7 PDP lawmakers take over Ekiti Assembly

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62279

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Austerity measures trigger Naira depreciation, spike in interbank rates

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7 PDP lawmakers take over Ekiti Assembly •Appoint Speaker Pro-tempore, okay Fayose's requests •This illegality can't stand, says Speaker Omirin as APC kicks •I won't interfere in House of Assembly matters — FAYOSE •Approved LG caretaker committee members inaugurated

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

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DO-EKITI— TENSION is mounting in Ekiti State as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers in the House of Assembly, yesterday, reconvened under the supervision of a Speaker Pro-Tempore, Dele Olugbemi.

Though Olugbemi claimed that those who sat were 10 in number, there are only seven known PDP lawmakers in the House.

Governor Fayose has been at loggerheads with the Assembly over its refusal to sit and approve his Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS: The impending betrayal of Muhammadu Buhari •P.17

College Sports 45 •P.

CONVOCATION—From left:

Chief Wole Olanipekun; Professor Wole Soyinka; Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno and Emeritus Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi, honorary award recipients at the University of Ibadan Convocation and Foundation Day in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

FG to seek extension of emergency rule — ADOKE

Mr & Mrs

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FRESH FIGHTING IN NASARAWA:

Govt declares dusk to dawn curfew 8

We work with security ide s n agents, says illegal See I oil bunkerers C M Y K

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

YOUWIN—President Goodluck Jonathan inspecting exhibition at the 4th edition of Youth Enterprise With Innovation In Nigeria (YOUWIN 4) and presidential launch of SMEs Growth Fund at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: State House.

7 PDP lawmakers take over Ekiti Assembly Continues from page 1 nominees for different positions.

Early yesterday, two Armoured Personnel Carriers were deployed to the premises of the Assembly, with scores of riot policemen on standby.

The lawmakers were driven to the House in a Toyota Coaster bus marked EKSJ 111. They were heavily guarded.

Some already confirmed special advisers of Governor Fayose were at the premises of the House to monitor proceedings.

The seven members that sat, yesterday, included six lawmakers, who defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the PDP during the inauguration of Fayose as governor and one original PDP member.

Samuel Ajibola, a PDP lawmaker representing Ekiti East Constituency 1, performed the role of Leader of Government Business at yesterday’s sitting. He told his colleagues that the House Standing Order empowered the House to appoint Speaker Pro-

Tempore (pro-tem) in the absence of the Speaker, Adewale Omirin and his deputy, to preside over the day’s business.

Those who sat, yesterday

Backed with House Order, Dele Olugbemi from Ikole Constituency II, was subsequently appointed Speaker Pre-tempore. The seven PDP members, who sat, included the six former APC members— Ajibola Samuel— Ekiti East II; Adeojo Alexander— Ekiti South West II; Adeloye Adeyinka— Ikole I; Israel Olowo Ajiboye — Oye Constituency II; Fatunbi Olajide J. A —Moba II; Olugbemi Joseph DeleIkole II and Olayinka Modupe Abeni— Ado II. Ajibola read out the names of the three commissioner-nominees which included a former commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in the state during the first term of Mr Ayo Fayose, Mr Owoseni Ajayi; former Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo and former Commissioner for Works,

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Nelson Mandela.

Each time you rise, you rise nearer your goal.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Learning to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you is one of the keys to your happiness —Tom Giaquinto

G

RATITU DE is closely related to happiness (people who feel gratitude on a regular basis self-report being happier), and many studies show, for instance, that happiness is not dependent on income, social position, or age. Researchers have found that some people simply approach their lives with an attitude of thankfulness and some people rarely feel thankful at all, no matter how wealthy, powerful, beautiful, or healthy they may be.

People who approach life with a sense of gratitude are constantly aware of what’s wonderful in their life.

When you are grateful, others like to be around you.

Your appreciation includes and supports them. You help them see the positive elements inherent in daily life, and to feel more hopeful about the possibility of future success.

Mr Kayode Osho.

The house screened and ratified the three commissioner-nominees and granted the governor power to appoint 12 special advisers who are to function as members of the cabinet.

Immediately the confirmations were concluded, Olugbemi adjourned sitting.

This illegality cannot stand — Omirin

In his reaction, the Speaker condemned the action of the seven PDP lawmakers saying “this illegality cannot stand.”

According to the statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, the seven PDP members also attempted to pass resolutions "to ratify the many illegalities of the governor."

He said: “We have heard of this reckless abuse of the constitution from other states like stories in the movies, but today before our very eyes, Governor Fayose provided seven members of PDP with 300 armed mobile policemen complete with armoured vehicles to conduct a plenary in the House of Assembly to approve the reconstitution of the council care-taker committees and confirmation of the commissioner-nominees without the 19 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in attendance.

“The prelude to today’s event was well established, details of which were published in the media.

The first attempt was when they planned to storm the House with thugs to attack APC members with the aid of security agents to change the leadership of the House. The plan was foiled when it leaked. The second attempt was planned at Spotless Hotel owned by Governor Fayose where top members, both in Ekiti and outside Ekiti, met to plan what was carried out this morning. The governor did a follow-up with threats and coercion, including freezing the accounts of the Assembly, cutting of

electricity supply to the Speaker ’s Lodge and stopping statutory votes for the Speaker’s upkeep and Protocol.”

The Speaker said though they did not succeed in changing the leadership of the House because they did not have the numbers, seven members that fell short of the required nine to form a quorum sat to illegally approve the reconstitution of the local government care-taker committees in the state, including confirming the appointments of the commissioner-nominees who were never screened as required by the law.

What the law says

Omirin explained that before the House can sit if the Speaker is not available, by law, majority members will write to the Speaker of the need to sit, saying that if approved, a Speaker protempore is appointed to conduct the business of the day. Besides, he said, Ekiti State House of Assembly does not sit for plenary on Mondays.

His words: “Mondays, according to the House Standing Rule, is for the Parliamentary where reports by members from their constituencies are reviewed and agenda set for the week's sittings at the plenary. But against the rule of the House, seven PDP members led by armed policemen and thugs bundled the Clerk of the Assembly to his office and at gun-point forcefully removed the mace from his office to illegally conduct the plenary where they approved the reconstitution of the care-taker committees in the councils and confirmation of the commissioners.

“To demonstrate that police had interest and were actively involved in this constitutional breach, they used their trucks to block entrances to the Assembly Complex, preventing members of APC who had one business or the other to do in the House of Assembly. Electronics media were prevented from covering the sitting while selected print media reporters were allowed in.”

The Speaker said that all these illegal acts would be challenged in courts.

APC kicks

On its part, the state chapter of the APC accused the state government of supporting the actions of the lawmakers, saying only seven PDP members met and ratified the commissioner nominees.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Taiwo Olatubosun, the party alleged that the state governor, Mr Fayose had backed the lawmakers to perform illegality.

It said: “Our attention has been drawn to the invasion of the Ekiti State House of Assembly (EKHA) this morning by Governor Fayose and his attempt to arm-twist the house to do his bidding to tinker with

the constitution and confer functions on the caretaker chairmen he appointed for the Local Government councils.”

The statement read: “He (Fayose) is forcing his way to inaugurate them in spite of the due legislative process.

In his characteristic manner, Fayose this morning went to the hallowed chamber in company of armed soldiers and policemen, dreadfully garbed, and unleashed terror on innocent assembly workers, forced his way in and compelled his sevenman PDP house members to sit and do his bidding.

“We condemn the act in its entirety and we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to support our clarion call to call Governor Fayose to order. We have not minced words to point out the series of constitutional infringements being committed by Fayose as Ekiti State governor and this is just one in many.

“We are cock-sure that this impunity will not stop. The predictable chaos is here already and we are back to witnessing the reign of terror in Ekiti State.

“We also learned that realising that it would require nine members to form a quorum in a 26member house, Fayose also brought some strange men into the hallowed chamber to impersonate Honourable Assembly members in his attempt at ensuring a constituted quorum.

"We condemn in categorical terms Fayose’s lawlessness and executive recklessness. His bully and arm-twisting tactics know no bounds and he is acting like an emperor who cannot be stopped.”

I’ll not interfere in House matters — Fayose

In his reaction, Governor Fayose said he would not dabble into the affairs of the House of Assembly just as he described the APC as “being hypocritical.”

Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, however, said no speaker was impeached.

Adelusi said: “Our attention has been drawn to the news that the Ekiti State Speaker has been impeached by seven members. Well, I am not supposed to respond to the lies aired purposely to

misinform members of the public because the legislature is another arm of government and whatever they do in their chamber is their business and the executive arm has nothing to do with that.

If they remove their leaders and appoint new ones, that is their business."

Fayose warns new caretaker committee members

Meantime, Governor Fayose has threatened to remove any member of the caretaker management committee found wanting.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti

yesterday during the inauguration of 16 local government caretaker committees, the governor charged them to make the welfare of the people their priority.

Govt sacks political aides of Speaker, deputy Meanwhile, the happenings in the state took a dramatic turn, yesterday, when the state government sacked political office holders attached to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker in Ekiti State House of Assembly with immediate effect and ordered them to hand over all government properties in their possession to the Clerk of the House.

In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, the political appointees dismissed are: Wole Olujobi - Special Adviser (Media) to the Speaker; Ojobamikan Dele - Special Adviser (Political) to the speaker; Lawrence Awelewa Special Adviser (Special Duties) to the speaker; Omirin Wande - Special Assistant to the speaker on Youth Matters; Orija Samuel - Chief of Staff to the Speaker; Sanmi Adeeko - Personal Assistant to the speaker; Taiwo Oluwaleye Special Assistant to the Dep. Speaker on Media Matters; Adedipe Esther - Special Assistant to Majority Leader on Media Matters.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Jan 19 fixed for hearing in Shitta land case

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—JUSTICE Morenike Obadina of a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, has fixed January 19, 2015 for the hearing of applications requesting the court to set aside a judgment delivered by a Lagos High Court over a property situated at 49, Martins Street/ Shitta Street, Lagos.

The claimants, Alhaji Fasasi Adesigbin Oluwole, Afeez Oladimeji Shitta, Alhaja Mutiat Olasumbo Hassan, had filed the suit for themselves and on behalf of the family of late Alhaja Taibat Shitta, Alhaja Hadikat Talabi, Yinka Surajudeen Gafar, Ernest Michael Eriobu and Tunji Taiwo Hassan against Suraju Tairu, alongside eight others, praying the court to declare as nullity a judgment delivered in on February 22, 2010, by Justice O. A. Taiwo.

Other defendants are Ishola Rufai, Jimoh Suberu, Yekini Tairu Olayiwola Kassim, Kaletu Sanni, Chief Ganiu Kayode Talabi, Adisa Bashua (SAN) and Alade Bashua.

‘I specialize in breaking into homes to rape housewives'

By Tina Akannam

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UTSE—JIGAWA State command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, has arrested 30-year-old Umar Mohammed of Sakwaya village in Dutse Local Government Area for breaking into people’s homes to rape their wives.

According to NSCDC, the accused person confessed that he specialized in breaking into people’s houses in the area at midnight to forcibly rape housewives.

Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Muhammad Gidado, who disclosed this while parading the man before the press in his office yesterday, said he had received several complaints about late night rape cases.

He told newsmen that the suspect had admitted to jumping through perimeter fencing to break into homes, not to steal, but to rape women.

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE Navy, yesterday evening, released the journalists and six Itsekiri youths kidnapped by exmilitants in Gbaramatu kingdom on Sunday.

The journalists are Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, Vanguard (Niger Delta); Shola O’neil, Regional Editor, The Nation and his Warri reporter, Bolaji Ogundele; Sola Adebayo, Leadership; Pilunus Odedey, Channels; Omoniyi Alex and Osaro Sado, AIT; Anthony Ebule, Publisher, Fresh Angle and two of his reporters, and Awoso Harry, DBS Warri.

They were detained for six hours by ex-militants and handed over to the military at about 7p.m. on Sunday, but could not be released till around 4p.m., yesterday, due to security clearance.

Emerging facts indicated that the ambush and abduction of the journalists among some Itsekiri youths of Ugborodo in Gbaramatu area, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, was a set up.

The media men had attended a briefing at Ogidigben, the Itsekiri community where the contentious $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, is being sited. They were returning to Warri when armed Ijaw men, in six speedboats, ambushed them at about 1p.m. near Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom.

Vanguard gathered that the invading men ransacked the journalists’ bags, seizing all photo and video cameras, phones, wrist watches and other belongings, before transloading them and their Itsekiri hosts in one of the invasion boats to an unknown camp in the area.

Navy frees 14 journalists, 6 Itsekiri abducted by ex-militants protest, we were not found with guns. When they searched our bags and the entire boats before trans-loading us to one of their boats, they did not find any gun.

“It was 30 minutes after they had taken us to their camp that one of them came with a pistol he claimed was found in one of the bags in the boat whose engine they had damaged and abandoned.

“After about an hour, another ran in again displaying an AK47, which he claimed to have found at an undisclosed point in the captured boat.

“We do not have to speak for anyone. There was no gun found in the boat when they searched the entire boat in our presence.”

‘I was brutalized’

It was further gathered that a correspondent with the Daily Independent, Emma Arubi, was singled out and brutalized by the captors and was forcibly paraded and photographed

carrying the AK-47, which they claimed they recovered from the boat one hour after the journalists were kidnapped.

Arubi said: “They said I was an Itsekiri man and that I have been writing nonsense about them. They severely brutalized me and asked me to join the other Itsekiri boys, who had taken us on the journey.”

After several hours in their camp, the abductors contacted the Nigerian Army and handed over their captive journalists and six of the community guides at about 7p.m. Sunday night.

The Army, thereafter, handed them to men of the Nigerian Navy, NNS Delta, who held them at a House Boat in the area before moving them to their Warri base.

The Navy, while holding the journalists at their Warri base, told the journalists that they needed clearance from the Naval headquarters, Abuja, before releasing them.

‘It was a set up’

Blessing Eyengho, one of the six Ogidigben youths held along with the journalists, said: “It is all a set up. Ijaw held a protest to thwart President Jonathan’s expected visit to perform the groundbreaking for the EPZ. “We were at Ogidigben on Sunday to protest why the President bowed to their wish.

They held us at Kpokpo to set us up.”

It was also gathered that some prominent Gbaramatu leaders contacted some of the journalists when they were being held by their folks.

He added: “We thought being able to hear their leaders would solve the problem. But it was quite a surprise that rather than seeing to our plight, their leaders were asking why we went on that journey and how guns were found in a boat ferrying us.”

Victim’s story

One of the victims said: “We were set up to simply prevent us from covering the event at Ogidigben and to get at the community leaders.

“Barely a week ago, some of us went to Oporoza to cover the threats by Ijaw of Gbaramatu, which aborted President Jonathan’s coming for the EPZ groundbreaking ceremony.

“When we covered their

A woman alleged to have metamorphosed from a strange bird at Ijora, Lagos, yesterday.

NAN PHOTO.

4 killed in Owerri, Abonema bloody attacks

By Chidi Nkwopara & Jimitota Onoyume

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O fewer than four persons were feared dead yesterday in Owerri, Imo State and Abonema in Rivers State, is separate bloody attacks, as several others sustained bullet wounds.

Two of the deceased were killed at Ama Hausa, Owerri, Imo State capital, following a misunderstanding between a Hausa trader and an indigene

of Owerri municipality, while the other two lost their lives in what community sources described as a battle for supremacy by rival cult groups in Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

In Owerri, business activities were hurriedly shut in parts of the capital city, especially along the ever busy Douglas Road, and the adjoining streets, as news of the face-off spread like wild

fire.

The timely arrival of a detachment of armed soldiers and policemen saved what would have snowballed into real inter-tribal conflict in the city.

Although there were several accounts to the incident, one of the stories that made the rounds revealed that the alleged Owerri indigene and his team were in the area to collect the usual daily toll from the Hausa traders, before the

misunderstanding reared its ugly head.

A man from the North, who claimed to have witnessed the inicident, said the Hausa trader, who got unduly incensed by what he called “incessant harassment” by the toll collectors, took his knife and unleashed an attack on the indigene.

The man said the victim quickly grabbed one of the knives on the Hausa man’s table and struck his attacker.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—7

70-yr-old man accused of N42m shares scam

By Ifeanyi Okolie

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Motorists navigating between two articulated trucks that broke down while ascending a slope on Sagamu-Ikorodu Road,

by Winners Bus Stop, Lagos, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Man kills younger brother over fight with wife zIt's devil's handiwork, she says

By CHIDI NKWOPARA

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W E R R I — P A L PA B L E confusion and apprehension have gripped the sleepy rural Umuariam community in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, following the alleged murder of 47-year-old Madukaku Oguh by his elder brother, Aligwekwe Oguh.

An eyewitness account had it that the alleged assailant, who butchered his younger brother with a sharp cutlass, disappeared from the community thereafter.

It was also gathered that the deceased had a frosty relationship with his elder brother and wife before the incident occurred.

A villager, who claimed that she witnessed the ugly incident as it played out but spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, recalled that Aligwekwe’s wife, Mrs. Linda Oguh, was seated at the entrance to the family compound, when Madukaku returned from work.

The eyewitness said: “Linda accused her brother in-law of looking at her suspiciously and started raining abuses on him.

An obviously embarrassed Madukaku called her to order, but she continued the tirade.”

The eyewitness, a female, said when Madukaku could no longer withstand the insult, he allegedly brandished a small knife and threatened to use it against her, if she continued to abuse him.

“Aligwekwe, who was close by, dealt cuts on his brother with a machete,” the woman

recounted.

The deceased was said to have ran away from his brother, but could not go far because of the flow of blood.

She said: “He slumped and started gasping for breath.

Some sympathizers arrived at the scene and rushed him to a nearby hospital. He died not long after.”

The assailant’s wife, who spoke to journalists later, expressed regret over the act,

even as she described it as “the handiwork of the devil.”

Efforts made to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, before going to press failed as his phone was switched off.

Journalist abducted in Abia

By Anayo Okoli

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BA—ABIA State correspondent of the Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspaper, in Umuahia, Mr. Ugochukwu Eke, has been abducted in Aba by kidnappers, who demanded N50 million to release him.

The incident, it was gathered, occurred at about 7:30p.m., while the journalist was

returning to his house.

An eyewitness account has it that Eke was whisked away by a group of boys, who were waiting for him in front of his house, behind Toengine Crescent, off Ovom Road Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State.

The eyewitness said the gunmen forced him into their car, abandoned their victim’s car in front of his gate and sped off to an unknown destination.

It was learned that his wife

and other members of his family, who were inside the compound, were unaware of the unfolding event until an eyewitness informed them much later.

Chief Press Secretary to Abia State governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, and Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffery Ogbonna, in a telephone call and text message, respectively, assured that police would ensure he was released.

4 luxury bus robbers nabbed in Enugu

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU—MEN of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested four armed robbery suspects and a member of the gang that recently robbed passengers in a luxury bus at Obolo-Afor.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement in Enugu, yesterday, that the four armed robbery suspects were arrested through the assistance of Agume police operatives of Kogi State Command.

He said one of the suspects was first arrested, and that following his confession, “the Special Anti Robbery Squad,

SARS, operatives stormed Iwollo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, where some of his gang members were arrested for robbing at 9th Mile in Udi Local Government Area.

“Four camouflage uniforms, believed to be that of the force; National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, uniform; one locallymade single-barrelled gun and five cartridges have been recovered.”

One dead, as hoodlums clash in Osun

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—ONE person was, yesterday, feared dead, while many people were injured and property destroyed during clashes between rival groups of hoodlums at Ede in Osun State.

It was gathered that crisis

erupted when a middle-aged man, simply identified as Elemo, said to be the leader of a gang, called Atapara Base, was allegedly attacked and killed in his residence at Ikolaba Area of the town in the early hours of yesterday.

The development sparked clashes in many parts of Ede.

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is currently interrogating a 70-year-old man, Adebola Asiwaju, who is allegedly a member of a notorious fraud syndicate, that specializes in fraudulently selling of unsuspecting investors’ shares.

