimization from a man, whom she alleged of always abandoning his wife after church service to disturb her.

He explained that the woman was not having her peace until he intervened in the matter, and the man who confessed in the present of their pastor to have been disturbing her for relationship was disciplined by the church.

their station. That translates to revenue.

Or that viewers, mostly women, have a shorter attention span?

Hmmmm...I wouldn’t say that is necessarily the case. Again, I refer to soaps here: I know people who cannot do without watching certain programs. If they are at work, they go as far as setting their devices to record the episodes.

There are cases where a new soap would start and have a cult following and would fizzle out after a short while. Also, the same scripts that are rejected by sponsors here are said to be accepted in other countries like South Africa.

That’s exactly the point I made earlier. Nigeria lacks arts investors.

Arts investors That’s why most artistes have settled for quick shoot and sell movies.

So, what is the way forward.

Does the Actors’ Guild have a role to play, for instance?

For one, there has to be a complete overhaul of the industry by way of training. AGN is in such disrepute that they can’t even trust themselves. Then, a re-education or re-orientation of the Nigerian audience by introducing them to quality artistic creations. Get back the trust, you never know who is out there waiting for an opportunity to invest.

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Hope, succour for Nigerian Widows:

Abike Dabiri Rep Ikorodu Federal Constituency Ronald Kayanja UNIC Director Prof. Grace Alele Williams Kendi Aig-Imoru, Hope For Life Initiatives and Seyi Soremekun UNIC Information Officer.

Insert: 2nd left…. Mrs Oluwagbemiga Benson, Pioneer Cahirman SUBEB, Yeye Gbadebo, state APC Women Leader, Lagos East Senatorial District, Princess Adenrele Adeniran Ogunsanya former SSG Lagos state and others at the victory party held in honour of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode at the Egbin Therminal Station Ikorodu

As Hope for Life Initiative celebrates Int'l Widows’ Day •Inhuman treatment of widows punishable by law: Hon. Dabiri-Erewa •NGO’s role crucial: Prof. Alele-Williams

H

OPE for abused widows was given a boost as Hope for Life Initiativea non-governmental organization in Lagoscommemorated the International Widows Day in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre.

The event was attended by various stakeholders including honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, who lamented various inhuman treatments which widows often suffer.

Assuring the widows on the position of the law regarding violence against persons – widows inclusive- Dabiri-Erewa maintained that it is punishable under Session 15(1), Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (As reviewed) for anyone to harass, maltreat or abuse a widow.

According to her, the law which

was passed and signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 28 May, 2015, states that such offender is liable to a 2-year jail

She therefore urged the widows to seek education at all cost stressing that: “If you are educated, you cannot be maltreated or abused.”

term or pay a fine of N500,000 or be subjected to both forms of punishment depending on the gravity of offence.

She therefore urged the widows to seek education at all cost stressing that: “If you are educated, you cannot be maltreated or abused.”

Similarly, retired university don and former vice-chancellor of the University of Benin Professor Grace Alele Williams advised the widows to explore all means available to them including the Ministry of Women Affairs.

According to her, widows could write letters to the ministry requesting for assistance. She added: “You can also ask the ministry what they have been doing for widows. Also, it is important to get NGO’s like Hope For Life Initiative involved or any other NGOs around who can help forward and follow up on your case.”

The International Widows Day is celebrated every year on the 23rd of June. This year at its commemoration, The United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has advocated for measures to erase the social stigmatization and economic deprivation that confronts widows.

Greater equality The Secretary-General, represented by Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, made the statement in his message during the International Widows’ Day celebration.

Stressing the need for creating a world with greater equality for generations to come, he refers to it as being ‘ the defining challenge of our time’.

“International Widows’ Day is an opportunity to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing.

“Without the economic and social protection of their husbands, many widows are treated as financial burdens by their families. They may lose their rights to inheritance and property, or even be forced out of their communities,’ Mr Kimoon noted.

He further said that age, income, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors can put women at greater risk of injustice saying: “These human rights violations stem from the unjust view that women have diminished value.

On International Widows’ Day, we reassert the equality of men and women.”

Hope for Life Initiatives has amongst its objectives: encouraging and providing a platform for improving the quality of life of youths and widows, networking with local and international bodies, government and co-operative organizations for positive interaction, mentoring youths with life-changing seminars and workshops and helping young people make right choices and have a purpose driven life.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —35

A cross section of participants at the G7 meeting

Pharmaceutical companies, others partner to end Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) W

HO urges ownership of national control programmes; breaks down real cost of NTDs A report, entitled Country Leadership and Collaboration on Neglected Tropical Diseases and launched in London and circulated amongst stakeholders, comes on the heels of increased attention to NTDs at the World Health Assembly and inclusion in the recent G7 Leaders’ Declaration. The report finds that countries are increasingly taking ownership of NTD programs, have started providing new funding and are pursuing innovative approaches to combat these devastating diseases. Yet while these new methods have produced substantial progress, further scale-up is necessary to reach the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2020 targets.

Domestic financing Lauding increased state-level engagement and strong leadership towards ownership of national control programs, Dr. Dirk Engels, WHO Director of the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, advised that sustained political commitment, innovative domestic financing and greater coordination can bring about game-changing treatments and care to millions of people and improve the prospects of achieving WHO’s goal of universal health coverage against NTDs. Country Leadership and Collaboration on Neglected Tropical Diseases is the third progress report since a diverse public-private coalition of partners endorsed the 2012

London Declaration on NTDs, committing to achieve the WHO’s 2020 targets for 10 NTDs: diseases of poverty that that affect one in six people worldwide.

NTD Programs Provide an Enormous Return on Investment “The global effort to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases must be led by the countries themselves,” said Kesetebirhan Admasu, Minister of Health, Ethiopia. “Through the Addis Commitment, and with the support of the international community, we will do whatever is necessary to see an end to these terrible diseases.”

“The future of Malawi relies on addressing the causes of poverty and in ending the suffering caused by neglected tropical diseases,” said Dr. Jean A.N. Kalilani, MP, Minister of Health, Malawi. “I am personally committed to the control and elimination of these diseases within Malawi and am proud that we are leading the way in committing to end these horrific

These horrific diseases affect the very poorest and most marginalised people in the world.

We cannot, and will not, turn our backs while people suffer

diseases.”

Global Coalition, Including Private Sector.

The backbone of these efforts is a diverse and committed public-private partnership that champions a new way of improving the lives of the world’s poorest people. As part of this partnership, pharmaceutical companies have donated 3.5 billion NTD treatments since the launch of the London Declaration and are committed to donate about $17.8 billion worth of NTD drugs through 2020, making it the largest drug donation program in the world.

Drug donation programme Since 2012, there has been a 36% increase in donated drugs.

“Debilitating illnesses like lymphatic filariasis are on the retreat, partly due to publicprivate partnerships that help make sure donated medicines and essential healthcare reach those who need them most,” said Andy Wright, vice-president for global health programs at GSK and chair of the Partnership for Disease Control Initiatives.

“These collective efforts provide a powerful blueprint for working together to free communities from the burden of disease and enabling them to thrive.”

Other partners are collaborating to find innovative ways to advance NTD progress, including the Global Trachoma Mapping Project, the largest infectious disease mapping exercise in history; the formation of a Global Schistosomiasis Alliance to improve coverage for the disease and galvanize progress; an NTD modelling consortium aimed at better understanding effective control

strategies in particular settings; and innovative research into new drugs, diagnostic tools and operational approaches.

Operational approaches Neglected tropical diseases, from bilharzia to elephantiasis, are causing disability, disfigurement and around half a million deaths every year, according to Desmond Swayne, UK International Development Minister.

“These horrific diseases affect the very poorest and most marginalised people in the world. We cannot, and will not, turn our backs while people suffer. Britain is currently protecting millions of people around the world from these diseases; for example, by helping to bring Guinea Worm close to eradication. This important report shows just how effective aid invested in fighting these diseases can be. We now need others to step up and build on the progress made.”

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) also announced a new $20 million commitment to help finish the job of eradicating Guinea Worm disease. It’s CEO Michael Anderson, says it’s simply not acceptable that 800 million children worldwide are at risk from horrific intestinal worms, despite the existence of a cheap and simple solution,” said Michael Anderson, CEO at CIFF. He affirms his commitments to support national deworming programmes in Africa and India.

Confronting Challenges: Despite progress, the report identifies several areas where progress must be accelerated:

While more people are being reached, improvement in many places remains too low to achieve set goals. A scorecard released with the report shows progress against schistosomiasis lags behind other diseases despite the availability of a simple treatment.

In addition, reaching WHO roadmap targets for a number of these diseases relies on new diagnostics and tools, some of which are still in development, underscoring the importance of prioritizing research and development.

Funding is also an issue, emphasizing the need to scale up programs to address these gaps. The report cites an annual delivery funding gap of US$200300 million between now and 2020. The WHO estimates that low- and middle-income countries could fully fund their share of universal coverage against NTDs with less than 0.1% of domestic spending on health.

Domestic spending “We have known for some time that investing in NTDs is a best buy in development,” said Lisa Rotondo, Project Director at RTI International. “There are still challenges ahead, but the NGO community is committed to reaching the targets established

by WHO, and we welcome additional collaborators in support of endemic countries.”

Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases: Established in 2012, Uniting to Combat NTDs is a group of organizations committed to achieving the WHO’s 2020 goal to control and eliminate 10 NTDs as laid out in in the London Declaration. By working together, Uniting to Combat NTDs aims to chart a new course toward health and sustainability among the world’s poorest communities.

The 10 diseases covered by the London Declaration include river blindness, Guinea worm disease, lymphatic filariasis, blinding trachoma, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, leprosy, Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness, none of which has been eradicated in Nigeria.

Statistics: Affected Countries are Increasingly Leading the Fight against NTDs Endemic countries are increasing domestic funding for NTDs and innovating to find new ways to deliver critical drugs.

In doing so, they are improving coverage rates and making strides toward eliminating these diseases, with many already achieving elimination goals for individual diseases. The report also shows for the first time the full burden of illness, disability, and deaths caused by NTDs, finding it at the same order of magnitude as the “Big Three” diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Four ways to avoid online fraud

By Laju Iren

Y

ou know the drill. If it hasn’t happened to you, a close friend or family member has probably been in that unfortunate situation…when hackers mischievously find their way into your social media accounts or worse, into your bank account. These are security challenges that even the best anti-viruses cannot protect you from. Luckily, there are ways of spotting such security threats from a mile away.

They don’t know your name Although it is possible for some legitimate companies to address you without your full name, this is particularly true of scammers and hackers. Ever wondered why your bank would address you simply with ‘dear ’ or with your email address.

Why would employers of labour not address you by name if you have really been shortlisted for an interview.

What about Facebook or Twitter? If your account has really been hacked as the message says, then what is the name of the account user? Why would anyone want to give their father ’s inheritance to someone whose name he doesn’t know? If they don’t know your name, then it’s probably because they shouldn’t.

Gifts you didn’t apply for You cannot win a lottery you

never applied for. Same goes for cash prices and other gifts. It is scammers who send mails telling you that you have won ‘so and so’just so that they can obtain money for you in exchange for the so called ‘gift.’

Too good to be true You get a scholarship you never applied for, a cheque beyond your wildest imagination, a piece of property you could never afford…and the information is right there, sitting in your mail. You would never have thought about it if not for the

A new beginning for photography

By Laju Iren

O

f the billions of photos taken per day, roughly 1.8 billion are shared on social networks, up from 500 million in just 2013. However, only about 93 million of the photos posted online are selfies. The increased availability and heightened utility of smartphonebased cameras has allowed for more people than ever to use photography to express themselves.

The latest in a line of elite flagship smartphones from LG, the G4 is equipped with a number of cutting edge features that make it wellpositioned to be the most popular LG smartphone ever. Powered by a topof-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and packing a number of convenience-enhancing features, the LG G4 appeals to tech experts and novices alike.

“We are living up to our promise of Innovation for a Better Life with a fashionable, premium smartphone that is more focused on delivering a balanced user experience that can

compete with the best of the best,” said Mr. Steve Seungeui Lee, the General Manager, Mobile Communication division, LG Electronics West Africa operations.

