Fayose sworn-in, blasts Fayemi

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62255

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

OSHODI-APAPA ROAD:

Blame FG, Lagos Govt, says 13 NUPENG

From left: Minister of State for Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Chairman, Forum of Commissioners of Finance and Commissioner for Finance, Ebonyi State, Timothy Odaah and Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla at the second day of the ongoing National Council of Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) holding in Enugu, Enugu State.

Fayose sworn-in, blasts Fayemi •Reverses promotions made by Ex-Gov Fayemi •Appoints Special Assistant on Stomach Infrastructure •Recognises 16 former LG councils •Six APC lawmakers defect to PDP

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor, Gbenga Ariyibi & Dapo Akinrefon

A

DO-EKITI— THOUSANDS of Nigerians from all walks of life, yesterday, trooped to the 60,000 capacity Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, to witness the inauguration of Mr Ayodele Peter Fayose and Dr Kolapo Olubunmi Olushola as governor and deputy governor respectively by the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.

The stadium was filled to capacity with dignitaries, especially from PDPcontrolled states in attendance.

It was Fayose’s second oath taking as the state governor having governed

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST: Donu Kogbara Responses to Zambian perspective •P.17

Mr & Mrs FAYOSE—Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State (M), taking Oath of Office before the Chief Judge of Ekiti, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday. With them is the governor's wife, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose. Photo: Dare Fasube. More pix on Page 16

We sacked Keshi to save his life — NFF•P.64

FG to spend N1trn on petrol subsidy in 2015 •P.8

1,000 Boko Haram Faces of second members arrested in generation politicians in Ogun South-West •See pull-out Inside •P.11

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

BUHARI—Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (Left) with National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, John Odigie Oyegun during the collection of the Presidential Nomination form by Buhari at the party’s Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Fayose sworn-in, blasts Fayemi Continues from page 1 the state between 2003 and October 16, 2006 when he was impeached in controversial circumstances.

The new governor attended the swearing-in wearing a simple white Danshiki (a native attire) with a cap to match.

He was accompanied by his wife, Feyisetan and his four sons to the stadium at exactly 12:39 pm amid cheering from residents. He arrived in an old Mercedes Benz 200, 1968 model, with Number Plate W110.

His deputy, Olushola, a university don, came

alongside his wife and children as well.

In his inaugural speech, Fayose promised that his administration would recover lost grounds, repair the damage of the past government and promote concord and unity in place of bitterness, enmity and pretence in the state.

My second coming, an act of God Describing his second coming as Ekiti governor as an act of God’s grace and mercy, Fayose said

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Peace with contentment is great gain. Make sure that your life ends up in an all-round profit.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

When you feel most alone, I am there. Even in your anxiety, I am there. Even in your pain, I am there— James D. Freeman

T

HERE are moments when you cannot help but reflect about life, when those spare moments occur, however frequently, I find this poem “I am There” revealing, comforting but mostly uplifting.

James D. Freeman expresses the divine that surrounds us at all times, this divine love resides in our hearts, whatever your beliefs, there is something greater that encircles our lives with light.

The Fist stanza of this poem sums it beautifully.

“Do you need me? I am there. You cannot see me, yet I am the light you see by. You cannot hear me, yet I speak through your voice. You cannot feel me, yet I am the power at work in your hands. I am at work, though you do not understand my ways. I am at work, though you do not understand my works. Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I AM, and then but as a feeling and a faith. Yet I am here. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.

When you need me, I am there.”

he got an unusual second opportunity from God to do things better.

While condemning the out gone All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by Dr. Kayode Fayemi for allegedly emptying the treasury of the state dry, he said Ekiti State has been committed financially up and until year 2020.

He said: “My heart bleeds today (yesterday) as I report to you, that our state had been plunged into a heavy debt dungeon of over N57.45 billion by our own brothers and sisters.

There were wasteful and unproductive expenditure of huge sums of money. My intention is not to join issues with the immediate past administration which was substantially responsible for this debt burden.”

Appoints SA on Stomach Infrastructure Declaring his intention to appoint a Special Adviser on Stomach Infrastructure, the Ekiti Governor said the Fayemi administration distanced itself from the people and in turn, accused him of using stomach infrastructure to woo electorate at the poll.

… appoints SSG, SAs others

Fayose, however, approved the appointment of the following people.

Dr Mrs Modupe Alade as Secretary to the State Government; Mr Idowu Adelusi as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor; Owoseni Ajayi as Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters; Mr Kayode Oso as Special Assistant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure; Mr Sola Owoeye, Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol; Mrs Sola Olowookere, Personal Assistant to the Governor (Abuja); Chief Toyin Ojo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Finance; Mr Sunday Anifowose, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Stomach Infrastructure; Mr. Sunday Omosilade, Personal Assistant to the Governor on Domestic Matters; Mr Lere Olayinka, Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and Social Media. The appointments took immediate effect.

Speaking further, Fayose expressed his reservation over the creation of additional 19 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the immediate past government, saying the case is in court but he would allocate the state resources to the initial 16 constitutionally recognized local governments until the court’s pronouncement.

"Our party considers the hurried creation of 19 LCDCs, after the former governor lost the June 21 election, as gratuitous afterthought of a bad loser. It smacks of political subterfuge masterminded in utmost bad faith.

“But at the moment, the matter is subjudice and as law-abiding citizens, our government will not do anything that will render the decision of the courts nugatory.

“However, pending the pronouncements of the courts, the new administration shall be guided by the provision of Section 3 and Part1, First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution on the list of local governments in Nigeria in the allocation of resources to that tier of government."

Fayose, who condemned most of the policies and decisions of Fayemi in the twilight of his administration which included the elevation of eight civil servants to the position of permanent secretaries, directed the Head of Service, Mr Olubunmi Famosaya to revert all

the promotions made by Fayemi after the June 21 election to their former status.

"Consequently, my government shall review all public service personnel issues including appointments, promotions, and discipline which were hurriedly effected after the governorship elections."

The new governor promised to introduce free education from primary to secondary school, alleging that education had receded abysmally during the regime of Fayemi.

He equally promised to introduce free health programme in public hospitals for children from ages 1-5, pregnant women and the physically challenged.

It’s a tough job —Mu’azu In his address, the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, who expressed gratitude to the people of Ekiti State for voting overwhelmingly for Fayose and the party, urged the residents of the state to support and pray for the new governor.

“Ayo, God loves you and the people of Ekiti love you too. It’s a tough job and you must discharge your duty with fairness, love of God and with the interest of the people of Ekiti at heart.

God will help you,” the PDP chairman said.

While welcoming six members of the state House of Assembly who defected from the APC to the PDP, Mu’azu said the PDP will still gather more harvest from the APC in the coming days, adding that the new entrants have seen the light and would be treated fairly in the party.

Roll Call Dignitaries at the event included PDP National

Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu who represented President Goodluck Jonathan. Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom; Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo; Isa Yuguda of Bauchi; Theodore Orji of Abia; Liyel Imoke of Cross River; Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta; Ramalan Yero (Kaduna); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Usman Dakingari (Kebbi).

Others are Dayo Adeyeye, Minister of State for Works; Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of State for FCT; outgoing Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; PDP National Secretary, Prof. Olusola Oladipo; Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja; PDP Governorship aspirants in Osun and Ondo, Iyiola Omisore and Olusola Oke, respectively; royal fathers in the state led by their chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola; Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and others.

Six Ekiti APC lawmakers join PDP Six serving members of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, yesterday, defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP. The members are from Ikole 1 and II and other constituencies of the state. The newly sworn in Governor, Ayodele Fayose disclosed this in his address at his inauguration.

They were all invited by him to the podium while reading his address.

Fayose promised that the public would be duly informed as the situation unfolds in that regard.

He said the former ruling party in the state– APC has since died and had been buried.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Delta CP declares war against criminals

By Emma Nnadozie

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ELTA State Commissioner of Police, Alkali Usman, has declared total war against all forms of crime and criminality in the state, with a vow to fish out all those involved in recent criminal activities in the state.

Reports said the police boss, who was disturbed by recent developments in the state, summoned all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to an emergency meeting and warned that it would no longer be business as usual, stating that all hands must be on deck to fight crime in the state.

Police sources said Alkali stated that it was now ‘fire for fire,’ and reportedly advised all officers and men of the force in the state, who were not ready to fight the battle with him, to find an alternative.

According to sources, the Police boss told his men in unmistakable terms that he will not take it easy with any of them found to be lacking in the battle ahead.

He admonished those of them heading areas where ugly incidents were recorded and warned that he would not hesitate in dealing with any of them found wanting in his duties.

Enjoining them to be more pro-active, CP Alkali directed that no officer should be seen abandoning his area of jurisdiction for any other purpose other than fighting crime.

Police sources also said that based on this, the commissioner directed that all officers in the command, no matter their ranks, must be actively involved in day and night patrols.

To this end, he has drawn a roaster placing all top ranking officers, including himself, on daily and nightly patrols in the command.

I have stolen millions with ATM cards — SUSPECT

By Emma Una

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ALABAR—A 23-year-old graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Ondavey Weize, has revealed how he swapped the Automatic Teller Machine, ATM, cards of several persons with invalid cards and withdrawing large sums of money from their accounts before he was arrested by Police in Calabar.

Weize, who has over 60 ATM cards in his possession, said he came to Calabar, Cross River State capital, two weeks ago from Abuja and had succeeded in swapping the ATM cards of many people and had withdrawn money from their accounts to spend lavishly in hotels and night clubs.

He said of the cards in his possession: “Some of those cards are not valid but many of them are. What I do is to monitor people making withdrawals from ATMs. “I go close to them and pretend to help. I memorise their pin numbers and while the person is counting his money, I swap his ATM card with an invalid one and later use it to make withdrawals from his account.”

Weize was paraded by Cross Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Titilayo Busari.

He said he had used the method to withdraw several millions of naira from people’s accounts and did not think of returning to the school he graduated from since 2013 to collect his certificate.

“I am not keen in collecting my certificate from my school or going for national service because I make enough cash from my business to take care of my needs,” the suspect said.

Weize, who is from Vandeikyia in Benue State, said he was introduced to the business by a friend from Ondo State, who he met in Abuja and that they had been working together until they parted ways.

He said: “We were doing the business together and after some time, we parted ways and have not seen each other

for the past three months.”

The suspect, who was arrested in Calabar last weekend while trying to swap his card with that of another person in the premises of a new generation bank in Calabar Road, had in his possession N258,000 cash.

Mr. Titilayo Busari, Cross River State Police Commissioner, who paraded the young man, called on the public to be careful who they ask for assistance while making withdrawals from ATM. “They should ask the bank staff to help them or come with trusted people from their homes to avoid falling into the wrong hands,” the police commissioner counselled.

He said his command was ready to ensure that criminal activities were reduced to the barest minimum during the Yuletide and called on the public to give the Police information about suspicious characters in their neighbourhood.

Mr. Ondavey Weize.

Court remands mum-killer in prison, adjourns indefinitely

By Austin Ogwuda

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N Enugu East Magistrate's Court, sitting at Udi, has remanded in prison a middle-aged man, Uchechukwu Ugwuozor, who allegedly stabbed his mother to death, as the case was adjourned sine die— indefinitely.

This followed his arraignment by the police.

He is facing a one-count charge which reads, “that you Uchechukwu Ugwuozor, male, on October 2, at Ubiekpo village, Abor in the Udi magisterial district, did unlawfully kill one Eunice Ugwuozor, female, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 274(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Volume II Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”

No plea was taken, neither was the suspect granted bail as the matter was adjourned sine

die.

Meanwhile, men of Enugu State Police Command, who arrested the suspect, has kept mute about whether or not the suspect was subjected to psychiatric test, in a bid to ascertain his true mental status before the arraignment.

Church advocates support for pastor who lost wife, 4 children

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—WARRI District of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, has called on the public to assist in rehabilitating Pastor John Kayoda, who lost his wife and four children to a midnight inferno, which raised his quarters in the church premises in Warri last month.

Kayoda is the Resident Pastor

NSCDC arrests man over N5m fraud in Jigawa

By Tina Akannam

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UTSE—OPERATIVES of Jigawa State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested the alleged leader of a syndicate, Sule Ruwaji, for duping a textile merchant of N5

million at Bigidan village of Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Jigawa State.

State Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Muhammad Gidado, told newsmen that the suspect was arrested following a tip-off.

According to him, Ruwaji was apprehended shortly after

duping one Abubakar Hassan, who deals in textile materials in Jos, Plateau State, of N5 million.

Gidado explained that the remaining members of the gang took to their heels and were still at large.

He assured that the agency

Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, had earlier hinted: “We are carrying out proper and detailed investigations to unravel the true state of the suspect and the circumstances or the motive behind the dastardly act.”

would work around the clock to ensure that other members of the gang were arrested.

The commandant disclosed that investigation on the matter was still ongoing, stressing that when completed, the suspect would be charged to court for trial.

of Otumara, Warri Branch of the church.

Chairman of CAC Warri District, Pastor Emmanuel Orode, who made the appeal yesterday in Warri, Delta State, said seeking help beyond the church had become imperative as the church alone could not resettle the bereaved pastor, following the pains and emotional imbalance he currently suffers over loss of his entire family.

He said: “Pastor Abraham Akinosun, President of CAC Worldwide, sent a delegation to Warri to offer his personal and the church’s condolences to the bereaved Pastor. He also sent material assistance.

“The President’s wife has had to send a separate delegation as well. At the District level, we are also trying our best, but I dare say we cannot do it alone.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—7

Man, 35, infects 12-yr-old groundnut hawker with HIV

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—THE police in Bauchi State, Tuesday, arrested a man, 35, for infecting a 12-year-old girl with Human Immuno Virus, HIV. This was disclosed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, in Bauchi, yesterday, saying the man had been HIV positive and on medication since 2004.

According to him, the suspect had been sleeping with the girl, who is a groundnut hawker, since 2012.

He added that the girl was diagnosed with the disease when she started having strange symptoms.

Mohammed, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said: “On October 14, one Sabo Korau, a 35-year-old male of Unguwan Dawaki, Dass council of Bauchi State was arrested for having sexual

intercourse with a 12-year-old girl, repeatedly, since 2012.

“When the victim began to show strange symptoms, she was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed HIV positive.”

He further said police’s preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect took advantage of the girl, adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police,

Shehu Lawal, has ordered the dissolution of Bauchi State Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, which tenure expired since 2008.

According to him, the dissolution is with immediate effect.

He said all existing PCRC identity cards had been nullified, advising members in possession of same to hand them over to the nearest divisional police headquarters.

BIRTHDAY MEAT: Two arrested over goat theft

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—TWO young friends, Seun Agagu and Gbenga Adedipe, have been arrested by officials of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ondo State Command, for allegedly stealing a goat to celebrate birthday.

Officials of the command in

Akure said the suspects had confessed to the crime.

The suspected goat thieves, who reside at 49, Ijoka Road Dafog, Akure and 12 Arakale Street Akure, were arrested at 2, Ijigba Street, Oda Road, Akure at 3a.m. by officials of the command.

It was learned that one of the suspects, who confessed to the crime, said they wanted to

celebrate the birthday of one of them, and that was why they stole the goat.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects had laid an ambush for the goat a night.

It was also learned that the owner of the goat raised an alarm when she did not see it that night.

A search was conducted and the goat was discovered where the suspects kept it, preparatory for slaughter the next day.

The friends and their birthday “meat.”

Suspected female hemp dealer docked

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand in Kirikiri female prisons of a 32-years-old woman, Ifeoma Eze, who pleaded guilty to illicit drug deal.

The defendant is facing a onecount charge of trafficking about 6.200 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp.

She was arraigned by the

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and said to have concealed the substance in a large envelope, carefully tucked in her luggage.

The court, presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, held that the defendant should remain in custody until October 24, when the facts of the case would be reviewed and her sentence pronounced.

The prosecutor, Ernest Agwu, informed the judge that the defendant was arrested on July

21, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

Agwu explained that about 6.200 grammes of the hard substance was recovered from the accused during the outward clearance of passengers aboard a flight to China.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The matter has been adjourned till October 24.

State Commandant of the agency, Andrew Igwe Ugwumba, said the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution after thorough investigation.

Suspected fraudsters nabbed

Ugwumba said other suspects arrested for other crimes include Segun Olorunwemimo and Ogunlisa Ayo Igekele.

He said they were picked up in connection with offences ranging from collection of money from innocent people under false pretence (419) to illegal dealing in adulterated petroleum products.

Segun Olorunwemimo was arrested for collecting N2,050,000 from one Mr. Adeloye Jayeola at Owo in Ondo State under the pretext of helping him to buy a Mercedez Benz 911 tipper from Cotonou.

He reportedly collected the money through his cousin’s account.The suspect has confessed to the crime and pleaded for mercy.

Ogunlisa Ayo Igbekele was arrested at Aye in Okitipupa local government for bunkering.

He was apprehended in a Toyota car with number plate DZ 72 KTU Lagos, containing 32 kegs, each filled with of 30 litre of suspected adulterated diesel amounting to 960 litres.

The Commandant assured the people of the state that the corps would work in synergy with other security agencies to bring crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the state.

18-yr-old kills husband in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—AN 18year-old housewife in Bauchi State has been arraigned at the Chief Magistrate’s Court 7, Bauchi, for allegedly killing her husband with hot water.

Aisha Jibrin was said to have lost one of her front teeth as a result of beatings received from her husband, who accused her of going for an abortion without his consent.

It was not certain at press time if the quarrel was over the issue of the paternity of the aborted baby or the abortion itself.

She was said to have poured hot water on Ladan who was taking his bath, which led to his death in a hospital.

The incident happened on Wednesday, October 8, at the couple’s residence at Jahun Ward, Bauchi Metropolis, at about 5p.m.

According to a close family friend, who pleaded anonymity, problem started for the newly-wedded Aisha when news of the abortion reached her husband.

The deceased brother, Nasiru Mohammed, reported the matter at Dutse Tanshi Police Station and Aisha was arrested and charged to court.

According to the Investigation Police Officer, Abdulahi Adamu, the suspect has been charged with culpable homicide punishable under Section 224 of the Penal Code.

The Chief Magistrate Presiding over the case, Isa El-Shuaibu, has adjourned the case to Tuesday October 28, for further hearing.

Navy impounds fuel-laden boat

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—THE Nigerian Navy has impounded a boat carrying about 65,000 litres of petroleum products suspected to be either diesel or crude oil from bunkerers in the waters of River Niger.

The Commander of NNS Luguard, Lokoja, Commodore Shuwa Mohammed, who stated

this while addressing journalists in Lokoja yesterday, said the petroleum products were stored in nine tanks of 500 litres each.

He said the 40-metre wooden boat was discovered at a marshy area of River Niger, around Lokoja on October 13 by the command, while on patrol from Baro, Niger State, to Lokoja and Idah in Kogi State.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

By Soni Daniel & Johnbosco

Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE Federal Government is to spend the sum of N971 billion to subsidise the supply of petrol to Nigerians in 2015, an indication that the administration has no plan to do away with subsidising petrol.

In the same vein, the government plans to give out N260 million to the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE-P, for intervention in various development agencies, while N250 billion would be spent as subsidy on kerosene.

This is contained in the 2015-2017 Medium Ter m Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy, MTEF paper, which President Goodluck Jonathan sent to the National Assembly for approval as the basis for the 2015 budget of N4.817.76 trillion The Senate President, Senator David Mark has already directed the Joint Committee on Finance and Appropriation to work on the Paper within two weeks.

Senator Mark said the early conclusion of work on the document would enable the senate to determine early passage of the proposed 2015 budget.

According to the document, which Vanguard obtained last night, the government expects to receive fabulous revenue of N7.164 billion from oil and gas and N3.2 billion from non-oil revenue sources within the year.

Overall, the administration is expecting N11.1 billion as total federally collectible revenue for 2015, as against the projection of N10.894b for the current year.

Of its oil revenue, according to Jonathan, the sum of N858.59 billion will be spent as its contribution to the cost of oil production while N209 billion will go to National Domestic gas development and N78 billion set aside for Gas infrastructure development.

The MTEF document also indicated that the Federal Government had projected that it would spend N1.029 trillion as capital expenditure for ministries, departments and agencies.

It added that N1.801 trillion would be spent as personnel costs for the MDAs while service wide votes would gulp N376.05 billion and N570 billion projected as new borrowings in 2015.

As part of efforts to tackle crude oil theft and pipeline vandalisation, the security agencies are expected to start ground and aerial surveillance, while the Justice Ministry would ensure speedy prosecution of oil thieves and vandals.

FG to spend N1trn on petrol subsidy in 2015 According to the document, “The activities of crude oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals remain the main risks to oil production.

The potential implications of their activities are a reduction in government revenue with further impacts on government debts and fiscal deficits as well as pressures on the exchange rate.

“Given the role of oil production volume on government finances, government remains committed to curbing these nefarious activities.

Consequently, it is intensifying security, particularly ground and aerial surveillance, around oil facilities through the combined efforts of security agencies and local communities’ participation.

“These security forces under the National Executive Council Committee are being better equipped to checkmate the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals. There would also be better engagements of the Ministry of Justice and lawyers for faster prosecution of oil thieves.”

Government also informed the National Assembly that it had already set up a committee expected to partner with other agencies to tackle the Boko Haram sect, adding, “The issue of insurgency in parts of the North east is still a risk to economic and commercial

activities, and by extension, government tax revenue.

“C o n s e q u e n t l y, government will intensify the utilisation of its threepronged approach including a firm security response, continued political dialogue and a package of development assistance to checkmate the security situation.

“Already, a Presidential Initiative for the North East Committee is working

together with some development partners to finding a lasting solution to the insurgency.”

In the letter he addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly, Jonathan admitted that the oil sector was not witnessing new investments due to uncertainty occasioned on the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. Jonathan explained that the oil benchmark of $78 pb was

predicated on the projected balance between increasing global supply resulting from rising oil and unconventional oil production, and production disruptions that may result from geopolitical risks.

According to the President : “Our proposal is also driven by the need to be cautious in our revenue projections given the volatile nature of oil prices and the need to rebuild our fiscal buffers, which have been very useful in periods of revenue shocks”.

MEETING: From left; Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works; Prof. Amos Utuama, Deputy Governor, Delta State and Funkekeme Solomon, Commissioner of Works at the 21st national council of Works' meeting in Asaba, Delta State. Photo by Nath Onojake.

MUTINY: Army bars journalists from covering proceedings

By Kingsley Omonobi

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B U J A — FOLLOWING concerns that publication of operational details of the ongoing war on terrorism will fall into the hands of Boko Haram terrorists and expose troops to danger, the Nigerian Army yesterday, barred journalists from further coverage of the proceedings of its General Court Martial.

The military court commenced sitting on Wednesday, at the Army Headquarters AHQ Garrison, in Mogadishu Cantonment Abuja where 97 soldiers are to be arraigned for various

offences of mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny amongst others.

At the inaugural sitting, the arraignment of 59 soldiers on two counts charge of conspiracy to commit mutiny and mutiny, where they all pleaded not guilty enjoyed very wide media coverage.

However, when journalists appeared again in court yesterday, for the continuation of the trial, they were sent out of the court midway into the proceedings.

At about 10.00 am when the second prosecution witness (pw2) in the case, who is second in command to the Commanding Officer, 111 Special Forces Battalion,

Lt-Col Timothy Opulum, PW1, commenced giving evidence, a plain clothed officer went round the court whispering to journalists that an “officer outside wants to see you.”

Outside the court room, spokesman of the Garrison, Colonel Aliyu Yusuf, however addressed the journalists appealing that the Army would send invitations across to them whenever the time was right.

Colonel Yusuf appealed for understanding, noting that the need to promote national security, had informed the action.

During the court proceedings on Wednesday, there were serious issues of national security bordering on military operations that were raised and considered

in the open court, which was said to be putting ongoing operations in the North East at risk.

At a point, during the proceeding, the GCM President, who became apparently uncomfortable with the revelations of military strategies, had to stop the witness and the counsel from delving into military operations that might endanger national security.

It will be recalled that the last court martial in the AHQ Garrison carried out a discreet trial of 18 soldiers accused of mutiny.

Newsmen were only invited on the day judgement was to be delivered where death sentence was passed on 12 of them by the GCM on September 15.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 — 9

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Ben Agande & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday blasted All Progressives Congress, APC presidential aspirant, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) for twisting facts and figures to project his 2015 presidential ambition, saying that all that the general promised to do were being done by his administration.

President Jonathan’s sharp retort to Buhari’s assertions of failing standards in critical sectors of the polity came as Buhari yesterday, pressed forward his ambition by purchasing the APC presidential nomination form through a bank loan.

While purchasing the N25 million nomination form at the party ’s national secretariat yesterday, Buhari lamented the high cost of the nomination form, but said that he was fired by his ambition to procure a bank loan through the assistance of an unnamed bank chairman earlier yesterday.

Buhari had yesterday formally declared his ambition in Abuja, during which he and several other supporters of his blasted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration of leading the country towards the precipice.

Responding yesterday, President Jonathan expressed regrets that Buhari, who he said should ordinarily be a statesman would twist facts and figures to project an ambition.

In a statement articulated by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president said: “We have noted with disappointment and regret, the reckless, baseless and unsupportable charges made against the Jonathan's administration yesterday by a supposed elder statesman, General Muhammadu Buhari.

“We wholly reject the allegations made by General Buhari against the Jonathan's administration at the declaration of his intention to contest the 2015 presidential elections as an irresponsible denigration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s sincere efforts, over the past four years, to positively transform Nigeria.

“It reflects very badly on the character of the political opposition we now have in Nigeria, that a political leader of General Buhari’s stature will deliberately make such false and uncharitable comments about the elected leadership of his country, merely for personal and sectional political gain.

“The falsity of General Buhari’s anti-Jonathan and anti-PDP claims will be obvious to knowledgeable

Jonathan blasts Buhari, says he is doing all that Buhari is promising zBuhari took bank loan to purchase APC nomination form Nigerians and friends of the country, but for the benefit of others we affirm that there is absolutely no truth whatsoever in his charge that “the last 16 years of PDP Government has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria” or that “the economy continues to deteriorate.

“Statistics and rankings from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international economic agencies give the lie to General Buhari’s claims on the state of the Nigerian economy.

“As is well known, available figures, statistics and ratings show that the Nigerian economy has consistently maintained an unprecedented growth rate of 6-7% under the Jonathan administration. They also show that the Nigerian economy is now the leading economy in Africa and the 26th largest in the world with a gross domestic product of over $500 billion per annum.

“Also contrary to General Buhari’s assertion yesterday, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is thriving under the reforms being implemented by the Jonathan administration as current production figures show and neither manufacturing nor commerce is “down” as the APC presidential aspirant alleged. ''His most uncharitable and inexcusable accusation against the present administration was that election rigging continues to thrive in Nigeria.

“We trust that all patriotic, objective and non-partisan Nigerians will reject that allegation knowing it to be invalid and they will have the evidence of the progressively freer, fairer and ever more credible elections conducted under the Jonathan administration to support their position.

“The President will not be discouraged or deterred from his objective of repositioning Nigeria for accelerated and inclusive socio-economic development by the partisan and jaundiced views of power seekers like General Buhari who cannot see the obvious results of the current administration’s efforts through their blinkered eyes.

“We also draw the attention of Nigerians to the total lack of originality in the hackneyed manifesto offered to Nigerians yesterday by the APC presidential aspirant.”

“All that G e n e r a l B u h a r i promises to do are already being done by the Jonathan's administration to the acclaim of ordinary Nigerians and there is no evidence b e f o r e Nigerians that the APC leader and his acolytes can do them better.”

“The retired General is free to renege on his wellpublicized IHEDIOHA PICKS NOMINATION FORM: From left; Deputy Speaker, pledge not to House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; National Organizing seek elective Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapher and office again, his Deputy, Mr. Okey Nnadozie during the Deputy Speaker's collection of as he has his nomination form for the Imo State PDP governorship primary at the done, but we party headquarters, Wadata House, Abuja yesterday. urge him to conduct his presidential “But I felt heavily sorry for you better pick your form and campaign with greater regard myself because I don’t want to keep a straight face. That for the truth.” go and ask somebody to pay means there is no excuse,” “We also urge him to eschew for my nomination forms, Buhari said. unbecoming false accusations because I always try to pay Responding after handing against others like a true elder myself, at least for the over the forms to Buhari, the statesman and to focus his nomination. national chairman of the parcampaign on more original “N27 million is a big sum, ty, Chief Odigie-Oyegun exideas for the promotion of thankfully I have personal plained that the N27.5m was peace, stability, unity and relationship with the manager carefully chosen to “separate progress in our beloved of my bank in Kaduna and men from the boys”. nation.” early this morning, I put an “Let me say that the N27.5m National chairman of the early call (and) I told him that is to separate the men from the APC Chief John Odigie- very soon the forms are boys. It is quite clear. We know Oyegun immediately rebuffed coming, so, whether I am on you. I don’t expect you have the insinuation saying: red, or green or even black N27m under your bed. But I “Well, it means that they are please honour it, otherwise I expected that there are Nigenot good students of history may lose the nomination. rians who will vouch for you and they are not realistic and “I was about to go to Kaduna any day and who are ready to practical. Before now, there this morning and I told the stand for you any day and that was no truly national Chairman (John Odigie-Oye- is the result that we have obalternative in this nation; gun) but he said in that case, tained today”, he said. before now, we had the ANPP that was domiciled in the North East, we had the ACN that was domiciled in the South West and THE royal family of Atako of training and employment of off course they had members all Oroije-Oroabali in Port physically challenged persons; over the places.”

Buhari meanwhile, Harcourt Local Government initiating the building of the yesterday procured the party’s Area of Rivers State has Palace of His Royal Majesty, N27.5 million expression of announced the death of Eze Ekpebi IX of Rebisi; and Vincent Njorbuenwu Atako. donation of transformers to interest and nomination forms The Late Vincent Njorbuenwu Rumuohia Community. at the national secretariat.

Atako had his Primary Lamenting what the costs of education at St. Paul’s School, the forms were high, he said Diobu; Secondary School at that it took the understanding County Grammar School, of his bankers in Kaduna and Ikwere/Etche and HSC at Baptist High School, Port Abuja to raise the money.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t Harcourt before proceeding to influence this amount to be Liverpool Polytechnic in the put down as in the case of UK, where he obtained a B.A. in Business Administration in ladies and the disabled that 1977. intend to participate. I always Late Hon. V. N. Atako, JP looked left and right in our was a community builder and meetings but I could not read lover of the under privileged. sympathy, so I kept my trap.