The suspect, who was arrested by police and handed over to EFCC, met his waterloo when he allegedly attempted to fraudulently sell the shares of one Olalere Sunday Oladosu.

Spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that the suspect allegedly forged documents and opened a bank account in a new generation bank, with the assumed name of “Olalere Sunday Oladosu.”

“His accomplices are still at large. Other names that Asiwaju has used in fraudulent shares’ sale include Babajide Odunso and Chief Bolaji Carew.

“The suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation in concluded,” the EFCC scribe added.

Lagos traders debunk allegation of intimidation

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RADERS at Aguiyi Ironsi International Trade Centre Traders Association at Ladipo market, Lagos have debunked the claim of police intimidation in the market, noting that the market was devoid of rancour after the traders conducted free and fair election.

The traders said the petition to Senate President over a female Commissioner of Police using her influence to deprive them means of livelihood was false and a ploy to cause trouble.

Chairman of the association, Mr. Cyril Onyemaechi, said police presence was for the protection of lives and property as requested by the traders after Lagos State government intervened and restored peace after seven years of crises in the market.

8 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Tambuwal withdraws suit seeking restoration of security aides

Al Makura imposes curfew as fresh fighting breaks out in Lafia

By Abel Daniel

...AGF kicks, urges court to award costs against speaker

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BUJA—THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday withdrew his suit challenging the withdrawal of his security details by the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba.

The IGP had withdrawn the speaker ’s security aides following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressive Congress, APC. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, Mr. Tambuwal’s counsel, Tunji Abayomi, brought an application for discontinuance of the suit.

Mr. Abayomi informed the court that he was instructed by the speaker to make the withdrawal.

The counsel to the IGP and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Ade Okeaya-Inneh, however opposed the application, and urged the court to dismiss the entire suit and award costs against Tambuwal.

He argued that parties had joined issues in the case by filing counter affidavits and filing replies on the merits of the suit.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in his ruling, struck out the suit accordingly.

The judge held that the defence counsel only responded to the preliminary motion for injunction to restrain the IGP from withdrawing his security details and not the motion on notice.

He, therefore, made no order as to costs.

Tambuwal had argued that the IGP had no constitutional powers to withdraw his security details without the order of a court.

He had also contended that he remained the Speaker of the House of Representatives since he had not been impeached by his fellow lawmakers.

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AFIA—GOVERNOR Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state yesterday imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, after deadly clashes broke out with at least one death reported.

The curfew will be between the hours of 6p.m. and 6a.m.

According to Yakubu Lamai, the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor. Mr. Lamai said that the curfew will ensure that people do not leave their communities to attack others elsewhere. “What we mean is that people can move in their own areas but should not cross over to other areas that are not theirs and this is only applicable to Lafia the state capital alone,” Mr. Lamai said.

No fewer than 15 houses and shops belonging to Eggons and a Methodist church building were set ablaze yesterday by some irate youths of Kwandara and Kamberi at Tudun Gwandara area of Lafia.

The angry youths took to the street armed with guns and other dangerous weapons in Lafia early yesterday when rumour went round that Eggon people were going to launch a counter-attack on Lafia town.

The angry youths carried out a serial burning of over 15 houses and shops belonging to Eggon living in the area starting with a five bed room bungalow owned by Eggon national youth president.

The ongoing crisis in Lafia, the state capital was a spillover of Fulani attack on Alakyo

village where the spiritual priest of the Ombatse militia group was said to have been killed last Sunday. Though Eggon leaders have debunked the allegation saying “Baba Alakyo is alive”.

At the time of compiling this report it was difficult to determine the casualty figure as some eye witnesses alleged that 10 dead bodies were seen being conveyed to the specialist Hospital in Lafia. Some youths were seen being rushed to the hospital with cutlass wound.

Tension remained high as the two main markets as well schools and public offices were shut

yesterday in the state capital.

People were also seen in large numbers at motor parks moving out of Lafia.

Governor Tanko Almakura was alleged to have left the state capital at about 2;30pm in company of armed security personnel to Abuja for safety, though some people claimed that he was going to condole with some victims who were hit by the crisis in Shabu the headquarters of Lafia North development area.

The police public relation ASP Ugochukuwu Theodore confirmed the incident but said the force cannot determine the

casualty figure immediately. He however said that more than five persons have been arrested in and assured that the situation would soon be brought under control as men and officers of the command have been detailed to the affected area.

Gunmen had on Sunday attacked Alakyo village, which is the ancestral home of the spiritual leader of Ombatse militia Lega Agu also known as Baba Alakyo.

Alakyo is the village where over 89 Nigerian security operatives were killed last year by the Ombatse militia group.

MICRO CREDIT: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (2nd right) his wife, Roli (right) conducting Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele (2nd left) round the exhibition ground of some products of Delta State Micro Credit scheme during the official roll out of the CBN Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) fund held in Asaba, yesterday.

BOKO HARAM: Ministers of Education ignore #BBOG protesters ByLaide Akinboade

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BUJA—THE Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and his Minister of State counterpart, Prof.

Mrs Viola Onwuliri,yesterday, ignored the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners, who staged a protest at the the ministry over the killing of school children

by Boko Haram in the North East.

The protesters, who got to the Ministry of Education around 4: 10pm didn’t leave the ministry until around 5:45pm, when the two Ministers of Education failed to come out and address them.

They alleged that the Ministers were in their offices but refused to meet them.

The group eventually pasted all the placards they carried at

the gate of the ministry.

Some of the placards read “Stop killing our children, they are leaders of tomorrow ”; “Enough of carnage in the North”; “Nigeria mourns Potiskum boys”; “where is your soul Nigeria?”; “Nigeria protect your children”, “School is for learning not a killing field”; “Murdering a child is like stealing a future”; and “We love our children”.

The protesters who were in tears, said the schools are places of knowledge not a killing field, they therefore called on the Federal government to act now. They tasked the government to ensure the protection of children in all the schools because the killings are too much.

They said, “Our children are all dying and it can be anybody’s child. The children need to know

that they belong to a country; we send our children to learn but what we get back are bodies of our children, this is unfair.

“Why were the children left alone without any security?. It is imperative for the nation to protect our children. Nobody deserves to die the way the 47 children in Potiskum were killed

by Boko Haram bomb”.

According to the statement that was read by Mr. Olatunji Olanrewaju, a member of BBOG, they raised alarm over the number of children that have been killed so far by Boko Haram.

They tasked the federal government to ensure the safety of schools in the country.

The statement reads, “On February 26 this year, 59 of our sons were killed at the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi; and more than 35 at the Government Technical Science

College, Potiskum on November 10, in Yobe State. ''On November 12, while we were still mourning our Yobe children, a female suicide bomber struck at the Federal College of Education in Niger State. These figures are not inclusive of the hundreds of children who have been killed since the wake of insurgency in Nigeria. ''Losing our children in such numbers and in this manner is cause for alarm and brings to question the efforts, if any, that are being put in place to ensure the security and safety of our schools and children.

“These devastating attacks are coming at a critical time when verifiable reports have confirmed that millions of Nigerian children are out of school, with the numbers being highest in the North East.''

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—9

By Babajide Komolafe

T

HE news of the austerity measures rolled out by the Federal Government yesterday triggered further appreciation of the Naira in the interbank foreign exchange market, and increase in interbank lending rates.

Data from the Financial Market Quotes (FMDQ) show that the Naira depreciated by N1.05 kobo in the interbank foreign exchange rate as the interbank exchange rate rose to N173.25 to the dollar from N172.2 last Friday.

The Data also showed marked increase in cost of lending in the interbank money market. Cost of Overnight lending rose by two percent to 12.96 percent, while cost of collateralized lending rose by 1.71 percent to N12.5 percent.

Market sources attribute the depreciation of the naira and increase in interbank lending rates to the reaction to the austerity measures announced on Sunday by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Recalled that the federal government on Sunday announced austerity measures aimed at insulating the economy from fall in crude oil prices. The include reduction in the crude oil price benchmark for 2015 budget to $73 per barrel from $78, introduction of Luxury Good tax, and restrction on foreign travels and training for civil servants.

According to an analyst in the research unit of one of the banks,

Austerity measures provoke naira depreciation, spike in interbank rates the measures are being interpreted to mean there are bad times ahead and people should make necessary preparations. He said the sentiments in the market is that the CBN does not have the resources to defend the Naira and hence the naira would continue to depreciate.

The Federal Government had on Sunday introduced some austerity measures and scaled down the crude oil bench mark for the 2015 budget, which is designed to insulate the economy from falling crude oil prices.

The government announced far-reaching policy measures to deal with the crashing crude oil prices, cutting 2015 oil benchmark from $78 to $73 per barrel.

Crude oil prices dropped to $77.76 per barrel, some cents below the $78 earlier proposed to the National Assembly as bench mark for the 2015 budget.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala told journalists in Abuja that the decision to cut revenue projection was part of measures designed to maintain economic stability, boost non-oil revenues further, plug loopholes and waste, as well as cut unnecessary

expenditures in order to cope with the situation.

Keeping to her earlier warning that the government will soon introduce measures to protect the economy she said: “As part of the response to falling oil prices, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the

Budget 2015 proposal to the National Assembly have been revised. Government is now proposing a benchmark of $73 per barrel to the National Assembly compared to the earlier proposed benchmark of $78.

She said, “Given the nature of the oil market, we needed to see the extent and trend of the oil price in

AGM: From left; New Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, John O’Keefe; Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Babatunde Savage and former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Seni Adetu during its 64th Annual General Meeting held in Calabar, yesterday.

Patients suffer as health workers' strike bites harder ... Striking workers dismiss FG’s circular on no-pay policy; vow to continue ...Only emergency cases attended to

By Chioma Obinna &

Gabriel Olawale

S

IX days into the industrial action embarked by health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, only emergency cases are being attended to in all Federal Government-owned health institutions nationwide.

Meanwhile, the striking workers have dismissed a circular on ‘no work no pay policy’ issued by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Patience Osinubi as illegal, vowing to resist any attempt by anyone to discriminate against the workers.

The strike, which started on the November 12th, was to press home their 10-point demands.

A visit by Vanguard to some of the Federal Government health institutions revealed frustrations on the faces of patients who turned up at the various hospitals.

At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, a few

patients were seen hanging around the premises while most of the clinics were empty and devoid of healthcare activities.

At the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos, NOHIL, a few outpatients were seen at the out-patient unit.

Some of the patients who spoke to Vanguard claimed they were not aware of the strike. According to them, “the strike is so frustrating after travelling from afar to access health care only to be told that the health workers were on strike.

“We were told that only emergency cases will be attended to,” a woman, who identified herself as Mrs Nsiofor said. According to Nsiofor, she came all the way from Ifo to follow up on a broken femur which she sustained in a road accident a year ago.

The situation was not different in Psychiatric hospital Yaba and Federal

order to take the right measures.

Panic is not a strategy. ''It’s important that our strategies are based on facts and a clear understanding of both the strengths of the economy and the challenges posed by the drop in oil prices which is currently at $79 for our premium Bonny Light Crude.”

Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, where workers were directed to leave and most of the offices were under lock and key since the strike started.

No retreat, no surrender — Workers

Reacting to the situation at LUTH, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutes, SSAUTHRAI, Kehinde Adegoke, the LUTH chapter said the workers have vowed to continue the strike until the Federal Government meets their 10-point demands which they have implement only one.

According to him, it is unfortunate that the workers and the government have been on the same issue since 2009.

The SSAUTHRAI boss said: “It makes no sense because we have been on the same phase since 2009 and even the skipping we were able to get through industrial court judgement the government have not been able to pay the arrears. ''See NAFDAC now, they

have refused to implement even the skipping. We are ready to return to work if the implement them. If not we will remain on strike. We cannot be going back and front every time.”

Workers dismiss FG’s circular on no-pay policy Reacting to the circular issued by the Director of Hospital Services, Dr. Patient Oshinubi, the Vice National President of JOHESU, Com Felix Faniran dismissed the circular describing it as “unconstitutional and illegal”.

Faniran who faulted the capacity of the director to issue such a circular said: “It is a miscarriage of justice and done in bad faith, therefore it cannot be implemented. If it is implemented in any institution, the strike will continue until it is withdrawn.

“First, my Union suspected that the circular was not authorised because it was not even signed by the Honourable Minister of Health, it is written by that Director herself. If it was a matter of industrial relation or labour matter, it supposed to be handled by the

department of human resources not the office of the director of hospital services.''

“We have replied them and ask if Dr. Osinubi who is a medical doctor issued the same circular to NMA when they went on strike between July and August this year? Now if they didn’t, why now? That is the discrimination we are talking about in the ministry of health.

Therefore, we are saying any discrimination is unconstitutional. ''She has no power to issue such circular, when you look at the content of the letter she said our union is illegal and unconstitutional which means she is ignorant of the law. That is not correct; our union is registered, so she is not qualified to issue such circular.''

Strike has put a lot of burden on doctors – ARD President In a chat, President of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD-NOHIL, Dr. Akintayo Akindele said although, medical practitioners are working; only emergency cases were being attended to. Similarly, doctors are attending to cases on admission in the wards. “We medical doctors are working but other health workers are not working,” he said.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Concerned Lagosians fault suit against Obanikoro

By Charles Kumolu

A

FORUM, Group of C o n c e r n e d Lagosians, has described the litigation instituted against a governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, as an indication that some party chieftains are scared that he would record a landslide victory at the primaries.

The group also said the move was done to ensure that a preferred aspirant emerges as the gubernatorial candidate.

A statement by GCL Coordinator, Mr. Olayinka Sotade, noted that Obanikoro has no dual citizenship as being alleged in the law suit.

His words: “The latest in their character assassination game is a flimsy lawsuit seeking to bar Senator Obanikoro from the polls based on a concocted accusation of dual citizenship.”

FG, APC asked to stop blame-game over Boko Haram

By Ikenna Asomba

H

UMAN rights group, the Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa, CDGA, has called on the Federal Government and All Progressives Congress, APC, to deliberate on new approaches of tackling the Boko Haram menace, noting that trading blames is no solution.

The Director-General of CDGA, Dr. Dafe Akpocha, spoke on the heels of its forthcoming 2014 Annual Global Award/Lecture themed Achieving Sustainable Democratic Dividends at the Grassroots: A Function of Purpose-Driven Leadership,” holding November 18.

Akpocha said the challenges would be worse if leaders, politicians and the populace refused to put all hands on deck.

FG seeks fresh extension of emergency rule

By Ben Agande & Abdulwahab Abdulah

T

HE Federal Government will send a fresh request to the National Assembly for the renewal of the state of emergency in the three north eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, meaning the extraordinary measures will likely be in force for February polls.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, told journalists after a meeting of the National Defence Council that the

request would be sent to the National Assembly ‘immediately,’ though the House of Representatives is on recess.

He said: “We just reviewed the state of emergency declared in three states and government will be requesting the National Assembly to grant an extension.”

Adoke said the extension request will likely be given to lawmakers today, which must be approved by a majority in the House of Representatives and Senate.

Those in attendance at the NDC meeting were the Chief

of Defence Saff, chiefs of Army, Air Force and Navy, Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and National Security Adviser.

This is the third time the President would seek the extension of emergency rule in the three states after the initial declaration of state of emergency.

Though the state of emergency had been extended twice, Boko Haram attacks in the three affected states have remained unrelenting, culminating in the occupation of some towns and villages by the terrorists group.

Chairman of Independent National Electoral

CONSULTATION: From left— Chief Funsho Ologunde, Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State; Chief Kemi Nelson, APC National Women Leader, South-West; Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, APC Lagos State governorship aspirant; Mr. Bayo Odulana, former member, House of Representatives; Chief Ebenezer Akinbolade, former Lagos State Commissioner for Training and Establishment, and Dr. Adeshola Taiwo, during Ambode’s visit to the Ikeja, Ojodu and Onigbongbo Local Government areas, yesterday.

MONEY LAUNDERING: Court acquits Fani-Kayode on 38 of 40 counts wordings of the charge, it was prototype of the two species of

By Innocent Anaba

A

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, partly upheld a no-case submission by former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and acquitted him of 38 out of 40 counts of money laundering charges.

Fani-Kayode was charged on an amended 40 countcharge, bordering on the alleged offence by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, discharged and acquitted the accused of the 38 counts, while ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defence on behalf of the accused.

The court partly upheld the no-case submission of the defence, noting that it succeeds in part. The court ordered that the accused enters a defence in respect of counts 25 and 26.

The court held that from the

clear that they were basically set out in two formats, with counts one to 33 of the same format, while other counts of different formats.

The judge held: “For ease of reference, I shall set out counts one and 33 only, being

the counts; the distinction is for the basis of convenience.

“In one format, the accused was alleged to have paid the amount into his account, while in the other, he was alleged to have paid it into the account of a third party.”

SYNAGOGUE: Court dismisses suit to stop inquest

By Innocent Anaba

A

Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, dismissed the suit seeking to stop the ongoing inquest into the collapsed Synagogue building.

Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, described the suit as lacking merit, and accordingly, dismissed same.

It will be recalled that on September 12, a six-story building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed in Lagos, killing over 100 people most of whom were foreigners, with

several others injured.

The Lagos State government had on September 26, constituted a coroner’s court to unravel the circumstances leading to the incidence, while Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe was appointed coroner.

A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, however, went to court, seeking an order restraining further inquest, pending the determination of the suit.

Respondents in the suit were the Lagos State government, the Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Ade Ipaye, and Magistrate Komolafe.

Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, had said last month he believed voting would be possible in all but a few areas of the north-east, specifically mentioning parts of Borno State.

All Progressives Congress, APC, has estimated that the three affected states are home to about five million voters.

Sagay reacts

Meanwhile, eminent lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) yesterday lamented that the Nigerian Armed Forces have not been very decisive in the fight against insurgency.

Reacting to the proposed request by the President to seek extension of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states for the third time, Sagay said it had become a mystery that Nigerian Armed Forces, which quelled insurgency in Africa and other parts of the world, find it impossible to successfully repel the insurgents in their own country.

He said: “The emergency declaration has not achieved its desired effect because there is no sufficient vigour and drive on the part of both Federal Government and the Armed Forces.

“They did not make full use of the authority given to them under the emergency provision, particularly Section 11 of the Constitution.”

... as cleric assures on end to insurgency

By Godfrey Bivbere

A

cleric, the Iba District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Dan Olumefun, has said that the problem of insecurity in the country will soon be over.

Olumefun, who said this in Lagos at the 3rd convocation of the district held at its headquarters at Iba Estate, said he is confidence of an end to the problem because of the prayers of Nigerians.

He noted that as Christians, they can not carry weapons to confront the attackers because the actual battle is in the spiritual realm.

According to him, “very soon the issue of Boko Haram will become a thing of the past in this country in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—11

Soyinka suggests monument in memory of Chibok girls

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—NOBEL Laureate, Emeritus Professor Wole Soyinka, yesterday, said if Nigeria had a genuine leadership, it would not be in the mess it has found itself, adding that the country should raise a monument for the missing Chibok girls.

He said this at the 66th foundation day anniversary and 2014 convocation ceremonies which held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

Though the erudite scholar scored the Federal Government low in its efforts at bringing back the girls who were abducted on April14, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, insisted that his administration was on top of the situation.

Prof. Soyinka, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree of letters along with others, said the activities of the insurgents had cast a shadow of intimidation on Nigerians.

Others who were awarded with the honorary doctorate degrees included Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN), who got Doctor of Law (LL.D); Emeritus Theophilus Ogunlesi was honoured with Doctor of Science (D.Sc), and Emeritus Tekena Tamuno was awarded Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) and a business tycoon was honoured with Doctor of Science.

Soyinka, who spoke on behalf of other awardees said:

“Yes, it is a festive occasion.

But, we are here and we know we are sitting under a cloud, it’s a very heavy cloud. It is a cloud of embarrassment, of shame, a feeling of dereliction or solemn irresponsibility towards children. We are sitting here under a cloud of impotence, of a calamity that was not without notice. You all know why we are all here. It is in the course of learning and till death we will not stop learning. It is all about learning and that is what life is all about. We never stop learning.”

