Jonathan begs for forgiveness

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62406

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MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

FUEL CRISIS: Why we create scarcity— Marketers 8 AT FAREWELL SERVICE:

Jonathan begs for forgiveness

MADE IN OSUN— From left: Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; CEO RLG Global, Mr. Alex Lu; Regional Director, RLG West Africa, Tosin Ilesanmi; and SSG of Osun, Mr. Moshood Adeoti, during the media launch of Phones manufactured in Ilesha, Osun State.

By Ben Agande

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•Says his wrong actions were not deliberate •I passed through 12 operations in one month— Patience •Reveals her sojourn in German hospital during election campaigns •Says she was miraculously healed after husband lost election

OFFICIAL PORTRAITS OF BUHARI, OSINBAJO

B U J A — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, pleaded with Nigerians to forgive him and members of of his administration of anything he might have done wrong during the period that he piloted the affairs of the country.

He made the plea at a special thanksgiving service organised by the Aso Villa Chapel to bid him and his immediate family farewell after losing the March 28 presidential election to Continues on Page 5

Lead poisoning: 28 children killed in Niger State 16 Mr & Mrs

•Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

•Muhammadu Buhari

Sapped of power and energy

•P.19

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COLUMNISTS: Buhari has no plans to cancel contracts to Obasanjo ex-militants, 'development' committee— again? OPC— APC •P.20

•P.14

See Page 9.

Banks at risk over price slump, energy firms' indebtedness 9

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 3

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

PRESENTATION—From left: President Goodluck Jonathan with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan receiving a souvenir from the Chaplain Aso Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba and his Wife, Mrs. Martha Onwuzurumba during the Special Thanksgiving Church Service for the First family, at Aso Villa Chapel, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Jonathan begs for forgiveness Continues from Page 1 the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that no man is born perfect.

His wife, Patience, who spoke in a similar vein disclosed that she was in and out of a German hospital for undisclosed ailment during the electioneering campaigns and how she was miraculously healed after her husband lost the presidential elecion.

According to President Jonathan, he may have

done things in particular ways that may have offended some people but pleaded that such actions were not deliberate.

His words: “No system is perfect. Every human system must have an element of imperfection.

For the past eight years, we have been here because, my transition from Vice President to President was gradual and complicated.

“When the President (late President Umaru Yar ’Adua) had a major health challenge, I ran the

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE Picture the abundance you desire freely flowing directly to you. Refuse to do anything or have any thought that compromises your alignment with the source— Wayne Dyer

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LESSON from a course in miracle reveals that infinite patience produces immediate results.

To be infinitely patient means to have an absolute knowing within you that you are in vibrational harmony with the all -creating force that intended you here. You are in fact a co-creator of your life.

You know that the right people will show up on divinely ordained schedule.

According to Wayne Dyer, attempting to rush the schedule based on your own timetable is akin to getting down on your knees and tugging at emerging tulips shoot, insisting that you need the flower now. Remember, it is a law of life that creation reveals its secrets by and by not according to your agenda.

Know this too, the immediate gain you’ll receive from your infinite patience is a deep sense of peace.

When you experience inner peace, it brings contentment and this means you’ll stop making incessant demands and you’ll start being on the lookout for the right person to connect the missing dots in your life.

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affairs of the country for sometime. That was even before the doctrine of necessity made me acting president. Then I took over at first and conducted the 2011 election which I won and I had to run my full four years as an elected president. So, for the eight years that one has been here, definitely one is not perfect.

“We have certainly done things we probably shouldn't, but we didn’t do those things deliberately. So for those who we have offended, it was not deliberate, it was circumstances of the office.

We also plead that those people should forgive. We think we have done our best.

“You can do your best and your friends may misunderstand you. Today we are talking about leaving. It is only God that knows why things go the way they do”, the president said.

Also speaking at the service, the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan commended Nigerians for the support they gave to her husband in the last eight years.

She said their elevation to the present position was the work of God. “I never thought in my life that I will be first lady.

I never dreamt of being wife of a deputy governor because my husband was not a politician. But God made it possible and God lifted us up from deputy governor and here we are”, the First Lady noted.

She later revealed that an ailment she was suffering from that would have required a major operation disappeared after her husband lost the March 28 presidential election.

My Health challenges —First LADY

Her words: “Just two years ago, I went through operations upon operations. Within one month, I passed through 12 operations. It is wonderful. Some people said I was dead but God resurrected me.

“During the campaign period, the devil struck again. In pains, I was rushed to a hospital in Germany and the doctors said I had to undergo a major operation.

“I said, again? The electioneering campaign was still going on and I wondered how we were going to explain it to Nigerians. You know, even when you go for a check-up, they will be writing all sorts of things in the papers.

“I said I and my family have to handle this. My husband will continue with his campaign until the last day. That was how I went in for the first major operation in January.

“And by God’s grace I went for the operation and came out. It was from that operation that I went to the campaign ground.

Then they said I had to go for another major operation in a bigger hospital. I told them I would go. I said I have faith in God and my God will see me through. He has brought me out for a purpose. I called my pastor to continue praying for me.

“I said again, they wanted me to be a sacrifice, but I will never be. I went to the bigger hospital. I booked for the operation and I was asked to go for the campaign.

They gave me a new date.

“I had paid for everything and what remained was for me to enter the theatre. Then something happened.

The doctors said, let’s check her again. By then, my husband had lost the election. I had started packing out of the Villa.

“Behold! I went to four

hospitals again and the thing vanished. My doctors were surprised.

They never thought that could happen.”

The First Lady then urged the president's supporters to take what has happened as an act of God. “We should be grateful to God for what he has done. To our followers, today it might not be too good but I want them to be grateful to God because you have followed us for a long time. You know this position is not a life-long thing.

“There is no permanent thing. I want you to take it in good faith. That it is the will of God and you should be praising God. God is really wonderful.”

Meanwhile Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo was absent at the occasion. He was invited by President Jonathan to officially take over the Aso Villa chapel which is the worship place for christians in the presidential Villa.

Chaplain of the Aso Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba told reporters that although the Vice President elect was invited to the event, he could not attend.

Present at the event were former Minister of Information Professor Jerry Gana; former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and some cabinet members.

Former Kogi Gov, Idris In road mishap

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By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—THE immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, was involved in an auto crash that left him and his three aides hospitalised on Saturday.

According to an eyewitness, the exgovernor was said to be returning from a marriage ceremony of the State Commissioner for

Budget and Planning, Ali Ajuh held at Idrisu in Omala Local Government Area of the State when the incident occurred.

The former governor, who narrowly escaped death was riding in an SUV that when the front wheel pulled out, and rammed into a stationary vehicle at Ochadamu junction in Ofu Local Government Area of the state. The Hilux van conveying his security

aides also crashed into the vehicle, injuring all occupants in the process.

The eye witness account said the three security men, who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to an undisclosed hospital at Ochadamu while the former governor was transferred to an undisclosed hospital in Lokoja where he is presently recuperating.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

5 months after robberies, Ondo banks refuse to open

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—BANKS in Ikare towns in Ondo State have refused to open their doors to customers in the last five months after robbery attacks which claimed no fewer than 23 lives.

Also in Owo town, banks have closed shop since April when another group of armed robbers attacked four banks, killing over 15 persons, including seven policemen.

Bandits, numbering over 30, invaded Ikare town in December last year and robbed five banks in quick succession.

Scores of persons, including policemen, school pupils and innocent people, who were not in the vicinity of the banks, were killed.

Among those killed was 71-year-old Pa Gabriel Ogundipe, who just relocated from abroad to his home town after 25 years abroad.

The police stations in the two towns were the first port of call for the robbers, who destroyed them before heading for the banks.

Similarities in the mode of operation of the robbers in the two towns swelled insinuations that it was the same set of robbers that carried out both robberies.

In the two operations, only seven of the robbers were gunned down during the Owo robberies and one captured alive.

N9.3 million was recovered in the Owo robbery, while none was recovered in the Ikare robbery.

Vanguard gathered that people in the affected towns travel to Akure, the state capital, for banking activities.

A statement by the state Police image maker, DSP Wole Ogodo in Akure, said: “The banks recently attacked at Ikare and Owo towns have not been able to open to customers because of their inability to renovate.

“Ondo State Police Command, under the able and competent leadership of CP Isaac Eke, has since put in place all necessary security arrangement to ensure residents and banks across the state go about their lawful businesses without fear of threat from any quarter.”

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‘I was forced to lie with a corpse, drink water used to wash it’

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—A 29-year-old mechanic, Bode David, is yet to recover from being made to spend a night with the corpse of his friend, late Ganiyu, and drink the water used to wash it, to prove he was not responsible for his death.

It was gathered that the incident, which happened at Isheri Magodo, a suburb of Lagos, was executed because before Ganiyu gave up the ghost in the hospital, he kept calling Bode’s name.

Recounting his ordeal, Bode, an indigene of Ekiti State, a mechanic, who specialized in fixing Japanese vehicles, said: “I knew the late Ganiyu and Wasiu in January, when I was looking for someone to fix my faulty Honda car.

“That was when Ganiyu introduced me to Wasiu to fix my car. After he fixed my car, I paid him N35,000. Since then, we have had no business except when our paths occasionally crossed and we exchange pleasantries.

“On Tuesday, Wasiu called me at about 6p.m., saying they need my help urgently. He said Ganiyu was in the hospital and that they needed money to purchase pints of blood and drips, which was about N19, 000.

“He pleaded with me to come.

At about 7pm, without any idea that Ganiyu was dead, I drove my car to the junction of their street, called him on phone that he should come and collect N5,000, which was all that I had to assist Ganiyu’s treatment at that time.

“When he came to where I parked my vehicle, he said the hospital was nearby, so we walked towards where he said the hospital is located.

Deceived, beaten

“As we walked, I began to notice some strange movement in the vicinity as bad boys filled the area, so I asked where exactly the hospital was. He said we are taking a short cut to the hospital. ‘’Eventually, the short cut led to a compound. Immediately we entered the compound, people began to ask me what I knew about Ganiyu’s death. I told them I knew nothing, but they did not believe me, and they began to beat me. ‘’When they were beating me, a Baale in the area interrogated me, told them to stop beating me and to hand me over to the police, or they might beat me to death and then have two corpses on their hands. But they refused.

“After beating me, they forced me to sleep on the floor in the

Bode. same room where Ganiyu’s corpse was laid to prove that I had nothing to do with his death. While they were beating me, my phone and the money in my pocket got missing.

“When they discovered that I was still alive, they washed his corpse and forced me to drink the water. I refused but they almost killed me with another round of beating. When it was obvious that I had no option, I drank it.

“After I drank the water, someone who claimed that he knew me called the police. The police took me to divisional police station at Awoshika, before the case was transferred to Area F Command.

“I have nothing to do with Ganiyu’s death. How would I be responsible for his death when I had no problem with him? All I want is for government and Nigerians to come to my aid, and bring those who meted this inhumane treatment to me to justice.’’

Wasiu. home because none of his immediate family members or relatives was available. When we called them, they said they were coming, so we kept his corpse inside his room.

“That same day, neighbours and people living around were angry, alleging that the name Bode, which Ganiyu kept calling before he died, was responsible for his death. So they began to call Bode’s phone number.

“When Bode did not come, I called him with my phone and told him that Ganiyu was lying critically ill and needed blood and drips, and that we need his assistance.

“When he came, people began to question him concerning what he knew about Ganiyu’s death. Before he could say a word, they pounced on him and began to beat him. So I ran to call the police to come and rescue him.

“After police rescued him, they later went to where he parked his car and vandalized it. I was

there when they were beating him, but I was not there when they forced him to lie beside the corpse and drink the water used to wash it.”

Police story

Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said: “Two friends went out for a drink and one of them, Ganiyu, took ill after the outing and started stooling.

“He was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, but died in the process. Angry friends and neighbours, suspecting the complicity of Bode David, descended on him and attempted to lynch him.

“He was, however, rescued by our policemen and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ganiyu commenced at Isheri Division. But the case has been transferred to the Department of Criminal investigation, DCI, Yaba, for further investigation.”

My story—WASIU

In his defence, 33-year-old Wasiu Fadairo, the mechanic who lured Bode with the call that brought him to the house, said: “I am from Kwara State. The late Ganiyu is from my home town.

“On May 12, Ganiyu was stooling and vomiting blood, so we rushed him to a hospital located along Oluwora Road, Isheri in Magodo. He later died, calling a particular name— Bode.

“After he died, we took him

Kwara traders mourn as fire razes

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—IT was tears and gnashing of teeth, Saturday morning, at Owode market in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, as traders saw the ruins of their property worth several million of naira destroyed by an early morning fire.

Vanguard gathered that the

fire, said to have started around 1:30 a.m., reportedly razed over 50 percent of the market.

The inferno, according to sources, was caused by power surge from an electric pole, which the traders were said to have complained about to electricity officials. But they failed to rectify it.

However, the spark occurred

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—7

By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

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T was a bloody Sunday in Sagamu area of Ogun State as an operative of Global Concept Limited, one of the companies licensed by the Federal Government to protect Nigeria National Petroleum Coporation, NNPC, pipelines, was shot dead, while one other was injured during a clash with policemen.

Four policemen have, however, been arrested in connection with the alleged killing of the operative, identified as Mufutau Jimoh.

It was gathered that the NNPC surveillance team was taking impounded vehicles from vandals to Mosinmi deport when the team of policemen intercepted them.

How it started

There were, however, different accounts as to how trouble started.

A version said the policemen ordered the release of the arrested vandals and impounded vehicle, thereby leading to an argument.

Another version said officials of the surveillance team allegedly attempted to disarm the policemen during the argument.

One dead as policemen clash with OPC in Ogun ‘Policemen shot at us’

The commandant of the surveillance team, Mr. Seyi Oduyoye, said: “We were taking the vehicles we impounded from the vandals and the petroleum product to NNPC depot when suddenly the police monitoring team blocked us and opened fire on our members, killing one and injuring another.

“When they were stopped by the policemen, they came out and showed the policeman their identity cards, which were collected by the policemen and an argument ensued.

“As we were trying to pacify the policemen, one of them brought out his gun angrily and shot at the driver at close range, while the other occupant in the vehicle was also injured.”

One of the leaders of the surveillance team, Mr. Rasaq Adebisi, said: “On Saturday, we heard that the vandals were planning to carry out another operation at Arepo. Then we decided to lay ambush, instead of attacking them.

“We succeeded in arresting two of the vandals and recovered about seven vehicles fully loaded

with 50 litres jerry cans of petroleum product from the vandals.

“We are guided by law as a security surveillance team and was taking the apprehended vehicles and products to the NNPC depot at Mosinmi, when we were intercepted by policemen who opened fire on two of our men at Sagamu round about.

“I was surprised when one of the vehicle drivers was shot dead by the policemen. I believe we are all fighting the same cause. ”Immediately they shot and injured our members, they all escaped from the scene and one of the victims, who was seriously injured, is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Sagamu. “ Contracted policemen Vanguard gathered that a businesswoman (names withheld), who deals in oil business at Arepo, was the one that contracted the policemen to help her recover the vehicles and the products from the security surveillance team.

It was also gathered that when the team impounded the vehicles and the product, the woman bribed the security men to release the vehicles and the petroleum product but they declined.

She was said to have then contacted the policemen to help her.

Officers arrested

Meanwhile, four policemen have been arrested in connection with the killing.

Police sources said officials of the private security firm attempted to disarm their men, who were on a patrol around the area and in the process, the gun went off and the bullet hit the deceased.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the police would not condone any act of indiscipline, explaining that immediately report reached the Police, the policemen who were involved were arrested.

Efforts to reach Ogun State Police imagemaker, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, failed as he did not take calls to his phone.

CULTURE FOR NOUN: Gunjang dancers performing at the inauguration of National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, in Bogoro Local Government Area, Bauchi State. NAN PHOTO.

Offa market again in the midnight, which started the fire that burnt shops and items in them to ashes.

Vanguard also gathered that fire service officials battled hard to extinguish the raging fire.

It was learned that they failed because they could not go inside the market due to lack of access road.

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3 suffer acid bath as DSC town, Orhuwhorun crisis escalates

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE lingering territorial dispute between residents of Delta Steel Town Housing Estate of Delta Steel Company, DSC, and host Orhuwhorun in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, escalated over the weekend with three persons bathed with acid.

The victims, Mr. & Mrs. D. S. Afam, 79 and 68 years, respectively, and an unidentified woman, allegedly suffered the acid bath, while several property were also destroyed in reprisal attack, following a machete attack on an Orhuwhorun native by suspected DSC Township youths.

In the weekend’s reprisal, vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, power generating sets and residential buildings were damaged.

Relations between township and host Orhuwhorun have been tense since the blocks of flats belonging to DSC Estate were sold to pensioners and workers of the moribund steel company.

Dr. Oputu Sherick, Public Relations Officer, National Task Force, whose official car was destroyed in the mayhem, said trouble started when a DSC Township gang chopped off one arm of an Orhuwhorun youth.

He appealed to Orhuwhorun traditional authorities to amicably resolve the crisis before it got bloodier, arguing that the desire of DSC Township to be autonomous of the control of Orhuwhorun was the root of the dispute.

3-yr-old boy kidnapped in Lagos church

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—A three-year-old boy, identified as Emmanuel Chibuike Ejiogu, was yesterday kidnapped from the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in Palm Grove area of Lagos.

The toddler, it was gathered,

was discovered missing after the close of service.

Information at Vanguard’s disposal revealed that his abductors later put a call to the devastated parents, demanding for N700,000. A family source said after much plea, they reportedly settled for N130,000.

As at 8.15p.m, frantic efforts were still on to rescue him.

A family source said: “The parents have been able to gather N120,000 out of the N130,000 demanded. The money was borrowed from relatives and friends.

“The kidnappers agreed for N130,000 after much plea.

They have told them where to keep the money, assuring that they would see their child.”

Efforts to reach the Ejiogus failed. A member of the church, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were warned not to involve the police or the press if they wanted to see their child alive.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Fuel crisis: Why we create scarcity —Marketers zRailway yet to begin oil lifting

By Sebastine Obasi & Jonah Nwokpoku

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AGOS — THE lingering fuel crisis may continue till the May 29 handover date to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari government, as oil marketers have resorted to hoarding the product to force government to pay the outstanding debts as claimed, Vanguard learnt.

This is coming on the heels of the fact that the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, is yet to fulfill its promise to begin evacuation of petroleum products from tank farms and depots in Apapa area nine months after.

It was learnt that marketers resorted to hoarding fuel due to fears that they might not be paid their outstanding subsidy claims for imported fuel, and as a result, decided to create the scarcity as a way of forcing the government to speed up the process of effecting payment of the subsidy.

A marketer, who preferred anonymity, told Vanguard that it is better to hoard petrol so as to force the government to agree with their terms before the change in government.

He said: “My friend, we are not sure what the incoming government will do with us as from May 29. We need to force the present government to pay us our outstanding claims now.

We love this country, but we need to be sure we have products now, because we do not know what will befall us in the next two weeks.”

Another marketer also corroborated: “We are all aware how a new government behaves in Nigeria. There is uncertainty of what the incoming government will do with us as regards the subsidy. If you were in our shoes, wouldn’t you make sure you get every kobo owed you by the present administration? What better way can you do that than to keep what you have?”

Vanguard also learnt that the marketers decided to create scarcity in order to compel the government to pay them the losses they incurred when the government reduced the pump price of petrol from N97 per litre to N87 per litre.

Marketers' subsidy claims

At the last count, the marketers, under the aegis of Major Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, and Depot Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA, claimed that the Federal Government is owing them more than N200 billion as at February this year.

Executive Secretary of

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Tankers queuing for fuel on Oshodi-Apapa expressway.

MOMAN, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, painted a grim picture of the situation thus: “The industry is bleeding.

Our suppliers are at our necks. Our members are finding it difficult to bring in products."

Olawore doubted the sincerity of the Federal Government to pay the debts before the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

“At one of the meetings we had with the Minister of Finance, we told her that we are being owed N200 billion but she insisted it was N131 billion. The way to resolve that figure is the timing. She was using the old figure but we were using the current cut-off date we had at that time. She decided to set up a committee made up of PPPRA, DMO, CBN and her office to verify the claims.

Our opinion was that there was no need to re-verify what has been verified by PPPRA. “We thought it was just a ploy to delay payment; it is a delay tactic. As at the time we met, they had three weeks for the regime to end and with that time frame there is no way a committee can work. She specifically directed them, but there is no way a committee will not delay and get late. That is why we were not comfortable,” he said.

He insisted that the issue of verifying claims should not arise as the Debt Management Office, DMO, had transmitted the cost to the Minister of Information.

Olawore said that marketers had only been paid N154 billion contrary to the claim by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala, that N156 billion was paid. He also said there is the likelihood that the fuel scarcity will continue if the federal government did not care to pay the marketers soon.

Over-pricing and under-dispensing

Meanwhile, marketers are not only sabotaging the economy through hoarding, but are also engaged in all manner of sharp practices, including arbitrary pump price hike and underdispensing of product to reap huge profits.

While pump price had almost more than doubled at between N120 and N170/litre depending on outlet and location, quantity purchased had also reduced proportionately.

Pump pressures have been so adjusted and manipulated to almost half a litre for a regular quantity even at very high cost.

However, industry regulator, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, watches helplessly as no marketer has been brought to book, even as the situation escalates.

Trucks nightmare in Lagos

In addition to having to pay much more for very much less, motorists and commuters were also subjected to daily nightmares in and out of Apapa as at last Thursday by petroleum trucks who take over the highways to load products from the depots and tank farms located in Lagos.

Bucks have been passed back and forth among contending stakeholders – the Federal Government, owners of the highway; the Lagos State Government, which reaps bountifully from levies collected

from the truck drivers and the Petroleum Truck Drivers, PTD, who claim they are not to blame for the blockade of the highways.

Olawore noted that about 6,000 trucks come to Lagos daily to procure petroleum products. The large number of tankers getting to Lagos could be attributed to the inability of the railway to commence haulage of products to the Northern parts of the country.

Railway yet to lift petrol

Nine months after the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, expressed the hope that the traffic gridlock within the ports access roads will be a thing of the past as the corporation would begin the evacuation of petroleum products from tank farms and oil depots, the situation has remained the same.

Last week, The NRC said they have begun negotiations with MOMAN as well as the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF, to begin lifting of petroleum products by rail.

Director of Operations, NRC, Mr. Niyi Alli, told Vanguard that the corporation had all the capacity to lift 1.8 million litres, an equivalent of 30 truckloads of PMS at once through rail, adding that once discussions were concluded and all safety concerns resolved, lifting will commence in earnest.

He said: “The issue here is that we are trying to have a meeting with the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, to iron out major issues concerning lifting of PMS. The major issue has been around loading and offloading because we are talking about moving petroleum products which is quite risky because of the nature of the product.

“We, as the Nigeria Railway Corporation, have gone ahead to

do all the sidings for the major oil marketers and have acquired wagons which are to be used for the movement across the country.

In terms of the issues with the major marketers, we have scheduled a meeting between the NRC management and the major marketers this week.

“We have also engaged the PEF to ensure that the price of PMS is maintained, in terms of the PMS movement. For us, it is all about ensuring that all safety issues are resolved. This is because carrying PMS is not the same as carrying AGO. PMS is highly inflammable. But the good news is that all stakeholders are sitting around the table to ensure that safety is not compromised.

“At the moment, we have the capacity to move 900,000 litres of PMS, an equivalent of 30 trucks, at once. In all, we have two big trains that can move 1.8 million litres of petroleum.

But the question is how many times can we move in a week and how many times can we move in a day? So once we start, we can grow gradually.

Alli explained that certain measures need to be taken into consideration before haulage of petrol is carried out.

NNPC petrol

It was also gathered that the premium motor spirit, PMS, or petrol in circulation is the supply made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which is responsible for about 50 per cent of the fuel supply in the country.

The NNPC and its downstream subsidiary, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, said it had 1.2 billion litres of petrol in stock. The figure translates to 31 days sufficiency going by the 40 million litres daily consumption of the product in the country.

According to the Managing Director of PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, 21 additional vessels laden with petroleum products are offshore Lagos waiting to berth.

He said the NNPC had made adequate arrangements to ensure energy sufficiency in the country and reassured motorists that the noticeable queues at the filling stations would thin out in the days ahead.

Momoh noted that the NNPC also has 21 days sufficiency of Automative Gas Oil, AGO, otherwise known as diesel and 18 days sufficiency of Dual Purpose Kerosene, DPK, otherwise known as kerosene.

He explained that as part of efforts to ensure petroleum products sufficiency and distribution, the NNPC embarked on aggressive reception depots rehabilitation in 2011, adding: “As at today, 18 depots out of the 23 depots have been fully recovered with the exception of Makurdi, Yola, and Maiduguri due to the activities of pipeline vandals.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—9

Banks at risk over oil price slump, energy firms’ indebtedness — CBN

By Michael Eboh

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BUJA — THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned that financial institutions in Nigeria will be at grave risk in 2015 due to the low prices of crude oil in the international market and their huge exposure to oil and gas firms.

The CBN, in its Financial Stability Report for December 2014, stated that oil and gas firms owe financial institutions about N3.24 trillion, adding that low crude oil prices will pose a significant risk to Nigeria’s financial system and might lead to an increase in NonPerforming Loans, NPL. According to the CBN, sustained low oil prices may, however, result in an increase in NPLs, given that the exposure to the oil and gas sector accounted for 25.70 per cent or N3.24 trillion of the total credits of N12.63 trillion at endDecember 2014.

The CBN said: “Anticipated sources of risk in the financial system in the first half of 2015 would include declining crude oil prices, due to United States’ shale oil and gas production and the resultant pressure on the naira exchange rate.

“Others include a reversal of capital flows, owing to improvements in the US economy and the adverse implications for the capital market; a possible increase in non-performing loans; security challenges in parts of the country. There are equity market losses that might linger as a result of low investor confidence; uncertainties associated with the 2015 general elections; and an upward inflationary pressure from election spending and an expected increase in electricity tariffs in the first half of 2015.”

The CBN, however, advised banks to strengthen their

contingency plans and conduct regular stress tests so as to be able to mitigate the impact of the crash in oil prices on their balance sheets.

“In light of the above, the CBN, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will continue to take appropriate measures designed to ensure sustained financial system stability,” the apex bank stated.

Commenting on the report,

BUJA — EFFECTIVE May 29, when he is inaugurated as President of the country, the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will drop his military rank of General from his official designation.

This was confirmed in a statement by his media office, yesterday which also released the official portrait of the President-elect and that of the Vice-President elect, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo.

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activities and dwindling government revenue occasioned by the rapid decline in the international price of crude oil.

Also commenting, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said, “During the second half of 2014, which this edition of the Financial Stability Report covers, there were remarkable developments in both the domestic and global economy.

INAUGURATION—From left: Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro; Justice of High Court 9 Bauchi, Justice Yelim Suleiman; former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Vice Chancellor National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenebe at the inauguration of NOUN in Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State, Saturday. Photo: NAN.

House Speaker: We'll support Gbajabiamila if...— 36 N-East Reps

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By Emman Ovuakporie

BUJA —THIRTY six members of the House of Representatives from the North-East geo-political zone have pledged to support Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila for the position of Speaker of the House of

Buhari to drop General title from May 29

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Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability of the CBN, Mr. Joseph Nnanna, said the decline in the prices of crude oil triggered a number of negative consequences for the Nigerian economy in the second half of 2014.

According to him, the period June to December 2014, was characterised by macroeconomic shocks in the Nigerian economy as a result of heightened political

The statement which also gave the form of address of the incoming vice-president said: “From May 29, 2015 the President-elect and VicePresident-elect are to be respectively known and addressed as Muhammadu Buhari, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Representatives if the office is zoned to his South-West geopolitical zone.

The members in a communiqué issued in Abuja, weekend, also pledged to, in the same way, support Tahir Monguno for the position of Deputy Speaker of the House if the position is zoned to Monguno’s North-East zone.

The members-elect reportedly made the pledge at the end of a meeting in their secretariat at the Transcorp Hilton.

The lawmakers also jointly agreed that they will abide by whatever decision the party takes on zoning the office of speaker.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Rep. Goni Bukar Lawan, APC, Yobe, who spoke on behalf of the North- East Caucus, said their decision was based on the political reality in the country.

He said in advanced democracies, when the minority takes over government, the Minority Leader becomes the Majority Leader of the party.

“We cannot look for any

leader, because even before we took over the government he was our leader, and today we’re in the position of majority. That’s why we decided to take our leader, Femi Gbajabiamila to be our Speaker, and for Rep Mungonu to be our Deputy Speaker by the grace of God.” Speaking on why he jettisoned his ambition to become Speaker, Goni said it was based on the advice of his governor who is the party leader in his state.

He said: “We have a project before Yobe State. Senator Ahmad Lawan is pursuing the position of Senate President of this country, in that respect we cannot have one state produce two candidates, one looking for the post of Speaker of the House of Representatives and another Senate President.

“For us that’s not in order.

That’s why after the consultations and discussions, we arrived at supporting Femi Gbajabiamila when the party zones the Speakership to the South-West.”

NGF reconciliation on shaky grounds

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA— THE prospects of a reconciliation of the two factions of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, earlier fixed for today were on shaky grounds last night.

Today ’s planned reconciliation which also envisaged the election of a new leadership for the body was under fire, yesterday, from the secretariat of the Jonah Jang-led faction of the body which comprises 16 of the nation’s 36 governors.

The majority faction led by Governor Rotimi Amaechi had summoned the meeting for today with invitations to the 19 governors aligned with Governor Amaechi and the 16 aligned with Governor Jang.

Confirming the meeting scheduled to take place at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja at 8 pm, Director-General of NGF, Asishana Okauru told Vanguard that the governors would be presented with an update of the forum by the secretariat.

According to him, there would be alignment, reconciliation and a new leadership to be put in place.

Meanwhile, the Jang-led faction has kicked against the meeting, saying it was self-serving and an attempt to foist an unacceptable leadership on the body.

According to Osaro Onaiwu, the head of the secretariat of the Jang faction, the PDP governors would not attend the meeting on the claim that those convening the meeting were the same people that caused problems in the NGF leading.

Onaiwu who also rejected the role of the DirectorGeneral of the Amaechi-led NGF, Asishana Okauru, stressed that he has no right to write letters inviting the PDP governors to the meeting, adding that if such letters were to be written, he would have been the one to write them in conjunction with Okauru.

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, had earlier expressed his opposition to the meeting and made a strong case for the incoming governors to be sworn in first before the meeting, saying doing otherwise would deny the incoming governors an opportunity to partake in the selection of the leadership of the body.

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

LASRRA starts Residents’ Cards distribution

By Olasukanmi Akoni

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AGOS—THE Lagos State Residents’ Registration Agency, LASRRA, has commenced mass distribution of Permanent Residents’ Cards to about 3 million residents who registered with it.

The General Manager of LASRRA, Miss Olayinka Fashola, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the distribution, which began with the state civil servants is expected to take care of 14,000 workers and will continue in phases.

She said, “Before anyone comes up to collect his Permanent Resident Card, PRC, he would have been sent a Short Messages, SMS. In the message, such person will be told where to go for the collection. This marks the expiration of the registration life circle.

“LASRRA is commencing the distribution with the civil servants and that was why we decided to organize it here and it is expected to elapse at the end of May. “Beginning from June, the cards will be transferred to the local councils. This, we believe, will bring the card closer to their owners.”

On the reason for the delay in time for the issuance of the card, Fashola added that the agency had to verify all the information collected to ensure that there was no duplication.

“During our verification, we discovered that some residents registered twice and we had to sort them.

That was why it had taken us more time than expected. We cannot make any mistake and we have to be correct.

“We are very careful before sharing information.

We don’t give out personal information. It is only general information. We can give the number of people who live in a particular area. But we cannot give anyone the information of an individual who lives in the state. There are privacy laws that need to be adhered to,” she said.

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LP denies merger plan to challenge APC

By Dapo Akinrefon

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AGOS—THE Labour Party, LP, has denied reports of an impending merger of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other parties, such as the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Hope Party, and KOWA Party to form a formidable mega opposition party to challenge the All Progressives Congress, APC. Speaking with journalists over the weekend, the National Secretary of Labour Party, Mr Kayode Ajulo, debunked the rumours as “false and diversionary ”, stating that at no time whatsoever had the leadership of the party entered into merger talks with any other party.

He said “The rumoured talks of a merger between the Labour Party and other parties such as the PDP is a figment of the fevered imagination of some mischievous peoples. Such an issue has not been raised within the party exco at all, and nor has anyone or, any party had any agreement on the issue with us.

“It is highly irresponsible for anyone to drag the esteemed name of Labour Party into rumours of an impending merger. If at all, anyone has entered into any such talks, he is doing it strictly on his own, not in the name of Labour Party,” he said.

The Labour Party scribe, however, noted that “political power or relevance for its own sake is not the goal of the Labour Party” adding that the party was committed only to the cause of the Nigerian workers and the masses in general.

“Our goal is not just to

BIRTHDAY: Mr Kanene Azinge and his wife cutting the cake during his 70th Birthday at a reception in Lekki Lagos, after the thanksgiving service at Saviour Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Lagos, weekend. Photo by Diran Oshe.

seek power or relevance; we are committed to alleviating the sufferings of all Nigerians. ''We are therefore prepared to work with anyone who will put the Nigerian people first, and seek to bring succour to the homes of Nigerians across the nation.

''We will cooperate with any government, group and individual that shows with its policies and actions that it truly seeks to bring relief to Nigerians, that is also our desire, so it is only reasonable to cooperate with such groups, if any,” Ajulo said.

BIRTHDAY: Mrs Abiola Titilola Tayo Oyetibo and her husband, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, cutting the cake to mark her 50th Birthday at a reception at The Red Carpet, Hall 9 ,Oniru Main Road by RCCG City of David, Lekki Lagos, weekend. Photo by Shola Oyelese.

FG flags off N142.6bn Lekki deep-sea port

By Godwin Oritse

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AGOS—THE Federal Government weekend commenced the construction of the N142.6 billion Lekki deep sea port in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos.

Speaking at the issuance of notice to proceed ceremony on Saturday, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero said the commencement of the port’s construction is government’s commitment to making the project a reality.

Ado Bayero explained that the port will enhance growth of the Nigerian market, adding that government will remain committed and continue to support the project.

According to him, when the port is fully operational, it will make significant positive macro economic impact on Nigeria in terms of employment, taxes and royalties.

He said; “As a port authority, we see potential for growth in the Nigerian market and strive to realise it at all times.

“Therefore, as we begin the consummation of our strategic alliance with the promoters of this project and look towards a bright future, we assure you that the NPA will not waiver in its commitment to the project.

“The occasion signifies our

resolve to tap into the high untapped market occasioned by port capacity gap in Nigeria.”

Speaking in similar vein, the Managing Director of Lekki Port, Mr. Aswani Haresh said issuing the notice to commence construction is the beginning of

the 41-month construction period for the biggest maritime project in the country.

Haresh also said the port will commence its operation with an annual through-put capacity that is three times the capacity of the Apapa port.

Lagos NUT criticises use of CBT in secondary schools

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AGOS—THE Lagos State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, says the introduction of the ComputerBased Test, CBT, in secondary schools examinations may not achieve the desired result.

The state NUT Chairman, Mr Segun Raheem, made the assertion in Lagos yesterday.

Raheem said the situation might be so because most of the students were not adequately prepared for CBT. He said the students were not prepared due to the nonavailability of Information

Communication Technology, ICT, facilities and human resources.

He noted that computer science which, hitherto, was an optional subject and suddenly made a compulsory subject would leave some students unprepared for CBT. “Computer Science has just been introduced to secondary schools as a compulsory subject which is coming rather late.

“However, only a few Lagos schools have computer science teachers and some schools gave temporary appointment to computer science teachers.

“Others got the teachers through the efforts of the Parents’ Forum (PF),” he said.

The unionist noted that most of the secondary schools in the state had a desktop or a laptop which they used mostly for administrative work.

He, however, said that only few schools had an ICT laboratory that was fully equipped with internet facilities, noting that “With the present situation, in my own view, I doubt if the use of CBT is resultoriented for students in secondary schools in the state.''