“We wanted to give consumers a truly human-centric device that combined the analog sensibilities with technologies that delivered real world performance. From the design to the camera to the display to the UX, this is the most ambitious phone we’ve ever created.”

In addition to its ergonomic design, lightning-fast multitasking and streamlined UX, the LG G4 uses an incredible 5.5 inch IPS Quad HD display that is both crystal-clear and easy on the eyes. With its enhanced clarity and touch sensitivity, users will find that interacting with the G4 is incredibly natural and intuitive.

By faithfully capturing natural light, the G4’s F1.8 camera lens keeps light sources from blending together, meaning that light sources remain clearly defined even in pictures taken in low light settings.

good Samaritan who messaged you. If it seems too good to be true, then it’s probably a lie. Step back and click delete.

They want more information As if it’s not bad enough

that scammers already have your email or facebook address, they are thirsty for more information. Like your ATM pin, email password, and other forms of personal information. Note that they don’t ask you for these

directly, but instead lead you to fill forms containing these pieces of information.

Sometimes, you are led to sites that closely resemble the ones you are familiar with. Do not be fooled; check the address of the site you are being led to.

Tech, sports team up at 2015 Bundesliga

By Prince Osuagwu

D

espite language or tribe, there are two things that tend to bring citizens of the world together. One is sports, and the other, technology. The two of them will run the show at this year ’s German Bundesliga in more ways than one.

StarTimes just signed a 5 year deal to exclusively show all the Bundesliga top German league football LIVE in Nigeria on its Sport channels, including Star Sport Premium, Star Sports 2 and Star Sports Focus. It doesn’t end there. The company is also kicking off a promo on Saturday, July 18, 2015, which will give opportunities to 10 lucky StarTimes subscribers to enjoy an all expense paid trips to Germany to watch and enjoy the thrills and sporting actions of the German Bundesliga football.

To qualify, a StarTimes subscriber should recharge for two months and get 50% discount on the second month while new customers within the period can also do the same and participate in

•LG6 washing machine

the promo.

Speaking at the media briefing in Lagos on Tuesday, Public Relations Manager at NTA Star-TV Network, Mr Israel Bolaji, enthused that with the promo, everyone can be a winner. While ten lucky people will have the opportunity to travel for free to Germany, everybody else can get 50% discount upon recharge. Not only that, there are lots of other prizes to be won, including digital TV sets with inbuilt decoders, 2.5KVA generating sets, Solar 5 android mobile

phones and other gift items.

Everybody can win something. The promo will run till end of September.

Bolaji stated that as a mark of honour for customers, we decided to organize this landmark engagement and content to cheer up our customers in recognition of their support for us in the last five years in Nigeria. Customers can participate both on our digital terrestrial and satellite platforms (StarTimes and Star Dish TV).

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—37

Delta SUBEB moves against ghost workers A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—AS part of his efforts to stamp out ghost workers from the primary education sector, Chairman of Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Mr Elijah Ologe, has directed the Heads of Personnel Management, HPM, in the 25 local government areas in the state to conduct head count of workers in their respective councils within 72 hours.

Ologe who gave the directive at a meeting with the HPMs, said names of those who have not been going to work, should be forwarded to him for necessary disciplinary action.

Insisting that the board was out to stamp out ghost workers and all forms of fraud from the system in line with the policy direction of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration, he frowned at the rate of indiscipline and perceived sharp practices going on in the local education authority and allegations of fraud levelled against the HPMs. He said: “The board desires serious change and you have been identified as the board's problem and every stakeholder discussed with had pointed you

as the major problem we have to deal with, that is why we have invited you to know why some of you issue illegal conversion letters, payment of certain amount of money, usurping the accountants and auditors jobs with regards to the preparation of updates and reasons for not moving pay points of transferred

staff to their new schools among other issues.”

He said henceforth, applications for transfer by the Local Education Secretaries from one school to another “must include the computer number, school code of the staff, old and new school to make transfers more effective and for teachers to be

accountable in their new school and also to the board.”

He said that a situation where a teacher is transferred without these codes and without notifying the board, could promote truancy and create more loopholes for corrupt practices.

LAW WEEK: From left, Secretary of the NBA, Warri branch, Mr. Thadua Okpakpor, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, Warri branch Chairman, and Mr. Yemi Eda, member of the Law Week Planning Committee, during the Nigerian Bar Association Law Week in Warri.

How 2015 election was rigged, by Prof Azinge

By Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI—FORMER Director General of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS and member of Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, has said that the 2015 general elections in Nigeria was massively rigged by politicians.

Azinge made the allegation in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Warri Law Week held in Warri, Delta State, yesterday.

He said: “Let the truth be told, the last elections were as rigged as any other we have witnessed.

The difference was that political parties rigged massively in their comfort zones.”

Noting that the immediate past President of Nigeria was globally applauded and commended for conceding defeat, he said “Politicians and political parties spent outlandishly to win elections. The law was honoured more in the breach with high cost of election, came all sorts of electoral offences, bribery, undue influence, thuggery, violence and disorderly behaviour. We have now graduated to kidnapping, abduction and political assassination during elections.”

Azinge noted that the 2015 electioneering campaigns were characterized by the desperation on the part of the political parties who indulged in hate campaigns C M Y K

to succeed.

He blamed the Nigerian media for playing ignoble role in promotion of hate campaign, indicating that all was fair in warfare, pointing out that derogatory statements were freely used during the electioneering

campaigns.

Azinge posited that the police and the civil defence should be used in election monitoring while the military be discarded.

According to him, “If need be, we should train and equip our

police to handle such delicate issue.”

He blamed the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC for failing to ensure compliance with constitutional limits for campaign expenditure.

Gov Emmanuel lays foundation for automobile firm

By Tom Moses

I

TU—GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, laid foundation for an Automobile Assembling Plant in Itu Local Government Area of the state, in furtherance of the state industrialization policy.

The Automobile Assembling Plant which is one of the fruits of

the Technical Committee on Foreign Direct Investment, is an Israeli company named, MIMSHAC Merkavim Transportation Technologies Plant.

Speaking at the event, the governor said that the ground breaking ceremony of the automobile industry will provide an unmistakable answer to those

who doubted the possibility of industrializing the state.

He said: “If there is anybody out there who doubts our determination to change the economic fortunes of the state, who is wondering whether our bold vision of industrializing Akwa-Ibom is possible, this event provides answer to such doubt.”

Olare-Aja faults report on Itsekiri community in Warri UGBORODO:

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI — THE Olare-Aja (eldest man) of Kpokpo in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Prince George Fregene, has denied recent media report that the Itsekiri community in Warri South West council, was merely a family unit in Ugborodu community.

The Olare-Aja was reacting to

the said report authored by a faceless person in the community who occupies part of the disputed land earmarked for the Deep Seaport to serve the $16 billion Gas City Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in the area.

In a chat with Vanguard in Warri, Prince Fregene, said: “In the latest of the propaganda to demean our communal autonomy, someone who calls himself Kolo Fregene and

claimed to be Olori-Ebi said he is the community head and that Kpokpo has no Olare-Aja which is me.

“The fact is that this person is unknown to us. Kolo Fregene is our fore bearer and our point of lineage. I am George Kolo Fregene, so anyone calling himself Kolo Fregene is actually hiding his real identity to bear falsehood and peddle inciting statement."

Slashing of salaries, not solution to economic woes —REP

B

By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—THE member representing IkpobaOkha/Egor federal constituency of Edo State in the National Assembly, Mr. Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, has insisted that the 50 per cent cut in the salaries of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice was not the solution to the economic woe of the country.

Speaking with Vanguard in Benin, he said, “What is happening to the billions and trillions of Naira that is being siphoned out of the country through corrupt means? This is what the President should be fighting since he said he will fight corruption.”

He said that Nigerians want to see electricity, get jobs, good governance, reduction in corruption and for things to move in the right direction.

“Nigerians want a stop to medical tourism. We are blessed but the leakages should be blocked. The issue of slashing of salary is not ourconcernnow.Thatisnotwhat Nigerians want," he said.

Idisi assuires constituents of equal representation

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SABA—A member of House of Representatives, Chief Lovette Ediri Idisi, has assured his constituents of quality representation in the National Assembly.

Idisi, who represents Ethiope federal constituency, gave the assurance at a thanksgiving service at the St Therasa Catholic Church, Ovu Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State.

The lawmaker, said he will ensure that his representation impacts positively on the lives of the people of Ethiope federal constituency, as he decided to show appreciation to God for making his victory at the poll a reality.

He thanked his constituents for their support and solidarity, promising that he would not disappoint the confidence reposed in him.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Ebonyi highest in number of people without bank accounts —CBN

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—CENTRAL

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has expressed worry that Ebonyi State ranks highest among the states in the country with about 56 per cent of its entire population having no access to financial services including owning of bank accounts.

The apex bank disclosed this during a three-day CBN fair in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, organized to launch N220 billion Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises, MSME, Development Fund.

The Assistant Director, Development Finance Department of CBN, Mr. Osita Nwanisiobi noted that the whole essence of the fund is to enhance the access to finance for MSMEs, as the engine for economic development and growth.

According to him: “CBN is concerned by financial inclusion. In the SouthEast, 28.6 per cent are financially excluded. And 18.3 per cent of Anambra’s entire population are. The same thing with Abia.

Enugu is 23 per cent and Ebonyi is 56 per cent.

“For you to access this funds, you have to go through the commercial banks, microfinance banks, financial cooperation, financial companies with interest rate of nine per cent inclusive of any charge.”

Aggrieved workers in Owerri battle State Assembly over slash of salaries

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—UNEASY calm now reigns in Imo State House of Assembly, as the aggrieved workers in the

establishment have continued to bare their fangs over the 50 per cent slashing of their monthly emoluments by the state government.

The workers had, last Monday,

24 Commissioners, 11 Special Advisers sworn-in in Enugu

By Francis Igata

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N U G U — N E W Commissioners and Special Advisers sworn in, yesterday, in Enugu State got a charge from Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to brace up for a service to the people of the state where no failure would be given any place.

The governor, who addressed the new appointees, at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Enugu, declared that, “there is no room for failure in this administration.”

Twenty-four commissioners and 11 special advisers appointed by the governor took oath of office amidst fanfare as the people of the state, who had been anxious to have them in place, came out in their numbers to herald the new helmsmen and women.

In a speech after their swearingin ceremony,Ugwuanyi enjoined them to attend to their duties with zeal, vigour, commitment and responsibility.

He noted that their appointments were made on merit and in accordance with the dictates of geo-ethnic balancing as enshrined in section 14(4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The governor emphasized that there would be no room in his administration for failure, laxity or impunity ,more so in this period of prevailing economic climate in the country requiring their obligation to deliver on the needs of the people more

urgently.

In his words: “I urge you to eschew all divisive or diversionary ideas or actions but rather remain focused on ways and means that would lead to the accomplishment of individual and collective responsibilities to the state and her citizens.”

rejected their salary cheques and embarked on a peaceful demonstration within the Assembly Complex in Owerri over the issue.

Apparently irked by the development, the Assembly staff approached the Speaker, Chief Iheanacho Ihim, and complained bitterly over the reduction of their monthly salaries by the state government.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, Mr. Maurice Amaechi disclosed that the Assembly workers had made budgets based on their actual salaries.

He pointed out that the workers had resolved they would not collect their pay cheques until the

state government paid their salaries in full.

Speaking also, the leader of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Imo State Chapter, Mr. Peter Ohaebosim, appealed to Chief Ihim to intervene on the matter.

Addressing the workers, Chief Ihim revealed that the salary slash was not peculiar to Assembly staff alone, but cut across the spectrum of state workforce including political appointees.

Ihim attributed the situation to economic meltdown being experienced nationwide, and enjoined the workers to pray and be patient as the situation would get better soon."

Police arrest 8 suspects for armed robbery, cultism, murder in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—EBONYI State police command, yesterday, said it had arrested eight suspects in connection with cult activities, armed robbery and murder in the state.

Briefing newsmen at the Command headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Chris Anyanwu stated that a gang of four young men alleged to be members of Supreme Vikings Fraternity (an outlawed secret cult group) led by one Ogbule Justice

Institute gets affiliated

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HE INSTITUTE for Operation Research of Nigeria, INFORN, established in 2006 recently has been elected and accepted as a national member society of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies in a letter dated June 17,2015 by its President, Nelson Maculan on behalf of the Administrative Committee to the Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of INFORN, Abdufatai Opeyemi.