Describing the abduction of

the Chibok girls as “a hovering indictment on all of us as a nation”, he said, “this cloud is made up of a sense of humiliation. We sent our children out on an errand and they did not come back. The errand on which we sent them is what we are celebrating today. This is what creates this festive atmosphere. Though it is a festive mood, but our young protagonists went on that errand, we gathered them together in preparation for this day and they never came back.

It is something we can never allow our souls to forget.

“Let us remain faithful to our

temple of knowledge by safeguarding its moralities. It is the morality that engages us in the protection of the future.

"The temple of knowledge is dedicated to a very simple expression, the pursuit of truth. It doesn’t matter whether we are herbalists, Buddhists, Hindus or Christians. There is only one sanctuary that is open to all of us and it is the temple of learning.

“It is a festive occasion and I am not ready to cast a pall on it. I wish I could be among you celebrating over and over again."

DINNER: From left: Former Pro-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; his wife, Lara; President Ibadan Business School, Yinka Fasuyi; his wife, Bisi and Oloye Lekan Alabi, at a dinner in honour of Chief Olanipekun, on the conferment on him of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree by the University of Ibadan, organised by the President, Ibadan Business School, in Ibadan, Sunday.

Tribunal admits duplicates of Osun governorship election results

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday held that the duplicate of results of the election in 17 local government areas under contention tendered by the petitioner through its witness be admitted in evidence.

The tribunal also rejected the application by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, to move a motion to call additional witnesses without reply by Governor Rauf Aregbesola and other respondents.

The tribunal, however, deferred ruling on the

admissibility of the documents tendered by the petitioners till the judgement day.

Omisore and the PDP are challenging the election of Aregbesola and All Progressives Congress, APC, before the Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal, while the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is joined as the third respondent in the matter.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime, ruled that the EC8A forms which are the results of election for the contended 17 local government areas tendered by the first PDP witness, Mr. Bola Ajao, the state secretary of the party, be admitted in evidence and marked as exhibits without

prejudice to the objections raised by the three respondents.

Counsel to Governor Aregbesola, the first respondent, Mr Segun Ajibola, SAN, had earlier argued that the documents sought to be tendered by the witness were neither certified nor stamped.

Also, counsel to both APC and INEC, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Mr Ayodele Ogunleye, respectively, observed that the tendered documents are aliens to the witness, as he made no reference to them in his deposition and urged the tribunal to dismiss them.

But counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Chris Uche, SAN, prayed that the applications made by

the respondents seeking to reject the documents be dismissed, saying the court had in a similar case resolved that all documents relevant to an election petition are admissible.

Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing of the petition, counsel to the petitioners, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, informed the tribunal that he had filed a motion concerning his intention to call additional witness, whom he described as expert.

He conceded that though respondents have right to reply to the motion, but argued that since he had informed the tribunal before, he should be allowed to move the motion.

Obasanjo destroyed students’ unionism in Nigeria —Bakare

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA—THE Convener, Save Nigeria Group, and General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has accused a ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo of destroying students’ unionism when he held sway as military Head of State in 1978.

Bakare also condemned the conferment of the title, Defender of Democracy, on Obasanjo in 2005 by the student body, saying student unionism has been hijacked by never do wells.

He stated this yesterday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at this year’s anniversary of the International Day of Students held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto.

Bakare said Obasanjo used brute force to repress students during the famous “Ali Must Go" protest where some students lost their lives.

Delivering a paper titled, Good Governance: Sustainability of Democracy, the Role of Students in the Forthcoming General Election, Bakare traced the history of student unionisn from the colonial days saying the body was dealt a fatal blow in 1978.

He said: “General Obasanjo’s government ordered the brutal suppression of that protest. Live bullets were fired at protesting students.

“As we proceeded outside Unilag’s main gate, I narrowly escaped death as Akintunde Ojo, the young man standing just beside me, was gunned down.

“Through that incident, Obasanjo carved his name on marble as a villain of democracy.

“I did not mince words when opportunity presented itself in November 1978 when I pointed to his face, ‘This government possesses power without compassion, might without morality and strength without sight’.

“Nevertheless, student unionism in Nigeria today is in a sorry state."

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Traditional institution, bedrock of Nigeria's democracy —Ozekhome

EPZ CRISIS: Ugborodo threatens to stop oil, gas production in Escravos

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—FOLLOWING President Goodluck Jonathan’s aborted groundbreaking for the $16 billion Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in Ogidigben, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, a community leader in Ugborodo, Mr. Isaac Botosan, has said that the Ugborodo people were left with no option than to stop the production of oil and gas at both the Chevron Terminal and Escravos Gas To Liquid hosted by the community.

Botosan, also a member of the Ugborodo EPZ Interface Committee, spoke in Warri, just as Iteskiri youths, led by Esimaje Awani, reacted to the aborted groundbreaking in a protest staged at the gate of the palace of the Olu of Warri.

He said: “If violence and threats are the only language President Jonathan understands, he must be reminded that these attributes are not the exclusive preserve of one ethnic group. The land Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan acquired, as the law required, for the EPZ was entirely from Ugborodo. There was no encroachment on any Ijaw land.

“The President is aware and that was why he met with the Ugborodo people and the Delta State Government to fix

Friday for the groundbreaking. If, because of unjustified threat by one individual the President decides to eat his word and call off the planned ceremony, Ugborodo people are also ready to play the tune of violence.

“The Escravos Terminal and Escravos Gas To Liquid projects are right at our door posts. We contribute over 35 percent of Nigeria’s

commonwealth and deserve some regard from the President. If he fails to do the needful by performing the groundbreaking, there will be no basis to allow continued oil and gas production at the Chevron fields in our homes.

We will halt operations.

Nobody should dare us.”

Meanwhile, Esimaje Awani, who spoke on behalf of the Itsekiri youth protesters, yesterday, said the President,

by his action, will also lose the support of the Iteskiri people in his second term bid unless he rescinds his decision and performs the foundation laying for the contentious EPZ project.

Reacting on behalf of the Ijaw of Gbaramatu over yesterday ’s protest, Paul Bebenimibo advised the Itsekiri to desist from throwing perceived insults on the President.

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

PRESENTATION: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (left) presenting the 2015 budget to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson, at the Assembly complex, Yenagoa.

....As indigenes count losses T

RADITIONAL rulers, community leaders and indigenes of Ugborodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have expressed disappointment over President Goodluck Jonathan's postponement of the ground breaking of the multi-billion dollars Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project scheduled for last week in Ogidigben, describing same as shocking.

The Eghare-Aja (traditional Prime Minister) of Ugborodo community, Eghare Ojogor, said they were not happy over the sudden decline by the President to keep a date with the community after they had committed a lot of human and material resources to plan for the hosting of the groundbreaking.

He said: “It is unbelievable that the President waited till the last minute to change his mind on coming to Ugborodo to perform the groundbreaking of the gas project. We have committed

very much to the event. What that means is that all the efforts put in place by the community were a waste. Anyway, we will not give up yet. I am still very optimistic that the President will pick another date to perform this duty in our community.”

Another prominent son of the community, the Olaja-Orori

of Ugborodo, said he was particularly disturbed about the development and faulted the rationale behind the President’s decision to postpone the commissioning of the gas project.

Lamenting the President’s last minute change of mind on the commissioning, Chairman of the 21-member EPZ

Interface Committee, Mr. Austin Oboroegbeyi, said that the Ugborodo people felt disappointed that the threat by the Ijaw could deter the President from performing his executive function on the much expected ground breaking ceremony of a major project as the EPZ that was designed to benefit the nation.

CBN grants N2bn for SMEs in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, rolled out a N2 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, Development Fund in Delta State as part of its effort to alleviate poverty in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony in Asaba, the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefieli, said that the Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, credit

funds were recognised worldwide as a catalyst for poverty alleviation, job creation and all-inclusive economic growth.

Emefieli noted that the fund was introduced by the apex bank to help address challenges facing SMEs in the country, adding: “The fund is meant to help those entrepreneurs with brilliant business ideas but lacking the necessary funds to succeed.”

Enjoining the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the

fund, he said: “This is not a free grant but a loan that must be repaid. I encourage you to try as much as possible to cultivate good credit habit because this is the only way you can come back to ask for more.

“When you need a job you can’t find any; you will turn to your natural abilities and use them to create a job for yourself and others. We have structured these funds to ensure that they can be accessed by those who need

ENIN —HUMAN rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has said that the nation’s traditional institution was the secret behind the level of development the country had attained so far.

He said that the nation’s democracy would have crumbled but for the solid traditional institution which, according to him, had been able to curtail the excesses of overzealous politicians.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin shortly after completing the ceremonies and rituals that now make him a palace chief in Benin Kingdom, Ozekhome who attributed his success to the media and commended what he described as the fatherly role being played in the country by the Oba of Benin, said: “I Feel exhilarated and elated.

This is what Chinua Achebe will call growing like a yam tendril in the rainy season. I am grateful to the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Erediauwa, for giving me this honour, a non-Bini person, deeming me worthy not just to be a son and scion of Benin Kingdom but to be a high chief and belong to the highest group in Benin Kingdom that represents the Oba anywhere in the world as an ambassador.

“I will continuously remain grateful to our traditional institution because without traditional rulers such as our Oba of Benin, we don’t know where Nigeria would have been today."

them the most, rather than those who are simply privileged to occupy important positions in government.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, in his address, appreciated the CBN for the fund, noting that the state government would pay the nine percent interest amounting to about N180 million on behalf of the beneficiaries.

He added that the loan was a brainchild of Emefieli's leadership at the CBN.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—13

DTHA workers threaten strike over unpaid allowances

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—WORRIED by what it described as the insensitivity of the leadership of Delta State House of Assembly to the plight of its members, the state chapter of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, has given the House a seven-day ultimatum over unpaid allowances.

PASAN threatened to go on strike if its demands were not met.

The union, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. McCartney Obrotu, said: “The congress of PSAN met on November 11, 2014 and deliberated on the matters arising from earlier ultimatum issued on October 14, 2014 with the following demands: annual wardrobe allowance; training and retraining of staff; staff promotion and car and housing loans.

"As at today, only five percent of our demands had been met and congress, therefore,

resolved as follows: that seven days notice be further given for its demands to be met in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Dispute Act of Nigeria.

“At the expiration of this notice, the union shall embark on three days warning strike.”

Contacted, the leadership of

the state House of Assembly appealed to the state Chapter of PASAN, to exercise restraint in pursuit of its demands.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Johnson Erijo, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, however, said in an interview that all the demands

of the Assembly workers union were genuine.

Erijo said that most of the demands had been approved

by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, but paucity of funds presently being experienced in the state had continued to hinder the implementation of the approvals.

SUBMISSION OF FORMS: Dagogo-Jack (left) and Mr. Nyesom Wike, at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, during the submission of their forms for the 2015 elections in Rivers State.

Uboh faults allegations of skewed PDP ward congress in Delta malpractice in the exerBy Joseph Erunke

D

ELTA North senatorial aspirant, Mr. Doris Uboh, has denied allegations of bias levelled against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan by some gubernatorial aspirants that the recent ward delegates congresses were skewed to favour an aspirant.

Uboh, herself a former member of the House of Representatives, challenged the aspirants to cite one example of

cise as she noted that all stakeholders including herself were carried along by the governor ahead of the ward congresses.

Uboh also flayed agitations for automatic tickets by members of the National Assembly, saying that it was a great disservice to democracy.

“The governor has handled it very well. We did exactly what we were supposed to do and we have our delegates in place."

Medical doctor, three others sacked over alleged insubordination Chief Medical Director

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—FEDERAL Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, near Benin City, Edo State, has sacked a medical doctor and three other workers over alleged insubordination.

The affected workers include a medical consultant, Dr. Ambrose Lawani, Kennedy Oriakhi, a Pharmacist, Mr. O. Ugiagbe-Ogbeide and Mr. Theophilus Osifo, a Senior Accountant.

of the hospital, Dr. Sunny Olotu, who confirmed the development said two other staff of the institution, Dr. Charles Ikeji and Ms O. U. Morgan, were suspended by the Management board of the hospital “with recourse to laid down rules and procedures."

The CMD explained that the duo of Ikeji and Morgan were suspended because they had been “investigated by the police and are currently in court over alleged felony.”

Delta IPP still on course —Ochei

By Charels Kumolu

A

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, in Delta State, Chief Victor Ochei, yesterday, dismissed as mischievous and misleading, allegations that he abandoned the state Independent Power Project, IPP, noting that the contract was not awarded to him.

At a briefing, he said that contrary to allegations that the project at Ogharaeki was abandoned, his enquiries on its status showed that the IPP was on course.

He said: “I don’t have any interest in Davnotch Nigeria Limited any more. Before I went into politics I divested my interest from the company and I have no direct or remote control of the activities of the company.

Even before I left the company I knew it was competent and also met the technical requirement to handle the project."

2015: Edeyibo’s DTHA ambition gets boost

T

HE aspiration of Mr. Ojere Edeyibo, Special Adviser to the former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, to represent Warri South 1 Constituency, in Delta State House of Assembly, on the platform of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, got a boost, weekend, as a sociopolitical group, United Daudu Progressive Movement, UDPM, insisted that Edeyibo remained the most experienced candidate from the constituency to occupy the position in 2015.

In a statement by the coordinators of the group, Dere Cheke and Peter Owumi, they urged the PDP to give Edeyibo the ticket to represent the constituency, in the state Assembly.

They said: “Edeyibo is the most experienced man to represent the constituency in 2015 in the state Assembly."

14— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Chime, Kalu, others mourn death of Nwobodo’s son

PDP imports mercenaries to register in Edo, alleges Oshiomhole

By Austin Ogwuda & Francis Igata

Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has accused some politicians in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state of importing mercenaries to register in some wards to boost their numbers for the forthcoming elections.

Speaking, yesterday, after monitoring the ongoing Continuous Voter ’s Registration Exercise at Ward 10, Iyamho, Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state, Oshiomhole said bus-loads of mercenaries were imported into the state and were given cover by suspected soldiers.

He said: “I have heard that some politicians are bringing in people from neighbouring states and I find that very strange. I was told that somewhere in Uromi, a PDP leader brought in soldiers to provide escort while they brought in people with buses from neighbouring states to register in one of the wards."

G

O V E R N O R SULLIVAN Chime of Enugu State, and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, have expressed shock over the death of Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, first son of the first civilian governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo.

Governor Chime in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretar y, Chukwudi Achife, described the death as “painful, sad and tragic”.

He described the late Nwobodo as vibrant and hardworking young man who devoted his life to the service of the state, regretting that he died in the prime of his youth.

The governor conveyed his condolences to the deceased’s father, Chief Nwobodo and his other dependants, urging them to take solace in the fact that he lived well and impacted positively on his

IMOKE: Stakeholders

tackle Duke, Ndoma-Egba

E

LDERS AND Concerned Stakeholders of the Southern senatorial zone of the Peolpes Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, lambasted the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke and Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomEgba for what they described as their deprecatory campaign against the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.

Addressing newsmen in Calabar, the elders and stakeholders, drawn from the Southern senatorial district of the state, said they would no longer continue to be indifferent to what they called the macabre dance and destructive campaign being orchestrated by Donald Duke and Ndoma-Egba against Governor Imoke.

The elders, who took a swipe at what they described as desperate

and febrile attempt by Duke and his cohorts to foist a governorship aspirant on the people of the state, warned that not again would they allow them to have their way.

Professor Nya Asuquo, who spoke on behalf of the group, said: “We as Senior Citizens of Cross River State and members of the PDP in our respective rights cannot be indifferent to the macabre dance and campaign of calumny and destruction orchestrated by Donald Duke, the Senate Leader, Victor Ndom-Egba and their cohorts.

“It saddens us that these people who have benefited the most from the good people of Cross River State are now the very same people bent on dragging the state back to the Stone Age because they believe they must always have their way, no matter what happens to the rest of the populace.”

environment in his lifetime.

Kalu, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, said, “I was devastated when I heard the news of the untimely death of Dr. Nwobodo. As a father, I know how painful it is to

lose not just a loved one but a first son. However, who are we to question God? My heart, love and thoughts are with the entire Chief Nwobodo family at this mournful time. May the good Lord grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Late Nwobodo junior, a

medical doctor by profession was a former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Enugu State. He reportedly died of cancer at Niger Foundation hospital Enugu, on Friday after returning back from Huston Texas USA where he had received treatment for cancer.

Police kill 2 robbers in Benin

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN — EDO State Police Command has said that its men shot and killed two armed robbers, who were robbing in a block of flats in Ugbor area of Benin City, while one escaped with bullet wounds.

In a statement by the Command’s spokesman, Mr. Noble Uwoh, he said a notorious three-man gang of robbers on Sunday at 10.22 p.m. went to 2nd Ugbor to rob occupants of a block of

flats when a police patrol vehicle that was on routine patrol in the area responded to a distress call by one of the occupants of the building.

“The robbers on sighting the police vehicle fired shots at the policemen and there ensued a gun duel.

"At the end of the encounter, two of the robbers were fatally wounded and were apprehended, while the third suspect escaped with bullet wounds. The

police also recovered the stolen items and one locally made revolver pistol from the robbers,” he said.

He added that the two robbery suspects, who he gave their names as Owie Osas, 22 and Emmanuel Ufuafu, 26, died while being rushed to hospital.

He warned that there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state and advised all those engaged in crime to either repent or relocate from the state.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 15

Ijaws of Gbaramatu are Itsekiri tenants — ILT

By Dapo Akinrefon

I

TSEKIRI LEADERS of Thought, ILT, has expressed shock and disappointment over President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ogideigben Export Processing Zone, EPZ, describing it as a betrayal of the fatherly trust on him.

ILT in a statement, said it was disappointed that despite earlier calls on the President to build bridges across ethnic divides in the Niger Delta that he chose to side with his ethnic Ijaw kinsmen in an unnecessary dispute over Itsekiri land.

The nine-point statement issued by the ILT Secretary, Edward Ekpoko, said “the Itsekiri people and other well-meaning Nigerians are surprised at the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to commission the ground-breaking ceremony of the EPZ project site at Ogidigben, Ugborodo in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, on November 14, 2014, due to the threat of Ijaw militants mostly of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“The EPZ project is completely sited in Ogidigben, an Itsekiri town in Ugborodo in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. The closest Ijaw enclave which lies to the South is Yokiri, and it is about 14 kilometres, from Ogidigben.

"The other town which lies to the North of Ogidigben is Kpokpo.

Between Kpokpo and Ogidigben are other Itsekiri villages like Madangho, Ajudaibo, among others. It is this Kpokpo that even has no geographical contiguity

with Ogidigben that the Ijaws of Gbaramutu are using as bridgehead to lay claim of ownership to certain parcel of land earmarked for the EPZ, just as the Ijaws of Ogulagha are using Yokiri too.

“Kpokpo is an Itsekiri settlement owned by the Ugborodo community and its ownership has been settled judicially in Suit Nos. MCC/4/71: GODSPOWER OKOTUROH (of Ugborodo) (Itsekiri) vs. OGBABURO (Ijaw) and MCC/37/71: GODSPOWER OKOTUROH (of Ugborodo) (Itsekiri) vs. BURUTU (Ijaw) as belonging to the Ugborodo people.

“The Ijaw of Gbaramatu

Kingdom, wholly, live on lands owned by the Itsekiri people of Omadino and Ugborodo communities as customary tenants, as pronounced over the years by courts of competent jurisdiction.

"In fact, Okerenghigho (now called Okerenkoko by the Ijaw) on which the Marine Dockyard and the Maritime University are built is on Omadino (Itsekiri) land. In 1962, the Itsekiri people of Omadino in Suit No. W/30/ 1962: CHIEF E. E. SILLO & 2 ORS (for themselves and on behalf of Omadino people) vs.