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 11

AMOSUN/CUSTOMS CONTROVERSY: Why we rejected Amosun’s plea over seized goods – Customs

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — T H E Comptroller, Ogun State area command, Nigeria Customs Service, Haruna Mamudu, has said the Service had to enforce the anti-smuggling law of the land, which explains why it turned down the request by the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to release the ankara stock his command seized from textile traders.

The Customs’ boss also said the recent protest by some textile traders in the state at the Governor ’s office over the seizure of their textile stock by its operatives was not justifiable.

He stated this in Abeokuta at the weekend.

Mamudu, who disclosed that the governor had written to his office through the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa over the seizures, said he had forwarded the list of the contraband to the governor.

The Customs Comptroller said the excuse by the owners of the contraband that the Customs men ought to have stopped the goods from coming into the country was not tenable, stressing that any contraband seen anywhere

remained a contraband.

He, however, disclosed that the four Chinese merchants involved in the smuggling of the fabrics into Nigeria had already been arrested and their warehouse in Kano sealed off.

Mamudu, who disclosed that

the goods were smuggled into the country from Cameroon by the Chinese merchants, added that the Customs men did not need any search warrant before carrying out their duty in any premises suspected of harbouring smuggled goods.

“It is quite amusing that some

people claim that they do not know that ankara textile is among those goods on prohibition list.

"Again, it is not enough for those who have those ankara textile in their shops to claim that they bought them in Kano.

We shall seize them wherever they are found,” he said.

VISIT: From left: Member-elect, House of Representatives, Prince Akeem Adeyemi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Secretary, State of Maryland, United States, Mr John Wobensmith; Prince Adeleke Adeyemi and Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, during their visit to the US, to facilitate the proposed medical and trade mission to Oyo State, as part of the activities marking the 2015 Oranyan Festival, at the weekend.

Again, APC criticises Fayose’s stomach infrastructure, policies zThey lack moral rights to speak on Ekiti governance — GOV

By Leke Adeseri

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of implementing policies that threaten the development needs of Ekiti people, saying his rice gift is a deliberate and callous incentive to lock people out of government-promoted selfsustaining schemes that can make people the creators of wealth to take care of their development needs.

But the governor in a swift reaction, said the party lacked moral rights to criticise his government policies, having run the state aground in its four years of Dr Kayode Fayemi’s reign.

The APC also accused the governor of failing to pay workers salary 192 hours after he made the promise to pay in 24 hours.

A statement by APC's Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, regretted that instead of promoting policies that would take Ekiti people out of poverty, the governor was busy removing attention from selfsustaining schemes by distributing one kilogramme rice for one-day feeding need of a family.

“What the governor is doing is wickedness to the people by distributing one kilo rice for oneday need of the few out of millions living in abject poverty at the time more purposeful administrators all

over the world are setting up selfsustaining schemes that permanently address poverty problems among the masses. ‘’The dehumanisation of Ekiti people by Fayose must stop,'' the the APC spokesman said, stressing that it is the restoration and promotion of Ekiti core values of hard work, honesty and thirst for self-fulfillment and development that should be the driving force of a genuine lover of Ekiti people for them to enjoy real development,’’

APC lacks moral right — Fayose

Meantime, Fayose has said the APC as a party lacked moral rights to criticise his government policies, having ran the State aground in its four years of Kayode Fayemi’s reign.

Fayose, who reacted to the APC’s criticism of his stomach infrastructure policy through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said “It is preferable to give the people what to eat than spending billions of borrowed fund to build hilltop government house meant for just one family as done by the APC government.”

The governor asked the APC the benefits derivable from the pavilion, government house,

Adewale Omirin’s Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, has reacted to Governor Fayose’s media aide, Idowu Adelusi, over his boss over-bloated popularity rating, saying comparing Fayose with former Governor Segun Oni and blaming Dr Adewale Omirin for Ekiti crisis is turning history to fiction and unconscionable beatification of the unholy in a reckless political brinkmanship.

“It is amusing that Adelusi is talking about winning election by his boss on two occasions, forgetting that Nigerians can still recollect the circumstances that threw Fayose up on the two occasions.

“The first time, Fayose was a beneficiary of a “do or die” political fraud in the South West when he benefited from a mindless rigging coordinated by the Federal Government.

“The second time was more daring, with thousands of federal troops seizing Ekiti State to enable Fayose win. This is apart from the revelations in Ekitigate tape where Fayose himself said he collected INEC soft copies that he printed for his election.

“It is baffling that a media aide would come in the open to celebrate these frauds as Fayose’s criticism of Oni, befitting trophies that must be Omirin lacks depth – showcased through the media Speaker’s aide Also, factional Speaker, Dr to the world,” Olujobi said.

civic centre and other white elephant projects that the party used borrowed fund to execute.

He said; “Here is a party that used borrowed fund to plant flowers in Ado Ekiti and none of the flowers can be seen anywhere in the State capital talking about our government’s policies not being developmental.

“Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Ado Ekiti was almost completed before Fayemi assumed office. That hospital was not completed throughout the four years of APC government. They even went to the ridiculous level of commissioning the hospital with its inside yet to be painted and no single bed provided.

“Today, Ekiti State is struggling to meet its financial obligations to the people because of the senseless and wasteful financial management of the State by the APC government, with billions of naira loans left unpaid.

“However, despite the huge debt burden that they left behind, we have remained faithful to our promises to the people. We have paid workers salaries as at when due, except April salary that we started paying last week Friday.”

EKITI PDP: Elders’ Forum rejects chairman’s removal

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI – THE Elders Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has kicked against the purported removal of the chairman of the party in the state, Chief Idowu Faleye, by a group within the party, saying Faleye remains the chairman of the party.

A faction led the Vice Chairman (North), Mr. Olatunde Olatunde had declared himself the new chairman of the party at a press conference in Ado Ekiti last week.

He had accused Faleye of inefficiency and failure to call meetings since assumption of office in 2014.

However, the embattled chairman, had since dismissed the allegation, saying he remained the authentic party chairman in the state until the National Working Committee of the party thinks otherwise.

The chairman, who linked his present problems with some members of the State Working Committee, SWC to his refusal to sign a N11m honorarium for them.

According to a statement by the elders in Ado Ekiti weekend, they dismissed the purported removal of the chairman as a charade that would not hold any water.

The statement, signed by a member of PDP Board of Trustee, Chief C.K. Awoyelu, said it was “absolutely wrong and unexpected” of Olatunde to have declared himself chairman after a meeting held with the aggrieved members, where it was agreed that the matter would be resolved amicably.

They therefore passed a vote of confidence on the Faleye-led executive, warning the Olatunde-led faction to tread softly and avoid anything that could reverse the progress of the party in the state.

On the controversial N11.2m honorarium to the members, the elders promised to meet Governor Ayodele Fayose on the need to assist the party financially.

They agreed with Faleye that the governor as the leader of the party should be briefed on all activities of the party, including its financial matters.

In his reaction, Olatunde said the body of elders has no “locus standi” in the PDP. constitution.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Yenagoa stands still in honour of Isaac Boro

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—SOCIAL and commercial activities were, weekend, grounded for the better part of the day as Ijaws from all walks of life commemorated the anniversary of late Major Isaac Boro, Ijaw activist for equity and true fiscal federalism within a united Nigeria.

Shops and retail outlets in Yenagoa, the capital city, were under lock and key in honour the late Boro, just as Ijaw youths staged a procession round the city before converging at the Heroes Park, where the remains of Boro were reburied last year.

Boro died in active service 47 years ago in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, fighting for the unity of Nigeria in the civil war.

He was buried in Lagos but his remains were exhumed last April at the instance of the Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson and reburied in the state in line with Ijaw traditional rites.

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Speaking at the Heroes Park on the anniversary, Governor Dickson, represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral John Gboribiogha-Jonah (rtd), said that for the Ijaw to be taken

seriously in the politics of the country, they must come together as a people and speak with one voice.

Dickson implored Ijaw and Niger Delta youths to imbibe

the ideals of selfless service, which he said defined Isaac Boro’s life and struggle.

The governor said though Boro rebelled against the Federal Government to show

his displeasure over the oppression of the minority by the Nigerian state, he joined the Nigerian Army to fight to keep the country a united entity.

NPDC, NNPC workers shut down oil facilities over alleged sale of OML42

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—CRISIS is brewing in the oil industry as staff of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, in Benin City, Edo State, commenced the shut down of oil facilities in the Niger Delta in protest over the alleged illegal sale of OML 42, one of the company ’s priced oil blocs by the Federal Government.

Staff of the company embarked on a three-day warning strike last week, but Vanguard learned that the workers have vowed to continue the strike until the

Federal Government reversed the sale of the oil bloc which they alleged was sold to one of the NPDC contractors which, according to them, did not follow due process.

A union member who craved anonymity told Vanguard: “Our sister companies like the IDSL and NNPC, have all indicated interest to join the strike and the meaning is that tomorrow, there will be total shut down of all oil facilities in the Niger Delta. We have commenced shutting down some since Friday.

“We tried to shut down the OML 42 which they sold but the Federal Government

deployed hundreds of soldiers to stop us. So, we left there because we don’t want to expose our members to danger but that will not deter us. Our Managing Director, Mr Anthony Muoneke, is supposed to come back today from Abuja, but we will shut him outside the compound.

We have been told that he is coming with soldiers but we shall see if he will kill all of us.

“So, the nation should expect a total shut down of oil facilities as from Tuesday. We will resist any attempt to intimidate us,” the source said.

Reacting to the brewing

problem, the former Minister of State (Works), Dr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, also a former Group Managing Director of NPDC, described the alleged sale of the OML 42 as criminal and threatened to head to court on the issue.

He said: “I tried not to believe that the management of NPDC will be selling their assets, the reason being that when we started NPDC, I remember our first project was Oredo field project. We used that field to acquire expertise, more or less a training ground. So, if what we are hearing is true, then there is a problem. Instead of growing capacity they are now dissipating capacity.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—13

Court adjourns N3bn suit against Defence Ministry to June 2

By Jimitota Onoyume, Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

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ORT HARCOURT—A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has adjourned till June 2, the suit by JTF House Boat Owners Coalition against the Ministry of Defence over alleged non-payment of over N3 billion owed them in respect of 13 house boats hired by the Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield) for security surveillance of crude oil explorations in the creeks of the Niger Delta region.

Meanwhile, a coalition, comprising Etukcom Integrated Service Limited, Peaches Integrated Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited workers besieged the premises of the court to protest what they described as the unwillingness of the Ministry of Defence to clear the debt which they said has been accumulating in the last three years.

Trial judge, Justice Lambo Akanbi, granted the prayer of the defence counsel, Mr. Ekanem Etuk, for an adjournment to give him sufficient time to prepare his defence.

Addressing newsmen after the adjournment, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Lawal Rabana (SAN), said: “My clients are into marine services and to boost the security operation of

the Niger Delta region, they were all approached to provide house boats for the JTF to patrol some of those areas to protect the facilities but unfortunately, having made that sacrifice of letting out their house boats to them, the office of the Chief of Defence Staff refused to pay.

“They have also refused to release the house boats to my clients, so, as it is now, no money is being paid to them, they cannot put the house boats to use and of course in a

civilized system, you only resort to the court. So, we are in court to enforce the terms of the agreement which provided for a payment of N4.5 million every month for the use of the house boats. So, what we have just done is to calculate the number of months that are outstanding and we are seeking the intervention of the court for the payment."

Also speaking, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Etuk, said: “We are asking the court to adjourn

the matter to that date to enable us file our defence.”

On their part, Managing Directors of Etukcom Integrated Service Limited, Peaches Integrated Limited and Godsam Industrial Services Limited, Dr. Etiese Etuk, Prince Edwin Ochai and Mr. Godwin Amusa respectively, said they have been providing services to the JTF in the past 36 months, lamenting that they have neither been paid nor have their boats been released to them.

THANKSGIVING: From left: Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, Adams Oshiomhole (Jnr), Mr and Mrs Jesus Fortes, (the governor's in-laws); Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara Oshiomhole, at a thanksgiving mass held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi, yesterday.

IYC backs Jonathan on relocation of $500m oil project to Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—IJAW Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, weekend backed President Goodluck Jonathan's decision to relocate the fabrication and integration yards for the multimillion dollars Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO, facility from LADOL yard in Lagos to Agge in Bayelsa State.

Spokesman of IYC, Mr. Eric Omare, in a statement in Yenagoa, while faulting an interim order of the Federal High Court, Lagos, stopping the Federal Government from implementing the directive, said that the people of the Niger Delta would take steps to ensure that any oil company without its headquarters in the Niger Delta region will not be allowed to operate in the region.

He said: “The IYC and indeed the Niger Delta people back the directive of President Jonathan to move the fabrication of oil and gas

materials to the Niger Delta where the eventual job is to be done. We also support the directive to move oil and gas cargoes to only ports in Warri, Calabar and Onne. This is not only in line with the requirement of the local content law but also makes economic sense.

“It is common knowledge that Lagos is highly congested and

there is need to move some class of cargoes especially oil and gas materials, to ports within the Niger Delta region where the oil facilities are located.

“We consider the opposition to the presidential directive and the attendant media propaganda by the Lagos cabal as an insult on Niger Deltans. It is on record that all

the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region have their offices in Lagos to the detriment of the Niger Delta economy.

“Henceforth, Niger Deltans would take steps to ensure that any oil company without its headquarters in the Niger Delta region would not be allowed to operate in the region."

Group urges Buhari to increase NDDC's funding

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— NIGER Delta Transparency and Integrity Coalition, NDTIC, a nongovernmental organisation in Rivers State, has urged the incoming administration of President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to improve the funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to enable the commission to deliver on its

mandate to the people of the Niger Delta region, alleging that the NDDC is being underfunded.

The group also denied accusation by Chief Ngoye Iyalla that the NDDC board fraudulently borrowed N2.4 billion and is subsequently servicing the loan to the tone of N2.4 million monthly.

Describing the allegations as baseless, unfounded and untrue, the group said that the problem of NDDC was that it

has been underfunded, alleging that the outgoing administration didd not do enough as it concerns funding of the commission.

National President of the group, Chinagorom Nwonkwo, who addressed newsmen on the allegations against the NDDC board, said President Goodluck Jonathan did much in developing the Northern part of the country and called on Buhari to reciprocate same by doing same to the South-south.

DEFECTION: Bayelsa youths move to recall Ikisikpo, others

By Emem Idio

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E N A G O A — YOUTHS of Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, under the aegis of Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council, have commenced the processes of recalling Senator Clever Ikisipo, Mr. Nadu Karibo, member representing Ogbia federal constituency and Mr. Azibola Omekwe, member representing Ogbia state constituency one, over their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The youths, who described the action of the trio as anti-Ogbia and a “conspiracy to ridicule President Goodluck Jonathan,” said that in liaison with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, they have started massive sensitization and collation of signatures towards the recall of the defected lawmakers.

BNC congratulates Arase on confirmation as IG

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE Benin National Congress, BNC, has described the confirmation of Mr. Solomon Arase as the new Inspector-General of Police as a square peg in a square hole.

The group, in a congratulatory message to the IG by Dr. David Ekomwenrenren, its Director of Publicity and Intelligence, said Arase’s appointment would lead to robust productivity in the Police force.

He said: “We congratulate Mr. Arase essentially for his humility and sound ethical re-orientation of the aspirations of the average officers and men of the Nigeria Police, as well as his peaceful disposition in the face of tendencies that have been at play against merit and good conduct."

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Aiteo is delivering on its obligations on OML 29 AN Oil firm, Aiteo has refuted reports that the company is fronting for people over its contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on oil mining lease (OML) 29.

It said that Aiteo only started participating in the offshore processing agreement (OPA) with the NNPC three months ago after the company was selected based on its capacity and ability to perform.

In a statement yesterday, it said “the terms of this contract are clear, and Aiteo has not breached any obligation in the OPA. Indeed just last Friday, Aiteo had a reconciliation meeting with the NNPC, and it was acknowledged that Aiteo is up to date in its contractual performance.

The Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) is a process by which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) provides crude oil to another party that would refine the crude oil on behalf of the corporation and returns the refined products to the NNPC based on the yield slate of the party’s refinery, and NNPC pays for the refining and other incidental costs.

The company said: “Aiteo is a legitimate business, that has recently grown its workforce from 400 to 2000 to enable it effectively manage OML 29. Aiteo expects to substantially recruit above this number very soon.

Otti challenges Ikpeazu’s victory at tribunal

By Anayo Okoli

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M U A H I A — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the last elections in Abia State, Dr.

Alex Otti, has filed a petition at the Abia State Election Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, against INEC’s declaration of PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as winner of the poll.

In the petition, Otti is praying

PRESENTATION: Pro-Chancellor, Ebonyi State University, Dr. Alex Ekwueme (left), with Professor Chiweyite Ejike, during the presentation of Doctor of Science honorary degree by Ebonyi State University to the Prof Ejike, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday. Photo: NAN

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WKA—-THE leadership crisis in Awka, Anambra State capital, worsened, weekend, with security operatives averting what could have led to a major confrontation between the contending parties.

Stakeholders in the community claimed that its former President General, Mr. Tony Okechukwu, whose tenure expired March this year, was hanging on to power and frustrating moves to conduct election for the emergence of a new leadership.

A general assembly of the community convened, yesterday,

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HE President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari has no plans to cancel contracts to ex-militants and the Odua Peoples Congress, OPC,

at Umuoranma Square by Awka Ambassadors Club, which had prominent Awka sons as members and which was attended by titled men, elders of the community and all male adults at home and abroad, unanimously rejected the leadership of the President General, insisting that his tenure had long expired.

They accused him of amending the constitution of the town to suit his bid to return to power for a second term, even though he knew that it was not right for him to return as doing so would contravene the constitution which brought him to office.

Former Deputy Speaker of

APOLOGY

I

malpractices and not conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act. He is, therefore, asking the tribunal to cancel votes from Obingwa Council where he alleged that election did not hold and Osisioma, Isiala Ngwa North and Ugwunagbo local government areas where he alleged there were huge electoral malpractices.

Briefing journalists at the premises of Federal High Court, venue of the tribunal sitting, the legal adviser of Dr. Alex Otti Campaign Organization, Mr. Ken Ahia, disclosed that the legal team would be led by Chief Akin Olujimi.

Ahia said that Otti was asking the court to declare him the rightful winner of the election because he won the election but had his mandate stolen.

“This is the continuation of the electoral process. Abians voted overwhelmingly for Dr. Alex Otti but that mandate was stolen; we here in the court to retrieve the mandate.

“So today we have filed the petition, asking that Dr. Alex Otti be declared the rightful winner of the 2015 elections,” he said.

Joined as defendants are Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Peoples Democratic Party, Independent Electoral Commission, among others.

Buhari has not made plans to cancel contracts to ex-militants, OPC - APC his spokesman has said. The spokesman has thus cautioned the media to stop putting words in the mouth of the presidentelect.

Leadership crisis in Awka deepens

By Vincent Ujumadu

the tribunal to declare him the rightful winner of the election on the grounds that Ikpeazu was wrongly declared winner.

Otti is contesting the declaration of Ikpeazu as the winner of the election on the grounds that the said election was fraught with

N Friday’s edition of Vanguard, we published a story with the head line: “Controversy trails Aregbesola’s son’s alleged arrest,” and quoting a source as confirming the arrest of the son of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for money laundering. We have since discovered that the report was false in its entirety as no son of Governor Aregbesola was arrested as reported. We hereby tender our sincere apology for the embarrassment the story must have caused the governor and his family.

Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Keluo Molokwu, who was at the meeting, said: “Our 2008 constitution which brought Okechukwu to power stipulates one term each for a person, and a rotational six years to the two zones of the town; Ezi and Ifite.

“We as members of Awka Ambassadors Club decided to convene Izu Awka(general assembly) after meeting with the parties involved, and we have agreed that he will no longer be our leader. ‘’A fresh election will be conducted, but we already have a seven-man committee in his stead to steer the affairs of the community.”

Youths of the community who thronged the venue, denounced Okechukwu, stating that his leadership had brought no good to Awka and that for him to attempt to foist himself on them again against the constitution, bordered on selfishness.

Vanguard had on Saturday published on its front page a story that General Muhammadu Buhari plans to revoke President Jonathan's pipeline survellance to ex-militants and Odua People's Congress, OPC. “Many statements credited to Gen Buhari, “ said the spokesman, “are personal opinions of individual party members, not Buhari’s, not even the APC’s.”

The party in a statement yesterday equally dismissed as speculative and unfounded lists of ministerial nominees being circulated in some newspapers and online news websites.

The party therefore appealed to the media to clarify with the authentic officials of the party and the Buhari Campaign Organization any issue having to do with the actions of the President-elect in order to avoid presenting falsehood as facts.

In the statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the appeal became necessary following recent media reports on the actions which the Presidentelect will purportedly embark

upon once he is sworn into office. ‘’Various people have been quoted in the media on what the President-elect will do or will not do once he assumes office. The truth is that these people do not speak for the President-elect, hence the need for the media to clarify such issues with the Chairman of the party, its National Publicity Secretary or the Spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Organization. These officials are always available to clarify issues,’’ it said.

APC said the ongoing transition is a delicate period that fifth columnists could capitalize on to cause disaffection or overheat the polity, hence the need for all stakeholders to be extra-cautious and to put the national interest above all other interests.

Meanwhile, the party has described as a mere fiction the ministerial lists currently being circulated, especially on the Social Media. ‘’Nigerians should disregard these lists and await the authentic list which will be communicated through the appropriate channels at the right time,’’ it said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 —15

FG explains varsity chancellors' appointment criteria

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE Federal Government has said it appointed 38 varsity chancellors from outside the geographical location of each chancellor to cross-fertilize diverse cultural backgrounds and ensure synergy among them.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, disclosed this at the Palace of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, during the formal presentation of the Monarch’s appointment letter as Chancellor, Federal University, Bernin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Permanent Secretary and Heads of Parastatals under the Ministry, including the Rector and Provost of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, both in Owerri.

Also present was the registrar of Federal University, Bernin Kebbi, Alhaji Ibrahim Mungadi.

Shekarau said: “The essence is for the chancellors as fathers, to impact positively on the lives of Nigerians other than their own immediate constituencies and by so doing, enhance the

peace, stability and progress of Nigeria.”

He described Eze Ilomuanya as a highly detribalized and respected traditional ruler in the country, pointing out that he was carefully selected alongside 37 other prominent monarchs.

The Minister noted that as a trail blazer, Eze Ilomuanya had been in the fore-front of peaceful co-existence of various sections of the country, stating

that his appointment was an indication of the honour and respect the Federal Government had for him.

Responding, Eze Ilomuanya thanked the Minister of Education and the Federal Government for the honour done him.

He assured that he would not relent in his task of ensuring a peaceful, united and stable Nigeria, where all would be

regarded as one, irrespective of religion, tribe and language.

Vanguard gathered that Eze Ilomuanya and the Emir of Kano, who now doubles as the Chancellor of University of Benin, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido, are the only two traditional rulers who the Minister personally delivered their appointment letters as chancellors.

THANKSGIVING: From left, Speaker,Abia State House of Assembly and deputy governorelect, Hon. Ude Okochukwu; wife of governor-elect, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu; Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State governor-elect; Abia State governor,Theodore Orji, and his wife, Mercy, during the valedictory thanksgiving service, at the new International Conference Centre, in Umuahia.

Guarantee of freedom my greatest legacy, Elechi says

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B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has said that allowing people to exercise their basic rights and freedom was his greatest legacy in the eight years of his administration.

Elechi made the statement, yesterday, at a Thanksgiving Mass, at Government House Catholic Chapel, Abakaliki, officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Michael Okoro.

“Ensuring that the people freely exercised the freedom to be themselves in all situations, criticise government without fear or favour, gave me the greatest joy as governor.

“When one adds this legacy to the provision of basic infrastructure; giant strides recorded in education sector, health, agriculture, among others, it could be concluded that my tenure was successful and fulfilling,” he said.

The governor, however, regretted that some people in the state put their personal interest above collective values which made the attainment of collective goals challenging.

“We have to make people know that the things that bind us supercede personal interests as

collective interest is more than what few friends or admirers can say they gained from a public servant or administration.

“Most people judge successes and failures of one’s administration from what they benefit from it.

“The quantum of violence recorded during the last election, made me wonder if the attitudinal change policy we preached for

over seven years was a wasted dream,” Elechi said.

He noted that the denial of people’s common freedom, peace and right to choose their leaders during the last elections in the state, gave him the greatest pain in office.

“The issue currently is not who won or lost because it was discovered that after the elections, there were no jubilations as the

winners failed to jubilate.

“We discovered that the entire state was shrouded in treacherous calm which could burst into violence at the slightest opportunity.

“This made us to invite the governorship candidates and their supporters to maintain peace in the collective interest of the state,” he said.

Police nab robbery syndicate in Ebonyi

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—A syndicate that specializes in robbing unsuspecting citizens of the state of their monies, electronics and other household property, was, last weekend, arrested and paraded by Ebonyi State police command.

The suspects who are all indigenes of Enugu State, include Okechukwu Okolie, 27, Nnabude Onwudiwe, 28, and Sunday Agu, 38.

Briefing newsmen at the command headquarters in Abakaliki, the State Police Public Relations Officers, DSP Chris Anyanwu, who disclosed that the suspects were arrested in a redcoloured Golf car with Registration Number Ondo AM 763 NND, added that one of their victims, Maureen Ekechi Nnebuife, 29, was swindled of N650,000.

“One of the miscreants feigned to have just arrived from Greece and didn’t know his way around town and needed to be directed to any nearby Eye Clinic for medication. ‘’While in the car, the said woman was dispossessed of sum of N50,000 cash which her husband sent her to deposit in a bank.

“Not yet done with her, the crooks forced her under threat to her mother ’s residence at Onueke and robbed her of N600,000 cash which the poor woman trades with in her meat business,” he said.

Ekweremadu, guest of honour, Gemade, chair, at launch of ‘Fragrance of Diversity’ tomorrow

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EPUTY SENATE President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, will be the special guest of honour at the unveiling of the book, ‘’FRAGRANCE OF DIVERSITY: Anthology of Nigerian names,’’ tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19, 2015.

The senator representing Benue North East senatorial zone, Chief Barnabas Gemade, is also expected to chair the ceremony scheduled to hold at International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The same ceremony has FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, as the chief host, with one of his predecessors, Alhaji Mohammed Abba Gana,

as the father of the day.

The 352-page book, written by Nosike Ogbuenyi, the Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister, covers about 10,000 Nigerian names and their meanings.

It also has chapters containing thread names, words and other related matters.

According to a statement, yesterday, in Abuja by the Chairman of the National Organizing Committee for the presentation and a National Trustee of Unity and Tolerance Initiative, Gbenga Onayiga, issues relating to unity, understanding, tolerance, harmony and peaceful co-

existence will be on the front burner on the occasion.

He explained that the book was written to promote peace, unity, understanding, harmony and tolerance among all Nigerians, irrespective of diversity.

Onayiga said the timing of the presentation of the book was deliberate, with the hindsight of cushioning the gains, trauma and challenges from the recent general elections and the attendant first-of-its-kind interparty transition in Nigeria.

He added that the book will promote understanding, tolerance in Nigeria.

Onayiga said the book sought to demonstrate how some of

Nigeria’s cultural traits and diverse names, which had often been misapplied as divisive tools, could be transformed into positive instruments of unity.

Many analysts are of the view that the book would definitely go a long way towards blending Nigerians of diverse linguistic and ethno-religious backgrounds together by encouraging bearing of names across ethnic and religious divides.

The book had been described as “a valuable companion for all patriots and those who want to understand Nigeria and Nigerians better as well as those seeking good baby names for their children.”

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Reps member wants S/Court injunction on Constitution amendment process reviewed

By Emman Ovuakporie

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B U J A — CHAIRMAN of the House of Representatives Committee on rules and business, Albert SamTsokwa, PDP, Taraba, has said that the National Assembly will ask for a review of the Supreme Court's decision stopping the lawmakers from proceeding with the process on amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

He said while the National Assembly holds the Supreme Court in high esteem and would not disobey its ruling pending the final decision on the matter, however argued that the ruling poses a dangerous precedence for the independence of the legislature in Nigeria.

The out-going lawmaker said the National Assembly had directed its lawyers to go back to the Supreme Court and discharge the order because “the order was hastily made. The court can’t stop a legislative process."

LEAD POISONING OUT-BREAK: 28

children killed in Niger State

By Gabriel Ewepu

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BUJA—AN out-break of lead poisoning has killed 28 children in Angwan Maijero and Angwan Karo, Madaka District in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following the

activities of illegal miners.

This was contained in a statement by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, yesterday.

The statement indicated that the number of casualties was more of children, 15 of them, but the Ministry of Health, Niger State

reported that the death toll had increased to 28 children, while many were still sick.

The statement read in part: “A case of lead poisoning purportedly resulting from the activities of informal miners in Angwan Maijero and Angwan Karo, Madaka District, Rafi LGA,

PRESENTATION: From left, Managing Director, China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise, CHELE, Mr. Wang Zhichao; Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Haresh Aswani; Managing Director, Nigeria Port Authority, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, and Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, at the presentation of $58.5 million cheque to China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise, to kick off the construction of Lekki Port, in Lagos.

NIRP to boost annual manufacturing revenue by N5trn —Aganga

.As Nigerian engineers task FG to patronise made-in-Nigeria vehicles

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga has said that the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, would boost the annual revenue earnings of the Nigerian manufacturers with up to N5 trillion per annum.

The Minister, who stated this at the annual Mechanical Engineers Distinguished lecture entitled, 'The Automative Industry and Nigeria’s Industrialisation,' in Abuja, explained that the goal of the NIRP was to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, from the present seven per cent to more than 10 per cent over the next five years.

He said that President Goodluck Jonathan in a bid to strengthen the economic base of the country had launched the NIRP and the National Enterprise Development Programme, NEDEP, to usher a new era for industrial, micro,

small and medium enterprises development in the country.

According to him: “The NIRP is the most ambitious and comprehensive roadmap that would transform the nation’s industrial landscape, boost skills development, enhance job creation and conserve foreign exchange.

“It is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country. It will fast-track

industrialisation, accelerate inclusive economic growth, job creation, transform Nigeria’s business environment and stop the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce locally.”

Aganga said that the NIRP was ambitious and comprehensive because it was based on the sectors that the "country has competitive and comparative advantages such as agro-allied, metals and solid minerals, oil and

gas industrial activities and construction, light manufacturing and services.

“These are sectors where Nigeria could be number one in Africa and in the top 10 globally.

The NIRP is geared towards addressing all the major physical constraints impeding industrialization and aims at improving the nation’s investment climate and promote the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products,” he said.

Niger State, was reported by our Federal Mines Officer In-charge, Niger State on May 13, 2015.

“The report contained a detailed investigation on the incident and measures taken to forestal further deterioration of the situation.

"A highpoint of the report was the initial report by the field officer of 15 casualties, made up of mainly children, linked to the poisoning caused by the activities of these miners.

“The report also contained efforts by the Ministry in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Niger State Ministry of Health in putting in place a technical team which visited the affected areas on a scoping mission to verify the occurrence of the out-break, its causative agents, magnitude and dimension.

“A report received on May 7 from the State Ministry of Health contained an increased number of sick children, under the age of 5, and the death of about 28 children.

“Series of meetings have been held by stakeholders and are still ongoing in the process of addressing this issue, especially that comprising the Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, World Health Organization, Civil Society Organization, Ministry of Water Resources and others.”

According to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development the particular activity that gave rise to this out-break of lead poisoning, as in other cases in the past, has been as a result of the informal mining which involves the adoption of unsafe mining practices, giving little or no regards to personal health, that of the general public and the environment.

This was in spite of the establishment of a Special Presidential Mines Surveillance Task Force which the Secretary to the Government of the Federation inaugurated in June 2012 as part of the efforts to curtail the situation.

However, the Ministry stated that it had as follow up in mid2013 by dispatching its Ministerial Task Force to Garin Gabas in the same Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State to evacuate illegal miners from sites there.

INSURGENCY: Military cautions advocacy groups against hate

campaigns

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HE NIGERIAN Military has cautioned advocacy groups against hate campaigns even as it insisted that all its reports on counterterrorism are based on the available information and observance of the elements of propriety, security, policy and accuracy which have remained its guiding principles.

In a letter addressed to the leadership of Bring Back Our

Girls, BBOG, group, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade cautioned them to be wary of those he called "charlatans looking for a platform to denigrate the Military for selfish and ulterior motives.

“I feel constrained to call your attention to the existence and activities of charlatans in your midst who have never had the

privilege of responsible service in public sector, but are now keen to see everyone in position brought down to entertain their fancy and envy,” he said.

Olukolade regretted that some persons have sought to equate military’s efforts to give accounts of activities on the nation’s war on terror as propaganda or cover up.

Insisting that the battle situation on ground could be very fluid and

susceptible to rapid changes; Olukolade said: “The situations around the battle could also change accordingly in an inexplicable manner.

"This trend is also compounded by various perspectives that have been employed to seriously polarise the understanding of the situation along the line of all kinds of sentiments and biases prevailing in the environment.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—17

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 PIERRE Nkurunziza is one of Africa’s least known dictators. The 10-year ruler of Burundi wants another five years. His ambition has upset the fragile peace instituted after a brutal 13-year civil war between Tutsi and Hutu. People are protesting another Nkurunziza tenure, a coup was staged against him on Wednesday.

Even if he returns to power, his ambition has complicated the politics of Burundi, which rested more on the understanding that power, positions, and opportunities would be shared to reflect the pluralities of Burundi. Nkurunziza argues that parliament elected him for his first tenure, so it would not count. The Constitutional Court supports him. Should he not leave office for the sake of Burundi?

Only last year, Burkinabe Blaise Compaore, then 63, after 27 years, wanted another five-year term. If he succeeded, he would have spent almost half his life as the ruler of Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest countries, whose misfortunes have benefitted from stalled leadership.

Angry Burkinabes ejected Compaore from power, but the chaos that his forced departure caused is not new. African

Nkurunziza Learnt Nothing countries with long-lasting dictatorships remain in ruination after the demi-gods leave. Cote d’Ivoire has not fully recovered 23 years after the death of former President Felix Houphouët-Boigny, its first president.

He ruled for 33 years.

Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda are some countries with sit-tight leaders. Nkurunziza should have learnt from Niger ’s Mamadou Tandja who the ar my evicted in 2010 following his third-term bid. Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade lost the 2012 election after changing the constitution to run for a third term.

Paul Biya, 81, Cameroun’s President, perennially in France tending his health,

has been President for 33 years. He was Prime Minister for seven years. Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Zimbabwe, 91, his country ’s only President in its 35 years, has his wife as possible successor.

Eritrea’s Isaias Afwerki (22), Angola’s Jose Eduardo dos Santos (36), Chad’s Idriss Deby (25), and Uganda’s Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (29) are among African sit-tight dictators.

Even if Nkurunziza thinks he is the best President for Burundi, the fact remains that his ambition could return the country to the war that cost more than 300,000 lives and left a vastly divided polity.

Like Zimbabwe, where inflation has hit incalculable heights, with scarcity of everything from food to fuel, Burundi is in economic straits. Nkururnziza’s claims to building schools do not address them.

Nkurunziza, just 51, has been accused of repressive measures to reserve the presidency for himself. Other African dictators apply the same tactics. The world should assist Burundi out of its quagmire,instead of waiting for another war.

We condemn undemocratic leadership changes, and leaders who make them inevitable.

OPINION TTur ur key and the cost of presidential ‘insults’ urk

By Yunus Usman

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VENTS in Turkey regarding onslaught on individuals accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have over the recent times continue to question my belief on the type of governance that holds sway in that country.

While it is widely known that every democratic leader must be willing to receive criticisms and sometime insults from the people, events in Turkey, including the recent court summon of Emrah Serbes for insulting President Erdogan, appear to justify analysts claim that the present administration has drifted into a neardictatorship.

As a Nigerian, I have lost count of how many times people insulted President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in the social media, tagging him disparaging names for failing to meet their expectations. Even the President-Elect, General Muhamadu Buhari is not also spared of insults and criticisms from those who believe their interests would be endangered by his rule.