He will be remembered for

Atako is dead

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Baale, others arrested as Police storm Lagos community

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AGOS—A combined team of regular and plain cloth armed policemen have stormed Oko-olomi village in Elemoro area of Ibejulekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, shooting sporadically into the air.

Fearing for their lives, the villagers took to the bush as the invading policemen arrested a traditional ruler, Baale Tunde Olowu, his younger brother, Lukmon Olowu and one Wasiu.

The mission of the police officers is still unknown but lawyer to the community, Mr Paul Ogundele has accused them of overzealousness and wrongfully using their position as law enforcement agents to take side in what he described as “a minor family problem.”

Ogundele said one Madam Toyin ElekuBakare invited the police over allegation of “malicious damage, attempted murder and threat to her life.”

He added that among the people he wrote the petition against was one Femi Bakare, her husband and that the Divisional Police Officer of Elemoro Police station for allowing himself to be used to sack an entire community, seized their cars and is working towards imposing an unpopular leader on the peaceful community.

However, a senior police officer from Elemoro police station said that the police acted following a complaint of threat to life and attempted murder by Madam Eleku-Bakare and that all the suspects arrested had been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

Meanwhile, Mr Ogundele has petitioned the Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG), Zone II, the inspectorGeneral of police, IG, the Executive –Director, Civil Liberty Organisation, CLO, Amnesty International, Chairman and the Police Service Commission.

Ogundele in the

Coroner visits collapsed building site, threatens mass burial

SYNAGOGUE:

zCOREN to report involved engineers for prosecution

By Abdulwahab Abdulah &

Bartholomew Madukwe AGOS—THE Coroner court put up by the Lagos State government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, Ikotun Lagos, yesterday visited the scene of the incident, requesting families of the victims to come for identification to avoid mass burial.

The Coroner Judge, who was corroborating a request made by the state Chief Medical Examiner, Prof. John Obafunwa for the manifest of the people in the building when it collapsed maintained that the government will be left with no option than to give the deceased mass burial if there was no proper identification.

“We want to be able to identify all the victims because those bodies will not be released to their relatives if we cannot identify them. They will be given mass burial, which is not appropriate.” He threatened.

The inquest team led by Mr Oyetade Komolafe was accompanied on the visit by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde and the state’s Chief Medical Examiner, Prof. John Obafunwa.

The entourage which was received by the Chief Security Officer of the church, Mr Sunday Okojie, who conducted them around the scene of the incident also included Mr Akingbolahan Adeniran, Lagos State Counsel and representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Red Cross Society and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority.

Like he said at the opening session of the coroner proceeding, Magistrate.

Komolafe maintained that his team was there to examine the scene of the incident, in order to arrive at a just conclusion.

“I said at the inaugural sitting, we are not here on a witch-hunt or to convict anybody. We are here for a fact-finding purpose and how we can ascertain the cause of the incident,” he noted.

To this end, he directed the church to give the list of the people who lodged in the collapsed building to the Lagos State forensic team led by Obafunwa to assist in identification of the victims.

“What we are saying about the manifest is that we will need it to be submitted to the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, to identify the corpses. Also,

L

families of victims have to come forward for samples to be taken so as to identify the bodies. Can that be made available?” he queried.

However, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, counsel to the church responded, “I think on the issue of identification of the corpses, we do not need any blood sample. If the families can come and identify the bodies, there is no need for blood samples.”

At this juncture, the Chief Medical Examiner, Prof.

Obafunwa, handed over a formal letter requesting for the manifest from the church noting that it was needed for proper identification of the victims.

He said: “In an investigation of this nature, we need to carry out our own tests. DNA analysis will not give you a name. There is nothing wrong with what we are asking for.

“For the purpose of disaster victim identification, we will need the manifest. What we are trying

to identify is for us to know who and who was in the building, it is just for that purpose. You cannot investigate a plane crash, for instance, without having the names of the passengers on the aircraft.”

Not satisfied with the request, the church lawyer maintained that DNA of all the families involved in the incident was submitted to the pathologists earlier, while reiterating the church’s readiness to cooperate with the inquest to unravel the cause of the building collapse.

“The DNA of all the families involved have been submitted as far back as two weeks ago. Our position is that families involved have submitted their DNA test results. The list (manifest) has not been asked for, so let us not give the public wrong impression. Whatever they ask for will be supplied. Let them direct it to the church and it will be done.” Lateef maintained.

On their arrival at the court, the Coroner judge reiterated that he

will not hesitate to invoke the law to compel whoever refused to appear before it.

Further hearing was adjourned till Friday, October 24.

COREN to report involved engineers

Meantime, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, said yesterday that it would facilitate the arrest of any engineer linked with the collapsed Synagogue Church building.

Mr Kashim Ali, the President, COREN, said this in an interview in Abuja.

“We are going to ask now that the security agencies should commence investigation because we have given them enough time.

“So, anybody, who is implicated whether you are the cause of the collapse or not, but for not reporting after you were invited by COREN, there is a penalty for that."

L-r: Former President of the International Court of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola presenting an award to Governor of Osun State , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as an Excellent Public Administrator 2014, during the sixth Prince Bola Ajibola Annual Lecture Series at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

EBOLA: Lagos lawmakers commend

591 Nigerian volunteers L AGOS—SOME members of the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday commended 591 Nigerian professional health workers who volunteered to help in the containment of Ebola in affected countries.

They gave the commendation in an interview in Lagos.

Mr Taiwo Kolawole, the Deputy Speaker, said that there was nothing wrong in assisting the affected countries in such a pathetic situation.

He said: “The health workers must be very careful and take safety measures, and must also be properly screened before returning to the country.

“There is nothing wrong in going out to assist your neighbouring countries, but it must not be done in such a way that will put the country into trouble.”

The lawmaker said that many countries in the world had volunteered to assist in containment of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in

some West African countries.

He also advised the Federal Government to give adequate training to the volunteers and caution them on the terrain to avoid recording unnecessary casualty.

“They should be well trained because we will not want our borders exposed to such virus as a result of their voluntary service,” Kolawole said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 —11

Why private varsities should benefit fromTETFUND,

by Adedoyin

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

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HE Pro-chancellor of Oduduwa University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Chief Raman Adedoyin, has appealed to the Federal Government to include private universities among the beneficiaries of Tertiary Institutions Trust Fund, TETFUND, to bring down the relatively high tuition fees paid by the students.

Chief Adedoyin made the appeal, yesterday, at the permanent site of the university in Ipetumodu in Ife North local government area of the state while addressing a press conference as part of activities lined up for the second convocation ceremony of the institution.

Adedoyin said the fear of mismanagement of the fund if made available to private institutions, should not have arisen, had agencies of all tiers of government seen private education operators as partners.

1000 B-Haram members nabbed in S-West —Serki Hausawa

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ARKIN Hausawa of Lagos, Alhaji Sani Kabir, yesterday, told the Federal Government that northerners in the South West have arrested more than 1,000 members of the Boko Haram insurgents in parts of the South West.

Speaking when the Arewa Council of Chiefs in the South West paid a visit to the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, in Abuja, Alhaji Kabir said the arrests were made at different times.

He said that those arrested were Boko Haram members who fled from the Civilian JTF/military onslaught on the insurgents in the North East and those who came to the South West to further the insurgency.

Kabir said the Council has taken it upon itself to ensure that Boko Haram did not take root in the South West because according to him, such a development would complicate the security challenges facing Nigeria.

He said, So far in the South west,

we have peace and this is achieved through the collaboration of Arewa people and Arewa chiefs. If you can confirm with the security agencies, we have arrested more tham 1,000 Boko Haram members throughout the south west states. We promptly report any suspicious movement to the security agents because we believe that the problem is actually the Nigerian problem but if there is any breakdown of law and order in the south west, we are the prime targets irrespective of whether one is a member of Boko Haram or not.

“All the Arewa sarkis (kings) in the south west are up and doing to make sure that we do not allow any breakdown of law and order in our communities.”

On how they effected the the arrest, Kabir said, “we inform our leaders that when new people come into their midst, they should observe their behaviour.

Some of the leaders in the south west are northerners, some of them are from Borno State, they

can know. There were even instances where JTF came from Borno State to identify some of them.”

On their support for the reelection President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Kabir said, “I will like to start by going back to 2011 electioneering campaign.

There was a team that was led by the president and the vice president and they met with the Council members and we pledged to give our assistance and support during the election period and beyond. Since that time, there has been no communication between us and the president or the federal government.

Responding, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabir Tanimu Turaki, who received the group on behalf of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan thanked the Arewa leaders for their efforts to ensure that insurgency did not extend to the south west.

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO Ekiti – WORKERS under the aegis of the Joint Negotiating Council in Ekiti State have called off their two weeks old industrial action.

The workers in the public service in the state had on October 2, embarked on the strike action to press home their demand following the delay in the payment of September salary and deductions in their allowance in July, August and September.

According to the chairman of JNC, Comrade Oladipupo Johnson, who spoke to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, they decided to back pedal over their position based on their meeting with the Head of Service, Mr Bunmi Famosaya and the need to give the new regime headed by Mr Ayo Fayose opportunity to solve their problem

Osun NYSC marks low passing out parade

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N211.3M SCAM:

EFCC presents second witness against Gbenga Daniel today

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, will today present a second witness in the trial of a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Daniel is facing trial on a 38-count charge of stealing public funds, bribery, fraudulent conversion of public property and false declaration of assets to the tune of N211.3million.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, prosecuting counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi who stood in for Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court that the witness will further testify against the former governor.

Earlier, Mr. Kunle Osota, former Director, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Ogun State, told the court that during the tenure of Daniel, lands were taken from their registered bona fide owners, and re-allocated to other applicants.

Ekiti workers call off strike

Catholic Bishop of Oyo, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo (r) blessing members of the Oyo family during the Requiem Mass celebrated by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Emminenmce, John Cardinal Onaiyekan on the second day of the activities marking the final funeral rites of the former President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs. Felicia Oluwaremilekun Oyo at teh Chruch of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja.

Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

Ibadan explosion: Market leader wants compensation

I

By Ola Ajayi

BADAN – FOLLOWING last Saturday’s explosion of a fuel tanker that claimed no fewer than 15 lives at the popular Molete market in Ibadan, the Babaloja of the market, Mr. Wahab Bolarinwa, has called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to evacuate all street traders in the area.

According to him, the traders contributed to the casualty figures in the accident.

Governor Ajimobi had moved traders away from the roadsides but this was used against him by the affected traders and opposition parties. Apparently because of the

fear of being voted out in the 2015 elections, the governor has relaxed his urban renewal policy.

The market leader also pleaded with the government to construct speed breakers on the Molete fly-over up to the market area to reduce the speed of vehicles.

Bolarinwa who spoke at an interdenominational service held at the market said that normal transactions at the market which was suspended last Sunday will resume today.

During the prayer session, Moslems, Christians and traditional worshippers said

prayers according to their beliefs although the prayer points were on the repose of the soul of the dead and those who lost property in the accident.

Mr. Dan Onwuo, Mr. Salami Jogunosimi , Mr. Isiaka Yakubu (Hausa leader in the community) as well as Alhaja Iswat Abiola Oyinlola, lamented that for the past thirty years that the market had been in existence, it had not recorded such accident.

They all called on government to reduce the trauma of the families of the deceased and those who suffered material loss by giving them compensation.

DE(Osun) — THE Osun National Youth Service Corps Management, yesterday, organised a low-key passing out ceremony for the passing out batch “C” members of the programme.

The ceremony which held at the multipurpose hall of the NYSC in Ede, was solely a management affair as no state government official or representative was in attendance.

Speaking on the occasion, the state NYSC coordinator, Mr. Abada Okpiroro, said the low key ceremony was carried out due to the security challenges in some parts of the country and the fear of the Ebola Virus Disease.

Okpiroro said the management of the NYSC in Abuja gave him the directive to hold a low key ceremony due to the security challenges facing the country in consonance with affected states.

He, however, said the NYSC had given the outgoing corps’ members the kind of mental, moral supports and training needed during their service year to face the challenges of life ahead of them.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

I’m not vying for APC presidential ticket —Oshiomhole G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has laid to rest insinuations on his purported bid for the presidential ticket of his party, All progressives Congress, APC, saying that while he remains committed to the Nigerian project, his focus now is on accelerating the pace of development in Edo State.

In a statement personally signed by him, Governor Oshiomhole said: “Following persistent inquiries from friends, political associates and well-meaning Nigerians both at home and abroad over speculations of my interest in the 2015 presidential election, and media comments by my aides, I wish to categorically state that I am not contesting the 2015 presidential election.

My focus now is to continue with our efforts to accelerate the pace of our development programmes to take Edo State to the next level. Today, I believe my party, the APC, has enough credible materials to pick from to fly the party’s flag in the 2015 presidential election.

“Anyone conversant with my antecedents will attest that I am not the type who does things half-heartedly. If I had resolved to run in 2015, I would have come out boldly and publicly to declare my intention. Recall that in 2007,

shortly after the expiration of my tenure as two-term President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, I similarly came under pressure from well-meaning Nigerians from across all the divides (including foremost human rights lawyer and activist,

Chief Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory), to vie for the presidency.

“But convinced that anyone genuinely interested in service could do so in any capacity, I insisted against popular demand not to contest the presidency but the

governorship of Edo State in 2007 and, to the glory of God, I won. Again, in 2012, I sought re-election and resoundingly won. I remain absolutely committed to the Nigerian project.

I offer this clarification to clear the air once and for all."

FORTE OIL CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK: From left: Tunji Rabiu, Head, Business Operations, Forte Oil; Tiwa Savage, Forte Oil’s Brand Ambassador; Mrs. Catherine Udeogu, MD, Katelink Ventures and Julius Omodayo-Owotuga, Group Chief Financial Officer, Forte Oil, as Tiwa Savage fuels a customer's vehicle at the company’s retail outlet in Lagos, in commemoration of its 2014 ‘Customer Service Week’.

Edo PDP lawmakers urge Police to investigate attack on colleague

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers in Edo State House of Assembly have called on the state Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation into the attack on one of their colleagues, Mr. Razaq Momoh, at the state legislative quarters in Benin City.

Moving the motion under matters of urgent public importance, the member representing Igueben constituency, Mr. Kingsley Ehigiamusor, said that the manner the police arraigned the All Progressives Congress, APC, Majority Leader and others, was

a miscarriage of justice.

He insisted that thorough investigations ought to have been carried out before the suspects were arrested.

Contributing to the debate, the member representing

Orhionmwon South constituency, Mr. Friday Ogierhiaki said: “The House should call on the police to discontinue the trial of Philip Shiabu and others, to thoroughly investigate the case so that at the end the court will not discharge them for lack of evidence and thorough investigation.”

He kicked against the case of assault as one of the two-count charge levelled against the lawmakers, insisting that medical evidence and evaluation of the victim who is still lying critically ill at the hospital, showed it was a case of attempted murder.

FUPRE sited in Ugbomro, Urhobo leaders insist

By Lucky Oji

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RHOBO leaders and stakeholders in Delta State, yesterday, insisted that the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, was sited at Ugbomro and not

Effurun as misrepresented in some quarters.

The leaders, who spoke through Mr. Clement Urhukpeoghene, at a meeting in Warri, maintained that all relevant documents had confirmed that it was the people of Ugbomro who actually owned and donated the land where the university was currently situated and urged management of FUPRE to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with only Ugbomro community.

They said: “For the purpose of clarity, the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, is sited in Effurun; the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company,

WRPC, is sited in Ekpan and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, is sited in Ugbomro.

Therefore, our people should not play politics with these facts for any reason.”

The leaders cautioned against any attempt by some persons to instigate crisis in the üniversity, insisting that FUPRE was sited at Ugbomro and not Effurun. They urged the federal and Delta State governments, to closely monitor the activities of such persons.

They also warned that FUPRE was a federal government institution and that it was not owned by any ethnic group..

Death of Alamieyeseigha's son: Keyamo accuses FG of double standard

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Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, yesterday accused the Federal Government of double standard in its prompt intervention in the death of Mr. Oyamuyefa Alamieyeseigha, son of former governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamieyeseigha, in Dubai.

In a statement yesterday commiserating with the Alamieyeseigha family, Keyamo said the swiftness with which the Federal Government responded with a call on the UAE authorities to fish out the killers of Oyamuyefa Alamieyeseigha, was commendable.

He, however, expressed shock that the Federal Government has refused to intervene in the death of another Nigerian, Toba Falode, who died in similar circumstances in Dubai on 15th February, this year.

He said: ‘’The Federal Government has not issued a single statement calling on the U.A.E authorities to fish out the killers of Toba Falode. The Federal Government has played the ostrich in the case of Toba, leaving the mother and family grieving alone. The question is, with the swift response in the case of O y a m u y e f a Alamieyeseigha, does the Federal Government value the lives of some of its citizens more than others?’’

Okon Akpan for burial

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R. Okon Ekere Akpan, of Ikot Abia Idem, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, is dead, aged 81.

Service of songs was held at his residence at Ikot Udo Road, yesterday, while interment comes up today.

He is survived by many children, grandchildren and other relations.

Late Mr. Okon Akpan

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—13

A typical day on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

APAPA-OSHODI EXPRESSWAY:

Blame FG, Lagos— NUPENG

By Kingsley Adegboye, Evelyn Usman & Victor Ahuma-Young

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HE Nigeria Union of Petro leum and Natural Gas Work ers, NUPENG, yesterday, blamed the Federal and Lagos State governments for the for chaotic traffic situation on ApapaOshodi Expressway, challenging them to relocate the tank farms in Apapa if it could not manage the traffic situation on the road.

While absorbing members, especially its Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch of any blame, NUPENG, through its Lagos Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said only tank farms in Apapa had petroleum products, hence tanker drivers were besieging the area.

He said: “Nobody should blame us for the gridlock or the chaotic traffic situation on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. We are just doing our normal job, which is to lift petroleum products and supply to Nigerians. We did not locate the tank farms in Apapa. In fact, we were never consulted before the siting of tank farms. You will see tanker drivers anywhere you have petroleum products. If you like, locate the tank farms in the forest; once we are aware that there are products there, we will go there, get the products and distribute to Nigerians.

“We are tired of this blame game. If the government cannot manage the traffic situation on the expressway, they should relocate the tank farms.

“People should ask government why they concentrated the siting of tank farms in Lagos, and Apapa in particular. Why are Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, depots across the country not functioning? We are not out to inflict pains on Nigerians. Right now our task force on traffic management is working very hard to ensure free flow of traffic. This thing is not easy.

We are dealing with a situation where tanker drivers come from all parts of the country to Lagos to lift fuel. Tankers are not what you park in your car garage and there are no parks for these tankers.”

On why tanker drivers cannot maintain one lane and leave the other to other road users, Korodo said: “If you know the number of trucks that come to Lagos on daily basis, you will be amazed. If we start parking on one lane, it will stretch beyond Ibadan in Oyo State. Sincerely, it is the responC M Y K

sibility of government to provide parking space for these trucks. It is also the responsibility of government to manage the traffic situation. If the government has no solution or alternative, they should relocate the tank farms.”

FG’s failed promise

However, assurance by the former Minister of State for Defense, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, two months ago that plans were underway to relocate tank farms along the expressway as a way of finding a lasting solution to the unending traffic gridlock, may be a mirage after all, as traffic gridlock has returned to the route.

Obanikoro, who was on a tour of the expressway two months ago, had raised an alarm over the security implication of allowing trucks to use the route as a park.

Before his visit, the Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy launched an operation code-named Gbale— a Yoruba word for ‘sweep,’ where 120 personnel were deployed to the various locations for 24-hour daily operation.

With the deployment of the personnel drawn from the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft and Wey, led by former Beecroft Commanding Officer, Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae, to the flash points, recalcitrant tanker drivers were moved away from the route.

Their presence witnessed a relief on the route for about three weeks, only for the traffic gricdlock to return— but this time around, worse than it was.

On Tuesday, motorists, who were trapped in the gridlock till about 2a.m., were at the mercy of hoodlums who dispossessed them of their cash and other valuables. The hoodlums do not only operate at night, but also in broad day light. Several motorists have had their windscreens shattered for refusing to wind down their glasses, on sighting the hoodlums.

Inspite of the hue and cry by helpless and defenseless motorists, security operatives seem to pay deaf ears.

Security agents on ‘duty’

When Vanguard visited the route yesterday, there were neither Naval personnel nor policemen along the axis. Rather, personnel of the Vehicle Inspection Officer,VIO; officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS,

were seen stopping vehicles on Mile 2 bridge, thereby, creating more trouble for frustrated motorists.

Effort to reach authorities at the Western Naval Command failed, but it was gathered that the Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Ilesanmi Alade was unavailable.

However, Vanguard reliably gathered that the Navy withdrew its personnel immediately their involvement in controlling traffic along the route two months ago paid off.

From all indication, there was no hope of the personnel returning to manage the situation as at yesterday. But impeccable Naval sources disclosed that the personnel might be deployed to the route by Monday.

A senior Naval officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Operation Gbale was not launched to maintain a permanent presence of naval personnel because that is not our primary constitutional mandate. The operation was launched on the diirective of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jubrin Usman, given the security situation in the country.

“During that operation, the areas were segmented into eight sections with Marine Beach and Ijora to Orile Iganmu as flashpoints one and two, respectively.

Apapa Wharf, Liverpool, Tin-Can Island area, Ibafo (Coconut axis), Berger to Kirikiri and then Mile 2 axis are flash-points three, four, five, six, seven and eight, respectively and it paid off, as motorists heaved sighs of relief. I assure you that by Monday, our personnel will be back .”

When the Lagos State Police Command was contacted to find out why its men were not controlling traffic, the Command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu assured that policemen attached to the Traffic Unit were on their way.

Lagos tank farms, questions, statistics

Vanguard learnt that no fewer than 36 tank farms are currently operating from Apapa. But the recurring questions are: who approved the construction of these tank farms in Apapa and environs? Did the owners carry out the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, required by the law to determine the effects of such projects on their neighbourhood and how they would be mitigated before the construction of such projects are commenced?

If the EIAs were done, were the reports/recommendations subjected to public scrutiny and open debate as required by the EIA law? What are the measures put in place by the operators of the tank farms to cushion the horrendous impacts of their activities?

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Information and Strategy, Alhaji Lateef Raji said: “The Lagos State Government was not contacted for Environment Impact Assessment, EIA. The question should be asked: who did they contact for EIA before they located the tank farms?

“The problem is that the Federal Government has refused to see the state government as a coordinating partner in all its ventures in the state. The point is that the Federal Government has failed to realise that they do not have the capability to achieve urban renewal; it rests on the state.

They should not just dabble into every department, all in the name of Federal might.”

Currently, there are about 20 companies with tank farms and petroleum storage facilities around Apapa, with each storage facility capable of holding between 20 million litres to 50 million litres of petroleum products.

According to data of petroleum products’ allocations released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Nigeria currently imports about 4.8 billion litres of petroleum products per quarter.

Almost all of these importations are done through the Apapa ports, as about 90 percent of the tank farms in the country are located around the Apapa area. To evacuate the 4.5 billion litres of petroleum products from the tank farms in Apapa per quarter, about 136,364 tankers, with an average capacity of about 33,000 litres are required.

This translates to about 1,515 tankers with a capacity of 33,000 litres plying the Apapa axis on a daily basis to lift petroleum products from these tank farms to different parts of the country. In addition to risks posed by locating these tanks close to the ports and residential areas, the tankers also pose serious risks to road users, the environment and the society.

I don’t know what EIA is, operator confesses An operator of one of the tank farms, who would not want to be identified, confirmed that the operators do not have an EIA on their farm.

“What do you mean

by EIA?” he asked.

When VF explained what it meant, he retorted: “No! We did not do anything like that. I guess there was nothing like that requirement when we started. But if there was, then the agency of government concerned did not enforce it, because they did not envisage what is happening now.”

Recent calls by the Federal and the Lagos State governments for the relocation of petroleum tank farms from within Apapa have called to question the approval processes and the environmental impact assessment that were conducted before the construction of petroleum storage facilities in the area.

The issues of the approval process for these tank farms were called to question in 2012, when officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, sealed the premises of five of the oil tank farms’ owners for violation of the state’s environmental laws.

LASEPA disclosed that the oil companies were shut for siting tank farms less than 200 metres away from residential area and operating tank farms without submission of EIA report to the relevant government agencies.

However, the premises of the tank farms owners were reopened a week later, after the companies signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU, with the Lagos State Government.

LASEPA agreed with the oil companies that a consultant will be employed to conduct a postimpact assessment of the area to ascertain the extent of environmental pollutions that may have been impacted.

The Lagos State Government also mandated the oil companies, as part of numerous safety measures, to construct water hydrant in front of their depots and purchase fire engines to fight any outbreak of fire in the area.

However, nothing else was heard about the issue ever since, despite the fact that the oil companies had failed to abide by the spirit and letters of the MoU. The International Association for Impact Assessment, IAIA, defines an environmental impact assessment as the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.

In his own view, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, Abdullahi Sobola, said: “EIAs are unique in that they do not require adherence to a predetermined environmental outcome, but rather they require decision makers to account for environmental values in their decisions and to justify those decisions in light of detailed environmental studies and public comments on the potential environmental impacts of the proposal.”

Fashola offers space for tank farms

People should ask government why they concentrated the siting of tank farms in Lagos, and Apapa in particular.

Why are Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, depots across the country not functioning?

In the light of these facts, Governor Fashola called for the relocation of all the tank farms from within the Apapa area.

He said: “Government must understand that its business is the welfare of its people and it cannot deliver that by amateurish standard. This place was not designed for fuel discharge, but they have converted it for that, with all sorts of permits given by regulatory agencies, such as the DPR and the PPMC. “I think that agencies of the Federal Government must step up their safety compliance levels.

Everybody must do his/her job and that is short term. The long term is to relocate all these facilities away from residential areas.

Lagos State is ready to provide these facilities.”

Fashola urged the Federal Government to take advantage of the Oil and Gas Section at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in its relocation plan.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Petrol tanker drivers' strike not politically motivated —IPMAN

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— The Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, has dismissed as untrue allegations in some quarters that the last strike embarked upon by petrol tanker drivers in Rivers State over the deplorable state of Eleme portion of the East West road was politically motivated.

Rivers State Chairman of IPMAN, Prince Sunny Nkpe, who spoke at Eleme yesterday, said the strike was informed by the need to draw federal government’s attention to the bad road.

It would be recalled that tanker drivers had embarked on strike for about a week in Rivers State to press government to take practical steps to fix the bad road.

Prince Nkpe further appealed to the federal government to urgently step in to fix the road.

Human rights community scores FG low on promises

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—ABOUT 135 civil society and nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations, under the aegis of Nigerian Human Rights Community, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to listen to the voice of the masses, saying his administration has failed to offer succour to the despairing population.

They accused the President of failing to deliver on his promises to the people of the nation.

The group, in a statement by the President, Mr. Adewale Adeoye, and Secretary, Madu Igwe, berated the Federal Government for poor performance.

The statement read: “Today, poverty has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation. Hunger and starvation remain our companions. Insecurity of human lives has assumed a frightening dimension.

Hundreds of people are being killed daily without any attempt to bring to justice the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.

Protest rocks Benin over arrest of Edo speaker, others by EFCC B

By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY— POLITICAL tension heightened in Edo State yesterday, following the arrest of the speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe, the Majority Leader of the House, Philip Shaibu, and the Chief Whip, Folly Ogedengbe, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja.

Alleged forgery

The trio, who travelled to Abuja last Monday on the invitation of the EFCC, was said to have been detained for alleged forgery of the signature of one of PDP lawmakers, Rasaq Momoh, during the impeachment of Deputy Speaker of the House, Festus Ebea.

Their detention elicited protest, led by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Kabiru Adjoto, in Benin yesterday.

Adjoto vowed that they would stage a one million man march in Abuja, if the lawmakers were not released by yesterday, describing as unfortunate the fact that the EFCC would turn itself into a tool for the PDP to use to witch hunt APC lawmakers in Edo State.

“If they kill our principal officers, we will fight with our blood,” Adjoto warned.

He also raised an alarm over alleged plot by the EFCC and the PDP to eliminate the trio but warned that the EFCC should be ready to kill the entire Edo people if anything went wrong with their principal officers.

their arrest is that the EFCC said they forged the signature of Rasaq Momoh when the former deputy Speaker Festus Ebea was impeached.

Concern

“Our concern is this, when did the EFCC become an agency to investigate forgery of signature?

When has forgery of signature become a financial crime?

Impeachment of either the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is purely the business of the House. EFCC has no business what so ever with it. We are surprised that the EFCC can reduce itself to investigate a

crime that has already been spelt out as a criminal matter according to the constitution. “ The EFCC is not set up to investigate forgery of signature and that they have reduced themselves shows that they are not just acting.

“As we speak, the leadership of the PDP in Edo State is at the headquarters in Abuja. And the most worrisome is that the President of the country has given directive that these three principal officers of the Edo State House of Assembly be charged to court and be remanded indefinitely. That is giving us serious concerns. One will

expect the police to investigate that matter, what has EFCC got to do with forgery of signature.?

“Last week these same people came here to kill us. As we speak, innocent people are being picked up on the streets of Benin, but the real people have that committed crime not been arrested. They went to PDP secretariat and were celebrating.

“But as a people, we will not fold our hands and allow this injustice to continue. We are giving EFCC till 4pm today to release these principal officers.

If they refuse to release them, as a people we have resolved to organise a one million man march to Abuja and Abuja will know that we have arrived.”

TONY ELUMELU EMPOWERMENT FUND: From left: Vice President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; Chairman, Heirs Holding/Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Gbong Gwom Jos, HRH Jacob Buba Gyang and a Director from CBN, Mr. Stanley Lawson, at the launch of Tony Elumelu Empowerment Fund to revitalize distressed communities across Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Speaker faints

The situation is even more critical as the speaker who is the son of the Iyase of Benin Kingdom (Prime Minister), is said to have fainted twice at the EFCC cell in Abuja, following the torture he allegedly received.

Adjoto said: “As I speak with you, the EFCC has arrested the speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, the Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu, Chief whip, Folly Ogedengbe. They were arrested Wednesday and as we speak they are being kept under very inhuman condition in Abuja.

“You are all aware that last week, there was a very vicious attack on the legislative quarters. Philip Shaibu sustained serious bullet wounds, the Speaker was wounded and the Chief whip was wounded equally.

“The EFCC arrested them not minding their health conditions.

We are reliably informed that the Speaker of the House collapsed two times this morning. Philip is bleeding profusely and they are being denied medical attention.