JAMES ULUBA & 2 ORS (for themselves and on behalf of

Okerenghigho people) sued for possession of title to Okerenghigho, rents and injunction. “ In a judgment delivered on October 3, 1969, the court entered judgment for the Itsekiri people of Omadino. Part of the judgment reads: “I am satisfied that the village land Okerenghigho which is the subject matter in dispute in this case falls within the area described in the claim in Suit No. W/29/51 in respect of which the then Supreme Court (now High Court) declared Plaintiffs (that is, Itsekiri people of Omadino) owners… Although it will now be superfluous to grant a declaration

CONGRATULATIONS: Ramsey Nouah, Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Omotola JaladeEkenide, Kate Henshaw, being congratulated by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, after they were given a special recognition, at the closing of this year’s Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, in Calabar, weekend.

MULTI-BILLION GRIP: I'm not against Itsekiri

— Jonathan

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, explained that his decision to postpone the ground-breaking ceremony for the multi-billion Naira Gas Revolution Industrial Park, GRIP, was not ‘in furtherance of any anti-Itsekiri agenda, but to allow for an amicable resolution of the dispute over the site and location of the project.

The planned commissioning of the proposed GRIP was postponed by the president following threat by the Ijaw community to cause mayhem over the location of the site.

The postponement has not gone down well with the Itsekiris as they accused the President of acting in solidarity with his Ijaw brothers.

But addressing State House Correspondents, the Special Adviser to the President on

Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said though the president "is affiliated to the Ijaw ethnic group by birth, he was elected president of all Nigerians and has always shown by word and deed that he will always uphold the oath he swore on assumption of office to protect and promote the interests of all citizens with Justice, equity and fairness."

According to Abati “the postponement of the groundbreaking ceremony for the project earlier scheduled for last Friday was not in furtherance of any anti-Itsekiri agenda. Rather, it was borne out of the clear need to give all concerned parties more time to achieve the communal peace, understanding and harmony that will greatly facilitate the project’s speedy actualisation for the benefit of the Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Igbo, Isoko and all other Nigerians.”

President Jonathan noted that the “elders, community leaders and parties to the

dispute over the location and ground breaking event for the gas Industrial park who have resorted to threats and accusations of partisanship against the president in press conferences and paid adverts in newspapers are therefore being most unfair to him and doing a great disservice to continuing efforts to forge greater national unity and peaceful coexistence”.

The statement said: “We assure all concerned persons that as the leader of the nation, President Jonathan is not and cannot be on the side of any party to the avoidable dispute over the location and ownership of the site of the Gas Revolution Industrial Park. The Project itself was conceived for the benefit of all Nigerians, not just Itsekiris, Ijaws, Urhobos or other Ethnic groups in its immediate environment. In terms of employment opportunities, it is projected that the Gas Industrial Revolution Park will

ultimately create up to three million jobs for Nigerians in its catchment area and other parts of the country.

“President Jonathan therefore urges all parties to the communal dispute over the location and ownership of the site of the Gas Industrial Revolution Park to cooperate fully with ongoing efforts by the federal government and Delta State government to peacefully resolve all outstanding issues so that the project can proceed for the benefit of local communities, all Nigerians and investors. In the greater interest of the nation, President Jonathan expects the respected elders and leaders of the concerned communities to heed the pleas of federal and state government mediators and expeditiously resolve their differences for the good of all and the progress of the country.”

of possessory title of ownership to the plaintiffs, for the avoidance of doubt, I hereby grant it as claimed in respect of Okerenghigho…

“The Ijaw appeal to the Supreme Court in SC/294/70 was on January 31, 1973 dismissed by Elias C. J., Sowemimo and Ibekwe SC JJ. “Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom and the seat of their warlord, is in Ugborodo (Itsekiri land) The Ijaws settled there with the permission of the Itsekiri people of Ugborodo. This was confirmed in Suit No. W/124/ 76: BABINE EREKU & 3 ORS (for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Ugborodo Community) (Itsekiri) vs. OSUKE AKONU & ORS. The Oboro, Gbajor and Nehi families of Benikrukru, Gbaramatu (Ijaw) were the 2nd set of defendants in the suit. On page 57 of the judgement, the court held, interalia: “I accept the evidence that Oboro, Gbajo and Nehi were descendants of Fifowei, son of Osako (Ijaw) who migrated from Gbaran less than 200 years ago and were permitted by the Ugborodo (Itsekiri) people to settle at Uton-Ima which they (Ijaw) later renamed Oporoza, on condition of payments of tribute.

I accept that the areas they settled include Ubefan, Ajatiton, Uremure, Kpokpo and Omidudun later renamed Benikrukru…I totally reject the traditional history put forth by the second set of defendants (the Ijaw) tracing their descendants from Ijo from the Middle East” (words in brackets, ours)” “We are, therefore, surprised how a customary tenant over-night turns around and begins to lay claim to the land of his landlord.

In an advertorial published on page 12 of The Nation, we advised President Jonathan that he sits above and beyond the ebbs and flows and the rough seas of the Nigerian society, and as the father of all, he should ignore the baseless threats of war with Itsekiri from his Ijaw brothers and perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the EPZ. "He didn’t heed the advice, but rather pitched his tent with war mongers and did the wrong thing. Itsekiri, Nigerians and indeed the world now know that President Jonathan is pursuing an Ijaw agenda. This agenda is to exterminate the Itsekiri in their God-given land. Nigerians and indeed the world are watching.

"We will resist it and we will never be intimidated by threats of war and genocide against the Itsekiri.

“We have repeatedly called on our Ijaw brothers, including President Goodluck Jonathan, to build bridges across ethnic divides, not only in the Niger Delta, but in Nigeria, but alas President Jonathan has by this action, joined the kinsmen in building fences among the ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta and Nigeria. Time will tell the outcome.”

16— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

PPA to adopt presidential candidate after primaries

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — THE Progressives People’s Alliance, PPA, said yesterday in Awka that it would adopt a candidate after the presidential primaries of all the political parties.

Leader of the party in Anambra State, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, who was its governorship candidate in last year’s election, said PPA would take a critical look at the emerging candidates and choose one to be adopted by the party as its candidate for the election in 2015.

Ezeemo, who spoke after a meeting of stakeholders of the party, explained that the party’s adopted candidate would receive a huge boost from its teeming members and supporters and insisted that PPA would only adopt a person with proven integrity who would work diligently for the country if elected.

Centre commences vocational training for youth employment

I

NDUSTRIAL SKILL Training Centre, ISTC, of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, has said it has resuscitated and commenced its one year vocational training programme to address the challenge posed by inadequate and unskilled manpower to the economy.

This is aimed at addressing unemployment among Nigeria’s youths.

According to the ITF/ ISTC, part of the main objective of the resuscitated vocational training programme is to provide a broad based hand on training that will effectively address the dearth of appropriate skills and manpower in the Nigeria economy.

Deputy Director/Training Manager of the ISTC, Mr Olasupo James Abimbola, said the modules for the programme had been carefully selected to address acquisition of necessary and knowledge, to enable participants set up businesses of their own.

I did not betray Uduaghan, Ibori—ELUMELU

By Gbenga OKe

A

PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, has denied allegations that he ganged up with other aspirants against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his predecessor, Chief James Ibori.

Speaking on his plans and programmes during a visit to Vanguard Newspapers' corporate head office in Lagos, yesterday, Elumelu defended his actions as Chairman, House Ad-Hoc Committee that investigated the power projects during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

He also denied being desperate for the governorship, noting that he

has a fall-back position after his political career.

Denying claims of betraying Governor Uduaghan and former Governor Ibori by his assent to the statement issued by some governorship aspirants, Elumelu, insisted that there was a cordial relationship between him and the incumbent governor, who he said he speaks to on a weekly basis.

VISIT: Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM, Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, in handshake with the governorship aspirant of Delta State, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, during his visit to Vanguard Newspapers' head office, Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

Saying that many of the other aspirants who gave assent to the statement were insiders in the Ibori and Uduaghan administrations, Elumelu said he on his part had never benefited from a contract or served in any of the two previous administrations.

“I have never served in Ibori’s government, Okowa, Omo-Agege, David Edevbe, Ofuani and Ochei, all served under the governments. So, it is not a personal thing, but I can beat my chest to say I have never collected one Naira contract from any government and these can be verified from the government in Delta State.”

He added that he did not see anything personal for him not to have appended his signature if those who were in the frontline of the two administrations did not see anything wrong with the statement.

Asked how he intends to fund his governorship candidate if he has not been collecting contracts from government, he noted to say that his family business has been the source of his income and that he has a life after politics.

We received no complaints on Enugu delegates election, says PDP appeal c'ttee

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA — THE appeal committee set up by the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Enugu State, yesterday, submitted its report, saying there was no single complaint received either written or verbal throughout the period of its assignment.

In the report addressed to the PDP National Organising

Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha and dated November, 13, 2014, members of the committee explained that it was charged with the responsibility of receiving complaints either written or verbal from members of PDP Enugu State on the November 1, 2024 National Delegates Election to the national convention.

The report which was obtained

by Vanguard yesterday at PDP National Secretariat was signed

by the committee’s chairman, Mr. Chijioke Uwah; the secretary, Abdurahman Danjuma and the other member, Hajiya Halima Rabah.

It was titled, “Report of the Appeal Committee on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Delegates election in Enugu State November 2014. “ The report read in part, “therefore, from our findings and meetings with party stakeholders in Enugu State, all the National

Delegates to the national convention were elected through consensus.

“As at the time of preparing our report, no single complaint or petition either written or verbal was received by the committee.

All the success achieved received from the state party officials particularly the Acting Chairman, Elder Davis Ajah.

We returned to Abuja from Enugu on November 12, 2014.”

Igbo int'l group urges Jonathan to commission $500m power plant in Abia

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA — A sociopolitical association of Igbo people worldwide, the Igboezue, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan, to approve the commissioning of the completed $500 million Osisioma Power Plant in Abia State.

The Igboezue in a statement by its National leader, Chief Chekwas Okorie, in Abuja, explained that the power project had the capacity to place the South-East geopolitical zone on the part of growth and attract its numerous entrepreneurs back home to actively participate in developing their states of origin.

According to it, “we expect that this matter of Osisioma Power Project must be resolved in favour of Geometrics and by extension the Igbo businessmen and women living and doing their businesses at Aba/Ariaria Business District before the campaigns for the 2015 general elections get under way. There is no doubt that the purpose of frustrating Geometrics in this unprovoked manner is to discourage other foreign and local investors from embarking on projects.

“It is with every sense of responsibility that we demand that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should exercise his inherent prerogatives and special dispensation to order the commissioning of the completed Osisioma Power Plant.

“We are aware that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo concessioned the Osisioma Power Project to Geometrics Power Plant. This project covers 9 Local Government Areas in Abia State, otherwise referred to as Aba/Ariaria Business District.

“Geometrics with dedication and commitment to make its contribution to the solution to the nagging electricity supply in Nigeria embarked on the project without delay. They invited technical partners and raised necessary funds from financial institutions to execute the laudable project. The completed project was to be commissioned for electricity supply to the area in October 2013.

“The general public, especially

the enterprising and longsuffering business men and women who live and do their businesses in the area under reference waited and prayed for the day they would begin to enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply year in year out but this day is yet to come as a result of mindless and most unpatriotic political intrigue that has been playing out under the very watch of President Goodluck Jonathan, the apostle of Transformation Agenda. We are aware that at the completion of the Osisioma Power Project, various investors had sunk over $500 million and for the over one year the completed project had remained dormant, Geometrics has been incurring interest cost of the fund borrowed to the tune of about $3 million every month.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 17

W

HEN Muhammadu Buhari ran for president in 2011, he made a solemn pledge to Nigerians: “This campaign is the third and last one for me. I will not offer myself again for election into the office of president.” Buhari was persuaded to break this pledge because Bola Tinubu made him an offer he could not refuse. He would merge his ACN party with Buhari’s CPC party.

Tinubu’s putative South-West strength would be combined with Buhari’s mythical NorthWest supremacy. The result of this alchemy would be politically unstoppable: next stop Aso Rock!

However, this plan started to unravel soon after the marriage and the honeymoon. Overwhelmingly, Nigerian public opinion rejected the idea of a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket; effectively short-circuiting all delusions of a dream Buhari/Tinubu ticket. With APC’s nerve-wracking loss in its presumed stronghold of Ekiti, and with it only able to eke out a victory in its Osun backyard, and with Mimiko’s defection in Ondo bringing that state back to the ambit of the PDP, Tinubu’s much-vaunted strength in the South-West became more fiction than fact.

Fourth coming of Buhari If the door was slammed shut to a possible vice-presidency, Tinubu still has the plan B of nominating a disciple as Buhari’s vice-presidential running-mate. Thus, when Buhari finally declared his candidature for president for a marathon fourth time at Eagle Square, Abuja, Tinubu’s ACN brigadiers were there in full regalia to give him conspicuous moral support. The wily Asiwaju himself was absent, perhaps in order to seem an honest broker among the APC presidential gladiators. Nevertheless, he was suitably represented by his Senator wife, Oluremi Tinubu. Other ACN timber and caliber, including Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, were also in attendance.

However, rather than crate an unstoppable momentum, Buhari’s formal declaration only seemed to have concentrated minds about his chances. The prognosis was inauspicious. There would be no good luck in Buhari’s fourth outing. The man is simply politically unelectable as Nigeria’s president. Some of his turn-coat political allies always feared this. For example, Nasir El-Rufai, who now virtually operates as Buhari’s “chief of staff,” observed just a few years back that Buhari remains “perpetually unelectable” as a result of his “insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and his parochial focus.”

Buhari’s declared candidacy re-awakened old angst about

The impending betrayal of Muhammadu Buhari his cynical political antecedents, and it made many reappraise his chances more realistically, now that his candidature was beyond conjecture.

The conclusion remains the same. Buhari has die-hard Hausa-Fulani support in the North. But he has even more dyed-in-the-wool opposition in most other parts of the federation. His core Northern support is unlikely to translate yet again to victory at the centre, even with the promissory note of Tinubu’s fading ACN support in the South-West.

Back to the supermarket Any right-thinking person knows that Buhari is not the type of man to allow Tinubu to become the king behind his presidential throne. Therefore, it did not take long for the Tinubu mafia to start shopping for a new candidate with much less political baggage than Buhari. Indeed, the writing is on the wall that they are now more than likely to ditch Buhari in order to pitch their tent with some other, more malleable, APC presidential hopeful.

One likely choice is embattled Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, who finally announced his divorce from the PDP this month, after committing adultery with the opposition for the better part of four years. Tambuwal had his eyes

The 2015 election will likely be, to all intents and purposes, a contest between two PDP politicians

on the position of Governor of Sokoto State. But in a dramatic turnaround, he has now been persuaded to pick up the nomination form for the APC presidential contest.

Suddenly, the Tinubu brigadiers are now saying Buhari is too old to be president. Indeed, if elected, he would be Nigeria’s oldest president at 73. If he runs successfully for two terms, he would still be president at 81. The question-mark of Buhari’s age was hardly a hidden secret until now. It is just that, in the treacherous terrain of Nigerian politics, it provides a readymade excuse for ditching him.

Fashola, who was there to support Buhari at his Eagle Square declaration, now says what Nigeria needs are young leaders and not geriatrics: “When 40-year olds are now leading nations and our 40year olds can’t even get to the Senate, they can’t even become governors. Are we really preparing this generation for the future? Those are the issues really. We cannot point to success in other countries and refuse to do what those people are doing to get things right.”

This is a coded way of saying Buhari is now way too old for Aso Rock.

Machiavellian politics Politics is a treacherous business. Buhari should know this by now. He himself was treacherous in being part of a gang of military officers that seized power illegally from a democratically-elected government through the barrel of a gun. He was then, in turn, treacherously overthrown by his own mates. Buhari should know he is dealing with politicians seasoned in betrayal.

Indeed, duplicity is the stuff politics and politicians are made of. In politics, everybody stabs everybody in the back. Therefore, everybody should expect to be stabbed in the back.

Asked if he would back Buhari if Buhari wins the nomination for the APC ticket, Atiku told everyone he would easily stab Buhari in the back; without seeming to realise it.

He said: “I think I have proved that I am a pragmatic politician. Recall that in 2010 when I failed to get the PDP ticket against President Jonathan, I and others went to try to bring about an electoral alliance between the CPC and

ACN.” Atiku’s “pragmatism” is the stuff of treachery. He failed in the PDP so he promptly switched to create an alliance between two other opposition parties. The bell tolls for the APC. Nuhu Ribadu, as EFCC chairman, named Bola Tinubu as public enemy number one.

But then he turned around to become the anointed presidential candidate of Tinubu’s ACN party. This did not prevent Tinubu from stabbing him in the back. Tinubu entered into a last minute deal with Buhari of the CPC. Then again, he entered into another suspected backroom deal with Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. But there was payback time for Ribadu. Ribadu was part of the APC merger. But then he chose his time to ditch Tinubu and the APC for the PDP. Some of us have long maintained that Buhari is a political neophyte. We have had cause to warn him that nobody wins the nomination of a political party like the APC, by saying he will fight corruption if elected. Buhari’s anticorruption hyperbole is part of what is responsible for the buyers-remorse his presidential bid is already experiencing.

Pocket infrastructure Without the backing of the Tinubu brigade, Buhari does not have a prayer in getting the APC ticket. His lack of political know-how is going to be a major handicap. He is up against people like Atiku Abubakar; seasoned wheelerdealer politicians who know how to arm-twist convention delegates. Buhari, on the other hand, has never had to fight to get a party’s nomination. Instead, parties have been formed around his presidential ambitions.

A t i ku, in particular, has haggled and wrangled through many nomination conventions since the early 1990s. Moreover, he has a war-chest of naira bank-notes with which to grease the process. But Buhari, the man who claims he had to take a bank loan in order to buy the APC presidential nomination papers, is going to have a difficult time convincing APC del-

egates to pitch their tent with him without providing pocket infrastructure. Buhari’s approach is not the realistic way to run for president in today’s Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The imminent ditching of Buhari by Tinubu means the forthcoming APC convention to choose the party’s presidential candidate is going to be a bloodbath. It is really going to be ugly. There will be dead bodies strewn all over the convention floor. Dogs and baboons will surely be soaked in blood. With its do-or-die politicians fighting to finish on the eve of the February elections, the APC will soon provide a textbook case of how not to campaign against an established party like the PDP in Nigeria.

Buhari’s talakawa supporters, who caused mayhem when he lost the last presidential election, will not take kindly to his likely defeat at the APC primaries. If Buhari is rejected, he would be humiliated. It would have been better for him not to have run. Don’t buy all the pious talk that the losers will support the winner; it is not going to happen. Even if Buhari were to decide to be diplomatic about his defeat, his incendiary supporters don’t have the word diplomacy in their vocabulary.

Catch-22 The APC is caught in a Catch-22. If it fields Buhari, it will fail at the polls under the weight of his previous political bag and baggage. If it rejects Buhari, all reliance on his mystical 12 million votes will go up in smoke . Tambuwal, Kwankwaso or Atiku cannot replicate those votes. They have neither Buhari’s hype nor his charisma. With Buhari out of the reckoning, many of his disgruntled supporters would rather riot than vote.

The APC itself would implode under the weight of its own internal contradictions. This is the anti-climax to all the hue and cry about the 2015 election that is now in the cards.

The ditching of Buhari would open a clear pathway for Atiku; the politician’s politician and Aminu Tambuwal, the dark horse. Atiku’s dismal performance in previous polls is eloquent testimony that his presidential hopes are a pie in the sky. Tambuwal in the APC ticket would be even worse than the last showing of Nuhu Ribadu of the ACN, who was even better-known nationally than Tambuwal.

All these shenanigans means the 2015 election will likely be, to all intents and purposes, a contest between two PDP politicians. The APC that boasts to be an alternative to the PDP is likely to end up with a former PDP member as its presidential candidate.

That is change we can certainly do without.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 Who will guard the guards? - Roman poet Juvenal (Satire VI, lines 347–8I) JUVENAL was said to have uttered these words in relation to the challenges, maybe, futility, of ensuring marital fidelity. In our context, we would apply them to the inabilities of the Nigeria Police to look after their affairs. The matter is becoming embarrassing, even shameful.

The police are prosecuting one of their dismissed officers for allegedly escaping from detention, drawing salaries from 15 commands, and stealing N20m meant for the salaries of officers of the Enugu State Command.