I have also seen on various international television screens and social network sites how citizens of major democracies like United States, United Kingdom, India, among many others, criticising and sometime insulting their leaders for not living up to expectations.

Of all these instances, issue of criminal charges never came up, as criticisms and

constructive ‘insults’ are seen as ‘thermometer’ to gauge the popularity of government in any democratic settings.

But President Erdogan seeming passion to stifle critics and’ crush’ Turks who made negative remarks about the present administration through harsh judicial prosecutions, underscore how democracy is fast bidding bye to Turkey amid outcry from various quarters.

Before the recent trial of Serbes, who was accused of "insulting" President Erdogan on a Television programme he joined as a guest speaker, many Turks are still licking their wounds, while others are cooling their heels in various jails for daring to make negative remarks on the iron-hand president, a scenario reminiscent of the old days of Emperor reign.

Report has it that between August last year to March this year alone, no fewer than 236 people have been investigated for insulting the Turkey’s President, out of which 105 were indicted, while Erdogan filed almost 500

But if the insults are anything to go by, why is Erdogan attracting abusive remarks from the Turkish people?

requests to the social media platform, Twitter, for removal of content he considered abusive.

But if the insults are anything to go by, why is Erdogan attracting abusive remarks from the Turkish people? Was it the same thing a decade ago when he assumed power as Prime Minister before his ‘coronation’ as President?

While the present administration seem to be evasive in answering these questions, many international analysts believe that the President determined efforts to permanently perpetuate himself in power despite his plummeting rating may have prompted the negative comments targeting the President.

Erdogan popularity rating dwindled to a record low following the corruption scandal that rocked the administration in December 2013, which some members of the President’s inner circle and officials of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) were implicated.

But the quest to whip the Turkish people into his tortuous line has further made the President unpopular as waves of arrest of critics and blatant crackdown on media portray him as an authoritarian and dictatorial leader, even as various international rights groups continue to hit hard on Turkey’s human rights record.

Reporters Without Borders recently placed the country in 149th of 180 countries in the press freedom index, while a recent report, authored by US civil rights advocate James Harrington, brought to the fore a bleak

picture of Turkey's poor civil rights record just as it warned that further regression will see to the total erosion of little elements of democracy that are still on ground in the country.

This may not be far from the truth, in Erdogan's time in office,( first as Prime Minister 2003-to 2014 and President from 2014 till date), no fewer than 63 journalists have been sentenced to a total of 32 years in prison, with collective fines of not less than $128,000, while figures from Turkey’s Ministry of Justice put the number of people investigated for insulting the President in the recent months at 236.

A 16-year-old boy was indicted earlier this year for calling the president a thief during a demonstration, just as a former Miss Turkey was also hit with charges for posting poem deemed to insult the president on her Instagram account.

Though most of the cases were initiated by individuals or lawyers, many believe that the waves of arrest of critics, judges, journalists, protesters and opposition figures, who the government often accused of being members of the ‘parallel state’ have the full backing of Erdogan.

As in the case of Serbes known for his writing on the popular crime series ‘Behzat C’, scores of criminal investigations and cases have been launched against authors, journalists, academics and cartoonists for "insulting Erdogan" in recent years, prompting statements of concern from the international community.

•Mr. Usman, a commentator on current affairs , wrote from Lokoja.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Sapped of power and energy

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FORTNIGHT ago, I was in Lagos and with my travelling companions, we were heading for Ibadan. We were low on fuel, but the fuel stations were mini theatres of war. As we passed them, we could see low intensive combats going on. There was of course the option of the black market. But it was selling for N210 per litre in comparison with the official N87.

The other problem is that at this parallel market, you could be sold adulterated fuel. We concluded that Ibadan was a saner place to buy fuel.

In Ibadan, the situation was worse. I observed a three-man team of policemen who despite their wailing patrol van, found it impossible to gain access into a fuel station which was blocked by vehicles. They disembarked, muscled their way with their guns, intimidated the station manager who reluctantly sold them fuel in the three four–litre cans they were carrying. They returned to their patrol van, sweating but triumphant. What a country!

We soon discovered that not buying black market fuel in Lagos was a serious mistake. Where the black marketers were deregulated in Lagos and could be found virtually at every turn, we could not get any all the way from the former toll gate to Iwo Road. We were told that Sabo, inside the town was where we could get black market.

We had to risk the drive into town with our fuel indicator blinking.

Yes, the market here was booming, but the cheapest was N310 per litre!

I reflected the type of devalued life Nigerians live. With such a high price, how do transporters break even? How do commuters, especially workers and students, get around? The small scale entrepreneurs, how do they power their generators? At what cost can farmers transport their produce to the urban markets? How do we survive without the fuel of our national life?

Doubtlessly, one of the most profitable businesses in the world, is oil marketing in Nigeria.

It does not matter whether you are

a minor, major, dependent or independent marketer; you smile to the bank every second. The government provides them funds to import petroleum products and pays interest rates for the same funds. So they run no risk.

As marketers, they supply what they wish, sell at prices they choose, and when they are broke, they stop importing, or marketing and the Government rushes to off load billions of Naira into the bowels of their bulging accounts.

Kerosene, mainly used by the poor and manufacturers, for which marketers collect subsidies to sell at N50, they openly sell at N150.

An open secret is that some of the marketers, using the notorious ‘Cotonou’ and ‘Lome’ ships do not even bring the products into the country. They simply off load them in neighbouring countries, get the Nigerian officials to sign the necessary papers of delivery in the country, and smile to the bank.

These are marketers who import in the first place. There are those who import nothing, use the names of decommissioned ships and are paid by Government.

Yet, the reason this racketeering persists and why subsidy must

The Buhari administration is like a crab emerging from a hole; its walking sideways, will make it difficult to determine where it is headed

Politics and development of Bayelsa State

By Godfrey Pondei

C

REATED by the late General Sanni Abacha’s military government on Tuesday 1st October 1996, Bayelsa State is agreeably the capital and home of Nigeria’s fourth largest tribe – the Ijaws – also known sometimes as Izons.Due to its linguistic homogeneity, Ijaws who spread across Bayelsa,Rivers, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo States consider the creation of Bayelsa State a dream come true as it was expected to be the fulcrum of sociocultural activities spanning the entire Ijaw tribe. More importantly, the Ijaw people, two of whom had been chief executives of the old Rivers State – Chief Diette Spiff and late Chief Melford Okilo - considered the creation of Bayelsa State as an opportunity to correct infrastructural defects and deficiencies which they had witnessed inRivers State, one in which they were previously domiciled. This makes the development of Bayelsa State of paramount importance to the people.

True as the foregoing portends, not only the Ijaw people, but the generality of the Nigerian populace have expressed concerns about the volatility that had characterised the political climate in Bayelsa State vis-àvis the short duration in office of chief executives of the state. While other states in the South south geopolitical zone like Edo and Rivers have had three governors each; Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom have had only two governors respectively between 1999 and date. It is sad to note that theBayelsa State experience is rather different and worrisome. Within the period under review, the state has had a whooping total of six governors. It is consequent uponthis fact that seeking solution in checking the trend becomes inevitable.

From an historical perspective, the Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha-led administration which began on 29 May 1999 got short circuited on 9 December 2005 during its

second term and was succeeded same day by the then Deputy Governor – Dr.Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This administration which spanned through 29th May 2007 was similarly truncated by Dr.Goodluck Jonathan’s nominationas running mate to the late President Umaru Shehu Yar’Adua during the elections that led to the federal administration that began 29 May 2007.His ascension to the position of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria created a vacuum in Bayelsa State which needed to be filled.As such, Chief Timipre Sylva who had been a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the 1990s, and acandidate of the People’s Democratic Party,emerged winner of the Bayelsan gubernatorial election on May 29, 2007 and therefore succeeded Goodluck Jonathan. It is on record how Sylva’s major opponent in the 2007 election, Ebitimi Amgbare of the Action Congress, legally challenged his victory. Although the Bayelsa State Election Petitions Tribunal upheld Sylva’s election, Amgbare took the matter to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt which overturned the Tribunal’s decision and nullified Sylva’s election on April 15, 2008. Then, the Court of Appeal’s five justices were unanimous in their decision and ordered that Speaker Werinipre Seibarogu be sworn in to replace Sylva as acting

Believably, political elite and other political actors, by their actions or inactions, are capable of subjecting a system to stress which has the potentials of making it fickle. Could this be true for the Bayelsa experience?

continue is that we do little or no refining in the country. When an oil producing country like Nigeria does not refine its petroleum needs, first, it deprives its citizens employment in that sector, but most importantly, it exposes itself to the manipulative vagaries of the so called market forces and the fraud inherent in the Nigerian subsidy regime.

In choosing to import products rather than refining, government exposes the country to two major factors it has no control over; the price of crude at the international market, and the exchange rate of the Naira. These are two important variables that drive the subsidy regime. Other factors include the added burden of freight, insurance, capital to import, interest rates, landing costs, port charges, demurrage, storage charge, lifting fuel by road all the way from Lagos, etcetera.

So why would a nation be so yoked?

There is so much reliance on petroleum products partly because the power sector continues to generate more darkness than electricity. We were told that the solution to that sector is privatisation. As was done in the Babangida regime, we were told that we must embrace TINA. Not Tina, the lady, but the acronym; There Is No Alternative to privatization.

So the Power Holding Company (PHCN) was privatised by being unbundled into eighteen companies; a transmission company, six Generating Companies (GENCOs) and eleven Distribution Companies (DISCOS) Despite the privatisation a year and half ago,

Governor, with a directive to hold a fresh election within three months.The new election held on May 24, 2008as originally scheduled and Timipre Sylva, again running as the PDP candidate, won overwhelmingly. He was sworn in again on 27 May 2008.On 27 January 2012, his tenure was terminated by an order of the Supreme Court with Nestor K. Binabo appointed as an acting governor to oversee the state until February 2012 when the winner of an election that will have held will be sworn in. As scheduled, on 14 February 2012, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson who won over 90% of the votes as reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission, was sworn in and as such,took over the mantle of leadership from 14February 2012 till date.

The foregoing experiences have either premeditatedly or inadvertently characterised the political landscape of Bayelsa State thus culminating in a whooping total of six different chief executives, being the highest across the South-South geopolitical zone within the period under consideration to have administered the affairs of the oil-rich state.

It is thought-provoking that this political precariousness in Bayelsa State is not unique to the sixteen year-old democratic dispensation. Similarly, during the military era, for instance, Bayelsa State had four military administrators from its creation in 1996 through 1999. This is relative to the three administrators for Edo, Delta and Akwa Ibom; and two for Rivers and Cross River States respectively within the same period.

The political volatility in Bayelsa State, as opined by a thought school is largelydue to the fact that Bayelsans are quick to complain just about every regime, a few months into it, until there is a basis for comparison with another. Could this be a characteristic feature of Bayelsans, believed to be endemic in the people of the state?

Could this be said to be partly responsible for the volatility of the state’s political system, even during the military era? Or could complaints against Bayelsan

there is no service delivery, no appreciable investments and the foreign and local fund injection promised, did not materialise. In fact, some of the companies are yet to pay fully for the purchase.

Despite these huge failures, those who purchased the PHCN companies with ‘gencos’ in their blood stream are simply dancing ‘discos’ in the banks with profits made off Nigerians.

Like the oil marketers, it is the Government raising funds for them to run their private companies; the CBN under a Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilization Facility (NEMSF) made available to them, N213 Billion to off set debts and open credit lines. So far, the privatisation of the power sector has seen the reduction of the staff by over 70 percent, the casualisation of the entire industry and the enslavement of staff.

As for the rest of Nigerians, we are stuck with the pre-1999, less than four-thousand megawatts of electricity, and private power companies that cannot even supply pre-paid meters. Thus, many Nigerians continue to be subjected to so called estimated bills and tariff increases for power not supplied.

So we are sapped of power, we are sapped of energy. Many are however optimistic that the Buhari administration taking over next week Friday will turn things around.

This may well be true, but we must remember that governance is about policies, guiding principles and interests, not a religion or set of beliefs. The Buhari administration is like a crab emerging from a hole; its walking sideways, will make it difficult to determine where it is headed.

administrations be truly due to inability of the political system to provide for its members?More often than not, administrations in Bayelsa are perceived to have failed to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people, thereby creating a feeling among citizens that the government is corrupt, amongst other associated negative vises.As a consequence of such undesirableimpressions, Bayelsan regimes are often known by cliché or the other before it is crumbled.It may amuse one to note that the name of an ex-military administrator is used as a common slang to denote the locally brewed gin also known as ogogoro, as he was rumoured to have delighted himself in taking a lot of it while he served in the state.

Indeed, theBayelsa experience is akin to the instability of the political systems in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and others that have created numerous challenges for their people– insecurity and underdevelopment,amongst others.

Believably, political elite and other political actors, by their actions or inactions, are capable of subjecting a system to stress which has the potentials of making it fickle.

Could this be true for the Bayelsa experience? Could this be an explanation for the relative underdevelopment Bayelsa State has suffered ab initio? Proffering solutions to these hitherto rhetorical questions could put one on a good pedestal to solving the problems of the state.

This is where bringing to bear Almond and Powell’s structural functional analysis becomes needful, understanding that functionalism is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. In this regard, it becomes imperative, therefore, for both government and the governed to see the development of Bayelsa State as a collective responsibility of all.

Continues tomorrow on pg. 18 •Dr. Pondei is Chairman, Forum of Young Academic Doctors of Bayelsa, State.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

W

E may soon start paying a heavy price for electing a man who first ruled us 30 years ago. We may be headed for a gerontocracy; a government populated by old men and women. If these oldies had served our country well, we would have been among the developed countries in the world. But right now, we are not even one of the developed countries in Africa. We are merely the largest economy in Africa by virtue of the abundant gifts of God. Some of the guys who were always in the picture in one capacity or the other in the past 40 years are set to be recycled when most of them are nearly, or even above 80!

Our President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari - the second ex-ruler we brought back to continue from where he stopped in 1985 when about half the population of this country had not been born – shocked us when he appointed Dr Ahmed Joda as the head of his 16-man Transition Committee. Joda has been there when it comes to the governance of Nigeria from the 1960s. He was one of the so-called “Superpermanent Secretaries” whom General Gowon depended upon to run Nigeria and thus alienated his colleagues in the military who removed him from power in 1975.

This man completed his secondary school 67 years ago! He is even older than Buhari by official age. This man and other fossilised remains from our ignoble past should be at home watching TV and playing with their great-grand children rather than occupying the opportunities meant for today’s people.

Not done yet, Buhari only last week went public with a complaint I found rather queer. He said that our out-going President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, had not offered a single idea to him about how his administration should take off! That is shocking, for many reasons. Number one, General Buhari has been our Head of State. When he assumed power on December 31, 1983, he did not seem to need anyone to teach him how to start governing.

Obasanjo ‘development’ committee – again?

Perhaps, it was his Deputy, then Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, who helped government to start? Are there not enough experienced hands in his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to help him? The National Chairman of his Party, Dr John Odigie-Oyegun, is a retired Federal Permanent Secretary.

Secondly, General Buhari had contested for the presidency three previous times. He surely ought to have a clear picture of what he wants to do when given the opportunity to rule a second time?

Certainly, Obasanjo, the first fossil we plucked out of the freezer to rule us under democracy after ruling us as a military man, knew exactly how to start in 1999. He knew that the military was a threat to our democracy and he purged it as soon as he took over. He knew

Shouldn’t Mabogunje, Kalu, Kolade and Professor Tam David-West be allowed to stay at home in retirement, watch TV and play with their greatgrand children?

those who gave him money to run for election, and he immediately awarded emergency contracts to them, such as the Abuja National Stadium which Julius Berger was given over N12 billion from outside the budget to start a few days into Obasanjo’s return to power. I thought the right attitude was for Jonathan to hand over governance and give way completely. I never knew Buhari would need tips from him.

Well, apropos of tips, there is a man who did not wait to be asked.

And that is the third shock of the matter. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, our two-time president and one-time military head of state, last week sent one of his lackeys to submit what was termed a “development agenda” to Buhari. Obasanjo was quoted as saying he set up the committee about four months ago. That was in January 2015. Does it mean Obasanjo knew Jonathan would not be president FOUR months ago!? I ask this question in view of the fact that he had fallen out with Jonathan irretrievably, to the point of theatrically tearing his PDP meal ticket (membership card) in public. Very interesting, for those who say there was more to this election that meets the eye.

Even more interesting were the people who reportedly worked in the Obasanjo Development Committee. Names like Professor Akin Mabogunje, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu and Dr Christopher Kolade, were mentioned. Another group from our past. At 75, KIK is the youngest of the trio, and apart from KIK the rest have been in,

or worked for, the Federal Government since 1970s. That Buhari received the Obasanjo Committee report with such fanfare could mean he will attach some importance to it. Usually, when people compose an agenda, they are asked to play a role in actualising it. Shouldn’t Mabogunje, Kalu, Kolade and Professor Tam David-West be allowed to stay at home in retirement, watch TV and play with their great-grand children?

What manner of “change” can Buhari achieve by bringing back these oldies?

And, for that matter, isn’t it time that we forcefully retired Obasanjo from our lives? Isn’t it amazing that Buhari, who is seen as a serious-minded leader, should allow himself to be cornered by this man who imposed the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua and the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan on the nation to feather his personal nest, failing which he declared wars against them?

Why is Buhari allowing Obasanjo to hoodwink him with reminiscences of their military (especially civil war) comradeship and using it to come into the “eighteen yard box” of an impending government that we expect to change Nigeria for the better? Obasanjo is like a mad wrestler. Anybody who wrestles with him comes out with his entire body covered with sand!

I am wondering what “development plan” Obasanjo presented to Buhari which he was unable to implement in his total of 12 years as Nigeria’s ruler? In

his second coming, apart from reforming the military to rid it of coup-plotting, selling licences to bring in the GSM services and using Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s connections in the World Bank to obtain the debt deal with the Paris Club, not much can be remembered of what Obasanjo’s eight years as elected president added to Nigeria’s advancement.

Instead, we can list failures of governance in the areas of security (with many unsolved murders of highly placed Nigerians, including his Minister, Bola Ige), energy (failed National Integrated Power Projects that gulped over $16 billion, and the wasted billions in failed revamp of refineries), economic reforms, rule of law, development of our democracy (serial sabotage of the National Assembly, destruction of both the PDP and opposition parties) and the war on corruption. Obasanjo went into government broke in 1999 and came out as one of the wealthiest Nigerians in 2007. He has not given us an account of how he singlehandedly ran the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for six years of our second oil boom when he was president.

His government is rated by Transparency International, TI, as the “most corrupt” federal government, based on data it collected between 1979 and 2014.

Ironically, the much touted Goodluck Jonathan administration was rated as the least corrupt; far less corrupt than that of General Buhari in 1984/ 85! Remember that Obasanjo was once a member of the Board of Transparency International before he was jailed by General Sani Abacha. They cannot be accused of being biased against their former Director or in favour of Jonathan.

Usually, only young people are able to bring about change. The only change old people are capable of bringing about is to take us back to what they knew in their time. In the next four years we may be heading for something we never bargained for!

OPINION Empty treasury awaits General Buhari

By Joe Igbokwe

I

F the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan had known that the bubble will burst in March 28, 2015 presidential elections, I bet they would have been a little bit cautious and prudent in dealing with the nation’s finances.

In a special farewell service for the President in Abuja by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion President Jonathan lamented that he fears persecution targeted at him and his Ministers from the All Progressives Congress, APC-controlled Federal Government after May 29, 2015.

President Jonathan had to swallow the bitter pill of letting the world know what has been troubling his innermost chambers since it became obvious that the game has been won and lost in Nigeria. The reports of the devastating state of Nigeria’s economy have not helped matters. The figures refused to add up. Nigeria cannot pay salaries, petrol cannot flow. Electricity is not available. The system is almost at standstill.

But what worries me most is why the President is crying out loud about possible persecution if there is nothing to worry about. If there is no skeleton in the cupboard, the President needs not bother about anything except to prepare C M Y K

for a decent handover ceremony on May 29, 2015. If President had done his duty to fatherland in the way it should be done, I do not see the reason for this panic statement.

Before 2011 when we sold crude oil at $38 per barrel we had $62 billion in the external reserve. From 2011 when crude oil was sold at $110 per barrel our external reserves dropped to $32 billion. Now, where did all the money go?

In 1999 Nigeria had more than 3000 Mw of electricity and 16 years, after spending billions of dollars, we are still at less than 3000Mw. Again where did all the money go to? For over 16 years, Nigerians do not know what is going on at NNPC. How much crude oil do we pump in a day? How much of it is sold outside and what quantity is for local consumption? Why are our four refineries not working? Has NNPC been accountable to anybody? Who are those behind the oil subsidy scam? Have they been brought to book? Are we not living witnesses of how those accused of oil subsidy scam found themselves back in government? Those who aspire to hold public office must be man enough to admit failures and take responsibility.

The self evident truths here is that President Jonathan and his PDP never believed that incumbent can lose power in Nigeria. They were never prepared for it. They did not look

at the figures. They did not believe that they cannot buy the presidency again. The PDP and the Presidency did not realise that the North is aggrieved because Jonathan’s ambition to rule Nigeria till 2019 has devastated the Southern and Northern political equilibrium and understanding. They did not realise that it is impossible for 11 states in South East and South-South to defeat 25 States from North East, North West, North Central and South West. They were not smart enough to reason that immediately the whole North and the Yoruba nation came together, the business has been concluded. They did not see that Buhari of 2003, 2007, and 2011 is not the same Buhari in 2015.

Impunity and power of arrogance did not let them to know that losing General Obasanjo will break the back of PDP. The truth is that President Jonathan and his handlers took a lot of things for granted and the bubbles burst.

Empty treasury awaits General Buhari on May 29, 2015 and this is the hardest truth he has to face. But I know APC will overcome the coming challenges with the power of ideas and brutal efficiency. With a disciplined and transparent leadership, the real money that will drive progress will come. At high levels of office ideas are far better than dollars.

*Mr Igbokwe is the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lagos State chapter

MAY 18, 2015

Shareholders seek return of nationalized banks

By PETER EGWUATU

A

head of the sale of the last nationalised bank (Keystone Bank Limited ) by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), fresh facts seem to have emerged as shareholders have called on the incoming government led

by President-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari to revisit the issue of the three nationalized banks, stating that the exercise was not transparent and characterized by corruption.

Meanwhile, AMCON’s spokesperson, Mr. Kayode Lambo confided in Financial Vanguard that the sale of Keystone Bank will commence this year, 2015 contrary to earlier 2014 speculated.

He said: "The corporation will start the process of selling the bank with the appointment of financial advisers and will be fast-tracked. So it is likely that the sale may be completed between October and November 2015.”

Recall that AMCON has so far sold Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank to Skye Bank and Heritage Bank respectively.

In an exclusive chat with Financial Vanguard, the Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PSAN, Mr. Boniface Okezie, said, “We thank God that Keystone Bank, whose case is still in court over nationalization has not been sold yet. We have more facts on this issue and we want proper investigation on it by the new government. Also, investigation had shown that one of the reasons why retail investors had shown apathy to the Nigerian stock market since the meltdown in 2009 was because of the issue of nationalized banks. The retail investors suffered the loss of their investment in these banks. If the new government wants increased participation of local investors in the market, then it should investigate the C M Y K

zDemand probe into events leading to nationalization zAllege due process was not followed zKeystone Bank sale to be concluded by October/Nov issue of the nationalized banks."

Continuing, he said, “If the issue is investigated properly, the government will discover discrepancies in the handling of the issue and it will be proper if the banks are returned to their former shareholders or in the worst situation, compensation be paid to the shareholders. This step, if carried out would enhance confidence and engender the participation of local

investors in the capital market. So we are using this opportunity to call on the incoming government to revisit the nationalisation of the three banks whose licences were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and acquired by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC and then finally taken over by AMCON .

He contended that due process was not followed as the exercise was

characterized by corruption, adding, “The nationalization of these banks amounted to unlawful and compulsory acquisition of our investment and is therefore unconstitutional, arbitrary, null and void. We have fresh facts at our disposal and we would like the new government to investigate this issue.

Thank God, Keystone Bank has not yet been sold.”

Continues on page 22

VISIT: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya presenting a gift to the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), during a courtesy visit to the State of Osun Government House recently.

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Economy Stagflation: CBN’s inflation target unrealistic-FDC analysts

By Babajide Komolafe

A

ROUNDTABLE: From left, Renowned economist, Dr Ayo Teriba; Prince Bimbo Olashore, Chairman Lead Capital, and Dr Andrew Nevin, Chief Economist, PricewaterhouseCoopers at an event. The trio are expected at the Chambers Roundtable today in Lagos.

Shareholders seek return of nationalised banks Continued from page 21 Speaking as well on the issue of nationalized banks, Chairman of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association, NSSA, Chief Timothy Adesiyan said, “Nationalisation of these banks is a big fraud and need to be revisited for true justice to prevail.

According to him “Shareholders are not happy with the CBN when it forcefully nationalized three banks belonging to us. The question is, are the three banks doing well since they were taken over by AMCON? The answer is no. Then, what is the essence of nationalizing them?

We the shareholders of these banks were shortchanged and we would like the issue to be revisited and investigated because we like justice to prevail. When two elephants are fighting it is the grass that suffers.”

Speaking on the issue, the National Co-ordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Sir Sunny Nwosu said, “The establishment of AMCON was intended, ab initio, to rerationalise banks and rape shareholders, the idea was an “empty boast geared towards shortchanging shareholders, to enable them give the banks to their friends. The revocation of the operating licences of the banks was an illegal policy that had clearly showcased Nigeria as an unfriendly polity for sustainable business.”

In his comment, National Co-ordinator, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PROSAN, Mr. Taiwo Oderinde said, “It is a welcome development if the issue of the three nationalised banks is C M Y K

revisited."

The shareholders have been crying and calling on the government to compensate the shareholders who were not carried along when it nationalised the banks. We cannot be responsible for the inactiveness of others.

In his response, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said “The previous CBN governor should be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes

We, the shareholders of these banks were shortchanged and we would like the issue to be revisited and investigated because we like justice to prevail Commission (EFCC). He should be asked to account for how the three banks were nationalised without following due process. The former CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi never followed due process to nationalize these banks. The CBN had given September 30 for the banks to recapitalise but the investing public woke up on Friday to

hear that the three banks have been acquired. Worse still, the following Monday, new managements, boards and new names were announced for the banks. When will Nigeria’s public officials learn to obey the law?” Why the rush to nationalise, especially for banks that are publicly quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE?” It will be recalled that Keystone Bank , Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet bank, were totally restructured after a CBN audit showed their poor financial standing.

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has said it would be selling off Keystone, Enterprise and Mainstreet banks, in 2014.

The three banks, formerly known as Bank PHB, Spring Bank, and AfriBank were among the banks with infractions after the Central Bank’s audit in 2009.

Their situations were beyond mere bailouts and they had to be totally restructured, refunded and nationalised, to save depositors' funds.

AMCON was setup to revive and stabilise Nigeria’s banking industry through the purchase of Non-Performing Loans, NPLs, of the nation’s banking industry.

The 2009 banking crisis in the country, which coincided with the global asset bubble, was huge, when compared to previous industry crises, according to finance experts.

The crisis of solvency liquidity and confidence affected approximately 40 per cent of the total banking system.

Financial firm’s reports reveal Continues on page 23

nalysts at the Financial Derivatives Company has described unrealistic the inflation target of six to nine percent (6-9%) by the Central bank of Nigeria, given the threat of stagflation confronting the economy.

Describing stagflation as low economic growth combined with high inflation, the analysts, said “Nigeria is not in a stagflation state but could be inadvertently moving in that direction.”

Writing in the FDC Economic Bulletin issued on Friday they stated, “The recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed a contraction in economic growth to 3.96 percent in first quarter of 2015 ( Q1’15) from 6.21 percent in the corresponding period of 2014.

Also, the inflation numbers released for April showed the 5th consecutive increase to 8.7 percent. Hence, this is not stagflation but just a recipe or a start of the curve.

“In order to stimulate growth, the government is likely to spend more through increased borrowing and advocate for a lower interest rate.

This reduces unemployment and boosts growth but is likely to result in a higher level of inflation rate. Nonetheless, if the level of economic growth achieved by the accommodative policy is significant, the impact of a

high rate of inflation may be muted.

The current CBN inflation target of 6-9 percent is unrealistic with the current fundamentals in play.

Targeting an inflation band of 10-13% allows the CBN more room to tinker with the interest rates to stimulate growth.

“Encouraging bank lending to specific sectors of the economy using subsidized interest rates alongside a more practical inflation target helps to address the looming issue of stagflation.

“If policy measures by the new administration are aimed at reviving productivity and improving returns on investment, the real sector will have the incentive to lift capital expenditure. Hence, Nigeria will be on the transition path from stagflation to higher and sustainable real economic growth.

“Buhari is obsessed with development and long-term competitiveness of the Nigerian economy, aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians. He will have to deal with some trade-offs especially allowing for some inflation whilst investing significantly i.e. 10% of GDP in infrastructure to jump start the economy. There are no easy options, there are only hard choices”.

Developers seek restructuring of FMBN, FHA

D

evelopers in the country have called for the restructuring of government agencies in the housing sector to enable them to fulfil their mandate of providing affordable housing for the citizens.

President of REDAN, Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, observed that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) had deviated from its mandate and was now building houses for the rich.

He called for the recapitalisation of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to boost its business and enable it deliver effectively on its mandate. He further urged the government to address all issues hindering the efficiency of these agencies.

“It’s not good for you to have a bank with insufficient

funding and then say they are not performing their best, FMBN is the only agency that provides construction and mortgage financing. We have witnessed situations where the government had doled out N200 billion to those in the entertainment industry and hundreds of billions to those who are in agriculture. The housing sector deserves better since it is a basic need of man; therefore the minimum that could be invested in FMBN should be about N250 billion to recapitalise and restructure it.

If we can embark on repositioning banks through the banking reform and put in place measures to ensure that banks do not have challenges as they used to have, why can’t we do the same to the FMBN?”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 23

T

he order asking tanker drivers occupying the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway to vacate within 48 hours has made the Lagos State Government a laughing stock. When the OshodiApapa Expressway was being rehabilitated, commuters and other road users went through hell. The hellish condition was bearable to many on the consolation that once the road work was completed, there will be a relief.

That was not to be. As soon as the Mile-Two end of the rehabilitation work was completed, tankers and articulated vehicles took over the road completely. It was as if the tankers and other heavy duty vehicles had decided to make the expressway their parking lot. All efforts to decongest the road failed. The police pleaded helplessness.

The Navy did its best but no relief came. The Lagos State Government went on blame game, shifting responsibility to the Federal Government. In all, nothing meaningful was achieved. The tanker drivers entrenched themselves on the road claiming that they have settled virtually all the law enforcement agencies of government deployed to salvage the situation. On several occasions, workers have had to either abandon their vehicles or sleep in the office.

Suddenly, and from nowhere, the Lagos State Government woke up from its long slumber and found the moral courage to ask the heartless and unrepentant tanker drivers to leave the road in 48 hours. To any first time visitor to Nigeria, he would reason that if there is anything that symbolises a dysfunctional system and ineffective governance, it is the Apapa gridlock. Apapa houses the nation’s gateway, the biggest port in the country, yet it is inaccessible. The Apapa-Oshodi Expressway links the Lagos port to the

Murtala International Airport and it is sad that both Lagos State and Federal Governments have not paid enough attention to it but rather, have been playing

Review operating policies on tanks farms, petroleum distribution politics with it.

Apapa traffic gridlock is a symptom of much deeper shortcomings in the management of government business. The Federal Government has for long sold the downstream of the oil sector to a cabal who has ensured that the nation’s refineries would never work.

This is to give them the lee way to continue to import refined products and line

Expressway axis of Lagos are gradually being grounded as the uncivilized and uncultured attitude of most of the tanker drivers has become unbearable.

They park their tankers indiscriminately thereby blocking the highway and causing pains and discomfort to other road users as if Nigeria is in a state of anarchy and absolute lawlessness. Residents along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway are beginning to

If the pipelines were in good state, the bulk of the products the tankers are waiting endlessly to carry would have been transported seamlessly to various depots in the country their pockets with ill-gotten wealth. It is to enable the few that have access to government apparatus to import products and claim subsidy. Subsidy racket has become a big and lucrative business in Nigeria’s rental economy. If the nation’s refineries were working, the trucks will not be converging on Lagos to lift imported petroleum products from tank farms concentrated in Apapa and owned by individuals who care less about the ordinary Nigerian.

Commercial activities along the Apapa-Oshodi

relocate to other parts of the state all to avoid the traffic madness on the road.

Warnings in the past from well meaning Nigerians that port users will have challenges on that road and advised against locating tank farms within the ports area were ignored by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Obasanjo administration gave approval to all the tank farms to be situated around Nigeria’s busiest ports and many had no environmental impact assessment. This greedy, singular and callous act of ‘Executive Recklessness’ has

brought economic loss in terms of manpower and loss of valuable time to both the rich and poor.

The government also failed to make the network of pipelines that link Atlas Cove to the various depots across the country work. If the pipelines were in good state, the bulk of the products the tankers are waiting endlessly to carry would have been transported seamlessly to the various depots in the country.

Equally important is the fact that these cabals who own these trucks have also made the railways to fail. If the rail system had not collapsed, most of the products would also have been transported by rail at even cheaper cost.

As a result of these failures, the energy to power the economy is undersupplied.

And this is made even worse by a collapsing public power supply system.

Many industries and business enterprises have been groaning as a consequence of energy crisis. Many have cut down on the number of work hours. Flights are being cancelled on daily basis because aviation fuel could not be supplied on account of the gridlock on the ApapaOshodi axis. Because of the convergence of trucks on Lagos ports, an unprecedented traffic gridlock has been created on the Apapa axis of Lagos with spillover effects to other parts of Lagos, leading to considerable loss of

man hours. Generally, the toll on the welfare of citizens is profound.

The government should immediately review the operating licenses granted to tank farm operators. Those without adequate facilities across the country where product can be discharged in bulk should be eased out of the business. Products should not be discharged at the Apapa port alone. Those to serve the Niger-Delta should go to Warri, Koko ports while those for East should be discharged at Port Harcourt.

The participation of the NNPC in the supply chain should be discontinued and the private sector should be allowed to operate in a fully deregulated regime, subject to appropriate guidelines.

Existing pipelines should be privatized or leased to tank farm owners to operate. The current model is clearly not working for Nigerians and government should put an end to it.

Nigeria needs to make the rail system work as well. For an economy of the size of Nigeria to be efficient in every sense, it must have a functional rail system. The review of the entire distribution chain in the downstream of the petroleum sector is needed urgently. It is hoped it will be the first change that Nigerians will see in the APC- led Federal Government whose magical pass word is change.

Cover

Shareholders seek return of nationalised banks Continued from page 22 the financial cost of the intervention is now in excess of N5 trillion, aside shareholder values destroyed.

It will be recalled that some shareholders had taken AMCON to court and the case has yet to be finalized. At the last ruling, a Federal High Court in Lagos refused to dismiss a suit filed by some shareholders of the defunct Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank) against the CBN, AMCON and three others over the forced acquisition of their

shares.

While ruling on a preliminary objections filed by the defendants to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, Justice Mohammed Yunusa held that as shareholders, the plaintiffs have a say in the bank and that no arm of government can take away a citizen’s right to acquire or hold property; therefore, there can be no compulsory acquisition of the shares.

The plaintiffs are challenging the alleged illegal transfer of their shares to Keystone Bank

without compensation.

They are also demanding the sum of N38.6 billion from the defendants being “fair compensation” to them for the value of their investment in Bank PHB Plc. The shareholders are further asking the court for an order setting aside the alleged unlawful nationalisation, compulsory acquisition and expropriation of their investments in Bank PHB, and are seeking N20 billion as damages for the loss of value of their investments in Bank PHB.

The defendants in the suit are CBN, Keystone Bank, AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

The plaintiffs claimed that NDIC on August 5, 2011, wrote Bank PHB’s Managing Director informing him that the bank’s assets and liabilities have been transferred to Keystone Bank without any form of adequate compensation to the shareholders.