“As we speak, the reasons for

7 hospitalised as thugs attack Sen Esuene's consultation arena

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By Tom Moses

SSIEN UDIM—THE Senator representing Eket senatorial district in Akwa-Ibom State and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Senator Helen Esuene, yesterday, narrowly escaped death, following attack on her in Essien Udim Local Government Area by thugs suspected to be opposed to her 2015 governorship aspiration.

Also touched by the attack was her consultation arena at IkotEbak in Essien Udim, with at least seven persons critically injured.

The incident occurred at about 3.45pm as Senator Esuene was addressing a crowd of supporters, including the chapter chairman, Elder Friday Udoh, who had gathered to listen to her campaign

message.

Eye witnesses told Vanguard that the senator was addressing the PDP members when the thugs, numbering over 50, suddenly invaded the arena, brandishing different types of weapons, upturned tables and chairs and made straight for the senator.

The eye-witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the quick intervention of her supporters who surrounded and whisked her away from the scene of the incident, averted what would have been an unpalatable story.

The hoodlums were said to be brandishing machetes and shooting sporadically into the air as the crowd scampered in different directions for dear lives.

They were said to have also

shouted on the chapter chairman on why he allowed another candidate to come and campaign at Essien Udim, stressing that on no account should any other candidate, aside from the government anointed aspirant, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, be allowed to come to Essien Udim to campaign.

It was gathered that the thugs made away with Senator Esuene’s phones and other valuables, just as the chapter chairman was attacked and beaten up mercilessly for allowing Senator Esuene to come to Essien Udim to campaign.

One of the PDP members, Mr. Willie Etim, who managed to escape unhurt, said: “As I am talking to you, I am not sure if all members of the entourage came out safely."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 15

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16— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR AYODELE FAYOSE AS NEW GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE IN ADO-EKITI, YESTERDAY

From left: From left: National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Adamu Mu’ azu, Governors' Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Godswill Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, his wife, Feyisetan and children after the Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom State on arrival at the event. swearing in of Fayose as the new governor of Ekiti State in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday. Photos: Dare Fasube.

Mr Femi Fani-Kayode (left) and Minister of Defence, Mr Musliu Obanikoro.

Chukwu joins Ebonyi gov race

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By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI— IMMEDIATE past Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, yesterday, declared to contest for Ebonyi State governorship election in the 2015 general election.

He promised to govern Ebonyi State with the same vigour, energy and commitment he used in leading the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, if elected governor in next year ’s election.

He spoke at the Women Development Centre in Abakaliki while accepting his endorsement by stakeholders and different political blocks to serve as governor.

In his acceptance speech titled, “Here I am, send me’, the minister promised to take Ebonyi state “into the new economy and apply its benefits to empower our people” C M Y K

Gov. Fayose's mother, Pastor (Mrs) Oluwayiose and his sister, Mrs Moji Ladipo.

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State (left) and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo Satae.

Police dismiss Sergeant for allegedly shooting man to death L

By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—THE Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a sergeant whose stray bullet allegedly killed a man on Monday in Shomolu area of Lagos.

The erring sergeant, Sunday Ajide ,who was attached to Shomolu division, was said to have led a team of policemen in response to a distress call at about 4.30pm around Shomolu.

On the way, the policemen reportedly saw a Honda Accord vehicle which was driving recklessly.

The motorist was said to have shunned the policemen’ s order to stop.

Apparently thinking the motorist was a fleeing robbery suspect, Ajide was alleged to have fired several shots at the vehicle’s tyres , with the driver still moving on top speed.

Eventually, the motorist was forced to stop on reaching a gridlock, during which the policemen conducted a search without finding any incriminating thing on him Unknown to the policemen, a stray bullet from Ajide’s earlier shots had allegedly hit an unidentified man who was repairing his tyres at a vulganiser shop, killing him on the spot.

His death sparked off a riot during which the policeman was reportedly almost lynched by a mob but for the timely arrival of reinforcement.

Police sources hinted that the policemen were taken to the command’s headquarters, Ikeja, where they were subjected to questioning by the X-Squad.

Thereafter, sources said Ajidi was allegedly fingered

by his colleagues and was subsequently handed over to the Provost section where an orderly room trial was conducted. “ He was accused of using his rifle recklessly. He was also reminded that in Police regulation, it was better to allow 1000 armed robbers escape than for an innocent person to be killed."

US fails to meet BBOG campaigners

By Laide Akinboade BUJA—THE United States Ambassador, James F. Entwistle, yesterday, failed to meet with #BringBackOurGirls campaign group, which marched to some embassies to solicit their supports in the campaign for release of the remaining 219 girls of Government Secondary

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School, Chibok, Borno State, kidnapped by Boko Haram six months ago.

The visit to the embassy was a continuation of Global Week of Action to commemorate the unfortunate six months mark since the abduction of the girls.

The American ambassador was scheduled to receive the group at 3.00pm at the

Diplomatic Zone, Abuja, to address the group but sent some representatives to apologise that he would not be able to make it.

Meanwhile, the group has called on Muslims all over the world to use Friday Jumat to pray for the safe return of the girls.

The group also visited the embassies of China and Niger.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 —17

Responses to Zambian perspective

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AST week, I published an article by Field Ruwe, a Zambian writer who bemoaned the failures of his country’s intellectuals and political class…after hearing disparaging remarks about the Zambian elite from Walter, a white man he met on a plane in the United States.

I was AMAZED by the reaction from Vanguard readers. Scores of you got in touch, via email and text, to comment on Ruwe’s ruminations.

Please find below a small selection of the responses I received.

F r o m : “olivetaberare@gmail.com” This story falls on all fours with the situation in Nigeria. As an intellectual I feel ashamed that I have been content with just an 8 -5 job! This story is a wake-up call for me. However, as a lawyer who has no knowledge of how to build a stone crusher, water purifier or any machine for that matter, I vow to lend my voice to the cry for a bold, risk taking, educated leader with a triumphant attitude while ensuring that I pursue fairness and justice to the latter in my chosen profession.

and fire up industries without an all encompassing road map? Is that truly development? If that is what development is then I wonder why African nations are not just doing it. Or perhaps there is more to what Africans want and to date they have not seen it in the Western blueprint yet the dearth of intellectual discourse has made its revelation that more obscure. Then perhaps those very intellectuals in the beer parlours and college campuses talking about nothing are in fact struggling with the sheer futility of it all, knowledge without focus and community is in fact drivel. Is Africa’s slow advance towards the Western showcase deliberate or primordial? Is there a retardant force that is impeding growth in opposition to some Western ideas and developmental advancements within the African subconscious? We see it, we live in it, yet we know that there is something radically wrong with it. While the West seeks new markets to its shrinking ones, we, the new dumping ground, cannot allow development to be fostered on us so we can continue to be both the client state and the dumping ground for obsolete goods and technology. In fact, we should eschew obsolescence in any quest for development and seize that opportunity to define the direction we choose to develop in. So in reality, I wonder if the White man on the plane was actually right or whether he was merely canvassing to make his life easier or accelerate his monetary status. On the other hand the anger in the African was

,

We are still straddling lanes in Africa, education is in its infancy, money hard to come by, interest rates in the stratosphere, one foot in the 21st century the other in the medieval

So help me God! I also urge other intellectuals to take this bold step as we join hands to build this great country of ours without leaving everything to the hands of the government.

From: Ike Okwesa <ciokwesa@gmail.com> Dear Donu Kogbara, I have had the pleasure of reading a few of your articles with interest and appreciate your work. The Zambian perspective revealed a conundrum that I have often grappled with which has to do with Africa and development.

Conventional wisdom continues to drum into us that once we have transcended colonialism we should immediately celebrate that status by aping the colonial masters in everything they do; yet conventional wisdom of a different kind nags at this notion. Perhaps, we shouldn’t just copy from colonial masters but learn from their mistakes, a fact that most African and post-colonial nations have a problem understanding and actualising.

Should we build more reactors, refineries, explore for more mineral

,

understandable but naive because he knows he is able and willing, but wonders if his people are ready. We are ready only when all the components of the jig saw are aligned for integration. Yet Africa drags its feet and perhaps we need to listen to it already, instead of always castigating it; a knee jerk of post-colonialism or the Stockholm syndrome. It won’t be the first time for Africa, it has been there before but regressed for a reason, and I wonder, when we observe what is going in the world today, if Africa did not regress for reasons it knows only too well. After all, the White civilisation hasn’t acquitted itself as well as they would want us to believe within the human community and we Africans are a living testament to that ignominy, only we are just sometimes too nice to say so, and to our detriment as always! Whether we like it or not, we are still straddling lanes in Africa, education is in its infancy, money hard to come by, interest rates in the stratosphere, one foot in the 21st century the other in the medieval.

Most African countries aren’t much more than 50 years removed from

colonial lobotomy, yet some of these Western nations have had centuries that led them to industrialisation, but that did not begin for them until they were fully able to take from developing countries labour and resources at will. What we need to do is define ourselves ideologically more than we are currently doing, so that we can better understand what needs to be done and who is doing the bidding. Without the right ideology we cannot appropriately develop, which is ultimately what we are talking about here; it’s that blue print which we have difficulty actualising; what we have been able to do thus far is a cult of personalities in its stead.

Keep the thoughts coming!

From: Musa Aremu Adebayo A b d u l A z e e z <musaaremuadebayo@gmail.com> Dear Madam, The White man was right to a very large extent but as we say in Africa: “He who wears the tight shoe knows where it pains most”.

Above all, no nation can strive forward when corruption is paramount in their political setting.

I have not been to Zambia but I know very well that their soeconomic and political systems are not as bad as ours.

Nigeria is at the peak of corruption! Professionalism as at today does not pay; political hooliganism pays more.

The Nigeria system is rotten; therefore, no progress can be achieved except, as the White man has said, we must pray and work towards electing a God-fearing leader.

F r o m : <akinseloyinf@yahoo.com> What a piece?Mr Walter is spot on. What else can one say?Our attitude to work is pathetic. We are lazy thinkers and we don’t have reading culture. Our institutions are not encouraged to research.

Somehow we must have a rethink, build a massive laboratory and lock up our scientist in there for years and years until they come up with inventions that we will be proud of. +2348023188063 Mike Sagbodje Abridged or not, Field Ruwe’s paper aptly describes the sad situation in all African countries.

For instance, if you insert the name of Nigeria, Ghana, Togo , Rwanda, Tanzania , Libya, Algeria, Namibia or Lesotho in place of Zambia: then replace 1964 with the year of independence of any other African country, I am sure that the picture of one size which fits all will begin to emerge. In Africa, engineers with PhDs have not been able to engineer the local production of the common office and staple pins, and our researchers are only reinventing the White man’s wheel to justify governments grants. So unless we truly rise up to confront the demon in our skin pigmentation, Africa’s development will continue to be at the level of what 8am to 5pm civil service and inept political

*Field Ruwe leadership can deliver. +2348023018952 Vincent Efeakpor DK. Thanks for the Zambian perspective. It was a thought provoking piece for every African.

The White man was 100% right in his assessment of an average African. Nigerians are even worse than what he observed about Zambians. We have very epicurean lascivious leaders and followers who do not think beyond 24 hours.

We have over 80 public and private universities in Nigeria yet we cannot come up simple technological inventions that are taken for granted in smaller Asian countries.

We import almost everything we use in the country. We need dedicated, focused, articulate, selfless and visionary leaders to lead us out of the woods if we really want to catch up with the rest of the world. Our present leaders cannot move Nigeria forward because they are only interested in looting our treasury. +2348035262106 Anonymous Donu, the Zambian perspective is and should be an eye opener to all Africans; also encouragement of talent and ideas should start from the family; we are too dependent on government and paid jobs. I have already made a copy for myself for keeps. +2348023312613 T O C Donu, this is true talk. Just come to Asaba you will be amazed at the number of drinking spots. This is increasing by day. I hear it is very lucrative business. While our politician waste money on women and drinks, our rural people are without water, electricity and good roads. God will save us. +2348058769799 Anonymous Zambian perspective couldn’t have been more relevant to Nigeria.

What we need is orientation. +2348024504268 Kalu Dike Donu, thanks for this article by Field Ruwe. Aside Zambia, the article is also about Nigeria which parades an array of so-called scholars, intellectuals and academicians in her multitude of universities with piles of degrees from world top universities, but who sadly are unable to do something

as simple as provide Nigeria an efficient and effective educational system which is the bedrock of a successful economic and political system. +2348060804471 Ifeka Okonkwo Donu, what Walter said about the bane of the backwardness of African countries, is quite true. African intellectuals are too lazy to put into practice what they learnt to launch their countries to greatnesses like the Asian Tigers as they and their rulers are only adept in amassing wealth from the common patrimony of their people and nothing more, period! +2348141375883 Wole Adewusi What goes for Zambia aptly captures the chores in Nigeria. I am positive that we can get to that place in history where we have an audacious, bold, servant-leader that will catapult us from slumber to that heights of great developments and technological breakthroughs.

That ‘I can’ mentality is found in our millions of youths if given right climate through leadership that truly cares and selfless. +2348073715504 ANI DICkSON My sister Donu. Your Zambian perspective, which I view as an indictment on Nigeria, also is a fact.

The problem is compounded by the growth of religion and false prophets. People are no longer being realistic. The mindset now is that if you pray well other things you need will come down through miracle. The difference is that, the White man prays through the work of his brain and hand. That is my thinking.

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, OCTOBER 17, 2014 CAN we imagine our world without teachers? October 5, World Teachers’ Day passed quietly. Nigerians consider teachers important. Sadly, the importance is only in words.

Education is a major factor in human development. Countries that invest well in education are at the top bracket of the human development index. The crosscutting benefits of education produce bountifully harvests that re-generate their societies’ capacities to handle the changing challenges of modern living.

Our low position in the human development index is a partial picture of the depth of the decay in various spheres of our society. In education, for example, budgets are lost in the morass of bureaucracy. Investments to improve the teaching environment or the education of our teachers are low. While many of us admit that teaching is a thankless job, we have added to the burden of those who over the years made this humanitarian gesture to our society.

Teachers are poorly paid and live in ruinous poverty after retirement. They form a huge part of the pension queues, society ’s final signature on those it has

Teac her s’ Da ells eacher hers’ Dayy TTells AS Sttor oryy rejected. Ver y little in the life of the Nigerian teacher recommends the profession to others.

Nigeria is running on the last string of its teachers, those dedicated men and women whose diligence changed our lives.

Many of those who teach are not trained, and society is not bothered about unqualified teachers promoting literacy.

Fake teachers, in their thousands, are on governments’ pay rolls.

As the profession becomes less attractive because of its appalling conditions of service, younger people shun it. Most of today ’s young teachers use the profession as a stopgap to their aspirations.

How will this society survive without

teachers?

Government’s unwillingness to consider the sector a priority has resulted in inadequate attention for facilities and the curriculum. The sustenance of education this far has been on the dedication of teachers, who still relish seeing their efforts making young men and women better peoples.

No serious country can sustain itself on such lean passions, which would die with the generation that espouses it. Already, plunging examination results are being blamed on growing illiteracy among teachers and poor teaching standards.

Governments should institute major initiatives on education to reduce its bureaucracies, and save funds for the training and welfare of teachers, and improved facilities in schools.

Special attention needs to be paid to attracting younger people to teaching. At all levels, they are unwilling to subject themselves to a life of penury, which is what society has prescribed for teachers.

Enduring improvements of society are no longer feasible with the minimal investments we make in the welfare of teachers and provision of teaching aids.

OPINION

By Baridon Leton

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HE amount of falsehood based on either ignorance or outright mischief peddled in the Nigerian public space by highly placed persons is alarming and sickening. It is even worse when a top government functionary who is expected to know the facts goes public with information that is half-truth. That was exactly what the Governor of Rivers State, ChibuikeRotimiAmaechi, did last week with the report credited to him alleging that the shortfall in revenues to states was as a result of corruption at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,NNPC. Gov Amaechi’s argument, according to the reports, is that the monthly revenue accruing to his state from the Federation Account has dwindled from N25bn to N12bn (about 108.3% decrease) and that such an astronomical reduction in the revenue accruing to the state from the Federation Account could only have been caused by massive corruption at the NNPC. He ruled out the state’s loss of some oil wells to neighbouring states and crude oil theft as possible factors responsible for the dwindling revenues accruing to the state as he argued that these two factors are not enough to cause such a huge gap in revenue.

While making the allegation, Gov. Amaechi failed to realise that monthly allocations to the three tiers of C M Y K

Politics of spurious figures government by the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, are now public information that everybody can access. By FAAC records, Rivers State got a total of N99.67bn from the Federation Account within the first half of the year (January to June, 2014).

What this means is that the state got an average of N16.62bn per month and not N12bn as stated by Gov. Amaechi.

This is lie number one!

For a man who is currently on his seventh year as governor, and who had served as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, he betrayed his ignorance of the workings of the oil industry which is the mainstay of the economy of his state and that of the Nigerian nation at large, limiting the possible causes of revenue losses as far as his state is concerned to two factors – loss of oil wells to other states and oil theft.

What he failed to realise is that shutins and shut downs of oil wells, pipelines, and terminals (which are usually captured in the industry under force majeure) are actually major factors responsible for shortfalls in projected revenues from crude oil sales. If an oil terminal is shut-in because of a breach on the pipeline supplying crude oil to it by crude oil thieves, all the barrels of oil that were supposed to be evacuated through that terminal for sale for the

period it is shut would not be evacuated for sale. That is automatically a loss of revenue for that month; it does not matter whether the crude oil is actually stolen or not!

Fortunately, for any month that the mineral revenue component of the consolidated federal revenue is low, FAAC always comes up with an explanation. For instance, in April 2014 when the mineral revenue for the month fell down to N474.88bn, FAAC had this to say: “The mineral revenue collected for April was N474.88 billion, a sum less than the N519.99 billion realised in March. The drop in revenue from the sector was N45.11 billion. The decline in the oil revenue collection was as a result of production shut-in at Qua Iboe and Yoho Terminals; shut down of Forcados and Bonny Terminals and repair works on Bonny and Brass Terminals due to oil theft pipeline leaks”. Gov. Amaechi’s failure to acknowledge this and many other causes of revenue shortfalls from the oil sector and pinning it down to corruption at the NNPC constitutes his lie number two.

Another issue that needs to be pointed out is that the take home allocation by states that have external debts is usually affected as deductions are made from whatever accrues to them from FAAC to service such debts.

If Gov. Amaechi’s assertion that the take-home allocation of his state has plummeted to N12 billion per month instead of N16.62 billion as FAAC’s records suggest, then he needs to come clean to the Nigerian public on whether his state has some external debts hanging on it that could be responsible for the decline in the state’s allocation rather than blame it on corruption in NNPC that he could not substantiate.

It would be recalled that it was a similar display of crass ignorance of how oil revenues are remitted into the Federation Account by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, MallamSanusi Lamido Sanusi, that got him into levying the false allegation of missing $49.8bn against the same NNPC. Without prejudice to the report of the forensic audit by Price Waterhouse Cooper which is billed to be released any moment from now, the Senate has given NNPC a clean bill of health over that allegation.

Another unsubstantiated allegation of corruption against NNPC by the Governor of Rivers State why oil revenues are dwindling does not serve any public good and appears to be a calculated attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The Nigerian public can no longer be deceived by spurious figures! *Mr. Leton, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014— —19

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HIS is not a critique of the Church in Nigeria, because, I belong to the church. I belong to the church now, tomorrow and forever. This is an honest talk or complaint to my religious constituency, my own people; so let no Christian basher, or church hater smile. This is not for them, they should instead repent, and turn away from treachery in Nigeria, which is turning the country upside down. In business, politics, civil service, family and all affairs of life, they all carry a banner of religion, written and unwritten, but it is there for the discerning eyes to see. So, this is not for them.

We Christians are urged by the Holy Scriptures to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, then all other mundane ephemeral things like money, fame, power, health will be added by God to us. The Bible says that money is good, because it answers many issues of life, but added that the love of money is the root of all evil.

The love of money is responsible for the weaknesses, quarrels, fights and exploitations in the Nigerian Church today. In our chase for money, the enemy is killing us, destroying us, eroding our basic foundational doctrines, yet lying and deceiving us by preying on our love of money.

We hop around, busy building

castles, large congregations, acquiring all the good things of life for our individual selves, while overlooking the imminent dangers confronting the future of the Church in Nigeria.

Turkey,Syria and Iraq were Christian strong holds in the 18 century. Most of the Churches in the Book of Revelations were located within these regions, but today Christians in those nations are less than 20 percent. This was because those early Christians embraced mercantile Christianity.

They believed in big cathedrals, wealth, financial power, while ignoring political power and discipleship, thus gradually Islam grew and took over all the regions.

The same mistake was made in the North of Africa.

The Church in Nigeria is making the same mistake today, which means that if nothing is done, our generations to come will not know the Bible!

The word ‘Mercantile’ is an adjective qualifying things relating to trade, commerce or commercial. It deals with the shift of wealth to the mercantile classes, the business people and or traders.

Mercantile Christianity, therefore, can be described as the use of the Word of God, or the Bible, in a manner related to trade, commerce or commercial to acquire wealth, houses, cars, planes, fame, etc, while paying little attention to the message of salvation of the soul,

The Church in Nigeria is making the same mistake today, which means that if nothing is done, our generations to come will not know the Bible!

and making heaven.

In mercantile Christianity, people go to God because God can give them worldly things, instead of seeking God to know Him, so that good things may abide in their lives, while working hard to make heaven. People focus more on individual survival and success than the survival of the group or society. They leave governance which determines the destiny of the society in the hands of others, and nonChristians who more often than not, use the instrument of government, applying man’s principles to foster and impose poverty on the people, then you hear things like “politics is a dirty game”, “ all politicians are liars and godless” etc. Yes, politics is bound to be dirty, when dirty people are allowed to play it on our behalf.

The Bible tells us that when the righteous is in power, the people rejoice, but mercantile Christianity has so distracted the Church in Nigeria, that they have no plans to take power, keep,

Once-in-a-life time opportunity for Orji

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By Enyim Uju

HE entire concept of Salvation is nothing but the experience of being “saved” from danger, loss, or harm. To “salvage” from imminent damage or destruction.

The Holy Bible records in Genesis 6 verse 6, “it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart….”; in Verse 8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD”. This underlines the fact that the Grace factor is the bedrock of Salvation. Grace is the “oncein-a-life-time” redemption window.

Therefore, to ignore Grace is tantamount to spitting at God’s face, and exclaiming, “Do your worst”.

St. Paul was once known as Saul. As Saul, he persecuted the early Christians, believing that he was doing a “good work”; not knowing that he was actually positioning himself headlong against the Purposes, Plans of God, and salvation of his people (Acts 8 verses 1 – 4). He fought against the “liberation” of his own people; because as far as he could see, the manifesting personality did not fit into his understanding of the one to come and the expected back-up patriarchal authority.

Consequently, in chapter 9 verses 1 – 5 of Acts, divinity caused a short drama to play out. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord (those who believed that the manifested Man would bring the long awaited change), went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus …. And as he journeyed…

C M Y K

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nurture and sustain it for the people to rejoice. The Church has, therefore, failed to equip itself, to defend, maintain and ensure sustenance on to the future generations.

For example, the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC, after their conference in Abuja in 1989, made the Abuja Declaration in their communiqué which founded the Islam in Africa Organisation, IAO, a Nigerian statuted initiative of the OIC, with Dr. Usman Muhamad Bugaje as the current Secretary-General.

Their goal is simple: To win the whole of Africa for Islam. The battle plan in the Communiqué include: "To ensure only Muslims are elected to all political posts of member nations; "To eradicate in all its forms and ramifications all non-Muslim religions in member nations (such religions shall include Christianity, Ahmadiyya and other tribal modes of worship unacceptable to Muslim. The word Christianity is underlined in the declaration); "To ensure the ultimate replacement of all Western forms of legal and judicial systems with the sharia in all member nations before the next Islam in Africa conference; "To ensure the appointment of only Muslims into strategic national and international posts of member nations. The government of Nigeria donated $21 billion to the "Islamic Development Fund", the

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By Clement Udegbe

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Nigeria's mercantile Christianity

suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, who art thou Lord? And the Lord said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Saul recognised this encounter as his once-in-a-life-time-opportunity to key into Jehovah’s salvation programme. Not only did Saul submit to the plan of the Lord, he also submitted to a name-change, and became known as Paul. By his latter action Paul reversed all the failings of his earlier tenures. Paul salvaged Saul.

I have been in prayers that Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji may grab this Once-In-A-Life-Time Opportunity that Jehovah has presented to him concerning governance in Abia State. An extraordinary opportunity to erase all past errors of judgement and endear himself to his people and their God by giving them the gift of a “true Joshua”. It is indeed a very thin line between Salvation and Damnation.

If not for God and His nature of salvaging people, why would a man in a very distinguished comfort zone desire to take a break from managing an empire with a present balance-sheet of about N2 trillion, to manage Abia State with an annual budget that is below N200 billion?

Why would a young man, who at below 50 years is GMD of a currently 5th ranked bank in Nigeria, despite being constantly courted by his employers to remain in their fold and continue with his magic wand that has transformed an ailing bank within

I can only see a divine plan to salvage Abia State via the son of a man who served Jehovah in the ministry of Jesus Christ; a servant prepared from his mother’s womb like the Biblical Samuel, to salvage Abia from the ridicule of the Philistines

communiqué confirmed.

In the meantime, the Abuja Declaration has been deleted by Wikipedia, and Christians should ensure its restoration to enable more healthy discussions on the matter, and so that no one will claim one day that it never happened!

It has been said that the APC is part of the OIC/IAO agenda, which their body language and modus operandi seem to confirm.

It, therefore, demands that Christians of the Middle Belt and the South East must shine their eyes for 2015, as the South West is the arrow head of this agenda in the South. For the South West to be salvaged, a different party should win in Lagos State in 2015,in the best interest of all.

The South East has a bigger problem. Imo State, where the Governor preaches the Bible in the Government House Chapel, and also hobnobs with the APC, all in the name of politics, gives all discerning in the state cause for grave concern. Politics must not be allowed to destroy the Church in Imo, no matter what.

The biggest Islamic school in the South today, is in Ebonyi State; mosques are mushrooming in Abia State. We need an agenda by the Church leaders to stem a tide that will surely consume Christianity in the near future.Mercantile Christianity, remains the bane of our future.

•Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

from the ridicule of the Philistines. Eli the priest, despite his other failings in leadership, recognised the hand of the Lord upon the young Samuel and prepared him to fulfill the Lord’s plan.

I pray that Governor Theodore Orji will recognise the finger of God in such matter and become a willing conduit for the fulfillment of divine plan. A plan to transform the fortunes of a State credited to God (God’s Own State). A plan to resuscitate the great giant that had long been clubbed to stupor by a succession of rulers, and raped dry. A plan to infuse life once again into Aba (The Japan of Africa).

Moses was used of God to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage. However, when he realised that God had a plan to use Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land he quickly anointed him in his stead.

Ever imagined what the scenario would have been if against God’s plan, Moses had tried to ensure that one of his own “sons” instead of Joshua became the new leader of Israel?

Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji. I love the prophecy in his middle name (AHAMEFULE: “My name should not be lost”). I am strongly persuaded that if Chief Orji hands over the reins of Abia governance to his dear friend and consummate performer, Dr. Alex Otti, his name will never be lost. To achieve this, he would need to rise above pettiness and keep an unwavering eye on posterity.

The Bible is a very interesting book. Full of wisdom to direct. A compendium of all that has ever been and will ever be.

Let us pray!

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three paltry years, from loss generating to profit making; make up his mind to overlook all, and delve into the murky waters of Abia politics?

If not divine, why would such a young man, blessed with the best of things that money can afford, accept to become a mere Governor of a presently “poor” state in “poor” Nigeria? A state that a well favoured son of Igbo land and close friend of the Governor, Prince Arthur Eze, described recently as stinking and in very bad shape.

If not the Lord, why would Dr. Alex Otti (OFR) contemplate serving as Governor of Abia State? It is like the Biblical Moses leaving the comfort and princely privileges of Pharaoh’s throne to getting involved in bare-chested and bare-footed street fight, all in a bid to help his people. Some of whom despise his effort and mock his sacrifice.

I can only see a divine plan to salvage Abia State via the son of a man who served Jehovah in the ministry of Jesus Christ. A servant prepared from his mother’s womb like the Biblical Samuel, to salvage Abia

*Sir Enyim, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abia State.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Lagos: Did they know it’s horn-free day?

By Bose Adelaja & Augustina Anyaegbu

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EDNESDAY October 15, 2014 was observed as a horn-free day in Lagos State.

Although this inaugural exercise recorded limited success, October 15 every year is now to be observed as a horn-free day in the state.

A release by the state government had informed that on this day motorists were expected to comply with traffic rules without tooting the horns of their motor vehicles. At the same time, other road users, including commuters and pedestrians, were to adhere to road signs without the prompting of vehicles’ horns.

Government said the idea is to encourage motorists to imbibe a driving culture that will go a long way in minimising lawlessness

Okada) and other types of vehicles which are required to be horn-silent the whole day.

Opeifa said encouraging motorists not to resort to horn blaring would help reduce noise pollution, while gradually sprouting a horn-free consciousness in the state.

But on D-Day, many motorists in Lagos gave the impression that they were not aware of the exercise or forgot about it. It was the usual tooting galore, especially during the morning and evening rush hours as motorists made haste to get to their destinations. This was more pronounced in the case of commercial vehicle drivers who displayed their usual impatience on encountering heavy traffic.

Their response, predictably in most cases, was a quick resort to tooting their horns.

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How do you expect me to drive through Okokomaiko, Mile Two, Ajegunle-Boundary, Ikotun, Iyana Ipaja and not ‘blow’ horn?

and recklessness among road users.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, had earlier disclosed that the exercise will cover automobiles ranging from bicycles, tricycles(popularly called Keke), motorcycles(commonly known as

,

This development did not come as a surprise to many Lagos residents. Some believe that given the congestion and deeply entrenched chaos in Lagos, it was inconceivable to expect much compliance from motorists, especially given the known recklessness of commercial vehicle

*Chaotic Lagos traffic...Difficult to observe a horn-free day operators.

Some motorists who bared their minds on the issue said the exercise could only work in high brow areas like Lekki and Lagos Island. But they expressed strong reservations about its compliance in Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Alimosho and AgbadoIjaye due to the low level of orientation by residents.

“How do you expect me to drive through Okokomaiko, Mile Two, Ajegunle-Boundary, Ikotun, Iyana Ipaja and not ‘blow’ horn?

That one is not possible. Except you want me to hit somebody or another vehicle with my bus,” said the driver of a commercial bus popularly called danfo.