Afam Victor Banor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the police told the Federal High Court in Lagos, was dismissed while serving in Delta State over a missing vehicle – an exhibit. While he was in detention over the offence, Banor reportedly escaped. He was not done with the police.

He allegedly surfaced in Enugu , where, ar med with a false letter, he resumed service. In the course of his service, he

Policing the Police earned salaries from 15 commands, according to the police.

As we await the court’s verdict on the matter, it is important that we ask how the police authorities manage the prime organisation vested with arrest, investigation, prosecution, and detention of suspects. If they cannot look after their own affairs, how do we expect them to deal with larger societal matters?

The population of the police is about 370,000, a minuscule fraction of Nigeria's 167m. If the police are unable to manage police affairs, how do we expect them to protect millions of Nigerians? How many other cases, like Banor ’s, are in police’s files? Could Banor have acted alone?

We are wondering if the police realise the implications of what they are telling the public. Are they confirming stories about dismissed police officers making their way back to service? Could it be that the police take finger prints of criminals, but do not have finger prints of their personnel? Why is the police pay roll not computerised as has been the case with the Nigeria Immigration Service since 2006?

How are the police using the technologies that are available to them? How did Banor ’s matter get to the stage of the allegations against him? Is his case common in the police?

If the guards cannot guard themselves, how would they guard us? There is a lot to worry about from crimes committed in the police to low capabilities to detect them and forestall them. Criminals have more confidence when they know they would not be caught.

Our concern, therefore, is not with the outcome of the Banor case. Unless the police adapt best technological practices, they would neither guard us, nor the guards - themselves.

OPINION Tambuwal's defection and desecration of govt institution (2) Continued from yesterday

By Gboyega Akosile

U

NSURE of what to do next, I picked up the constitution, read the relevant sections and sought further clarifications from lawyer friends.

Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution says: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected; provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

One thing came out in clear terms from everyone I interacted with on this subject is that the Police cannot interpret the Constitution. No, it is illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires!

The IGP is wrong in issuing a directive for the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides. The Police have a right to withdraw the Speaker ’s aide after the

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appropriate judicial pronouncements!

I went back in time to check whether there had been such action by the Police and interestingly, there was a very recent defection by Governor Mimiko of Ondo State who defected from the Labour Party to the ruling PDP! Governor Mimiko did not go alone; he went with his entire cabinet and the legislature, including the speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mrs Jumoke Akindele.

The simple question is why did Mr. Suleiman Abba-led police not withdraw Jumoke Akindele’s security aides citing the same section 68 (g) of the constitution? Why this selective persecution and glaring double standards by the IGP? As expected, the media has been awash with lawyers, politicians and social commentators passing votes of no confidence on Mr. Abba-led police. But I refuse to join the bandwagon in outright condemnation of the police. I would rather tilt a little and lean on our immediate history and precedence.

Setting a wrong precedent

Between year 2005 and 2007 former President Olusegun Obasanjo deployed all the state apparati, including the Police, EFCC, ICPC and SSS in various degrees but constitutional manners to quash the presidential ambition of his

deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Some Nigerians condemned in the strongest terms at the time what appeared to most people who did not like Atiku Abubakar as a good move. I remember telling friends that it was not about Atiku Abubakar but the office he occupied as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A dogged fighter, Atiku was in and out of the court till he got justice! Although the former Vice President got judicial protection, the way it played out at the time was a mockery of government institutions. A bad precedent was also set for the Nigerian political space. The president can attempt to subvert constitutional provisions through the instrumentality of the state to settle political scores.

The present face-off between the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his former political party on one hand and the Presidency on the other hand appeared to have followed the same pattern that the former president employed in dealing with his copresidential traveller! The only difference here is that the executive is separated from the legislature.

Tambuwal goes to court

Thankfully, the law has taken its course. The court has said that Abba erred in law by withdrawing the security detail of the Speaker when he has not

been removed from office. One can only hope that some lesson would have been learned by the Police as well as other agencies of government that politicians may attempt to use to subvert the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let aggrieved parties in political and constitutional disputes walk the path of honour and save Nigeria from ignoble approach to settlements. This is taking a negative toll on the psyche of everyone, especially the generations coming behind us.

Nigeria has suffered too much leadership crisis. The latest action of the Police is a not only an embarrassment to the nation and the citizens but a further confirmation of a Nigeria where anything goes.

There is no doubt that the Police boss action is a fallout of the ruling party’s insecurity about what may happen next at the Lower Chamber of the legislature.

However, pitiable their situation may appear, desecrating the countr y ’s government institutions should be discouraged.

Mr. Suleiman Abba, kindly restore Mr. Speaker ’s security detail without further ado, so ordered by the Federal High court!

Note: This piece had been written before the court ruling.

Concluded *Mr. Akosile, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014— —19

Bringing the naira and dollar to parity

By Sunny Ikhioya HAVE always believed that for us to move forward, we must reduce our challenges to simple terminology; the simpler the analysis, the easier to carry the masses along.

Unfortunately, our experts are all grounded in the Bretton Wood ideology: the more we try to understand, the more complex the solutions. For example, why can't we bring the naira at par with the United States dollar? Some might say it is not possible given the present day circumstances, but if we remember correctly in 1978, the dollar was even less than the naira at 65 kobo to one dollar.

Today, we are buying one dollar for N170. If it was possible then, why is it not possible now? It is not by rebasing or re-dominating the naira that will bring the situation to the 1978 status quo, it is by walking the same steps that brought it about, this time, doing it the right way; the way that will favour the country's growth and development; that is where we must start from.

Throwing our markets open or what they call trade liberalism is not a must. For you to open up your borders for all sorts of items to flock in, you must know what you stand to benefit, and the benefits must out weigh the disadvantages, by far. Every country that succeeded practised trade restraint to a

I

great level at one time or the other, no exception. interest of the over all; a few must have to be Therefore, we must begin to re-examine all the sacrificed or inconvenienced. Imagine what trade agreements we have with our friends in line would have become of Lagos today if discipline with the extent they serve our purpose(s). was not brought in. What will Oshodi look like?

Also, we must begin to practise or implement It is the will of leadership to succeed in its our home grown economics; foreign remedies, endeavour, a leadership that has a picture of what as dished out by the World Bank, IMF and others the state should be or look like and is will never be the solution to our problems. unwavering in the pursuit of that interest.

Foreign experts do not have the emotional or So, our leadership must be firm in undoing the sentimental attachments to our problems; they things we did wrong in the past that brought us neither see it nor feel it; at best they can only to this sad and worrisome situation. We must start scratch at the surface and that is what has been by itemising what is essential to our happening. It does not make any survival and those things that are not. sense for us to strive to make Too many fake and unwanted goods surpluses in our foreign reserves and have flooded this country, let us put a halt place same in the hands of foreigners to that. The cause of our naira decline is to manage for us; their loyalty is first that, our naira cannot match the demand to their country that sponsored them for foreign goods coming into this to the positions at World Bank and country. So, when these non-essential IMF. Secondly, is their pecuniary items are put on the prohibition list, the interest. burden on the naira will start coming Therefore, to start the journey of down. bringing our naira back to equal the Build on agriculture, food is a defence, dollar or other foreign currencies, we a country that cannot feed itself cannot must agree that it is a home grown problem which to a large extent We must all be said to be sovereign.

In addition to the above, we must requires home grown solutions. encourage local manufacturing; the We failed because we did not see consciously government must build capacities in the the need to be realistic with our situation we over-rated our shore up the form of infrastructure, patronage and policies. Provide funds and services for capabilities and got careless and value of our small medium enterprises, SME; they are wasteful with resources; we developed tastes that our economy naira; it starts the bedrock of a country's development.

We must do something about our could not sustain and consequently educational standards; a well educated lost all senses of direction. Moreover, with youth is an asset to the future our leadership along the line, sold discarding development of a country. Imagine the the country to foreign interests as trillions of naira going out yearly in the looted monies were being siphoned those little name of education- Europe,America, abroad. L astly, our leaders, Ghana, South Africa, many others. If especially the militar y, were bad and properly harness and standardise, we do overwhelmed by the responsibilities compulsive not need to travel our for education, at of managing Nigeria as a corporate least until the tertiary level. habits entity.

All medicals, including that of the Some very hard and unpleasant presidency, must be done in Nigeria. decisions have to be taken in the Again, if we build our hospital capacity,

By Abimbola Jones

W

HEN Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, wrote a vitriolic letter to her father some time ago reminding him that he does not own Nigeria, many of us thought she was a bit too harsh on the old man.

Iyabo had, in very strong words, dismissed the former president as a megalomaniac and a hypocrite. It is not that Iyabo said anything new that the public does not know about her father. Even then, some of us thought that coming from a daughter – estranged or beloved – that was way too harsh. But in recent times, Obasanjo himself is beginning to justify his daughter ’s public expression of her opinion of her father.

Just a few days ago, Obasanjo continued in what has become his favourite pastime, the public bashing of one of his political sons, Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigerian president was the case while addressing participants in Abeokuta at a programme “First Green Legacy Moments with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Leadership and human Security in Africa”.

This programme which, we understand, was put together by the former president’s shop, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Librar y, in conjunction with the University of Ibadan, had in attendance undergraduate students of the University of Ibadan; Obasanjo’s own private university, the Bells University of Technology; Crawford University as well as their vice chancellors and students from selected secondary schools in Ogun State. This was the forum that Obasanjo chose to obfuscate facts and wrongly accuse President Jonathan and his

the rush overseas for medical consultations will stop.

We must build capacities for our mass communication: put correct infrastructures in place.

Our media must be supported to compete at the international level. Where Multi-choice is almost a monopoly should not be encouraged; even the ones coming out as competitors now, are all foreign owned.

We must encourage appropriate pricing for all of our local products, both raw materials or finished productions; in addition, the local content initiative must be intensified.

We must revamp our ports, airways and shipping lines, while local cabotage rules must be made to function.

Sacrifices are required of all for the repatriation of funds deposited abroad. For every idle funds we place in foreign accounts both by government or individuals, we do harm to the value of our naira.

We must all consciously shore up the value of our naira; it starts with discarding those little bad and compulsive habits.

The examples that I have given here are not exhaustive, if you have additional views, you can add your comment to the online edition of this piece. It is our collective responsibility to shore up the naira for the generations of today and those coming behind.

*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Obasanjo does not own Nigeria government of failing over power supply.

The former President, according to newspaper reports, had blamed the governments after his, specifically the Ya r ’ Ad u a g o v e r n m e n t a n d t h e Jonathan government, for failing to implement his administration’s initiative of the National Independent Power Project, NIPP. As always, the former president went on and on, regaling the young impressionable students and, of course, some of the adult members of the audience who should know how he alone had built up the country right from his military presidency and to his second coming as a civilian. That was typical of Obasanjo who believes that he alone knows Nigeria and he alone can save Nigeria. Well, there is nothing wrong if the former president derives joy by telling his audience and whoever cares to listen of his unrivalled patriotism and missionary zeal in the service of the fatherland.

Yet what is unacceptable, especially from Obasanjo, an elder statesman, iconic personality and former president, is the passing of barefaced lies to younger people looking up to him as facts. The former President knows full well that he was lying when he repeatedly stated that the present administration has abandoned the NIPP projects. He was equally not telling the whole truth when he is aware that the country is generating more power now than any other time in the nation’s history.

It is undeniable that the late President Umaru Musa Yar ’ Adua probably hesitated on the NIPP projects. Those who knew him readily agree that it was in the character of the late president to be sure about

probity, accountability and due process in anything he was involved in. He inherited the NIPP project from Obasanjo and all kinds of fuzzy stories of corruption were flying around and Yar ’ Adua was never the kind of person who would compromise accountability for speed. He wanted to make sure that Nigerians were not fleeced all in the name of tackling the power challenge through the NIPP projects.

But it is really intriguing that Obasanjo forgot to tell the young ones listening to him that after the initial lull under Yar ’ Adua, the Jonathan administration more than his own era has achieved milestones in the power sector. It is equally unfortunate that Obasanjo failed the younger generation listening to him (although the Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r s know the truth) that his NIPP project is defective in design and execution by failing to take into account, the supply of gas to the newly-built power stations across the land. How to get gas to power those plants is one of the challenges that the Jonathan government is dealing with today but Obasanjo would rather obfuscate that fact in his self-praise.

It is understandable anyway that an Obasanjo who still

believes that he is the best thing that has happened to our country will never give credit to anyone who has out-performed him in any sector. That is why former President Obasanjo failed to tell the young people around him that President Jonathan by liberalising the power sector with the privatisation of the power generations and distribution and the consequent unbundling of the former PHCN, took the decision he and previous leaders were afraid to take. Instead, the former president is insinuating corruption and nepotism in the privatisation in the power sector. Maybe Obasanjo has forgotten that he carried out the massive liberalisation that took place in the communications industry, the downstream sector of the oil industry, the ports sector and the Nigerian economy as a whole and Nigerians are aware, how cronies of the former president bought up Nigeria.

Nigerians equally know who the real owners of the port terminals in Apapa concessioned by Obasanjo are.

The same Obasanjo who, while granting licenses for ownership of private universities, found it convenient to sign one for himself is now accusing Jonathan of selling the power sector to his friends.

It is time Obasanjo came to terms with the fact that a new Sherriff is in town. There is no doubt that the former president has given his best to this country but he must also realise that he does not own Nigeria – just as Iyabo had rightly noted. *Mr Jones, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos

There is no doubt that the former president has given his best to this country but he must also realise that he does not own Nigeria

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20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Why Arepo remains enclave of South West’s oil thieves STORIES BY BOSE ADELAJA

T

HE Majidun community in Ikorodu is named after a river bordering it. This river, in its seaward journey, traverses parts of both Lagos and Ogun states. One of the places where the river makes its presence felt is Arepo, a popular suburb in Ogun State just immediately after the bridge on the Lagos/ Ibadan expressway. Unfortunately the place has become notorious for pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

Due to this development, law enforcement agents are known to frequent the place with some of them sometimes assaulted or even killed by the vandals. In fact, Arepo is adjudged by many as probably the headquarters of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the South West part of the country.

But while Arepo is thus reputed for oil theft, Majidun is the sales “depot” for stolen oil. It is where the vandals converge to sell what they have stolen through pipeline vandalism in this riverine area.

From Majidun, some of the stolen petroleum products are taken to some other communities in Isawo, Ikorodu, particularly Oke-Oko, a riverine area which serves as an exit route to the market.

Ironically, in spite of the thriving illicit oil sales business in Majidun, the place looks at best like a ghetto. Indeed, the commu-

nity is better described as a slum.

On both sides of Majidun River, what you have is a mosaic community made up of Ilaje, Ijaw, Urhobo, and other ethnic groups from riverine territories. Some of the people engage in traditional orthopaedics, offering treatment for bone problems and other traditional medical practice.

Still, others are fishermen, while more earn their living distilling and selling local gin, called ogogoro, or kai-kai.

Accommodation in the community consists mainly of makeshift buildings, some of which are brothels. A visitor will certainly not

Sources in the communities said that vandalisation is not likely to stop soon due to the involvement of insiders, security personnel and other highly connected individuals

•Security agents hunting for illegal fuel dealers in Majidun miss the latter given the loud music blaring almost non-stop from them.

About 80 per cent of the structures at Majidun are used as warehouses for storage of stolen refined petroleum products.

There, Premium Motor Spirit, PMS and Diesel sell for between N2,500 and N3,000 for 50 litres, while a drum sells for between N10,000 and N12,000.

Unlike the shabby lifestyle in Majidun, the case is different at Arepo which boasts of many high profile buildings, an indication that individuals of means live there. However, unknown to the uninformed, pipes connected to NNPC’s supply lines run into some of the buildings which siphon petroleum products directly from NNPC pipelines.

Sources hinted that some unscrupulous element in NNPC connive with residents to carry out the dastardly act. The traditional ruler of the town refused to comment on the development when VM sought his opinion on this.

Sources in the communities told Vanguard Metro that vandalisation is not likely to stop soon due to the involvement of insiders, security personnel and other highly connected individuals in the illegal business. They anchor their suspicion on the siting of about 16 pump stations between Mile 12 and Ikorodu roundabout, a distance of about 12 kilometres.

VM findings revealed that there is a weekly time table for the illegal business, especially among pipeline engineers, vandals and

At last, a theme song for Spirit of Lagos

A

FTER months of searching for a theme song, the Spirit of Lagos, an initiative dedicated to behavioural transformation in Lagos, has appointed a five-man panel of judges to evaluate the various entries for its Theme Song Contest.

The appointment of these judges is coming on the heels of the closure of the window for participation in the song contest on Friday, October 24, 2014 The panel of judges includes notable artists like Benson Idonije, Nigeria’s foremost music critic and founding manager of Fela’s Koola Lobitos. He is also a regular music reviewer with The Guardian newspaper.

Also on the panel are Emeka Nwokedi, a renowned musicologist and music director at the C M Y K

M U S O N C e n t r e ; Yo m i Layinka, a veteran film/TV producer and media content Consultant to the Spirit of Lagos project.

Others are To s y n B u c k n o r, a w e l l k n o w n musician, blogger and radio personality and Osagie Osarenkhoe who is one of Nigeria’s finest artiste managers with the likes of Wizkid, Skales, Niyola, Shaydee and Banky W in her portfolio. She is also a co-promoter of a talent hunt show, ‘One Mic Naija’.

Speaking on the choice of judges, Olaniyi Omotoso, Project Director for Spirit of Lagos, assured that the judges will be fair and open in their assignment, as they narrow down the entries to the best five that will be uploaded on the Spirit of Lagos

Facebook page for public voting which commenced on Monday November 3, 2014.

“Their track records speak for themselves.

These people are veterans who know their onions and have excelled in the industry. We are confident that their judgement will be devoid of any bias as they w i l l ensure that the shortlisted songs will align with the overall objective of the Spirit of Lagos campaign,” he said.

On the modalities of the contest, Omotoso, informed that the judges will select the top five songs from the entries based on their creativity, originality, message content, balance and blend and overall acceptability.

The contest is one of the platforms set up to engage Lagosians to buy into the

campaign by changing their mindset towards their environment, public infrastructure and their fellow man among others.

Omotoso reiterated that the winning theme song must align with the objectives of the Spirit of Lagos ‘CHANGE YOUR THINKING’ campaign which is to restore those unique values that made Lagos a safe, just, prosperous and neighbourly place to live in and visit in the past.

The winner of the contest goes home with a cash prize of N500,000. The song will be professionally recorded and will become the official theme song for the spirit of Lagos. The first and second runners-up in the contest will be rewarded with cash prizes of N200, 000 and N100, 000, respectively.

law enforcement agents. For instance, the petroleum engineers have their own date to operate, while using vandals to do the marketing for them.

In the course of investigations, it was revealed that the military and para-military have their own date for the illicit business; so also the local vandals are permitted to operate on a designated date without let or hindrance by law enforcement agents.

Further probings revealed that prior to a raid, the vandals receive a tip off or are given first hand information. In the event, the raid only affects the local vandals who only buy in 50 litres jerry-cans.

The big-time vandals mainly use trucks, big barge boats and tankers, especially in the night.

At both Majidun and Arepo, the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, have clashed on several occasions for breaching each other’s schedule or functions. Some residents who spoke with VM however said both are battling over official superiority as police are expected to curb crime, while NSCDC are charged with the responsibility of curbing vandalisation.

Meanwhile, for the past month, Majidun community is said to have been invaded by Naval personnel in the course of which some seizures were made. But sources hinted that the seizures are sold at give-away amounts of N1,000 per 50-litre jerry-can and N500 for 30-litre jerry-can.

VM also gathered that since no loaders were employed by the naval personnel during the seizures, some individuals were coopted to do so.

Since the invasion, neighbouring communities have been living in fear. Indeed many residents are said to have fled the community, while some of the makeshift structures are under lock and key.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 21

FG seeks reversal of UK trade strategy on Nigeria

By Naomi Uzor

T

HE Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the government of United Kingdom and its companies operating in Nigeria, to embrace the new business strategy designed to discourage focus on export of raw materials from Nigeria and encourage export of processed goods for economic transformation.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, stated this at a centenary Lecture organised by Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to mark 100 years of Nigerian-British trade relations in Lagos.