The plaintiffs are praying the court to declare that the action amounted to unlawful

compulsory acquisition of their investment and is therefore unconstitutional, arbitrary, null and void.

But the defendants in their preliminary objections to the suit, urged the court to strike it out for lack of jurisdiction.

According to their lawyer, Kola Awodein, the shareholders did not bring the action properly before the court thereby robbing the court of the jurisdiction to hear it.

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 25

Business & Economy

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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iversion of Oil and gas cargo to neighbouring countries' ports is imminent following the recent directive by the new management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, that all oil and gas vessels should henceforth go through Intels facilities in Onne, Rivers State.

Members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and others have threatened to divert oil and gas cargoes to neighbouring countries unless the directive is rescinded. The association which decried government’s moves to grant such monopoly said that it would instruct its members and principals who handle oil and gas cargoes to henceforth direct their vessels to boycott all Intels-controlled seaports, unless the directive was reversed.

National President of the association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, who spoke on the issue said what the Federal Government has done was very irresponsible. “What they are doing is creating a monopoly that is anti-people, and not in the interest of the economy,” he said.

“Everybody should have a choice of where they want to take their cargoes to. The government concessioned the ports, all of them (concessionaires) signed the same documents. Why do you have to force people to take their cargo to Intels…so that they can charge them in dollars, and not only that, their charges are 300 times more than regular charges in

Leap Africa MSME forum focuses risk mitigation

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BRIEFING: From Left, Dr Bimbo Ogunkelu (former Minister for Integration and Chairman, CHESTRAD), Dr Lola Dare (President, CHESTRAD International) and Mr. Bolaji Shenjobi (Board Member) at a Press briefing by CHESTRAD International on Thursday where a new philanthropic NGO, “I Will Give” was introduced to the Nigerian public.

Cargo diversion looms over NPA's order on oil, gas other ports.

“We have started our campaign also to call for the boycott of all Intels’ ports facilities. In addition, we are prepared to take our oil and gas goods through Cotonou.

If that discrimination is going to happen, then we go through the border.

“It is very unfortunate because Intels have been a problem and it is like a country, a sovereign of its

own. That is because the promoters are holding the government and Nigerians by the jugular. It is very unfortunate”.

The ANLCA President criticised out-going government of President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on some recent controversial appointments, which he described as deliberate plots to create problems for its successor.

“Like many things the out-

Economic woes worsen as NLNG’s revenue drops by 30%

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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igeria’s dwindling revenue profile is expected to worsen further, as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, yesterday said it has recorded a 30 per cent decline in its revenue as at April 2015.

Specifically, NLNG had in 2014 paid about N220 billion into the coffers of the Federal Government for Corporate Income Tax. This amount does not include the sum the NLNG pays the country as dividends for its 49 per cent holding in the company.

NLNG puts Nigeria’s overall earnings from the company at over 70 per cent,

comprising the 49 per cent dividend, 30 per cent Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and other taxes.

Speaking at the External Stakeholders Forum as parts of activities marking the NLNG Commercial Week 2015, Deputy Managing Director of the company, Mr. Isa Inuwa, stated that NLNG’s revenue was impacted by the falling crude oil price and the low consumption of its products.

He said, “Our prices are indexed to crude; at least a significant portion of our portfolio. The price of gas is indexed to Brent, hence if there is a fall in the prices of Brent; it means we will sell for less.” To cushion against the effect of the declining crude

price, Inuwa stated that the NLNG is looking at its operating model and is considering increasing its gas output. To this end, he stated that the company is investing in the upstream sector to ensure continuous gas supply and feed stock to its plants in quantity that will enable it meet the contractual obligations to its customers and also deliver value to its shareholders.

He further stated that between year 2020 and 2021, the agreements and contracts on its Trains one to three, with a capacity of 10 million tonnes, are expected to come to an end, adding that the NLNG has already developed an aggressive marketing strategy to re-market the Trains and it will be looking at destinations and buyers for its commodities.

going government is doing now, I think they are just out to create problems for the new administration. We should be talking about the in-coming government, not the out-going one that is just creating boobytraps all over the place for its successor,” he said.

The ANLCA leader, however, opined that such “booby-traps can be dismantled by the in-coming government if they can put their acts together.

“While tackling the issue of the economy, he (in-coming President Muhammadu Buhari) should also be looking into the Maritime Industry. The maritime industry is a very viable avenue for government to meet its revenue needs. If we can raise up to N7 trillion annually from the industry, and our current budget is N4-5 trillion, then we should be able to break even.

“So the in-coming administration should look into all these, all the hurried appointments and commitments they are making now, the first step for them is to repudiate all these actions they know are not in the interest of the common man,” Shittu said.

The directive which is seen as very unhealthy monopoly came on the heels of growing concern among stakeholders over the controversial sack of the former MD of the NPA, Mallam Habbib Abdullahi, and his replacement with Alhaji Sanusi Lamido AdoBayero, whose family is alleged to have substantial interest in Intels.

eap Africa has concluded arrangements to host Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs with the aim of sensitising them on how to maximise profit and mitigate risk in their businesses.

Specifically, LEAP Africa, a leadership development organization and its partners will converge 800 SMEs at the 10th edition of the CEOs Forum under the theme: Staying Ahead: Maximizing Profit and Mitigating Risks.

The speakers will deliberate on sectoral and industrial risks; the need for SMEs to concentrate their efforts on evaluating and managing their risk exposures for long-term sustainability.

Well-known industry business leaders, entrepreneurs, risk management experts in Nigeria’s business sector – Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, MD/ CEO; Nestlé Nigeria Plc., Mrs. Peju Adebayo, Managing Director, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria; Mr. Wole Oshin, Managing Director, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc and Mrs. Clare Omatseye, Founder/ Managing Director, JNC International Nigeria Ltd will lead high-level discussions at LEAP Africa’s CEOs Forum for SMEs in Lagos.

According to Iyadunni Olubode, LEAP Africa’s Executive Director;”SMEs should be proactive in managing risk instead of being reactive. There is a common misconception that only large companies need to manage risks, but this year’s CEOs Forum seeks to address that and offer practical advice for entrepreneurs on protecting their profits through risk mitigation strategies”.

Studies show that poor risk management systems hinder growth, performance and expansion. Although many local companies are increasingly conscious of risk facing their business and the importance of curtailing them, few know measures for controlling risks.

The forum will provide cutting-edge solutions and best practices in corporations to enable SMEs deal with risks in present political and economic realities in Nigeria.

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Business & Economy

NIRP to boost annual manufacturing revenue by N5trn —Aganga

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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HE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga has said that the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, would boost the annual revenue earnings of the Nigerian manufacturers to about N5 trillion per annum.

The Minister who stated this at the annual Mechanical Engineers Distinguished lecture with the theme: “The Automative Industry and Nigeria’s Industrialisation” in Abuja explained that the goal of the NIRP was to increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector Gross Domestic Product, GDP, from the present seven per cent to more than 10 per cent over the next five years. He said that President Goodluck Jonathan in a bid to strengthen the economic base of the country had launched the NIRP and the National Enterprise Development Programme, NEDEP, to usher a new era for industrial, micro, small and medium enterprises development in the country.

According to him, “The NIRP is the most ambitious and comprehensive roadmap that would transform the nation’s industrial landscape, boosts skills development, enhances job creation and conserves foreign exchange.

“It is the flagship industrialisation programme ever embarked upon by this country. It will fast-track industrialisation, accelerate inclusive economic growth, job creation, transform Nigeria’s business environment and stop the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce locally.”

Aganga said that the NIRP was ambitious and comprehensive because it was based on the sectors that the country has competitive and comparative advantages such as agro-allied, metals and solid minerals, oil and gas industrial activities and construction, light manufacturing and services.

He said, “These are sectors where Nigeria could be number one in Africa and in the top 10 globally. The NIRP is geared towards addressing all the major physical constraints impeding industrialisation and aims at improving the nation’s investment climate and promote the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products.”

Nigeria loses N7bn as Shell shuts Trans-Niger Pipeline

By Michael Eboh with Agency Report

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arring other arrangements, Nigeria has lost a minimum of $35.139 million, about N7.029 billion, over the last three days, as Shell Nigeria, yesterday, said it has shut down the 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day Trans Niger Pipeline.

According to a statement by Shell, the company shut down the pipeline, May 12, but failed to state the reasons for the shut down and when it would be reopened.

The Trans Niger Pipeline is critical to Nigeria’s crude export as it carries Nigeria’s crude oil, Bonny Light, to an export terminal.

Traders told Reuters that Bonny Light loadings have been delayed by up to four days over the past week.

The Trans Niger Pipeline, according to Shell, transports around 180,000 barrels per day of crude oil to the Bonny Export Terminal and is part of the gas liquids evacuation infrastructure, critical for continued domestic power generation and liquefied gas exports. The Central Bank of Nigeria puts the average price for Bonny Light at $65.07 per barrel. This means that for every day that the pipeline is shut, Nigeria will be losing a minimum of $11.713 million, about N2.343 billion.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had a couple of weeks ago, lamented the recent increase in the attack on crude oil and gas pipelines across the country, stating that the country is losing about 60,000 barrels of crude oil and condensates daily whenever there is a pipeline break.

The NNPC had also stated that over 50 attacks were launched by vandals on the nation’s crude oil and gas pipelines in the last six months.

Group Executive Director, Gas and Power of the NNPC, Mr. David Ige, had stated that apart from the loss of revenue from crude sales, the vandalisation of the pipeline is expected to worsen the country’s power situation as a number of power plants relying on gas supply from the pipeline will be starved of gas to generate electricity.

Ige lamented that between January and February 2015 alone, the Trans-Forcados crude oil pipeline was attacked and vandalised four times, adding that none of the corporation’s gas pipelines has been able to run two straight days without being brought down. Ige, however, stated that the NNPC was exploring a number of options on how to tackle the pipeline vandalism menace, ranging from an aggressive community engagement to installation of technological gadgets to stave off the vandals. He called for a

holistic approach to resolving the pipeline vandalism scourge ranging from tightening security to expeditious judicial enforcement, to bring to an end the menace which has deprived the country of several billions of revenue.

Also, Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had in few days ago, stated that Nigeria has lost a minimum of N8.04 billion since January, to the incessant vandalism of gas pipelines.

Managing

Director, NGC, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, disclosed that since the beginning of this year the country has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the spate of gas pipeline vandalism.

He added that within the last two months, it has recorded three major attacks on its pipeline network, mainly in the Niger Delta region.

According to him, whenever these pipelines are sabotaged, we are forced to shut down the pipeline, and we defer a minimum of 200 million Standard Cubic Feet, SCF, of gas per day.

CONFERENCE: From left, Computer System and Network Engineer, Covenant University (CU), Prof. Samuel John; Adviser, Ivory Banking, Heritage Banking Company Limited, Titilayo Babaoye; Chairman, Planning Committee, Prof. Olawale Daramola and Dean, College of Science and Technology, CU, Prof. Chinedu Shalom, during the Covenant University’s International Conference on African Development Issues at the University’s Campus in Ota, Ogun State.

Suspend evacuation of petroleum products by road — Terminal operators

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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EMBERS of the Seaport Terminal Association of Nigeria (STOAN), have called for the immediate suspension of petroleum products delivery by road with a view to resolving the Apapa traffic gridlock.

Chairman of STOAN, Princess Vicky Haastrup said that the gridlock being experienced in Apapa is a direct consequence of system failure in the oil and gas industry logistics chain.

Haastrup also said that the only way to solve the gridlock is to immediately suspend the lifting of imported petroleum products from tank farms by road.

“There is an over-concentration of oil tank farms in Apapa, an area predominantly designed for port operations. There is now a situation where we have proliferation of oil tank farms without regards for the safety logistics implication.

“I issued a warning over five years ago advising government to discontinue tank farm operations in Apapa but nothing was done. The problem is now staring all of us in the face.

“Port operations have been brought to a virtual standstill as a result of this chaos created by tank farm and oil tankers and it does not look like anyone is doing anything drastic about it.

“We have a situation where over 10,000 tankers descend on Apapa daily and when you add this to the number of conventional trucks on routine maritime operations, it is not surprising that we have the kind of gridlock we are currently witnessing,” she said.

She lamented that there are about 60 tank farms operating in Apapa.

On the immediate solution to the problem, Haastrup said, “There must be immediate suspension of the evacuation of petroleum products from Apapa by road. The authorities must immediately activate the use of barges in petroleum products evacuation."

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 27

Banking & Finance

BVN: The banking public and the June deadline

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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ank customers across the country have thirty three days from today to enrol for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) However there are issues concerning how many customers would have enrolled for the exercise by the deadline, even as stakeholders in the banking industry have stepped up efforts to highlight the benefits of the initiative for the country as a whole.

The BVN was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria and was launched February 14 th last year. It is the registration of customers in the financial system using biometric technology.

Biometric technology involves the process of recording a person’s unique physical traits such as fingerprints and facial features.

This record can then be used to correctly identify the person afterwards.

Once a person’s biometrics has been properly captured, the person is given a Bank Verification Number or BVN. According to the CBN, The objective of the BVN initiative is to protect bank customers, reduce fraud and further strengthen the Nigerian banking system.

Fraud is reduced because no two people have the same biometric information.

Banks will therefore be able to check the features of a person doing a transaction against the record, which the bank has captured thereby correctly identifying the owner of an account.

Enrolment To enroll for the BVN, bank customers have to visit a branch of their bank, complete and submit the BVN enrolment form, after which, the biometric information such as fingerprints and facial imagery are recorded. The customer is then issued an acknowledgment slip with transaction ID. Thereafter, BVN is created and the customer is alerted via SMS to arrange for pick-up.

Fast-Track Measures In order to fast-track enrolment of customers for the BVN, the CBN October last year, stipulated targets and deadline for banks. The apex bank also made the BVN a condition for accessing loan.

The CBN stated in circular, “In order to fast-track the enrolment process: DMBs are expected to give attention to enrolment of their customers; All DMBs are required to enrol at least, 40 percent of their

Emefiele, CBN Governor customers on or before 31st December 2014, and 70 percent on or before 30 th March 2015; All DMBs are required to fully integrate

untrue by the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS). Secondly, customers with accounts in various banks, who have enrolled for

Once banks are able to identify and blacklist fraudulent customers, they would be encouraged to extend loans to those customers that are credit worthy their core banking system, latest by 31st October 2014, to ease the enrolment process; All new loans must have the BVN as condition precedent to drawdown, with effect from 3rd November 2014; All credit customers must have BVNs by 31 st December 2014; The Central Bank of Nigeria will monitor compliance”.

Issues Though, banks have stepped up efforts to publicise the BVN, in order to meet these deadlines, there are however concerns about ensuring that all bank customers have been captured and issued with the BVN before the June 30 th deadline. For example, investigations reveal that some bank customers are yet to receive their BVN months after they have been enrolled, a development dismissed as

the BVN in one bank, may not have supplied their BVN to the other banks, hence confusing the industry about the actual number of account holders that have been enrolled for the BVN. In addition to these is the issue of account holders based outside the country, and how to ensure they are enrolled for the BVN. Beyond these is the threat of fraudsters, who have been sending fake BVN Validation email to bank customers. One of such messages read, “Dear Valued Customer, this is to bring to your notice that your account has been listed to be de-activated. This is because you have not validated your Biometric Verification Number with your online account.

Follow this reference to START VALIDATION. All information must be filled correctly.

NOTE: All ATM and internet banking channel will be disabled and your remote access will be blocked within 12 hours failure to comply.”

Stakeholders drum up support Meanwhile, stakeholders in the banking industry have stepped up efforts to highlight the various benefits of the BVN. According to the Managing Director of the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Mr. Ade Shonubi, the BVN initiative, by helping banks to identify and blacklist fraudulent customers, will help to boost retail credit in the banking industry. The NIBSS boss, who is responsible for the implementation of the BVN, in a statement, explained that once banks are able to identify and blacklist fraudulent customers, they would be encouraged to extend loans to those customers that are credit worthy and do not have any record of being delinquent borrowers.

Shonubi said, “When the BVN project came up, there were three key things. First and most important of all is for us to identify our customers and to identify them uniquely across banks and across accounts. So, once you have BVN, even if you have 10 bank accounts, it is the same BVN that will be tied to the bank accounts. Now, relating to identifying is the possibility of banks blacklisting people who have committed financial infractions. It could be fraudsters; it could be people who have gone to forge documents because what happens today is that the same guy will go to a bank, commits fraud, then runs to another bank and because there is no way of tying all these activities across. So, we found out that there were quite a lot of losses related to these individuals from one bank to another.

On his part, Executive Director at Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) initiative, when fully implemented, will help to curb arbitrage in the foreign exchange market.

Suleiman, who disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos, explained that with the BVN, each bank customer will have a unique identification, which will make it easy to prevent people from flouting the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent policy on the use of naira denominated debit cards for transactions abroad.

Sterling Bank holds parenting series workshop

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n furtherance of its commitment to the development of education in Nigeria, Sterling Bank Plc in partnership with Caleb Group of Schools has concluded plans to hold the second edition of the Parenting Workshop under its One Education Initiative. The workshop is aimed at educating parents and guardians on how to nurture their children and bring out the best in them.

The theme of the workshop is ‘Enhancing your child’s capacity for learning’.

The Bank in a statement signed by its Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola described the Parenting Series as a family growth and education initiative designed to support parents’ desire to optimize the potentials and talents of their children.

He noted that the purpose of the workshop is to aid parents and guardians in dealing with topical issues that affect the upbringing and training of their wards in the 21 st century vis-à-vis the practical day-to-day realities of life in Nigeria.

The Bank’s Chief strategist said the involvement of the Bank in the second edition of the workshop was informed by the overwhelming turn-out of parents who attended the first edition, adding that the Bank will continue to invest in initiatives that add value to the lives of people in line with its purpose.

UBA, MTN others battle for Remita’s RC3 Cup

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he need for corporate executives to cultivate a healthy lifestyle through active participation in sports is the focus of this year’s Remita Corporate Championship Cup [RC3] football tournament which kicked off over the weekend with UBA, MTN, Etisalat and others commencing battle for football supremacy in the prestigious event.

While addressing the media in Lagos, Managing Director and CEO of SystemSpecs [owners of Remita, an electronic platform for receiving and making payments], John Obaro, explained that it is pertinent for corporate executives to maintain healthy lifestyles that can position them to be part of “healthy companies”.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Banking & Finance

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

PayAttitude, Unified Payments offer innovative retail payments

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nified Payments Services Limited and PayAttitude have unveiled PayAttitude, the first-ever interoperable multi-bank Chip+PIN and Offline/ Online contactless solution for retail banking in the country.

Speaking at a formal launch of PayAttitude in Lagos, Managing Director/CEO, Unified Payments, Mr. Agada Apochi, explained that PayAttitude is a revolutionary step forward in Nigeria’s retail commerce and banking sector: He said, “PayAttitude guarantees subscribers the confidence and comfort of successful payment for goods and services at merchant locations at all times notwithstanding the challenges of telecommunication at the Point of Sale (PoS) terminal or the unavailability of network of the Subscriber’s bank. It is also compatible with works on all types of mobile phone handset and all networks, making it possible for the phone handset to be used for retails payments at Points of Sale. PayAttitude uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to achieve seamless interaction between the subscriber ’s phone handset and PoS terminals”.

Two variants of PayAttitude; PayAttitude Debit and PayAttitude Prepaid/Mobile guarantees convenient, safe and secure transactions for subscribers.

Also, Country Manager, PayAttitude, Mrs. Titilayo Olubiyi, added: “The difference between the two variants is that Prepaid/ Mobile can be obtained at authorised agent locations without a bank account while the Debit is used with bank accounts thereby delivering on the objectives of Agency Banking and Financial Inclusion.

“PayAttitude is easy for anyone to use, just visit any participating bank or authourised retail outlet to get your Tag, attach to your mobile and at any POS anywhere, tap and welcome to a world of mobile transactions made easy and secure”, Olubiyi said.

REMITA SEASON 2: From left, Executive Director, SystemSpecs [owners of Remita e-payment platform], Deremi Atanda, Brand Ambassador, Remita Corporate Champions Cup and former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai and MD/CEO, SystemSpecs, John Obaro chatting at the Season 2 of Remita Corporate Champions Cup at the Campos Stadium Lagos at the weekend

CBN hides banks’ interest earnings on standing deposit facility

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stopped publishing how much banks are making by lacing their excess liquidity as deposit via its Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) This follows Vanguard Newspaper ’s report, on the huge amount of money banks made placing deposit with the apex bank.

Banks access the SLF to borrow from the CBN while they access the SDF to place deposit with the CBN. Presently the CBN charges 15 percent as interest rate on loans to banks through the SLF while it pays 11 percent as interest on deposit placement through the SDF. In January, Vanguard exclusively reported that banks earned N27.26 billion as net interest earned from placing their excess liquidity as deposit with the CBN in one year.

Vanguard investigations revealed that from October

2013 to September 2014, banks placed N81.85 trillion as deposit with the CBN through the SDF and borrowed N5.14 trillion through the SLF. Further, the CBN paid interest of N32.9 billion on the deposit through the SDF, while it earned interest of N3.68 billion on loans to banks through the SLF. Consequently the CBN, in its Economic Report for January, and Economic report released last week, omitted information on how much banks made by placing their money as deposit via the SDF.

Rather, the apex bank limited its report to how much it lent to banks via the SLF and how much banks placed as deposit via the SDF. The CBN Economic report for January stated, “ The total request for the standing lending facility (SLF) in the month of January 2015 was N67.79 billion, reflecting a daily average of N9.68 billion for the 7 transaction days in the month, compared with total request of N1,115.38 billion with a daily average of N61.97 billion in 18 transaction days in December 2014.

“Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) totalling N2,282.36 billion was received. This represented a daily average of N126.80 billion for the 18 working days in the month, representing an increase of 181.8 per cent over the level in the preceding month, a reflection of the liquidity condition in the market.

Similarly, the Economic report for February stated, “The total request for the standing lending facility (SLF) in the month of February 2015 stood at N1,060.01 billion, consisting of N154.50 billion (direct SLF) and N905.51 billion (Intraday Lending Facility converted to overnight repo), reflecting a daily average of N66.25 billion for the 16 transaction days in the month, compared with a total request of N75.39 billion, with a daily average of N9.42 billion in 8 transaction days in January 2015.

“Transactions at the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) window amounted to N794.28 billion. This represented a daily average of N46.72 billion for the 17 working days in the month, reflecting a decline of 69.14 per cent below the level in the preceding month.”

Heritage Bank boosts financial literacy with ‘My Day as a Banker’ H

eritage Bank has offered school children across the country an innovative way to celebrate this year ’s Children’s Day through the ‘My Day as a Banker’ experience.

Designed to spice up the May 27 th Children’s Day celebration with innovative and fun filled way to experience the world of bankers, ‘My Day as a Banker’ is a Bank-wide activity on Monday May 25th, where selected secondary school pupils will have the opportunity of handling various banking roles such as tellers, customer service associates etc.

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said that ‘My Day as a Banker’ is a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to innovation.

“Children are very special to us at Heritage Bank, hence we decided to celebrate them in a unique way that offers opportunity to have fun and learn about banking. ‘My Day as a Banker’ is also Heritage Bank’s unique way of promoting financial literacy among children, which is the core essence of the HB Bud Savings Account, specially designed to promote savings habit among children and youths.

In addition to the My Day as a Banker, Heritage Bank has lined up series of fun filled events to mark the Children’s Day Celebration.

The events will be anchored by the Heritage Bank Financial Literacy Brand Ambassador, Zuriel Oduwole, the youngest child to have interviewed 9 Incumbent Presidents.

The events include Treasure Hunt at School on Wednesday May 20th and at the Bank on Friday May 22nd, during which Pupils are expected to locate their fairy god parents from clues designed for them and get a ticket to the Children’s Day carnival. The god parents are selected Group Heads of

Heritage Bank, who would package and offer very substantial gifts to the pupils.

Furthermore, Heritage Bank will hold a Children’s Day Carnival on Wednesday May 27th at Dreamworld Africana Amusement Park by Chevron Toll Plaza Lekki Expressway – in partnership with Inspiration FM. Customers who have the Heritage Bank children account – “Bud Account” stands a chance to win tickets to the carnival.

Tickets can also be purchased at any Heritage Bank experience Centre. The carnival offers exiting fun filled experience including bouncing castle, fun rides, loads of food and drinks and plenty more.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 29

Corporate Finance

N16bn dividend awaits Lafarge shareholders

By PETER EGWUATU

L

afarge Africa Plc shareholders are expected to reap from the company’s consolidation as its Board of Directors is expected to propose a dividend of N16 billion at its forth coming Annual General Meeting, AGM. Vanguard reliably gathered that the Board would proposed a dividend of N16 billion to its shareholders at an AGM expected to hold next week.

It will be recalled that the shareholders last year gave the Board approval to consolidate the businesses of the company in Africa into a stronger group. The creation of Lafarge Africa has transformed the company into a group which is well equipped to continue the acceleration of a group to withstand challenges in the market place. It was gathered that company’s current production capacity has grown from 4.5 million tons to about 12 million tons. In addition, 3.5 million cubic meters of ReadyMi coco creates and over 5.0 million tons of Aggregates have been added to the portfolio.The improvement shows that the company’s decision to consolidate has been a wise one.

Company’s profile: Lafarge Africa Plc was renamed following the consolidation of Lafarge S.A indirect assets in Nigeria and South Africa into the erstwhile Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc. The assets that were transferred to Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc included: Lafarge South Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited; United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited, through Egyptian Cement Holding B.V.; Ashaka Cement Plc; and Atlas Cement Company Limited. Following the transactions, the name of the company was changed to Lafarge Africa Plc in order to reflect its new reach and positioning.

Lafarge S.A. of France, controls 72.74 per cent of Lafarge Africa the remaining 27.26 l is held by Nigerian and foreign, institutional and individual investors. Lafarge S.A. of France is a world leader in building materials with a presence in 62 countries across the Globe.

Consequently, Lafarge Africa is able to take advantage of

and benefit from Lafarge S.A.’s management and technical expertise.

Business consolidation: The business consolidation that took place last year happened following the endorsement given the shareholders at a meeting in Lagos. Speaking after the shareholders’ approval, Osunkeye had said, “The overwhelming majority of our minority shareholders were strongly supportive, which reflects that they see the strong value opportunity in the creation of Lafarge Africa.

Lafarge Africa is not only a value enhancing transaction for shareholders but it will

provide significant value to all stakeholders through the creation of a Nigerian listed Sub-Saharan Africa building materials giant that will be better able to support the development needs of our continent.”

Speaking in the same vein, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Guillaume Roux, said: “The creation of Lafarge Africa allows the company to continue in its drive to be the best in the areas in which it operates. The broader geographic coverage means that Lafarge Africa will be better positioned to serve its customers more widely. It also

places the company in a stronger position to be able to benefit from the economic growth and development opportunities available in both Nigeria and South Africa.”

Financial Performance: Lafarge Africa Plc, ended 2014 with an operational Profit afterTax of N37 billion, which is eight higher than prior year, after adjusting for one-offs. Cash of N49 billion was generated from the operations, while a dividend of N3.60 per share was recommended for the shareholders, up nine per cent above what was paid the previous year.

PRESENTATION: From left, Head, Listings Sales and Retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Taba Peterside; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna JaloWaziri; Chairman, Courteville Business Solution Plc, Group Capt. M. O. Salami (Rtd) and Group Managing Director, Courteville Business Solution Plc, Mr. Adebola Akindele at the Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the exchange.

NSE, NIM partner on capacity building

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE and Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM have commenced negotiations for a capacity building partnership for all operators in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

This was made known when the President and Chairman in Council, NIM Dr. Nelson Uwaga paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema in Lagos.

The NIM boss said the institute is desirous of running collaborative customised courses with the Exchange for the management staff of all listed companies and that NIM is equally soliciting the Exchange to support NIM by marketing its sundry local and foreign training programmes to listed companies.

He said: “The Institute requests the Exchange to encourage the management staff of its listed companies to take up partnership of NIM by recommending the possession of the Institute’s professional management

certificate as a prerequisite for the purpose of employment and promotion to certain managerial positions in listed companies.

“The Institute is willing to organise an accelerated membership training programme for members of staff of listed companies.

Thereafter, the beneficiaries will be admitted into the institute’s membership through a special induction programme.”

He added: “As part of the collaborative arrangement between our organisations, the NIM will support the Exchange by encouraging the unlisted companies to get listed with the Exchange knowing the huge benefits. The institute is willing to sign memorandum of understanding with the Exchange to cover all areas of proposed collaboration.”

In response, the CEO of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema said: “This visit is very relevant to us. We look forward to collaborating in areas where we have common interest in terms of building managerial capacity to grow the businesses in Nigeria and enhance corporate governance as well.

Champion Breweries grows turnover to N3.3bn, returns to profitability

C

hampion Breweries Plc has recorded substantial improvement in its trading results with a record leap in turnover from N2.2 billion recorded in 2013 to N3.3 billion in 2014. The Company which has repositioned to attract credit, also returned to profitability and generated a profit of N25.5 million as against a loss of N543.9 million declared for the previous year.

The chairman of the Company, Chief Senas Ukpanah who stated this last week in Lagos at the company ’s 39th Annual General Meeting put the company’s loss before tax at N1.07 billion from N1.73 billion recorded the previous year. This, according to him, was due to high impact of finance cost of N1.08billion as against the previous figure of N1.18billion.

Chief Ukpanah commended shareholders for supporting the last recapitalization exercise of the Company, saying the N13.7 billion rights issue was successful as it was over-subscribed by shareholders.

While lamenting the challenging economic environment under which the company operates, he said “despite the overall stagnating market, Champion Breweries was able to achieve operational profits as well as complete pay-off of its longstanding debts and reduced the interest burden carried over the years”.

Chief Ukpanah, who expressed optimism on bright prospects for the Company said “our ship has set sail to navigate into greater heights and positive prospects.

Strategies are being put in place to grow our dear brandChampion Lager Beer- and significantly expand our markets within the SouthSouth region in the incoming years”.

The shareholders applauded the Board’s effort and the turnaround plan being implemented for the Company while appealing for more efforts by the Company Management to make Champion Lager Beer more competitive.

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30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Corporate Finance

Printing industry needs incentives, duty free importation - Oladipo p

BY PETER EGWUATU

M

r. Segun Oladipo is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Learn Africa Plc. Learn Africa is a quoted company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. In this interview, Mr. Oladipo spoke on issues affecting the printing industry, challenges facing the company and its financial performance amongst others.

Excerpts: As a publishing company, how has the insurgency in the northern region of the country affected your business?

The deadly activities of the insurgents have destroyed economic and commercial activities in the affected states.

The frequent bombings and clashes between Boko Haram members and the law enforcement agents have forced many companies to close their offices while others have substantially reduced their operations and business hours. The general feeling of uncertainty and insecurity in those areas has made many investors to relocate their businesses to safe areas. As a company, we are greatly concerned about this terrible situation which has limited our promotional activities and revenue generation efforts.

Our sales and marketing operatives have not been able to move extensively in order to sell the full benefits of our excellent learning resources to the teachers, school administrators and other influential persons in the educational sector. As a matter of fact, several schools have been closed down due to the destruction of facilities, widespread killings and threats to the lives of students and their teachers. Besides, bookshops and other sales outlets have stopped operating due to high level of insecurity. Many of the teachers in those areas have also lost the opportunity to update their knowledge and upgrade their skills through attendance at capacity building events like the seminars and workshops that we organized in several locations across Nigeria.

What steps have you taken to overcome the difficulties caused by the insurgency in the northern region?

We have reduced our

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business activities in the troubled areas in order to protect the lives of our employees and our company ’s assets.

In addition, we have allocated more resources to the identification and exploitation of business opportunities in other parts of the country.

More sales representatives have been employed to saturate schools in the safe areas with vigorous promotions of our new and backlist titles. Furthermore, we have purchased additional vans to enable the mobile sales teams to distribute our products to wider areas. We have also increased the frequency of our strategic meetings with teachers, school proprietors, school administrators, government officials and booksellers across the country, in order to increase the level of patronage that our products currently enjoy.

What are the challenges that the publishing industry is facing apart from piracy which is common?

Without any doubt, the poor reading culture in our country is a big challenge to the publishing industry. Books rank very low on the preference list of an average Nigerian and this has made it difficult to achieve turnover that is commensurate with our huge population. Some parents would rather spend money on electrical appliances, jewelry,clothes and frivolous ceremonies than buy recommended books for their children, It is so bad, but for the intervention of the government, even textbook purchase for core subjects like Mathematics, English Language and the Sciences, may suffer. It ÂĄs easy to look at the level of poverty and say there is no purchasing power.

The irony however is that education can provide opportunities that can lift people out of abject poverty and neglect. As a matter of fact, many of the successful professionals and public figures in the country today came from humble backgrounds. They were able to rise above the circumstances of their births through the acquisition of excellent education, perseverance, self-discipline and strong faith in God. Besides, the cost of funds is still very high and this is a serious headache for many companies in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, some of them

Mr. Segun Oladipo, MD/CEO, Learn Africa Plc

Considering the critical importance of our sector to national development, government can offer us incentives like tax holidays, duty free mportation of printing machines

are unable to pay dividends to shareholders because the greater percentage of what they would have declared a profits is used to pay interest on credit facilities that they obtained from the commercial banks. Perhaps, the Governor of the Central Bank will initiate policies that can address this concern and encourage the private sector to increase capacity utilization and establish new factories that can reduce the current high level of unemployment.

In what ways should government assist the book publishing

industry?

Government needs to address the c h a l l e n g e s associated with our p u b l i c infrastructure. Our road networks need to be expanded and m a i n t a i n e d regularly to enable c o m p a n i e s distribute products across the country at a lower cost and at a faster pace. It is hoped that the reforms in the power sector will bring about the desired improvement in the provision of electricity and reduce our dependence on industrial diesel generators and the a t t e n d a n t environmental

pollution. Considering the critical importance of our sector to national development, government can offer us incentives like tax holidays, duty free mportation of printing machines, books, paper, ink and other materials that we use inthe industry. We would like government to intensify anti-piracy campaigns in order to reduce its negative impact on the fortunes of the industry.

As the CEO of Learn

Africa Plc, what is the performance of the company in the face of all the challenges?

Despite the tough business climate, we have been able to meet our obligations to the employees, suppliers, authors, shareholders, government and other stakeholders. Besides, we have made remarkable progress in our attempts to take the company to greater heights despite the challenges. It is also inspiring to know that we are making significant contributions to the human capital development of our country through our learning resources that are enjoying warm reception among students, teachers and booksellers.

I hasten to add that we have been able to forge ahead due to the unflinching support ofour shareholders, our solid capital base, the resourcefulness of our employees, the high quality management team and the visionary Board.

Since the exit of Pearson Education from Longman Nigeria, the stock price of Learn Africa Plc on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange has been dropping.

What is responsible for this?

The decline in our share price was largely due to wrong perception by some market operators who thought we might not be able to cope with the challenges that were likely to be associated with the divestment of our former parent company. Besides, we incurred significant costs as a result of several initiatives to expand our product portfolio, distribution network and field operations which had some impact on our profitability.

However, I am pleased to report that we have started enjoying the benefits of those decisions, which were taken to ensure the continuous growth and prosperity of our company. It may interest you to note that we have successfully introduced new titles into the Nigerian market as replacements for some of the Pearson Education titles that were withdrawn from our list.

What is your message to the shareholders and prospective investors?

I will like to express my sincere appreciation to the shareholders whose supports havebeen very critical to the remarkable achievements that we have recorded in the recentyears. We are strongly committed to the establishment of our titles on the key subjectsas leaders in the pre-primary, basic and senior secondary segments of our market.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 31

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32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Interview

By PETER EGWUATU

M

r. Albert Okumagba was until recently the President of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS before he stepped down as the President of the institute following the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC ongoing regulatory oversight investigation on BGL Plc’s activity where he was the Group’s Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining the company, he was Manager and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Centre-Point Merchant Bank Limited (now Unity Bank Plc). During his career at Centre-Point, Mr. Okumagba managed portfolios in Corporate Banking, Multilateral Agency Credits and traded on the floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on behalf of Centre-Point’s stock broking affiliate. In this interview, he spoke on a number of issues affecting capital market activities and the economy in general and the way forward

Excerpts:

What would you consider as the major challenges facing the Nigerian capital market at the moment?