ROVING CAMERA

*Umbrella shopping ‘mall’, Cele Bus-stop, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway Pix: Lamidi Bamidele.

C M Y K

Some other drivers are of the view that for the horn-free culture to take root in Lagos State, government should first provide good road network, combat perennial gridlock on most roads and increase the level of awareness among residents.

Speaking with Vanguard Metro, VM, Vice Chairman Tricycle Owners and Operators Association, Comrade Buhari Moses, decried low awareness of the exercise among motorists. ‘‘This kind of exercise can only work in foreign countries. The level of awareness is low in Nigeria, especially Lagos State which has a teeming population,’’ he said.

For Mr Gbenga Kolawole: ‘’That Lagosians should avoid horn throughout the day ? Remember, we are not talking of a siren but horn. What about some defiant drivers who do not obey road signs until one makes use of the horn ? I don’t think it can work except it is passed into law.

Another option is to avoid fixing the gadget in the car because as you are talking to me now, I feel like using the horn,’’ he quipped.

A driving instructor, Mr Paul Oluwafemi, observed that a horn-free day under this cultural setting is a sheer waste of energy. ‘’It’s not workable because our culture does not permit that. We actually woke up into the civilisation of driving vehicles which was embraced without considering a lot of factors. Our roads are in a bad shape, no driving culture,disobedience to pedestrian crossing and other road signs and we want to observe a hornfree day ? ‘’We should put the road in order, earmark tracks for motorcyclists and pedestrians. Also, there is need to discontinue the use of vehicles which are out of shape, while a driving orientation should be put in place before embarking on a horn-free day,’’ he submitted.

In his own reaction, Emmanuel Anayo, an engineer, said: “It is absolutely impossible to drive without making use of horn because some drivers do not obey traffic rules. They are always in a hurry. They are equally inexperienced because some of them got their driving licences through the backdoor without going to driving school. ‘’Again, there are only few good roads here in Lagos, unlike abroad where roads are good and drivers are experienced and they do not make use of car horn.’’

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 21

FG to halt importation of petroleum products by 2018 — Aganga

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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he Federal Government will halt the importation of petroleum products into the country in the year 2018.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, gave this hint in Ilorin, Kwara State, when he paid a pre-commissioning visit to the Steel Cold Rolling Complex of Kam Industries Limited.

According to him, a minimum of about $14 billion has been committed to the petrochemical sector by foreign and local investors the like of Indorama and Dangote, adding that hopefully by 2017/2018 the country would be selfsufficient and would no longer need to import petroleum products.

“We have close to at least two million metric tonnes of reserve of iron ore; we are the 12thlargest in the world and the 2ndlargest in Africa and all these steel you see here today, they come from iron ore. So we have no business importing steel into the country,” he said.

Aganga disclosed that his ministry is working with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development on a joint memorandum to the Federal Executive Council on policies and measures that would help to develop the steel sector.

“We want to create an industrial zone around Kamwire Industries, so that there will be other industries around this area feeding it and getting things around it. We will make sure that for those industrial zones, you get all you need; you will get electricity, water supply and all the things you’ll need to function and be competitive,” he assured.

He said that the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, had taken care of most of the concerns of operators,

noting that positive results were already being recorded, especially in terms of enhanced capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector. ” We are almost there. We have consulted with you and other stakeholders in the industry. You have

USC 4.20 USD3,139.00 USC 16.83

USD 80.00

USC 0.16

USD 86.16 USD -2.73 USD 82.89

DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

USD -2.85

154.75 155.25 155.75 246.3465 247.1425 247.9384 195.8052 196.4378 197.0705 162.0758 162.2596 162.1232 1.4486 1.4532 1.4579 0.2791 0.2891 0.2991 229.2851 230.0259 230.7667 25.2603 25.3424 25.4244 41.2502 41.3834 41.5167 26.2992 26.3842 26.4692 229.8811 230.6239 231.3666

CBN Exchange Rate as 16 /10 /2014

company ’s Deputy Managing Director, Bolanle Yusuf, disclosed that the production of hot rolled steel coils which is 100 per cent imported into the country was the company’s next phase of backward integration.

L-R: General Secretary, Association of Corporate Trustees ( ACT ), Mr. Yinka Adegbola, President of the Association, Mrs. Funmilayo Ekundayo, and Financial Secretary, Ms. Tokunbo Ajayi, at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the Association in Lagos.

Products Certification: SON threatens to shut defaulting manufacturers

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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USC 222.30

all contributed to the new measures and we are working on that already.

The NIRP focuses on the enablers. One of the enablers, of course, is to make sure that we have affordable finance to support the industries.

Earlier in her welcome address, the

tandards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has threatened to shut manufacturers that fail to comply with the required product certification under its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, MANCAP. The Director-General of SON, Dr Joseph Odumodu gave this warning in Abuja during the flag-off of “The Walk for Standards”, a roadshow programme to mark the 2014 World Standards Day. He said the agency has already commenced full implementation of MANCAP through its offices across the nation.

“I wish to use the occasion of World Standard Day 2014 to urge all local manufacturers and assemblies to cooperate in getting their products certified”. “The process is designed to assist them implement the requirements of relevant standards from raw materials to the finished products with a view to offering quality products that offer value for money to consumers”.

Represented by Mr. Nelson Adebiyi, Director (Operations), Odumodu explained that the MANCAP certification will also ensure that locally manufactured products are subjected to similar conformity processes similar to SONCAP, which is used for imported goods.

He said this is to create a level playing field stated in the theme of the 2014 World Standard Day celebration.

He however, warned that the organisation that SON

will not hesitate to shut down any firm that fails to comply while adding that the agency will continue to ensure that industrialists conformed to the MANCAP. “When we identify such defaulters, we close them down immediately. Once we confirm that the products are not up to the requirement of the standard, or the specification, we close them down immediately.

“If they are the cooperative types, we work with them; tell them what to do until they get it right. But if they are the ones that will want to remain recalcitrant, the law of the nation will deal with them,” Odumodu said.

He stated that SON had closed down some companies whose products posed health hazards to consumers, adding that the companies will only be reopened when they conform to MANCAP. MANCAP was instituted by SON in 2006 as a standard measure, which requires all manufactured products in Nigeria to conform to the relevant Nigeria Industrial Standards prior to sales in the markets or export.

The scheme is aimed at protecting genuine manufacturers against unhealthy practices such as production of sub-standards products, faking and counterfeiting as well as unfair competition in trade.

It provides consumers with confidence that products manufactured in the country are fit, safe and meet the intended use. It also ensures that the environment is free from unnecessary wastes and pollution.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

SEC gets Africa's most innovative capital market regulator award

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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From left: Unity Bank Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Henry James Semenitari attends to a customer in one of the bank’s branches as part of the activities to mark the Global Customer Service Week.

he Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC has won the 2013 edition of the prestigious Africa Index Series Award for the category of the continent’s “Most innovative Capital Markets Regulator ”.

The SEC Nigeria also won the award the previous year, 2012.

Winning the award back – to – back for the second year running by trumping all other capital market regulatory agencies in Africa attests to the high regard in which the recent course of the Nigerian capital markets is held in the international market. It speaks to the significant traction which the three – year long reforms being implemented by the leadership of the SEC,

Conoil reiterates commitment to corporate governance

By PETER EGWUATU

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onoil Plc, has restated its commitment to l o n g - t e r m investments, dynamic management and sound local intelligence in the bid to surmounting the tough operating environment in the downstream petroleum sector.

The company in a reaction to the overwhelming commendation showered by shareholders at the its 44th Annual General Meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State recently, also reaffirmed its commitment to the adherence of good corporate governance that would continuously promote its growth and development.

Shareholders had at the event, unanimously commended the board and management for faithfully implementing the strategies and programmes that enabled the company record impressive performance across board and declared N4.00 dividend, translating to N2.78 billion cash payment for its last financial year. .

“We are impressed with the record performance and the balance sheet. We are indeed happy that Conoil is paying quality dividend amid the tough challenges facing downstream operators in this country. It shows that the board and management of the company hold every shareholder in high esteem,” National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN),

Sir Sunny Nwosu, said.

“I am particularly pleased that the board kept to the promise made at the last meeting to boost bottom-line and ensure adequate returns on investment for shareholders. The revenue and profit growth compared favourably with industry performance. We can only wish that they continue to strengthen and consolidate on the company ’s leadership position in the industry,” Executive President of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), Chief Timothy Adesiyan said.

Conoil’s current full year results showed that the company maintained its leadership position in the industry, reaping bountifully from the huge investments in its business portfolios.

Revenue grew by 6.4 per cent to reach N159.54 billion as against N149.99 billion posted in 2012. Gross Profit shot up to N17.04 billion, which represents over five per cent rise above the previous y e a r ’ s . H o w e v e r, Pr o f i t Before Tax (PBT) jumped by 289 per cent from N1.15 billion in 2012 to N4.58 billion, while it recorded profit after tax (PAT) of N3.07 billion, which indicated an increase of 330 per cent above the 2012 performance.

In his report to shareholders at the AGM, Chairman, Conoil Plc, Mike Adenuga (Jnr), said the company had consolidated its competitiveness in the different segments of the

business. “We also pursued and sustained strategic expansion of our retail network across the length and breadth of the country with a view to ensuring that a lot more people, especially in the remotest parts of the country, have access to our superior products and services.”

While assuring the shareholders that Conoil is equipped with all the essential materials, intellectual and human resources, to surmount the challenges ahead in the downstream petroleum sector, Adenuga stated that the company has been positioned to take full advantage of

opportunities that could arise from the Federal government’s economic reforms, by leveraging on the solid base built over the years.

“Greater attention will be devoted to cutting operational costs in the different segments of the business, while still maintaining and improving on the quality of our products and services.

With renewed commitment, we will explore developing and emerging markets, even as we continue to build on our strengths in areas where we perform well, with good growth and profitability,” Adenuga added.

Nigeria’s apex capital markets regulator, finds among foreign investors and observers alike.

These multifaceted reforms have upped the Nigerian capital markets’ performance on all critical indicators in the past three years in unprecedented fashion. The reforms have institutionalized a culture of zero tolerance for market infractions and indiscipline through a strong regime of market enforcement; market technology improvement through digitization and ICT deployment; enhanced market depth and breadth through product diversification and improvement; improved human capital through training and retraining; achieved a consensual approach to conceptualizing market development strategy through consistent and extensive regulator / operator and other stakeholder engagement, etc.

These reform planks have applied market wide in a manner that has impacted every facet of the market beneficially.

In adjudging the SEC winner of the “Most Innovative Capital Markets Regulator” award, the judges , according to a statement considered the regulator ’s Commitment to increasing transparency and efficiency, support for innovative technologies, employment of best regulatory practices, openness to foreign investors, investor protection (e.g. rules to prevent dilution and protect minority shareholders), visible impact and participation in industry associations such as International Organisation of Securities Commission, IOSCO and efforts to create an enabling environment for the capital markets industry.

Transcorp signs agreement to develop 250 guest rooms in PH

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ranscorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, today signed an agreement with Hilton Worldwide, to develop a 250 guestroom Hilton Hotels & Resorts-branded property in Nigeria’s garden city, Port Harco ur t, PH. Transcorp Hilton Port Harcourt will be situated at Evo Road in the city and will be a full-service, upscale hotel featuring almost 1,400sqm of state-of-the art conference facilities and meeting rooms, alongside stylish and creative leisure facilities including six restaurants and bars, a gym, spa, pools, and tennis and squash courts, all targeting Nigeria’s burgeoning middle class.

According to a statement from the company “This is the third partnership between Transcorp Hotels Plc and Hilton Worldwide which is creating a portfolio of world-class hotels in the country,including the awardwinning Transcorp Hilton Abuja - named Nigeria’s leading hotel – along with the

Transcorp Hilton Lagos which is expected to open in 2017.”

This announcement comes right on the heels of Trancorp Hotels•f initial public offer (IPO) to raise N8,000,000,000 (eight billion Naira) to pat-finance the development of the new hotel projects in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

The offer closes on October 17, 2014.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, Development, Europe & Africa for Hilton Worldwide, said: “We are delighted to once again be partnering with Transcorp Hotels Plc and further cementing our long-standing relationship to introduce our famous Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to Port Harcourt. In 2014 the country became the largest economy in Africa, and this fast paced growth is expected to continue for the coming years.

This announcement further strengthens our growing hotel portfolio in the country – within which our core brand Hilton is at the forefront.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—23

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Agriculture: Key to Africa’s development CHIJI Ojukwu, Director of the AfDB’s Agriculture and Agro Industry Department, reflects on the importance of agriculture as the African Development Bank’s commemoration of the Africa Year of Agriculture and Food Security, began recently in Abidjan.

Here is an excerpt by JIMOH BABATUNDE

O

N the main food crops and cash crops that can help Africa address its food security and reduce poverty The strategic priority crops designated by the AUC in Africa are maize, rice, cassava and wheat. These crops also constitute the basis of the Bank’s US $60 million support to agricultural research at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Africa Rice and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

However, as part of the Bank’s new Agriculture Policy and Strategy [2015-2019], support for the development of agricultural value chains in these crops will also involve increased value addition along the supply chain.

Future support for agricultural infrastructure will involve increased investments in irrigation, feeder roads and offgrid energy access in the rural areas. In addition, though not through support to research, the Bank also invests in livestock and fisheries infrastructure development, i n c l u d i n g aquaculture.

On how trade in agriculture between African countries can be improved In an increasingly globalized environment, A f r i c a ’ s participation in the global agricultural market remains limited, at only 2%.

Regional trade has so far played only a marginal role.

Africa’s highest trade volume in 2012 for food exports was from East Africa at a just 16%, compared with West Asia’s at 45.3%.

Africa’s current internal trade is low – making up only about 10% of its total trade. For the developing countries in Asia, C M Y K

Subsistence farmers cultivating their crops

intraregional trade as a share of total trade was roughly 17% in 2010; for the member countries of the European Union, the same figure was more than 60%.

Improving global agricultural trade will require changes to subsidy policies of rich countries, expanding market access and reversing supply constraints such as poor infrastructure, limited trade finance among others.

The main factors that impinge on increasing intraAfrican trade levels include limited regional integration, weak economic diversification, persistent conflicts, infrastructure and cross border issues, and low level of value addition.

Africa imports US $25 billion of food annually. Improved value addition and processing can improve internal supply and import substitution through An annual domestic production increase in and trade.

irrigation investment by African countries of 3.6% would triple the irrigated harvested area to 22 million hectares by 2050

On how Africa can reduce huge deficit in financing agriculture in Africa Africa’s farm yields are low and the agriculture sector in Africa is the least productive in the world, with an average productivity rate of 36%. Africa’s current food import is in excess of US $25 billion per year.

The continent currently imports

more than 23,000 metric tons of cereals annually and its food trade deficit is projected to grow to more than 98,000 metric tons by 2050.

Only 34% of rural Africans are living within two kilometres of an all-season road, compared to East Asia and the Pacific countries where 90% of the rural populations have such access.

According to the Africa Infrastructure Country Diagnostic (AICD), 39 million hectares of agricultural land in Africa is physically suitable for irrigation, yet the percentage of irrigated arable land is 7% (barely 3.7% in Sub-Saharan Africa).

An annual increase in irrigation investment by African countries of 3.6% would triple the irrigated harvested area to 22 million hectares by 2050.

The Bank has invested more

than US $12 billion in the agriculture sector on the continent between 1967-2013.

With about 65% of Africa’s population living in rural areas, Governments will need to invest more in rural infrastructure to ensure shared growth.

Budgets to agriculture Financing agriculture in the future will have to come from new and innovative ways. However, it must start with Governments honoring the Maputo Pledge to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture.

Promoting anchor investments and out-grower schemes can bring the new technology and innovation required to close the food import gap. Radical land reforms can place millions of hectares under more equitable

and secure tenancy arrangements and can attract substantial ‘collaterized’ investments into the sector. The Bank will work with the RMCs and our partners to substantially reduce the financing deficit.

On the form of the Bank’s new agriculture strategy starting in 2015 The Bank’s New Agriculture and Agribusiness Policy and Strategy [2015-2019] seeks to promote agriculture value chains and bring the sector to the top of the African transformation agenda by establishing a renewed framework for the Bank’s role.

It focuses on three mutually reinforcing areas: expanding agriculture infrastructure; promoting agribusiness and innovation; and building resilience and promoting the sustainable management of natural resources.

World Bank to scale up Nigeria’s E-Wallet system across Africa

A

BUJA—THE World Bank has promised to scale up Nigeria’s agricultural policy on Electronic-Wallet, E-Wallet, system in Africa, including India, Brazil and China in order to encourage best agricultural practices.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this yesterday in an interview with newsmen at the Leadership Newspaper Annual Conference and Award Ceremony.

Adesina, who was awarded the Leadership Public Officer of the Year 2013, said the ministry was working hard in every state to ensure sufficiency of food for Nigerians as ‘democracy of the stomach’ was the right of everybody.

He also revealed that the government was going to roll out new institutions which he called marketing corporations that will replace the old market homes existing presently.

Adesina said: “We will continue to roll out greater programmes in regards to financing in agriculture together with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to

our farmers. There is going to be one for cocoa, cotton, grains, and others.

“These are all the institutions that would allow our farmers to get access to stable market prices and also access to markets. As a ministry we will continue to improve the lots of our farmers, we are rolling out the mechanisation programme that Mr. President has approved.”

Dedicating his award to the staff of the his ministry, the Ministersaideverysinglepartofthecountryinagriculture were showing the impact of President Jonathan’s transformation of the agricultural sector, and also promisedtodohisbestforNigeriaasthecountrydeserves the best.

“I have great staff and I dedicate the award to my hard working staff, all the seed companies, banks, agribusinesses, and in particular, all the state governors who made this happened and commissioners of agriculture in the country.

It is a collective success. I thank Mr. President for his resolute commitment to agricultural development,” he added.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—25

What Golden Tulip, Warri brings to market — GM

By Jimoh Babatunde

“With my background in food and beverage, I will enhance the OLDEN Tulip Warri Air food menu and recipes of the port Hotel is the first ashotel and I want to make this signment for Mr. Akram Daoud place the best in Warri. It has in Nigeria. Daoud has over 25 the potential for it – with the years stint in the sector having size of the hotel, the modern worked in his native country, design, its rich Egypt; and later avalanche of sophisSwitzerland and ticated facilities, the America with service culture and such international its closeness to the brands as Hilton Warri Airport (less and Accor. So, than 10 minutes moving over to drive) coupled with Golden Tulip the business and recently and with leisure opportunities a new property to that we offer.” grow, is a delight Not done, he says, for him. “hospitality is our In this chat, passion and we Daoud talks about promise to serve you what the hotel is better. Golden Tulip coming up with. is in the heart of the On the town and it is a Mandate meeting point for The mandate of business and pleathe group is a sure, it is going to be commitment to a high end service high international provider for the disstandards with cerning minds and local flavours and those with high a unique people taste.” who manage it. “I To drive home this am bringing inpoint, he recalls ternational stansome of the persondard and high alities and high quality service to profile events that the hotel,” he the hotel has hosted says. This he inI am bringwithin the few tends to do by leing internamonths of its soft veraging on his opening. The list inbackground, as tional stancluded the just conone who worked dard and high cluded Nigerian his way through Football Federation quality serthe various (NFF) congress and sections of hotel vice to the election and the business– starting annual conference hotel as a waiter to of the Nigerian Inbecome a general stitute for Managemanager.

G

C M Y K

ment (NIM). It is also the preferred home for many of the big corporate bodies and high networking individuals. It hosts the crew of Arik Air among others.

On facilities on offer It offers 192 rooms made of 162 standard rooms and 24 executive suites. All the rooms are spacious, fitted and furnished with high quality amenities such as a king-size bed with

comfy foam and well laid out, tea/coffee set, flat screen TV, mini – bar on request, reading working desk, settee, wardrobe and electronic safe, bedside lights and drawers, shoe rack, telephone and complementary Wi-Fi while the distinctive features of the executive suite include a lavishly set up separate living room with convenience and a bedroom

room enjoying sweet ambience with a Jacuzzi.

Dining: It is fitted with a cosy restaurant manned by an executive chef of international repute and well trained kitchen staff. Continental and African dishes are offered with specialisation on the local delicacies of the region either as buffet or ala carte.

The restaurant also caters for the various outlets of the hotel, especially in time of special banquet and dinner events.

Besides, it offers special theme nights with Mediterranean (Lebanese) night high on the agenda and this is tailored made for the large Lebanese population of the city.

Sunday brunch is another special offer of the hotel with array of meals ranging from local to continental spanning over 12 different dishes on offer for both adults and children as it is a family affair. Depending on the friendly nature of the weather, the swimming pool area with its spatial beauty can also host the brunch session.

Leisure: Here is where the hotel is in a different class as it boasts quite a rich array of distinct and interesting leisure and entertainment facilities. For Daoud, this is a deliberate effort to place the hotel at the top of the ladders as the home of up scale entertainment in the city and a one – stop facility where every of the needs of the guests are catered for in a special and dedicated manner.

Lilygate redefining hotel business in Lagos

T

he first cable-stayed bridge in West Africa, the Lekki-ikoyi Link Bridge, stands out majestically at night from one of the rooms of a hotel that will soon be officially open.

The aesthetics of the bridge in particular is compelling enough to attract tourists to the Lekki axis of the state and no wonder investors are already catching in on that to locate hotels around the attraction.

One of such hotels is the Lilygate hotel that is situated in Lekki; it is a hospitality outfit informed by the need to offer guests something different; an array of unique services, worldclass facilities, and wellmotivated and professional staff that meet the need of any class of guests, and no matter the reason for the stay.

Ahead of the official opening, the General Manager, Mr. Ronald Stilting said “We’re thrilled to be officially opening our new hotel this month. The setting is unique and the hotel looks breath-taking.

“It’s going to be a very proud day for everyone at the hotel and I’m personally looking forward to sharing it with our

special guests.”

Early feedback amongst those lucky enough to have been treated to a sneak preview has been universally positive, giving great encouragement the owner and the management team.

Ronald Stilting said: “The response that we have been receiving from guests and nonguests who have set foot on the hotel ahead of its official launch has been unanimous; this is one of the country’s most visually stunning boutique hotels.

Stunning boutiques “To my mind, the location, layout, quality of its first-class service standards set it apart from all others in the state.

The Lilygate offers a new vision on luxury with 74 rooms including 6 suites and a full range of facilities and provides redefined service to its guests.

With conference facilities, restaurant, bar, swimming-pool, gym and free Wi-Fi it is the ideal location for work and relaxation.

The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for guests to wine, dine and feast their eyes on the beautiful views surrounding the property.

To Ronald Stilting, the Lillygate is not just opening, but setting pace in the industry with some innovations. “We are also very proud that we will be the first hotel in Nigeria that will have Samsung Smart Hotel TV’s. Our guests can stream their own music and videos on the TV’s or use the TV’s to go online; thus we are meeting the needs of the modern business travellers3 , he explains.

Explaining further on the rationale for the Samsung Smart Hotel TV, the general manager says today ’s international business travellers want to be connected with the world to work and also want to stay in touch with their family and friends and relax after work. “Apart from offering free WiFi throughout the hotel and over 20 international TVchannels we wanted to take guests’ entertainment to the next level.

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

I N S I D E

2015: Atiku’s answer to Nigeria’s problems

Abia: Orji’s difficult options

Page 26

*Wogu: Abia

*Obanikoro: Lagos

*Wike: Rivers

*Ortom: Benue

Akwa Ibom 2015: I will leave Govt House poorer —Okoko Page 29

Page 28

*Chukwu: Annointed in Ebonyi

*Maku: Nasarawa

*Isiaku: Taraba

GOODBYE TO ABUJA:

Jonathan’s men on governorship prowl

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE AND CHARLES KUMOLU

I

T was a moving time for President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday at the Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting as he announced the decision of some of his ministers to step down from the cabinet. The president, it seemed, was not willing to allow some of the ministers go, a fact underlined by the fact that as he made the announcement when the council reached Any Other Business, AOB, he was himself not sure of

the definite number of ministers exiting his cabinet.

“Those that may not be with us next Wednesday are Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of State, Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of State Industry, Trade, Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom; Minister of State Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State Niger Delta Affairs, Arch. Dairus Dickson Ishiaku and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu.”

“Assuming they change their mind, they may join us. It is only

good that we will wish them well in their future endeavours, having served this country meritoriously,” the president added.

Indeed, after the meeting, the president took time to again interact with each of the outgoing ministers who had in the past indicated to him that they were leaving. “Are you sure you really want to go,” one of the outgoing ministers quoted the president as asking him as he rued the exit of some of his right hand men.

The president, it was gathered, was, however, inclined to the fact that the seven men that had made

*Jonathan: Wishing them well

up their minds to exit were going as his own ambassadors to the political terrain. He was also withdrawn to the fact that the men had to pursue their political goals.

But there was one surprise exclusion at the send off, Senator Bala Mohammed, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who had been widely expected to exit the cabinet to contest the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Bauchi State.

Senator Mohammed who has been in the cabinet since the inception of the Jonathan regime in 2010,

presidency sources disclosed, was held back by a last minute urge by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. Mrs Jonathan who has acted as a mother figure to Senator Mohammed, was said to have prevailed on him to remain in Abuja, as minister.

Labaran Maku - Nasarawa Mr. Labaran Maku, a former student union activist, had long had his eyes on the political terrain. The former journalist turned politician first got the bug with his appointment as commissioner for information in the Governor Adamu Abdullahi Continues on page 25

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 27

2015: Atiku’s answer to Nigeria’s problems a pack of policy document that will be the main thrust of his S the 2015 general campaigns and his proposed elections get closer, transformation agenda.

Nigeria’s political landscape is According to Atiku, the getting astir as various political document was put together in a moves are now the order of the bid to modify the way the day. Even though the ruling machinery of Federal Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Government works by clarifying has adopted the incumbent and streamlining ministries, President Goodluck Jonathan as departments, agencies and the its consensus candidate, the main responsibilities of removing opposition All Progressives overlaps and operational Congress (APC) has thrown its redundancies by systematically door open for its members eyeing devolving and delegating the presidential seat. operational responsibilities to Already many aspirants have states, local governments, and emerged on the banner of the private sector organisations.

APC. Former Vice-President The policy document which was Atiku Abubakar declared his put together by Atiku’s associate intention to once again vie for the and former Education Minister, exalted seat on Wednesday, Professor Babalola Borishade, is September 24 at the expected to address Sheuh Musa Yar’Adua habits and practices Centre in Abuja while that currently former Military Head compromise policy of State, General implementation and Muhamadu Buhari enshrining good took the centre stage at governance as the the Eagle Square hallmark of his Abuja on Wednesday, Atiku administration by October 15. Other believes that ensuring that solutions major contenders are can be implemented, Governor Adams Nigeria is at monitored and Oshiomhole of Edo cross-road evaluated.

State, John Nda-Isaiah The idea which Atiku and Governor of Kano with several is bringing to the table State, Rabiu Musa challenges is that the Federal Kwankwaso who said Government would be but things can he will declare his most effective by intention on October take a turn for concentrating on a few 20. priority areas like the better if Following the Buhari employment and Kwankwaso’s appropriate generation, wealth challenge, Atiku measures creation, infrastructure Abubakar has taken a and power, education step ahead of the other were put in and skills acquisition, contenders to present place security, citizenship

By Gbenga Oke

A

*Atiku and governance, agriculture and food security, Niger Delta and the North-East re-integration.

The document further stated that these goals are achievable if the policies were tackled holistically and effectively through public private partnership which is best suited to do certain things while the public sector will deliver optimally with significant social benefits.

Some of the issues the document intend to tackle include ethno-religious issues, housing, current affairs, elections, agriculture and justice among others.

According to the document, each policy area provides an insight into a narrow set of challenges, which are framed in

hopes, expectations and aspirations. It is assumed that high level unemployment, crushing poverty and unequal access to education must not only be tackled in their own right, but also to help improve security across the country.

The document went further to also target infrastructure investments which will serve as the foundation and incentives for investments in education and training, job creation and increased private sector investments in various sectors of our economy.

On the current state of affairs, the policy believes that while the elites live pampered lives, the vast majority of the population is trapped in poverty and

Jonathan’s men on governorship prowl Continues from page 26 regime in Nasarawa State. He was subsequently elevated to the position of deputy governor of the state in Adamu’s second term.

Maku is from the major Eggon tribe in Nasarawa that has not been able to produce a governor for the state. Maku has been deeply involved in the governorship contest and is bound to face serious obstacles from long time godfather of Nasarawa politics, Senator Solomon Ewuga, who recently returned to the PDP and is also inching to contest the election.

Chief Emeka Wogu - Abia Wogu, like Maku, has been in the cabinet since 2010. He is aiming to become the first man from Abia South Senatorial District to become governor. His advantages in the contest include the fact that he has been able to reasonably discharge his duties

as a minister, and unlike many of his rivals from the favoured Abia South, he is able to count on his mother’s ancestry from Arochukwu and Umuechi in Abia North.

Wogu is also considered as one of those in position to build on whatever legacies the outgoing administration of Chief Theodore Orji may have built given Wogu’s past relationship with the governor. He worked under Orji as a special adviser while the latter was chief of staff in the Chief Orji Uzor Kalu administration.

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu Ebonyi The outgoing minister of Health is one of the surprise elements that recently emerged as a possible governor in the federal cabinet. He was arguably the most confident of the seven exiting the cabinet to transform into a governor given the full

backing of the outgoing governor of the state, Chief Martins Elechi.

Chukwu’s chances are also boosted by the fact that the secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has decided not to enter the fray despite earlier suggestions to that fact.

However, even with the governor’s backing, Chukwu is bound to face stiff resistance given the fact that the influential politicians in Ebonyi North and Central senatorial districts are strongly against power shift.

Even strong family and political associates of the governor are said to be against the governor’s choice of Chukwu and may be prepared to sabotage the choice if given the opportunity in a free and fair primary.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro – Lagos Until Jimi Agbaje’s entry into the PDP recently, it had been

almost an open field for Obanikoro to pick the PDP ticket, who is on a second missionary to fly the party’s flag at the polls.

He was the PDP’s standard bearer in 2007 when he gave the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate, Babatunde Fashola a good fight.

After the polls, he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana. Even from abroad he still commanded political presence in Nigeria as his son, Babajide won the Ikoyi Obalende Local Council Development Area election in 2012. The LCDA is home to APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

After the council polls, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) returned the ACN candidate as winner but Babajide went to the tribunal, which in its final judgement ruled that Babajide

destitution. The middle class has crumbled under the weight of rent-seeking. Few can hope for a decent education, there are not enough jobs, infrastructure and public services are poor, and basic social security has no real meaning.