Delivering the Centenary Lecture, “Celebrating a Century of Mutually Beneficial Trade/Investment Relations” , Dr. Aganga advised the UK government and its companies operating in Nigeria to tailor investment strategies towards the new investment policies which emphasised exportation of processed goods as against focus on raw materials for mutual economic benefits. He described the strategy as the way forward for employment generation and wealth creation for Nigerians.

The Minister who was represented by the Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa noted

$190.5

$16.00

$15.74

-$0.16

-$1.03

$74.96

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155.39 243.263 193.3984 160.9092 1.3345 0.276 227.1679 25.3482 41.4097

155.89 244.0458 194.0207 161.4269 1.3388 0.286 227.8988 25.4302 41.543

By Godfrey Bivbere & Agnes Obiabo

SELLING 156.39 244.8285 194.643 161.9447 1.3431 0.296 228.6298 25.5122 41.6762

CBN Exchange Rate as 17 /11 / 2014

environment and investment climate favourable. “The efforts they have put into these areas have in no small measure helped Nigeria to become the top investment destination in Africa in the last two years” he said In his remark the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr.

Andrew Pocock said the relationship between Nigeria and Britain has improved over the years. “We have moved from colonial relationship to what is real partnership; the relationship is now more instant and focused than we had before” he said Dr. Pocock said the British government was concerned about the security situation in the North-East, Nigeria describing terrorism across Africa and in the Middle-East as common enemy to world peace. He promised the UK government will assist Nigeria in the area of training on how to combat insurgence in a hostile environment and also help to secure needed weapons to fight the war.

Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, President of NBCC in his speech described the partnership between NBCC and UKTI in celebrating Anglo-Nigeria trade relations as a symbol of unity between the two nations.

“I must say that the reasons for the celebration of this centenary are more than sentiments. It is saying the two countries have invested much in each other.”

APM Terminal milks economy of over N60b in 10 months —Agents

$78.38

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institutions are modeled after the British system.

Dr. Aganga appreciated the UK government for various supports received through the Department for International Development (DFID) in Nigeria.

“DFID partners with people like us to make our business

From left: Chief Financial Officer, Access Bank Plc. Mr. Seyi Kumapayi; Chairman, Access Bank, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; GMD, Herbert Wigwe; and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; during the closing ceremony of the 3rd IIF Africa Financial Summit, hosted by Access Bank at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

-$1.50

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CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN RIYAL

that the volume of trade between the two countries which stood at 7.2 billion pounds in 2012 may hit over 8 billion pounds by the end of 2014. He explained that Nigeria’s relationship with the United Kingdom goes beyond trade and investments as many of the nation’s

The various freight forwarding groups comprising Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF and National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, operating at the Apapa, have accused largest container terminal operator in the country, APM Terminals of unapproved levy collecting over N60 billion from importers in the last 10 months.

The Associations which before now had worked at cross purposes, last week commenced a strike action that paralysed the nation’s largest container terminal in the last one week.

In an interview with the Chairmen of the three associations, Olumide Fakanlu, Fred Ajuzie and Ibrahim Tanko of ANLCA, NAGAFF and NCMDLCA respectively, they said that the terminal operator uses the N12,000 daily storage as a means of extorting money from importers and their agents.

Fakanlu, said “AMP Terminal has collected over N60 billion. If you

calculate at the rate of 350,000 containers per month which pass through that terminal, at their own rate of N12,000 and you add shipping companies’ rate of N7,000, then you can guess how much it will come to.

“If you calculate these together, and multiplying the above amount by 350,000 containers per month, just for one day, you will know what you will come up with. But at times they or practically make sure that they delay delivery for up to a week.

“It has not been easy because APM Terminals are just adamant just because they believe they have people at the top in Nigeria, so they believe they can do anything they like and therefore they are not ready to shift grounds.”

The Apapa ANLCA chairman explained the terminal operator collects money from about 1,000 agents daily for examination but only 200 of them are attended to and 150 of those answered by APM Terminal actually have their consignments positioned for examination.

“They are collecting money from almost 1,000 containers per day for

this same service for which they do not have the equipment to perform. If they are not ready, no problem, take all this containers into your system then once you are waiving your storing charges, they you should be able to bear extra storage charges as well as the shipping company charges.”

He however stressed that APM Terminal has refused to shift ground insisting that they would continue to collect N12,000 storage charge even though the problem for the delay in clearance of their cargo is from them.

On accusation that the inability to examine more then 200 is as a result of lack of human capacity by the Customs, Fakanlu said it is not true. He noted that the terminal operator acknowledged at a meeting that they do not have the capacity to handle more 200 containers daily.

When connected, media consultant to APM Terminal, Bolaji Akinola, said that is not as must of the allegations are not correct. Akinola explained that it is a common knowledge that APM Terminal has the best cargo handling equipment for port operations in the country.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

You should make up your mind to complain whenever you feel aggrieved by the services offered by the bank. A lot of customers lament, they don’t complain and by so doing, they encourage poor services.

INVESTORS ,

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TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

n the top 10 performing stocks last week were the shares of Ikeja Hotels Plc, Cadbury Nig. Plc, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp Plc), Oando Plc, Unilever Nig. Plc and PZ Cusson Plc. Others were Dangote sugar Refinery plc, National Salt C o m p a n y, NASCON Plc, UBA Capital Plc and Custodian and Allied Plc. Ikeja Hotels Plc, which has defied all odds emanating from its disregard to the post-listing rules requirements of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, regarding early submission of its quarterly and full year financials, an action that recently earned it a N1.5 millions from the NSE, led the pack with 45.63 per cent or N1.15 appreciation to close at N3.67 from N2.52 it started the week at. Though market operators have severally said that the company lacks any fundamental that will warrant the kind of upward trend on its shares, Ikeja Hotels competes well with other peers in the hotels/lodging sub-sector of the NSE in terms of market price and has somewhat delivered more returns to its shareholders in the sector. Its 52 week returns, for instance stands at 555.4 per cent. However, the company is still struggling with lower revenue and declining bottom-line as it recorded 102 per cent drop in post tax profit and marginal 0.35 per cent decline in revenue during the financial year ended December 2013.

It recorded N1.627 billion in pre-tax profit in 2013 financial year as against N2.610 billion posted in comparable period of 2012, indicating a drop of 60.4 per cent, while its profit after tax (PAT) dropped by 102 per cent from N2.016 billion in 2012 to N994.806 million in 2013.

The revenue at N11.223 billion represents 0.35 per cent decline over N11.263 billion posted in the same period in 2012. Also, the first quarter 2014 financials showed a drop of 36.4 per cent in profit before tax to N251.443 million from N343.063 million in 2013.

After taxes, net profit also dropped by 36.4 per cent to N170.981 million in 2014 compared with N233.283 million in 2013 while turnover declined by 4.9 per cent from N1.597 billion in 2013 to N1.522 billion in 2014.

Cadbury Nig. Plc followed with 33.92 per cent or N11.81 price increase, rising to N46.63 from N34.82 at the beginning of the week. The company last week announced resignation of Mr. Ruslan Kinebas, a non-executive director, from the Board of Directors of the company. The resignation, which will take effect from

31 December 2014, was duly approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting of 21 October, 2014.

The first quarter financial statement for the period ended March, 2014 showed that Cadbury is battling with decreasing finance income, which negatively affected its result for the period. The company ’s revenue declined by double-digits in March 2014, falling by 17.24 percent to N6.92 billion from N8.36 billion during the same period in 2013. According to analysts, an increase in competition within the sector, continuing insecurity in the northern region, and a less favourable macro-economic situation contributed to the company’s performance during the period.

Nevertheless, the Company was able to record a reduction in cost of sales, declining by 20.57 per cent to N4.06 billion in March 2014 from N5.11 billion in March 2013.

According to management, the reduction in sales cost is in part a testament to the effectiveness of the new Multi-Energy Vapour Absorption Chiller, which utilizes exhaust fluent gas that was formerly discarded.

Despite the decline in sales costs, gross profit fell by 12.00 per cent to N2.86 billion in the first quarter ended March 2014, from N3.25 billion in the corresponding period of 2013.

Transcorp, whose subsidiary, Transcorp Hotels, recently concluded an Initial Public Offer of N8 billion that will help it expand its footprint in the hospitality industry, trailed behind Cadbury with 33.77 percent or N1.04 price increase to close at N4.12 from N3.08. The share price of the company had almost climbed to the 2007 IPO price following different investments and initiatives put in place by management of the company to boost its operation, before it was hit by profit taking, which depleted the price to the current market price.

It had risen to N7.04 before crashing.

Nonetheless, Transcorp Plc has delivered 50.9 percent 52 weeks returns to investors.

Oando’s shares rose by 29.76 per cent or N5.03 to close at N21.93 from N16.90; Unilever advanced by 26.06 per cent or N7.38 to close at N35.70 from N28.32; PZ Cusson added 25.43 per cent or N4.46 to close at N22.00 f r o m N17.54; Dangote Sugar went up by 24.55 per cent or N1.22 to close at N6.19 from N4.97; NASCON appreciated by 18.97 per cent or N1.32 to close at N8.28 from N6.96; UBA Capital added 17.65 per cent or N0.27 to close at N1.80 from N1.53, while Custodian and Allied appreciated by 16.92 per cent or N0.55 to close at N3.80 from N3.25 per share.

When you are not satisfied with your bank

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

A

s a b a n k c u s t o m e r, o r s t o m e r of any product or services, y o u have a right to quality service. Also, your decision to patronize any bank or product offered is based on the assurance of quality services. But there are occasions when the quality of service delivered is far below the quality of service promised.

Sometimes, due to failure/ breakdown in technology, or due to shortcoming of the staff, the quality of service delivered falls below expectation. This is not peculiar to banking, or your relationship with your bank, it happens in every business and service rendered by human beings. However, the most important thing for you as a prospective bank customer is to know what to do when you experience poor services.

You should make up your mind to complain whenever you feel aggrieved by the services offered by the bank. A lot of customers lament, c

u

they don’t complain and by so doing, they encourage poor services. To complain means to express your grievances to the bank either through letter, email or telephone. You can also do so by talking to one of the officials of the bank. You must clearly articulate the problem, how it affects you, and the redress you seek.

For example, if you used the ATM to withdraw cash, but the ATM did not dispense cash, and your account was debited, to complain means you inform an official of the bank, or write through email, or call the customer care line, about this incidence and request that the debit on your account be reversed.

Note that until this information is communicated to the bank in a documented format, you have not complained. You only lamented.

That is what some bank customers do. A bank customer in her mid 60s maintains current account with one of the top three banks. She rarely withdraws money from the account.

She noticed that the bank sends her debit alerts from time to time, and hence reduction in her account balance. In response, she decided

MARKET NEWS

Investment One introduces online real time trading platform

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

I

nvestment One Financial Services Limited, through its subsidiary Investment One Stockbrokers International Limited, has introduced EasyTrade, an online real time trading platform, that enables its users buy and sell stocks on the Nigeria Stock Exchange with real-time processing functionality.

Speaking at the launching of EasyTrade in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Investment One Financial Services, Nicholas Nyamali, said the platform was introduced as part of the group’s commitment to educate investors and provide them with comprehensive services.

Explaining the features and benefits of EasyTrade, Mrs. Chidiogo Ezejiofor, Managing Director of Investment One Stockbrokers Int’l Limited said, “This platform provides our clients real time market data (including real time prices of stocks), with the availability of various technical indicators to analyze (across various time ranges) the trend and momentum of the market, hence enabling users make informed decisions based on the latest data. “It combines world-class technology with a robust client data

protection and security framework in order to give our clients a seamless experience when processing transactions. In addition, we will provide access to in-depth market insight through our research materials to enable our clients make informed investment decisions.

“This platform will enable our clients manage their stockbroking portfolios on mobile devices, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. The 24/7 connectivity to the portfolio is complemented by access to Investment One’s online customer support (through online chat functionality), so that clients can talk directly to the customer service team who will manage their enquiries.

“The platform provides users with two options, the first which is best suited for savvy investors is a Direct Market Access to the Nigerian Stock Exchange trading engine, while the second option allows clients’ instructions go through the Investment One in-house Order Management System before reaching the Exchange trading engine, this option is best suited to users who still want a broker to complete their transactions.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 23

to withdraw the remaining funds in the account and keep them as cash.

In the process of doing this, a relative requested why she was doing so, she said the bank is always deducting her money hence she felt it was better to keep the cash before the bank deducts everything. The relative asked if she has complained to the bank, she said no, adding it was not necessary. That is what some bank customers do. They lament, they don’t complain, and by so doing, they deny the bank the opportunity to know whether it has made a mistake, and correct it. Also, such

customers deny themselves the opportunity to know whether they are the ones making the mistake through ignorance.

But most importantly, they encourage further incidences and consequences of such poor services. Such attitude can lead to widespread service problem in the banking industry and the eventual collapse of the industry. So, when you are not satisfied with the quality of the services of the bank, don’t lament, complain.

,

FORUM

They are gamblers, fortune seeker. Like every trader, they want to make quick money, they want returns on their investment, they want to reap profit like any other businessman, but as they are concerned about making profit, they are also concerned about the safety of the investment.

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INVESTORS SPEAK Why foreign investors are leaving Nigeria Stock Exchange THE Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) recently experience sharp decline in market capitalization due to foreign investors exit from the market in apprehension of the impact of the decline in price of crude oil on the naira exchange rate.

Commenting on this development, some shareholders who spoke to Investors Forum described the foreign investors as casino players, who want to make money at the detriment of the economy, others attribute their action to fears of the outcome of the forthcoming election. Excerpts:

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

Left: Managing Director, Investment One Stockbrokers Int’l Limited, Mrs. Chidiogo Ezejoifor; Head, Transformation, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Olumide Lala, and Executive Director, Investment One Financial Services, Mrs. Abimbola Afolabi-Ajayi at the launch of Investment One EasyTrade, an online trading platform with real-time functionality.

UPDC REIT unit holders to get N1.4bn interim dividend

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

he Fund Managers of UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDC REIT), FSDH Asset Management Limited, has announced the payment of N1.4 billion interim dividend to the unit holders for the period ended June 30, 2014.

The dividend, which translates to 56kobo per unit, will be paid to holders whose names appear on the register of the UPDC REIT on November 20, 2014.

According to the Managing Director of FSDH Asset Management, Mrs. Olumayowa Ogunwemimo, the payment represents 90 per cent of the distributable income for the period ended June 30, 201 and will be paid on December 4, 2014.

She stated that full year audit of the UPDC REIT has commenced and the final dividend for the year ending December 31, 2014 will be paid as soon as the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, approves the audited accounts. “This implies that the unit holders of the UPDC REIT should expect to receive additional income on their investment early in 2015,” she said.

“In addition, the average vacancy rate on all the real estate assets of the UPDC REIT is less than three percent. This low

vacancy rate is largely as a result of the quality of the real estate assets in the REITs and the calibre of tenants occupying the properties. The tenants of the REIT are a mix of corporate clients and high net worth individuals, with long leases and most of them have a very high tendency of renewing their leases.

Some of the corporate tenants have remained tenants in the properties for almost 20 years. This assures investors of the ability of the REIT to consistently earn and distribute income to its unit holders, “she stated.

Ogunwemimo said the fund provides stable and regular income to investors, as REITs typically pay out 90 per cent of the total income realized on an annual basis.

“In order to ensure that the UPDC REIT provides investors with regular income, the Trustees and the Investment Committee have approved the payment of an interim distribution to its unit holders to be paid on December 4, 2014. The distribution represents 90 per cent of the realized income earned for the period ended June 30, 2014.

Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, shareholder activist: I will describe the foreign investors as casino players. I have been a stock market player for more than five years. They are not here for the interest of the market. They are here just to make money and if in the process of making money they harm our economy that is none of their business because we allowed it.

The stock brokers are happy because they enjoy turnover in terms of commission from the foreign investors.

They tell them to buy this and sell that and get this, capitalizing on one aspect of the market to the detriment of the economy.

It will continue like that if we don’t change.

Now that they are moving out, it is affecting the capital market and I hope steps will be taken to encourage genuine investors (that is domestic investors).

We have Nigerians all over the world that have billions of dollars but they don’t really trust people back home because when they send money to people in Nigeria to help them do something, instead of doing what they are asked them to do, they use the money for personal things. So, they are no longer disposed to sending money home for investment. They would rather give them pocket money.

All the things that are happening to us here do not happen abroad. It is because we don’t look inward to encourage our people to do the right thing for our economy. We complain that foreign investors dominate our economy, once the money is going to the stockbrokers they care. It's time the regulatory authorities, the NSE, SEC pay more attention to the local investors. If I don’t have the money it does not mean that few Nigerians abroad do not have the money.

It's time the regulatory authorities, the NSE, SEC pay more attention to the local investors

*Oscar Onyeama, NSE D-G Coordinator, Greenwich Shareholders Association of Nigeria Mr. Williams Adebayo: T is certain that anything that affects politics affects the economy. They all go hand in hand, it is because of the upcoming election, the world is watching Nigeria, and their fear is how would the country conveniently hold the election.

Your mind will be where your money is.

That is why the foreign investors are leaving but I want to assure that immediately after the election, if is peaceful they will rush back. There is no need for panic it goes together, politics and economic, they are interwoven.

Imagine Nestle stock that is over N1000 before, it is now as low as 800.

It is not worth looking at the officia list of the NSE, because anybody who regularly monitor the system will realise it is because of our upcoming election. In spite of the brilliant performance recorded on these stocks you still find out that stocks are falling, it is because foreign investors are leaving. That they should motivate civil servants by giving them soft loans to buy investments, equities so that the market would be spared the problem of sudden and massive exit of foreign investors. If most Nigerians invest in equities, we will not feel their absence any time because we have the population, but what we lack is awareness to sensitize people.

They are gamblers, fortune seeker. Like every trader, they want to make quick money, they want returns on their investment, they want to reap profit like any other businessman, but as they are concerned about making profit, they are also concerned about the safety of the investment. This time is a very good opportunity for our local investors to buy if they have the money. Nestle gave interim dividend of N10 but it did not reflect, with that interim dividend the stock is supposed to rise by N170 or 150,.

I

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Nigeria loses gas investments to other African countries — Report

By Sebastine Obasi

N

IGERIA remains Africa’s largest gas consumer and producer, but the focus for new gas projects is shifting to the east coast and to the huge offshore discoveries in Mozambique and Tanzania, the World Energy Outlook Special report 2014 just released has stated.

The World Energy Outlook, recognised as the most authoritative source of strategic analysis of global energy markets said that East coast liquefied natural gas export is helped by relative proximity to the importing markets of Asia.

It explained that natural gas resource-holders can power domestic economic development and boost export revenues, but only if the right regulation, prices and infrastructure are in place.

The incentives to use gas within sub-Saharan Africa are expected to grow as power sector reforms and gas infrastructure projects move ahead but, for the moment, as much gas is flared as is consumed within the region.

According to the report, more than 1trillion cubic metres of gas have been wasted through flaring over the years, a volume that – if used to provide power – would be enough to meet

current sub-Saharan electricity needs for more than a decade.

It further said that power will shape the future of Africa. According to the report, a severe shortage of essential electricity infrastructure is undermining efforts to achieve more rapid social and economic development.

For the minority that has a grid connection today, supply is often unreliable, necessitating widespread and costly private use of back-up generators running on diesel or gasoline.

Electricity tariffs are, in many cases, among the highest in the world and, outside South Africa, losses in poorly maintained

transmission and distribution networks are double the world average, the report said.

Building on successful examples of electrification programmes, such as those in Ghana and Rwanda, the total number without access starts to decline in the 2020s and 950million people gain access to electricity by 2040

Dinner: From left: Mr. Foluso Phillips, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG; Mr.Frank Nweke II, Out-going Director General, NESG; Mr. Kyari Bukar, Vice Chairman, NESG; Mr.Mutiu Summonu, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC),and Osita Chidoka, Minister for Aviation during the dinner in honour of the Out-going Director General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in Lagos.