Crisis of confidence is still pervasive in the market especially, among local investors. The negative impact of the margin loans era cannot be forgotten so easily. This is why you have more speculators than long-term investors, accounting for the high volatility and instability in the market. Currently, the macro economy, with dwindling oil prices, devaluation of the Naira, exchange rate instability is not helping matters. Lastly, the sociopolitical situation with insurgency in the North constitute additional uncertainties; thereby accentuating the risk of investing in the Nigeria capital market.

What is the way forward?

We can do a number of things. First, keep on creating an enabling environment to make the investors, both local and foreign, regain confidence in the market. We need to encourage rules that will deepen the market especially in areas of capturing major sectors of the economy that are not currently wellrepresented in the capital market, for instance Telecommunication, Power, Entertainment and Oil and Gas. We need to also deploy the existing huge savings in pension funds to develop the economy and the capital market through investment in infrastructure.

Since you took up the mantle of leadership of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in April 2014, you have been consistent in your call on operators and regulators in the capital market to work very closely with the government. Is you call being heeded?

Well, the process is on-going.

Nothing good comes easy. The importance of the government in the economy of a developing nation like ours cannot be overemphasised in the area of directing the economy, formulating, implementing and enforcing policies. As an institute, we C M Y K

have reinforced and reinvigorated various advocacy platforms available to us to engage government in various areas for the good of the country and the capital market; for example, through our Annual National Workshop, and the capital market alliance consisting of CIS, ASHON and AIHN. And I can assure you, we are making progress.

You have also become a strong advocate of professional associations coming together for a cohesive goal.

Does this inform the recent signing of a five - year economic development pact by the CIS, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria ICAN and Nigeria Bar Association , NBA in Lagos recently?

Yes it does. We believe there is need for collaboration and exchange of ideas among professionals on subjects of common interest, in addition, to making and/or supporting representation to government and other appropriate agencies of government on matters affecting the parties and the Nigerian economy.

What is the overriding philosophy of this agreement?

We are collaborating to become a stronger force to further the mutual interests of the parties, and the development of the Nigerian socioeconomic life.

Recall the famous one-Day Dialogue on the Capital Market and 2015 National Budget. What were the critical underlying actors that

Albert Okumagba... In a situation of uncertainty such as we are now, the level of risk

We need to encourage rules that will deepen the market especially in areas of capturing major sectors of the economy that are not currently well-represented in the capital market enhanced its success?

The underlying factor is the reinvigorated synergy between CIS, Association of Stock Broking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON and Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, AIHN in promoting our common interest, and the relevance of the discussion, bearing on the growth and development of the Nigerian Capital Market within the context of the national budget for 2015. In addition, the invitation of well-experienced speakers with pedigree both from the public and private sectors also enhanced the quality of the discussions.

Any plan to widen the scope of the one-day dialogue and make it an annual event?

Our plan is to make the dialogue an annual event. The forum is designed to engage government on the national budget and other issues in the economy and to position capital market operators for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Most importantly, through the collaboration of CIS, ASHON and AIHN, the capital market will be able to speak with one voice.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again taken some strategic decisions on the devaluation of the Naira. How does this benefit the capital market?

Let’s start by considering the impact on the economy as a whole; devaluation can have both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, it would encourage local industries which can now earn more naira on their exports with positive impact on our trade balances. On the other hand, it will bring about closure of many companies that depend mainly on imported raw materials as the cost of their inputs will increase significantly upon conversion to their naira equivalent.

For Nigeria which is largely import dependent, the overall impact will likely be negative in the short run.

This could result in negative macroeconomic indices such as higher rate of unemployment, lower GDP and lower industry capacity utilisation.

This could immediately lead to a reduction in the profits of some listed

companies thereby reducing the potential for capital appreciation and dividend return, hence hurting the capital market.

On the long run however, it is could be a positive development for the economy as manufacturers opts for local substitutes to imported raw materials and the country’s exports become competitive.

Corporate earnings become more stable (as they are no longer significantly exposed to foreign exchange volatility) to the benefit of the capital market.

What would you advise investors at this period of uncertainties in the polity?

In a situation of uncertainty such as we are now, the level of risk is higher; hence investors should be cautious. In every crisis, there are both chaos and opportunities. To tap these opportunities, investors with little or no experience

On the long run however, it could be a positive development for the economy as manufacturers opt for local substitutes to imported raw materials and the country’s exports become competitive

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 33

Interview

Crisis of confidence still pervasive in stock market —OKUMAGBA AlbertOkumagba

is higher; hence investors should be cautious should always engage the services of experts to manage their wealth.

This should provide them with the benefit of professional advice. I will specifically advise small investors to invest in well-managed funds at this time. The fund managers have the

Albert Okumagba

experience to manage portfolios of well-diversified assets for reasonable returns at relatively lower levels of risk.

Finally, this time also presents investors opportunities to generate abnormal returns because Nigerian equities are significantly undervalued, as the common saying in finance goes, ‘the higher the risk, the higher the returns.’

Your administration is determined to grow the membership base and raise the income profile of the CIS. Can you relate this to the efforts being made by the institute to leverage on the Diploma Programme in Securities and Investment?

At the CIS, we have been engaged in aggressive mobilisation efforts in the last couple of months. We have signed-on five firms to assist in the strategic growth of our student membership base. These firms have been provided with the necessary training and tools in order to achieve our target of mobilising one million students for our professional Diploma examination. Aside from this, we regularly visit

tertiary institutions and NYSC camps for career talks and enlightenment on the benefits of the CIS certifications. We are working with top stock broking firms presently to provide employment opportunities for graduates of the CIS Diploma programme.

You have always been focused on the need to move the CIS to the next level. What should be put in place to achieve these laudable goals?

Our goal is to be a leading professional institute in Nigeria in the next few years.

This requires the commitment

of all our stakeholders. We need the buy-in of all CIS members, so that they can contribute their own quotas.

We are engaging the support of all. We need to strengthen our structures especially the Institute’s secretariat to be able to deliver on expectations.

The SEC, all the trading platforms, and Securities and Investment firms also have roles to play in supporting this goal which will be to the benefit of the capital market as a whole.

The CIS is believed to have become more visible under

The conference on the creative industry was an eye opener to the stakeholders in the industry as they were able to appreciate the enormous potential for long-term financing of this major sector through the Nigerian Capital market

y o u r administration.

What is the strategy?

We have taken bold steps to put the institute back to its rightful place. We are impacting on all our stakeholders in various ways.

Beyond the capital market, we are regularly contributing our quota to national discourse and engaging the government on relevant issues.

We have also taken deliberate

steps to inform members and the public about the institute and its activities.

During the 2014 Annual Conference of the CIS, the focus was on the entertainment industry. Any update?

The Conference on the creative industry was an eye opener to the stakeholders in the industry as they were able to appreciate the enormous potential for long-term financing of this major sector through the Nigerian Capital market. There are ongoing discussions between capital market operators and practitioners in the creative industry on the modalities for exploiting the opportunities available in the market to further develop “Nollywood”.

What message would like to pass to the investing public?

Uncertain economic times can bring you down along with the market. But even when the stock market turns down, it is possible to make money. Bear markets are great times to buy stocks at bargain prices. I would advise small investors to focus on well-chosen mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This provides the benefit of risk reduction and professional management.

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Homes & Housing

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

S

takeholders in the housing sector have called on the Federal Government to redeem its guarantee on the Series 3 of the N100 billion mortgagebacked bond it floated in 2007. The Series 3 is maturing on May 24, 2015 with obligation to pay N24.564 billion to Note holders. They said failure by the Federal Government to redeem the bond at maturity will lead to the call of FGN Guarantee that backed the transaction which can spell doom for the country in local and offshore financial circles.

It would be recalled that the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, in 2007, floated a N100 billion mortgage-backed bond to raise funds to assist civil servants to buy federal government houses under the regime’s monetization programme. The 1st Series of the Bond was issued on May 25, 2007 for the sum of N26 billion with maturity date of May 25, 2012, while the 2nd Series was issued on April 3, 2012 for the sum of N6 billion with maturity date of April 3, 2017. At the maturity date of the first Series on May 25, 2012, it was refinanced and became Series 3 Bond with maturity date of May 25, 2015, with obligation to pay N24.564 billion to Note holders.

The Federal Government was the Guarantor and Initiator of the bond. In order to make the transaction independent of FMBN, the government ensured that it was carried out through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), namely: FMBN SPV Issuer Limited, FMBN SPV Funding Limited, and FMBN Mortgage Trustee Limited.

Parties to the bond programme include: UBA Capital, Lead Arranger/ Adviser for Series 1 Bond, UBA Capital Trustees, Notes Trustees, FBN Trustees Limited, Security Trustee, G. Elias & Co; Transactions Counsel, Dunn Loren Merrifield Ltd, GIC Provider, Bond Series 2 & 3, ASO Savings & Loans Plc, Mortgage Loan Originator/ Servicer and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc that was the Account Bank for Series 2.

However, financing the bond has been facing several challenges including: Negative carry (interest rate subsidy) arising from Government fixing the mortgage interest rate at 9.5 percent which is lower than market rates. The Federal Capital Territor y Administration (FCTA) was to offset the subsidy payments on an annual basis; however FCTA paid the subsidy for only one year throughout the tenors of the bonds. Tenor mismatch arising from

N100bn mortgage-backed bond: FG urged to redeem guarantee

FMBN MD, Kimba Ya'u Kumo mortgage tenors of 15 years while the bonds are for five and three years respectively; Nonperforming loans (N3.64 billion) arising from default on mortgage repayments which mortgage loan originators (MLOs) have responsibility to recover and; Non-remittance of collections by the MLOs, such as ASO Savings & Loans Plc which was said to have failed to remit about N4.54 billion to FMBN. The apparent unavailability of funds to redeem the bond has led to buck-passing between FMBN, Debt Management Office (DMO) and Federal Ministry of Finance on which of them is to provide the funds. This development prompted the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to issue a directive, mandating the FMBN to accept responsibility for the bond. A reliable source said in the directive conveyed through a letter dated 5th May 2015, addressed to Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, Minister of Lands and Housing, OkonjoIweala recommended that assets of FMBN be sold to offset the sum of N24.564 billion, being the first tranche of the bond, which matures on 24th May 2015. According to the source, the letter reads in part; “I wish to recommend that Mr. President considers directing the Honourable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to direct the FMBN to raise funds to pay its maturing obligation of N24.564 billion on May 24, 2015, as it must

Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Government should be thinking of beefing up the capital base of FMBN rather than asking the bank to sell off its assets

forestall imposing a crisis on the economy. FMBN should ensure that ASO Savings and Loans immediately remit the collections of N4.54 billion which it has failed to remit to the FMBN. FMBN to immediately recover all the non-performing loans, including the use of Foreclosures (where the C of O of the properties are in the custody of the security trustees) of the assets of the defaulters, and take all necessary actions to ensure that the federal government guarantee does not crystallize.”

Stakeholders have described current events surrounding the bonds as unfortunate saying that the country has serious obligation under the bond transactions which if not met can undermine the country internally and externally.

In his reaction, President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria

(REDAN), Rev. Ugo Chime, passing the buck to FMBN at this stage will not augur well for the country.

He counseled that government should rather inject more funds into the FMBN and even restructure it if deemed fit for better efficiency. His words: “On this bond issue, we need to look at some aspects. Where is the money? Was it injected into the NHF? This money should have been used as seed fund to assist FMBN to make houses more affordable. I don’t think that at a time when the government should be thinking of beefing up the capital base of FMBN it should be asking the bank to sell off its assets. The Federal Government should pay the money that is due in a few days as this date has not come to them as a surprise.

There are no assets for the FMBN to sell off to be able to meet the deadline, even if there were how many days will it take to do so and meet up with the deadline?”

Chime said the government

has used privatization to remove safety nets from the common man and describes the bond controversy as another attempt to further make the common man suffer. He added: “People are contributing 2.5 per cent to the National Housing Fund and over 90 per cent of these people cannot access the NHF loans due to poor funding by the same government.

Government should live up to its responsibility as far as this bond issue is concerned”.

Also speaking on the development, Chief Executive Officer of a mortgage bank, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The Federal Government can redeem the Guarantee to meet the matured obligation and subsequently recoup from the unremitted collection by ASO Savings totaling about N4.54 billion. Then it has to look at the non-performing loans of about N3.64 billion and outstanding mortgages to redeem its obligation under the Series that will soon fall due.”

Meanwhile, FMBN argued that since it neither sponsored nor guaranteed the transaction, it should not be held responsible or liable for the bond. Managing Director of FMBN, Gimba Ya’u Kumo, in a letter addressed to the DMO, explained that the bond issuance programme was at the instance of the federal government. He added that the guarantee that supported the bond transaction was between the federal government as the guarantor and UBA Trustees Limited as the Notes Trustees.

US mortgage rates up for 3rd week

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verage long-term U.S. mortgage rates are up for the third straight week.

Mortgage giant, Freddie Mac says the average rate on a 30year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 3.85 percent from 3.80 percent a week earlier. The rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose to 3.07 percent from 3.02 percent.

Both rates were the highest since mid-March.

Still, mortgage rates remain low by historic standards. A

year ago, the 30-year rate was 4.20 percent and the 15-year was 3.29 percent.

Long-term mortgage rates are rising along with the yield on 10-year Treasury notes, which is up to 2.24 percent from less than 1.9 percent in mid-April. The higher rates reflect some signs of improvement in the U.S. economy. The unemployment rate tumbled last month to 5.4 percent, lowest since May 2008.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 35

Micro-Finance Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH with agency report

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oor orientation is r e s t r a i n i n g disbursement of the N220 billion Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) Lagos State Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Mr Yinka Fisher, disclosed this, while stating that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Micro finance Banks have stopped the disbursement of the loans

Poor orientation hampers MSMEDF disbursement — SMEDAN following logistics impediments.

Fisher said that the embargo was placed on the disbursement of the fund due to lack of collateral from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

According to him, “The truth is that the disbursement of the fund has been placed on hold for now because most of the SMEs do not have presentable collateral and certificates of incorporation.

“The microfinance banks

are complaining that they already have collateral with the Central Bank, but the SMEs approaching them for the loans are coming with un-

presentable collateral, so with this, it is difficult for the microfinance banks to keep giving out the loans.

“We are currently on

reconciling terms with the CBN to figure out other means, but another major issue is that some of the SME owners are getting poor orientation about the loans,” he said.

Accenture partners LCCI to empower 3m youths by 2020

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ccenture has entered into partnership with Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in order

to give a six months mentoring programme to young Nigerian entrepreneurs, as part of efforts to realize its vision 2020 to empower three million people globally to become successful entrepreneurs and business owners.

Speaking at 2015 LCCI mentoring program in Lagos, M a r k e t i n g Communications Leader, Accenture Nigeria, Mr. Segun Olalandu, said Accenture started with a vision to empower 250,000 people globally and have thus achieved the number.

“Accenture now aims to empower three million people by 2020 globally by helping them get a job or start a business. As at 2015, Accenture has empowered over 800 thousand people globally and now it is enabling 50 people and helping them grow their businesses through the partnership.

“We partner significantly with anybody who will help us achieve that goal of getting people employed, skill them up to be employable and also people who will help us get people to start their own businesses like LCCI is doing,” he said.

President, LCCI, Mr. Remi Bello, said that the focus of the developmental initiative on the youth is a means of investing in their future and guaranteeing a better tomorrow for the country.

Aregbesola lauds Airtel on job creation

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sun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has commended leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, for its support to local content development, saying the telco is helping to power the State’s job creation drive.

Speaking at the RLG Product Discovery Day held at RLG Adulawo Technology City, Ilesa, he said that the telecommunications company has shown support for local content development, establishing retail footprints across the country and boosting job creation.

“Airtel has supported a significant breakthrough for the Adulawo Technology City, supporting the provision of jobs from end-to-end, from the technicians in the Adulawo Technology City to those working in the Airtel retail pipeline,” he said.

Describing the Technology City initiative as a historic monument Aregbesola explained that the tech city in the last one year had provided direct employment to 150 indigenes and was poised to provide employment to 1,500 sales persons, who would man kiosks and other sales outposts for RLG products.

Also speaking, Managing Director/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said that the company believes in supporting local development, providing opportunities for job creation.

According to him, Airtel has invested enormously in building a large eco-system for local content initiatives through its broad-based programmes and initiatives.

“Interestingly, the youths are the biggest beneficiaries of our local content initiatives. Only recently, we floated an initiative, Catapult-a-Startup, with the overriding idea of providing youths with a strong platform, robust funding and right partnerships to build local applications that will help transform lives, shape public service and build a better society for all of us. The good news is that we have seen a lot of success stories come out from this programme,” he said.

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Banking crisis and another season of anxieties “If the opinion of insiders is anything to go by, it may be correct to say that the nation’s banking community is in dire financial straits. That much the NATION can authoritatively report.”

NATION ON SUNDAY, April 12, 2015, p 58. oreigners know before we do when a banking crisis is round the corner. Two usual tell-tale signs occur in rapid succession. First, Foreign Portfolio Investment, FPI, drops. Second, some banks start approaching the capital market for funds to shore up their balance sheets.

The two are happening now and, once more, it is time to be careful where depositors place their money. Nobody needs a repetition of Societe General and Savannah banks which closed their gates trapping billions of peoples’ money till today. The question is why so soon again? Also, what happened to Soludo’s assurances to Nigerians, after “ConSOLUDO-tion that depositors could go to sleep with their two eyes closed. Once again, those in the know are experiencing sleepless

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nights. This will be the third crisis since the emergence of twenty five banks as Megabanks in 2006.

Most Nigerians would recollect that Professor Chukwumah Soludo, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had boasted that he was bequeathing to the nation, banks in which depositors can keep their funds and “go to sleep with their eyes closed.”

Among those banks, Soludo left us with were Intercontinental, Afribank and Oceanic – all now of blessed memory. In 2006, the nation was left with 25 “strong” banks out of seventhree the previous year.

Today, there are less than fifteen and the next banking crisis might reduce the number to under a dozen.

The reasons, not far fetched, are linked.

First, when Foreign Portfolio Investment, FPI, starts dropping significantly, certain things occur. The departing foreigners depress the capital market and their pessimism about the future becomes contagious. Even domestic fund managers

begin to consider exiting the market. That is already occurring.

In an article in the SUN, on May 11, 2015, page 43, by Chinenye Amiforo, it was revealed that FPI in March of this year, had declined from N133.92bn to N102.56bn.

And, we are still in the first quarter of the year –a year, which promises more harsh news than any we had experienced in years. That will be explained later.

Simultaneously, several banks are forced, voluntarily or otherwise, to approach the capital market for funds to shore up their balance sheets.

Once again, that process is on. At least four banks are already in the market to raise fresh capital; the number will certainly go up in the near future. Banks going to the capital market under the cloudy economic outlook of the nation must have more faith than that required to move mountains to expect the result to be favourable. But, the banks have no choice.

They are stuck between the devil and the deep ocean.

That is not an ideal operating environment. Banks should

operate in calm waters. The devil was the price of crude, which dropped suddenly; the deep ocean is the out-going Federal government whose economic managers were most irresponsible.

GDP growth declines by 2.08% in Q1—NBS. PUNCH, May 14, 2015, p 7.

However, the real demon threatening the banking sector is the Nigerian economy at the moment and the trend for the near term.

The PUNCH story, went on to say that “The National Bureau of Statistics, on Wednesday night released the first quarter 2015 Gross Domestic Product figure, stating that the country’s GDP declined from 5.94 per cent at the end of the fourth quarter of last year to 3.86 per cent.” That revelation by the NBS has further complicated the problems of Nigeria banks – irrespective of whether they need additional capital or not.

High GDP growth rate, averaging over 7% per annum, in the last six years had been the magnet for attracting Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria.

Hitherto, it had been one of

the top five globally and investors had ignored the risks associated, or perceived to be, with investment in emerging markets. Decline to 3.86 per cent is a definite turnoff. So, those dollars walking into Nigerian banks will walk away for a while. Crude oil is the devil here. High crude oil prices, like high tide, brought them in. Low crude oil is washing them away.

“Against the stupidity [of rulers], the gods themselves struggle in vain.” Schiller, 1759- 1805. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p235.

Fate, as well as the infinite deafness of Federal government officials, Jonathan’s Campaign Managers, and jesters like the Transformation Ambassadors had combined to close the President’s eyes to the impending doom.

Repeatedly, they had pointed to the exceptional GDP growth in the past. Nobody, not even Okonjo-Iweala, mentioned the, now inevitable, possibility that Jonathan might leave office at a time when the economy is crawling at 3%. And with that he had sealed the fates of at least three banks. It is not much of a legacy to inherit an economy growing at 7% and leave it at 3%; is it?

Business & Economy

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he most senior managers at oil giant Eni appear to have misled shareholders over the company ’s actions in a corrupt oil deal at its 2014 AGM. This is very important – as they gather for the 2015 meeting, shareholders in Italy ’s biggest company should expect straight answers over a deal which poses real risks to their investments. The corruption at the heart of the deal deprived the Nigerian state of over U.S. $1.1 billion, has triggered investigations by authorities in three countries, and could ultimately lead to the Eni and its partner Shell losing access to the oil block.

The back story goes like this: in 2011 Eni and Shell paid $1.1bn for oil block OPL 245, one of the biggest off the coast of Nigeria. The money should have ended up in Nigerian state coffers, where it is badly needed - $1.1bn is equivalent to two-thirds of the 2014 Nigerian healthcare budget.

Instead the payment was made to the government, who then passed on to Malabu, a front company owned by the former Nigerian oil minister, Dan Etete Etete had awarded C M Y K

Eni misled shareholders over Nigeria corruption scandal — Global Witness his own company the block whilst in office under the former dictator Sani Abacha, and was now, together with others was cashing in on his corrupt acquisition.

Eni’s senior leadership claimed it didn’t know that Etete was behind Malabu at its 2014 AGM. But due diligence reports commissioned by Eni seen by Global Witness show that that Eni was told “Whatever the formal ownership structure of Malabu, all of the sources to whom we have spoken are united in the opinion that Dan Etete is the owner of the company”. The company did later adjust its story saying that they never completed their full due diligence process because they changed their mind about doing a deal directly with Malabu, doing the deal via the Government instead, and that Etete’s involvement was

a ‘red flag’ and an ‘element of concern. However, it is difficult to understand how Eni’s staff could honestly conclude that its due diligence had not found clear

evidence for concluding that Etete was ultimately behind Malabu.

This kind of deal poses huge risks for Eni’s investors.

The case has been

investigated by authorities in three separate countries and its former and current CEOs are both under investigation for their role in the deal.

GTBank launches mobile money transfer

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uaranty Trust Bank plc has launched another innovative mobile channel which enables GTBank customers conveniently perform third party transfers to both GTBank and other bank account holders in Nigeria, via their mobile phones, by simply dialing the USSD short code *737 with details of the amount and account number (NUBAN) of the beneficiary.

The *737* transfer service is another novel offering pioneered by GTBank in the Nigerian Financial Industry, that is safe, simple and convenient. The 737 transfer

service has been introduced to build on the success of the Bank’s One Click Top –up service; which offers GTBank customers an efficient and easy way to buy airtime on their mobile phones directly from their GTBank account by simply dialing a short USSD code (*737*AMOUNT#).

According to Mr. Segun Agbaje, Managing Director/ CEO of the Bank, “we will continue to leverage technology to make banking, especially payments and transfers, faster, safer and more convenient for all our customers. He further stated that, “this service addresses

the electronic banking requirements of our customers, irrespective of their phone type”. The *737* Transfer service is only available to GTBank customers via their mobile phone numbers registered with the Bank and has minimum transfer limit of N1,000 and a daily transfer limit of N20,000. Guaranty Trust Bank plc was established in 1990 and has within the last 25 years come to be recognized as one of the most profitable, innovative, service focused and well managed banks in the Nigerian financial market space.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 37

Tax Matters

Distinguishing withholding tax from value added tax

other third parties are subject to WHT. The stockbroker is to pay over tax withheld from the commission and other fees to the relevant tax authority.

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here is a need to draw attention to the fundamental difference between Withholding Tax (WHT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) so as to facilitate clear understanding of the mechanics of the tax concepts.

WHT is an advance payment of income tax and the purpose is to bring the prospective taxpayer into the taxnet, thereby widening the income tax base. In other words, the WHT system is aimed at tracking down taxpayers and the incomes which may otherwise not be reported by them.

When the income on which WHT is deducted at source is finally brought to the notice of the tax authority and the appropriate tax computed, due credit is given for the WHT deducted at source on the presentation of the original WHT receipts through the issuance of credit notes. The taxpayer will be required to pay only the balance due after matching the actual tax liability against the credit for the WHT suffered at source. WHT is therefore nothing more than a collection machinery to curb tax evasion. It is not a separate tax on its own. It is a part of the income tax whether personal or corporate income tax.

In contrast, VAT is a different type of tax. VAT is a consumption tax payable on the goods and services consumed by any person, whether government agencies, business organisations or individuals. The target of VAT is the final consumer of goods and services and unless an item is specifically exempted by law, the consumer is liable to the tax.

Exemption from this is not aimed at agencies, companies or individuals but rather at the goods and services.

Therefore, all agencies of government, religious and other organisations and similar persons that are normally exempted from income tax are expected to pay VAT on the goods and services consumed by them except where the goods and services are specifically exempted by law.

THE PRIMARY MARKET (a)

How to Impose WHT

It is usual for issuing companies to pay fees to issuing houses, stock brokerage firms, reporting accountants and solicitors in respect of new and rights issues, as well as debenture stocks. Such fees should be subject to withholding tax at source in accordance with Section 63 of the Companies Income Tax Cap 60 LFN 1990, and the relevant extra-ordinary Gazette. The issuing companies are hereby mandated to deduct the WHT tax there-from and pay over to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) within 30 days as stipulated in the tax law. The net is then paid over to the issuing house that handled the issue. The applicable rate for C M Y K

(b) How to Impose VAT In both purchase and sale transactions, the consumer of the services rendered is the investor. It is therefore the investor that is subject to this tax. The VAT on these transactions should be paid over to FIRS.

commissions/fees is ten percent (10%) for limited liability companies, and five percent (5%) for individuals and partnerships. (b) How to Impose VAT Ever y consumer pays VAT on services rendered to it. As consumers of the services rendered by both the issuing houses and other parties to the issue, the issuing companies are liable to the payment of VAT for the services rendered. The issuing houses and other parties to the issue should charge VAT at 5% on their invoices for services rendered. Since the issuing houses handle the transactions connected with new and rights issues, they are to act as agents for the collection and remission of VAT to FIRS. (c) Listing by the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE)

Before an operator’s licence is renewed by a regulatory authority, evidence of WHT and VAT on issues handled in the previous year must be produced.

As a pre-requisite for listing new securities by the NSE, the evidence of settlement of WHT and VAT on the new and rights issues must be attached. The listing fees are themselves liable to WHT and VAT. (d) Renewal of Operators’ Licences Before an operator ’s licence is renewed by a regulatory authority, evidence of WHT and VAT on issues handled in the previous year must be produced.

THE SECONDARY MARKET (a) How to Impose WHT · In the case of a purchase, the stockbroker is expected to charge the investor for the following:o The cost of the shares purchased, o Commission based on gross value of shares purchased on behalf of that investor, - the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fee (which is currently 1% of total consideration and is not subject to WHT and VAT being part of gross income earned by SEC) o Deduct WHT on the commission at 10% and pay over to the relevant tax authority, i.e. State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR) or FIRS. · In the case of a sale, the stockbroker is expected to deduct from the investor’s gross consideration the following:o his commission, o the other fees payable to other third parties, as approved by the SEC. · Thereafter, the net sale should be paid over to the investor. · Both the Nstockbroker ’s commission and other fees paid to

COLLECTION ARRANGEMENT In respect of the collection of the taxes herewith discussed, the usual collection arrangement will prevail.

Reference to the relevant FIRS information circular (9502 of 20th February 1995, 9501 of 13th January 1995) may be advisable.

However, in summary, the following collection arrangement should be observed:(a) WHT Ø The rate at which tax is to be withheld on commission and fees is 10% when these payments are made to limited liability companies; and 5% for individuals and partnerships. Ø The currency in which the tax is to be paid is the currency the transaction was carried out and in which the tax was deducted. Ø payments of wht should be made in bank drafts and payable to: Ø ‘‘The Federal Government of Nigeria- FIRS – Withholding Tax Account’’ Ø Payments should be accompanied by the relevant forms (CMF1, CMF2, CMF3, CMF4, or CMF5). Ø Any default in the implementation of the tax carries heavy penalties. Ø Failure to deduct WHT and failure to remit taxes withheld are punishable on conviction by a fine of 200% of the tax not withheld or remitted. (b) VAT Ø The rate for VAT is 5%. Ø Payments of VAT should be made in bank draft and payable to: Ø ‘‘The Federal Government of Nigeria – FIRS – VAT Account’’ Ø The payments should be accompanied by the VAT FORM 022 which is readily available online and all FIRS offices throughout Nigeria.

DUAL ROLE OF ISSUING HOUSES It is necessary to clarify that the new policy of government imposes dual roles on the issuing houses as agencies which handle new and rights issues: ibas agent of government for the deduction and remittance of WHT and as agent of government for the collection and remittance of VAT even in respect of their own respective transactions which ordinarily should have been paid over to the operator who charged the VAT on his invoice.

(For more details see pare. 4 of Information Circular no. 9502 of 29th February, 1995).

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

People in Business

BY EBELE ORAKPO

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rs Bunmi Aremo, a graduate of Home Economics from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, is the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Lagos-based Precious Cookies. In this chat with Financial Vanguard in her office, she spoke on her business, how she got into the confectionery business, the challenges and why she ended up studying Home Economics. Excerpts: Studying Home Economics: According to Aremo, as a child, she loved working with her hands and very creative so she thought of reading Agric Economics but was given Home Economics instead.

“My mother asked me to come home because reading Home Economics, to her, was like wasting my talent. I also got admission into Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) to read Agric-Economics. I had done remedial programme in Makurdi so I told one of my lecturers that I was leaving for OAU and he asked why I felt Home Economics was not good for me. I said it’s all about cooking. He explained to me that it is not about cooking, that it is in the Faculty of Engineering, College of Food Science and Technology and that the programme was new so I decided to stay and throughout the course, there was no cooking. I learnt how to calculate nutrients in food and so many other things. In fact, my project (which involved calculating the amount of nutrients in the food of about 200 pupils), half of it was slashed because my external supervisor could not believe I did the work as according to him, it was a PhD stuff and not relevant for a BSc. programme.”

Going into business: “I got married and was teaching at the NigerianTurkish International School, Abuja. I was pregnant and two weeks before the birth, I was involved in the Miss World riots in Abuja and it affected me. We tried to manage the pregnancy to seven months so that the child can survive but we couldn’t, so I had a premature baby. He was born at six and half months and so small that after wrapping him in layers of cloths, he did not still weigh up to one kilogram at birth.

"So the doctor advised me to forget about work and devote time to him. My son was born

on the 8th but we celebrate his birthday on the 9th, we had to give him a whole day after he was born to be sure he would survive.

"I am not the type that can sit at home doing nothing so one day, a friend came to me and asked me to teach her how to make cake. I said “cake? When we were in school, did you ever see me with spoons and pots? I don’t know how to make cake.” I asked myself how I could tell people that I read Home Economics and yet cannot make cake. So I told her to come and teach me after she learnt and she did."

Challenges are part of life; they help us to grow — BUNMI AREMO

Coming to Lagos: "I started making cakes and my husband would help me distribute. I was doing that until my he was transferred to Lagos. When we came to Lagos, I started training again on cake-making and I got a bigger market this time. I was supplying companies’ staff birthday cakes. I started with Queens cake which I was supplying to supermarkets.

My husband started complaining, saying there was not enough space in the house for my business so I should move out. Prior to that, a friend told me about Pan-African University’s Lagos Business School. I applied for and got scholarship. In class, they told us it is unwise to do your

Finance is another challenge but I believe that if you have an idea, people will come to your aid; it is not about money business from home. Though they are not despising the day of little beginning, but if you don’t move out, you will remain small. I got to know about Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) Lagos and with the help of the Enterprise Development Centre, PanAtlantic University, I was given a space. I couldn’t believe it because in less than two years, I got my NAFDAC certification, I not only do the Queens cake, I began to do cookies and I noticed that the cookies were selling more."

Moving forward: “Before I get to some

*Mrs. Bunmi Aremo...a certain amount of their salary must go towards their education supermarkets, I would see queues and one day, I was told they were queuing for the cookies, that I was not bringing enough, so I had to double the supply. At this time, the cookies were unlabelled. One of my staff suggested we begin supplying in cartons. We did and increased the number of outlets.

International market: "Before I knew it, I was exporting the cookies. My entrepreneurship training with EDC really helped me. The packaging when I came from Abuja was really ugly so I changed to another one which was still ugly but by the time I

finished my training, everything changed, even my dressing. So entering the international market was not too difficult for me because of the background. Now, we are trying to move into the Asian and American markets.

Business has been improving day by day, especially with the help of the TIC. We are trying to work on some other lines, still on cookies; cookies is about shapes and flavours."

The staff: "Presently, we have nine members of staff due to space and capacity. We just acquired

an electric oven. We were using manual oven before which would bake a tray for three hours but the electric oven does it in 30 minutes. We can still calibrate it to bake a tray in 10 minutes. With that, we believe we can have more turnover. It will increase our salary and we will be able to employ more people. Most of my staff are unskilled. What I do is to work with them and then work on their minds to go back to school. There is a certain amount of their salary that must go towards their education. We help them

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 39

E-Commerce

Co-Creation Hub to invest over N10m in start-ups Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

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igeria’s first social innovation centre, Cocreation Hub, CcHUB has announced it will invest between $15,000 to $25,000, about N3.3 million to N5.5 million, in seed funding in three tech startups.

The ventures include: Grit Systems, Mamalette and Autobox. The deal will also invlove mentoring, business development support and office space to help in their quest to grow their businesses rapidly.

Grit Systems is CcHUB’s first Internet of Things (iOT) venture, while Mamalette is an online community for mothers and mothers-to-be and Autobox is a platform for car owners to buy genuine auto parts and discover all things motoring.

Grit Systems develops web-enabled technology for controlling and gathering data about

household and commercial electrical power consumption.

Started in 2011 in Yaba

Lagos, CcHUB has worked with over fifty early stage ventures through its preincubation and incubation programmes including

Traclist, Truppr, Wecyclers and Vacantboards. In 2014, CcHUB graduated BudgIT, the first venture in its incubation portfolio.

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TRAINING: From left Mr. Martins Awofisayo, MD, HarvestField Industries Limited, Mr. Sylvestre Jobic, Country Group Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa, Bayer Environmental Science, Dr. Bukar Ali Usman, Director, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Mrs. Adjo Mfodwo, Manager – Anglophone West Africa, Bayer Environmental Science at a stakeholders training and seminar on pest control held in Maryland Lagos.

Openshopen emerges e-commerce platform of the year

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omputer Warehouse Group, CWG's ecommerce platform, Openshopen.ng has been named e-commerce platform of the year at the Beacon of Information and Communication Technology awards held in Lagos recently.

The website, polled the highest votes in its category following an online poll that featured over two hundred thousand entries via email and on the award's electronic voting portal.

Speaking on the award, Founder/ CEO, CWG, Austin Okere said: “Winning the award of the e-commerce platform of the year in just less than one year of introducing our solution to the Nigerian market speaks volumes about the unique value Openshopen offers to SMEs and how they have come to appreciate it.”

According to him, “Our ecommerce platform has the capacity to support over 100 million stores. It offers businesses the advantage of building and promoting their

own brands rather than just dumping their goods and their fates in the hands of third parties, whose brands they are invariably promoting. By displaying their goods online, entrepreneurs significantly increase their sales, thereby creating jobs and ensuring inclusive growth for the economy.”