Interestingly, it is believed that too many Nigerians live in fear of violent crime, communal clashes, and savage acts of terrorism. Most feel betrayed by corrupt and self-serving politicians.

He said that indifferent, illequipped, and often brutal security forces and a weak legal and judicial system fuel public distrust of the state and feed into the widely held belief that institutions don’t really matter.

On the issue of Ethno-religious tensions threatening national unity and security today in Nigeria, he said Nigerians suffer from terrorist attacks in the north, an insurgency in the Delta, communal violence in the middle belt, cult wars in the south, and kidnappings, armed robberies, and common acts of thuggery throughout the country.

Atiku believes that Nigeria is at cross-road with several challenges but things can take a turn for the better if appropriate measures were put in place to address the basic problem faced by the ordinary Nigerians at their different levels – rural, urban, youth, women, weak, strong, lower class, middle class and upper class.

Obanikoro of the PDP won the election by 6,780 votes as against 6,248 polled by ACN. Obanikoro’s ambassadorial sojourn in Ghana kept him out of the 2011 race. Since he returned in 2012, he has been oiling his political machine, which got a boost with his ministerial appointment last February.

Now, he will fight for the PDP ticket with Agbaje and Dr Ade Dosunmu (the 2011 candidate) among others and if wins, will square up against the APC standard bearer.

Dr Samuel Ortom –Benue Roundly described as a party man to the core, farmer, administrator and industrialist, Dr Samuel Ioraer Ortom, became Minister (State) for Trade & Investment on July 4, 2011.

Considered to have a good chance of succeeding Governor Gariel Suswam, who he played major roles in installing, Ortom before his ministerial stint had contributed to nation building at Continues on page 28

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Abia: Orji’s difficult options Governor Orji is the only PDP governor in the Southeast that is yet to give an inclination on his succession plans. The challenges before him are many. The option of choosing merit over zoning is turning into an issue

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

W

EEKS to decisive primaries for nomination of candidates into elective office by the two major political parties, the whiff of conspiracy is all over the air. A number of governors across the country have taken up statesmanlike position to push forward the principle of rotation as canvassed mainly by the constitution and the dominant party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. It is thus no surprise that in Ebonyi, Governor Martins Elechi, against the consideration of close associates and reportedly even of some family members, has championed the emergence of Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu from Ebonyi South as his successor. In Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has expressed his desire to handover to someone

having problems. I will not like to have any problem in this zone.

What we know is Ukwa/ Ngwa. It is open for you; go and contest.

Any person who emerges as the guber candidate of our party from this zone, we are going to support that person,” the governor reiterated.

Among the more formidable aspirants from Ukwa Ngwa are Senator Enyinninya Abaribe, a former deputy governor of the state, the minister of labour and productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Chief Marc Wabara, Dr. Okeize Ikepazu and Senator Nkechi Nwaogu.

Also in the race from Ukwa Ngwa are Chief Chris Nkwota, Uzo Azubike, Friday Nwosu, Okey Emuchay and Chief Eric Nwakanma.

However, the push for a consensus on an Ukwa/Ngwa successor to the incumbent in Abia

,

The contention by those against zoning is that the state would be the better for it if the best man is picked to push forward the achievements of the outgoing administration

from Delta North Senatorial zone, the only zone in the state that is yet to produce a governor.

In Plateau, the permutations on zoning remains a mystery and Governor Jonah Jang, a man of prayers is said to have taken up the issue with God in prayers, albeit to no avail.

The zoning permutation in Abia State, however, has taken a life of its own with stakeholders, associates and foes of Governor Theodore Orji taking varying positions on the succession battle.

Despite pressures from interested associates, the governor has been unrelenting in his support of power shift to Ukwa Ngwa area of the state saying at one time that it was a matter of justice.

“No section will be marginalized in Abia. Ukwa/ Ngwa have never been governor, what is wrong in allowing them produce a governor?

A lot of people from other zones have come to me to say, I want to be governor and I will tell them straight away this is my stand,” the governor said at one time.

“Equity demands that the right thing should be done. They may hate me but within me, I am convinced that I am doing the right thing. Our party, PDP believes in power rotation and sharing according to political blocs. I want you people to help me, I don’t like if I convince people on this when I come to this zone, I will start

,

has lately turned into a crisis even among the Ukwa/Ngwa fold with the people divided along senatorial zones. The Ukwa/Ngwa people are found in the Central and Southern senatorial zones of the state. Given the earlier advocacy by the governor on power shift to Ukwa/Ngwa it was no surprise that some interested politicians from central and most prominently, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu entered

•Orji: In the valley of decision the fray.

Senatorial districts Senator Nwaogu has been able to mobilise some stakeholders to project zoning as being between the Old Bende and Aba divisions and not along senatorial boundaries. It is an argument that remarkably made the governor to come out to openly state that zoning should be based on senatorial districts. That stance according to sources has led to acrimony between campaign officials of Senator Nwaogu and the governor and it is no surprise that senior administration officials and the Nwaogu campaign now do not see eye to eye.

But even more remarkable is the fact that the failure of the Ukwa Ngwa people to find some sort of

harmony on zoning has led to an upsurge of aspirants from outside Ukwa Ngwa land with the emergence of formidable candidates from other parts of the state who are asserting the use of merit above other considerations in the choice of a successor.

Among the heavyweights from outside Ukwa Ngwa that have come into the fray are Chief Uche Ogah, the founder of Masters Energy, Dr. Alex Oti, the managing director of Diamond Bank, two men that are said to be capable of tilting the game especially given the amount of money they can mobilise in the venture.

The emergence of such formidable aspirants from outside Abia South is now raising questions as to the intention of the rich and influential politicians from Abia North and Central who

Jonathan’s men on governorship prowl Continues from page 27 various levels.

In the year 2007, he also served as Benue PDP director of organization and Suswam/ Lawani Campaign Organization, a gubernatorial electioneering effort that brought the present government to office in Benue State.

His foray into governance started in 1991 when he was elected as one of the youngest ever local government chairmen in Nigeria at just 30. He served Guma LGA of Benue State as Executive Chairman from 19911993.

To realize his ambition, he has to get the support of Governor Suswam and top leaders of the PDP before facing the electorate proper at the polls.

Dairus Ishiaku –Taraba

drop out of the contest reportedly in his favour.

Ishiaku’s main contender is presently the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar.

Ishiaku’s chances have been boosted by the failure of the acting governor to get control of the PDP structure, which is in the hands of the cabal. A court action by the acting governor to wrest control of the PDP executive was declined by the courts putting the cabal in good stead to fight him.

*Mohammed: Opted out Mr. Dairus Ishiaku who is leaving as minister of state (power) is believed to be running as the candidate of the cabal around Governor Danbaba Suntai. His chances are said to be brightened by the decision of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha to

Nyesom Wike –Rivers The resignation of Nyesom Wike did not come as a surprise, since he never hid his desire to succeed the incumbent governor.

In fact, the manner he has been going about his ambition, is generally seen to be largely responsible for the political crises

it is being feared may decide to force the governor to abandon zoning for the sake of merit.

The contention by those against zoning is that the state would be the better for it if the best man is picked to push forward the achievements of the outgoing administration and are pressing for an unhindered primaries open to every one.

Interestingly, a number of the stakeholders are said to be close to the governor and could be in positiontoinfluencehimfromwithin his family.

WhilethetwootherPDPgovernors fromtheSoutheast,ElechiinEbonyi and Sullivan Chime in Enugu have openly anointed their successors, Governor Orji is apparently still weighing his options and is as such yet to take a decisive step on his successor. But his determination to have a say could not have been betterpronouncedwiththedecision to appoint the deputy chief of staff in the Government House, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya to chair the 11 man State Congress Committee which is to guide the election of delegates to produce the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for Abia State.

At least for now, it is known that Governor Orji would want to have a say, but on who, what and where he pushes the party machine remains a mystery for now.

that engulfed the state in the past.

Though other aspirants have indicated interest for the plum job, Wike is indisputably the most visible following the controversies that has so far dogged his moves.

To boost his chances, the minister had formed the Grassroot Democratic Initiative, GDI which was initially believed to be an all party structure to boost the activities of the party.

However, many other aspirants subsequently backed away from the GDI when they expressed fear that the GDI was framed to achieve the gubernatorial aspirations of the minister.

Wike is, however, challenged by the politics of zoning in Rivers State given the fact that the outgoing governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi is Ikwere, the same ethnic group where Wike belongs.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—29

Chief Benjamin Okoko, a former National Publicity Secretary is in the contest for the gubernatorial ticket of the party. In this interview, Okoko who is also a business consultant speaks of his plans and programmes for the state ahead of the party primaries. Excerpts:

A

FTER your involvement in the last three governorship contests, you are going for another contest. What is your motivation?

It is said that greatness is not in how many times you fall, but being able to rise each time you fall.

1999is a story everybody knows.

The 1999 election basically was supposed to have been a coronation for me as everything was set but some leaders of the party approached and prevailed on me to withdraw my candidature for the governorship election in 1998/ 1999 election. I accepted it without any condition.

In 2003, I ran and the party decided that the incumbent should have a second term. In 2006 we had a crowd of about 60 aspirants. There was complete confusion, but the party decided it was Governor Godswill Akpabio that should have the ticket. He got the ticket and ran. In 2011, I didn’t run because I became wiser; I came to understand my party better knowing that it is not easy to run against the incumbent seeking a second term.

In 2015, Governor Akpabio is finishing his second term, so I feel

•Okoko

Akwa Ibom 2015: I will leave Govt House poorer —Okoko I have to come out. With the experience I have had in the previous times, I really understand the politics better this time. I am quite optimistic to be successful this time and four is my lucky num-

ber.

What is your take on the issue of zoning in the state?

I am not running because of zoning. I am running on my credentials as Benjamin Okoko for the

governorship election. Talking about zoning, I want to say that it started with me. I made the supreme sacrifice for zoning. In 1998, the elders came to me and said they wanted to do zoning.

When they brought the issue of zoning, I had my own idea about it.

I accepted and advanced my reason and thinking and how I felt zoning should be done. For me, zoning is the basis of expanding and accommodating within the party. But the leader at that time felt zoning should be done at the level of senatorial district. I allowed it, but at the end, people were cleared to contest the primary but the leader prevailed that I should allow Obong Victor Attah to run; that they wanted to start zoning from Uyo senatorial district. I was young at the age of 37.

With that arrangement we had, Obong Attah from Uyo senatorial district ruled for 8 years. Governor Akpabio from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district is about to conclude his eight years.

I am yet to see anybody from Ikot Ekpene senatorial district coming to say he wants to run for governorship. Even when Uyo senatorial district was finishing its turn in 2007, there were still some people in Uyo senatorial district that came out to run, which was not right.

In the spirit of statesmanship, will you accept it if called to make another sacrifice?

Make sacrifice because of what?

That time it was on the basis of zoning. That time they said they wanted to start from Uyo senatorial district.

Why I want Abia North Senate seat — Ogbonna JERRY Ogbonna was director of research and development in the Defence Headquarters, DHQ and founder of the now rested Falcon Airlines. He has now joined the political fray with his eyes on the Abia North Senatorial District seat being occupied by Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

Four years ago, Ogbonna sought the seat in the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP but lost. He has now moved over to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, the platform he wishes to use for another bid for the seat. In this interview, he bares his mind on the security issues plaguing the country and why he wants to go to the Senate among other issues. Excerpts: PDP primaries were never straight

By Dotun Ibiwoye forward, somehow, we were all HAT makes you qualified edged out. The party had predecided who they were going to for the office you seek?

I know the country like the back give the tickets to. PDP gave of my tickets to Senator Uche hand, I have served Nigeria for Chukwumerije and the 30 years of my life, as a military incumbent Governor who newly officer. I have travelled all over came in from APGA and PPA, at the world; I know how other that time. One of the nations work. I know what is arrangements they had was to sustaining other countries. We give the ticket to them, not have here, a group of legislators minding whether we worked hard who are keen about how to line for the party or not. The 2015 their pockets and that is why the election is around the corner, I am country is static. Our legislators warming up to replace our Senator, are interested in the number of distinguished contracts awarded, we need to Chukwumerije, who defeated us leave self matters and get things in 2011 primaries. right.

Why are you contesting under In 2011, I ran for the Senate, under PDP but unfortunately the APGA?

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C M Y K

I can’t be sure if PDP primaries will be in conformity with real democratic process.

I have decided to run with a coalition of other parties in Abia North. APGA will be the leading party and others would join in the fight to upstage the dominant party. It is because I am sure that I can’t get the ticket from PDP through free and fair election.

That’s a problem staring our nation in the face. People should be nominated through free and fair elections. If we could get away from that Nigeria’s democracy will begin to work.

Given your experience, can't you contribute to the nation in other ways'other than politics?

When I was in the military, I was once the director of research and development in the DHQ we designed a module that Snake Island dockyard should produce ferries for the Nigerian Navy. We made a proposal for the steel company in Kaduna to make a prototype for an Armoured Personnel Carrier. These are the two main elements for combat. We proposed that a go- ahead should be given to these bodies to start

*Ogbonna producing armaments locally.

That would reduce the money thrown outside the country indiscriminately. The police go as far as Malaysia to import boats, when Snake Island dockyard has the capacity to build it. Abacha was the head of state at that time.

Why do we have military men dying to come back to power in Nigeria?

We have this urge because if you looked at every sector of the country, the most patriotic people are military men. They have committed their lives to this country. This happens in most parts of the world.

For me, power is service. What will the party tell me now? Already the party has spoken. The party has said it’s zoned to my senatorial district.

Now that you are coming out, what is your vision and blueprint for the state?

Governor Victor Attah was resource control, Governor Godswill Akpabio uncommon transformation; Governor Benjamin Okoko’s administration will be uncommon sacrifice; that is my vision.

How are you going to achieve or go about this uncommon sacrifice?

It has to do with my own value of life. How do I see life? What do I want in life? For me, great societies are built on the sacrifices of people, at some point in time, who determine that the cause of history must go this way. If water is flowing towards a specific direction, you can say no let it flow this way and change its cause.

Enough resources I like to go into history as the poorest man that left the Akwa Ibom governor lodge after my tenure as governor. What does that mean? I will give my own to the service of the people!

Government will never have enough resources to do everything; it should do. One hundred per cent resources of Akwa Ibom I will commit to the development and wellbeing of the people of the state. I hope that sacrifice of my stewardship will help the cause of our people and inspire others who will come after me to truly see that there is greatness in giving your own and greatness in poverty; that there is greatness in contentment.

After my tenure, if I leave office with a pair of trousers, I wear it and I will be a happy man – very satisfy man. I will be a true soldier and die at my post provided the needs and welfare of the people of Akwa Ibom are met and that is why I have christened my aspiration “uncommon sacrifice”.

Do you believe the incumbent governor should produce his successor?

The governor is not a traditional ruler; the governor is not a religious leader. The governor is not even a judge that should not take sides. The governor is a politician, first and foremost.

Legitimate right He is entitled to his own interest. As a politician it is most unfair to expect a politician not to have interest. You come into politics with certain interests.

It is legitimate right of the governor or any politician to say his preference. Again, the people will always have their say. The governor himself that takes that position knows that it is his own position; that a majority of the people will always have their way in democracy.

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—31

Vol. 1 No. 3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Faces of emerging second generation politicians in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

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ESPITE the popular cliché that politics is a dirty game, some prominent elderly politicians in Ogun State have begun moves towards positioning their offsprings for different political positions, cutting across the governorship, state and national assembly seats ahead of the 2015 general elections.

While some of these elderly politicians who are considered first generation politicians had in the past governed the state or had attempted to govern the country, several others who have not done either, are known to have played prominent roles in the success of governance in the state.

The list of their off-springs considered as second *Dimeji Bankole generation politicians is pretty long. But those who have signified or rumoured to be House of Representatives, eyeing elective positions as at following his victory in the the time of filing this report are election for Abeokuta South hereby unveiled.

F e d e r a l Dimeji Bankole constituency. He Dimeji Bankole is contested on the the son of a platform of the p r o m i n e n t People’s Democratic politician in Party.

Nigeria, Chief The recent moves, Suara Alani according to Bankole, who had authentic sources is been in the that, Dimeji Bankole business of politics has been dragged for over four into the decades. governorship race in Though, Chief 2015.

Bankole never won Iyabo Obasanjoany election he Bello contested since his Iyabo Obasanjosojourn in politics, Bello is the first but his landmarks daughter of former in politics are President Olusegun indelible both in The list of Obasanjo. She is a Ogun state as well medical doctor who as other parts of the their offlater ventured into country, especially springs politics. She was the northern made Commissioner considered region. for Health during Perhaps, as a as second the administration of mark of recognition former governor of of his activities in generation politics, his son, politicians is Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Sabur Dimeji Her emergence as too Bankole was made the PDP candidate the Speaker of the numerous

*Lola Abiola-Edewor

*Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello for Ogun Central Senatorial seat was believed to have been influenced by her father who was Nigeria’s President at that time.

Vanguard gathered that Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello whose second term bid in the Senate was scuttled by the All Progressives Congress, APC in 2011, might launch her comeback in the coming election.

Olumide Osoba Olumide Osoba is the son of a former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba who is also a very prominent politician in the state and the country.

Prominent politician Olumide Osoba became a member of House of Representatives representing Odeda/Abeokuta north/ Obafemi-Owode Federal constituency in 2011, courtesy of his father.

Vanguard gathered that the contest for the seat which was between Osoba’s son and one of MKO Abiola’s sons, Jamiu, was won by Olumide Osoba

*Olumide Osoba

*Hafsat Abiola-Costello

following his influence in the state.

Osoba’s son contested on the platform of defunct Action Congress of Nigeria while Abiola’s son contested on the platform of defunct Congress for Progressive Change.

As the 2015 election approaches, there are feelers that Aremo Osoba may field his son for second term, but this time, may not be under the platform of the defunct ACN, now APC. Lola Abiola-Edewor She is the first daughter of late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the 1993 Presidential election. The Abiolas’ name has been working for her political career as she is presently at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2012 till present.

She was a member of House of Representatives, representing Apapa Federal constituency between 1999 and 2007.

With the feelers coming from the political associates of Abiola-Edewor, it seems she is set to contest for Senate to represent the Ogun Central, her home, on the platform of PDP.

Hafsat Abiola-Costello This is another Abiola’s offspring who has also ventured into politics. Hafsat Abiola-Costello is the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals to the Ogun State Government.

She is also the Founder and Non-Executive President of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), an NGO that promotes the development of women as initiators of change by offering leadership training and raising awareness about social constraints such as violence against women.

Political position It has not been established whether Abiola-Costello who is working in the APC administration in the state would vie for any political position in the coming election.

Amosun’s kinfolks.

The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, whose offsprings have not reached eligible age for politics

Continues on page 33

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Uniqueness of Ibadan, the South West headquarters

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN – Ibadan, the largest city in West Africa is an ancient city in Oyo State. As a result of the unique way it plays its unique politics which has been tagged ‘Amala politics,’ it is often described as the political headquarters of Yorubaland, where amala is a popular dish.

Apart from politics, other things like the topography, landscape of the city and attitudes of residents are other factors that catch one’s attention. Take a trip to remote areas like Inalende, Abebi, Oniyanrin, Gege Oloorun, Yemetu Alaadorin, Ogbeere Tioya, Amuda oojere and many others and see how houses are clumsily built with little or no attention to town planning rules and regulations.

Also, major roads in the sprawling city are another spectacles to behold. Some narrow, while others are wide enough for human and vehicular movements.

Many landowners struggle to get lands close to the roads so as to convert the setback to personal use.

In Ibadan, before Governor Abiola Ajimobi assumed office, market men and women not motorists own the roads. They transact businesses in the middle of the road leaving no space for motorists to ply. It is no wonder that majority of them kicked against the urban renewal of Governor Ajimobi because they are contented with the clumsy nature of the city. Trading by the roadsides is synonymous with the city.

Past governors including late Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige had tried in the past to initiate the urban renewal, but they lacked the political will to implement the policy. Though, critics of Ajimobi’s administration claimed that he

ought to have prepared alternatives for the traders before demolishing their means of livelihood, they have forgotten that late Ige had built the new Gbagi market before ordering them to leave old Gbagi.

Till date, the traders have returned to the old Gbagi with their wares. Successive governors had fought the battle and lost and therefore have left the traders to their fate.

Their continued refusal to leave the roadside has resulted in dire consequences especially at Ojoo, Sasa, Eleyele, Sango, Molete, Beere, Oritamerin, Ojaaba and many others. There have been so many innumerable auto crashes that claimed many lives in these areas.

Fatal accident There has been no year that one fatal accident or the other did not happen with heavy casualty figure. The most notorious place noted for such accidents is the Ojoo end of the city where traders of all kinds gather to sell their wares.

From 2006 till date, hundreds of people have been killed in different auto-crashes within the city.

Some years ago, scores of people were burnt to death at Alaakia area of the city, when a commercial bus rammed into a trailer that got stuck on the road. Again, subsequent years recorded many accidents.

At Ojoo-Moniya road, five people lost their lives, while several others sustained injuries in two different auto crashes on the same day.

The first incident happened on Ojoo-Moniya road when a trailer with registration number XD 159 BDJ, fully loaded with petroleum

product, as a result of brake failure, lost control and hit two commercial vehicles with registration numbers XY 912 AGL and GA985 LSR. Some days earlier, 11 people including two school children were killed in two different auto crashes in the city.

The second accident occurred along Moshood Abiola Way, formerlyRingRoadatAkintobaBus stop, when a trailer loaded with petroleum product lost control as a result of brake failure and hit about 11 vehicles as the driver battled to control the vehicle.

The conductor of the trailer was said to have jumped down from the vehicle trying to stop the vehicle by putting a wedge but in the process he was crushed.

Last year, a soldier and five other people were crushed by trailers at Eleyele area when the trucks had faulty brake.

As if those ones were not enough, another tragedy struck at Molete area of the city which claimed about 15 lives and left several others severely injured last Saturday.

The accident, like the previous ones, happened when a fully loaded tanker lost control and emptied its contents on the road.

Besides human casualty, 45 shops, 13 vehicles, three houses, seven commercial motorcycles, three commercial tricycles and several other items were destroyed.

It is not only auto-crashes that claim lives in the city. At times, accidents happen when electricity cables snap. The one that is still fresh in memories of residents, especially Apata residents was the incident that claimed no fewer than seven lives of vegetable sellers, including a pregnant woman. Live wires snapped and the women were all electrocuted.

Despite warnings such as:

It is extremely dangerous to stay under PHCN high tension power lines or carry out any activity close to PHCN equipment; It is a crime punishable under the law if you erect structures or carry out activities under or close to PHCN equipment; You must give a gap of 5.5 metres, 12.5m and 25m on each side of our 11/33KV, 132KV and 330KV lines respectively; You stand the risk if instant electrocution in case of a wire cut or transformer explosion; If you erect structures or carry out activities under the PHCN high

In Ibadan, before Governor Abiola Ajimobi assumed office, market men and women, not motorists own the roads. They transact businesses in the middle of the road leaving no space for motorists to ply

tension lines or close to any PHCN equipment; You endanger your life and overtime as a result of radiation from the power lines which may lead to cancer among many others, residents still pay deaf ears to these warnings.

The governor who on assumption of office tried to stop this carnage in the city, told residents of the city that he would not mind to hurt those who may stand on his way. He acknowledged that lack of political will was part of the problems that militate against sustainable roads in the state.

He said his vision of Oyo state roads was one where commuters and drivers commute on the roads without vehicles having shock absorber challenges.

He sought the cooperation and understanding of the citizens in his efforts at changing the state’s infrastructural landscape, stating that when the rains totally subside, the state would not only witness massive rehabilitation of roads as is being done now but an unprecedented construction of roads in the state.

But, as the 2015 election approaches, the political will that Governor Ajimobi displayed at the outset of his administration seems to have waned. He showed this when speaking on a live television programme when a caller said he should go ahead and widen the Akobo road, adding that any building that violated the town planning rules should be demolished.

Town planning rules Ajimobi said he should go and convince his people what he just told him so that they would not see him as being responsible for demolition of their houses.Unlike some months ago, traders are back on the roads selling their wares unhindered. It seems it is now worse than the time he assumed office.

Though, the demolition exercise seems to have stigmatized Ajimobi’s administration, some residents of the city feel the governor should have continued with the urban renewal irrespective of whose ox is gored. On Ologuneru-Eruwa road, most of the buildings by the roadside are just some few metres to the road.

To reduce this carnage, tough stance like the one displayed by Governor Ajimobi at the inception of his administration is required.

Another major cause of road carnage is the state of some of the roads in the city.

Governor Ajimobi has no doubt recorded unprecedented achievements in road construction, there is still more to do.Also, there is no regulation of the activities of truck drivers especially trailers that convey bags of cement. They load more than the normal weight of load that their trucks could carry.

This, as Vanguard gathered, leads to brake failure which results in loss of lives.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 33

Badagry agog, as Olokun festival begins

Oyesiku Amosun This is another member of Amosun’s family, serving currently as Senior Special Assistant to the governor on environment. It was gathered that he may also contest for political position in the coming election.

Leke and Stephen Adewolu Bar. Leke and Stephen

Development Initiative, WFCDI, and distributed empowerment materials to women from 33 council areas and 17 Non-Governmental Organisations, assured that the Federal Government was working to ensure the safe release of the girls.

She however called for prayers for the abducted girls and urged parents to focus on child training and good moral, saying that security should not be left to the government alone.

Soyinka dispels rumour of Ebola in Ogun culture and tradition held on October 14, lecture at Airport Hotel on October 16, as well as the Miss Olokun Beauty Pageant.

Countdown to this edition, Adams who is the chief promoter of the festival has canvassed the need for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, to recognise the Olokun festival, as it has done to the Osun and Ifa festivals. According to him, since Olokun controls all the big oceans of the world, its global relevance by UNESCO has become imperative.

Olokun fetish or not?

The Olokun festival has been adjudged as fetish by many Nigerians, who have vehemently criticized the worship of the river goddesses, Olokun.

Against this backdrop, Adams who is also the leader of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, has however described the festival in Lagos as a mustard seed with small beginning, pointing that a decade down the line, the mustard seed sown has germinated and grown into a big tree with shades providing cover for several people across the world.

His words: “I think the time has come for all of us to begin to understand the logic behind the celebration of the Olokun goddess. Many people have described the worship of these goddesses as fetish practice, but nothing can be farther from the truth than this. Such people need to ask themselves what they know about the importance of water to the existence of man.

Faces of emerging second generation politicians in Ogun seems to have begun moves to pave way for them as he has some members of his family well entrenched in the government.

Abidoye Amosun Alhaji Abidoye Amosun, who is popularly called Alhaji agba is an elder brother to the state governor. His influence in the government is reported to be second to none.

Though, Abidoye has not disclosed his interest to contest for any position, it was gathered that one of his sons may be positioned for a House of Assembly seat.

Chibok: Don’t lose hope, we ‘ll bring back our girls— First Lady

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Continues from page 31

With Ikenna Asomba

IX months after the over 200 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, Tuesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital urged Nigerians to remain prayerful as efforts to rescue the Chibok girls are yielding positive results.

Mrs. Jonathan, who gave this message of hope when she opened the State secretariat of Women for Change and

By Ikenna Asomba N October 24, the 11th edition of the Olokun festival will be held at Suntan Beach in Badagry, a suburb of Lagos State. The festival is an annual traditional pilgrimage hosted by the worshipers of Olokun (meaning ‘owners of the sea). The worshipers believe paying homage to the river goddesses, Olokun attracts great blessings and answers to all prayers.

Since the introduction of the festival in Lagos State by the Olokun Festival Foundation, OFF led by Otunba Gani Adams, it has continued to attract massive number of local and international tourists to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub. The 2013 edition it was said attracted no fewer than 250, 000 tourists from across the globe.

However, the Edos in Edo State in their own style and manner celebrate the Olokun festival in late February (1st ‘moon’ after the 12th moon), at Usonigbe, the site of Olokun’s original shrine, in Edo State, Poised to promote and enrich the study and research into the Yoruba culture, history and tradition, like previous editions, this year ’s edition festival has been heralded with prayer to the almighty at the Oworoshoki playing ground on October 3; the Olokun Quiz Competition about the Yoruba

SOUTH WEST BRIEF

Adewolu are the sons of a Chieftain of the APC in the state, Chief Doja Adewolu.

While Leke is presently serving as Special Adviser to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Stephen is the Chairman, Urban and Regional Planning Board.

It is gathered that their father is making frantic moves to ensure one of them emerges as a member of House of Assembly in the coming election.

Dr. Olaoluwa Lawson Dr. Olaoluwa Lawson is the daughter of the Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief Alaba Lawson. Chief Alaba Lawson, though, is not a card carrying member of the APC, she is a strong supporter of governor Amosun and has reportedly been mobilising market women in the state for Amosun’s second term.

Dr. Olaoluwa is presently Special Assistant to Governor Amosun on Health and was said to be warming up for elective position in the coming

election.

Mrs Bukola Onabanjo This is another politician who is the daughter of first democratically elected governor of the state, late Bisi Onabanjo.

Olivia Olubukola Onabanjo is presently the Chairman, Teaching Service Commission has been said to be having bickerings with the governor over her ambition.

Lanreath and Lekan Tejuoso They are both siblings of Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke-Ona. Both were members of the APC, but belong to different camps within the party in the state.

Lekan Tejuoso is a member of the faction loyal to Aremo Osoba. He contested for governorship seat in 2011, but was prevailed upon to step down for governor Amosun.

Lanre is loyal to Amosun and he is currently serving as a Commissioner for Youth and Sport. As the election draws near, he sets to vye for the Ogun Central Senatorial seat on the platform of APC.

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GAINST the backdrop of rumour that Ogun State has recorded an index case of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, Wednesday, dispelled the rumour, describing it as total misinformation.

Reacting in a statement, Soyinka who disclosed that it was a case of a patient who had ulcer and not Ebola said: “I want to correct and set the records straight concerning some misinformation regarding a case that was reported to the Ogun State

Ministry of Health early on Tuesday October 14 concerning a male patient admitted to an Ijebu Ode Hospital.

“On receipt of the information, our rapid response team was dispatched to investigate and the patient was rapidly given the all clear. He is a known peptic ulcer patient who had some bleeding and also tested positive for malaria. He has been treated and his symptoms are resolving.”