IFORS as a world body of Operational Research societies with 46 member nations has

recognized INFORN’s activities both in Nigeria and Africa; its adequate representations and quality of performances at world conferences.

In a statement released to journalists in Lagos, INFORN’s scribe, Abdufatai Lawal extolled the Federation, and read in part: “With this development, INFORN now has the opportunity and platform to share, interact and benefit from global perspectives on Operational Research through various activities organized by the world body.”

popularly known as “Stone Cold” were smashed by Command.

According to him, through a well co-coordinated and intelligence-led operation, the arrow head of the group alongside other members were nabbed at Timaya Bush Bar, Nkaliki in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.

He noted that the suspected cultists were rounded up while they were conducting initiation for some newly conscripted members in the area.

“On sighting the police, they opened fire and scampered for safety; after a hot chase, the trios were arrested while a few others escaped.

"Among those arrested was Abuchi Mbuta Joseph who sustained bullet injuries and later gave up the ghost while being taken to the hospital.

Items recovered from them include: one double-barreled locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge, among others.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

What is your view on Oliseh as Super Eagles coach?

F

ootball has gone scientific and him been a technocrat is an advantage that should count. Which experience had Pep when he coached Barcelona? He just needs the enabling environment void of NFF politics. Mr Omoruyi Aisosa, Worker

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e are looking forward to see this young man Oliseh perform well.

My little advice is that he should put merit above all and let best players play for Nigeria. Let there be nothing like quota system.

Mrs Florence Jaiyeola, Teacher

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lthough Oliseh declined to be a messiah and it is for our own good, Nigerians need to know where to draw the line between realistic expectation and delusion.

I think the best person to do the job has just been employed. Mr Emmanuel Chuddy, Businessman

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am so happy that the NFF made a very wise decision to hire a local coach who loves football.

We should all give Oliseh a chance. The argument that he does not have experience is only an invention of a strawman.

Miss Kubura Aremu, Model

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e are seeing a situation where people will strive to gain a job with all their promises of performing well. But the moment they get the job the first thing they say is that nobody should expect anything. Miss Appau Lucina, Student

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t is about the desire, the spirit and the drive.

Oliseh has it all. My only regret is that he hired a foreign assistant coach instead of Jay Jay, Kanu or Taribo West. Before we start condemning him let us give him a chance. Mr Ben Onyekachi, NYSC member

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 39

Kwara council workers commence indefinite strike over non-payment of salaries

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—ANGERED by the prospect of a bleak EidEl-Fitr celebration, no fewer than 20,000 workers in all the 16 local government councils of Kwara State yesterday commenced an indefinite strike over nonpayment of seven months salaries and allowances by the state government.

Besides, there are strong indication that workers in the state public service and other parastatals of the state government may down tools any time from now over the nonpayment of two months outstanding salaries.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the commencement of the infinite strike by the council workers was based on the alleged noreadiness of the state government to offset their seven months salaries and allowances, despite the release of bail out funds from the federal government.

Vanguard further gathered that the non-payment of the backlog of the salaries of the council workers was based on the trip of

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and other principal officers of the government to lesser hajj and are yet to return.

It was also gathered that the months of salaries owed the council workers by the

government range from one local government council to another.

While some local government councils workers are owed three months salaries, others are being owed five and seven months respectively, a situation the council

workers claimed had become worrisome.

Vanguard also gathered that some of the council workers could not meet their families’ obligations since the commencement of the annual Ramadan Fast and the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

D O N AT I O N : D a n g o t e Foundation, MD/ CEO, Mrs. Z o u e r a Youssoufou (left) with Mr. Ahmed Iya, Field Operation M a n a g e r, D a n g o t e Foundation chatting with one of the children of the victims after the presentation of relief materials,in Dawere IDPs Camp, Yola, Adamawa State.

‘Death of workers not caused by delayed payment of salaries'

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—KWARA State government yesterday said there was no proof that the death of its workers was caused by delay in the payment of their salaries, describing reports on the issue as speculative.

This is contained in a press statement issued by the governor ’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications,Dr Muideen Akorede, in Ilorin yesterday.

A national newspaper (Not Vanguard) had reported

yesterday that some workers in the state public service died while waiting to collect their salary arrears.

“While the reported deaths of the workers is sad, there is no proof that the deaths were caused by the delay in payment of salaries by certain tertiary institutions in the state.

“Despite the drop in federal allocation to the state for almost a year, the government has consistently paid the salaries of its workers due to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s financial ingenuity. ‘’The only exception were

Local producers can’t meet national poultry needs — IMPORTERS

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MPORTERS of poultry products have said the local producers of the products do not have the capacity to supply the poultry needs of the nation and warned that the recent clampdown on importation of the product would affect protein needs of Nigerians.

The importers, under the aegis of Hengo Badagry Poultry Importers Association, HBPIA, noted that local capacity would not be able to meet the poultry needs of the country for one month if the federal government enforces strict ban on importation of the product.

In a statement signed by its president, Chief Abel Mautin, a lot of their graduates’ indigenes of the area are unemployed and only help C M Y K

themselves by importing these products from the neighbouring countries.

According to Mautin, “How can government prohibit an item that is needed by its citizens while we don’t have an alternative? Can all the birds in our poultries nationwide feed the consumers satisfactorily for a week and how many deaths have been caused by imported poultry products consumption?

HBPIA, which is renowned for its pivotal role in the struggle for the political and economic emancipation of the Badagry/ Egun people of Lagos State accused the federal government of developmental marginalization and economic strangulation.

some of its revenue generating agencies which are in the process of clearing salary arrears,” the statement read.

The government also clarified claims that it had received a bail

out from the federal government to pay salary arrears, stressing that it had only received its statutory share of NLNG dividend which should have been paid to the state but was delayed.

Nigeria to host African Institute of Directors

By Providence Obuh

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FRICAN Chief E x e c u t i v e Officers, CEOs of Institute of Directors will converge on Lagos for the bi-annual executive committee meeting of African Corporate Governance Network, ACGN, for the first time in West African.

The meeting, scheduled for July 20 to 22, 2015, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, will have delegates from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Director General, IoD Nigeria, Mr Victor Banjo, described in a statement ACGN as a network of IoDs and similar institutions committed to enhancing effective corporate governance and ethical leadership throughout Africa.

According to him, the network is currently present in 16 key African countries representing over 16,000 directors and senior executives on the continent.

Senator Aji defects to APC, says Jonathan messed PDP up

By Ndahi Marama

the PDP, chose to kill the party for his selfish interest.

He maintained that during the AIDUGURI— tenure of President Jonathan as FORMER Senator representing Borno Central in the leader of the PDP, he instilled National Assembly and Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters during Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua, Dr. Mohammed Abba Aji, yesterday blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan for his defeat by the All Progressives SABA—DELTA State Congress, APC. chapter of All Progressives According to him, it is Jonathan Congress, APC, has again who messed up the Peoples condemned Governor Ifeanyi Democratic Party, PDP. Okowa for failing to reinstate over Senator Abba Aji spoke to 3000 civil servants recently laid off journalists in his Maiduguri on allegations of improper resident soon after he defected recruitment into the state’s civil from the PDP and pitched tent with service. the ruling APC. The party in a statement released Abba Aji and hundreds of his to newsmen by the Media Adviser, supporters on Tuesday shifted Martins Mukoro, in Asaba their loyalty to the APC and were yesterday, claimed that by sacking received by the State Secretary of the poor, hapless workers, Okowa his new party, Bello Ayuba, at the has declared war on the entire state APC campaign office amid workers of the state.

While describing the governor’s tight security.

Dr. Abba Aji said he joined the allegation that the workers had APC because PDP was dead not paid for their employment as selfonly in Borno State but also the indictment that members of his country as a whole, pointing out party, of which he is the leader, that former President Jonathan had all along been collecting who was the major benefactor of bribes from innocent Deltans

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indiscipline, corruption and lack of patriotism not only among members of the party but also among government officials and political appointees.

Delta APC flays Okowa on sack of 3,000 workers

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before giving them civil service jobs, the party further insisted that the action was illegal since Okowa sacked them without evidence and regard to fair hearing or due process.

APC said: “What we are experiencing in Delta is the consequence of the rigged elections which denied our visionary candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, victory and brought Okowa, a typical PDP politician for continued slavery, even after sixteen years of PDP misrule.”

Alleging that Okowa sacked the workers to avoid paying salaries, APC claimed that it was a continuation of the criminal tendency of PDP to deny workers and other citizens their due in order to free up enough funds for sharing among themselves.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

From left— Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central (middle), being presented with his portrait at the Zango Cattle Market, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTOS: Olu Ajayi.

MONEYGRAM/ACCESS BANK: Alexander Hoffmann, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Global Project, MoneyGram (left) and Mr. Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Access Bank Plc, during the launch of Access Bank MoneyGram Big Splash promo in Lagos.

NIESV: From left— Bolarinwa Patunola-Ajayi, 1st Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors & Valuers, NIESV, Lagos State branch; Bode Adeniji, Group Executive Chairman, Kontinental Developers Nig Ltd/ Chairman of the occasion; Offong Samuel Ukpong, incoming Chairman of NIESV, and Pastor Stephen Jagun, outgoing Chairman of NIESV, at the inauguration of the 24th Chairman and Executive Committee of NIESV, Lagos State branch in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

VALEDICTORY: From left— Mrs. Victoria Alagbada, Head Teacher, Anthony Model Primary School; Pastor Adeola Adebola, Association of Visiting Secretaries of Apostolic Faith Church; Pastor Adedibu Joseph, Deputy Superintendent of Apostolic Faith Church, Iju Ishaga Zone, and Alhaji Abudul-Rasheed Alaseye, representing Chief Imam of Anthony, during the school's valedictory service/graduation for Basic 6 pupils, at Ajao Estate, Anthony Village, Lagos. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

HONOUR:

Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Pro-Chancellor (right), presenting a commendation letter to Dr. Olusola Akinwande (left), a honouree and the Co-ordinator, NHIS, at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. PHOTO: Wunmi Akinola.

GAYLEY COLLEGE: From left— Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, Chairman of the occasion; Engr. Andi Iyayi, Chairman, Governing Council; Dr. Mary Iyayi, Executive Director, both of Gayley College, and Mrs Andrea Amaize, guest speaker, at the 10th graduation/prize-giving day of the college, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

ROTARY: From left— Dr. Tayo Lawal, Medical Director/CEO, Gbagada General Hospital; Otunba Bola Onabadejo, Governor, Rotary District 9110; Rotarian Sola Adenuga-Taiwo, President, Rotary Club of Gbagada, and Mrs Carol Nwaokolo, Chief Matron of the hospital, at the donation of medical equipment to Gbagada General Hospital by Rotary, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

BRIEFING: From left— Mrs. Isabel Schmidt, Head of Legal and Consular Section, German Embassy, Lagos; Mr. Michael Derus, ConsulGeneral of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lagos, and Ms. Judith Eigelt, Press Attaché, also of the German Embassy, at a briefing in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Emeka Aginam.

PRESENTATION:

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—41

Anambra youths spoil for war with PDP NWC over planned congresses

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—YOUTHS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State are threatening to storm Abuja to protest the alleged move by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to impose new set of leaders of the party in the state.

The threat came on the heels of an announcement by the national publicity secretary of PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh that congresses of the party will be held at the ward, local government and state levels shortly to elect the new executive of the party in Anambra State.

The tenure of the state executive led by Prince Kenneth Emeakayi expired in October last year and the NWC of PDP had since dissolved all the structures to pave the way for the election of new officers.

It was gathered yesterday that some stakeholders and youths of the party from across the 21 local government areas met shortly after information filtered into the state that an attempt was being made to impose a state chairman for PDP in the state.

At the end of the meeting, they warned of the likelihood of return of crisis in the party if Metuh goes ahead to use his position to impose a former state chairman of the party who, they said, was neck deep in the crisis that engulfed the party for years.

A member of the party who spoke yesterday in Awka said: “We can no longer tolerate a situation whereby Olisa Metuh would stay in Abuja and decide who will be the officers of PDP in Anambra State. This is what has been

J

OGS 74/79

IJEBU-ODE GRAMMAR School Old Boys Association 74/79 set meeting will hold on Sunday, July 19, 2015.