Speaking on the credibility of the award process, the Chairman of the event and Chief Executive Officer, Zinox Technologies limited, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh said: “I

know that those that won the awards tonight deserved them because I can confidently say that the publisher, whom I know very well, is a man of integrity and he will give you what you deserve.”

On his part, Former president of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) Chris Uwaje observed that CWG Plc is known for rolling out IT solutions that are remarkable for standard, customer satisfaction and reliability.

Rocket Internet launches online classifieds site

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erman based Internet company, Rocket Internet has unveiled an online classified platform, Vendito for emerging markets.

The site which is already live in Senegal, Uganda and Tanzania is expected to go live soon in Nigeria at Vendito.com.ng or Vendito.ng and in Ghana as Vendito.com.gh and Vendito.co.ke in Kenya.

The company told the media last week that most of the URLs are not live to the public yet.

According to Rocket Internet, “Vendito is an online classifieds website where people can buy and sell almost anything in their cities, from electronics, cars, real C M Y K

PayPal to trade under old symbol after split from EBay

estate to jobs and services.

Currently we operate in Myanmar, Asia, under the name of Ads.com.mm which is the largest classified website in the country with more than 150, 000 visits per month. As part of our ambitious goals we recently stepped foot in West and East Africa, first milestones to our inspiring journey.

“Vendito’s mission is to provide a free, easy-to-use, fast and localized website that connects buyers and sellers locally to buy or sell their used items and/or services.

Of course Vendito’s ambition is to become the leading general classifieds website in emerging markets.

“Just like OLX’s speech, Vendito says if you have used

items you don’t need anymore and are taking up too much space in your house or office Vendito is the place. Vendito has a similar platform. Just like the former TradeStable which was merged into OLX recently which has looks similar to Gumtree but we think it’s less likely to launch in South Africa soon.”

Alibaba in litigation over fake goods

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group of luxury goods makers in the United States has sued, CHinese ecommerce giant, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd contending that it had knowingly made it possible for counterfeiters to sell their products throughout the world.

The lawsuit alleged that Alibaba had conspired to manufacture, offer for sale and traffic in counterfeit products bearing their trademarks without their permission.

The lawsuit alleged that Alibaba and its related entities “provide the

marketplace advertising and other essential services necessary for counterfeiters to sell their counterfeit products to customers in the United States.” The lawsuit cited, for example, an alleged fake Gucci bag offered for $2 to $5 each by a Chinese merchant.

ayPal, the payments division that’s separating from the online marketplace, EBay, will trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market as PYPL, its original ticker symbol before being acquired by the online marketplace in 2002.

“I’m honoured and thrilled that PayPal is returning to its roots as an independent company,” said PayPal President, Dan Schulman, who will be the company’s Chief Executive Officer when the split is completed in the third quarter of the year.

He added: “This is a meaningful symbol for the company because it represents our unbroken commitment to the spirit of the original vision that sparked the launch of PayPal seventeen years ago.”

EBay announced the split last year after activist investor Carl Icahn said PayPal was being held back by its parent company’s slower-growing Web marketplace business.

Schulman joined PayPal, which has 165 million customers in 200 countries, from American Express Co.

Netflix in talks to enter China

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ideo streaming company, Netflix is in talks with Wasu Media Holding Co. and other potential partners to enter China’s booming online video market.

Netflix is seeking a partner that has licenses for content on all devices, including mobile phones, computers and settop boxes, the report said.

Netflix earlier said it was developing plans to launch a “modest” service in China if it can get permission to operate in the world’s most populous country. Chinese consumers are used to watching entertainment for free that is either supported by ads or pirated.

“For every country we know what we want to do, but in China we are still exploring our options,” Chief Executive, Reed Hastings said in an interview earlier this year.

A local partnership would be essential given the Chinese government’s strict controls over licensing for online content.

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 41

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42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Economy

Transition politics to restrict MPC economic policy decisions STORIES BY EMEKA ANAETO, ECONOMY EDITOR The last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in the life of the present government holding today will largely shy away from key economic issues threatening the nation's economy, due to transition uncertainties.

In order to facilitate the attainment of the objective of price stability and to support the economic policy of the Federal Government, a committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) referred to as MPC is in place made up of the CBN Governor as the Chairman with the four Deputy Governors of the Bank, two members of the Board of Directors of the Bank as well as three members appointed by the President and two members appointed by the Governor.

The MPC is the highest policy making committee of the CBN with the the mandate to review economic and financial conditions in the economy, determine appropriate stance of policy in the short to medium term, review regularly, the CBN monetary policy framework and adopt changes when necessary, and also communicate monetary/ financial policy decisions effectively to the public and ensure the credibility of the model of transmission mechanism of monetary policy.

The MPC meets quarterly, and today's meeting is the second this year.

Sources close to the Committee said nothing fundamental would happen despite the major fundamental challenges the economy has been facing in the past six months which have forced some reversals in the economic gains of recent years.

For instance the inflation rate and exchange rates have been on headwinds while macroeconomic stability is also faced with dwindling revenue inflow and external reserves.

Though no major policy decision would likely emanate from today's meeting sources close to the Committee indicate that considerations would be given to wide-ranging issues which the members consider as key decision points for the incoming government at national level. Some of the issues being put forward includes

inflationary pressure containment strategy, exchange rate management, money supply from fiscal perspectives amongst others.

Commenting on the outlook of today's MPC the research team at Afrinvest, one of Nigeria's leading investment houses, outlined three major possible policy options before the Committee, first being to retain Marginal Rediscount Rate (MPR) at 13 per cent, public sector Credit Reserve Ration (CRR) at 75 per cent, private sector CRR at 20 per cent, liquidity ratio at 30 per cent and then announce a floating of the currency to eliminate pressure on external reserves.

The next alternative course of action before the MPC today, according to Afrinvest, is to retain all the ratios above and then increase CBN's intervention rate at the interbank foreign exchange market to reduce the pressure on the reserves.

However, Afrinvest says MPC also has the option of not only leaving all the ratios as they were, but it could also decide to stay with status quo on all economic and monetary policies to allow the in-coming

•CBN Governor Emefiele

MPC also has the option of not only leaving all the ratios as they were, but it could also decide to stay with status quo on all economic and monetary policies to allow the incoming federal government to settle down before grappling with any major policy issues

federal government to settle down before grappling with any major policy issues.

On the probabilistic basis, Afrinvest assigned 5 per cent likelihood for first option, 45 per cent for the second option and 50 per cent for the last option.

This possible position, according to Afrinvest, would just be for political expediency rather than sound policy stance in the face of serious and urgent economic challenges.

Some of the challenges include the heightening arbitraging in the currency market resulting from a halfbaked foreign exchange policy

which has left the parallel market margins at about 12 per cent as at last week when CBN rate was N197/ USD1.00 while parallel market was N122.5/ USD1.00.

A few analysts believed that the post-election renewed confidence in the economy may favour inflow of foreign capital while starving off capital flight, but the ability of CBN to to maintain the induced forex market stability remains in doubt should the apex bank maintain the current level of intervention in the light of the external reserve position.

The other challenge is the heightening inflationary pressure and the declining gross domestic products (GDP) both of which have threatened the gains of the recent years especially as it concerned the enviable position of Nigeria as Africa's largest and fastest growing economy.

Economy watchers have expressed concern over the accerating of inflation rate this year, though expected as the fall out of the exchange rate crises but without any mitigation policy in place or being conceived. The general price level has assumed a steady upward trend since the initial November 2014 devaluation of Naira.

With respect to the fiscal policy the MPC would likely be more concerned with speculations on the likely fiscal stance of the in-coming government rather than the policy thrust of the current national budget which had hitherto guided their policy positions.

Consumer price to remain upwards for several months ahead

T

he fall out of the direct and indirect devaluation of Naira in the fourth quarter of 2014 may have begun its chain of inflationary pressure amidst other worries over the economy to be inherited by the in-coming government headed by Mohammadu Buhari.

Economy review and forcast

by Afrinvest indicated that the sustained acceleration in consumer prices over the past five months broadly reflects the pass-through of the Naira depreciation in recent months

on input cost and import prices.

Although, pass-through of Naira depreciation remained subdued - headline Index has only grown 3.2 per cent (April: 169.7 against December 2014: 164.4), relative to Naira depreciation of 11.3 per cent since the first currency devaluation in November 2014, economy analysts believe that recent development in the domestic monetary space may further pressure price levels in several months ahead.

The main monetary

aggregate, Broad Money Supply (M2), rose 13.7 per cent in March 2014 to N19.1trillion, up significantly by 15.7 per cent from February.

This, according to Afrinvest, may constitute additional headwind on consumer prices within the near term, given the perceived positive relationship between money supply and inflation in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

report for April last week showing 8.7 per cent headline inflation for April, 2015, measured Year-on-Year, a 20 bases points rise higher than 8.5 per cent reported in March. This is the fifth consecutive increase in the headline inflation rate.

This is the highest headline inflation rate recorded since July 2013. According to the NBS report, the acceleration of inflation rate in April was due to uptrend in Individual consumption expenditure of households.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 43

Advertising & Promotions Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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he dishwashing liquid market is becoming interesting with new entrants promising to close the missing link witnessed in the market. Ireti Doyle, as Fairy’s godmother revealed to Princewill Ekwujuru, her plans and the brand’s power to deliver on promises. Read on.

Endorsement Endorsement is not just something you pursue. You do your work and hopefully someone will look your way. I have been approached by some people but this didn’t work out. That we did not complete or tie the deal somewhere along the line, we were not a perfect fit. And it’s just a matter of time a brand will come along and there will be a match made in heaven. I am absolutely and personally proud to be selected by the number one brand in the world. If I have to wait this long to represent anyone it has to be a major brand. That is what has happened today.

It is number one brand globally, not just based on hype but based on empirical information, based on trial and proof that it delivers on its promise. So far so good.

The burden has been a very light one to bear.

I have responsibility towards the Fairy brand and Nigeria —Doyle

•Ireti Doyle It hasn’t been hectic. It has been a symbiotic relationship thus far. It began with a journey to Cape Town (South Africa) in March, 2014. We went to produce the commercial and all the materials that will be used during this campaign. It was

a wonderful experience. We had a top notch technical team. So, it has been a very enjoyable journey so far. I have enjoyed being Fairy’s god mother.

Claim as global dish washing brand It has been proven that indeed Fairy is the number one global brand. There was research to prove that, so it was not just an empty claim.

Could I claim that Fairy is number one brand here in Nigeria. Let us remember that we just launched in the market properly in March.

The exercise that we are doing now (the interview session) is all part of creating awareness. The intent is not just to make appearance in Nigeria but to make appearance all over the African continent starting with Nigeria.

Why I cannot tell you categorically that Fairy is the number one brand in Nigeria purely because it’s new, but I will beat my chest, and actually I can bet a year salary,

CSR, sustainability our policy thrusts—IDL

I

nternational Distillers Limited, IDL, manufacturers of Chelsea dry gin, Squadron, says Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR and sustainability runs in the Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, (molecule of life) of the company.

The Managing Director, Engr. Patrick Anegbe, asserted this when he said, “as a policy, our company believes that business is not just about making profit, but also touching lives of communities where we operate in a positive way.”

“Hence our involvement in various CSR activities over the years in communities where we operate.”

While listing some of the achievements of the company in CSR, during the commissioning of a block of four classrooms and two offices, noted that the company had carried out extension of treated drinking water from the company ’s factory to Igboloye community, Ota, donation of borehole to the same community and donation of 500 KVA transformers.

Others are donation of a

block of three classrooms and computers to Iganmode Grammar school, Ota, renovation of a block of five classrooms for St Michael Primary School, and block of three classrooms for St Peter’s Primary School 2, all in Ota. He went on to say that the company completed an assembly hall for customs secondary school, Idiroko,

donated sets of computers and printers to the Special Marshal unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun Command.

Donated 5.5KVA generator to National Identity management Commission, and N250,000 to Ogun state sports council towards the national Sports Festival, he stated.

Airtel boss wins CEO Brand Personality award Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, has been named CEO Brand Personality of the Year by marketing communications magazine, Marketing Edge.

According to the brand and marketing publication, Ogunsanya’s enviable track record as CEO of Airtel Nigeria, marketing-facing accomplishments and immense contributions to the development of the Nigerian marketing communications industry, set him apart as the CEO Brand Personality of the Year (2014).

Receiving the award on his behalf in Lagos, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa, dedicated the award to the company ’s stakeholders, thanking subscribers for voting for the Airtel brand.

According to him, Airtel appreciates the belief, trust and confidence its customers repose on the brand, noting that the telco will continue to go the extra mile to delight telecoms consumers with innovative mobile Internet and voice solutions as well as first-rate customer experience.

that within the next one year Fairy will be the number one brand because it delivers on its promise. All you have to do is try it once and you will see that this dish washing liquid delivers on all its promises. It’s effective on oily dishes. Your bottle of Fairy last two or three times longer.

Use a little drop of Fairy and it washes many more dishes that you wouldn’t use any other brand. What I can say to consumers is that a trial will convince you. I am so convinced about this product.

I encourage people to give a try, and please make their findings public. If we are lying put it out there. We are 100 percent sure of the facts that we are putting out there.

It’s just a matter of time before Fairy takes over the market not just in Nigeria but all over Africa.

Taking the brand from factory to kitchen Again, I say we have been promoting this brand since March and as Nigerian’s you know we had elections in between. As a socially conscious Nigerian while I have responsibilities towards this brand, I have responsibility towards my nation. We didn’t think that the period of the election was right to be talking about dish washing liquid. That can of slowed us down a bit. But we have had a couple of interviews; We have done insertion with the marketers.

Last week we had a very vibrant tweeter interview. I was told on the day we were number seven on the trending list. I can assure you there will be a lot more interaction. You will be seeing me at malls, getting active with the people and telling them about the brand, convincing them to give it a try. Once you try Fairy you will never go back again.

Price and competition You can get a gigantic bottle for 2 kobo but my question is how many dishes is it going to wash? Are you going to be penny wise and pound foolish.? Fact is one bottle of Fairy washes 14, 763 plates tested and proven. So are you going to spend N100 extra for a bottle that is going to last you about four times longer than a gigantic bottle that you literally have to pour half of it. You know, we eat very oily food in Africa so to get your dishes quicky clean you really have to use almost a quarter of your gigantic bottle as opposed to a few drops of Fairy. All I require you to do is please give it a try. And when you see that a bottle of Fairy lasts you six times longer, I think people will go for value and quality as opposed to quantity.

New look Close–up pastes hit market

U

nilever Nigeria Plc has re-launched Close – Up toothpaste brand across three variants of Deep Action Red Hot, Naija Herbal gel and herbal paste in new logo and packages.

The Close-up brands according to the company is poised to cater to the oral care of Nigerians with a formulation that contains micro-shine crystals to clean deep corners of the mouth and active zinc mouth wash that kills 99.9 percent germs, giving long lasting fresh breath for 12 hours.

Speaking, Branding Building Director of the company, David Okeme, said Unilever is excited also to introduce Davido, a musician, as the brand ambassador for Close-up.

This he stated is “geared towards engaging our core target the Nigerian youth.”

Okeme went on to say that Close-up is vibrant, intense and sensrially charged toothpaste that consumers can feel working in their mouth delivering noticeable fresher breath and whiter teeth for a confident smile. “It gives you the confidence for intense moments of closeness.”

PRCAN becomes ICCO member

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he Public Relations Consultants A s s o c i a t i o n (PRCAN), the umbrella body of PR consultancy firms operating in Nigeria, has been admitted into membership of the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO).

PRCAN’s admission was announced by the ICCO Chief Executive, Francis Ingham, at the organization’s bi-annual Board of Management meeting which held in Vienna, Austria, on April 1617, 2015.

Following PRCAN’s inclusion, the PRCAN President, Mr. John Ehiguese, was also appointed to the Board of Management of the Organization, for a maximum tenure of four years. By this appointment, he joins 30 other members in ICCO’s highest decisionmaking authority.

C M Y K

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

Fuel subsidy dilemma: The sensible way out

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he severe social discomfort and economic dislocation caused by fuel scarcity nationwide may stampede the incoming Administration of President-elect Muhamad Buhari to settle the outstanding invoices of Petrol Marketers, and also accept over N200bn penalty interest charge for delayed payments and exchange rate differentials consequent upon the almost 20% recent Naira devaluation.

Some critics may suggest that the government representatives who accepted liability for such oppressive penalty charges, would not readily make such an undertaking if they represented their own private corporations or family assets, particularly in the face of a bleeding revenue base and rapidly increasing debt burden.

Nonetheless, Buhari may be forced to tow the same path of reckless financial management, if petrol marketers remain adamant and insist that government should first settle alleged outstanding debts before they commit to any fresh fuel importation; unfortunately, the longer it takes to reach an agreement on actual liability, interest payments may continue to increase and further bloat government’s indebtedness.

Clearly, however, the retired General certainly does not need an early confrontation with the public or indeed Labour who will as usual insist that subsidy should only be removed after sufficient local refineries can meet domestic consumption! In the event however, that refineries (depending on size) have

between 18-36 months gestation, this may suggest that subsidy may not be wished away very soon!

Furthermore, Labour and Civil Societies also recognise that it would be foolhardy to accept deregulation, if the Naira rate continues its steady plunge against the dollar as fuel prices will simultaneously continue to spiral! Conversely, Buhari’s Team may plead that it is not sensible to dedicate over 20% of federal budgets to subsidy and almost 50% of total Crude Export Revenue to consumption of imported fuel annually.

We cannot predict the length of the ensuing stalemate, but as usual, in the interest of the nation, government and Labour are likely to once more agree to split the subsidy burden.

Clearly, government’s share of subsidy will nonetheless rise if the Naira continues its downward slide or if “fortuitously” or “unfortunately”, crude oil prices rebound once again. For example, if the Naira is left to float as currently proposed by the Banker’s Committee, Naira could well exchange for over N300=$1 before the end of 2015, particularly if the instigation of systemic excess Naira remains an abiding feature of CBN’s monetary strategy.

Invariably, with such Naira depreciation, fuel prices will spiral about 50% above the price on which subsidy was initially calculated.

Consequently, unless pump prices are adjusted upwards, government’s share of the subsidy burden will once again balloon and bring us back to square one, where subsidy exceeds 20% of annual federal budgets.

Furthermore, in the absence of fiscal discipline, subsidy refunds to marketers will invariably be delayed and will accumulate as usual, until the issue of delayed payments and exchange rate differentials surface once more to trigger fuel scarcity with the attendant painful, social and economic dislocations. Similarly, higher crude prices will also translate to higher fuel prices and increasing subsidy values.

In his attempt to end this horrendous cyclical narrative, Buhari will be well advised to

Higher crude prices will also translate to higher fuel prices and increasing subsidy values

recognise that subsidy can be eliminated if crude price remains below $50/barrel, so that ex-refinery cost remains low; ironically, if this happens, our oil revenue base will unfortunately remain depleted and further threaten the Naira exchange rate as is currently the case.

Ultimately, increasing speculative dollar demand will instigate further Naira depreciation which would inadvertently pump up fuel price and also swell the existing value of subsidy.

Clearly, if weaker Naira rates instigate higher fuel prices and fuel subsidy values, it

Apex Bank. This bizarre payments strategy apart from instigating excess Naira, also induces the unforced error of the official provision of presumably ‘scarce’ public sector dollars for the unsubstantiated forex requirements of the black market.

Instructively, however, if the foreign exchange component of federal allocations are paid with dollar certificates rather than the outright monthly substitution of Naira values which precipitate the constant spectre of surplus Naira and its oppressive train of inflation, huge cost of funds, a weaker Naira as well as higher fuel prices, which make the removal of subsidy impossible.

Incidentally, the above recommended reform in fiscal allocations, will gradually mop up the unrelenting flood of surplus Naira which swallow the dollar rations sold weekly

by CBN; clearly, if this fiscal payment practice is sustained, the Naira may still ultimately exchange below N100=$1 despite reduced crude oil revenue within Buhari’s first year in office.

Thus, Buhari will avoid a protracted social and economic dislocation, if he quickly engages Organised Labour and Civil Societies on a consensus to sustain partial deregulation with government, “reluctantly” conceding 50% of the difference between the current N87/litre and the unsubsidized current actual market price of about N150/ litre; with this arrangement, the agreed pump price would be set at N120/litre excluding government’s subsidy of about N33/litre.

stands to reason that an increasingly stronger Naira should also reduce fuel price and ultimately eliminate subsidy while new refineries will be established with the complete deregulation of the sector.

For example, if Naira exchanges for N100=$1, this would be a 50% appreciation from the current N200=$1, in this event, the unsubsidized current actual fuel price of about N150/litre will immediately fall below N80/ litre, and make N7/litre available as sales tax if the current regulated price of N87/litre remains unchanged. Notably, the relative sales tax potential will increase beyond N7/litre if the Naira strengthens below N100=$1.

The million-dollar question however, is how the Naira can appreciate when oil revenue is dwindling; after all, as some experts claim, it is the size of our reserves that defines the exchange rate of the Naira!

Curiously, in the Nigerian context however, in order for CBN to build up its dollar reserves, it must consciously continue to induce the suffocation of the domestic money market with surplus Naira, despite the adverse attendant economic consequences.

Expectedly, with such a Naira antagonistic strategy, the Naira exchange rate will be pummeled when it is constantly pitted against the paltry dollar rations, auctioned weekly by CBN from its caché of public sector dollars which were earlier captured and substituted with Naira allocations at an exchange rate that is unilaterally determined by the

Business & Economy CHESTRAD set to bridge poverty gap in Nigeria

By PETER EGWUATU

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H E S T R A D International, a non profit making organisation said it is committed to bridge poverty gap among the people in the country as inequalities in access to basic assets including education, health and productive inputs are on the rise. Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Dr. Bimbo Ogunkelu, former Minister for Integration and Chairman of CHESTRAD said “ CHESTRAD is committed to crowd funding so that it can assist the government in its quest to alleviate poverty in Nigeria. It C M Y K

is in this regard that we are inaugurating steering committee and to introduce a new philanthropic NGO, “I Will Give” to the Nigerian public.

“According to him “ CHESTRAD has track record for over 25 years of its existence and perform similar work like red cross society.”

In her own remark at the briefing, Dr. Lola Dare, President CHESTRAD International said “The middle class in Africa and Nigeria in particular expands almost as rapidly as its projected economic growth.

At the same time, inequalities in access to basic assets

including education, health and productive inputs are on the rise. This picture is markedly demonstrated in Nigeria, home to the greatest wealth in Africa, yet also some of the most dismal levels of access to these basic services.

She expanded that CHESTRAD International seeks to take advantage of this increase in wealth to utilize the capacities that exist in the middle classes for social giving.According to her “ We seek to leverage economic growth at individual and corporate level for the purpose of African social development, with activities in Nigeria in the first instance.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—45

HIV vaccine: Experts explore viable options

By Sola Ogundipe

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S Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the HIV Vaccine Awareness Day today, an Associate Professor of Paediatric Dentistry and Consultant at the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Osun State, Nigeria, Dr. Morenike Ukpong, has called for all hands to be on deck to ensure that all available HIV prevention methods reach people who need them.

In a statement to herald the day, Ukpong who is Coordinator of the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society, said NHVMAS, in collaboration with the Vaccine Advocacy Research Group, AVAC, is committed to ensure that investments in research to ensure even more prevention options are made avilable as they are developed.

“While we know that an AIDS

• As research and development of an HIV vaccine continues, researchers are pursuing groundbreaking research with other novel vaccine strategies, including broadly neutralising antibodies that target a wide range of HIV strains.

“With the excitement in the field, and the prospect for the future, we ask that the robust community of researchers in the HIV field in Nigeria needs to be at the table now that research plans are

vaccine remains essential to ultimately ending the epidemic, today on HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 2015, we can report progress in the field of HIV Vaccine research as well as progress in the development of other HIV prevention strategies.

Highlighting the global progress on clinical trails, and groundbreaking research with other novel vaccine strategies, as well as broadly neutralizing antibodies that target a wide range of HIV strains, NHVMAS is calling for greater support and commitment .

“As this work moves forward, scientists and funders need to collaborate with advocates and community stakeholders to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to communications and community engagement.

We are always telling people to report such incidents. In the event that you report a case of violence against a woman and the matter isn't taken up at the station, report to the DPO C M Y K

being taken so as to ensure that the needs of Nigerians and West Africa as a region is addressed.

“We need our HIV activists, advocates and community stakeholders who will need to explain

the science, purpose and possible outcomes of this research need support to track the research path, ask the hard questions, demand progress and efficiency, and other aspects of the R&D process.

“We need to collectively ensure that Nigerians and West Africa as a region start working conscientiously for prompt access to developed product. We also need to engage with the exciting efforts to understand if and how to cure HIV in people who are already infected.” calling for advocacy, Pointing out that tThe timeline for the work is long and uncertain. Here, too, advocacy is needed to sustain momentum.

The statement observed that Janssen, part of Johnson & Johnson, is launching its own international clinical trial to test a vaccine developed with partners.

“We haven’t seen a large vaccine developer invest in clinical trials for AIDS vaccine without public or charitable contributions in almost a decade. This vaccine strategy incorporatesa strategy that researchers hope will protect against the many different types of HIV that circulate around the world.

“Second, further upstream research involves the discovery that some people living with HIVcreate particularly potent antibodies that are able to ‘neutralise’ many different HIV strains. A handful ofthese ‘broadly neutralising antibodies’, or bNAbs, have been isolated from blood samples donated by HIV

I’m shocked that even children have cancer — Kenny St. Brown, New Face of Childhood Cancer in Nigeria

By Chioma Obinna

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VEN as she was being unveiled as the Face of Childhood Cancer in Nigeria, popular artiste, Kenny Saint Brown, said she was shocked to learn that children also have cancer.

At the unveiling last week by the Children Living with Cancer Foundation, CLWCF, Brown promised to take the awareness to the door step of all Nigerians, particularly, the rich and corporate organisations.

She disclosed that she chose to identify with CLWCF in addition to being one of the judges at the singing completion.

“I want to be like energy to CLWCF. I will add a corporate image to it. I will work harder to generate adequate funds that will ensure early detection and treatment of cancer in children.

In the next five years, God keeping us alive, childhood cancer would have been known in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“We will ensure that we have a treatment centre in the country.

We intend to take palliative care to the next level, establish a blood donor registry to increase availability of blood and also a bone marrow registry for people

willing to donate bone marrow freely.

The CLWCF holds its Annual Inter- School Singout Childhood Cancer competition this week as part of efforts to create awareness on the burden of the disease among Nigerian children.

Speaking, the Executive Director and Founder, CLWCF, Dr Nneka Nwobbi who said the Foundation caters for the welfare and medication for children battling cancer whilst providing

support for their families lamented poor attention to childhood cancer in Nigeria.

She said some children brought to hospital are detained for days for just N57, 000 required for bed space.

“Today, many Nigerian children are dying in their numbers due to cancer. We lose these children also due to a number of reasons such as late presentation, poverty; treatment

From left: Kenny St.Brown, the Face of Childhood Cancer in Nigeria; one of the children being supported by CLWCF and Dr. Nneka Nwobbi, Executive Director, CLWCF during the unveiling in Lagos last week.

cost and mostly, these children are from poor homes.

“It is sad that till date Nigerians have continued to express shock each time you talk to them about childhood cancer. We have lost quite a number of these children.

On the choice of Kenny Saint Brown, she said the face of Childhood cancer was to increase awareness on the problem as well as raise adequate funds for the building of a treatment centre for children as well as raise money for their treatment and support.

On the inter-school competition at Pinefield School at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, she said focus is creating a resounding balanced singing competition programme with ultimate goal of raising funds for cancer afflicted kids and to increase the awareness level in the society.

Childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among children and adolescents.

Experts say it is difficult to know the number of children that die from cancer in Nigeria. The diagnos of childhood cancer if often kept secret because of stigma.

The most common childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer, but in the teen years, there is an increase in the incidence of bone cancer.

46—VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

THE defection of all three legislators representing President Goodluck Jonathan, senator, member House of Representatives and state House of Assembly was a jolt from the blues.

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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FTER gifting the presidency to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, the defection of the legislators underscored the inclement political weather the outgoing president is bound to face when he returns home.

Senator Clever Marcus Ikisikpo, representing Bayelsa East, President Jonathan’s senatorial district, who led the other two legislators, Hon Nado Karibo representing Ogbia federal constituency and Hon Azibola Paul Omekwe representing Ogbia constituency I in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to defect had been particularly close to the president. He had sojourned with the president through thick and thin since 1999.

Ikisikpo, a former classroom teacher, had been elected a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to represent Jonathan’s Ogbia constituency III in 1999.

Following that, he proceeded to the House of Representatives in 2003 where he was re-elected in 2007 at the same time that Dr. Jonathan emerged as vice-president.

Ikisikpo was to emerge as a pawn in the remote fight between the president and former Governor Timipre Sylva in 2011.

When Ikisikpo got the ticket to represent the Bayelsa East Senate seat in 2011 many believed that it was because of his closeness to the president.

However, that fact did not reflect that he got the seat at the pleasure of Sylva who had fallen out very badly with the occupant of that seat, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange who was also a very close associate of the president.

But even at that only few until recently would comprehend that Ikisikpo, regarded as one of the longest serving PDP chieftains from the Ogbia Ijaw speaking stock could abandon his kinsman and benefactor, President Jonathan by dumping the president and his party, PDP in their most challenging times.

PDP disciplinary committee The decision of the PDP to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and sanction some of its high-ranking members at the state chapter over alleged anti-party activities in the last general election and alleged C M Y K

•Jonathan

•Dickson

ATTACK FROM HOME:

Jonathan’s troubles in Bayelsa hijack of the party by Governor Seriake Dickson, Vanguard reliably gathered was responsible for the defection of Ikisikpo and others to the APC folk.

The rank of the PDP, a source told our correspondent, may be further depleted as some of the big names in the party are already holding secret consultations with their supporters and the powers that be in the APC. Evading sledgehammer Though the names of the party members facing the disciplinary committee were not made public, it was speculated that Senator Ikisikpo was on the chopping list and that he took the decision of opting out of the party at this time. His decision was seen as an irony given that he was a convener of the party in Bayelsa while Dickson did not join in the party until about six years after.

A source close to the senator said, “It was a smart move on his part to leave the party before the sledgehammer descended on him as there is no way he could have escaped given the cold war between him

and the governor. Oga is a loyalist of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and you don’t expect the committee to come clean in their findings without indicting perceived opponents of the governor.”

Bayelsa Assembly declares four seats vacant over defection In a surprising move, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State Assembly, Hon.Kombowei Benson weekend declared that four members of the House

Ikisikpo, a former classroom teacher had been elected member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to represent Jonathan’s Ogbia constituency III in 1999

who joined in the defection to the APC have lost their seats purportedly over their alleged defection.

According to the Speaker, the decision to declare the seats of the four members vacant was based on the provision of section 109 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The affected members, had at separate fora, announced their decision to dump the PDP for the APC, citing the hijack of the party by the governor and the crisis over the suspension of the State Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd).

The affected members include Hon. Fini Angaye (Kolokuma/ Opokuma constituency 2) Hon. Alfred Egba,(Yenagoa constituency 1),Hon. Victor Prezi (Ekeremor Constituency 3) and Hon. Azibola Paul Omekwe (Ogbia constituency 1).

Assembly action ‘ll reduce indiscipline, engender sanityDickson Remarkably, Governor Dickson was quick to commend the decision of the legislature saying that the action was a step in the right direction and

would help to bring sanity to the House.

Dickson, in a statement issued Friday night by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel IworisoMarkson, said the action of the state legislature was not only constitutional, but would also instil party discipline and sanitize the polity.

He condemned the practice, where politicians cross carpet at will, without recourse to the parties under which they were elected into positions as no longer acceptable and practicable, under a thriving democracy.

According to him, the state assembly has by the singular act, set the pace and shown the direction of the new PDP in the state, where party discipline and loyalty, must be the overriding principles and factors for all members.

The governor noted that, indiscipline, disloyalty and greed have been the bane of the PDP at state and national levels in the past, stressing that, such acts would no longer be tolerated for whatever reason in the party.

He said, “We will continue to do the needful by ensuring

Continues on page 48

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—47

Jonathan and his friends

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

camp is that the PDP disciplinary committee constituted by Governor Dickson was targeted at them and hence their decision to exit the party, a move that inevitably seemed to ridicule the president.

Whereas several associates of the president had in the past borne with equanimity such persecutions that they got in the course of walking with the president, Senator Ikisikpo, apparently refused to walk in the same course.

Why he chose this course may not be unconnected to the fact

A

T the heart of the decision of the three Bayelsa legislators to defect from the PDP is the belief that they were not well covered by President Goodluck Jonathan in the local conflict with Governor Serikae Dickson.

Such suggestions that the president is aloof to the troubles of his political associates is not new.

Several legislators from within and outside Bayelsa have in the past complained of being politically bruised and battered even while fighting the battles of the president.

In 2011 it is remembered that most of those who fought for the enthronement of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as acting president of the country eventually rued that they did not get protection within the PDP and as a result eventually lost out. Senator Ehigie Uzamere who conceived the caucus of senators National Interest Group, NIG in 2010 to promote the enthronement of

•Amange

Dr. Jonathan as acting president only returned to the Senate in 2011 because he remained in the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Several other senators including Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Jonathan’s own senator were shut out from re-election, and the president simply was helpless as governors dealt mercilessly with the Jonathan allies.

•Sylva

In the case of Senator Clever Ikisikpo, associates claim that the president did not intervene as Governor Dickson not only stopped him from getting a re-election ticket, but also allegedly prepared grounds through the establishment of a disciplinary committee with the target of wielding him and his associates from the party. The claim among several stakeholders in Ikisikpo’s

Why he chose this course may not be unconnected to the fact that the President would in few days be out of office and as such be without the kind of carrot or stick to lure or lash them

•Alaibe

The trouble that is also coming

D

RAWING dissenting defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP may have been the easier part for the All Progressives Congress, APC in Bayelsa State. Indeed it is easy to assume that the APC would easily profit from the seeming challenges facing the PDP. But not easily. The APC is itself bound to face its own difficulties as the governorship election due in February 2016 draws closer.

C M Y K

The APC in Bayelsa is presently led by Mr. Timipire Sylva, the immediate past governor of the state whose legacy in office at best remains mixed. Grabbing Senator Clever Ikisikpo from the PDP was perhaps not too much of a difficult task for Sylva given the partnership they shared in 2011 when Sylva collaborated with him to stop the return to the Senate of Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, a steadfast loyalist of President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, Sylva is believed to be eyeing a return to the Government House.

Concomitantly, the political landscape in Bayelsa is abuzz with claims that Chief Timi Alaibe is also being nudged or nudging himself to bid for the Government House on the ticket of the APC. With Sylva being in control of the APC state structure, Alaibe would have a difficult task overcoming him in his quest.

Governor Dickson ironically may not be too unhappy seeing Alaibe enter the contest on the platform of the APC, after all, it would help to create bad blood between his rivals.

that the President would in few days be out of office and as such be without the kind of carrot or stick to lure or lash them. After all, Senator Barigha-Amange despite the same humiliation remained in the party in 2011 and continued working for the president.

The decision of the four members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the APC was based on the fact that they were denied re-election ticket on the banner of the PDP. It is assumed that those who got the ticket of the PDP were associates of the governor.

Such antics by governors of Bayelsa State in projecting their associates to win the tickets in the state House of Assembly are not new. The first civilian governor of the state, Chief Dipereye Alamieyeseigha was faced with a similar crisis ahead of the 2003 governorship election when majority of the state executive of the party turned against him in favour of the then executive director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe.

At the heart of the crisis then was that Alamieyeseigha failed to honour a pact reached with the state PDP executive at the Hotel Presidential, Port-Harcourt in which he was to cede 10 of the 24 seats in the House of Assembly to the state exco.

After agreeing with the executive, the governor reportedly reneged and pushed forward his surrogates to take all 24 seats in the legislature.

Eventually, the majority of the same men he pushed forward who he believed would protect him did not blink when they impeached him in 2005.