FG, American investors sign MoU on 1,200MW solar power project

By Chris Ochayi

A

consortium of American Investors in renewable energy, under the auspices of MOTIR SEASPIRE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the federal government to deliver 1,200MW of solarpowered electricity in Nigeria within the next two years.

The proposed solar technology to be installed is guaranteed U.S standard, assuring that the consortium, has the capacity to increase the scope of project up to 10,000MW in the next five years.

President and Chief Exec-

utive Officer, CEO, MOTIR SEASPIRE, Emmanuel Irono, a Nigerian in diaspora, said at the brief ceremony in Abuja, that the team has a portfolio of over five billion U.S Dollars that could be accessed over a period of five years into its integrated renewable energy projects.

He said that the initial 1,200MW will be realised in the next two years, adding that the local content component of eighty percent Nigerians will make the country the hub of its activities in Africa.

He said, “As a compatriot, the concern for providing employment to the teeming populace will be a plus to the

company ’s quest for provision of training for the Nigerian workforce in the power sector in general and renewable energy in particular”.

Responding after signing on behalf of Nigeria, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo said that he is excited that a compatriot is making this giant stride of harnessing the vast potentials of energy in solar, adding that studies have shown that Africa is greatly endowed with solar put at over 3 times the capacity of all other renewable energy sources combined.

He commended the

American group for taking the bold step, insisting that the government would do all within its power in fast tracking this project.

He also promised to assist the group to leverage on the Power Africa initiative of President Barrack Obama in the area of funding for the project.

“We must support this project, as it will be in tandem with Mr. President’s long time wish for Nigeria to enjoy its abundant solar potentials especially those i n r u r a l a r eas, as it is envisioned that through a project like this, they would be linked to micro or mini grid system” he noted.

– a major step forward, but not enough. More than half a billion people, mainly in rural areas, remain without electricity in 2040.

The report also said that Sub-Saharan Africa will start to unlock its vast renewable energy resources, with almost half of the growth in electricity generation to 2040 coming from renewables.

As regards hydropower, the report said that it accounts for one-fifth of today ’s power supply, but less than 10 percent of the estimated technical potential has been utilised. The Democratic Republic of Congo, where only 9 percent of the population has access to electricity, is an example of the co-existence of huge hydropower potential with extreme energy poverty.

Political instability, limited access to finance, small market size and weak transmission connections with neighbouring countries have all held back exploitation of hydro resources.

These constraints are gradually being lifted, not least because of greater regional co-operation and the emergence of China, alongside the traditional lenders, as a major funder of large infrastructure projects.

New hydropower capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Guinea, among others, plays a major role in bringing down the region’s average costs of power supply, reducing the share of oil-fired power.

According to the report, other renewables, led by solar technologies, make a growing contribution to supply, with a successful auction-based procurement programme in South Africa showing how this can be achieved cost effectively. Also, geothermal becomes the second-largest source of power supply in East Africa, mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia.

The report also projects that two-thirds of the mini-grid and off-grid systems in rural areas in 2040 will be powered by solar photovoltaics, small hydropower or wind. As technology costs come down, the attraction of renewable systems versus diesel generators grows (although they are often used in combination), especially where financing is available to cover the higher upfront expense.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 25

Power firms to pay N225m for connection to TCN network

By Michael Eboh

T

HE Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN has fixed a charge of about N225 million for power firms seeking to modify their connection to its transmission network across the country and also for firms seeking to connect to the network for the first time.

The TCN in a circular released last week and obtained by Vanguard, titled, 'Transmission Procedure No. 1: Application Process for New and Modified Connections," signed by Mr. Mohammad Shahid, Executive Director, Transmission Service Provider (TSP),TCN, said the amount comprises costs for conducting evacuation study, conducting meetings to discuss the connection agreement and for the connecting equipment.

For evacuation study, the cost is varied for different voltage levels, ranging from N10 million each for 330Kv and 132Kv respectively for generator, while in the area of load, N7 million is charged for 330Kv, N6 million for 132Kv and N5 million for 33Kv. For conducting connection negotiation meetings, the TCN has fixed a flat rate of N10 million per applicant, which is designed to cater for transportation, meeting space and incidental expenses.

In the aspect of cost for connecting equipment, the TCN is charging N205 million for a number of connecting equipment and transformer

configuration. The cost, according to the TCN document, is for all electrochemical and civil works for the equipment used to connect the user to the TCN grid.

The TCN, however, stated that the cost for connecting equipment does not include the power transformer, all 132Kv equipment, grounding reactor, among others on the 33kv transformer incomer.

In addition, the TCN declared that, "The prices indicated are indicative only.

They are subject to changes

and modifications as the reality on ground during procurement dictates."

According to the TCN, the costs, as well as other procedures are required under the Grid Code to enable new and modified to the TCN network and to set out cost recovery issues including termination fees.

The TCN said the objective of the procedure is to, "ensure that the connection process is clear, timely and that all financial obligations are clear, and that the connection process facilitates

competition, reflects costs and takes into account the development of the network."

The document said the TCN is responsible for operating the Transmission Grid system and allowing equal and fair access to the network by making Grid Connection Agreement with all users.

This process, the circular states, "involves the issuing of the National Power System Master Plan and the Transmission Plan to interested parties,

Dangote refinery to come on stream June 2018

By Funmi Amodu, with Agency Report

D From left: Processing Geophysicist, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists award-winner, Tonyi Amba-Ambaiowei; Exploration Manager, Mr. Tola Adeogba; General Manager, Sustainable Development and Community Relations, Mr. Nedo Osayande; Exploration Geoscientist, Mr. Daniel Amogu; and Exploration Geoscientist and NAPE Award-winner, Mr. Adelola Adesida, after receiving their Awards at the 2014 NAPE Awards Night in Lagos.

FMC Technologies launches subsea equipment

By Ediri Ejoh & Gabriel Olawale

T

HE leading global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry, FMC Technologies has launched its first subsea production tree built in Nigeria.

The equipment, manufactured for Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo) Bonga Northwest project, marks the company’s first subsea equipment engineered, manufactured, tested, installed and serviced entirely in the country.

Reacting to this ground breaking achievement, the Area Manager of FMC

advising users on locational opportunities and technical connection matters."

The circular empowers the Executive Director, TSP, to review, revise and reissue the transmission procedure, while the General Manager of Regulatory Affairs of the TCN is responsible for the operation of the procedure.

The procedure requires that the new user makes an application for connection specifying the actual location of its proposed substation, specifying the point it intends to connect to the transmission system, among others, as pertains to the Grid Code.

Continuing, the circular states, "TSP will perform system studies to verify the validity of the proposed connection; make a firm offer as soon as reasonably possible, but in any case, within four months of a user supplying all necessary data and paying the relevant fee."

Technologies Africa Region Subsea, Shelagh Daley said that the project which features the first subsea production was to strengthen the wells at the Bonga Northwest deepwater development off the Nigerian coast.

According to him, " Four oil producing wells and two water injection wells in the Bonga Northwest Phase 1 development will be connected to the Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel from where oil is loaded onto tankers for shipping around the world.

He noted that FMC Technologies is providing the sub-sea production systems to support the development

which is led by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd, SNEPCO. “We have been working with SNEPCo to supply subsea systems for the Bonga Northwest development since 2010.

This local manufacturing of equipment marks a significant milestone for the company and for the country’s energy industry, he added.

FMC Technologies is contributing to the development of the Nigerian economy by not only harnessing and utilising the country’s natural resources, but also by employing and developing skilled local professionals.

“FMC Technologies’ operations in Nigeria are

responsible for more than 2,000 jobs in Nigeria, including employees and through our supply chain.”

He explained that FMC Technologies began its operations in Nigeria in 1999 and has provided equipment for a number of major subsea projects including Okono, Agbami, Bonga and Egina.

According to him, that the company has been an integral part of Nigeria’s economy for 14 years, providing reliable subsea systems for Nigeria’s offshore fields, developing career opportunities, expanding relationships with local businesses, and building an impressive record of safety milestones.

ANGOTE Group, yesterday, stated that its crude oil refinery is expected to come on stream between late 2017 and the first half of 2018.

Mr. George Nicolaides, Operations Director, Petroleum Refining Dangote Industries, who disclosed this at the Platts African Refining Summit in Cape Town, said the refinery will be able to process 500,000 barrels of crude a day.

He said, “The site is being cleared, the plant is being designed. We are close to the beginning of detailed engineering. We have a very ambitious construction schedule.

I’m not sure about the history of those dates.”

He further stated that supplying the local market is the primary objective, adding that, “Naturally we can move product to the region.

The government is being very supportive, very enthusiastic about this project. We are not looking for or wanting any particular subsidies.”

In September last year, Dangote said it had agreed on a $3.3 billion loan with 12 Nigerian and foreign banks to build the refinery as well as a petrochemical and fertilizer complex costing a total of $9 billion.

At the time, the facility was expected to be completed in 2016 and the capacity of the refinery was put at 400,000 barrels a day.

Dangote selected Engineers India Limited to do most of the detailed engineering work for the new plant. Construction contractors have yet to be appointed.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Ex-SGF hails Jonathan on power sector reforms

A

PPARENTLY referring to the non passage of the petroleum industry bill, PIB, the Managing Director of Total Upstream Company in Nigeria, Elizabeth Proust, said that Nigeria is fast losing oil exploration investments to East African countries.

Proust, who stated this at the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, conference in Lagos, said that Nigeria is no longer the preferred destination for exploration in Africa as there is stiff competition from East African countries with Large volumes of oil and gas discovered in Mozambique , Tanzania, Kenya and Angola.

She explained that these countries have introduced attractive terms and incentives designed to encourage exploration. She stressed the need for aggressive exploration activities to replace reserves and develop exploitation projects.

"I believe all stakeholders recognise the urgent need to replace production in Nigeria.

The level of drilling activity in Nigeria and the reserves replacement ratio of the country are extremely low right now.

"For Nigeria's oil and gas reserves to grow and for companies to invest in exploration and development of assets, there must be a clear, fair and stable and regulatory regime that allows long term planning and investing”, she said.

According to her, there is an urgent need to encourage

By Chris Ochayi

A

•Crude oil vessel

Oil: Nigeria facing stiff competition from East African countries

By Sebastine Obasi aggressive exploration for oil and gas to replace reserves and develop exploitation projects. “For example, there are considerable unexplored frontier basins in the deeply buried onshore, offshore and ultra-deep offshore Niger Delta of over 50 billion barrels

of oil equivalent and about 10-15 billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Lagos abrupt margin and upper Benue trough. In the current situation, there is need for the government authorities to be creative on incentives for exploration.

Otherwise reserves replacement and production will continue to

FG to pay oil marketers outstanding arrears

By Chris Ochayi

T

HE Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, has pledged to intervene and ensure that outstanding arrears of fuel subvention owed to petroleum marketers are paid before the end of this month.

The intervention was to ensure a hitch-free supply and distribution of petroleum products across t h e c o u n t r y, e s p e c i a l l y during the end of year festivities.

Alison-Madueke, who gave this assurance at a meeting with members of the Depot Owners and Pe t r o l e u m Pr o d u c t s Marketers Association, DAPPMA, and Major Oil Marketers Association of

Nigeria, MOMAN, in Abuja said she was already in consultation with the Minister of Finance on the issue.

She explained that she has already briefed President Goodluck Jonathan on the implications of the continued delay in the payment of subsidy to the marketers, adding that she has also scheduled a meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emiefele, to work out ways of getting the banks from making good their threats to withdraw facility lines from the marketers on account of the debts arising from the delay in settling petroleum subsidy arrears.

S p e a k i n g e a r l i e r, t h e Chairman of DAPPMA, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, urged the Minister to intervene to sort

out the issue before it degenerates into another bout of fuel scarcity in the country.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Obafemi Olawore, on his part stated that already stocks of petrol in the various depots in Apapa, Lagos, are fast getting depleted, urging the Minister not to allow the nation get to the point where products dry up from the depots first before intervening as such a situation will not augur well for the country, especially at this time of approaching end of year festivities.

The petroleum products marketers expressed their gratitude to the Minister, adding that they felt reassured by her promise to ensure that the subsidy arrears are settled by the end of the month.

decline”, she added.

The Total MD further stated that the company has been in Nigeria for over 50 years in all the sectors - upstream, midstream and downstream.

According to her, in Nigeria, the upstream activities of the Total Group are carried out primarily through Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, the operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC/TEPNG Joint Venture, and Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, which developed the Akpo field and has now launched the Egina project, both in OML 130.

“The Total Group is also active in the commercialization of Nigerian gas through our 15 per cent interest in Nigeria LNG Limited and our 17 per cent interest in Brass LNG Limited. We are also building two major pipelines, the 50km Northern Option Pipeline and the 45km pipeline traversing Obite, Ubeta and Rumuji. These pipelines will enable the company to remain as key players in the supply of gas to both the domestic and export markets”, she said.

Proust also stated that the company has recently formed a new energy entity in Nigeria to show its seriousness about its commitment to energy, particularly in solar where, she said, the company has taken a 65 per cent interest in Sunpower, the world’s second-largest solar energy company.

former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed said the present administration has made remarkable strides in the power sector road map, which set the tone for reforms in power.

Ahmed who was a special guest during the launching of books written by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministr y of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali in Abuja, said that the successful privatisation of the successor companies of the defunct Power Holding Company, PHCN was a practical demonstration of commitment of President Jonathan transformation agenda on power.

Ahmed who is also former head of service said that for the progress made by the federal government to be sustainable, there is need for Nigerians to embrace peace in the polity.

Presenting the books titled: “Perspectives on Nation State Formation in Contemporary Africa and Global Trend in State Formation: An Enquiry into the Origin, Survival and Demise of State”, an Elder statesman Edwin Clarke said that the present political situation in Nigeria demands that Nigerian political class to continue emphasising issues that hold the country together rather than divisive tendencies.

He predicted that the current security challenge facing the country would soon be history if all hand are on deck to find a lasting solution to it.

Speaking on what motivated him to write the books, the Au t h o r, Ambassador Igali said that the challenge of state formation and national integration is evident; while the need for solution is even more demanding in places like Africa where nation states were formed under very special historical circumstances.

The books addressed colonial rule, African nationalism and decolonialism and analysed the process of nation-state formation in post-independent Africa from the perspective of political system and ideologies.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 27

Electricity: MAN cries out over high tariff, fixed charges ... Seeks downward tariff for SMEs

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria, MAN, has cried out to the Federal Government to review the multi-year tariff order, MYTO II, released in June 2014, containing the discriminatory fixed and average charges, saying the charges are suffocating the sector.

The President of MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who made the remarks during a visit to the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo in Abuja, insisted the rate should be reduced.

He observed that in spite of some noticeable improvements in electricity supply, industrial areas have not fared better as many depend on the purchase of exorbitant diesel to power industrial generating sets, saying that this practice is pushing up cost.

MAN also requested the Minister to intervene in the reviewed MYTO II, released in June 2014, wherein NERC failed to address its discriminatory fixed and average charges, saying that it is either the rate is brought down or prorated on the amount of energy consumed, as the current regime is choking Small and Medium Scale Industries.

Jacobs described the Power Ministry as a strategic partner

in the development and growth of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

He acknowledged the positive role of the power sector for the performance of manufacturing which has recently shown in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution and capacity utilization.

He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the bold steps taken in the sector, stressing that with the support of the Power Ministry and other line agencies, the manufacturing sector is set for better performance.

Responding, the Minister of

•Pre-paid meter

Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo assured the MAN delegation that NERC under his watchful eyes will not be allowed to profiteer on Nigerians, as government will put mechanism in place that will assist small and medium scale enterprises grow.

He appealed to MAN to sensitize its members to think about investing in renewable, adding, “some companies can effectively power their plants using solar, it is now time for our business men to think outside the box; in the long run whatever they invest, will be recouped. “Diesel is not the solution; we must utilize our God given potentials to drive our industrial revolution”, he said.

According to him, “other climes like Germany, do not have half the intensity, yet solar energy has been utilized effectively by companies, there is even integrated system now which is an admixture of biomass, solar and inverter.

“Studies have shown that many industrial concerns in Nigeria today spend large crunch of their production cost on diesel.”

The Minister assured MAN that in a matter of years, money invested to build solar power plant could be recouped, after which industries will be using free electricity.

Extractive industry: NMGS eyes increased contribution to economic devt

T

HE Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has promised to ensure that the entire gamut of the Nigerian extractive industry gets a boost for an increased contribution to the growth of the national economy The apex body of geoscientists and mining engineers in the country is worried that the extractive industry has not been able to attain its full potentials especially as sectors like mining and steel development have not received considerable attention and commensurate growth like the petroleum sector has done over the years The society dropped this hint while unfolding plans for repositioning the society to

effectively perform its leading role as the mouth piece of the geo-science industry in the country.The President of the society, Professor Clifford Teme said the NMGS would do all in its capacity to push for an even distribution of growth among the segments of the extractive industry as it believed they are all potential goldmines.

He noted that all sister organisations including the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (N A P E ) , t h e S o c i e t y o f Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Nigerian Association of Hydro-geologists (NAH), the Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS), the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) and the Nigerian Association of

Engineering Geologists and Environment (NAEGE) are not left out as they have been co-opted in the collective effort to expand the frontiers of the extractive industry in the country “I am happy to be the President of the greatest body of geo-scientists, mining engineers and metallurgists in the country. Before now, I have served in the executives for many years. As president now, I think am delighted to put in my very best in doing what I do best that is to serve the society where I belong and take it to greater heights. And in doing this we will put passion into it.

Though my first year is gone, I think the achievement recorded during this period speaks volume, he said.”

GE Oil and Gas invests N720m in subsea wellheads fabrication

By EDIRI EJOH

G

E Oil and Gas said it has commenced the fabrication of subsea wellheads in Nigeria having invested $4.5 million (N720) for its take off.

Stating the company’s position, the Chief Operating Officer, (COO) Mr. Uzo Nwagwu, said that after nearly 4 years of planning, GE now has the capability to fabricate subsea wellheads in Nigeria for its Oil and Gas customers.

He explained that this is a major milestone for GE Oil and Gas in efforts to substantially increase the local capabilities of its operations in Nigeria through ambitious technology programs and human capacity development.

He also said that with this achievement, GE’s customers operating in Nigeria no longer need to import these fabricated wellheads, thereby reducing costs and improving delivery time.

According to him, the developments at GE’s Onne facility in River State align with the Federal Government’s local content policy and desire for increased manufacturing capacity, skill acquisition and technology transfer. However, for GE, this milestone represents a lot more than complying with the laws on local content.

“GE Oil & Gas have a vision to ‘Fuel the Future’ by delivering cost-effective customer solutions on-time wherever they are needed across the globe.

“By investing now in the development of our people and facilities we are able to localize subsea wellhead assembly and partner with local suppliers to create a sustainable business for Nigeria.”

Nwagwu referred to the establishment of the Subsea wellhead fabrication capabilities in Onne as “a true winwin proposition for the indigenous industry and the Nigerian Content agenda.”

According to him, “This purpose-built facility is the first and only quayside facility of its calibre in Nigeria and employs over 200 people. It has an exceptional safety record, and is a cornerstone in GE’s commitment to the country’s Oil & Gas industry. With continually expanding capabilities, the site provides complete assembly, testing and life cycle service for subsea tree systems, subsea control modules, specialty connectors and pipe.”

Exxon Mobil loses most valuable company position to Microsoft

M

ICROSOFT has surpassed Exxon Mobil to become the world’s second most valuable company, placing it behind Apple which retains the number one spot.

Microsoft saw its market value increase to around $410bn, according to statistics from Interbrand, while oil corporation Exxon Mobil, which was previously the second-most valuable company, saw its market cap falter to around $400bn.

This saw Microsoft regaining the title as the world’s second most valuable company.

This surge in Microsoft’s value is thought to be largely due to the changes implemented by the firm’s new CEO Satya Nadella, with the company’s stock value increasing 30 percent increase over the past 12 months.