Venue is: Arigbabu Compound, Unity Estate, Molipa/ Ijebu-Ode. The host is Deputy Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Professor Yomi Arigbabu.

responsible for PDP’s loss of elections in the state and we will not tolerate it any more.

“We have started mobilizing our youths to storm the PDP headquarters in Abuja to protest this latest move. We are all stakeholders of the party and it is obvious that Metuh is not interested in winning election in Anambra State, which is why he is always fueling crisis here.

“We met in Awka recently and decided to reconcile with each

other, having realized that it is only when we are united that we can be in a position to win elections in the state.

“We have capable and loyal members of PDP who can pilot the affairs of the party successfully and our members are prepared to go into election and accept defeat if the process is credible.

"What PDP members in the state demand is to be allowed to conduct free and fair congresses to usher in new leadership.

“What had been causing

INSPECTION: Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, during an inspection tour of Ebonyi Rice City Hotel, Abakaliki

Umahi targets N12bn annual IGR in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—BARELY a month into the administration of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, there seems to be a gradual awakening on the need for every sector of the state’s economy to increase its internally generated revenue, IGR for the betterment of the state.

This initiative powered by the present administration is seen as one of the most viable means for wealth creation and sustenance of the welfarism system of government adopted by Governor Dave Umahi’s led administration.

The present government, right from its inception had vowed to put measures in place in order to

boost the economy of the state which the immediate past administration was not able to achieve. The target of the present administration is N12 billion annually.

One of the failures of the last administration was the handling of capital-intensive projects across the state without putting in place a workable economic indices as to how and when these projects could be completed.

These anomalies had made the present administration to embark on tours of most uncompleted projects within the state capital last week.

Governor Umahi who inspected the Ebonyi state Trade Centre, Abakaliki Rice City Hotel, EBBC, Ebonyi state Hatchery, Ebonyi state

Ugwuanyi constitutes 11-man c'ttee on LG audit report

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has constituted an 11-member stakeholders committee on Staff Audit and Biometrics data capturing in the 17 local government areas of the state.

Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Edward Ubosi, is chairman and P e r m a n e n t Secretary,Parastatals, Office of

disaffection in Anambra PDP were attempts to foist unpopular persons as leaders.

Vanguard recalls that only recently, the governorship candidate of PDP in the 2013 election, Chief Tony Nwoye convened a meeting of the stakeholders of the party in Awka, primarily to fashion out ways of reconciling aggrieved members in readiness for congresses at the ward, local government and state levels.

the Secretary to Government is Secretary of the audit committee set up in view of the urgent need to ascertain the real staff strength of the local councils to track down possible ghost workers as well as make inquisition into the factors that make it impossible for some of the councils to pay staff salaries.

Other members are, Hon Iloabuchi Aniagu, Hon. Chuka Ene, Secretary to the State Government, Elder GOC Ajah and Emeka Nwatu of Local Government Service

Commission. Others are, the Chairman of ALGON in the state, Hon Cornelius Nnaji, the Chairman Udenu local government council, representative of Education Secretaries in the state and Secretary ESUBEB as members.

The approval for the setting up of the committee which was contained in a release signed by the State Secretary to Government, Elder GOC Ajah has nine terms of reference.

University, Ochudo Secretariat, Ebonyi state international Market, a portion of EnuguAbakaliki express way lamented the level of shoddy jobs carried out by the contractors that handled some of the projects.

“We will strive to complete these project but the ones that need to be terminated ,we will decide on that. Our target is to raise the IGR of the state and discourage over dependence on monthly federal allocation. We are rich in natural resources and these deposits will be harnessed by the present administration”.

However, what was outstanding in his remarks was the need for every sector to develop a template not only for the development of the state but also for the increased generation of the IGR of the state.

One of the major challenges facing Ebonyi state is its ability to harness viable means of developing its IGR, blocking means through which IGR are lost or expended, sanctioning of corrupt and indolence civil servants and political appointees who siphon monies meant for the people of the state.

The only way out for the economic recovery of the state, the Governor hinted is for all hands to be on deck to ensure speedy increase in its IGR, so that the state could reduce its over dependence on the monthly federal allocation of the state.

Olivet marks 70th anniversary with N200m fund raising dinner

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LIVET BAPTIST High School, Oyo, Nigeria National Old Student Association, NOSA, has decided to bring the 70 year old institution campus facilities back to its glory day of excellence both in facilities and academic excellence by remodeling some of the old infrastructures and providing for the future students financial scholarship to foster their education through raising N200 million during the 70th anniversary celebration with a dinner.

Olivet Baptist high school was established January 29 1945 by American Southern Baptist mission at the old Baptist mission house at Oke-Isokun, Oyo state, where Rev. Pinnock, the first Baptist missionary to the ancient empire of Oyo established a mission post.

Imo gov's wife builds houses for widows

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, has commenced the third phase of her pet project of building c o m f o r t a b l e accommodation for poor and indigent widows in the state.

The project, which Mrs. Okorocha tagged She Needs a Roof Project, SNARP, has already completed and distributed 131 buildings to indigent widows in the state.

Vanguard gathered that Mrs. Okorocha has ordered the immediate commencement of the construction of another set of 50 bungalows for another set of widows.

It was further gathered that when the Governor’s wife recently visited Orji, Owerri North local council area, she was moved to pity when she was shown a widow who was living in a hut with her six children.

Mrs. Okorocha instantly ordered the demolition of the hut and commencement of the building of a new house for the widow, who lost her husband in 2004.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 43

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44— VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Ho w tto o bid Ramadan How deser ving fare well (2) deserving farew

By Haruna Razaq

Shawwal 1, 1436 A.H.

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ODAY possibly marks the beginning of Shawwal after the end of the most blessed month which ended yesterday.

It was a period of absolute devotion, of nearness to Allah, of favour and blessings, of forgiveness and righteousness, of abstinence from food and drink, and materialism, of Tahjuds and divine Powers, of Charity and kindness.

We thank Allah for witnessing the end of the period with wholesome benefits Insha-Allah.

As we celebrate, our celebration should be geared towards showing gratitude to Allah for bestowing us the grace of witnessing the month and sharing from the mercies therein and giving the endurance to abstain oneself from the luxuries of the materialistic world.

We have cleansed our minds, bodies and souls during the fasting period, it is appropriate we celebrate the spiritual achievements with full energy and gaiety.

Eidul-Fitr is a day of happiness for those who observed inward and outward fasting to seek reward from Allah (S.W.T). It is a day of gift-giving, especially to the poor. It is a day when we should get-together with family, relatives, and friends to celebrate

All these rites, devotion, and charity are more important than the elaborate and extravagant celebrations. But the fun and frolic environment cannot be missed even after the rites are over

bashfulness and modesty.

“Every religion has a quality that is characteristic of that religion. And the characteristic of my religion is Haya.” Haya is an internal sense of shame, which includes bashfulness and modesty.

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”Q24:30 The next ayat says the same for believing women, but adds a few more injunctions on them.

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.” Q24:31 Strive to be modest at all times. Modesty should the watchword of every Muslim for it is one of the virtues a Muslims must have. Refrain

L-R: Adviser, Al-Aqeedat Model College, Alhaji Oladugba Abdul Azeez; Proprietor, Ustaz Salaudeen Sulaiman; Vice Chairman, Parent Teachers Association (PTA), Alhaji Idris Motolani and Vice Principal (Administration), Mr. Salau Saheed, during the School’s Valedictory service in Ajah, Lagos C M Y K

from zina, fornication, adultery, backbiting and other condemned acts. Allah only loves the pius ones. So, do not disconnect from Allah after a whole rewarding month.

Abu Huraira(r.a.a.) related that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like).

There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

All these rites, devotion, and charity are more important than the elaborate and extravagant celebrations. But the fun and frolic environment cannot be missed even after the rites are over. The Eid-prayers are followed by feast and get-together among loved ones. Eid-il-Mubarak!

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Eid Mubarak!, Remain steadfast and show gratitude to Allah. It is a joyous occasion and should be spent in joy and happiness, but never leaving the state of Shukr and falling into Kufr (ingratitude).

Do not go to parties, do not involve in any social activities that are at variance with the teaching of Islam. You are just like a snow white cloth, do not get yourself stained with mud hours after you came clean.

A good Muslim should be guided never to engage in any shameful act. The two qualities of a believing person according to the Prophet (s.a.w.) are

MONG the deeds that help the fasting Muslim bid the month of Ramadan a deserving farewell, elevate his/her iman, increase the weight of his/her deeds and bring him/her closer to Allah are as follows: Zakatul-Fitr: It is sadaqah (charity) that must be paid by every free Muslim who can afford food in excess for a day and night.

‘Idul Fitr: is Muslim festival of fast breaking. It occurs at the end of Ramadan fasting (on the 1st of Shawwal. And it is obligatory Sunnah according to majority scholars.

It ethic include: prepare for the ‘Id prayer with your family as early as possible; perform Ghusl (‘Id bath) before going out for the prayer; wear a new (or best) of your clothes, men only should apply perfume to ‘Id; use Miswak (tooth-brush); eat before the Salah because of the hadith narrated by alBukhari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) used not to go out on the morning of ‘Id al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number (Al-Bukhaari, 953).

It is Sunnah to eat before going out to emphasize the

fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended. Ibn Hajar (R/A) suggested that the reason for that was so as to ward off the possibility of adding to the fast, and to hasten to obey the command of Allah. (Al-Fath, 2/446) Whoever does not have any dates may break his fast with anything that is permissible proceed to‘Id venue on time with your family; pronounce the takbirat (Q2:185) “Allah, Akbar, Allah, Akbar, Allah, Akbar, laailaha illa-lahu Allah, Akbar, Allah, Akbar, Allah, Akbar, Walillahil-hamd” as you move to ‘Id; the prayer is valid for men, women, children, travelers, residents etc; go to the Salah by one route and then return home through another route; pray Salah while the sun is approximately 2 Rumah (i.e. six meter) above the horizon; avoid nawafil at the ‘Id ground just wait for the congregational one; listens to the Khuthbah after the Salah; congratulate one another on the days of ‘Id by saying “Taqabbal mina wa minka” (may Allah accept it from us and you) or “ ‘Id Mubaraq”; avoid sinful engagements; be happy and kind to others such as the less privilege by giving them food, halal drinks etc; full of thanks to Allah for His favours on you.

From left; Aare Alhaji Abdullateef Abdulkadir;Alhaji Imam Isiaka Adebayo Tejidini;Alhaji Ashim Adebowale Anthonio;with Dr Abdullah Omotooke Awelenje,National President Rahmat Islamiyya Association of Nigeria at the Rahmat Islamiyya Association of Nigeria National Headquarters 1436AH National Public Lecture in lagos on Sunday. Photo: Akeem Salau

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 45

NASFAT IFTAR WITH THE MEDIA

Shawwal 1, 1436 A.H.

Ahmadiyya felicitates, urges Muslims to reflect on lessons of Ramadan

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HMADIYYA Muslim Jamaat, Nigeria has urged Muslims world over to reflect on the teachings of Ramadan, adding that imbibing the teachings of the most blessed month constitute the greatest Jihad in Isla.

In a release signed by the Amir, Dr. Mash'ud Fashola, the group stated: "We should reflect on the two major teachings of Ramadan, the most blessed month, through which we can gain the greatest blessings of all time, as contained in the night of power and majesty (LailatulQuadri).Thefirstteaching is the development of piety or self discipline, the focus of which is personal. The second teaching is striving to understand and comply with the commandments of Allah

contained in the Holy Qur’an, the Supreme Divine Communication to mankind.

The two teachings are the greatest benefits to derive from the most blessed month of Ramadan, and hence constitute the greatest Jihad in Islam. There is no other meaningful Jihad in Islam than the Jihad of self discipline, self reformation and the Jihad of seekingDivineknowledgetoserve Allah and humanity. All Muslims should therefore continue to demonstrate in words and deed that the use of force in religion is totally against the teachings of Islam.

“Thosewhobelieveinusingforce in religion have selfish, materialistic, and political agenda

and are agents of the devil and enemies of humanity. If we imbibe thesetwoteachingsweareexpected to develop power of acceptance of prayer.