Governor Timipire Sylva also did the same thing ahead of the 2011 election when he pushed his surrogates into taking all seats in the 24 member House of Assembly.

When in late 2011 President Jonathan bared his fangs in the battle with the governor, the legislators all laid low and enthusiastically welcomed Dickson to office.

Governor Dickson’s decision to project his own set of legislators is now believed to be at the crux of the unfolding political crisis in Bayelsa State. The governor it is alleged is determined to have his own set of steadfast loyalists in the legislature to if not protect him and project his legislative agenda.

48—VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

ENUGU: Taking stock ahead of Ugwuanyi

eration should be discarded. As you know, Enugu is not like Anambra or Imo State where graduates come out and join their family businesses.

“Enugu is notable as a state predominantly of civil servants.

That is why our youths graduate and after ten years, they are yet to find a job. Emphasis should be made on agriculture to absolve these teeming unemployed youths.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Enugu State chapter had a free rein in the state between 1999 and now. The emergence of a different party in control in Abuja poses unseen challenges

BY FRANCIS IGATA

F

ROM the beginning, the PDP in Enugu State en trenched its structures and machinery as a dominant party working smoothly working with the party leadership in Abuja to form a mutually beneficial partnership.

The March 28 presidential election which led to the victory of Gen Muhammadu Buhari, came as a rude shock to the state chapter of the PDP as it never envisaged a partnership with a strange party in Abuja.

The victory of the GovernorElect, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was predicted on his track record of benevolence and performance while at the House of Representatives where he had a twelve year stint. Above all, his success was based on his popularity that permeates through most strategic political strata in the nooks and crannies of the state.

But, the present scenario which Ugwuanyi has found himself will unequivocally, present a tough challenge for his administration.

Observes say the incoming administration will pay a steep price when juxtaposed with the burgeoning debt profile of the state which is reportedly standing over N40.8 billion. The economic fidelity of the outgoing administration provokes further comments against the background that the preceding administration headed by Governor Chimaroke Nnamani was reported to have left no debt for the Sullivan Chime administration that is now in its exit.

Meanwhile, Ugwuanyi’s administration will be buffeted from all sides by politicians angling for appointive political offices. Given that the APC would now be at the centre, PDP stakeholders may be shut out from ministerial, federal boards, ambassadorial, chancellorship appointments and others dispensed from Abuja.

Politicians in the state known for their culture of “chopping and singing praises” will be on Ugwuanyi’s throat for contracts and other perks and perquisites.

Already, Ugwuanyi’s residence has become a Mecca of sorts where politicians sleep and even engage in domestic activities, all in a bid to position themselves strategically for juicy public offices.

C M Y K

STAKEHOLDER SPEAKS A political thinktank, Enugu Unity Forum, EUF, led by Mr. Tahil Ochi told Sunday Vanguard that Ugwuanyi should consider politicians that are on ground and who are professionals in different fields when making appointments.

According to him, “appointments should be based on merit. Those who have track records of performance and are abreast with the challenges and pecu-

•Ugwuanyi liarities of the people. Those politicians who acquired notoriety and have been recycled over time should be jettisoned.

“There should fresh blood in the entire system to drive the wheel of governance. Any appointment that cannot create avenues for employment gen-

ATTACK FROM HOME:

LIFE AS OPPOSITION The PDP in Enugu State will have to retool and redouble its efforts to retain the confidence of the people ahead of the 2019 general election.

Having contributed a paltry 15,333 votes to the presidentelect, Buhari, against the over 500,000 votes secured for President Goodluck Jonathan, the party will have to shout to the roof tops for Federal Government to listen to any challenges it may face during the administration.

A politician, Okey Agbo on his part said, “the most potent tool of an opposition state is the

media. The Ugwuanyi administration will need to assemble a robust media team that will convey the cries, challenges of the people to Federal Government for intervention.

“As the practice of winner takes all goes, indications that the centre might neglect states won by PDP is rife as history has proven. One of the major reasons APC in Lagos fought to win the state was to align with the centre to enable them have free flow of Federal Government presence in the state.

“A lot also depends on the character and credentials of those who will work with Ugwuanyi. He should use people of proven integrity to achieve desired result especially now that allocation from the centre has dropped progressively.

“The idea of shoring up Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, should be his main focus to agument and service the huge debt profile left for his administration. If he fails to do so, Enugu might join the states owing workers salaries”

Jonathan’s troubles in Bayelsa

Continued from page 46 that, only those who respect the position of the party on issues are allowed to remain, while all those with selfish and unacceptable behavioral patterns will be shown the way out for the good of the PDP. Henceforth, members of the party, if truly they belong to the party, must be held accountable for their actions and inactions.”

Also defends PDP disciplinary committee Dickson also had while inaugurating the disciplinary committee, which is expected to determine and recommend steps to be taken against those who worked contrary to the party’s interests during the general elections, said indiscipline within the party contributed to the failure of the president in the recent presidential elections.

He said, “We won the election no doubt, but this party must continue to be a party of discipline, commitment.

One of the problems we have in the PDP, as a matter of fact, the main reason we even lost at the federal level in addition to other things, is because of indiscipline and disloyalty to party.

“Party interest supersedes individual interest and agenda. Regrettably, we have received reports that some leaders of our party in some cases did not only work against the interest of our candidates, but actually sponsored and actually worked to undermine the success of our party and our candidates at the just concluded elections” Dickson added.

Dickson, who warned that dire consequences await any member of the PDP, who engages in anti-party activities, emphasized the importance of party discipline and loyalty towards

•Ikisikpo achieving success in any political contest.

He said reports at his disposal indicated that, some members sabotaged the interest of the party rather than demonstrate commitment and galvanize support for the party’s flag bearers.

According to him, “We will not sit idle and allow people promoting indiscipline and disloyalty to overrun our party. The PDP has to reform itself; it has to renew itself and be a party of committed and loyal members. Without discipline and loyalty, no political party can survive or stand or even win any political contest.”

Further trouble ahead of 2016 Dickson as the incumbent governor, no doubt has the war chest to prosecute his re-election bid but his fighting too many battles at the same time as well as his stringent fiscal policies, (tight fist) approach to governance coupled with the recent sharp drop in allocation to the state leading to stagnation at projects sites across the state due to the inability of the government to pay contractors may turn out to be his

•Karibo undoing.

A party chieftain who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Dickson may be planning the best for the party but is doing it the wrong away. This is not the time for the party to alienate its members especially as it is going for election. The unfolding drama if not handled with utmost care could backfire on the party in the state.”

The PDP, the source added, needs to act fast to mend its weather-beaten umbrella and save President Jonathan from returning to his home state to find a disjointed political ambience where the opposition APC is also desirous of taking charge of the Creek Haven, the state seat of power, come February 14, 2016. This, however, depends on the candidate the APC would present to confront Dickson and if indeed he has the support and command the respect of the electorate.

It is, however, left to be seen if the people of the state will agree to remain in the mainstream by tagging along this time around with the party at the centre, the APC. This was the scenario in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011-2015 when the PDP controlled the centre or chose to be an opposition state in 2016.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 49

C M Y K

50—VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Are you our brother’s keeper?

By Chike Ihekwaba, Ola Nnadi, Nzeribe Ihekwaba and Okezie Ihekwaba

T

HIS troubling question has been on our mind every day over the last two and half years that God has granted breath and life to us: Where on this earth is our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba?

We have not given up and would never, at least not until we have logical answers to our inquiry. We have cried, we have prayed, and we are still full of hope, because we are believers and much as Jesus the Christ had admonished us. Like Mary had asked on that faithful morning of resurrection day, as recorded in the Book of John 20:15, so we ask: “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

It is not a secret that we are hurting. This vicious, man-made agony has inflicted untold toll on us, during the past 31 months of utter hell. Contrary to the expectations of the perpetrators of this heinous crime, our heads may be bloodied but yet it remains unbowed. Here is the inscrutable dilemma: To go missing, inexplicably, in any part of Nigeria today, is becoming an ironic civic duty that honest Nigerians ought not to owe their nation. The filial pain is inexplicable, not just to the wards and siblings of the victim, but also to the community that cherished the honesty and selflessness of the one to whom harm has been wrought. The time is now to arrest this peculiar vicious circumstance that is unraveling the public safety net.

No one, anywhere and anymore, has to become another statistic for this absurd reality.

Abduction reported

The abduction of our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba, on August 26, 2012 at Amaraku in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, was reported to all law enforcement agencies as well as government entities. It was well publicized by the mass media outlets. At the time of the dastard act, he was a permanent secretary in the Imo State Civil Service (in line to become the Imo State Head of Service) as well as the Principal Secretary to the then Deputy Governor of Imo State, Mr. Jude Agbaso and Principal Secretary in the Government House, Owerri. As expected, the kidnapping was brought to the attention of his employer, the Imo State government since he was a ranking official. Instructively, Mr. Agbaso’s boss, Governor Rochas Okorocha knows, and probably still remembers, that this disappearance is highly suspicious just like many in the government as well as a large swath of Imo populace and organizations.

A God-fearing, celebrated licensed architect and alumnus of

Victimized as belief clashed with duty?

Map of Imo State the University of Nigeria, our brother believed and advocated for honest dealings. Everyone attests that he served his community, government and country with transparent commitment and honesty but that his country and its government have failed him. It is now well over two and half years since he was forcefully taken away. But why he is still being held, without trace and incommunicado, since then is puzzling and suggestive.

An incident that happened just before his 29th year of meritorious service to the Imo State government still lingers, even after he attained the retirement age without being accounted for.

Emenike and family have been denied the joy and pomp of a peaceful retirement as well as a thanksgiving to God for a fruitful career milestone.

Protections of the state

In every community or nation where decency is the norm, and professionalism and transparent honesty are encouraged, Emenike Ihekwaba, and others like him, would have been accorded the due protections of the state. In fact, in such a clime, the government – especially that of Imo State where he served with distinction all his life - would have been committed to, and piloted his rescue. Regrettably, this has not happened. And this telling

We believe that our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba, will not remain missing for forever.

It is rather curious that after our family members made several attempts, locally and at Abuja, to find a resolution to this nightmare, high ranking religious leaders of note and several stakeholders of reach in Nigeria intervened by inquiring into this suspicious abduction but, regrettably, all such efforts were reportedly fruitless. Those who should know are keeping their silence. We find it distressing and vexatious that those who spirited away our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba in Imo State, are still walking around as free persons and probably occupying powerful positions. Why they would rather this unlawful act persist is without fathom and is even more troubling. We have asked around and cannot find answers to our dilemma. We implore the public to come to our aid.

lapse, wittingly or unwittingly, may have given rise to the persisting suspicion of the potential knowledge or involvement of elements in very powerful positions.

Distressing questions

Regrettably, there are still distressing questions that remain unanswered: What does the Imo State Government know and when did it know about the present whereabouts of our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba? At the time of the abduction of our brother, Mr. Baba Adisa Bolanta was Commissioner of the Imo State Command (but now an Assistant Inspector General of Police), and the command allegedly investigated it while Mr. Bolanta made public press statements suggesting that the whereabouts of Emenike Ihekwaba was known.

Pray, why is our brother still missing in spite of the radio/ television pronouncements of the Imo State Government and the Imo Police Command at the stated time? The pronouncements were published in The Sun and Guardian newspapers of November 1 and 2, 2012 respectively, as well as broadcast in the radio/television media nationally and locally in Imo State. Since those public statements implied and vowed their resolve to effect Emenike’s imminent release, why the lingering delay?

The former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar received another representation concerning this case sometime in 2014 and reportedly constituted an investigating team prior to his recent retirement. Why is it that each time an investigation is allegedly done, concerning this matter, the findings get shrouded in secrecy and mystery? A planted news report was once made a couple of months ago in one of the newspapers to sway and misdirect us but that effort failed.

In the intervening time, we have sought solace and comfort in the testaments of local folks that our brother, as a high ranking government official in Imo State, professed piety both in private life and at his duty post. Could it then be that he may have become victimized as belief clashed with duty? In such imponderable circumstance, we are fearful that the perpetrators may feel that they have gotten away, perhaps with official protection, as at this time.

As in life, and in many circumstances, anonymity is only temporary. Instances like this, where a ranking government official disappears, create civic doubt and compromises public policy implementation. It highlights the absence of gubernatorial fortitude even where the constitution demands enforcement and justice, more so with the governor as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the State.

We believe that our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba, will not remain missing for forever. For all intents and purposes, this type of brazenness pokes a soiled finger in the eye of law and order. It challenges the basic notion of civic responsibility, and makes the government and its law enforcement agencies appear weak and compromised. As the perpetrators may have acted in this hideous manner perhaps to hide something, but they can never get rid of this dastardly bone in their throat. We remain steadfastly resolute in our quest to find answers and a resolution to this nightmare. We implore the general public and persons with conscience to come to our help as we seek answers to the many questions we have. And it is clear and simple: that we want our brother, Emenike Ihekwaba home.

Engr. Chike Ihekwaba, Prof.

Ola Nnadi, Dr. Nzeribe Ihekwaba and Mr. Okezie Ihekwaba are siblings of Emenike Ihekwaba, and members of the victim family from Nkwerre, Imo State.

TUC urges Buhari to declare emergency on power sector

L

AGOS — TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), weekend, urged the incoming government of Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on the power sector to find a lasting solution to the intractable power supply crisis in Nigeria.

At its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, President of TUC, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, who spoke at the end of meeting, lamented that the electricity supply across the country had gone from bad to worse, saying: “Electricity has reduced from 4,000 to 800 megawatts. We believe that incoming administration should declare a state of emerge on power sector.”

He equally called on the incoming administration to be prepared to increase the salaries and allowances of workers from the current N18,000 because of rate of inflation and increase in exchange rate.

According to him, the minimum wage of workers which was less than $90 could no longer meet the needs of many families even as he contended that it was sad that some state government had yet to pay the N18,000 minimum wage while some were owing workers.

“Nigerian workers are wealth creators so we demand a fare deal,” he said.

On petroleum, Kaigama said the Federal Government should address the controversies with the marketers to resolve the demand and supply deficit of the continued scarcity of petroleum products.

He said there was the need to take concrete step on local refining to stop the issue of importation of petroleum products and payment of subsidy.

On pension and gratitude, he cautioned the public office holders on the manner which they pay severance benefits to themselves without addressing the issues affecting workers on pension and gratuity.

“The incoming government should restore the payment of gratuity along with pension,” Kaigama said.

The TUC president advised the incoming government to reduce the cost of governance in the country by cutting the number of political appointments as well as discontinue the trend of law makers fixing their own salaries and allowances.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—51

How to stop kidnapping in Ekiti State X-raying Ogboru’s attempted foray into APC

By Jesutega Onokpasa

L

ABOUR Party, LP, gubernatorial candidate for Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, was recently reported to be lobbying All Progressives Congress, APC, leaders for admission into the party.

Ironically, this is the same party he fought tooth and nail against in the last elections, having been recruited by outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan to campaign for him and split APC votes in Delta on a promise of being later rewarded with the governorship of the state.

Thereafter, Ogboru spared no opportunity of denigrating the APC, humiliating General Buhari, and castigating APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, while all the time deploying the most sickening stratagems of dirty politics in undermining Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, APC Governorship candidate for Delta and the party ’s undisputed chief financier and main motivator in the state.

In the process, he gleefully appeared with Jonathan in his campaign posters, with Labour Party, his party effectively collapsing into the PDP for the purpose of the elections. Ogboru would later be rewarded for his spoiler role with a handful of House of Assembly seats the PDP rigging machine allocated to erstwhile PDP members it had apparently leased to Labour.

Just as I cannot imagine someone like outgoing Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, approaching the APC for any degree of accommodation within its ranks, having presided as Governor and state PDP leader, I find it utterly mindboggling that Ogboru, the so -called “People’s General” of all people, will now approach the same party, perplexingly expecting his misdeeds against the APC to be swept under the carpet and its structure in Delta, handed over to him on a platter of gold.

Emerhor, in his characteristically openminded and accommodating approach to politics was recently quoted as indicating that Ogboru might be welcome to the APC subject to certain conditions.

For once, I respectfully beg to differ with my hero, mentor and undisputed leader in Delta APC. I cannot see how Ogboru can be admitted into our party in any capacity whatsoever, even as an ordinary floor member, much less a leader to any degree.

Having already shut the door against the hordes of daily

Map of Delta State bread politicians seeking to troop into the APC at this late hour, that ban automatically applies to Ogboru, who vociferously prosecuted a bitter war against our party at the behest of the PDP, with his ragtag support base hurling highly demeaning insults at our Presidential candidate while casting aspersions on the leadership of our party.

In spite of the embarrassing shortcomings of his administration, many of us had initially been reluctant to abandon Jonathan, mainly on sentimental grounds. Most of us were eventually convinced

by Emerhor to take an unbiased look at General Buhari, prompting us into taking the bold step of pitching our tents with the General and

We are proud to have stood to be counted on General Buhari’s side when there was no guarantee whatsoever that he would emerge victorious

his party.

We, thereafter, found ourselves taking potentially deadly risks, fighting the likes of Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo and mounting relentless opposition to the Ibori/Uduagahn political family.

We are proud to have stood to be counted on General Buhari’s side when there was no guarantee whatsoever that he would emerge victorious.

This was at a time Ogboru had yielded to PDP enticement in the belief that Jonathan would be able to get a second term and subsequently put him in power in Delta.

Any man claiming leadership status should equally be man enough to bear the consequences of his actions and follies.

Ogboru miscalculated and must suffer the consequences.

Whatever his political destiny may or may not be, he will not realize it in a party he moved mountains in a failed bid to destroy.

He will not be allowed into our party by those of us who risked all when it mattered most, coughing out millions from our meagre resources projecting the APC, building up the party and fighting the PDP under the sterling leadership of Emerhor, who deployed a colossal quantum of his personal resources into funding the party and constructing it into the genuine face of progress and change in Delta today.

Nobody is coming into our party to grab its structure from Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, least of all Ogboru, who did just as much damage to us as did his erstwhile PDP paymasters.

Nokpasa, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Delta State.

By Femi Falana

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AST week, Mr. Ayo Fayose, the governor of Ekiti State was reported to have sent SOS to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, over the increasing wave of kidnapping sweeping across the state. In urging the Police Chief to attend promptly to the concern expressed by the governor, I am compelled to point out that the state government has itself to blame for deliberately providing official cover for armed gangs and other criminally minded individuals who have taken over the monopoly of violence in Ekiti state. For instance, the House of Assembly complex has been occupied by armed lumpen elements since November last year with the connivance of the state government.

In the atmosphere of impunity which currently obtains in the country the well known armed thugs operating in Ekiti state have been granted immunity by the federal government.

Hence, police officers are under strict instructions not to arrest or prosecute any of them.

Recently, a Commissioner of Police who was determined to rid the state of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes was queried and investigated by the Police Service Commission. Even though he was not indicted in the dubious probe set up by the Police Authorities the Police Service Commission ensured that he was removed and posted out of the state.

Based on such official endorsement of criminality, kidnappers and other criminal elements have been having a field day in Ekiti state.

Indeed, the crisis of maintaining law and order in the state has been compounded by the sixmonth-old industrial action of judicial workers. Thus, for the

The InspectorGeneral should prevail on Governor Fayose to realise that as the chief security officer of Ekiti state he has enormous constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order

past six months, no criminal suspect has been charged to court while all criminal cases pending in the various magistrate and high courts in the state have been adjourned sine die.

I have confirmed that the kidnappers who made the state ungovernable from 2009-2010 and who were on trial before the Kogi State High Court holden at Lokoja escaped from prison during a recent jail break. Having not been declared wanted by the Prison authorities the criminals are alleged to have resumed the nefarious business of kidnapping in Ekiti State.

Politically motivated killings

It is on record that Ekiti State has consistently witnessed politically motivated killings since 2003. To the credit of the Police and the State Security Service, all the suspected murderers and their sponsors were nabbed and charged to court at various times.

But apart from the killers of two students who were convicted in 2005, the alleged killers of Tunde Omojola, Ayo Daramola, Kehinde Fasuba, Foluso Ogundare and others are walking free in the society due to political pressure exerted on the security agencies.

Since the files of all the murder cases are in the custody of the Police, the Inspector-General of Police ought to re-arrest and prosecute the suspects in order to restore law and order in Ekiti State.

In addition, the Inspector-General should prevail on Governor Fayose to realise that as the chief security officer of Ekiti state he has enormous c o n s t i t u t i o n a l responsibility to maintain law and order.

As a matter of urgency, he should be made to distance himself from criminality and allow the Police to disband and disarm the armed thugs who have been linked with kidnapping and other grave criminal activities.

Finally, the Governor should emulate his colleagues in a number of states who have succeeded in persuading judicial workers to call off their strike. A state where judges are beaten up by thugs and courts are locked up indefinitely cannot genuinely guarantee law and order.

52—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

COMMISSIONING: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (middle) commissioning the administrative block of state's College of Education, Afaha Nsit, during the 6th combined convocation of the institution. With him are Mr. Udom Emmanuel, governor-elect (2nd right); Senator Ibok Essien (1st right); Dr. Patrick Uko, Provost of the College (3rd left); Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information (2nd right) and others.

Sambisa offensive: 10 more terrorists' camps fall

By Kingsley Omonobi & Ndahi Marama

M

I L I T A R Y authorities, yesterday, disclosed that an unconfirmed number of terrorists died on Saturday as 10 additional camps used by terrorists were overran in the continuing offensive operations against the

terrorists in Sambisa Forest.

According to a statement from Defence Headquarters, “the Dure camp, which is one of the most prominent camps in the forest, witnessed the fiercest battle as the Special Forces, backed by air power, descended heavily on it before it finally fell.

“Four of the camps were

located in a place called Iza within the forest, while three others were noted to be recently established by the terrorists before the assault began.

“One soldier died from one of the land mines encountered in the operation, while two others were also wounded.

“The terrorists lost a

Stakeholders berate BPE over Warri Port

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A R R I — INVESTORS in the maritime sector, under the auspices of NPA Warri Port Stakeholders’ Forum, have faulted the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, over its defence of the purported concession of NPA Warri Old Port Terminal ‘B’, insisting that neither the bureau nor National Council on Privatization, NCP, had the constitutional right to do so under the Infrastructure Concession Regulation Commission, ICRC, Act of 2005.

According to the stakeholders, all projects handled by BPE in 2006 in line with the ICRC Act have been handed over to ICRC, hence the BPE report, which claimed that Terminal ‘B’ of the 24 terminals concessioned by it in 2006 to Associated Marine Services, AMS, and later relocated to Terminal ‘A’ New Port, Warri, showed that BPE only contradicted itself and implies that Terminal ‘B’, therefore, remains not allotted.”

In a fresh petition addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan,

entitled Re: Illegal Concession of NPA Warri Old Port Terminal ‘B’ by BPE— A Clarification of the Issues, the forum accused officials of NCP and BPE of resorting “to concocting lies to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to facilitate their acts of impunity ” aimed at patronizing their cronies and to “avoid the scrutiny of ICRC Governing Board, which is made up of very eminent Nigerians of proven integrity.”

The petition, which was signed by Messrs Emiko Oghomienor, Tommy Gbugbuda, Oritsema Olley and Jonathan Orugbor, wondered while BPE, which “is yet to fully privatize all the Federal Government's assets marked for privatization” under its purview would dabble “into the functions of another agency which

it has been relieved of by law.”

The stakeholders, who called on President Jonathan to institute a process for BPE, also copied the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, among other ministries, departments and agencies.

number of vehicles mounted with antiaircraft guns and armoured vehicles. Some of the terrorists, who escaped from the camps, also died as they ran into troops ambush in some escape routes.

“Meanwhile, some of the fleeing terrorists have also engaged in suicide missions at Bitta, where they encountered Nigerian troops and Kiskeru across the border in Niger Republic.

“The operation to clear the terrorists in Sambisa and other forests is continuing as troops in all fronts have been alerted to be on the lookout for fleeing terrorists.

“The Nigerian Air Force is maintaining an active air surveillance to track the movement of terrorists for appropriate action as the operation continues.”

Olori-ebi: Delta family clears air on community title

W

ARRI — THE Kolo family of Kpokpo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, has stated that there is no Olare-Aja in the community.

They affirmed that what they

have from inception is Olori-ebi.

This was contained in a statement by the Olori-ebi of the community, Pa George Kolo Fregene in Warri.

This is just as Pa Fregene passed a vote of confidence on

the EPZ committee Chairman, Mr. Austin Oborogbeyi.

The Olori-ebi frowned at calls for Oborogbeyi’s resignation, when, according to him, it was clear to all that Oborogbeyi had performed well and carried the

people along since the EPZ committee was inaugurated.

Pa Fregene added that the committee was the only recognized body with official mandate to act on behalf of Itsekiri communities in the Escravos.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015—53

Confession of robbery suspects: Introduction of cashless policy is affecting us •My two wives’ll divorce me if they discover I’m a robber — Suspect

BY EVELYN USMAN

T

WO suspected members of a robbery gang which specialised in attacking customers while they are withdrawing money from banks in Lagos and Ogun states are currently cooling their heels at the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Departments , Elewee-Eran.

The suspects, Lukmon Bello and Jide Abbass, met their waterloo, penultimate Monday, after a foiled attempt to snatch a bag containing an unspecified amount from a car parked in front of a business centre in Oke-Ilewo area of the state.

They reportedly trailed the owner of the car who had gone to withdraw some money from the Ibara branch of Sterling Bank, Abeokuta to the business centre. But unknown to them the customer is a Divisional Crime Officer, DCO, attached to one of the divisions in Abeokuta.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that while the unsuspecting policeman was inside the business centre, the suspects who came in their operational Mercedes Benz 190 car, reportedly parked beside his car. Eye witnesses said they opened the car with a master key and collected an envelop where the withdrawn money was kept. But they got the shock of their lives when the policeman who was just coming out of the business centre sighted them and fired a shot at one of them.

Why I joined robbery Tracing the genesis of his misadventure, 46-year-old Lukmon, an indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State, informed that he was a commercial bus driver and shuttled between Mile 12, Ketu and Oshodi road, Lagos. He claimed he took to robbery due to his inability to fend for his two wives and six children.

In his words: “I was initially into international trade. I usually travelled to Dubai to buy men’s clothes to sell until the trade crumbled. I had also travelled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, twice, to perform Holy Pilgrimage. While the going was good, I got married to two wives. But along the line, my business crumbled and I started driving commercial bus. At a point, I could barely feed my family. In the process, I met Jide Abass, who introduced me to robbery.

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•Ogun CP, Mr Valentine Ntomchukwu

•Ogun suspects (l-r: Lukmon Bello and Jide Abass) How I was arrested “On that fateful day, we left Ikorodu where we live, to

We usually laid ambush for bank customers, especially those who had gone to withdraw money; it is not difficult to identify them

Abeouta to operate. It was Jide who suggested we went far to operate to avoid being recognised during operation.

We trailed this particular man to Oke-Ilewo. We saw him counting some money and kept some in the safe of his car. We did not know he would not stay long inside the office he entered. We were busy ransacking his vehicle for the money he left and never noticed him coming out until he was close. As we attempted to enter our car and flee he pulled out a pistol and shot me in the thigh.

“I managed to hop into my Mercedez benz car which was used for the operation and sped off towards Ibara Housing en-route Kuto (Abeokuta)/Isiun Expressway. But I became

unconscious as a result of loss of blood and in the process ran into an oncoming vehicle on reaching the Ogun State NUT Conference Hall junction, close to MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

“Some good Samaritans who did not know what actually happened came to our rescue and rushed us to the Federal Medical Centre,FMC, IdiAba, Abeokuta, for treatment.

But to our surprise, the man who shot me located us and arrested us. It was after we were arrested that we discovered that he was a policeman. My wives and children are not aware I have been arrested. Greed lured me into this”.

Introduction of cashless policy is affecting us- Abass Lukmon’s partner in crime, Jide Abass, 45, who hails from Ilesha, Osun State, stated that robbery was easier for them until the introduction of the cashless policy in the country.

“We usually laid ambush for bank customers, especially

those who had gone to withdraw money. It is not difficult to notice them. For the men, it is either their pockets would be bulging or they would come out with the usual black nylon. For customers who came in their vehicles, we would either ambush them or trail them to safer places where we would collect the withdrawn amount.

But since the introduction of cashless policy, people don’t usually got out with cash.

Even when they go to eateries or super markets, they make use of POS and this has been affecting our operations.

“We started operating in Ikorodu, Lagos State but since the police seem to have braced up to the challenge, we decided to relocate to Ogun State. This is our fourth operation here. I am ashamed of myself because my two wives may likely divorce me if they find out their husband is a robber,” he said.

The suspects according to the command, would be charged to court soon.

54—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Amaechi calls for probe of Police, Army's roles in last elections

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has called for the probe of the roles played by the Nigerian Army and the Police in the last general elections.

Amaechi, yesterday at a thanksgiving service by the Greater Together Organization of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Port Harcourt, said the Police and the Army were allegedly used to rob the APC of victory in the last elections.

“Let us ask the Federal Government to investigate the crisis in Rivers State. The Army should be investigated because they participated in the general elections.

“Why do I have to thank God? For our lives. He answered our prayers by making General Muhammadu Buhari the president. Imagine if Buhari did not win? Just sleep and wake up and imagine that Buhari did not win, what

would have happened?"

“Imagine that Buhari did not

win, they wouldn’t have allowed us to enter this hall,

even though we are still in government.”

THANKSGIVING: From left: Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; his wife, Judith; Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and his running mate, Mr. Asita Asita, during a special thanksgiving service by the Greater Together Campaign Organisation for God's faithfulness throughout the electioneering period, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

My wife wasn't a model —OSHIOMHOLE

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that his new wife, Iara, was not a model professionally, although she is a model to him. He, meanwhile, said his new wife was not a replacement for his late wife, Clara, whom he said was irreplaceable.

Speaking at a thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi, yesterday, Oshiomhole denied reports that his wife is a ‘top model,’ saying the speculation might have been generated from her poise and beauty.

He said: “When I read newspaper stories and they said that I married a top model, I felt maybe they were referring to another person.

“The lady that God has directed to my path and heart to marry is not and was not a model. Of course, she looks beautiful and I understand that is why people assume that this kind of a lady must be a model. But, of course, she is a model to me and we hope and pray that we will be models in the eyes of our God and I think

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that is the most important thing.”

Governor Oshiomhole appealed to the congregation to keep supporting him and his new wife

in prayer, saying: “I ask you to please continue to pray for us. It is not easy. I lost my first wife and it is not possible to replace

her. Yes, I have married another but it is not a replacement."

Don’t revoke oil pipelines surveillance contracts, group urges Buhari

By Emma Amaize

W

ARRI—A Niger Delta group, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, PDI, weekend, warned the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, against terminating contracts for surveillance of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta awarded by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan administration, saying that such an action would be counter productive.

President of the group, Mr Austin Ozobo, in Warri, Delta State, who spoke against the backdrop of anticipated revocation of the oil surveillance contracts, noted: “It

will be a slap on the face of Niger Deltans and would be matched with equal resistance.

“The oil surveillance contracts were part of the conditions for peace and disarmament of ex-militants in the Niger Delta and such action will have consequences.”

He described the threat by the incoming administration to revoke oil surveillance contracts as anti-Niger Delta and an indication that the new government would destroy the relative peace built in the region by the Jonathan government.

Abe mourns Senator Zanna

T

HE senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has described the death of his colleague, Senator Khalifa Zanna, as shocking and painful.

Abe, while reacting to the demise of the senator who died, Saturday, at the National Hospital, Abuja, said Nigeria has lost a vibrant, dogged and resilient lawmaker whose tenacity was exemplary.

Senator Zanna represented Borno Central senatorial district in the National Assembly where he was Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas and member, Senate Committee on Navy until his death.

He said that Zanna was a proud Nigerian who came into the Senate in 2011, and was re-elected by his people under the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the March 28 elections, adding that Zanna's ingenious contributions to legislative business and issues of national development will be greatly missed.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 55

SENATE PRESIDENCY: Arewa youths back Saraki

By Dapo Akinrefon

L

6TH SYNOD: From left; Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos State Deputy Governor; Rt Revd. & Mrs James Odedeji, Bishop of Lagos West ; Most Revd (Prof) Adebayo Akinde, the Bishop of Lagos and Chief Segun Osunkeye, during the 1st Session of the 6th Synod of the Dioceses of Lagos West, Anglican Communion at Archbishop Vining Cathedral, GRA, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

AGOS—NORTHERN youths under the aegis of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, have thrown their weight behind Senator Bukola Saraki to become the next Senate President in the 8th Assembly.

At a press conference in Lagos, the forum’s President, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, said their support for the former Kwara State governor was because “Saraki’s leadership traits make him eminently

‘Allow APC leaders to recommend ministerial nominee'

D

ELTA Good Governance Group, DGGG, has called on the leadership of Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to ensure that someone with credible integrity is recommended for ministerial position in the incoming administration of Gen Muhammadu Buhari, retd.

A statement by its coordinator, Mr. Ignatius Nkemchor said ministerial

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nominee for the state should be chosen by party leaders across the three senatorial districts in Delta State.

The statement reads: ‘’One does not need to wonder how a minister will emerge from the APC fold in Delta State because APC leadership in the state is properly organized. The unity at the top is very strong. So, the incoming APC administration

would only need to consult the leadership, which has Senator Spanner Okpozo, Delta South at the helm of affairs. He is assisted by the following; Chief Frank Kokori; Delta Central Engr.

Hyacinth Enuha and DIG Ugbaja; Delta North. ‘’These leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure that the APC Party exists in Delta State. Their wisdom of coming together

stemmed the rancour among candidates for the governorship election and saw the emergence of O’tega Emerhor as the flag bearer for the APC party in the governorship election. ‘’On the ministerial slot for Delta, which is a prerogative of the president-elect to choose, the APC leaders in Delta can recommend a good choice for the new administration.''

qualified to lead the upper legislative chamber and deliver democratic good to the Nigerian citizens.”

Yerima explained that “We admit that in both the Senate and House of Representatives, we have vibrant and amiable personalities bubbling with energy to turn around Nigeria for the better. However, I would want to go personal to call on personalities such as Senator Bukola Saraki, to avail himself to provide leadership in the Senate.

This call has become imperative when we look at track records and capacity to deliver which leaves no one in doubt about his capability and competence.”

According to him, it was a fact that there was going to be daunting tasks and challenges in the face of Nigerians’ desire for change and expectation for a difference and delivery of campaign promises.

He added that, that was why the incoming administration must ensure the presence of capable hands to help translate the resolve and determination of General, Muhammadu Buhari to bring about the muchdesired and anticipated change in all ramifications.

56 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18 , 2015

Islamic State seizes Iraqi army base

I

SLAMIC State militants drove security forces from a key military base in western Iraq yesterday as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi authorized the deployment of Shi’ite paramilitaries to wrest back control of the mainly Sunni province.

Members of the security forces said they had withdrawn from the Anbar Operations Command after it came under attack by the insurgents, who have now trapped them in an area to the west of the city of Ramadi.

One officer among them

who asked to remain unnamed said the militants were urging the security forces via loudspeaker to discard their weapons, and promising them safety in return.

The recent Islamic State gains in Anbar province represent the biggest victory for the insurgents in Iraq since security forces and Shi’ite paramilitary groups began pushing them back last year.

A spokesman for Abadi said the prime minister had ordered paramilitaries to prepare to “support the armed forces and restore

control over all parts of Anbar”, after the provincial council voted in favor of their deployment.

Shi’ite paramilitaries have played a leading role in reversing Islamic State gains elsewhere in Iraq, but have so far been kept on the sidelines in Anbar due to concerns about inflaming sectarian violence.

Earlier on Sunday, the insurgents overran one of the last remaining districts held by government forces in Ramadi, having seized most of the city over the past two days.

Pressure mounts on Myanmar over Asia ‘boat people’ crisis

M

A L AY S I A p r o d d e d Myanmar yesterday to halt the exodus from its shores as concern grew for uncounted migrants adrift in rickety

boats around the Andaman Sea. The United Nations has called on Southeast Asian nations not to push back the boatloads of Rohingya

Bangladeshi migrants who recently arrived in Indonesia by boat, are registered by a staff member of the International Organization for Migration, at Kuala Langsa, in Indonesia’s Aceh Province, yesterday.