Ooni charges politicians on devt Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade has tasked Politicians in Yoruba land to unite together in order to chart common front for the development of the Yoruba race.

The monarch, who appealed to Politicians of Yoruba extraction to place the interest of the race above their personal interest, stressed the need for all Yorubas to work together for the common interest of the race irrespective of their political differences.

Oba Sijuwade who spoke at his

palace in Ile-Ife yesterday while receiving a Governorship aspirant of the Unity Party of Nigeria UPN in Ogun state, Prince Tunde Paseda called on Politicians to place the interest of the people above theirs.

The royal father noted that “the progress of the Yoruba nation is the progress of Nigeria and whatever will bring progress to the country must be paramount in the minds of the political leaders.”

Osun Govt accuses PDP of lying against Court of Appeal

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HE Osun state government has condemned the Peoples Democratic Party for claiming that the Court of Appeal had sacked federal lawmakers from the state, alleging that the claim represents “the habitual proclivity of the opposition PDP to mislead members of the public.”

In its official position over claims by the PDP that the Court

of Appeal in Akure last Friday sacked all federal state constituencies lawmakers from the state who were elected in 2011, the state government, through its Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Afolabi, alleged that the recent brouhaha was sponsored by the PDP.

The Team Editor: Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Ikenna Asomba

Adeleke Adeseri Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

By Dayo Johnson Akure

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T will be an understatement to suggest that upper week’s defection of governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, from his former Labour Party, LP to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, if not handled properly may spell doom for both parties in the state, as the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC is waiting in the wings to harvest those that may opt out of the PDP and LP. Already, the state Chairman of the APC, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, has disclosed talks are on with some notable leaders of both LP and PDP willing to defect to the party due to irreconcilable differences caused by the defection of the governor.

The interesting thing about the defection is that some interests within the LP and PDP are fighting surreptitiously to frustrate it. While some leaders in LP are not bold enough to tell the governor to his face that they are not following him to the new party but are grumbling because they may not fly in the new party governor, believing that he and may be choked by some would be able to checkmate the personalities in the PDP, some domineering influence of some leaders in PDP are not too leaders in the Southern area who comfortable with the leadership are holding the party in the of the governor, whom they jugular by controlling the State would have loved to avoid Working Committee. politically.

The general but unwritten Infact, many left the LP to the agreement is PDP because of his that the next domineering attitude and area to produce to now dictate who gets the governor what in their party makes should be the them sick.

Northern area of The drum beat of war is the state, but the coming from some camps leaders from within the two parties. the South are of Some leaders of the PDP the opinion that who see the coming of the the late former governor to take over in governor the party as a death knell Olusegun to their political ambitions Agagu’s second are sponsoring the term in office dissenting voices was inconsurreptitiously. clusive and that These leaders are major the attempt by players in the Southern the former areas of the state.

National Findings showed that Secretary of the the grouse of the leaders PDP, Chief especially from the Olusola Oke Southern areas was that was frustrated they are the hen that lays by the national the golden eggs, yet they leaders of the have never been opporparty who tuned to occupy the plum supported Dr. governorship seat.

Mimiko to While the leaders from secure a second this region are pretenterm ticket, ding to be pleased with while they the governor coming abandoned over, they are still the ones The generality their own instigating the State of our members candidate.

Working Committee So, they see members to frustrate the want it placed 2 0 1 6 coming of the governor by on record that governorship creating furore. election as an However, the leaders they demand opportunity for from both the Ondo respect from the them to realize Central where the their ambition. leaders of the governor hails from and The sign that the Northern areas seem Party in Abuja the defection to be in genuine support would not be a of the coming of the tea party was

Mimiko defection unsettles Ondo PDP, LP the institution of a legal action against the dissolution of the state working committee by the governor.

Barely two hours after the governor declared for the PDP in Abuja and was received by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo and the Senate President David Mark, some state governors and other party leaders, the state chapter of the party, approached an Abuja Court to pre-empt the governor.

To keep the people of the state posted of the leaders’ action, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Wale Ozogoro in a statement in Akure that same day said “the PDP in Ondo State had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja to restrain the National Working Committee of our party from dissolving the existing party structures in the state.

Party structures “The application was brought through an originating summon applied to by the State Working Committee. Already served are the National Working Committee and her privies. Also served is the Senate President who is the Chairman Southwest Reconciliation Committee.

“The party maintained that Dr. Mimiko should keep the structure of his government, while the party structure remains.

However, the party welcomes him back to his former party.”

As if that action was not grievous enough, some leaders through the party’s Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka in a strongly worded statement lambasted the National Secretariat of the party for shutting them out of the defection exercise.

The statement expressed total discomfort and displeasure to the manner Mimiko’s carpetcrossing was managed by selected leaders of the party at the national level. They kicked against how the defection was midwifed, adding that the process was done with a lot of disrespect to the State Party Chairman and members of the State Working Committee.

Direct input and blessings “We believe that this action is calculated to treat the entire members of this party as inconsequential and of little or no consequence in the fortune of our own party. Therefore, we declare that this is grossly unfair and so reject outrightly, all negotiations purportedly entered into on our behalf without our direct input and blessings.

“Therefore, we state in the most unequivocal manner that we repose absolute confidence in the Executives of the Party at every level in the State and will take serious exceptions to any action taken directly or indirectly to harm or dismantle them.

“We also state that we welcome Mimiko and his followers to the Party in their individual capacities, we also respect the constitution of the PDP particularly the recognition that it confers on any Governor who is a member. However, we remain mindful of the fact that he is joining as a Governor.

“We say this because PDP is a big Party with established structures that must not be treated anyhow.

“We also understand that Governor Mimiko’s publicly stated goal of decamping into our Party is to enable him contribute effectively to the re-election of

President Goodluck Jonathan. We must say this is appreciable but as citizens of Ondo State, we do know that Governor Mimiko currently carries a lot of baggage and liabilities that precludes him from discharging such responsibility.

The statement deviated and went personal by saying that the governor “has since descended from that charismatic height he operated from in 2009 when he became Governor to a level of scorn as it is known to the generality of our people that his administration has mismanaged our finances and commonwealth most recklessly, took our State from the level of economic buoyancy to a debtor State where public utilities no longer work.“Most disappointing of all is the now emerging trend of the inability of Government to pay workers salaries again as and when due and even owing two months salaries now.

“This we consider a baggage and liability that will do great harm to the electoral prospects of President Goodluck Jonathan than any good.

“Again, we underscore the fact that Governor Olusegun Mimiko is conscious of the fact that he and his Party can no longer win any election in our State, hence we say that his defection to our Party is inelegant as far as political calculations in our State is concerned.

Political calculations

“We also want to bring to public domain the fact that before Mimiko’s defection to our Party, principal and prominent members of his Labour Party had already abandoned him and his Party, and are already members of our Party. The list is endless but prominent among them is serving Senator Boluwaji Kunlere.

“Therefore we declare again that our Party, the PDP was already set on a winning course before this desire of Mimiko to cross into our Party again.

“The generality of our members want it placed on record that they demand proper respect from the leaders of the Party in Abuja and that they equally conduct their research on the viability of people before admitting them to the Party.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—35

I don’t have a fixed fee for shows —2Face 2Face Idibia and Wizkid are the two music stars headlining this year’s Hennessy Artistry which started off in Calabar before birthing in Portharcourt last weekend. The next tour stops in Accra, Ghana where the duo will be joining up with a host of Ghanaian artistes.

However the two stars spoke with Weekend Groove , talking about their careers, the tour and other sundry issues:

By Kehinde Ajose, Anozie Egole, Maureen Nwanze

W

HAT is the secret of your staying power?

That question is difficult to answer, I think it’s people that will answer that aspect for me. But for me, I think it’s the talent , the grace of God and then the love and support of my fans.

New generation artistes are known to show off their wealth on the social media, what is your take on that?

For me it’s a matter of choice. It’s a matter of what makes you happy.

Some people have it and they don’t care to show it and some just do it so that people will think they have it.

Some people do it so that armed robbers will come and visit them?

What about you ?

Whatever I am will speak for itself.

I am not going to hide anything.

Timi Dakolo, DJ Xclusive, Gordons, Yinka Davis, Ice Nweke to perform at a historic Love Musical C M Y K

I can charge up to N10 million for a collabo — Wizkid

Imagine a world… where you can tweet cash

Why did you change your name from ‘2face’ to 2baba?

I cannot run away from the name 2face though, It’s inevitable.

You recently did a song with Joe’el; what prompted it?

It was a matter of curiosity. We just decided to do a song together so that people could compare and contrast; so people will know that we are not the same thing and also for peaceful coexistence.

Are you a member of any political party?

Over the years I have not been associated directly with any political party, but I have been associated with people. Lately, I have been advising young Nigerians that it’s time for us to move from the fence and take a bold step .We need to take a stand instead of always complaining, complaining is never going to change anything.

Will you be going into politics in the nearest future?

I am not really interested in that for now. I am only interested in the process. I am interested in peaceful elections and in advising all well-meaning Nigerians to get involved. I am interested in people who are already in the system that have good hearts for Nigeria.

Continues on page 36

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Timi Dakolo, DJ Xclusive, Gordons, Yinka Davis, Ice Nweke to perform at a historic Love Musical

L

I don’t have a fixed fee for shows Continues from page 35 Has the success of your Ascension album affected your performance fee?

I don’t have a particular fixed fee, it depends on the kind of show and what it is all about.

What is responsible for the injection of new sounds in your album Ascension?

For me, it’s all about the music and I am not afraid to experiment with some sounds. That’s just me being bold enough to do something that won’t be a common sound.

Your dad died of cancer , are you going to do something in terms of public enlightenment about cancer?

In September, I didn’t celebrate my birthday, instead I teamed up with the Red Cross and we kicked off a cancer awareness campaign. We did it for that day, but I guess it is going to be a continuous process.

How do you compose your songs?

Sometimes I write the lyrics like a poem and then change it into melody.

Lyrics like a poem Sometimes I create the beat and song together and then I go to the studio to programme the beat. Sometimes, the beat comes and then I work on it. It depends on the situation at hand, at that point in time.

What inspires your song?

The inspiration is life, things that happen around us.

When last did you cry?

That was when the doctor told me that my dad had just passed on. It just dawned on me that I am not going to see him again.

‘Jalabia’ is fast becoming your signature; why?

I am not really a fashionista. I just like to keep my look plain and simple. I like black so you will find me in black, most of the time.

How are you investing your money?

I am investing my money into music business. 960 Music Group, Hypertek C M Y K

Entertainment and Hypertek Digital Limited are where I invest musically. I am also into a little bit of real estate and then into hospitality business. Like I said, I am not limiting myself to any business opportunity.

If you were not doing music what would you be doing?

I would have been a goalkeeper. I love football but I am not a fanatic.

What is your advice to young artistes who would probably want to leave school for music just because 2face did?

I don’t think you should give up school because of music. I won’t advise anyone to quit school because of music.

I will just advise them to know that music business is serious business. It’s as challenging and rigorous as any other profession.

How do you relax?

I used to read books, but lately I do more of Television; mostly Discovery channel and Animal Planet. I am a TV addict. There are lots of things I know that I learnt from watching television. I read a wide range of books like that of John Grisham and I read encyclopedias too.

Is any of your children taking after you?

I think three of them have natural talents in music. I will naturally be their coach.

As a good looking man how do you handle female attention?

For me it’s a case of ‘Hello, thank you very much’, I try to make them know that what they are looking for isn’t possible. I just say ‘Let me introduce you to one of my single friends’.

What is your experience like, working with Wizkid?

He is one young guy making things happen for himself and I have known him for about eleven years, he’s a cool guy.

On what occasion do you lie?

I lie when the truth doesn’t need to be told. When the truth will not solve any problem.

What is your greatest fantasy?

My greatest fantasy will be for my name to be in the book of life

agos is set to witness a revolutionised theatre experience as a rich combination of soul singer Timi Dakolo, superstar DJ Xclusive, veteran vocalist Yinka Davis, ace comedian Gordons, prolific artist Ice Nweke and others come together in an exquisite love musical performance.

Tagged ‘Love Is…the Musical’ the prestigious event, organized by Limitless Minds Africa will also feature special appearances from popular OAPs like Mannie and ZOE and will take place at The Eko Convention Centre, in Lagos on November 2, 2014.To be hosted by TV personality Andre Blaze, the peculiar show will showcase exhilarating performances from internationally trained dance professionals from around the world Created and directed by Ice Nweke, the inspiring intimate story is a clear portrait of the lives of three beautiful women on a journey in search of the true meaning of love.

According to producer of the show, Clementine Vervelde, “the musical is a richly textured stage production that intrinsically captures the deep-rooted insecurity in relationships, which is

*Timi Dakolo

currently spreading into the fibers of our society”.

Other special guest artists include Ranti Ihimoyan, Donna the Poet, Sheila, Efe Paul and Sasu, Frank Konwea and Kay Strings.

Brandy, Queen Latifah, Mc Lyte, Yo-Yo thrill at Bet Hip Hop Awards ..as DJ Mustard emerges biggest winner Of The Night

H

osted by none other than Uncle Snoop at the Boisfeuillet Jones Civic Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2014 delivers yet another notable year of celebrating hip-hop’s most influential artists with nineteen categories, nine outstanding performances, and five cyphers.

DJ Mustard was the artist of the night, winning four awards: “DJ of the Year,” “Producer of the Year,” “MVP of the Year,” and “Track of the Year. ” Drake and Kendrick Lamar garnered two awards each. Viewers were treated to memorable performances throughout the night by T.I., Birdman, DJ Mustard, Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug, YG, Migos, Rae Sremmurd

and more. A surprise performance

by Brandy, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo and Queen Latifah celebrated the 20thanniversary of their “I Wanna Be Down” collaboration and brought the crowd to their feet.

In addition, Common, Jay Electronica, Vince Staples and the parents of Michael Brown gave a touching tribute to their son, leading the crowd in the “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture. Michael K. Williams presented hip hop legend aka “The Human Beat Box,” Doug E. Fresh with the “I Am Hip Hop” Award.

The highly anticipated BET “Hip Hop Awards” cyphers brought the heat with cyphers featuring Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, Lil’ M a m a , D a v i d B a n n e r, Remy Ma, Papoose, Ty Dolla $ign and more, as well as a first time ever live cypher performance on stage.

*Queen Lateefah, MC Lyte and Brandy

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—37

I can charge up to N10 million for a collabo — Wizkid

By ANOZI EGOLE, KEHINDE AJOSE and MAUREEN NWANZE

T

AKE it or leave it, Ayo Balogun, aka, Wizkid, is one of the household names in the Nigerian music industry. With just two albums to his credit, this talented singer and multiple brand ambassador has proven to his fans that he is born to do music. In this interview, he talks about this year’s Hennessy Artistry and other sundry issues.

Was there any conscious effort by you to build the brand Wizkid and what did it take?

Of course, building the Wizkid brand took me all my life.

Because before I went into doing music, I had what I wanted to be in my head. I knew how I wanted my journey to be like. I definitely knew I wanted to build a brand, not just a name or music.

Do you worry about falling from being an A-list artiste?

Yes, I do, that is why I work tirelessly and endlessly to maintain where I am. I work every day and night to make sure that the brand is here even when I am not here. I want to live a legacy that people will follow. I am not just building Wizkid, I am also building Star Boy. I am also building a brand that can help every young artiste or producer out there. I just want to create a platform that will help them push out what they have.

What is the most challenging song that you have ever written?

I would say that when I made Jaye Jaye I did not know that people were ready to accept the song. I needed to make it very special because that song was very special to me. When I called Femi Kuti, he told me immediately that he was going

to do it, I was shocked. I never thought he would accept it right away. I called him today and we recorded the song the next day. So, I think Jaye Jaye is very special to me.

How would you describe your new album and what has been the reaction of people to it ?

I would say that everybody loves the album.

Every day, people discover a new song in the album. I feel really good because when I was making the album, I was conscious not to change my style too much. I know people expect me to change my style because I worked with international artistes but I am not going to change my music for anyone.

In the album, one of your tracks was a highlife kind of music, how were you able to do that considering your kind of music?

Like I said, I work endlessly everyday to build the Wizkid brand to make sure that the brand does not die and I do not make music for now. A lot of people think today’s artistes make music for only party and all but I

,

How would you describe the experience being on Hennessy Artistry tour 2014?

I feel really blessed to be a part of this year’s Hennessy Artistry tour, especially, because 2face is also a part of it. 2Face is a legend in the Nigeria music industry.

He is like a pioneer, he paved the way for every young artiste doing it right now. So I feel really blessed doing it with him.

Hennessy is a big brand and Wizkid brand too is big.

How can you describe Hennessy as a brand in Nigeria?

Hennessy is one of the biggest and most popular brands in the country and everybody drinks it.

They have a very strong brand here, they have tried as much as possible to create a platform that brings artistes together, like Hennessy Artistry, which I am part of this year. This kind of platform helps bring artiste closer to their fans. I am very happy to be associated with the brand.

When you were told that you were going to play along side 2face, how did you feel?

2face and I have actually been on the studio for about four times before the Hennessy company contacted us for the event. But the funny thing is that, we have not been able to finish a track together all this while we have been meeting in the studio.

2Face is a very busy person and I am always on the road too. This is actually the first time we are getting into the studio to finish one track. So, as you can see, it is a great thing.

I was conscious enough not to change my style too much. I know people expect me to change my style because I worked with international artistes but I am not going to change my music for anyone

,

really do not make such music. I try as much as possible to pass a message across.

Like in one of my songs, Joy, I was talking about my life and I was also giving advice to everyone out there to learn from my life. The same thing with Jaye Jaye and Ojuelegba. Songs like that are good. I am not just an average musician, I am very confident in the kind of music that I make. I know it will go global.

Why did you choose

Ojuelegba for Show your money when you have Ojuelegba as one of the tracks in the album?

In Show your money I went to Shita, Surulere, Lagos, Small London to shoot the video because it is the area I grew up. I just want to take the music to where I grew up. You know there are several areas in Surulere.

In the track Ojuelegba, I will be going to Ojuelegba to shoot t h e video.

There are so m a n y parts of Surulere that I have not even started talking about. All the streets that I used to walk and perform. Because I used to perform in all the carnival in those days at Surulere free of charge. I paid my dues, there are so many stories to be told. And by God’s grace if I am here long enough, I am ready to tell all those stories through my music.

Is there any plan for a collabo with your former label mate, Skales?

Yes there is. He was actually in my house a couple of weeks ago and he brought a single for us to work on. So, definitely, I will always work with Skales.

What about the track Mummy mi, are you going to shoot the video as well?

Yes of course, I am going to shoot the video with my mum. I am taking her on a trip.

What is going on between you and Samklef, is Wizkid an arrogant person?

I do not know what they are talking about. When people say that you are terrible, the fact is you can actually go and ask those people what exactly did this guy do that made him terrible. I used to make music with Samklef and everyone knows that for the four years that I made music with Samklef, I always say, “Samklef noni” . So, I am really just being me, I am trying to be a good person. Everybody cannot like you and everybody cannot hate you as well. I didn’t change. The only thing that changed about me is that, I just added some accessories that’s all. I did not grow tall, I’m still the same height. Just good cloths and accessories are the things that changed about me.

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY,OCTOBER 17, 2014

F

rom the day it became possible to shop by the click of a mouse, Retail Therapy got a new definition.

Once upon a not-too-distant time, it used to be 2-4 girlfriends hooking up and pounding the highstreets, trying on dresses, shoes and underwear until their legs could no longer carry them and then collapsing into a fast food joint for a drink and a shopper ’s analysis session.

All worries are forgotten in the time being. Adrenalin is pumping for the next few days and memories- as well as the smell of lovely new apparel- keep you going through the drudgery of the next couple of months.

Not anymore.

The first few internet consumer commerce sites sent a wave of excitement through communities all over the world which had internet access, creating new possibilities that had not existed. But the excitement was soon to wear out, with teething problems getting in the way and unforeseen circumstances including problems of logistics.

And due to the inability to gain considerable audiences prior to the social media revolution, engaging in a direct relationship with a brand required a fairly substantive investment on behalf of the customer to find the brand.

Supporting the Direct Communication trend, the customer associated a brand with a particular retailer and was accustomed to, comfortable with that retailer for the brand. Therefore, the brand’s website (and subsequently the E-Commerce business) had insufficient traffic to signal an area of material concern.

And so, after years of languishing in the single-digits, most brands finally “get it” and have made building their direct businesses as a core new growth opportunity. Furthermore, the ability to harness a direct dialogue and engage the customer in a long term relationship (through the massive adoption of social media) means that this represents a huge opportunity for most brands.

In Nigeria, the mobile revolution it was that turned things around. No fewer than 33 million Nigerians access the internet through mobile hand held devices. One in two Nigerians – a whopping 80 million- owns a mobile phone line. By any standards, Nigeria is not only a modern nation in terms of communication; we can even be accused of having extensive regional affluence.

This was all Tope Folayan and his brother, Chris, needed as foundation upon which to build what has been referred to as the world’s largest mall.

For the brothers, the technology end was the easy part. Chris, who acts as CEO, boasts over 15 years experience in technology development, and acquisition roles in various High-Tech companies, and startups. Prior to MallforAfrica Chris was the Founder and CEO of OCFX Inc. a globally recognized, award winning Software and Web Design Agency serving clients such as SONY, LSI, Cisco, HP, EPSON, TYCO, US Government, Visa, BestBuy, CapitalOne Finance, and many others.

Co-CEO Tope also has over 15 years of experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Prior to Mall for Africa Tope was the CMO & CSO of the Suburban Group in Nigeria.

He has worked his way from engineering through management at ICT firms from

THE FUTURE OF E-COMMERCE:

As Nigerian Brothers Launch World’s Biggest e-Mall

Head, Brand Marketing and Communications, Ms. Marilyn Ayua (second left); Chief Executive Officer of MallForAfrica, Mr. Tope Folayan (second right) and other guests at the relaunch of the brand in Lagos

No fewer than 33 million Nigerians access the internet through mobile hand held devices startups in Silicon Valley to Fortune 500 companies, and has a breadth of local and international experience from Raytheon and Hitachi in the US to MTN (via HIP), and Suburban Group in Africa.

A graduate of Kellogg School of Management, Tope also attended Stanford University where he received a BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Mall for Africa has been in no way contrived, and has been 100% organic in its growth and development, as the whole idea was originally birthed from the quest to meet Tope’s own consumer needs. Thus, he had come face to face with the limitations of the average Nigerian consumer seeking to simply make a purchase online.

Telling MallforAfrica’s story at the launch last week, Tope Folayan speaks of how the gulf between cyber-consumer and the cyber-

Chief Executive Officer of MallForAfrica, Mr. Tope Folayan (middle) discussing the brand at the event retailer led to the concept of MallforAfrica, a platform through which a shopper can get their hands on items from more than 80 top rate department stores including Nigerian fashion favourites such as Macy’s and Russel&Bromley; as well as other home items and lifestyle solutions.

Having recognized challenges of willing buyers as those of merchants unwilling to sell to Nigerians, merchants specifically blacklisting Nigeria, merchants unwilling to accept Nigerian credit/debit cards, or merchants that have specifically blocked out Nigerian transactions, MallforAfrica’s value proposition

in this regard is to act as conduit between the online shopper and the merchant in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. In all, prospective buyers can select from more than 8.5 million items “The consequence was that online retail alternatives are limited to shopping at the local open market or mall or from a few select online stores, where they run the risk of settling for overpriced purchases, fake/inferior purchases or just managing what is on offer,” Folayan said.

“Another option is to keep a list of items you want and wait until you get a visa and travel abroad to purchase your items on your trip and bring them back with you.

“Or to look for a willing friend or family member living abroad who will purchase the items for you. Then you find another friend or family member to bring them back when they travel.

This, with the attendant excessluggage nightmare.”

“We pretty much built what I believe is the world’s first virtual mall,” Folayan said With the option of door-to-door delivery, he says the safe delivery of items ordered through the shopping application is assured as customers can also receive their goods from pick up points in “city centre” locations within capitals and other important cities.

Statistics: 30% E-search takes up 30% of e-retailers’ marketing budgets $14b Forrester Research predicted that Social Commerce would reach $14b by 2015 from $9b in 2014 and $5b in 2013. Experts say $14B is fairly muted when compared to overall theme.

99% 99% of brands are aspirational in one form or another regardless of the market segment, but fashion is the industry that leads tech trends in terms of marketing & branding – leveraging online tools to craft a relationship with customers that facilitates & fosters dialogue and aspirational affinity for the brand 850m Over the past 5-years, 850m+ people joined Facebook, a massive boom in tech startups building & refining solutions for workflow process problems (i.e. email marketing), and a drastic reduction in the cost of implementing these solutions. $2b The countries that have received the most e-commerce investment during 2013 are USA ($2b), China ($800m) and India ($680m).

52% Percentage of tablet users who say they prefer to shop using tablets than PCs.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 —

39

By Anino Aganbi

T

HE Inner Wheel Club was set up with the objective of fostering friendship between the wives of Rotarians and increasing the opportunities for service.

With the mind set for serving humanity, the inner wheel club, Lagos proudly appoints Mrs. Olamide Dacosta as the 41st president for the charter.

Mrs. Dacosta joined inner wheel club of Lagos in 2007 and served as the clubs secretary in 2012-2014. As a devoted Christian, she loves hiving joy to people in her own little way. Her experience as a widow and single mother has made determined to champion widows and single mothers; this is to be her project during her stay as the president of the club.

“Empowering these ones have been a life long dream of mine and I am thankful that God has given me this unexpected opportunity to impact upon the lives of widows and single parents, whom I happen to be part of ” said Mrs. Dacosta.

She further stated that ‘’although widowhood can never be palatable, we cannot put it out of our mind that life is beautiful. Our intention is to provide the skilled among them with tools to practice their trade while the non skilled will be attached to

Left to right-Mrs Blessing Okougbo, Mrs Karin Uwaje, Rotarian Charles Fadipe, Mrs Chidinma Ashimole, Mrs Olamide Dacosta, Mrs Joe Ebo, Mrs Sunbo Osundayo during the installation ceremony of Inner Wheel President, Lagos.

Inner Wheel club, Lagos installs its 41st president experienced persons who are in the business of trading for mentoring and will eventually be set up for trading with little capital. If we can achieve this, we will be securing their future and that of their children. Let us go on building the bonds of friendship, goodness and

sisterhood through corporation and mutual respect’’ she concluded.

Handing over the mantle of leadership to Mrs Olamide Dacosta was Mrs Chidinma Ashimole the 40th president of inner wheel club Lagos.

Mrs Ashimole stated that ‘’it has been two years since my

installation ceremony as the 40th president of our club was held. During this period, with the help of our inner wheel sisters far and near, especially inner wheel club of Lagos, friends and families, Rotarians, Media houses, corporate organizations that we were

able to touch the lives of the less privileged ones and put smiles on their faces in numerous ways. We were able to execute our projects successfully with specific areas in Lagos’’ ‘I am grateful to all inner wheel members who made my tenure a huge success’’ she concluded.

United For Kids Foundation reaches out to more children

By KEHINDE AJOSE

C

ountless Charitable Organizations exist around the world, but only few can be held accountable to stay true to their objectives and goals to carry out its primary duties, rather than enrich personal pockets. This has

caused a rift and a huge gulf between those who would always love to give and those who need the assistance the most. One of such organizations is the United for Kids Foundation (UKF), keeping to its simple, achievable objective and mission of healing Nigeria and indeed the

*Members of the United For Kids Foundation

world, one child at a time. It recently concluded a summer camp for kids in Lagos Nigeria, which is one of its various productive activities designed to reach out to the helpless dependable in the society.

According to Tope Fajingbesi one of the founding trustees, UKF was established about 12years ago to address 3 key areas of the society identified to be facing many challenges, these areas include education, health and welfare. Hence the main objective of the foundation is to help people channel their resources towards supporting and saving critical cases in the society. In her words, “Our experience over the years show that Individuals and Organizations in Nigeria want to give but they are not sure who to entrust their funds with, so what we

do is to make sure we earn their loyalty and trust, by using their funds wisely, judiciously and giving account of it to the very last kobo” Speaking further, Tope Fajingbesi added that “for example, projects like libraries cost a lot to erect and equip and we need more individuals and organizations to support this course. The library at Ojudu primary School, Lagos cost 6million to build and about 4million of the money was given to us by one person. Nigerians are doing their best but they are not sure who to trust and we want them to come out and see that they can trust us.”

The Operations of The United for Kids Foundation, is mainly carried out by Volunteers who use their personal resources and funds raised from donors as well, to meet various needs. They have taken the project as a way of life and a duty to humanity and the society. Anyone can be a part of this great initiative and program by volunteering time, resources and personnel to keep the goals and objectives of the organization alive.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Imagine a world…

where you can tweet cash

T

he opportunities that technology presents, especially through social media, are unprecedented. Twitter ’s newest solution definitely is. The Social Media giant is currently working with one of the largest banks in France to let its customers - and those of other banks - send money through Twitter.

J e a n -Y v e s Forel, CEO of Groupe BPCE, told social media that the bank will be the "first banking group to offer individuals a p a y m e n t solution where they can transfer money with a simple Tweet."

It is understood that Twitter has not been involved in creating the service, which was built by Group BPCE's S-Money subsidiary, which has also built mobile and SMS payment systems.

But Olivier Gonzalez, CEO of Twitter France, said: "We warmly welcome this innovation developed by Groupe BPCE and the service it provides to Twitter users in France by integrating its SMoney service into a live, public, conversational dimension characteristic of Twitter."

A

fter months of expectation, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is set to officially go on sale in Nigeria on Friday, October 24, 2014. The device will be available for purchase through all authorized Samsung partner stores and telecom operator stores nationwide.

Samsung Electronics West Africa’s Director of Information Technology and Mobile, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, said that a formal launch of the new device in Nigeria will take place at Samsung’s Experience Store in Ikeja City Mall, Lagos on the same day, with lots of exciting gifts and Samsung accessories for consumers who purchase the device at the event.

The Galaxy Note 4 retains its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3’s whopping 5.7-inch screen, with substantial innovation and upgrade in design and

Twitter is experimenting with its own payment system, known as Twitter Buy, which allows customers to buy products straight from the social media platform.

Burberry has signed up. Technology giants are becoming increasingly interested in online and mobile payments.

Facebook is said to be working on its own payments system, operated through its Messenger app.

And this week Apple Pay is expected to launch, letting users pay for goods and services online and in the physical world using their phone. In the UK, mobile operator EE has been operating its Cash On Tap app - which works in a similar way to Apple Pay, using Near Field Communication (NFC) for payments including the L o n d o n Underground for some months.