“In fulfilling the Ramadan lesson of piety and integrity, we should all show greater concern for the plight of the poor and the helpless and in defense of the oppressed and those unjustly held in bondage. “It is incumbent on us all, especially our leaders, that we play our part in promoting social justice, peace, harmony, unity of humanity, and prosperity for all as required by the Gracious, and Lord of all Creation, noting Allah’s declaration in Q.5 v.9 that we should always stand unconditionally for justice for justice is the nearest to piety.

Eid-il-Fitr: Let's join hands to expel insurgents, Soyinka tells Muslims

By Chris Onuoha

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OBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has charged the Muslim community and youths to be disciplined and embrace spiritual solidarity and selfless rededication for peaceful coexistence.

In his message to the youths who participated in the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange project, 2015 to mark his 81st birthday in his Ijegba forest home town, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Soyinka who felicitated with the Muslims ,urged them never to despair, but join hands in expelling Boko Haram from the society.

“I do not have to tell you that never was a nation more in need of reflection and selfless rededication than at this moment.

Whether we choose to admit it or not, we are assailed by one of the most ruthless enemies of humanity that the nation has ever known.

“Boko Haram claim to derive their inspiration and commitment to the religion of Islam, but you and I know that they are nothing more than bloodthirsty liars and blasphemers. Their actions brand them as obsessive enemies of learning, enlightenment and indeed of humanity. My message to you all is straightforward: We must not despair, and we must never submit. We must never forget their victims who must now be counted in thousands. We must dedicate ourselves to the recovery of the missing, the rehabilitation of the displaced, and the healing of the wounded and traumatized. No matter to C M Y K

what part of the nation we primarily belong, irrespective of whatever religion we espouse, and no matter where we find ourselves in these troubled times, we must link arms and stand against the forces of irredeemable evil, and be guided by pronouncements that promote our common humanity in defiance of a murderous minority.

“What binds us all together is that common faculty – the mind – a faculty that identifies us as a living species apart from the common herd, such as those rams

S the entire Muslims mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, the leadership of NACOMYO has advised Muslims and other citizens across the country to be more security conscious in the wake of continuous spread of attacks by insurgent group.

This call is coming on the heels of reports of bomb blasts and attacks in some parts of the country and coupled with the Inspector General of Police (IGP)’s statement, alerting the nation of cross border movement and activities of the insurgents, which NACOMYO believed can undermine or endanger smooth celebration of the Eid-il-fitr.

NACOMYO implored Muslims and other Nigerians to be security conscious at Eid praying grounds, just as it

From left:Alhaja Usman Ex-officio,NEC, Alhaja Faoziyat Oladoja, former National Women Affairs Secretary and Alhaja Omowumi George, representative of Alhaja Samiat Mumuni, Women Affairs Secretary of NASFAT.

and goats that will be slaughtered for feasting when this season of fasting and sacrifices is over. We must not surrender. We must not even accommodate those who believe that our youth exist only for enslavement and arbitrary slaughter. These creatures are not part of us. They belong to no known community of humans. We must join hands in expelling them from our midst and remain dedicated to that eternal human undertaking – the pursuit of truth and illumination through the exercise of the mind,” he said.

MUSLIMS urged to be security conscious at worship

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From left: Alhaji Mufutau Oduyoye former National financial Secretary,Alhaji Biyi Bamgbose, immedite past National Public Relations Secretary,Alh Banji Busari Public Relations Secretary, Alhaji Abu Salami former President NASFAT during a Special Iftar with the Media held in Ikeja.

emphasized the need by security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities and do the needful at the various praying centres and other crowd areas.

The apex Muslim youth body reminded the Muslim faithful that being vigilant in this case involve not allowing suspicious or strange vehicles to park close to area of crowd; not picking (strange) objects; always announce every strange face and suspicious movements, even within the perimeter or areas of coverage of worship and celebrations.

NACOMYO also urged Community Development/ Landlord Associations nationwide to ensure vigilance in their areas while they must also know facts about their tenants, adding that security is everybody ’s responsibility.

A cross section of participants at the Special Iftar with the Media

From left: Prof AbdulHafeez Oladosu, University of Ibadan, Guest lecturer; Sheikh Abdullah Akinbode, Chief Missioner,NASFAT Worldwide and Alh. Hakeem Bello, Missioner, Abuja Branch during the Lailatul-Qadr, held at NASFAT Village, Mowe last Friday.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Delta Police worry over increase in cult groups

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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BUJA—SPEAKER Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives yesterday formally conceded the position of House Leader and Chief Whip of the House to the Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila-led group.

In a formal response to the directive of the national chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun directing the speaker to allocate the four principal offices of the party to members of the Gbajabiamila group, Speaker Dogara, however, ruled Gbajabiamila out of contention for any of the four offices.

Speaker Dogara in the letter dated July 16, 2015 insisted that allocation of the four offices must reflect the principle of federal character as had been the practise since 1999. He said that appointing Gbajabiamilia and Mohammed Moguno as House Leader and Chief Whip as demanded by the party would mean that the Northeast and Southeast would for the first time not be represented in the ruling party’s pack of principal officers.

The letter from the speaker follows the directive from the party directing that Gbajabiamila who lost out in the contest for speaker be appointed as House Leader.

While indicating his readiness to offer the position to the Gbajabiamila camp for the sake of peace, Speaker Dogara nevertheless insisted that the House Leaders should be produced by the Northwest given the fact that the Southwest where Gbajabiamila comes from already produced the Deputy Speaker.

The speaker’s letter also copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Rochas Okorocha among others read in part:

Principal Officers

“This is to formally acknowledge receipt of your letter Ref. No. APC/NHDQ/ NAM/01/015/06 dated 23rd June, 2015.

“After the letter was received but before I could make the necessary consultations concerning the letter because of its sensitive nature, I was served with Court processes on the subject matter filed by some Members of the House and other persons and groups from the North Central and South East Zones of Nigeria. The Rules of the House enjoin us to make a determination whether discussing a matter pending in Court in the House would be prejudicial to the Case.

“However, before this determination could be made, on June 25, 2015, I took steps to discuss the matter in an Executive Session of the House which is open to only House Members and not the public. We were prevented from doing so by some House members who

W

BRIEFING: From left, Mr. Guillaume Roux, Outgoing Group Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Viola Graham-Douglas, Country Communications Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, and Mr. Peter Hoddinott, Area Manager, Nigeria and West Africa, Lafarge Africa Plc, during the briefing to announce Lafarge/Holcim merger in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Dogara makes conditional peace offer to Gbajabiamila group zFormally concedes Leader, Chief Whip to the group conducted themselves in a most unparliamentary manner. It is necessary to point out that the mechanism of Executive Session is resorted to in order to iron out controversial matters in an amicable way to preserve the unity and cohesion of the House. *Since then, efforts have been made by the Party, Progressive Governors and other interested persons to intervene and resolve the issues. We want to place on record, our unflinching loyalty and respect not only to you as an individual, considering your antecedents, but also to the party, APC, u` nder whose platform we were elected to the House. We have no intention whatsoever of disobeying your directives or the party’s position on any matter. We would, of course, prefer a situation where we are consulted on matters concerning the House before directives are issued and made public. *We feel strongly, that the issue of federal character in the election or appointment of principal officers of the House is a cardinal legal, moral and constitutional principle that should be respected by our party. It is however obvious from the letter under reference that this principle was not taken into consideration. If the letter is enforced the way it was conveyed, it will lead to the following unjust result: Speaker: North East Chief Whip: North East Deputy Speaker: South West

House Leader: South West Deputy House Leader: North West Deputy Chief Whip: South South “This will totally and unfairly exclude the South East and North Central Zones in the distribution of these political offices and lead to undue concentration of some offices in the South West and North East Zones of Nigeria.

“The House Rules provide that in filling the positions of Majority leadership of the House, namely, leader of the House, Chief Whip, Deputy Leader, Deputy Whip of the House, each candidate; “shall be a member nominated from among the members in the majority party in the House.”

Furthermore, Order 1, of the House Rules provides that: “In all cases not provided for hereinafter or by sessional or other orders, Precedents or practices of the House, the House shall by Resolution regulate its procedure "It is evident that there are existing Precedents and Practices which the House has been following for a long time and in particular since 1999. Since 1999, Zonal Caucuses of a Party have been primarily responsible for nominating Principal Officers of the House, other than the Speaker and Deputy Speaker that are elected by the entire House.

"The issue of Federal character has very strong constitutional foundations. They are indeed mandatory provisions of the Constitution. For ease of

reference, let us examine the following provisions: a. S. 14(3) “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.

"Indeed, we expect that our great party, the APC, will ensure that “there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups in (the) government or in any of its agencies.

"Consequently Sir, we propose the following zoning arrangement for the distribution of principal offices in the House of Representatives.

Speaker: Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara North East Deputy Speaker: Rt. Hon. Yusuf Sulaimon Lasun - South West House Leader: North West (with 86 APC members) Deputy House Leader: North Central (with 33 APC members) Chief Whip: South South Deputy Chief Whip: South East.

By Neville Amorighoye

ARRI—THE Police in Delta State have expressed concern over increased activities of cultists in the state, following the arrest of eight suspected members of a notorious cult group, Aye confraternity in Warri.

Parrading the suspects before newsmen, the O.C Quick Response Squad, Warri, Mr Alkali Lamido, said that acting on the directive of the state Police Commissioner, Mr Alkali Usman, the QRS officers on visibility patrol apprehended the eight cultists at different locations in Warri after the annual convention of Aye confraternity.

He gave the names of those arrested as Okalor Godwin, a 300 level Political Science Student, Benson Idahosa University, Edo State, Emmanuel of Victory Academy Ondo State, Okwalogu Michael, a graduate of Theatre Arts Imo State University.

Lucky Umukoro, from Ewen – Isoko south, Delta State, Okoronkwo Friday, Faith Interntional School, Ughelli, Delta State, Onoriode Tukuru of Maryland Group of School from Ogbe-Ijaw, and two others whose identity could not be ascertained at press time.

Triumphant Baptist Church holds programme

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HE MONTHLY heavenly dew programme of Triumphant Baptist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos holds tomorrow between 7am and 8.30am.The programme with the theme”You will be like a well watered garden” holds in the church auditorium, 19, Olufemi Ojo Street, Sasa Road, Akowonjo.

The church Pastor, Dr Sunday Oladejo, said the programme was designed to create avenue for members to pray and entrust their concerns in the hands of God.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—47

50% pay cut not enough, NLC tells Buhari, Osinbajo

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AGOS—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has said the decision

by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to take 50 percent salaries cut was not enough, saying the nation’s leaders should imbibe the doctrine of selfless services as a sign of the change.

Deputy President of the Joe Ajaero-led faction of NLC, Mr. Issa Aremu, who spoke at a colloquium to mark the 10th anniversary of the Amilcar Cabral Ideological School, ACIS, in Lagos, contended that it was debatable if the President, who paid for nothing from toothpick to presidential jets, needed millions of naira as salaries.

Aremu, who is also the General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, said: “The best way to honour Cabral is to call on African leaders to selflessly serve their peoples.

“There is nowhere with as many self-serving leaders like Nigeria.

“The critical issue is bridging the widening wage gap. We must also stop multiple remunerations for few ruling elite, while legitimate pay is denied the workers.”

CVGN protests alleged acquisition of Warri ICE land

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human rights group, the Citizens Vigilance Group Nigeria, CVGN, has urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to reverse the decision by the previous administration, which allegedly allocated the land of the Institute of Continuing Education, ICE, Warri, to a church, which shares common boundaries with it.

Director General of the group, Mr. Ahweyevu Mukoro, said in Warri that if there was need to give out government land to an individual or organisation, it ought to have been done because of an overriding public interest.

He said the premises used to serve as Doghor Primary School, Warri, until it was handed over to ICE.

APC chieftain assassinated in Lagos

By Evelyn Usman

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UNMEN suspected to be assassins, yesterday, shot dead a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Shalewa Daramola, at Festac Town, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The deceased, said to be in

his 40s, was killed in front of the party’s secretariat located at 3rd Avenue, ‘K’ Close, House 12 Festac Town, where members of his party were sharing Sallah gift.