Muslims from Myanmar and Bangladeshis - men, women and children who fled persecution and poverty at home, and now face sickness and starvation at sea.

Malaysia, which says it has already taken in 120,000 illegal migrants from Myanmar, has made it clear that it wants no more and its deputy prime minister said on Sunday that Myanmar must now take responsibility.

“What is the responsibility of the Myanmar government ... is there any humanitarian aspect for them to solve this matter internally?” Muhyiddin Yassin told a news conference, adding that the burden should not fall on other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Smoke rises after a bomb attack in the city of Ramadi, May 15, 2015

N

EARLY 300 people have been killed after several days of fighting between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and the Syrian government in the historic town of Palmyra, activists said.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said yesterday that the dead included 123 Syrian government soldiers and allied militiamen, 115 ISIL fighters, and 57 civilians.

Reports of the deaths

300 people killed in Syria fighting over Palmyra came as the Syrian government claimed it had repelled ISIL fighters from the ancient city, where the armed group had seized the northern part of the modern settlement, Tadmur.

Provincial governor Talal Barazi told the AFP news agency that the army had recaptured districts of the town which ISIL had overrun on Saturday.

Barazi said the army was “still combing the streets for bombs,” but that “the situation in the city and its outskirts is good.”

The ISIL advance on Palmyra had sparked international concern for the safety of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Syrian officials expressed relief that the armed group had been pushed back.

Pope confers sainthood on two Palestinians

I

N a canonization laden with significance both religious and political, Pope Francis yesterday declared Marie Alphonsine Ghattas and Mariam Baouardy the first two Palestinian saints of modern times.

Some 2,000 Palestinians gathered in the Vatican’s St. Peter ’s Square to sing and pray and celebrate their saints. There, they heard the Pope pay tribute to the way in which the two new saints experienced the love of God.

Syria rebels

Nepal quake death toll surpasses 8,500 as dozens still missing

T

HE number of people killed in Nepal by two major earthquakes has surpassed 8,500, making

*Pope

Car bomb hit EU vehicle, kills three in Afghan capital

A

SUICIDE car bomber rammed a European Union vehicle near the main airport in Afghanistan’s capital yesterday , killing two Afghan civilians and a British security contractor

in the latest attack in the city, officials said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL), which advises Afghan law

enforcement authorities.

The insurgents have launched a wave of attacks around the country since the drawdown of most foreign troops last year to a small training force of about 12,500.

the disaster the deadliest to hit the Himalayan country on record, as rescuers on Sunday searched for dozens of people still missing in remote villages.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, killing thousands and demolishing more than half a million homes, most of them in rural areas cut off from emergency medical care.

A second major quake

struck on Tuesday 76 kilometers (47 miles) east of the capital Kathmandu, just as Nepalis were beginning to recover from the previous earthquake.

The death toll from the two quakes now stands at 8,583, the home ministry said on Sunday.

The previous deadliest earthquake to strike the country - in 1934 - killed at least 8,519 in Nepal, as well as thousands more in neighboring India.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18 , 2015 — 57

S/Africa arrests 1,600 illegal immigrants in crackdown M

ORE than 3,900 people including 1,650 illegal immigrants have been arrested in South Africa during a controversial police crackdown after April’s deadly xenophobic violence, authorities said yesterday.

“We are satisfied that we have stabilised the situation and further loss of life has been prevented,” a government statement said.

“Security agencies continue to work around the clock to protect both foreign nationals and South African citizens against any attacks.”

The crackdown came after at least seven people were killed as mobs hunted down migrant workers from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and other African countries, forcing hundreds of terrified families to abandon their homes.

Rampant unemployment and poverty are seen as an underlying cause of the violence by South Africans who accused migrants of stealing their jobs.

The arrests of illegal immigrants has prompted charges that the government was fanning xenophobic sentiment, though authorities categorically denied that the operation targeted foreigners.

Some 2,260 South Africans have been arrested on a variety of charges since the operation began.

“We will, in the next weeks and months, accelerate our efforts to take back public buildings that have been hijacked, either by foreign nationals or by South Africans; rid our townships and villages of drugs... that are destroying the lives of many young people,” the government statement added.

South African authorities are also going to continue with expulsions of foreigners.

More than 400 Mozambicans were expelled Friday and 427 others in South Africa illegally are slated to be kicked out in the coming days.

While South African President Jacob Zuma has denounced the antiimmigrant violence he also promised to step up a crackdown on illegal immigration.

The police operation was strongly criticised during a rally Saturday in an immigrant neighbourhood in Johannesburg.

South African officers arrest illegal immigrants and foreign nationals during a raid in the Johannesburg CB last week

Morsi: Egyptian judges shot dead in Sinai

A

N Egyptian court sentenced ousted President Mohammed Morsi and over 100 others to death on Saturday (Sunday NZT) over a mass prison break during the 2011 uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak and later brought Morsi’s Islamist movement to power.

In what appears to be the first violent response to the sentence, suspected Islamic militants in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula gunned down three judges and their driver, who were traveling in a car in the northern Sinai city of alArish, according to security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

As is customary in capital punishment cases, Judge Shaaban el-Shami

Burundi takes 18 suspects in failed coup to court •As President Nkurunziza appears in capital B URUNDI took 18 people suspected of involvement in a failed coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza to the high court at the weekend , relatives of some of the accused said.

Earlier, about a hundred demonstrators took to the streets of Bujumbura to protest against Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term, defying the president’s call the previous day for an end to the weeks-long protests.

The east African nation was plunged into deep crisis after Nkurunziza announced he was running for another fiveyear term, with clashes between police and protesters stirring memories of an ethnically driven civil war that ended a decade ago.

“A lot of us citizens do not want the constitution to be violated as he is not allowed to lead for the third

term.We will demonstrate until he steps down,” said Nduwimana Belamie, one of the protesters.

Opponents say Nkurunziza’s decision violates the constitution and the Arusha deal to end the war that pitted rebel groups of the majority Hutu population, including one led by Nkurunziza, against the army which was then commanded by minority Tutsis.

The army is now mixed and has absorbed rival factions, but the coup attempt exposed divisions.

The fate of General Godefroid Niyombare, who had announced the president’s ouster on Wednesday, was still not clear on Saturday. Loyalist troops calmed the streets of the capital on Friday following clashes between the two factions.

Meanwhile, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza yesterday

made his first public appearance in the capital Bujumbura since an attempted coup last week failed to oust him, warning of a threat posed by Islamist militants from Somalia.

The east African nation was plunged into crisis after Nkurunziza said he was seeking a third term of

office.

Critics said the move would be unconstitutional, and there have been almost daily protests since N k u r u n z i z a ’ s announcement, stirring memories of an ethnically driven civil war that ended a decade ago.

referred his death sentence on Morsi and the others to the nation’s top Muslim theologian, or mufti, for his non-binding opinion. El-Shami set June 2 for the next hearing. Regardless of the mufti’s ruling, the sentences can be appealed.

Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected leader, was ousted by the military in July 2013 following days of mass street protests by Egyptians demanding that he be removed because of his divisive policies.

Morsi’s successor, AbdelFattah el-Sissi, was the military chief at the time and led the ouster. El-Sissi ran for president last year and won in a landslide.

Also sentenced to death with Morsi in the prison break case were 105 defendants, most tried and convicted in absentia.

They include some 70 Palestinians. Those tried in absentia in Egypt receive automatic retrials once they are detained.

Supporters of Morsi and his now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood chanted “down, down with military rule” as el-Shami announced the verdict in the courtroom, a converted lecture hall in the national police academy in an eastern Cairo suburb.

Policemen escort detained Burundi Army general Juvenal Niyungeko to a high court in Bujumbura, Burundi on Saturday

Mother of Pistorius’s slain girlfriend condemns release

T

HE mother of Oscar Pistorius’s slain girlfriend told a newspaper yesterday it would be too soon to release the fallen Paralympian from prison as early as August for good conduct.

The 28-year-old South African double amputee sprinter was found guilty last year of culpable homicide - a charge akin to manslaughter — and sentenced to five years in prison for shooting his

June Steenkamp

girlfriend, model and TV presenter Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day 2013.

Pistorius claimed that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, firing four shots through a locked bathroom door.

He is now waiting for the South African prison authorities to decide whether to grant him conditional release, possibly from August.

If Pistorius is released

then, he will have spent just 10 months in prison.

“I don’t think it is long enough for somebody who has caused somebody’s death,” Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp told South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper.

“Surely her life is worth more than 10 months’ incarceration? He’s taken something so precious out of our lives. Her life is gone,” Steenkamp added.

“All I could think about

was her in that toilet and that she couldn’t move.

She couldn’t get out of the way. She was trapped in there. She was suffering.

She was in pain and agony. Her brains all over...

I’ve had nightmares over that.”

Reeva Steenkamp was 29 years old when Pistorius shot her dead.

Pistorius, 28, has been serving his sentence in a central Pretoria prison since October.

58 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

PISCES; This may not be the best of days as there will be a few challenges within your working arena.

If you rely on luck today, you would be disappointed.

ARIES; You will need to watch what you tell others, especially those friends you don’t know too well. Be more loving but refuse to gamble with love.

TAURUS; If care is not taken what you have gained yesterday may be lost due to your care-free attitude within your base of operation. Avoid deceit today.

GEMINI; You would fare better if you prepare your mind for possible confrontation from unexpected quarters. Don’t promise more than you can actually deliver.

CANCER; Both your mood and element of luck are as friendly as you would want them to be. Thus success may come the harder way today. Protect your finances.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HERE is only one thing that humans don’t want in life and that is change. But whether we like it or not, change will come.

It either comes on its own or is provoked. Of all the things in life, change is the only constant.

It is

The Change Factor senseless to work against change. For everyone that works against change either ends up consumed or destroyed by change.

For change to be effective, we must act

TERROR MUDA

the change as individuals and as a collective. If our attitude, our lifestyle, our values, our ethics and etiquettes remain essentially the way they have been, then

in “Never say goodbye”

we are not sincere.

Change means new ways, new things. If i change and you change, then Nigeria will change. Do you deserve a change?

Then be the change you desire.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO; Many will look up to you both for practical assistance and leadership direction thus, you must not ball-up under pressure. Try to reason with your spouse.

VIRGO; Diplomacy may become very important today as development within your working arena calls for both maturity and cleverness. Be family minded today.

LIBRA; No matter how helpful friends were yesterday it is important you don’t dance to discordant tunes from any quarter today; gamble not with matters-of-the-heart.

SCORPIO; Many people are under pressure today but, if you do away with sentiment and give priority attention to money making your finances will be better for your efforts. Don’t allow misunderstanding within your family circle go out of hands.

SAGIT TARIUS; To be on the safer side it is imperative you respect the law and it’s enforcement agents. Some people are trying to deceive you for an obvious reason.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; Early part of the day may bring you good opportunity but for you not to lose it you must exhibit maturity. Protect both your money and source of income.

AQUARIUS; Others will step on your nerves yet it not the best for you to over-react today. It is good to prove reliable but your secrets must remain intact.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my astro-personality?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, Please keep my birth data secret, but I want you to analyse my horoscope bluntly so that I can know who am I; talking about my personality.

Francis, Kano.

Dear Francis, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them.

ANALY S I S O F YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/ PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lensMercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both.

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action.

Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your innerself.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 18 , 2015 — 59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED B E N S O N O K U O N G H A E — I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Benson Okuonghae Justina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Justina Stephen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

HASSAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebisi Oluwafunmilayo Hassan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. A d e b i s i Oluwafunmilayo AyoAluko. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyimowoh Bridget Okoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Sunday Abba.

All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank and the general public please take note.

IREDIA— I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Benjamin Peter Iredia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. BenjaminWaribugo Peter Taribote Iredia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

PIUS—This is to confirm that David Buba, David Pius And Pius David Shalom is one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as David Buba. All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public please take note.

OBOHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Ibanga Bassey Oboho, now wish to be known and addressed as Victor Bassey Oboho. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kenechukwu Imelda Samantha Eze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kenechukwu Imelda Samantha VbasseyOboho. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaeze Blessing Eze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adaeze Blessing Adeyemi Oduyebo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osawe Amenaghawon Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odaro Amenaghawon Grace. All former documents remain valid. LAPO and general public please take note.

MBAEGBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Patience Mbaegbu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patience Nwalozie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBEGHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbegha Linda Seigha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Awara Linda Agnes Seigha. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

U K E N N A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukenna Prudence Doris Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyenemezu Prudence Doris Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMAKPORUENA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emakporuena Oghogho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Atigari Oghogho. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbuka Blessing Amarachi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing A. Umeadi All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UBANI—I, formerly known and addressed as Ubani Kodilichukwu Prosper, now wish to be known and addressed as M o k w e n y e Kodilichukwu Prosper. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBASI—I, formerly known and addressed as Obasi Solomon Chidiebere, now wish to be known and addressed as Flawless Solomon Chidiebere.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U Z U E G B U CHIMEZI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzuegbu Chimezieý Ezinwanne, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwu Ezinwanne Blessing. All former documents remain.

University of Nigeria, Nursing and Midwifery Council and general public please take note.

AROH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aroh Chinenye Linda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Otilije Chinenye Linda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YOU CAN BOOK YOUR ADVERT AT: TRINITY MALL, 79/81 OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, IKEJA. CALL: 08035449960, 07031322957 MURPHÝ'S PLAZA 27, SANUSI FAFUNWA STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND. CALL: 08038092373, 08033163424

60— Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

CR7 hits hat-trick

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FIT AS A FIDDLE: Governor Adams Oshiomhole leads others at the 3rd edition of the Annual IAAF certified 10km Okpekpe race, on Saturday.

EAL Madrid’s La Liga title hopes were ended despite a 4-1 victory at Espanyol as Barcelona condemned them to second place with a win at Atletico Madrid.

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick and one from Marcelo halted Real’s run of three consecutive winless games in all competitions and spared the blushes of goalkeeper Keylor Navas, whose terrible error allowed Christian Stuani to equalise.

But Barcelona’s 1-0 success at the Estadio Vicente Calderon in the penultimate game of the season saw them crowned champions and confirm Real as runners-up to

How NFF signed ‘slave’ contract with Nike

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

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HERE are very clear indications that the much celebrated contract which the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) signed with kits manufacturing company, Nike may have been a slave contract after all.

An impeccable source at the NFF Secretariat

•Pinnick

Enyeama Continued from BP Hapoel Be’er Sheva respectively, lost.

Eagles skipper Vincent Enyeama conceded four goals as Lille were thrashed 4-0 at home by Olympique Marseille.

Ghana forward Andrew Ayew was among the goals for Marseille.

In a related vein, Eagles second choice goalkeeper Austin Ejide also let in four goals as his team Hapoel Be’er Sheva lost 4-0 at Maccabi Haifa in an Israeli championship playoff game.

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told Sports Vanguard over the weekend that what the deal amounts to is just that the American based company will be supplying the various Nigerian football teams with kits without any monetary value.

Our source who would not want to be named further revealed that after the former kit sponsors, adidas pulled out after the 2014 World Cup, efforts were made to get another reliable organization to kit the national teams with a $12.5million dollars a year proposal given to Nike.

According to him, Nike had replied through one Julia Saminie that the proposal was rather on the high side insisting that the deal be reviewed downwards in line with what they give to other African countries.

Barca Continued from BP Los Blancos back in front and Ronaldo got a second but Messi’s goal meant it didn’t matter.

Luis Suarez didn’t even make the bench for the Catalans after going off at half-time against Bayern Munich, while Atletico went with Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres in attack, Mario Mandzukic left among the substitutes.

Claudio Bravo was the first goalkeeper called into action, getting a strong hand to Gimenez’s near post header to bat the ball away.

Messi came to the party just after the 10-

“What Nike said in a nutshell is that they were interested in the deal but that there was the need for us to reduce our expectations. But when it was time to sign the contract they went their own way without the knowledge of those who had the strength to negotiate.

“Interestingly, we had started the talks with Nike before the coming of the present board but when they were to sign they did not even seek our input. The $750,000 dollars deal has no monetary attachment.

Our national teams will only be wearing and advertising Nike products for free.

“That is purely a slave contract because there is not even a retainership clause and one wonders why the same company will pay South Africa, a team that Nigeria is rated higher but they will not pay minute mark after fancy footwork from Andres Iniesta and Neymar saw the Argentine teed up for a shot, but it was straight at Jan Oblak.

Messi again tested Oblak, this time with a header from Dani Alves’ cross, but it too was easily fielded by the home goalkeeper.

Messi felt he should have had a penalty when his header was blocked

by Juanfran’s arm and referee Undiano Mallenco further raised Catalan ire by deciding Diego Godin’s shirt pull on Alves was outside the penalty area.

It appeared Alves had been booked for diving but instead a free-kick was given, wide of the goal, and Messi clipped the crossbar with the set-piece.

Nigeria anything.”

Recall that the former kit sponsors, adidas pulled out of the contract with Nigeria after the 2014 World Cup due to the attitude of some Nigerian players who were said to have won kits of rival companies.

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•Ronaldo complete a miserable week that also saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side denied a place in the UEFA Champions League final

by Juventus, increasing the pressure on the Italian coach.

HE nine Flying Eagles players who failed to make the final 21-man squad for the forthcoming U20 World Cup in New Zealand will return to Nigeria from Germany on Wednesday, officials disclosed.

The affected players are Christian Pyagbara, Abdullahi Ibrahim Alhassan ‘Muazam’, Abdullahi Alfa, Adamu Abubakar, Usman Hassan, Samuel Okon, Bashiru Monsuru, Saheed Abdulganiyu and Wasiu Jimoh.

All these players bar

Okagbare Continued from BP coasted to victory.

The Nigerian champion who started in lane 3 got a perfect start and was running neckto-neck with FraserPryce who started in lane 4, but Okagbare eluded the Jamaican and steered clear of the chasing pack in the last 40m of the race, finishing nearly a tenth of a second ahead of 2nd placed Tori Bowie who clocked 11.07s. Trinidad and Tobago’s MichelleLee Ahye finished 3rd in 11.13s. The Jamaican duo of Veronica

ANCHESTER United missed out on the chance to climb to third in the table as Theo Walcott’s deflected strike secured a point for Arsenal.

Ander Herrera gave United the lead in the first half as he volleyed in Ashley Young’s left-wing cross at the back post.

But the Gunners had the better of things after the break, with David De Gea saving well from Olivier Giroud.

The Red Devils goalkeeper was unable to see out the 90 minutes, however, as he limped off with a back injury.

Head Office wins Total MD Cup

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brace by Ayo Mibiola and an earlier strike by Saheed Gbadamosi secured a 31 win for the Head Office over Western operations in this year’s MD’s Cop of Total Nigeria.

The match which was played at the Campos

Dropped F/Eagles return Wednesday

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Walcott’s strike keeps Man U in 4th

Monsuru featured at the African Youth Championship in Senegal in March, when Nigeria won a record seventh tournament.

The Flying Eagles have been training in Nurnberg, Germany, since May 3 ahead of the World Cup in New Zeland, where they are drawn in the first round against five-time champions Brazil, North Korea and Hungary.

They play their first match on June 1 against Brazil in New Plymouth.

Campbell-Brown and Fraser-Pryce could only manage 4th and 5th positions in 11.22s and 11.25s respectively.

Just a week after finishing second in 11.05s at the Jamaica Invitational, Okagbare has now improved on her season best, putting her in great contention for the season ahead.

Last year, Okagbare was victorious at this circuit, winning a double in both the women’s Long Jump and 200m events, all with a meeting records. And with another win this year, it is now back to back wins, with Shanghai looking like a good hunting ground for the Nigerian.

Mini-stadium in Lagos, Saturday witnessed a capacity crowd made up of top management and staff of the oil giants and the families.

The competition started with teams from the Head Office, Northern, Western and Eastern operations culminated in the final which featured the Head Office against the Western Office.

The final lived up to its billing as the two teams fought to a goalless first half.

In the restart, the Head Office team took the lead through an excellent finish by Saheed Gbadamosi.

Two goal hero Ayo Mibiola took the arena by storm as he ensured the Head Office carried the day with his clinical finish.

Ayodeji of the Western Office converted a late penalty as consolation for his team.

Keshi Continued from BP expected of him but added that without the support of Nigerians, there’s no way the team can succeed. “ My expectation is higher than any other person’s. This is my job this is what I love to do, its my country.

The former Mali and Togo boss said he hopes to build a formidable team that can make the country proud again, but he can’t achieve that without being given total support by Nigerian.

He said: “ Having spent more than half of my life playing and working for Nigeria, we have to push one another to get there.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 61

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The Okpekpe Marathon experience

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AST Saturday, May 16, the who’s who in track and field in the land gathered at Okpekpe, a sleepy town, about 23 kilometres from Auchi for the 3rd IAAF Sanctioned Okpekpe 10 Kiliometre Marathon.

For those who have been regulars at this fast growing event, there were a lot of stories to tell, about improvements, innovations and excitements galore. For yours truly it was the first appearance at the yearly event programme I and Aisha Falode were listed as Protocol and Ceremonial Directors.

A thirty minutes flight to the ancient city of Benin was all we needed to know that Okpeke was real.

Giant bill boards, Buntings and signages welcomed you to Edo state and signposted you on the major routes in the direction of Auchi, destination Okpekpe.

We arrived Auchi ( Operational base ) on Thursday and quickly decided to do a tour of the marathon town. Driving through the windy and hilly route with thoughts of suffering marathoners is compensated by the heavenly scenery and greenery that presents a picturesque view fit for a classic post card.

Okpekpe town may not be everyone’s delight, at first sight. Few minutes to soak all in and one appreciates the enormous tourism and economic potential waiting to be tapped. With a population of less than 4000 inhabitants, one notices the body language and proud gait of the locals who on this Thursday afternoon have started soaking in the pride of belonging to a town that will soon explode on the world sports horizon as has been the case these past two years.

The indigenes are friendly and have cause to be.

The Okpekpe marathon has not only placed their town on the world athletics map, but has also opened up the indigene to a life long opportunity of mixing with the high and mighty of politics, sports and economy, not only in Edo state, Nigeria but the world at large.

The Okpekpe marathon affords sons and daughters the opportunity of playing significant roles as volunteers, not to mention the commercial boom that it brings to attendant and relevant businesses.

Tony Egbabe sums it all “…. How many towns in Edo state can guarantee the presence of His Excellency the Governor at least once a year? See all these athletes that we only see on tv from foreign lands, here we shake their hands. Nollywood stars, captains of industry, managers of banks and top business concerns, first class journalists and

Its congratulations galore for another successful end to a vision that was designed to bring “…..sporting activity to the door step of Nigerians with the sole objective of engaging the youths, communities and building champions”

,

broadcasters…..Okpekpe has played host to all of them……we are blessed” Friday, the “sleepy Okpekpe” comes alive, fully awake as a beehive of activity threatens the serenity of the town. Media installations, athletes on a last lap route familiarization tour, mounting of giant tents, sponsors banners……..frantic efforts to be ready for the next day as the media is agog with stories of preparations and previews of possible champions of the total prize money of over $200,000 dollars US, international men and women and domestic runners.

Saturday morning, as early as 5 am, security personnel are in place. Finishing touches are put to the activities in preparation for the great flag off.

The people of Okpekpe refuse to be undone, coming out in their hundreds dressed in their Sunday best, led by dozens of red cap chiefs resplendent in white.

Traditional music and dances rent the air as the world awaited the start of the race that has in less than three years earned Road Race Bronze Label certification by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) hence the top quality entries and

participation.

The carnival has begun. Dignitaries, sports stars, musicians and politicians arrive, even as Sponsors and partners struggle for visibility and promotion of their goods and services.

For this particular edition there are speculations as to the participation of Governor Adams Oshiomole who has religiously kept faith with the race these two years past. Rumour has it that with the Governor wedding that Friday and the attendant stress involved, ( including first wedding night) he may not wake up early for his race scheduled to flag off at 8am!

How wrong. Not only did Governor Oshiomole show up, he stuck to his 10 kilometre mark and finished in grand style, doing press ups and flexing his muscles at the end of the race.

The arrival of Governor Oshiomole at the finish line generates fresh rounds of excitement and fun as many clamour for the quality merchandise on sale at site (Towels, bags, face caps, waist bands etc) News comes in that the athletes were on their way and again, the hustle and bustle to catch a glimpse of the marathoners as they arrive. Who will it be?

Who will be crowned Okpekpe champion for 2015?

Will Nigerians upstage the foreigners and cart home the $25,000 prize money for champion?, it took only 29 minutes and 20 seconds for Alex Korio of Kenya to emerge on the horizon hotly challenged by Leish Gabrielselase of Ethiopia and compatriot Amos Mutei.

Unlike what happened last year when the Ethiopians swept the women’s race, the Kenyans did the triple this year thanks to Tanui Aifele, Rionoripo and Mary Wacere.

Its congratulations galore for another successful end to a vision that was designed to bring “…..sporting activity to the door step of Nigerians with the sole objective of engaging the youths, communities and building champions” Race founder and Chief Executive Officer Padmozi Sports Marketing Nigeria Limited soaks in the congratulations of all present, he thanks Governor Oshiomole and the sponsors for their support, commends all those who toiled day and night to make the current edition a success and promises an improved edition next year.

Departures as Okpekpe reluctantly regains its peace, looking forward to next year…...

See you next week .

Leopards tear Wolves apart *Leopards 3 Wolves 0

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ARRI Wolves’ unbeaten run in the CAF Confederation Cup was brought to an end yesterday evening as they crashed 3-0 to Athlétic Club Léopards de Dolisie in the first leg play-off round played at the Stade Denis Sassou Nguesso, Dolisie. Coach Paul Aigbogun’s men must now score four goals without conceding any in the second leg to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage Goals from Mahamane Cissé, Bokuoa and Prestone Lakolo were all the Congolese needed to bring the Nigerians down to their feet in Dolisie.

The hosts began the rout in the eight minute through Cisse who took advantage of the Nigerians shaky backline. Paul Aigbogun’s men attempted an equalizer but could

not break down the solid backline of the hosts who took a goal lead to the half time break.

On resumption of the second half, Bokuoa and Lakolo sealed the win for AC Leopards as all efforts

from the visitors to reduce the deficit proved futile.

Warri Wolves must now win the second leg 4-0 in Warri if they hope to qualify for the round robin stage of the tournament.

Musa ends goal drought

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SKA Moscow for ward, Ahmed Musa, broke his two month goal-drought by scoring in his side’s 4-0 rout over Spartak Moscow.

The 22-year-old’s last goal for CSKA was on the the 7th of March 2015, when he netted a brace in a 2-1 win over Terek Grozny.

Since then he has gone nine games without a goal, before scoring in the 76th minute after picking up an assist for his side third goal in a comprehensive 4-0 win.

DEVOURED ...Warri Wolves players celebrating in one of their matches in the Confederation Cup. A.C Leopards thrashed Wolves 3-0.

Adepoju tips Flying Eagles for success

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Musa

ORMER Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has tipped the Flying Eagles for success at the forthcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Adepoju, a former Flying Eagle who represented Nigeria at the 1989 World Youth Championship (now U-20 World

Cup) in Saudi Arabia, says the present Flying Eagles have shown enough to suggest they can be the first Nigerian team to win the competition.

“I have seen them play and I can tell that they are very good. The coaches have done a fantastic job and the players have

shown there is still hope in this country.

“The competition will be a different ball game entirely of course, but these boys are good. It may be too early to say they will win the World Cup, but they sure look like they will be the first Nigerian U20 team to win the competition,” he said.

62— Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Brazil national team picked by its commercial partners since 2006 with only ‘marketable’ stars selected T

HE Brazilian national football team has been picked by its commercial partners since 2006 with only players who are ‘marketable’ enough called up, according to astonishing allegations in a Sao Paulo newspaper.

Estadao claim to have obtained a contract agreed in 2006 between the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) and a firm called ISE, who are based in the Cayman Islands and don’t have any employees.

The firm is a front for a Saudi Arabian company called Dallah Al-Baraka, who have investments in finance, healthcare, banking, transport, manufacturing and other industries.

The document states that only the Brazilian team’s commercial partners can decide who plays for the national team in international fixtures, suggesting the manager and coaching staff have little or no say.

It also claims the CBF must make requests to ISE if they want to callup a new player and this is only sanctioned if he has ‘an equal marketing value.’

Certain players chosen by ISE must start in every game, while the CBF must supply ISE with a medical report to prove a player is genuinely injured.

Initially a 10-year arrangement signed in 2006, it was renewed four years ago by the former CBF President Ricardo Teixeira.

If the bombshell claims are true, Brazilian football will be rocked to the core as it suggests that Dunga, Mano Menezes and Luis Felipe Scolari, the team’s managers since 2006, did not have the final call on team selection.

An elite group of players have to feature in every match, with article 9.1 of the contract reading: ‘The CBF will ensure and guarantee that these players who are playing in official competitions participate in any and every match.’

Any breach of this arrangement resulted in the commercial partners paying only half the agreed match fee of £660,000 ($1.05m).

One example of this came in November 2011 when Brazil played Egypt in a Doha friendly and coach Menezes

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•The reports claim a group of elite Brazilian players must feature in every international match •The Brazil national team is selected by its commercial partners, according to the bombshell revelations did not pick Neymar, Kaka, Leandro Damiao and other leading names, leading to a fine.

In the event of one of these elite players being injured, the CBF would have to send ISE a medical certificate and agree on a suitable replacement.

The alleged clause states: ‘Any changes to the list shall be communicated in writing to ISE and confirmed by mutual agreement.

‘In this case, the CBF will endeavour to replace with new players of a similar level, with respect to marketing value, technical skill and reputation.’

In addition, the contract states all broadcast rights and copyright are signed over in full to ISE with any violation resulting in a fine of £630,000 ($1m).

The document ends: ‘All terms and conditions of this agreement shall be treated as confidential by the parties and neither will disclose them.’

•Dunga, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, is the current manager of the national side

•Brazil fans will no doubt be astonished by the claims if they turn out to be correct.

Mane’s stunning hat-trick has capped off solid season

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T was Mane, Mane, Mane in just two minutes and 56 seconds at St Mary’s on Saturday.

A quick-fire hat-trick to shatter the record books and Aston Villa’s defence.

So swift was his triple strike that his first had barely been digested by the time his third hit the back of the net. Anyone watching at home popping to put the kettle on in the 13th minute would have missed it all.

Sadio Mane has enjoyed a debut season

of great impact at Southampton, following his £11.8million move from Red Bull Salzburg – but this ensured his name will be chiselled in Premier League stone.

Was this the greatest moment of his career?

Undoubtedly yes, by Mane’s own admission.

The 23-year-old moved to Salzburg from Metz in August 2012 for €4million (£2.9million), the thirdhighest fee the French club had received for a player (Marseille paid Metz £5million for Robert

•Sadio Mane’s hat-trick for Southampton was the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history.

Pires in 1998). So a decent line for the CV. At Salzburg, he scored a hat-trick away to Kalsdorf in the Austrian Cup, another against Grodig in the Austrian Bundesliga, and a third last May in the Cup semifinal against Horn on route to the domestic double.

But, as Ronald Koeman said, a Premier League hat-trick in record time – ending Robbie Fowler’s 21-year stay at the top – is an altogether more sizeable achievement.

‘It’s not normal to have a hat-trick in three minutes, even in the worst league in the world,’ said the chuckling Southampton manager.

What’s Mane’s story?

Born in Sedhiou, Senegal, a town on the banks of the Casamance river, he joined Generation Foot at the age of 12, a football academy in capital Dakar run by Mady Toure, a former player, and singer Youssou N’Dour.

Six years later, he signed for Metz as part of the club’s partnership with the academy, which allows one young player

to move to France every year.

His performances earned him a place in Senegal’s squad for the 2012 Olympics and a good display against Great Britain in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford secured his move to Salzburg.

The price paid by Southampton last September saw Mane surpass El Hadji Diouf as the most expensive Senagalese player in history.

How has this season gone?

Despite his late arrival to England, Mane’s contribution has been significant. He made his debut in the Capital One Cup win at Arsenal and scored his first goal in the 1-0 win over Stoke in October.

Playing anywhere across the front three, his quicksilver speed and movement has troubled defences. He scored in three consecutive games from Boxing Day to New Year, against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Arsenal, and no other non-striker has scoredmorePremierLeague goals in 2015 (seven).

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015 — 63

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015

Barca crowned La Liga champions!

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Leopards tear Wolves into shreds — Pg 61 Team Chelsea Man City Arsenal Man U Liverpool

GP 36 37 36 37 37

EPL TOP FIVE W D L GF 25 9 2 70 23 7 7 81 21 8 7 67 20 9 8 62 18 8 11 51

Enyeama, Ejide let in 8 goals

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•Enyeama

Keshi calls for prayers

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UPER Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has urged all Nigerians to support and pray for the team as they prepare for the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad Republic next month.

Keshi, who won the nation’s third AFCON title for the country, 19 years after they won their second title explained that he understands what is Continued on page 60

UPER Eagles top two goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide had a bad day in the office Saturday when they each conceded four goals as their clubs, Lille and Continued on page 60

GA 28 38 35 37 42

IONEL Messi scored as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid and regained the Primera title with a game to spare.

Real Madrid beat Espanyol but Barca’s win at Vicente Calderon means they go into next weekend’s final round

with an unassailable fourpoint lead at the top of La Liga.

Messi claimed the crucial goal just past the hour mark, exchanging passes with Neymar on the edge of the area, slaloming into the box, past the lunging defenders,

and finishing calmly.

The goal came only moments after Cristiano Ronaldo gave Madrid the lead but a mistake by Keylor Navas allowed Christian Stuani to equalise. Marcelo put Continued on page 60

GD PTS 42 84 43 76 32 71 25 69 9 62

RESULTS Gabros 1 Sharks Giwa 0 Taraba Dolphins 1 Enyimba El-Kanemi 1 Bayelsa Wikki 1 Lobi Ht/land 2 Akwa Utd 3SC 1 Rangers Nasarawa 1 Sunshine Ab/Warriors 0 Pillars1

0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1

EPL Swansea 2 Man City 4 Man U 1 Arsenal 1

CR7 hits hat-trick — Pg 60

WINNER... Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor reacts after winning the women's 100m event at the Diamond League athletics meeting in Shanghai yesterday.

Photo: AFP

Diamond League: Okagbare dusts Olympic champion!

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L E S S I N G OkagbareIghoteguonor got her

season underway with a dominating win at the 2015 Shanghai Diamond

League yesterday, winning the women’s 100m in 10.98s.

Okagbare got ahead of a star-studded line-up that included Olympic

Champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Continued on page 60

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Liking (6) 5 Forgive (6) 8 Quarrel (8) 9 Roster (4) 10 Silent (3) 12 Fight (5) 15 Cur (3) 17 Scull (3) 18 Poem (3) 19 Hill (3) 20 Happening (5) 21 Charge (3) 22 Hatchet (3) 23 Sheep (3) 24 Lubricate (3) 26 Leaf (5) 29 Wand (3) 33 Shout (4) 34 Submarine (8)

DOWN 2 Farewell (5) 3 Absent (4) 4 Enlist (5) 5 Squeeze (5) 6 Unusual (4) 7 Surpass (5) 10 Saying (5) 11 Ethical (5) 12 Crawl (5) 13 Deflect (5) 14 Inn (5) 15 Postpone (5) 16 Avarice (5) 25 Unsuitable (5) 27 Ooze (5) 28 Viper (5) 30 Open (5) 31 Association (4) 32 Courage (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Taxi 4, Fad 6, Tour 8, Stifle 9, Facade 10, Lay 12, Bread 14, Stern 15, Mined 18, Serene 20, Orator 24, Total 26, Creel 28, Wedge 30, Ebb 32, Cinema 33, Rotten 34, Fret 35, Had 36, Done.

DOWN: 2, After 3, Inflame 4, Feel 5, Defy 6, Tacit 7, Undergo 11, Awe 12, Bus 13, Din 16, Net 17, Dot 19, Earlier 21, Raw 22, Alerted 23, Roe 25, Orb 27, Eject 29, Green 30, Each 31, Bred.

How to Play Sudoku

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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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