Near Field Communication is a form of shortrange wireless communication that allows electronic devices, like debit cards or mobile phones, to talk to other computers or networks.

In April, nine banks and building societies adopted Paym, which lets users send money using just a phone number.

Group BPCE has yet to reveal the details, but the service w i l llikely require an extra layer of identification for security - similar to sending money by SMS or on a smartphone app.

Could LG Hygiene Fresh+ be the end of junk in the fridge?

I

t is very easy to forget food in your refrigerator.

What is even worse is that because of the erratic nature of the country’s power supply, food can get spoiled and refrozen with bad health implications.

Aimed ensuring proper food hygiene, LG Electronics says that its new health-conscious refrigerators with Hygiene Fresh+ helps keep food fresher for longer, as its Door-In-Door refrigerators automatically clean and purify its internal air, ensuring that the air inside is kept fresh and hygienic. “Well before the trend towards health-conscious products emerged on a global scale, LG had prioritized health and hygiene in its home appliances” said General Manager, Home Appliances division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung. “The introduction of LG Door-In-Door refrigerators with the hygiene fresh+ feature is the culmination of a long process of Research and Development. This process has made it possible for us provide an air purification system specifically optimized for refrigerator. The inclusion of Hygiene Fresh+™ , in a lot of ways, helps to keep food fresher for longer ” Hygiene Fresh is a five-stage filtering system with a fan that actively sucks in contaminated air from the refrigerator and sends it through the powerful filters.

Hygiene Fresh™ works like an air purifier in the fridge, meaning food can breathe in cleaner air and stay fresher for longer. As one of the first air purifying systems in refrigerators, made with ginseng extract and with an independent anti-bacterial, dehumidifying, deodorizing fan exclusive to LG fridges, LG’s Hygiene Fresh™ reduces dust, fungispore, bacteria, and odor through its 4 step filtration of active hygiene care.

Furthermore, the LG refrigerator sterilizes 99.999% of bacteria inside the fridge and this is certified by the UK’s trusted include a powerful 3220mAh battery that goes quality and safety provider from zero to 50% battery charge Intertek. in just 30 minutes as well The upgraded Hygiene as an improved S Fresh+™ air purification Pen which system employs multi-layer now comes filters and a proprietary fan with two to help sterilize and remove writing bacteria, viruses, mold options, spores and odors from the Calligraphy and fridge’s interior. LG’s Fountain and the ability advanced system performs a to edit images using the highly effective five-step device’s Snap Note feature. As process. The double photoa special promo, Samsung is offering catalyst and UV LED help to one free accessory with every purchase eliminate 99.999 percent of of the Galaxy Note 4 on the first day of sales bacteria while the double at all of its dealer stores nationwide. The carbon deodorizers reduce device is available in four colours - Frosted the presence of acidic and White, Charcoal Black, Bronze Gold and alkaline odors given off by Blossom Pink. rotten vegetables and fish.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 to hit Nigerian market on October 24 performance. The screen now boasts a Quad High Definition Super AMOLED technology that stretches to 515 pixels per inch to allow users enjoy sharper images and brighter colours. Coupled with this is Samsung’s innovative adaptive display that optimizes screen view depending on available lighting conditions.

A sleek metal trim and premium leather-feel back cover make the latest Note device the most desirable handset in the market.

Other highlights of the device

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—41

Obasanjo and Kashamu: A case of sour grapes and Social studies from the university. True as it looked, it still E spoke with everything didn’t add up. “But Obasanjo is about him, his size, height making an issue of your being a and voice. His entire six feet drug baron and that President height, huge body and voice all Goodluck Jonathan should have lent credence to the fact that you extradited to America” , I Prince Buruji Kashamu was reminded him.

“No one is looking for me in angry.

How dared Obasanjo, referring America. But just for argument’s to former president Olusegun sake, even if America wants me, Obasanjo, talk about morality how does that become the problem of President Jonathan. Where is and integrit? he fumed.

“Where was his morality and the international warrant of arrest integrity when I was busy run- that should have necessitated a ning errands for him”? he asked. local warrant of arrest? If this was “Let’s ask him, how many of the case, it is a matter for the his ex- president friends in other Minister of Justice and Attorney parts of the world have the kind General of the federation and not of wealth he has as an ex- presi- Mr. President. Why drag the dent? They don’t have money. President into a purely legal Whatever they have, they made process. And by the way, no one from their consultancies. in America is asking for my exObasanjo is talking about moral- tradition. That matter was settled ity and integrity, he must be a during Obasanjo’s first tenure joker. He is supposed to be one and this is the truth he has refused of the fathers of Nigeria, particu- to tell the world; and he speaks larly in Yorubaland, just as Gowon of morality and integrity. He and Shagari are to the nation. Do should tell that to the marines.

The fact of the case you see these ones is that during his throwing their weight first tenure, as around, busybody president, he and over matters that don’t former Beninoise concern them? No, President ( I’ve dual but it has to be citizenship - Benin Obasanjo because he and Nigeria) wants to dominate Mattew Kerekou everyone, and when directed security you refuse, all hell is agencies to give let loose.’’ truthful evidence He suddenly exthat exonerated tended a photograph me.” Kashamu to me showing himself produced several and two white documents to prove persons. They were that indeed, he is all clad in academic not on a wanted list gowns. Before I would of the American get the question out, government. One of he volunteered an exsuch is the Judgeplanation. “That took ment delivered by place today ( Monday, Street Magistrates October 13, 2014).”

Court in the suit But the Americans are “Government of the supposed to be lookUnited States of ing for him, (well, so America v Buruji says Obasanjo) how Kashamu”. In a come an American judgement based university, delivered by the Cambridge Graduate No one is Designated District U n i v e r s i t y, looking for me Judge, Tim C a m b r i d g e Workman on Masseussets, USA to in America.

January 10, 2003, be precise is giving But just for the lengthy him an honourary judgement reads in doctorate degree. argument part thus: “ For the Pointing to a framed sake, even if reasons I gave certificate on the wall, earlier, I attach no he cheerfully in- America weight to the formed, “That’s the wants me, alleged recognition certificate.” This reof a voice on a tape porter got up from her how does that recording. Against seat and took a step become the that evidence, I towards the wall and problem of have to weigh the there it was: an facts that I have honourary doctor President found from the evidegree from the Jonathan dence adduced by College of Law, Policy

By Judith Ufford

H

President, Cambridge Graduate University, Dr. Tim Howard (left); Chairman, Organisation & Mobilisation, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu and Director of Graduate Programme Operations, Cambridge Graduate University, Dr. Ankur Mehta, during the conferment of a honourary Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on Kashamu by the Cambridge Graduate University, Cambridge, Masachussets, United States, in Lagos.

the Defence. I am satisfied that the defendant has a brother who bears a striking resemblance to him. I am satisfied that the defendant’s brother was one of the co-conspirators in the drugs importation which involved Catherine and Ellen Wolters. I am satisfied that the defendant informed both Interpol and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the activities of the group.

Coleman’s submission I am mindful of Mr. Coleman’s submission that this is a matter of the credibility of the identification of witnesses which should essentially remain a matter for a jury. I am however satisfied that the overwhelming evidence here is such that the identification evidence, already tenuous, has now been so undermined as to make it incredible and valueless. In those circumstances there is no prime facie case against the defendant and I propose to discharge him.”. Also, in a letter written to kashamu when he applied for a visa to Germany, the German Consulate responded thus: “ referring to your application dated 06.06.2008 you are aware that the Consulate General was initially not in a position to issue the requested visa. The reason for the occurred delay was due to the fact that a search warrant for you initiated by the U.S. Government was still valid.

Based on your letter dated June 16, 2008 and the additional documents provided by you, the Consulate General took up the case with the German Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BKA). After requesting additional information on this warrant the BKA was informed by the US authorities at the end of August that its search warrant has been cancelled. As a consequence the equivalent search warrant of Interpol has

also been withdrawn with immediate effect.

While the warrant is no longer an obstacle to your visa application, I would like to suggest that you submit a new visa application and that you withdraw your outdated application dated 06.06.2008.” This response from the Germany embassy was signed by the embassy’s then First Secretary Matten. So if this is the position what is Obasanjo’s grouse?

Why does he want Kashamu extradited to the US? Can one be tried by the same parties on the same issues? What really is the crux between Obasanjo and Kashamu? Why this storm in a tea cup?

Kashamu’s response came swiftly. “He’s opposed to President Jonathan’s second term bid.

The reason I’ve become his target of this wicked campaign of calumny and blackmail is his perceived loss of political relevance in Ogun State and the South West.

Political relevance

He wanted to use the former national secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former national auditor, Bode Mustapha and the ex- national vice chairman, Segun Oni, to thwart Mr. President’s re-election. But almighty Allah used me to stand up to him and the rest is history. It was the same way he used me to prosecute his battle against ex-governor Gbenga Daniel. When it was time to field candidates for 2011 general elections, he brought his stooge, Gen. Adetunji Olurin, and asked that I roll the party structure behind his anointed candidate. In his usual haughty manner, he told me he was able to work with me because of his principles, honour and integrity- honour and integrity my foot. I remember telling him then that we couldn’t win with Olurin because he’s old.

In fact, during most of our meet-

ings, Olurin’s eyes were closed and I told him so. But he refused to listen and we lost the election.

“Contrary to his claims, I’m just one of the leaders of the party in the SouthWest. I’m just one of the party’s foot soldiers in the zone and it’s in that capacity I’ve been made the Chairman of the Organisation and Mobilisation Committee for SouthWest PDP. The party in the zone has not been handled over to anyone but its relevant organs and structures.

Present scenario

It’s totally out of place for anyone to call me the leader of the party in a zone which parades strong political persons like Governor -elect Ayo Fayose, Chief Bode George, Alhaji Shuaibu Oyedokun, Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala, Senators Lekan Balogun, Iyiola Omisore, Teslim Folarin, Clement Awoyelu, Bode Olajumoke and so many more.”.

Given the present scenario, can one therefore conclude that the die is case between the two. Not so fast, that would be a bit presumptous because in politics, there are no permanent enemies or friends, only permanent interests. What happens if his erstwhile ‘father’ extends an olive branch tomorrow. Kashamu didn’t have a ready answer to that.

So back to where we started , how the Cambridge University recognised him for such an award. He said he was equally at a loss because he has never visited America. According to him, “ is it with this my type of grammar that I would understand what an American or British is saying. I think they probably have an organisation based in Africa monitoring the contributions of individuals to the development of the continent and with all modesty, I’ve done con-

siderable charity work in Benin Republic. I think that’s where this award must have come from.”

42— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 Rahmani

Bismillahi Raheem.

LL might and power belong to Allah,(SWT), the only superpower.

Everything is in His control.

If He wills, He will destroy the king and the mighty with a little ant. We have seen copious examples of how the mighty have fallen in this world with different narratives from the scriptures. Therefore, one should never be overawed by the paraphenelia of power. It is Allah who gives power and exalts.

If Allah (SWT) exalts anyone, nobody can humiliate; if He protects one, wrath. Allah has a way of nobody can harm one at all dealing with people who are despite their might and anti-Islam. Come to think of power. Allah sends His divine it, He has been safeguarding help to those who the deen far more than the wholeheartedly submit to way we think we are doing. If Him through whoever and any body thinks he can raise whatever He wishes as a sword in defence of Allah, means. He is not dependant he is not only underestimating the on our efforts to power of God but he safeguard Islam. is incuring the If you worship displeasure of Him, it will not Allah. add anything to This reminds us of His Majesty and if the planned you refused to demolition of the serve Him, it will Kaaba by the people not diminish His of the Elephants led Glory. Serving

by Abraha AlAllah is for Ashram, who was a individual benefit governor of Yemen in this world and about two months in the hereafter. before the birth of That is why the P r o p h e t Qur'an says: Abrah Muhammad.

There is no defeated all According to compulsion in Arab armies historical Islamic religion. Even sources, Abraha, when you serve on the way to who was a Him, you should Makkah. A Christian, had avoid what thought of building displeases Him. few meters to a church similar to For those whose the Kaaba, he the Kaaba in Sanaa. w a r p e d He wanted the perception of was attacked Arabs to perform the jihad is by by flocks of pilgrimage in Sanaa compelling instead of Makkah, people with birds that with the intention of violence to accept dropped small diverting trade and Islam, it is benefits to Yemen. laughable; not stones on He presented the only that they are them sent by idea to the then displeasing king of Ethiopia Allah, they are Allah incuring His

A

Who 's fighting for Allah?

•The story of Abraha, the people of Elephants who agreed to it.

Abraha built the church. Ibn Kathir reported that Abraha acquired most of the precious adornments for the church from the palace of Bilqis. But even with that, the Arabs refused to come for pilgrimage in Sanaa. This infuriated him, prompting him to form an army including 13 elephants to invade Makkah and demolish the Kaaba.

The lesson here is that Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad was the leader of the Quraish and the custodian of the Holy Ka’bah at that time. Instead of planning a counter attack, he told his people that the Holy Ka’bah is the sacred house of Allah and that only Allah will protect His house. Rather, he instructed that city of Makkah be evacuated for safety of the people.

Abdul Muttalib held the door of the Ka’bah and beseeched Allah in the following words:

“O Allah! Each person is the protector of his house, You protect Your house. And assist Your people against the people of the cross and its worshippers. Their cross and their schemes will never overpower Your house and Your plans. They brought along all their forces and their elephants to capture Your dependants. Out of sheer ignorance, they aim to invade your Royal territory (Makkah) with their evil plots, but they fail to acknowledge Your supreme Majesty.”

After the prayer, Abdul Muttalib left Makkah in desolation.

Abrah defeated all Arab armies on the way to Makkah.

A few meters to the Kaaba, he was attacked by flocks of birds that dropped small stones on them sent by Allah.

The siraat of Kaaba by the Islamic Theological Society, Eastern Cape said the size of

each pebble resembled the size of pea seeds or lentils.

Each bird carried two pebbles in its claws and one in its beak. Whichever wretched person these pebbles struck would not survive. On each pebble was marked the name of the one it was decreed to fall on as well as the name of his father. With the divine power of Allah (SWT), these pebbles swiftly rained down upon the army of Abraha like volleys of lethal bullets. A pebble would strike the head and fatally emerge from the posterior. The soldiers and elephants fled in panic. Many of them died instantly and the rest of them died on their way back. In this way Abraha’s army was completely eliminated and wiped out from the face of the earth.

Abraha after being hit, was afflicted by a deadly disease that spread poison over his body. As they carried him away, his entire body broke out with small pox, which exuded pus and blood. One after the other, his body limbs began fragmenting and falling to the ground. Finally, upon reaching San’a, his chest burst open causing Abraha to die a miserable death A whole Surah gave account of the incident in the Quran. Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan into misguidance?

And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay, And He made them like eaten straw. Quran 105: 1-5

About Ibrahim, Khalilullah

BY HARUNA RAZAQ

T

HE importance of emulating Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) cannot be overemphasized in Islam. Allah states: “…Indeed,there has been an excellent example for you in Prophet Ibrahim…” Allah distinguished Ibrahim first in the

•Med-View airline pilgrims to Saudi-Arabia, Ogun State batch on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International airport, Ikeja, Lagos, recently .

Qur’an with the title of Khalilu llah (intimate friend of Allah). On this Allah says: “…And Allah did take Ibrahim as an intimate friend (Q 4:125) Again, Allah addressed him as Ummah, Obedient, Hanif, in the followingverseoftheQur’an:Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities); or a nation obedient to Allah, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of thosewhowereAl-Mushirikeen(the Polytheists).

Thirdly,atthestationofIbrahimin Ka’abah,theHujajjareencouraged to perform two Nafilah after tawaf.

Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) is regarded as the father of the religion with revealed books more importantly Islam. A surah (chapter) in Qur’an (i.e.SuratulIbrahim-Chapter14was named after Ibrahim. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) named one of his sons after Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

The great acts of worship in Islam suchasHajj,Umrah,DayofArafah, Eidul-Adha,Al-Udhiyyah,Ayyamut Tashriq,etc.emanatedfromProphet Ibrahim (AS) and his family to mention but few.

But, most of us do not really understandwhatIbrahim(AS)went through before he became prominent in the sight of Allah to theextentAllahcommandsbelievers toemulatehimasmentionedearlier.

It is on record that despite Ibrahim

wasborninthelandofAl-Kaldanieen (Chaldeans) or Babylonia into the environmentofidolsworshipwhere the head of the family was not even anordinaryidolator,butwasonewho used to carve idols, he (Ibrahim) did not follow his people in error, rather he sought the guidance of Allah (Q 6:76-78) and was guided (Q21:51); He called his people to Islam (Q26:69-82); He faced persecution from idol worshippers; He did not mindtheiridol;Allahsavedhimfrom their fire (Q; 21:70); when his peoples were not ready to accept his dawahhemigratedwithhiswifeand lot to Ur, to Haran, to Palestine (Q29:26)toEgyptetc.Hewasasked to discard his family (wife and son) in a barren land (Makkah); Allah tested him with regard to his faith e.g. he did not gave birth to a child until his old age; he was asked to slaughter his only son (Q37:103) among other trials; he prayed to Allah to bless his progeny (Q14:37); hecarriedoutallthecommandments of Allah; he was given righteous wives and children; he did not only visitedhisfamilyatMakkahnumber oftimesdespitethedistancebetween there and where he stayed but also made meaningful impact on their lives during his visits; he usually honoured his guests; he and his son (Ismail) built the Ka’abah.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—43

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014—45

Warri North PDP candidate promises ‘massive' devt

F O O D DAY : Mr.

E m m a n u e l Chindah, Rivers S t a t e Commissioner for Agriculture (right) and other dignitaries during the World Food Day celebration held at the Isaac Boro Park, Port H a r c o u r t .

PHOTO: Nwankpa Chijioke.

By Godwin Oritse

K

OKO—THE Chairmanship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Warri North Local Government Area in the forthcoming council elections in Delta State, Mr. Francis MakuEyituoyor, has promised massive development of the local government, if elected.

Maku-Eyituoyor, who while addressing supporters in Koko, said: “Capacity building, boosting economic activities and promoting peace and security are my priority agenda for the people.”

The chairmanship aspirant said he was going to use the resources of the council to better the lives of the people, adding that at the end of his tenure, the council would be better than he met it.

The PDP candidate said he “is going to do everything within his power to attract investors to take advantage of the immense economic and business potential in the council, which they will find greatly profitable.”

The expected investors, according to him, will create employment and wealth for the people.

Transition

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ADAM Helena Okodi, aged 104, is dead. Late Madam Okodi hailed from Ikwen in Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

She is survived by several children among who is Mrs. Justina Umoren.

She will be buried after funeral service at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ikwen, Obot Akara council, on October 23.

C M Y K

Federal roads worth N7trn; cost of repairs, N1.8trn— MINISTER

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—MINISTER of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, yesterday, said the asset value of federal road networks across the country was about N7 trillion.

He also said the cumulative cost of ongoing work on the roads stood at about N1.765 trillion.

Onolememen, who spoke in Asaba, during the 21st National Council of Works, said the council would focus on preservation of the huge investments on the road sector through the enforcement of axle load control on Nigerian roads.

According to him, Federal Government has invested huge sums of money in the maintenance, rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of roads and bridges across the country.

He said: “From about 4,500km of fair roads in 2011, the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has revamped up the kilometres of good roads to more than 25,000 in 36 months, with some of the roads alignments comparing favourably with roads in the developed world.”

While decrying that over 90 percent of freight transportation in the country was by road, he said: “Having realized the adverse impact of overloaded vehicles on the roads, and

the strain this is putting on the lean resources of governments, the 40th summit of Authority of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS had in February 2012 approved the ECOWAS Supplementary Act relating to harmonization of standards and procedures for control of dimensions, weight and axle load of goods vehicles within ECOWAS member states.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, in his address, said his administration had committed

Court orders Navy to pay Effurun hotelier N.9m

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI—A High Court sitting at Effurun in Delta State has ordered the Nigerian Navy to pay Chief Efe Afe, owner of Kayriot Hotel and Suites, Effurun and two staff of the hotel N900,000 as damages for Navy’s role in a chaos that occurred in the hotel in January.

The fine covers three related suits on the matter filed separately by Chief Efe Afe, Chief Executive Officer of the hotel, Mr. Tony Okosun, General Manager and Rachael Usen.

The damages include N500, 000 to Chief Afe and N200,000 apiece to Tony Okosu,

Warri Boys get new exco

W

ARRI Boys Association, WBA, a social organization that is non-partisan, non-sectional and non-religious, has elected a new executive.

Mr. George Ogheneakoke, was elected President, unopposed, while other members were voted in.

over N440 billion on roads since he came on board in 2007, noting that over 1,618 Kilometres of roads and 514km drains had been completed.

Uduaghan, who was represented by his deputy, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), said over 65 number of roads had been completed in Asaba through the urban renewal platform, saying several road projects had also been completed in other urban areas, with many others at various stages of completion.

Speaking after the election, Mr. Ogheneakoke expressed his gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in him and for returning him unopposed.

He said the major focus of his administration would be to consolidate on his previous achievements.

Manager at the hotel and Rachael Usen, another staff.

Charged in the suit as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondent, respectively, were the Nigerian Navy, Chief of Naval Staff and Lt. Uche Akalieze of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base, whose pleasure trip in company of two friends at the hotel resulted in the chaos which provoked the suit.

The court also ordered the Navy to tender public apology to the applicants within two weeks of the judgment.

Chief Afe, represented in the trial by M. O. Omonade of Festus Keyamo Chambers, had instituted the case, asking for N1 billion in damages after a brawl involving a naval officer reportedly left a mobile police guard in coma, a staff assaulted and properties damaged at the hotel.

The trial judge, Justice Roli Harriman, ruled that “the arrest and detention of the applicants by officers of the 1st and 2nd respondent are unconstitutional and violates the applicants’ fundamental human rights as contained in the 1999 Constitution.”

Oshiomhole mourns Akpata

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E N I N — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has described the death of a former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, Chief Tayo Akpata, as a colossal loss.

In a condolence letter addressed to Chief Olabisi Akpata, widow of the deceased, Governor Oshiomhole said Chief Akpata’s legacies would always stand him out as one of Nigeria’s greatest.

Oshiomhole said: “It is with a very heavy heart that I write to commiserate with you and the entire family over the passing of your beloved husband and lifetime companion, Chief Tayo Akpata.

“His demise is a colossal loss not only to Edo State, but indeed, the entire nation, which he served devotedly in several capacities: as an academician, educationist, administrator, businessman and philanthropist.

“We, however, take solace in the knowledge that Chief Akpata leaves behind a legacy that will forever stand to his credit and assure him of a lasting place of honour among Nigeria’s greatest public servants.”

Hospitality firm repositions operations

P

EACOCK Travels and Tours, the hospitality subsidiary of Peacock Group of Companies, has introduced cheap fares across different destinations worldwide through its online platform.

According to the group’s Executive Chairman, Aare Segun Phillips, the development is part of the travel firm’s 10-year strategic plan, which focuses on continuous enhancement of the value of service delivery to its customers.

He said the rejuvenated online platform, which could be accessed via the travel management company ’s website, represented the future of the travel industry.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

YULETIDE: FRSC assures on hitch-free traffic

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—FEDERAL Road Safety Corps, FRSC, yesterday in Onitsha, assured travellers during the Christmas and New Year that they would have hitch free traffic on B e n i n - A s a b a Expressway.

Corp Marshall, Mr Babayo Oyeyemi, Zonal Commander in charge of Zone 5, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra states, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio and the Coordinator Special Marshalls Anambra State, Mr. Ben Osaka, spoke during FRSC, Zone RS 5 2014 Ember Months Campaign Flag-off held at Chisco transport Company, Park Upper Onitsha, Anambra State.

Oyeyemi said he came to Anambra State to meet Governor Obiano to review the traffic situation in the state and had mapped out strategies on traffic management along Benin-Asaba-OnitshaEnugu road especially the Niger Bridge and ever busy Upper Iwaka.

He said heavy duty vehicles had been deployed by the Corps to ensure that no broken downn vehicle along the busy roads was allowed to stay on the road more than 20 minutes to avoid traffic.

Senate begins public hearing on National Biosafety Bill A

By Jimoh Babatunde

BUJA—THE need to have a biosafety law in Nigeria continued yesterday at the national assembly as public hearing on a bill for an act to establish the National Biosafety Bill was held.

Declaring the hearing open, the Senate President, David Mark, said the issue of biotechnology is an international one and Nigeria is a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

“But we must domesticate the issues involved so as to benefit from modern technology. “ The Senate President represented by Senator Atiku Bagudu, said global population is growing geometrically and to feed the world there is need for technology, saying “this bill is going to provide guidance in the areas of agriculture, stable environment and wealth creation.“ The Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, explained that the bill was passed by the 6th National Assembly but was not assented to by the President.

He said: “The National Biosafety Bill is to provide a regulatory regime and guidance for the sustainable development of the science of modern biotechnology.

"Its application and safe use of its products without prejudice and risk to public health, environment, national sovereignty, human dignity and fundamental human rights."

While promising to see to the bill being passed by the

present assembly, he said they are neutral as the will of the people will be taken into consideration He said Nigeria signed the protocol on Biodiversity to

enjoy the benefits associated with modern technology.

Stakeholders from the Ministries of Agriculture; Science and Technology;

LECTURE: From left: Coordinator, Mental Health Programme, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, and Chairman, Governing Board, Lagos State College of Health Technology, Dr. Abiola Tilley-Gydo, during a lecture to commemorate 2014 World Mental Health Day in Lagos.

PROTEST: Members of Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC, during peaceful protest against misrule, terrorism and bad governance, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Imo govt to float micro finance banks in 637 communities O

WERRI—IMO State government has said it would float micro finance bank in each of the 637 communities, with its headquarters at Okigwe Road, Owerri.

Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed this while on facility tour of the project headquarters in Owerri.

A statement by Mr. Akutah Peace said Governor Okorocha explained that the state government was in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria on the project and had equally obtained certificate and completed all necessary documentation for smooth take off.

He assured that the bank

would be adequately funded by the state, stressing that about N2 billion naira had been earmarked for the bank.

universities, among others were present at the public hearing.

Farmer unions present were seen carrying placards urging the Senate to pass the bill.

The governor described the financial institution as a dream come through in the present administration's bid

to alleviate poverty in the state, pointing out that “this will help the ordinary people in the village, the

peasant farmers, traders to access loan.”

He added that all Community Government Council, CGC, accounts would be created in the Imo micro inance banks for easier access to the communities.

2015: Delta PDP Leader urges 5 million woman march for Jonathan be a plus to governmental output for the purpose of charting

A

SABA—PEOPLE’S Democratic Party, PDP, Woman Leader for Delta State, Felicia Adowei-Ajagu, has called for a five million woman march to encourage President Goodluck Jonathan to declare for a second term in office.

Addressing newsmen in Asaba, Delta State, AdoweiAjagu, who commended Jonathan for his gender-

friendly approach to governance, insisted that the progress so far recorded in women participation in governance, would end up being frittered away should Jonathan not return for a well deserved second-term in office.

Adowei-Ajagu stated that the President ensured that women were always meaningfully carried along

to signpost a paradigm shift in public life in Nigeria.

She said: “Our President has, by his many genderfriendly policy actions created a veritable template for gender-inclusiveness in governance in Nigeria.

"I can say without equivocation that the number and caliber of women he has brought into the heart of government will

and sustaining a new and better course for our dear country.

"The women of Nigeria must not in any way be left behind or relegated to the background in delivering Mr. President for a second term.

"We must reward his respect and regard for our women folk by completely aligning ourselves with a second term for our President."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 47

Fintiri threatens fresh impeachment plot against Ngilari

By Umar Yusuf

Y

OLA—IT may not be uhuru for the new Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Bala Ngilari as the former Acting Governor of the state, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Tuesday, returned his seat as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, with a veiled threat of fresh impeachment proceedings against the governor.

“I would like to make it abundantly clear that the Legislature remains the defender of democracy and should it be required to exercise its constitutional duties of ridding Adamawa State of bad governance once again, it will do so without hesitation,” he vowed.

Ngilari was sworn in as governor last week, following the voiding of his impeachment along with his former boss, Murtala Nyako, about three months ago.

Speaker Fintiri said that his brief stint as the acting governor had resuscitated a state which had been on life-support in the past seven years. This is the reason why I request the people of Adamawa State to disregard the current baseless rumour that the interim government I led for 86 days would be investigated for expending the sum of N18 billion.

“I challenge those behind this ridiculous claim to provide a shred of evidence for just N1

million that was expended illegally not to talk of a so called N18 billion, which we never received from anywhere,” he added.

He spoke while addressing the House before plenary.

Fintiri who was sacked as acting governor last week by the court said, “As I happily resume my

duties as the Speaker once again after a brief but action-packed stint as the acting Governor of Adamawa State, I thank honourable colleagues for the overwhelming cooperation I enjoyed as your ambassador in the Executive arm”.

“Let me particularly commend honourable members for passing a vote of confidence in me as a worthy representative as well as for their resilience and

steadfastness to rescuing Adamawa State without which nothing would have been achieved.”

Fintiri commended the personal sacrifices and the immense pressure they had to resist to ensure that their ‘’democratic intervention against bad governance and administration succeeded in line with the popular demand of the people of Adamawa State.’’

LAGOS STREET SOCCER: Dola Bamigboye, Manager, Events & Sponsorship, MTN (left), welcoming Wahid Enitan Oshodi, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sport & Social Development, to the Final Match/Closing Ceremony of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Season 7 at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos.

With them is Bashir Braimoh, Director of Finance, Lagos State Ministry of Sports.

Christians in Kwara protest over alleged take-over of schools by govt

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—THOUSANDS of Christians from various denominations yesterday demonstrated all over Kwara State over the alleged take-over of their schools by the state government.

They said that apart from taking over the schools, the government had also concluded plans to build Mosques in each of them.

In Ilorin, the state capital, the Christians started gathering at some of the schools owned by the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, on the ever-busy Yidi Road, as early as 7 am, from where they started singing Christian songs and praying fervently for the state government to return their schools to them.

The schools where the protesters gathered included St James Primary; Junior and Senior Secondary schools from where they began their peaceful protest which crippled business activities in most parts of Ilorin.

The protesters marched through the major streets carrying placards which read, ‘’We want our schools back; We are taking back our schools because they belong to us;’’ C M Y K

‘’Government should stop granting aids to our schools; ‘’We can run them on our own;” ‘’Enough of oppression and injustice, we are taking back our schools; they belong to us,” ”Mission Schools belong to us,’’ among others But, the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a swift

reaction said that government was waiting for the repeal of the 2006 Education Law by the state Assembly before returning the schools to their owners.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the government had been aiding such Christian schools through grants, since 2006, leading to a situation

I'll re-contest in 2015 — YERO

K

ADUNA—GOVERNOR Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State yesterday said that he would re-contest for gubernatorial seat of the state in 2015.