Daramola, who was the party’s Assistant Treasurer in Amuwo Odofin, was said to have stepped out to check his car, when one of the gunmen,

in his 20s, emerged from an adjoining close and accosted him, demanding for money.

Apparently thinking the stranger was a beggar, Daramola was said to have told him he had no money.

The gunman was said to have shot Daramola four times at close range in the chest and, thereafter, jumped

LECTURE: From left— Professor Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA; Chief Wole Olanipekun, guest speaker; Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Orangun of Oke-Ila and Dr. (Mrs) Modupe Ajayi, FUTA Registrar, at the 7th annual lecture of FUTA's Registry.

onto a waiting motorbike.

Time was 1.12p.m. Nothing was reportedly taken from him.

Daramola was said to have been rushed to the Local Government Primary Health Centre, from where he was referred to another hospital at Festac Town.

Vanguard gathered that he died on the way to the hospital.

The incident was said to have brought the Sallah gift sharing to an abrupt halt as his colleagues ran helter-skelter for safety. Sources close to the deceased said the incident occurred a few minutes after the exit of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who visited Mile Two to inspect the traffic situation. It was learned that chieftains of APC, who were with the governor, proceeded to where the Sallah gifts were being shared after his exit.

Area ’E‘ Commander, Mr. Frank Mba, and Festac Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ifeanyin Owo, were said to have visited the scene.

Spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the killing, saying the command had commenced investigation.

Your jobs ’re safe, el-Rufai assures Kaduna civil servants

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA—GOVERNOR Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, yesterday, assured civil servants in the state of security of their jobs, following anxiety that trailed the sack of 20 permanent secretaries, Wednesday.

The clarification came in a statement by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, in Kaduna.

The statement read: “The retirement of 20 permanent secretaries does not mean government has plans to sack any civil servant.

“Whereas permanent secretaries are political appointees that serve at the pleasure of the governor, the appointment, promotion and discipline of civil servants, like directors and below, are governed by clear rules under the control of State Civil Service Commission.

“These extant rules and procedures will be fully respected by the state government.

“In creating a more efficient civil service, capable of better delivery of public services, the government has the dual duty of eliminating redundancies and duplications, but will have to fill glaring shortages in the manpower available by employment of persons in the education and health sectors.

“Workers diligently doing their jobs have nothing to fear.

“Permanent secretaries are political appointees and are, therefore, subject to the conditions pertaining to such ap-

pointments.

“The new government inher-

ited 35 permanent secretaries and it was logical that the

number had to reduce for restructuring.”

Buhari sacks NIMASA boss, 600 parastatals’ boards

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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N a massive purge action, President Mohammadu Buhari, yesterday, sacked the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, along with boards of over 600 federal parastatals and agencies.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the termination of appointment of Akpobolokemi was with immediate effect. The statement added that “Akpobolokemi is to hand over the management of NIMASA and all government property in his possession to the most senior officer in the agency who will remain in charge until a new Director-General is appointed.”

Similarly, President Buhari approved the dissolution of the Governing Boards of Federal parastatals, agencies and institutions. He directed that all matters requiring the attention of the Boards in the affected institutions should be referred to him through the Permanent Secretaries pending the reconstitution of the Boards.

A separate statement by Adesina on the dissolution of the Boards read thus:”Until the boards are reconstituted, Chief

Executive Officers of the affected parastatals, agencies and institutions are to refer all matters requiring the attention of their boards to the President, through the Permanent Secretaries of their supervising ministries.

While the dissolution does not affect Federal Executive Bodies listed in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it covers administrative or technical committees and other similar organs established by the now dissolved boards.”

Affected parastatals The affected parastatals include Securities and Exchange Commission, Rural Electrification Agency, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, Niger Delta Development Commission, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), National Atomic Energy Commission and Federal Housing Development Authority (FHDA). Others are Nigerian Ports Authority, National

Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigeria Export/Import Bank (NEXIM), National Inland Water Ways Authority, National Planning Commission, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry (BOI), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Energy Commission of Nigeria, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, Nigerian Lottery Trust Fund and Nigeria Executive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

Also affected are the Securities and Commodity Exchange (ASCE), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigConSat) Ltd, among others.

In line with the presidential directives the following organisations would not be affected: Code of Conduct Bureau, Federal Character Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Judicial Service Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Defence Council, National Population Commission, National Security Council, Central Bank of Nigeria, Police Service Commission, and Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

48 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 17 , 2015

Europe moves to restore funding to Greece E

UROPE yesterday moved to re-open funding to Greece’s stricken economy after the parliament in Athens approved a new bailout program in a fractious vote that left the government without a majority.

The European Central Bank increased emergency funding for Greek lenders, although capital controls will have to remain to avoid a bank run when they reopen on Monday.

European Union finance ministers also approved 7 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in bridging loans to keep Greece afloat, allowing it to make a bond payment to the ECB next Monday and clear its arrears with the International Monetary Fund.

The loans will be finalised on Friday provided Germany ’s parliament approves a Berlin government request to open talks on a three-year bailout program - Greece’s third in the past five years worth up to 86 billion euros.

The twin lifelines were a reward for Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras after he won the backing of parliament in the early hours of Thursday for the

•Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reacts during a parliamentary session in Athens, Greece yesterday. tough reform measures September or October, off outside the euro zone demanded by creditors led “depending on might be a better

by Germany. developments”. solution.

But Tsipras was left German Finance “We will now see in the weakened by a revolt in Minister Wolfgang negotiations whether his left-wing Syriza party Schaeuble, one of there is even a way to get and is expected to Greece’s sternest critics, a new program, taking reshuffle his cabinet to questioned whether into account financing replace four ministers Athens would ever get a needs, which have risen and deputy ministers who third bailout, even after the incredibly,” Schaeuble rebelled. parliamentary vote. He told Deutschlandfunk Interior Minister Nikos suggested its financing radio.

Voutsis said a snap needs were spiraling and The move by the Greek election could be held in a debt “haircut” or write- parliament was enough

MH17 Ukraine disaster: Putin says UN tribunal premature

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USSIAN President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for the establishment of a UN tribunal to prosecute suspects in the MH17 air disaster over Ukraine.

Mr Putin made the remarks ahead of the first anniversary of the crash, which killed 298 people, on Friday.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said a tribunal would help secure justice, but Mr Putin said it would be “premature”.

Meanwhile, 17 families have filed a $900m (£576m) lawsuit against a Russian former rebel.

A writ filed in Chicago in the United States on Wednesday claimed that Igor Strelkov, a Russian also known as Igor Girkin, was acting with the “actual or apparent” authority of President Putin’s government when the Malaysia Airlines jet was shot down over eastern Ukraine.

The court papers say: “Flight 17 flew over the airspace of the area in which the aforesaid rebel army was waging its war activities and the rebel

•Relatives have been campaigning for justice for their loved ones

army under the command responsibility of defendant Girkin shot down the subject Boeing 777-200 aircraft.”

The airliner was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed on 17 July 2014.

Western nations believe there is growing evidence that the plane was hit by a Russiansupplied missile fired by pro-Russian rebels in the area. However, Russia blames Ukrainian government forces.

Angela Merkel attacked over crying refugee girl

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E R M A N Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing criticism over her treatment of a young refugee who had been threatened with deporta-tion.

At a forum for young people, Mrs Merkel told the Palestinian girl, Reem, that not all migrants can stay in Germany and “some will have to go home”. Mrs Merkel then strokes Reem, who is now crying, on the back.

Reem had said she and her family had been

waiting four years to gain permanent residency in Germany.

In the video, Reem tells Mrs Merkel that her family was told they would have to return to a camp in Lebanon imminently - only to receive a last-minute temporary German residency permit.

“I would like to go to university,” says Reem, in fluent German.

“It’s really very hard to watch how other people can enjoy life and you yourself can’t. I don’t know what my

future will bring.”

Mrs Merkel replied that “politics can be tough”, adding: “You are an extremely nice person but you also know that there are thousands and thousands of people in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.”

Germany could not manage if all wanted to move there, she said.

Germany says it expects 400,000 asylum applications by the end of 2015 - more than double the amount if received in 2014.

Four Marines die in US military facilities attack

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HOOTINGS at a pair of military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., yesterday, left five people dead, including four Marines and the lone gunman, officials said.

“It is incomprehensible to see what happened,” Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. “This is a nightmare for the city of Chattanooga.”

Three other people, including a Chattanooga police officer, were wounded in the shootings, Berke said.

They were transported to local hospitals with nonlife-threatening injuries.

The shootings began

•Obama shortly after 10:30 a.m. at a National Guard office in a strip mall on Lee Highway. A witness there described hearing as many as 20 shots fired there before the gunman fled. A photo posted to Facebook by a witness shows the door of the office littered with bullet holes.The shooter then drove seven miles to the Chattanooga Naval Reserve Center, where a witness told CNN she saw a man with “a highpowered rifle” fire multiple shots from a convertible silver Mustang into recruiting offices at the center shortly before 11 a.m.

EDT.

US intelligence blames Israel for death of top Syrian general

I

SRAEL is responsible for the 2008 murder of a top security aide of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to secret US intelligence files.

Brigadier General Mohammed Sleiman was shot in the head and neck on August 1, 2008 by a small team of Israeli commandos as he enjoyed a dinner party at his luxury seaside home on the Syrian coast, said The Intercept website, citing the leaked files.

“The internal National Security Agency document, provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, is the first official confirmation that the assassination of

Sleiman was an Israeli military operation,” said the website.

The revelation “ends speculation that an internal dispute within the Syrian government led to his death,” it added.

The NSA’s internal version of Wikipedia, “Intellipedia,” described the assassination near the port town of Tartus as the “first known instance of Israel targeting a legitimate government official,” according to The Intercept.

It cited three former US intelligence officers as saying that the document’s classification markings indicated that the NSA learned of the assassination through surveillance.

U.S poised to upgrade Cuba in annual human trafficking report

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HE United States is set to remove Cuba from the bottom tier on its list of worst human trafficking centers, U.S. sources said, in what will be another step in the historic rapprochement between the former Cold War foes.

The upgrade would lift Cuba to the so-called “Tier 2 Watch List” from Tier 3, where it has languished for 12 years due to allegations of sex trafficking and what U.S. authorities have previously described as “coerced labor with Cuban government work missions abroad.”

The upgrade was

contained in a draft report that could be modified by the time of publication, expected this month, said a Congressional aide with knowledge of the report.

A second source confirmed the upgrade.

The sources requested anonymity.

They attributed the upgrade to better cooperation between Washington and Havana on human trafficking issues and better treatment of victims, but they declined to provide specifics before the State Department publishes the annual Trafficking in Persons report.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015—49

Buhari’s visit: Is the US our friend or foe?

By Hugo Odiogor

W

ATCHERS of Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomatic practice are divided in their disposition to the proposed visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States. To members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), there is a sense of celebration that Nigeria is returning to international reckoning with the proposed visit but most Nigerians are not amused by Washington’s “Do Good Diplomacy” which is unravelling with the emergence of the new administration in Nigeria.

A 30-man Federal Government team has been assembled for this visit which is coming two days after Obama would have visited his fatherland, Kenya. This has raised questions on how much regard the White House has accorded its relations with Nigeria which is obviously a powerhouse in Africa and global politics. The US wants to use the invitation of President Buhari to show that it welcomes the new regime in Nigeria but the tone of the event is condescendingly abhorrent, to say the least. Top on the agenda is security in West African sub region, war against terrorism in Nigeria, support for the multi-lateral military task force, the war against corruption, US position on same sex prohibition law, and trade between US and Nigeria.

Military cooperation President Buhari will be received in the White House on July 20 and will later hold discussions with the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey and Deputy Secretary of Defence, Robert Work on defence and military co-operation between both countries. President Buhari will also meet with VicePresident Joe Biden, Secretary of Trade Jack Lew, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritaker and Attorney-General Loretta Lynch in a wide range of talks expected to cover trade, drug law enforcement, and economic ties.

Before leaving Washington, President Buhari will address the US Chamber of Commerce and Co-operation Council for Africa.

Governors of Edo, Borno, Oyo, Imo and Nasarawa are on the presidential entourage, including the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeia, permanent secretaries in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade & Investment, and Defence. Prof. Fred Agwu, Senior Research Fellow at the

Nigerian Institute of International Affairs said the Nigerian team should be circumspect in dealing with the Americans who under the Obama administration have not treated Nigeria as an ally.

Before the election of President Buhari, relations between Presidents Buhari and Obama Nigeria and America has been, at best, frosty as diplomats from both countries treated each other with suspicion. This was not helped by the massive campaign against the Map of the United States of America Jonathan Map of Nigeria administration by a section of the human rights community in the United States. Nigeria has Obama, advocated in Ghana sophisticated military technology, the largest population of black that what Africa requires is not Boko Haram should be people in the world and has the strong men but strong expanding and becoming more largest economy in Africa. It is institutions. deadly.”

It was not a coincidence that the world’s sixth largest producer Chibok Girls saga: The of oil and third with its proven leading American politicians, abduction of over 200 girls from gas reserves in the world. namely Mrs. Hilary Clinton who Government Secondary School Nigeria has the highest US as Secretary of State visited in Chibok, Borno State put business interest in Sub-Saharan Nigeria in 2012 and was full of Nigeria on the spot and made Africa and citizens of Nigeria praises for the administration, but her look little in the eyes of its play key roles in the US economy. by 2014, had become a bitter critic citizens and the global It is therefore understandable of the same administration. community. The western media that the destiny of Nigeria and Similarly, US Secretary of State, latched on it to give Boko Haram the United States cross at some Mr. John Kerry, Chairman of the maximum international Senate Foreign Relations publicity it desired. point.

Committee, Senator John Victims of vile propaganda The administration of former McCain and even President Assistance and Obama made cooperation President Goodluck Jonathan Barrack incurred the wrath of Washington disparaging remarks that when it signed into law the impugned the sovereignty of Nigeria openly requested for Same-Sex Prohibition Act against Nigeria and had all shown military assistance and expertise all pressure from the US and its hostile attitude to the in intelligence gathering in order allies who claim that the bill was administration of President to find and rescue the girls. in violation of the Fundamental Goodluck Jonathan.

Several countries offered various Human Rights of the LGBT forms of assistance and coCommunity in Nigeria. The US Hostile operation. West African countries mission was peeved and could treatment launched the Multinational not hide the anger of White Military Action. The African House with that legislation.

There were series of negative Union has offered commitment While some Nigerians felt publications of events in Nigeria of 7, 500 foot soldiers to combat a worried with the disposition of to discredit the former local terror group that is part of the US government and its administration and make the Global Coalition of Jihadist diplomats to domestic politics in mockery of Nigeria which has Network.

Nigeria, the opposition parties often rallied round to support Yet, Washington has hidden and groups found inspiration in Washington in its troubled times. under the need to ensure that the the support from Washington for Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Human Rights of Boko Haram is a change of guard in Nigeria. United States, Prof Ade Adefuye, not violated, to oppose hard Even the US president, Barrack took exception to this hostile military offensive against the treatment of Nigeria when he group. Prof. Fred Agwu, Senior addressed the Council on Research Fellow at the Nigerian Foreign Relations in Washington Institute of International Affairs On social issues like in November last year. told Vanguard that the US Prof.

Adefuye bluntly told the refused to sell arms to Nigeria same sex marriage, Americans that Nigerians felt citing some human rights lesbians, and gays, abandoned by the US during the conditions. According to Prof.

Buhari should listen time of need. Ambassador Agwu, the Americans are known Adefuye said “I am sad to inform fight terrorism in any part of to Obama and make you that the Nigerian leadership, to the world but in the case of it clear to him that the military and political and even Nigeria Washington adopted a the general populace are not brief to Nigeria’s anti issue has been settled satisfied with the scope, nature, watching terrorism war until Boko Haram and content of United States grew so strong as to take over in Nigeria, no support for us in our struggle territories in the North Eastern political leader will against terrorists. We find it part of the country. difficult to understand how and come out to support Assistance of Washington in why in spite of the US presence the first place these issues in Nigeria with their

As Agwu said: “The complexity of fighting Boko Haram is such that the group has ideological sympathies within and outside the government, within the military services, local communities, etc. It is a diffused organization whose terror tactics is to strike when least expected. Even the US has not succeeded in downgrading the fighting capacity of ISIS in the last 16 months, what justification could Washington give for abandoning Nigeria at its critical time of need?”

Prof Agwu said the local insurgency grew to the point of becoming affiliated with ISIS, adding that said disagreement with the Jonathan administration over the same sex prohibition act was not enough for the US to abandon other aspects of relations between Nigeria and US. Oil diplomacy: It is a known fact that when the US and its allies begin to cry more than the bereaved, then something more fundamental is at stake granted that the US has shown genuine desire to deepen democracy in Nigeria. Key issues listed in the Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and the US were put on hold.

Agreement with Chinese Since 2010, when the Federal Government signed agreement with the Chinese to build three refineries in Lagos, Kebbi and Bayelsa states, the US has been very uncomfortable with Nigeria opening up the oil sector for the Chinese to come in. The proposed refineries were expected to produce 900,000 bpd to double the existing 450,000 from the poorly functioning refineries in the country.

Same sex law: Ambassador Sulieman Dahiru who had served in Brazil, Angola, the United States, Poland, Ivory Coast, Austria, Sudan and Pakistan, told Vanguard that Nigeria should make its stand known on issues such as terrorism which has become a global issue, especially as we know that the US is all out to defeat terrorism. He said, “I think with the change of government and leadership of the armed forces should bring the expected positive change.” On social issues like same sex marriage, lesbians, and gays, Buhari should listen to Obama and make it clear to him that the issue has been settled in Nigeria, no political leader will come out to support these issues.

Culturally it is unacceptable, religiously is unacceptable, while no amount of pressure from outside the country will change that decision.

What is important is that President Buhari should tone down of the rhetoric of his party which has been less nationalistic in its uncritical denunciation of everything done by the past administration just to justify its claim for change.

50— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 —51

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52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 53

TRANSFER, TRANSFER, TRANSFER

United, Liverpool battle for Benteke

M

ANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are in a race to sign Belgium international, Christian Benteke. according to reports.

Louis van Gaal is ready to splash the cash again this summer and pay Benteke’s £32.5m buyout clause, but it was understood that Liverpool, which initially hesitated because of the buyout clause are now prepared to pay up.

Liverpool had hoped to negotiate a lower fee but, after Villa said they would not negotiate for the Belgium international, they are

•Benteke now set to trigger the clause in his contract.

The Sun had reported on Thursday that Manchester United were set to make a move for Benteke.

Sources have told ESPN FC that Benteke is keen on a move to

Robinho joins Scolari in China

R

OBINHO has joined Guangzhou Evergrande on a free transfer, the Chinese Super League club have announced.

The 31-year-old will be reunited with Luiz Felipe Scolari, his former coach with the Brazil national team, after signing an initial six-month contract.

A statement on the club’s website read: “July 16, 2015 in the afternoon, Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club officially announced Brazilian striker Robson de Souza (Robinho) formally signed.

“Robinho joined on a free contract for a period of six months. After the expiration of the contract

Anfield, and once the release clause is activated he is set to hold talks and undergo a medical ahead of his switch to Anfield Liverpool had been waiting for the Sterling deal to go through before making an offer for the 24-year-old, having already paid out over £40 million on new signings Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne as well as bringing in free agents James Milner and Adam Bogdan, while the club will go to a tribunal to decide a compensation fee with Burnley for Danny Ings. the club have a priority right of renewal.

“The player will wear jersey number 60. He will have his medical around July 20 after joining up with the team in Guangzhou.”

Robinho has played for Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan since beginning his career with Santos, where he has returned for two loan spells in recent years.

Sanogo eyes Ibrahimovic, Kanu’s records at Ajax

A

RSENAL striker Yaya Sanogo has said he hopes to emulate Ajax greats Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nwankwo Kanu as he closes in on a loan to the Eredivisie side.

Sanogo, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace, confirmed to AT5 on Thursday that he was about to undergo a medical with Ajax.

Asked how he felt to be in Amsterdam, the 22year-old Frenchman said:

“I am very happy. Now I go to visit medical.”

He said Ajax boss Frank de Boer had contacted him personally to convince him to make the move and that he was ready to fight for firstteam football with the Dutch giants.

He said: “The manager from Amsterdam called me last week and said, ‘I want you to play for us, for Ajax.’

“I am very happy because I didn’t think a big club like Ajax wanted

Bayern certain to clinch Vidal

J

U V E N T U S midfielder Arturo Vidal is closing in on a move to Bayern Munich four years after he was first expected in Bavaria, according to widespread reports in Italy and Chile.

Vidal, 28, had agreed terms on a move to Bayern from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011, but the clubs could not agree a fee and the Chile international then moved to Juve.

However, Chilean C M Y K

•Vidal newspaper La Cuarta has reported that Vidal told his family after the Copa America that he wanted to move to

•Sanogo me so I have to work hard to play.

“I hope to score a lot of goals.”

Munich, and Italian publications La Gazzetta dello Sport, Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport have all reported that Bayern are back negotiating for player as they seek a replacement for Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has joined Manchester United.

It is reported that Juve initially demanded •45 million, with Bayern offering •30m, and while no agreement has yet been reached, it is said the two parties are edging closer to an agreement.

RACING...Blessing Okagbare chasing Kelly-Ann Baptise during a meet.

All Nigeria Championships: Cross River blacks out AFN

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THLETICS Federation of Nigeria has been put in a fix, by the Cross River State government with regards to the hosting of the 2015 All Nigeria Championships billed for July 30-August 1 in Calabar.

The championships, is meant to be a selection trial for the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville and the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China. But from the situation on ground, this year’s edition may not see the light of the day unless the AFN and Cross River work out details within a week.

Cross River had signed a five-year deal with AFN, they have been faithful in the last four editions.

Former athlete, Falilat Ogunkoya was mandated by the AFN to meet Cross River officials last week, but she had no positive news to report back to the AFN board.

“There is nothing to tell for now. But let us see what will happen next

week,” Ogunkoya said in a telephone chat on Thursday.

It was gathered that Cross River is facing financial predicament following the huge bill met by the new government of Ben Ayade. “We have so many things on ground waiting for attention and it is

Enyeama, Onazi off NFF hook

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UPER Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and midfielder Ogenyi Onazi have been let off the hook by the Nigeria Football Federation, that sanctioned the two players over disciplinary conducts on and off the pitch, during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in Abuja.

Enyeama, had questioned the choice of Kaduna as the match venue, while Onazi was involved in a brawl, which led his eviction

Rio 2016 qualifier: We won’t fail Nigerians — Falcons

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ESPITE the shock death of Super Falcons media officer, Graciuos Akojobi, the national women team players said they are prepared to take on their counterparts from Equatorial Guinea on Saturday.

Team captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku told thenff.com that they are ready for the match which will decide their participation at the Rio 2016 Olympics especially after they missed the London 2012 Olympics.

“We know Equatorial Guinea are a very good side. On our part we have

difficult for the governor to meet all these needs,” said a source.

Last week the National Sports Commission failed to get a commitment from the governor, on the hosting of the National Sports Festival, which has now been put off till September after the All Africa Games.

resolved to qualify because Nigeria did not make it to the last Olympics in London.

“We want to correct our mistakes by being at the Olympics coming up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Hearing that the Equatorial Guinea side said they know us quite well does not frighten us.

“If they claimed to know us we, too also know them very well so that is not a problem for us."

The winner of the twolegged clash will engage the winner of the duel involving South Africa and Kenya for a spot at the 2016 Olympics.

•Enyeama from the match, he was also fined 5,000 by the NFF. However, NFF disciplinary committee chairman, Chris Green said in Abuja that both players will now be allowed to breath.

“That the NFF did not take any action about the offence committed by Enyeama means that he has been forgiven. Now he is free to play for the Super Eagles.

Enyeama’s case has been looked into and he has been pardoned and can go ahead to lead the Eagles in the next match of the 2017 AFCON. “Some of us also pleaded on behalf of Onazi for the $5,000 fine to be removed.

“Ogenyi Onazi has also been pardoned and cleared to play for the Eagles,” Green said.

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Olympic qualifier: Wait for another shocker, Le Roy warns Nigeria C

E L E B R AT E D French coach Claude Le Roy wants to inflict further misery on Nigeria this weekend when he takes Congo Brazzaville to Port Harcourt for a 2016 Olympic Games football qualifier against the Dream Team.