Yero spoke in Kafanchan, Kafanchan Local Government Area, Kaduna State, through his deputy, Mr Nuhu Bajoga, while on a visit to traditional rulers in Southern Kaduna.

Yero said he had since obtained nomination form from the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja.

He urged the people to disregard any insinuation that he would be stopped from contesting in the election, saying such speculations were aimed at misleading the public.

Yero also urged the people to

support the PDP in the next election, saying it remained the only party with the ability and willingness to deliver on the

whereby it (govt) started claiming their ownership.

The protest took place simultaneously across all the Christian schools in the state.

The protesting churches included Catholics, ECWA, Cherubim and Seraphim, Methodist and CAC, among several others. dividends of democracy.

On the on-going projects inherited from late Gov. Patrick Yakowa, Yero re-assured the people of the state that none of them would be left uncompleted.

NEF tasks FG on insecurity

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—THE Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has said that over 21 local governments in seven states of the North were under siege by either herdsmen or insurgents, saying the situation could escalate to other regions if the Federal Government failed to hasten action on the matter.

The states under attack include Borno, Yobe,

Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna among others.

Delivering an inaugural lecture with the theme: “National Conference: National Unity and the North,” organized by the Bauchi Generational Leadership Awareness Initiative,yesterday in Bauchi, a member of the forum, Mr Solomon Dalung, said that about 3.3 million Northerners had become refugees in some neighbouring countries.

Why I was unable to meet target — SUSWAM

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI— GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has said he was yet to meet the target he set for himself on assumption of office in 2007.

Suswam spoke yesterday, in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital, attributing the development to the negative attitude of the people towards governance.

Suswam said, “I set off perfectly but I won’t say I have met those targets the way I had wanted it. But on a second thought, before I came in, there were a lot of things that were not in place.

“Our attitude generally for instance, there has been a paradigm shift.

When I started the roads in Makurdi, the question was whether people were going to eat the roads.

The attitude was wrong.

They did not appreciate the fact that people needed to operate in a decent environment.

“In fact, I almost lost my second term election because they said I was not sharing money. There is no part of Benue that you will go that there are no rural roads or electricity. These are things people never believed could be done.

“For instance the electricity project in Oju was started in 1979; they never saw electricity until I became governor. Ditto for Igbo town. So the only way I could change the negative attitude of our people was to say things and do them.

“There was no single block at the Makurdi Water Works when I assumed office. My predecessor dug a hole there but I have built that water project from the scratch and it is ready for reticulation. I said I will build a water project in Otukpo, I have successfully done so. Ditto for Katsina Ala. I have also put up a befitting Government House so that a governor can at least sleep and wake up to think properly.

“I have also done very well in the area of security. We don’t have a situation where we are fighting with our neighbours in Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Cross River and Ebonyi states.''

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

ROOTS: From left— Mr. Udo Inyang, Chairman, Ikot Abasi Local Government Council, Akwa Ibom State; Mr. Akpan Umoh, member, House of Representatives for Ikot Abasi Federal constituency; Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, and others, during the commissioning of the Bridge of No Return at Ikot Abasi.

The bridge was built in 1795 as slave trade route, but was restored by Umoh for tourism.

OFALA: From left— Mr. Agustine Mamuro, National Sales Coordinator, South-South & South East, Globacom; Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe; and his wife, Igwe Nwanyi Ngozi Achebe, and at the royal banquet organized in honour of the Agbogidi by Globacom to mark the end of the year 2014 Ofala festival celebrations.

OUTREACH: Pastor Niyi Famuyide; Mrs Jumai Muhamed, Principal, Nigeria Farmcraft Centre for the Blind; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor, Trinity House; Mrs Funmi Gbadamosi, Co-ordinator, Trinity House Outreach, and Chigbo Chidinma, one of the centre's students, during the second anniversary of the outreach.

UNVEILING: From left— Mr. Tunde Oyelola, Vice Chairman, PZ Cussons; Mr. Adeyemi Ikufuriji, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly and special guest at the occasion; Mr. Peter Okoye of PSquare, Olympic Milk brand ambassador; Mr. Suneel Vasudevan, MD; and Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman, both of Nutricima, during the unveiling of the new powdered Olympic Milk and Apple Flavoured drink in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

STREET SOCCER: From left— Mr. Dola Bamigboye, Manager, Events & Sponsorship, MTN; Mr. Wahid Oshodi, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sport & Social Development; and Mr. Bashir Braimoh, Director of Finance, Lagos State Ministry of Sports, at the final match and closing ceremony of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Season 7 at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos.

CIPM CONFAB: From left— Mr. Abiola

Popoola, immediate Past President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, CIPM; Mrs. Ifeoma Adeniyi, National Treasurer; and Mr. Victor Famuyibo, President/Chairman of the Council, during the 46 annual national conference of the institute in Abuja.

MEETING: From left— Fiona Roberts, Technical Adviser to Statistician

General of Nigeria; Mr. Lanre Fasakin, President, Nigerian Marketing research Association, NIMRA; and Yemisi Faleye, Head, Research and Insight, FCMB, during NIMRA's breakfast meeting in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

ICT FOR GIRL-CHILD: From left—Oreoluwa Lesi, Executive Director, Women's Technology Empowerment Centre, W.TEC; Olasimbo Olatoregun, Market Development Manager, Intel Nigeria; Wole Odetayo, Operations Manager, iDea Hub; Folake Adeniyi-Adeleye, Human Resource Director, Oracle, and Folake Oyekanmi, Business Development Manager, Intel Nigeria, during the Intel/W.TEC International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Lagos.

DINNER: From left— Ijeoma Anadozie, Country Manager; Mr. Andrew Harding, Managing Director, both of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, CIMA; Chief Kola Jamodu, CIMA Fellow and Chairman of Nigeria Breweries Plc; and Samantha Louis, Africa Regional Director, CIMA, at the institute’s inaugural members’ dinner in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 49

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50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 51

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 53

Ebola: White House opposes travel ban to West Africa T HE United States re mains opposed to a ban on travel from West Africa, the White House said on Thursday, resisting pressure from some U.S. lawmakers for such a ban to limit the risk of an Ebola outbreak.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said there remains a need to keep transportation lines open to deliver much-needed supplies to West Africa to deal with the Ebola outbreak there.

He also said officials want to make sure that people traveling from the area are properly screened.

“We want to make sure that individuals who are traveling to the United States are monitored ... and screened appropriately,” Earnest told reporters.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Washington, has appealed for a travel ban as

•President Obama have several other lawmakers.

There has been a growing chorus of lawmakers calling on President Obama to impose travel restrictions on passengers coming to the U.S. from West African countries stricken by Ebola.

On Wednesday, House Speaker John Boehner became the highest-ranking Republican lawmaker to ask the president to consider a travel ban.

“A temporary ban on travel to the United States from countries afflicted with the virus is something that the president should absolutely consider along with any other appropriate actions as doubts about the security of our air travel systems grow,” Boehner wrote in a statement Wednesday evening. “The administration must be able to assure Americans that we will stop the spread here at home.”

... angry with France, Italy over weak response

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VEN as the wobbly U.S. response to Ebola dominated the headlines this week, President Barack Obama ramped up a frustrationpowered campaign to get reluctant major allies to shoulder more of the burden of quelling the deadly outbreak at its source in West Africa.

Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting with top aides on Wednesday, the president put his personal annoyance on full display as he portrayed the international response to the crisis as hesitant and shortsighted and warned that it endangered American national security.

“This is not simply charity,” he intoned. “Probably the single most important thing that we can do to prevent a more serious Ebola outbreak in this

country is making sure that we get what is a raging epidemic right now in West Africa under control.”

Obama declared that he had convened a videoconference earlier in the day with leaders of core

U.S. allies Britain, France, Germany and Italy “to make sure that we are coordinating our efforts and that we are putting in a lot more resources than, so far at least, the international community has put into this process.”

UN requires $1 bn to contain Ebola

U

NITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will launch a global response coalition in New York this week asking the international community for as much as $1 billion to contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the secretary general’s office confirmed to MarketWatch on Tuesday. So far the disease has killed 2,461 people and infected 4,985, according to data from the World Health

Organization. This is up from a request of just $100 million a month ago. “Because of the way the outbreak is advancing, the level of surge we need to do is unprecedented, it is massive,” U.N. coordinator for Ebola, David Nabarro, reportedly told reporters at a WHO conference in Geneva. The United States also announced that it would send 3,000 troops to the region to help tackle the outbreak.

Vatican tones down overture to gays

T

HE Vatican is water ing down a groundbreaking overture to gays — but only if they speak English.

After a draft report by bishops debating family issues came under criticism from conservative Englishspeaking bishops, the Vatican released a new translation on Thursday.

A section initially titled “Welcoming homosexuals” is now “Providing for homosexual persons,” and the tone of the text is significantly colder and less welcoming.

The initial English version

•Pope Francis — released Monday along with the original — accurately reflected the Italian version in both letter and spirit, and contained a remarkable tone of acceptance extended to gays. Conser-

vatives were outraged.

The first version asked if the church was capable of “welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a fraternal space in our communities.” The new version asks if the church is “capable of providing for these people, guaranteeing ... them ... a place of fellowship in our communities.”

The first version said homosexual unions can often constitute a “precious support in the life of the partners.” The new one says gay unions often constitute “valuable support in the life of these persons.”

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED IROABUEKE—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Jennifer Uzoma Iroabueke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jennifer Uzoma Roberts. All former documents remain valid. Yaba College of Technology and general public please take note.

OKOLO—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Shalomi Nkonye Okolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shalomi Nkonye Collins-Azubuike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BELLO —I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Abiodun Bukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olatunde Abiodun Bukola. All former documents remain valid.

Federal University of Technology, Akure and general public please take note.

ADARIGHOFUA—I formerly known and addressed as Miss R e b e c c a Oghenebrukevwe Adarighofua, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awhotu Ufuoma Efe R e b e c c a Oghenebrukevwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ISOA—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Isoa Loretta Theresa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eghosa-Nosa Loretta Theresa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLOJO KOSOKO—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Patricia Oluwaseun Olojo Kosoko, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patricia Oluwaseun Amoo. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State University (LASU) and general public please take note.

OLANLOKUN—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufunke Olubukola Olanlokun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olufunke Olubukola Oludemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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NWONU—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Immaculata Njideka Nwonu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Immaculata Njideka Nwonu-Ezeanya. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ORE—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ore Bunmi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyinka Bunmi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Confirmation of name ONUKA—This is to confirm that Onuka Onuka Kalu Orji, Onuka Onuka Orji, Onika Onuka Orji are one and same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Onuka Onuka Kalu Orji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoh Izehi Catherine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oriasotie Izehi Catherine. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eze Applonia Ngozika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edeji Applonia Ngozika. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Immigration Service, Imo State University and general public please take note.

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OMOGBEMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omogbemi Agbo Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atumah Agbo Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of name A D J A I N O AUGUSTINA—I hereby confirm that my correct name is Adjaino Augustina and not Adjaino Augustine as was wrongly written in my WASSCE. All former documents remain valid. Delta State Polytechnic Otefe and general public please take note.

UMOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Patrick Francis Umoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Patrick Francis Umoebo.

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OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeke Chidimma Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amakom Chidimma Blessing. All former documents remain valid.

IMT and general public please take note.

EKARIKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkoh Udoh Ekarika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkoyo David Adiaiduo. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

DAFESE—I, formerly

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FARUNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Christiana Gloria Faruna, now wish to be known and addressed as Christiana Gloria Isah.

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WILLIE —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Willie Agunu Philomena, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajarho Onoriode Philomena, because I am now married to Mr. Erharhe Arho Favour. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note.

known and addressed as Miss Sonia Dafese, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sonia Akpomeza. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 55

Vanguard CLASSIFIED Reconciliation of name This is to certify that the names Okiriko Mich Okonkwo and Okiriko Mike Okonkwo refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Okriko Mike Okonkwo. All former documents remain valid.

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EGBEKUN—I, formerly known and addressed As Godwin Ekpokinmi Egbekun, now wish to be known and addressed as Matthew Godwin Ekpokinmi Lawrence.

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Confirmation of name This to confirm that the name Ilome Ifeoyibo Fibo Friday, refers to one and the same person as Ilome Fibo, but now wish to be known and addressed as Ilome Fibo. All former documents remain valid.

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IZU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Izu Obakore, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojarikre Obakore. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Addition of name I, formerly known and addressed as Msushima Aisha Akiga, now wish to be known and addressed as Aisha Sandra Msushima Akiga. All former documents remain valid.

NIMASA, GTBank and general public take note.

OKORO —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijeoma Precious Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ijeoma Precious Eze Ezikpe. All other documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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FOR ENQUIRIES, CALL ADVRT HOTLINE: 01-8737025, OR 08025781478, 08035449960, 07031322957.

New INEC booths no threat to 2015 election – IBEANU

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AGOS—AN adviser to the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu yesterday allayed fears expressed by Nigerians over the creation of more polling booths assuring that “it does not confer any special advantage as the number of polling booths is determined by land mass and population’’.

Speaking at the 50th post humous birthday lecture of Barrister Bamidele Francis Aturu which had the topic, “ 2015 General Election : Making the People’s vote Count, Prospects and Challenges” held in Lagos, Chief Technical Adviser to INEC, Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu said “INEC is doing its best to continue to improve the quality of elections but it is not something that can be done in one year. There is no directive for the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company to print ballot papers”.

Professor Ibeanu explained that “the creation of polling units is long over due, they were last. There is no alternative to making the peoples’ vote count. INEC can be a major ally in getting votes of the people to count”.

Co speaker at the forum, Professor Oladapo Popoola former dean of the faculty of law, Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe suggested that it may be politically expedient for Nigeria to reintroduce Special Election Tribunals to hand election related matters.

Professor Oladapo said “Democracy cannot thrive in a society that is still authoritarian. We must construct a state based on equality of conditions for all citizens. We should do everything to have a free, fair and credible election in 2015”.

The chairperson of the occasion, Ms. Ayo Obe, a former president of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) said she believes INEC has not a done a lot but there is still room for improvement.

A representative of Bamidele Aturu and Co; the legal firm of the late lawyer and human rights activist, Mrs. Anyanwu in her welcome address said her late boss was concerned about the credibility of the 2015 election whether it would be free and fair and votes will count.

Professor Popoola said “ I am worried by the inclusion of the

introduction of stomach infrastructure and what it portends for our democracy”.

In his contribution, Mr. Femi Falana , SAN warned about introducing religion into the choice of candidates for the 2015 election saying that this is a dangerous trend in politics.

Also contributing, the immediate past general secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade John Odah said the peoples vote actually counted in the last election in Ekiti state.

He blamed the defeat of Governor Fayemi on a disconnect with the people which he said was caused by people around him.

Present at the lecture were the later Barrister Aturu’s wife, Mrs. Bimpe Aturu and children, lawyers, human rights activists and members of the trade union movement.

Obsequies for Nnorom

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HE remains of Mr Wilfred Ihejirika Nnorom, Managing Director of Reads and Mark Ltd who died on Sunday, August 24, 2014 will be laid to rest today at his country home, Eluama, Isuikwuato, Abia State after a funeral mass at St. Anne Catholic Church, Eluama, Isuikwuato, Abia State.

Born on May 5, 1955, Pa Willy as he was fondly called by friends and associates was a seasoned advertising practitioner with an enviable record not just in the advertising profession where he carved a niche for himself but also in public service.

He was a Fellow of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, once Vice President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, as well as a member of the International Advertising Association (IAA).

.Late Nnorom

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

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58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 59

Danagogo summons NFF over foreign coach •Says he didn’t know of plan to sack Keshi

By Jude Opara, Abuja

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INISTER of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tammy Danagogo yesterday said that he has summoned the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and his board to explain why they have decided to hire a foreign coach for the Super Eagles.

The NFF board rose from its late night meeting on Wednesday to announce a wide range of decisions including hiring of a foreign coach and the sacking of Coach Stephen Keshi.

In the interim, Coach Amodu Shuaibu who had in the past handled the team was named as the replacement of Keshi for the two remaining matches of the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship coming up in Morocco.

Commenting on the decision of the board in Abuja during a chat with journalists, Danagogo revealed that he was not privy to the sacking of Keshi even as he explained that he will meet with the board on the idea of getting a foreign coach.

According to the minister who apparently did not like the decision to employ a foreign coach for the country, that will run contrary to the ideology of the NSC which he said is aimed at empowering and developing the Nigerian coaches.

However, Danagogo who assured that the NSC will not interfere in any decisions of the board insisted that the NFF must be responsible for any outcome of their decision because any job that Nigerians can do must be given to them.

“I will say I was surprised to hear the sack of Keshi early this morning. I must tell you the truth I do not believe in most of the decisions they took. I am aware that there has been this continuous call for the sack of Stephen Keshi. I am also aware that it is actually the responsibility of the NFF to hire and fire any coach they want.

“In as much as I know that what they have done is their responsibility; I am still looking at it. Sincerely I woke up this morning to hear the shocking news. I expected that he would have been sacked after the loss in Sudan. From the way they were reacting before I spoke to them against taking such a decision. But with the good result of Wednesday’s match, I was not expecting anything like sack from the NFF.

Akpoborie demands top foreign coach for Eagles

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•Pinnick

•Danagogo

Ebola puts Cup of Nations in doubt •Action taken ‘to preserve the safety of our citizens’ •South Africa, Egypt or Sudan lined up as replacement

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HE venue for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals is in major doubt after the proposed hosts, Morocco, reportedly withdrew because of fears over the Ebola outbreak on the continent.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) last week received a letter from the Moroccan government last week asking for the

tournament to be called off and had agreed to discuss the plans at the next executive committee meeting on 2 November. The prospective hosts proposed either postponing the tournament until next year or allowing them to switch to the 2017 edition instead.

However a source from the country’s ministry of

Anyansi leads NFF technical committee

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NYIMBA chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu has been named as the new chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Anyansi will be assisted by Yusuf Ahmed ‘Fresh’, while other members are Paul Bassey, Victor Ikpeba, Pascal Patrick, Abia Warriors coach Ladan Bosso and former international skipper Mutiu Adepoju.

A Technical Study Group headed by Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha will work under this committee.

Former technical committee chairman Chris Green will now head the

•Anyansi-Agwu

disciplinary and legal committees.

sport yesterday claimed that Morocco has now officially withdrawn in order to “preserve the safety of our citizens”.

“Since Caf rejected all our requests and suggestions then we are forced to withdraw from hosting Afcon 2015 with immediate effect to preserve the safety of our citizens and for that we are prepared to take any consequences that comes with our actions,” said the source.

The Moroccan sports minister, Mohamed Ouzzine, was quoted earlier in

the week saying they were considering what action to take if Caf continued to refuse their request to postpone the tournament. “We’ve arranged to meet up and discuss the technical options connected to this demand for a postponement,” he said. “This demand is motivated essentially by the last report from the World Health Organisation, which contained alarming numbers at the extent and spread of the virus.

ORMER Nigeria star Jonathan Akpoborie has told the Nigeria Football Federation to hire a bigname foreign coach, who boasts a good track record.

Shuaibu Amodu has replaced Stephen Keshi as Eagles coach, but the NFF have announced they will soon appoint a foreign coach for the country’s team.

“NFF must bring a foreign coach with class, a top quality coach, a big name and established coach who has knowledge of African Football and who is ready to develop the game in the country,” said Akpoborie, who is now a top TV pundit.

“And not bring a mediocre coach who can’t even clean my shoe when we were playing, has no track record in the name of foreign coach.

“We need a coach who the NFF and even the government people cannot push around.”

He said he expects such a coach to bring in a better culture to the team and get young and talented players into the team.

He said Eagles soared high under Clemens Westerhof and Jo Bonfrere because they brought Dutch football philosophy to the team and they stuck to it.

“The coach must be one who has a culture. Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Spain have football culture and that’s why they play well,” he argued.

AWC: Go for maximum points — Okon charges Falcons

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UPER Falcons’ Coach, Edwin Okon has read the riot act to the team, saying that he wants nothing but the three points at stake when they clash against hosts Namibia at the ongoing Africa Women Championship.

The six-time African champions, who have already qualified for the semifinals of this year’s edition after a 6-0 drubbing of the She-polopolo of Zambia on Tuesday, take on Namibia on Friday in their last Group A match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium and Coach Okon says he wants nothing but victory against the hosts.

“Against Namibia I want victory. We are not taking our feet off the pedal. This is a championship and no team is here to soft-pedal for anyone. We are gunning for the maximum nine points from our group stages matches

•Osinachi Ohale (r) outwits her Zambia opponent.

“People are talking about approaching the match against Namibia lackadaisically because we have already qualified but I have seen their team and they are not a bad

side to be handled lightly. There are no longer minnows in football so we will enter the game with the same mindset we had against Ivory Coast and Zambia.

“The 21 players here are good and equal to the task at hand. Anyone who is called upon to represent us will not fail but will deliver” said Okon.

The team trained on Thursday after resting on Wednesday after the Zambian game.

Meanwhile, Super Falcons will for the third time in a row wear their traditional green jersey on green hose, while their opponents, Namibia will adorn red jersey on green hose.

Center Referee for the match is Lilia Abdeljaqued (Tunisia); Assistant Referee1, Ayawa Mana Dzodope (Togo); Assistant Referee2, Mary Njoroge (Kenya) and Reserve Referee, Incaf elHarkaqui (Morocco).

The Match Commissioner is Felix Amoah Ansong from Ghana.

The game is scheduled for Friday 17th and will kick-off 5pm local time which is 4pm Nigerian time.

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

We sacked Keshi to save his life — NFF

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

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P

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has said that Coach Stephen Keshi was sacked to safeguard him from the wrath of enraged Nigerian fans, who were on the brink of lynching him during Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Sudan.

Pinnick and other NFF Executive Committee members watched with awe, as fans pelted Keshi with water bottles and stones as they demanded for the head of the 2013 AFCON winner at the Abuja National Stadium, venue of the match, which Nigeria won 3-1 to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Morocco.

Chants of “Keshi must go:, “sack Keshi” and “we don’t want Keshi again” rented the air as fans went overdrive in their bid to get their voices heard by the NFF, who swiftly swung into action in the wee hours of yesterday by axing the former Togo and Mali coach.

And speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo yesterday, Pinnick explained the personal safety of Keshi was considered more important than anything else.

Pinnck, it was learnt told the Minister that he was shocked with the hostile reception of the fans towards Keshi, arguing that it would be dangerous for Keshi to remain as coach in the face of such hostility.

He added that it was the first time in recent years that abuses and stones were rained down on a Nigerian coach by fans.

“It was too much to bear.

The fans were coming for him and it was going to be a security risk for us as people had ran out of patience and were prepared to break the law to achieve their aim.

Keshi’s personal safety was paramount in our decision to relieve him of his duties”, Pinnick said.

Musa: We can still qualify

CONTEST . . . Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike (L) vies with Sudan’s Ali Gafar during their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Abuja.

Nigeria won 3-1. Photo: AFP

NFF eyes Pinto, Pekerman for Eagles

BY TONY UBANI

A

S Stephen Okechukwu Keshi finally paid the price after ignoring ominous dark clouds, two World Class coaches are already in the running for the job of the Super Eagles.

Jorge Luis Pinto and Jose Pekerman, two international coaches who were outstanding with their teams in Brazil 2014 World Cup are being considered for one of them to take over the reins of Super Eagles.

President of NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick took the Bull by the horn on Wednesday when he asked Keshi, Amokachi and Shorunmu to step aside and appointed a consortium of coaches headed by former Eagles coach Amodu Shuaibu to handle the remaining two matches against Congo and South Africa before stepping aside for a foreign coach to lead the Eagles.

Sports Vanguard scooped yesterday that NFF officials have approached the two coaches and are weighing up on their demands before sealing up the deal.

Our source informed that former Costa Rica coach, Jorge Luis Pinto who took Costa Rica to their most successful World Cup ever in Brazil is admired by the Nigerian officials because

of his love for young talents.

Costa Rica had their most successful ever World Cup in Brazil, reaching the last eight for the first time before going out on penalties to the Netherlands. Costa Rica who were ranked outsiders in the World Cup began the tournament with a stunning 3-1 upset victory over twice champions Uruguay in their opening Group D match. They followed up with a 1-0 win over four-times World Cup winners Italy before drawing 0-0 with England. ‘Los Ticos’ then beat Greece 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw after extra-time. Pinto’s contract ended after the World Cup. Also, Colombian(Argentine) coach Pekerman is

admired too for Nigerian Eagles because he is a firm advocate of free-flowing, entertaining football based on intricate passing.

Pekerman guided Colombia to beat Greece 30, beat Cote d’Ívoire 2-1, before flogging Japan 4-1.

In the second round, Colombia beat Uruguay 20 before succumbing to hosts Brazil 2-1. Pekerman moulded a team of young players in Colombia dictating possessions and quick interplay to earn respect in Brazil. The two coaches are World Class and would be expensive but an official of the NFF said that they would not be bothered by the cost. ‘’We want the best for Nigeria.

We are not going for journeymen as it were in the past. Things are going to be done the right way’’, the source insisted.

SBO rallies support for Pinnick against the development of

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UMONU Belo-Osagie, Super Eagles coordinator at the 2006 African Cup of Nations, has called on Nigerians at home and abroad to rally behind the new board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

SBO as Belo-Osagie is known said it was about time the NFF look holistically at some of the problems militating

the beautiful game of football in the country insisting that the onus is now on Pinnick to sustain and improve on the success of the last regime under Alhaji Aminu Maigari. “ First and foremost, I want to congratulate Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick over his choice as the new president of the NFF and other members of the board.''

UPER Eagles twogoal hero in Wednesday ’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sudan, Ahmed Musa has retained the belief that the African champions can still qualify for the tournament.

The CSKA forward, scored the opening and winning goals in the 3-1 victory over Sudan at the Abuja National Stadium, to give Nigeria a slim hope of qualifying for next year’s continental showpiece.

With the Eagles, who have four points, trailing Congo, with seven points and South Africa, with eight points, in the race to

pick the two direct tickets to play in Morocco, Musa said that the Eagles would not give up in their chase of an AFCON ticket.

“We will fight till the very end to get the ticket. We know it is not going to be easy but you can be sure that we will not go down without fighting because as defending Africans, we want to qualify and defend our crown”, said Musa, who urged fans to be patient with team in their search for the qualification ticket.

“Our fans need to continue supporting us because we need them and without their support, we cannot do it. Their support is very important and we hope that they will stand by us throughout this campaign”, said Musa.

Big Boss Continues from BP Mr. Stephen Keshi, to the glorious accomplishments of the team in the past three years, and hailed Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu as true national heroes.

“However, in the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect.”

The statement further a n n o u n c e d : “Committee also, unanimously, approved the appointment of a consortium of coaches to lead the Super Eagles for ONLY the two concluding matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series (against Congo in Brazzaville and against South Africa in Uyo), after which an expatriate Coach will be appointed.

“The consortium, led

by Amodu Shaibu, also has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu. The team also has a new Coordinator in former international Garba

Lawal, while Toyin Ibitoye is the new Media Officer and Godfirst Chike is the new equipment manager.

Team Secretary, Enebi Achor, is retained.”

Amodu has returned to the saddle as Nigeria coach four years after he was booted and stopped from leading the country to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

This will be Amodu’s fifth stint with the Eagles having first taken charge of the team in 1994.

The 56-year-old Amodu will be assisted by El Kanemi Warriors coach Salisu Yusuf, who worked under Samson Siasia both with the Flying Eagles and Super Eagles, and Gbenga Ogunbote.

The immediate task for the coaches is next month’s 2015 AFCON qualifier away in Pointe Noire, Congo.

Nigeria need to win this match to stay in the reckoning for a place at Morocco 2015.

They are third on the table with four points, while Congo are second with seven points.

The African champions will also welcome Group A leaders South Africa to Uyo next month to conclude their qualifying campaign for Morocco 2015.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 — 61

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C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

Bye-Bye Big Boss!

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TEPHEN Keshi has been sacked as Nigeria coach and he will be replaced by the country’s former coach Shuaibu Amodu, according to an official statement by the Nigeria

Football Federation.

This followed an emergency meeting of the NFF Thursday morning in Abuja.

Part of the communiqué, which was signed by executive

We sacked Keshi to save his life — NFF •Page 60

•Jose Pekerman

committee memeber Sulaiman YahayaKwande, read that Amodu has replaced Keshi.

“The Committee, unanimously, praised the excellent contributions of the technical crew of the Senior national team, Super Eagles, led by

Continues on Page 60

NFF eyes Pinto, Pekerman for Eagles •Page 60

•Pinto

•Keshi

Danagogo summons NFF over foreign coach Ebola puts Cup of Nations in doubt •Page 59

•Pinnick

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Blond (4) 4 Rotter (3) 6 Acid (4) 9 Imitate (3) 10 Length (8) 11 Knife (4) 14 Obscure (3) 16 Cabin (5) 19 Debased (8) 21 Cap (5) 23 Crippled (8) 24 Live (5) 27 Number (3) 31 Shock (4) 33 Outer (8) 34 Fasten (3) 35 Caribou (4) 36 Cushion (3) 37 Consider (4)

DOWN 2 Greedy (4) 3 Ceremony (4) 4 Restricted (8) 5 Intense (4) 6 Flavour (5) 7 Fitting (3) 8 Respond (5) 12 Bordered (5) 13 Astound (5) 14 Fish (3) 15 Deserve (5) 17 Answer (5) 18 Useful (5) 20 Abandoned (8) 22 Brown (3) 25 Penned (5) 26 Subsequently (5) 28 Assist (4) 29 Poke (4) 30 Secure (4) 32 Untruth (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Ardent 5, Berate 8, Adhesive 9, Oral 10, Cos 12, Glass 15, Sag 17, War 18, Use 19, Ode 20, Other 21, Nip 22, Emu 23, Gas 24, Set 26, Pence 29, End 33, Sham 34, Splendid 35, Bridge 36, Outlet.

DOWN: 2, Radio 3, Even 4, Trial 5, Bless 6, Room 7, Tiara 10, Cross 11, Sweet 12, Group 13, Ashen 14, Surge 15, Sense 16, Gaped 25, Ether 27, Ensue 28, Cello 30, Noise 31, Amid 32, Unit.

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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