The Le Roy-inspired Congolese Red Devils stunned the Nigerian Super Eagles 3-2 last year in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

It was the first home Cup of Nations qualifying loss suffered by Nigeria and ultimately robbed them of a place at the finals and a chance to defend the title.

Now, the consistently successful 67-year-old Frenchman hopes to repeat at under-23 level what he achieved at senior level and edge Congo closer to Rio de Janeiro and a first Olympics football appearance.

“We are in an identical position to last year with no one beyond Congo giving us a chance,” Le Roy said during a training camp in Atlantic city Pointe-Noire.

“But my team have a huge chance of not only eliminating Nigeria, but qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

“There is no reason why we should fear Nigeria.

“Congolese football has made tremendous progress recently and we must maintain that improvement.”

Le Roy can call on four of his senior squad for the third-round, first-leg clash — goalkeepers Christoffer Mafoumbi and Pavelh Ndzila, defender Sagesse Babele and striker Sylvere Ganvoula.

While Nigeria received first and second-round byes, Congo have already claimed a notable scalp in former Olympics football bronze medallists Ghana.

Both nations won 1-0 at home and Congo squeezed through after a penalty shootout at Stade Municipal in PointeNoire.

Nigeria boast a proud Olympics football record, winning the 1996 Atlanta gold medals after a thrilling final against Argentina and finishing runners-up to the same country at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Former national team star striker Samson Siasia coached the ‘Dream Team’ in China and will be in charge Sunday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

Super Falcons Continued from BP match.

Since the camp resumed early this month, following elimination at the group stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, the team has played two test matches, the first being a 4-0 drubbing of Capital City Doves at the FIFA Goal Project and a 1-1 draw against an U-20 boys’ team, Santos Soccer Academy, at the main bowl of the Abuja National Stadium. The team has trained twice daily and has moved their training to the main bowl of the National Stadium in order to get used to the turf where the match will be played.

Coach of the team, Christopher Danjuma, revealed that training has been cut to once-a-day from Wednesday as the C M Y K

team rounds off preparation for the match.

Enthusiastic Skipper of the team, Evelyn Nwabuoku, said the team is set to make up for missing the past edition of the Women’s Football Tournament of the Olympics, in London three years ago.

“We know Equatorial Guinea is a very good side but on our part, we have resolved to qualify because the last time Nigeria did not make it for the Olympics.

We want to correct our mistakes by being at the Olympics.

“Hearing the Equatorial Guinea girls say they know us does not make us fear. If they say they know us, we also know them, that’s not a problem for us. All I want to tell Nigerians is that victory is sure because we will make them smile come Saturday,” Evelyn concluded.

Zenith Basketball: First Bank, others set for finals

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•Siasia

•Le Roy

Congo pick 11 overseas pros for Dream Team

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ONGO will be parading a highpowered 23-man squad including 11 foreignbased professionals for a final round of Caf Under23 Championship qualifier against Nigeria.

Among those in the selection by coach Claude Leroy are midfielders Philzgérarld Mbaka (Getafe/ Espagne), Juvrel Loumingou (La Berrichonne de Châteauroux/ France),

Ravy Tsouka (Crotone/ Italy) as well as strikers Mavis Tchibota Dufounou (Maccabbi Tel Aviv/ Israel), Kevin Xavier Brandon Koubemba (Lille/ France) and Ulrich Poutou (Chambly/ France).

Several local talents were left out of an initial 39-man provisional squad including the likes of Kader Bidimbou and Dua Ankira (AC Léopards) Grâce Mamic

Itoua (Diables Noirs), Amour Loussoukou (Cara), Issambet Saira (Etoile du Congo), Kaya Makosso (Carpe) and goalkeeper Joe Ombandza (AS Kondzo).

Congo eliminated the highly-rated Ghana to set up the clash with Nigeria’s Dream Team VI. The first leg encounter comes up in the Garden a City of Port-Harcourt on Sunday.

OSTILITIES for the third and final phase of the 2015 Zenith Bank women Basketball league will dunk-off on Sunday July 19, 2015 at the indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos as only eight teams out of the eighteen that started the race qualified for finals.

With the eight teams drawn into two groups of A and B, the first Bank Basketball team of Lagos who are yet to loose a game since the season started, will be competing in group A as table toppers alongside former Champions, First Deep water also of Lagos that finished Second on the table, Sunshine Angels of Akure and Plateau Rocks of Jos. Playing in group B are Dolphins Basketball club of Lagos who are also unbeaten since the 2015 league started.

They are topping the group B table while the Nigeria Customs that are second on the Group table, the Inspector General of Police Queens and Delta Force are the other group Contenders that will be slugging it out in the final face-off.

LOC assures maximum security for U-23 encounter atmosphere that could come out en masse to to re-launch Rivers —Iyaye be obtainable anywhere cheer the dream team to State on the map of

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HE Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2016 Olympic qualifying match between Nigeria’s U-23 team and their Congolese counterparts, Hon. Boma Iyaye has assured both teams and fans coming to the stadium of maximum security during the encounter on Sunday.

Iyaye, who gave the assurance in Part Harcourt during a press briefing, assured that Rivers State Government in their usual traditional style is determined to give their best to ensure a memorable match with all the associated drama, passion and wonderful

in the world.

He explained that adequate security and logistics have been put in place for a hitch-free match, just as he called on all football fans to

victory.

The LOC chairman noted the importance of the administration of Governor Wike towards sports, says the governor is determined

sports development in Nigeria.

The match which is billed to be played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium on Sunday, 19th July, 2015, has the

Congo coach, Claude Le Roy dishes out instruction to his players.

Dream team opponents arrive today N

ATIONAL U-23 E a g l e s opponents in Sunday’s Olympic Games qualifier, Congo are expected to arrive Nigeria today.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF , Ademola Olajire said that the Congolese FA

had informed the NFF that the visitors will arrive in the country today for the match billed to hold inside the Adokie Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

According to Olajire, the Congolese who defeated Ghana to make it to this round of

qualifier will be received by the officials of the FA on arrival before they move to Port Harcourt for the match.

“They have informed us that they will be coming to the country on Friday and we have made all necessary arrangement to receive

them just as we are prepared for the match says Olajire Meanwhile, winner in the two leg matches between Nigeria and Congo will qualify for the CAF African Olympic Qualifying Champion-ship holding in Senegal later in the year.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015 — 55

Super Falcons mourn as Media Officer, Akujobi, dies T

•Late Miss Gracious Akujobi

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HE camp of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, is in mourning following the death on Thursday morning of the team’s Media Officer, Miss Gracious Akujobi.

Doctors confirmed Gracious Akujobi dead on arrival at the General Hospital, Maitama, Abuja at about 7am on Thursday after she suddenly took ill at the team’s Parkview Hotel, Zone 1.

She looked very ill and appeared to have struggled hard to open the door to her room, when some persons noticed her. The team doctor and physiotherapist and other officials moved quickly to attend to her and then rushed her to the hospital, but she died on the way.

“This is a very tragic occurrence. Gracious (Akujobi) was such an energetic, hard–working officer and her death has come as a terrible shock. Her commitment to the job was never in

doubt.

“The NFF is in deep mourning with her family over this tragedy,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

A native of Owerri, Imo

State, Gracious Ihunanya Akujobi was born on 26th October, 1977. She first served as Media Officer of the Super Falcons in 2011, before she was moved to the U-17 Women

National Team in 2012.

She was re-instated to the senior team in 2013 and was with the team at the recently – concluded 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.

2nd Lagos Int’l Badminton Classics: Janikam shocks defending champion

By Jacob Ajom

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HE roof of the Sir Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall almost blew off following the loud ovation that greeted the elimination of the defending champion of the Lagos International Badminton Classics Misha Zilberman via a 2-1 defeat by 511 ranked Ifraimu Janikam of Nigeria in a dramatic round of 32 match yesterday.

The Israeli who is ranked 49 in the world began the tournament as top seed and was expected to make a

mincemeat of his lower ranked Nigerian opponent but ended up getting the shock of his life.

In the opening set he showed a lot of resistance only to lose 20-22 to the Nigerian.

He recovered in the second set which he took at 21-12 but soon fell 2118 in the final set to the charged Nigerian who had the capacity crowd behind him.

An elated chairman of the Lagos State Badminton Association, Francis Orbih said, ‘’it’s been a wonderful tournament both in organisation and in

terms of results. Above all, the number of countries in attendance makes it even more successful. Last year we had 16 but we have 26 countries, including Nigeria in attendance this year. ‘’This is the biggest Badminton tournament ever held in Africa.

What we need now is corporate backing so that we can encourage the likes of Jinkam to greater heights.’’

The tournament ends tomorrow at the Sir Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall, Rowe Park, Yaba Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015

Olympic qualifier:

NFF pins Nigeria’s hope on Oliseh N

IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Melvin Pinnick says the appointment of Sunday Oliseh as the Super Eagles coach is just the beginning as his team continue to revamp the country ’s football fortunes.

The former Juventus midfielder was, on Wednesday, in Abuja unveiled as the new coach of the men’s senior national team on a threeyear contract.

Oliseh and his assistants were presented to the media during a parley at the media hall of the National Stadium in Abuja and charged to change the nation’s football fortune.

Pinnick is optimistic

Taraba

that Oliseh can set the motion for a rapid change in Nigeria’s football’s structure as the team gears up for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“Oliseh’s appointment is in line with our plans to restructure Nigerian football,” Pinnick said.

“It keys into our agenda of a sustainable football development plan and I’m optimistic that it will work out.

“I and my board will do everything humanly possible to give him (Oliseh) and his assistants all the support they need to excel.

“We don’t want to be caught napping in our duty, we will surely give him full cooperation for him to succeed.”

NPFL Result 1 W/Wolves

2

Wait for another shocker, Le Roy warns Nigeria

54 e g Pa

•Le Roy

(L to R) Regional Director,Marketing Communications,Glo, Mr. Charles Jenarius, Chief Commercial Director, Mr. Ajay Mathur, Coordinator,Business Solutions, Globacom,Mr. Ike Oraekwuotu, Super Eagles Chief Coach, Sunday Oliseh, President, Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and 1st Vice President, NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi at the formal presentation of Oliseh to Globacom Board and Management at the Mike Adenuga Towers, Lagos on Thursday.

Olympic qualifier: Dream team A opponents arrive today Page 54

total of 29 players of Super Falcons are presently in camp sweating it out as the team looks to confront

TODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Respond (5) 7 Pointer (5) 8 Eject (5) 10 Erect (5) 12 Owns (3) 13 War-horse (5) 15 Polluted (7) 17 Cashier (6) 19 Taxi (3) 20 Fiendish (7) 23 Tardy (4) 25 Excursion (4) 26 Appeared (7) 30 Wonder (3) 31 Moisten (6) 34 Foolishness (7) 37 Length (5) 38 Snake (3) 39 Fish (5) 40 Trivial (5) 41 Farm-birds (5) 42 Beneath (5)

Super Falcons battle-ready for Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea in this weekend’s 2016

Olympics qualifying Continues on Page 54

DOWN 1 Combine (5) 2 Revolt (5) 3 Oozed (6) 4 Frigid (4) 5 Show (7) 6 Beleaguer (5) 9 Friend (3) 11 Deciphered (7) 13 Booth (5) 14 Chosen (5) 16 Enthusiast (3) 18 Subdue (7) 21 Vault (5) 22 Backbone (5) 24 Originate (7) 27 Sheep (3) 28 Harm (6) 29 Tag (5) 32 Measure (5) 33 Delete (5) 35 Spot (3) 36 Rotate (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Aroma 7, Hand 8, Slight 9, Dress 11, Cur 13, Mar 15, Reel 16, Lap 18, Fate 19, Deliver 20, Aver 22, Erse 23, Damaged 25, Open 27, Led 28, Here 30, Rid 31, did 33, Wreck 36, Solace 37, Idea 38, Titan.

DOWN: 1, Vague 2, Add 3, Ode 4, Ass 5, Win 5, Cheat 10, Seal 11, Creator 12, Receded 13, Married 14, Renewed 16, Legal 17, Piled 18, Fee 21, Ran 24, Gear 26, Pivot 29, Risen 32, Pad 33, Wet 34, Eft 35, Kin

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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