The turnaround in the Microsoft’s fortunes was evident in its fiscal first quarter earnings, released in October, which saw it posting $4.5bn in profit and surpassing Wall Street estimates with $23.2bn in revenue.

The firm talked-up a number of success stories during the three month period. This includes a 47 percent increase in its Devices and Consumer division due to bumper sales of the Xbox One and Surface Pro 3, a 10 percent increase in Windows licensing and a whopping 128 percent increase in commercial cloud revenue.

Daniel Ives, analyst at FBR Capital Markets told the Associated Press that Microsoft’s success has done a better job than its competitors, including IBM, HP and Oracle, at surviving the declining PC market.

Since taking over as head of the company, Nadella has also made some drastic cost-cutting decisions, which included the axing of 18,000 employees and the culling of Nokia’s Android handset division.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

BY HENRY UMORU

H

OMELESS Nigerian workers in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja may soon have a cause to smile. The reason is because the multi-billion Naira housing scheme being championed by the workers unions, will soon become a reality. Last week, the Minister in charge of FCT Administration, Senator Bala Mohammed formally flagged off the construction of the 40,000 housing unit-Estate for the workers in Abuja.

The scheme which would be in partnership with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress TUC and some private developers, has the capacity of alleviating the suffering encountered by workers in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, Senator Mohammed explained that President Goodluck Jonathan personally gave the FCT Administration a matching order to initiate a viable housing scheme that would cater for the needs of the Nigerian worker whom he described as the engine of the country’s economy. He noted that the project will contribute greatly to the reduction of the housing deficit in Nigeria particularly, in the FCT. The Minister explained that the project has been designed in a manner that would ensure affordability by the workers through the provision of wavers on premium for the

Succour underway for Nigerian workers •As FCT Minister flags off development of 40,000 houses in Abuja plots by the FCT Administration.

According to him, the gigantic sites will also provide avenue for over 7,000 skilled and unskilled job opportunities to Nigerians.

The workers housing projects are located on 329.93 hectares of land in parts of Lugbe District and 298.59 hectares in Apo Taphi District of the Federal Capital City.

Senator Mohammed further disclosed that “the financing of the infrastructure aspect of the project would be driven under the SURE-P Progaramme of the Federal Government”.

President of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Abdul-Waheed Omar lauded the Minister for his foresight and commitment to the workers welfare. He described the project as historic, adding that no government has ever initiated a viable and sustainable housing project such as this for the Nigerian workers. The NLC boss urged workers in the country to take advantage of the scheme to own a house.

The TUC Secretary General,

Mr. Musa Lawal, a lawyer, who represented the President, Comrade Babboi Kaigama also commended the FCT Minister and the

Administration for providing land in strategic areas for the actualization of the scheme.

Meanwhile, an agreement was signed between the FCT

Administration and Good Homes Development Company Limited at the occasion for development of the houses.

The resort and leisure centre

Inagbe Resort redefines real estate with leisure centre

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

various house-types for use as living accommodation and conferencing. nagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure The centre, according to him, is the has redefined real estate first phase of the proposed development with the construction of development and is being built on 90 a resort and leisure centre at Ilado hectares of land out of its total 300hectares.

Island located between Ogunwusi who said the Lagos Lagoon and the Nigerian component of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort project is almost 100 per was built with indigenous cent, stated that homes on building materials. Built the island were built using on 300 hectares of prime local raw materials, land on an island which is including the lighting the ancestral home of the systems like chandeliers that Esinmikan royal family, are made by people from the the resort and leisure It is the eastern part of the country. centre is an initiative of best get“They do the lighting very Gran Imperio Resorts away spot well and, if you go to Alaba Limited, a subsidiary of a f o r International market, you will Gran Imperio Group. individuals be pleasantly surprised.

The Chief Executive a n d There is a high level of Officer of Gran Imperio f a m i l i e s ingenuity in this country but Resorts Limited, Mr. a n y t i m e , people lack support. We are Adeyeye Ogunwusi who any day, encouraging them in our conducted newsmen round anywhere little way as estate the expansive facility, said developers by buying their the centre consists of

I

products and in the process of buying and using their products they improve on them. But if nobody buys from them, how are they going to improve. Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said.

The company, he said has resolved to be buying locally made products as a policy to encourage the growth of local industries.

Ogunwusi explained that beside the chalets, there is a huge hall that can hold 1,500 guests to reception, conferences, seminars and training, workshops and team-bonding events for corporate clients..

The facility, according to him, has 125-room chalets on the island and that they are still expanding. There are two sections; one by the Lagoon area and the other by the Atlantic Ocean shore line and both carry different price tags.

Every chalet and recreational facilities on the island was built in one year, beginning from September last year,” he said.

According to him, the island is about 15 to 20 minutes boat ride from any jetty on Walter Carrington Avenue, Victoria Island. “The Resort is close to Snake Island, and is just a distance of 10km from Lekki and Victoria Island with an exciting boat ride of less than twenty minutes. It is the best get-away spot for individuals and families anytime, any day, anywhere. With proper infrastructure being put in place, the resort will at the end of the day look like a snatch of Vegas in Lagos but with a cultural twist that brings the Nigerian tradition to the forefront with the traditional ambiance of thatched roof and coconut souvenir factory. It offers five-star hotel service; 650km floating platform for social outdoor activities; 18 holes golf course; four chalet rooms with Jacuzzi; beach buggers for racing. Others are paint ball shooting, common living room for guests with wide expanse area, swimming pools, productive machines to sustain the luxurious need of guests and contains 3,000 people on a working day,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 29

BY JUDE NJOKU

A

novel partnership forged between the Federal Housing Authority, FHA and the National Association of Nigerian Traders, is set to add 5,000 units to the Abuja housing stock. The cooperative scheme which will comprise one, two and three bedroom apartments in blocks of flats, would be sited in Zuba, a suburb of the the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the formal launch of the scheme which coincided with the maiden National Traders Day at the Eagles Square, Abuja, FHA’s acting Managing Director, Mr David Kpue, an engineer, said he was elated because the partnership between the Authority and the traders had become a reality.

Kpue said FHA had envisaged such collaboration in 2007 when it adopted the cooperative housing model for accelerated housing delivery. The FHA boss who was represented by the Authority’s Deputy General Manager, Public-Private Partnership, Hajara Kadiri, a lawyer, noted that cooperative housing had for years assisted in providing affordable housing for low and medium income earners in many countries.

According to him, the model takes the stress of home ownership away from the individual and shares it among

FHA partners Abuja traders to boost housing with 5,000 units

Proposed FHA Estate in Bwari, Abuja members of a group.

He enjoined Nigerians to adopt the model especially now that it has become increasingly difficult for the average citizen to save enough money to either build or buy a completed house.

The FHA boss lauded the association for opening a group account with the Authority’s

primary mortgage institution, FHA Mortgage Bank. He urged the members to pay up the 15 percent of the cost of their desired houses to facilitate the delivery of the houses.

Kpue who disclosed that the Authority has secured the site in Zuba for the take off of the project, explained that the designs were

ready and that work would commence as soon as approvals were obtained from the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA. Assuring the traders that the Authority would deliver on all its commitments under the partnership, Kpue said the FHA was determined to make it easier

for low and medium income earners to own their own houses.

To achieve that goal, he said the Authority, in spite of not enjoying budget appropriation, was working towards the takeoff of new town projects in Bwari and Kwali both in the FCT, Both projects are expected to deliver no fewer than 35,000 housing units. He praised President Goodluck Jonathan for the giant strides made by his administration to make home ownership easy and convenient for Nigerians.

These, he said included the approval of both the National Housing and the National Urban Development Policies as well as the floating of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company NMRC which he noted would midwife a sustainable mortgage culture in the country.

Kpue also noted that the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is about completing the development of a road map for the nation’s housing and urban development sector.

Lafarge backs SON on cement standardisation

BY JUDE NJOKU

N

igeria’s second largest cement manufacturer, Messrs Lafarge Cement WAPCO PLC, has backed the recent measures taken by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON to standardise cement products in the country.

The tacit approval was offered

by Lafarge’s General Manager, Sales and Customer Services, Mr Sam Ndionyemma at an interactive session with newsmen during the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair.

Asked if the company is in

support of SON’s recent measures to grade cement produced and sold in the country, Mr. Ndionyemma said, “ Lafarge as a corporate citizen,is a Nigerian and part of all efforts

by Nigerians to build a good Nigeria. Whatever is being done in Nigeria to build Nigeria properly, Lafarge is in support of it. We have been building Nigeria for 54 years before any company started doing that and we support all efforts by the Nigerian government to build Nigeria”.

Continuing, Ndionyemma said the company will continue to provide products that meet the needs of Nigerians. “Our market

is the entire country and we provide products that meet the needs of Nigerians. Lafarge is the only company that has brands that meet the requirements of all segments. If you are making blocks, we provide you cement for that purpose. If you are a home builder or estate manager, we also provide you cement for that purpose. If you are doing a highrise building, we also give you cement for that,” he said.

Asked whether his company will slash the price of its cement products, Ndionyemma replied: “Cement price is determined by market forces. If the market is

asking for a lower price, we always provide them (customers) not only lower prices but solutions that meet their needs. All those who are experts in the building industry know what they want and they know their prices.

We don’t move prices up because demand is high. All the companies that buy our cement do so because they have value for them and we charge for the value provided”.

He denied allegations that

LCCI lauds Dangote Cement on price slash

T

he President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello has lauded Dangote Cement for the slash in cement price. The LCCI boss who spoke at Dangote Industries Limited special day at the just concluded Lagos International Trade Fair, said the gesture would enable many Nigerians desirous of building their own houses to achieve their ambitions.

The President who was represented by the Deputy President of the Chamber, Mrs. Nike Akande said the Group is living up to its mission of touching the lives of people by providing their basic needs

through several products from its subsidiaries.

Mrs. Akande said the slash in price will significantly impact the economy given that cement is a major component in building and construction. She specially commended the group for creating numerous employment opportunities in the economy through several linked and integrated industries.

Group Executive Director, Stakeholders Management & Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Ahmed Mansur, an engineer, who represented the President/Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote at the event, commended the organisers of the Fair for attracting participants and exhibitors to the Fair.

Lafarge has not grown as much as it should because the company repatriates its profit to France, He restated the fact that Lafarge is a Nigerian company and most of its top employees are Nigerians. He explained that Lafarge (Africa) produces about 12 million metric tonnes of cement annually. The company, he said, has also trained over 5,000 block makers in Nigeria.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan (left) with the chief executive officer, Institute for Government Research Leadership Technology, Amb. Moses Essien, during the launching of Prof Ben Nwabueze's book in Abuja

L-R: Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Oluranti Adebule; Olubeshe of Ibeshe Land, HRH, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya and All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Lagos State, Senator Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon, during the 23rd Ikorodu Oga Day celebration in Lagos

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 31

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

•A rickety BRT bus on transit.

80 female LAGBUS drivers

Rickety BRT buses, bad roads, others pose challenge

By IKENNA ASOMBA

O

n September 28, when the Lagos State Government, LASG, said it had employed no fewer than 80 women Bus Rapid Transit System, BRT, drivers, with its asset management company, the Lagos Bus Asset Management Company, LAGBUS, it was commended for its action, given the army of unemployed youths roaming the streets of Lagos in search of unavailable white-collar jobs. The state government had stated that this employment was part of its efforts to empower women in the state.

Lagos residents, however, have expressed reservations based on bad shape of many of BRT buses, which, as well as dearth of spare parts, has severally been blamed on the deplorable state of roads.

Speaking during the training for the fourth batch of LAGBUS captains, at the Public Service Public Service Staff Development Centre, PSSDC, Magodo, Lagos, the Managing Director, LAGBUS, Mr. Babatunde Disu, who disclosed that it has also commenced training of 998 LAGBUS drivers on accident

prevention skills, reaffirmed its commitment to creating a modern, secure and sustainable bus transportation service designed for the special needs of Lagos, while also providing equal opportunities cars. After that, they will graduate to smaller buses; after for the female gender.

The General Manager for which they will learn how to fleet operation, LAGBUS, Mr. drive the big bus.

“We expect this process to take Seyi Osiyemi, who further between three to six months. explained the motive for the employment of the female The ultimate plan is to have them driving the drivers, said LAGBUS, the red “ W e bus. It takes a lot employed of time for people the female to embrace it,” he drivers to said adding that encourage “ we had about the women 200 women who who have filled application interest in forms, so we Many of the driving the short-listed and L A G B U S BRT buses started with these buses. were in a very first 80. We are “These 80 also recruiting bad shape female have more males started their because of the because we are training on dearth of refurbishing 180 driving from buses which will spare parts, the basics. be added to the which slows These ladies fleet.” do not have the pace of BRT lanes and d r i v i n g maintenance operations experience.

These female We will first work on the drivers Vanguard train them on buses gathered, are how to drive

•Another rickety BRT bus pushed by commuters.

expected to join their male counterparts to move more than 200,000 passengers daily, with the buses built to accommodate 46 sitting passengers and 36 standing, even though it has been currently abused by operators. They are also expected to ply at least 50 routes, in a 16-hour-operations from 6.00am to 10.00pm.

This is another major challenge for the newly employed female drivers, but since it has been argued that what men can do, women can do better, this very issue is however settled.

Reasons for the bad shape Against the backdrop of complaints by commuters about the poor condition of BRT buses, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, had on September 22, 2013, said the reason why many of the BRT buses were in a very bad shape was because of the dearth of spare parts, which slows the pace of maintenance work on the buses.

Reacting to the commuters’ complaints, Opeifa, who however, expressed the state government’s commitment to putting in place a first-class transport system in the state so as to promote the people’s socio-economic activities had said: ‘’You know, we don’t manufacture buses and we don’t manufacture spares but we have acquired additional 50 buses. “Besides, Safest Way Transport in Agege has just acquired 10 more buses, while Mutual Transports in Ejigbo/ Ikotun has also acquired another 30 buses. We have a total of about 80 to 90 new buses now, which will soon be introduced; we are also working hard with the operators to improve their capacity to fix their buses.

“The major problem is the issue of spare parts, which we don’t manufacture, but by and large, the operators can do better. We are working hard with the owners of those buses to ensure that they improve on the quality of their services,” he said.

3 siblings kidnapped Everything's open at Atele, Ijaw same day

Akwa Ibom communities banish 2 kids over witchcraft

native parliament

PAGE 8

PAGE 5

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VOL. 1: NO. 24

TUESD AY, NOVEMBER 18, 20 14 TUESDA 201

Oil men at work. INSET: A Joint Task Force, JTF, checkpoint on Akasa Waterway (above) and stolen crude oil (below).

We work with security agents, says illegal oil bunkerers

By Perez Brisibe

‘

AFTER settlement, they would give our boss a ‘tally,’ which is like a carved wooden object, with number.

This serves like a receipt for payment and it is only available to our chairman.

“Once in a while, security agents come with journalists to burn our camps (read local refineries) and boats, after hinting our bosses of their intention to show their people in Abuja that they are working.”

With these words, the leader of an illegal oil-bunkering syndicate in C M Y K

•‘80 per cent of diesel in circulation in South-South, South-West and South-East are from local refineries' •JTF, Marine Police settled through anchorman known by our ‘Ogas at the top’ •All lies— JTF, Police Bayelsa State, who simply identified himself as “General” Preye, gave a rare insight into how some security officials allegedly conspire with oil thieves to mislead their commanders and Nigerians into believing that the military was fighting an intense war

against oil thieves in the creeks of Niger Delta.

General Preye disclosed that “the Joint Task Force, JTF and Marine Police are settled through one of their anchorman, who is only known by our Ogas at the top. This anchorman now

settles other officers in the various offices and those stationed at various checkpoints in the creeks.

According to him, “the entire process is coordinated from the top hierarchy, which is from the level of the top military commander to the least officer Continues on Page 3

2—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Village Head, residents squabble over flooded street

Urhiephron community laments deplorable roads

AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—ALLEGED shutting of a water drive, along Davies Ekpo Street, Midim Water side in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has pitched the village head, Obong Robson Akpan, on a war path with the residents.

Matter at stake One of the residents, Mr. Patrick Akpan, whose house is located directly opposite the water drive, told Niger Delta Voice that the problem started when the village head ordered that the water drive, which they opened to allow the water to flow out, instead of causing flood on the road be sealed.

Akpan said: “Before now, there used to be an old road that drains water empty from I.B. Usoro, Celebrity Child and Asuquo Ufum Streets.

“But after the construction of the road, the people living along the water drive side came and closed up the road and right from that time, it has been hell for those of us living on Davies Ekpo.

“So we tried to open the water drive and the village head went and blocked it again. ”He did not tell us why he ordered that the water drive be blocked and when we made inquiry, he invited us to his house and we went. When I lifted up my hands to speak, he refused to listen to me instead, he ordered me out of his house.

“Whenever it rains heavily, nobody can go out or come in.

The heavy rain of last Saturday and Sunday flooded the farms, houses around here. And the situation has been like this over two years now.”

‘What we want’ He said: “We had contributed money to remove the sand from the gutter up to Hospital Road on three occasions and yet no result because of the topography of the road.

“Also because the other roads I mentioned earlier are elevated, when it rains the whole water gather and stagnate here at Davies Ekpo.

So what we want is a situation where water can be flowing out freely and this suffering ends.”

Chased out Former deputy leader of Abak Local Government, who also resides in the area, Mr. Jude Edem, said as much as the residents were not trying to underrate the Village Head, they had expected him, as a community leader, to understand the plight of the people concerning the road.

C M Y K

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Egufe Yafugborhi

U

Flooded Davies Ekpo Street after one week of downpour.

He said: “Unfortunately when he invited some of the residents to his palace, he drove them out of his chambers after he finished insulting them, instead of looking at ways to address the problem.

“We are not doing anything to spite the village head. And our appeal to the village head is to allow government project to be protected because the name water drive encompasses all what we want.

“It is high time government begins to speak sense into the village heads because it is not good for them (village heads) to destroy what government put on the ground for the people.

“It was government that put up the ‘water drive’ signpost.

So that name encompasses what we are saying and I do not see why anybody should order that the road should be blocked.”

He lamented that the condition of Davies Ekpo Road had become so deplorable that it submerges cars, motorbikes and retains water for over three months whenever it rains consecutively.

He sought for immediate attention from relevant government authorities in the interest of the citizens living in the area.

Village head denies allegation Contacted the village head, Obong Robson J. Akpan Midim, denied the allegations levelled against him, insisting that his action was taken in the interest of justice and fairness.

He said he ordered that the water drive be blocked after it was opened because he observed that the people living on the other side of the road were equally affected by same ravaging flooding.

•Water Drive off Davies Ekpo Road, allegedly blocked by the Village Head.

Obong Midim expressed anger that he was not duly consulted by those living on Davies Ekpo Street before they opened the water drive.

The retired Army officer maintained that the residents of Davies Ekpo had no right to alter what government had done.

He added that he earlier asked them to find a location to dig a pit where water could freely flow into, instead of channelling water to create flood menace on the other side where people are also living.

My anger The village head, who was visibly angry, said he was groomed in the Army to uphold justice, discipline, honesty and speak the truth in any assigned responsibility, however, disclosed that he had already spoken to the youth leader of the area to tell the youths to arrange a time for the flood problem to be addressed.

He asserted, “My annoyance

is that those people did not do things the appropriate way. I do not like cheating and injustice.

“I am always honest and consider discipline very important in doing things. I am only a village head and I am saying that it is not good for them to have done what they did on their own without consulting people in charge.

“Already I have talked to the youth leader Festus Umoren Akpan to tell the youths to prepare so that we can open a way so that water can flow out so that the burden will not be on one side because both sides are crying over the flooding problem.”

Abak LG to address the matter— WILSON However the Director of Works, Abak local government council, Mr. Wilson Wilson, said he had no knowledge about the problem as it has not been brought to his notice. He, nevertheless, said the council would look into the matter.

RHIEPHRON community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, has cried out over the deplorable condition of its roads and called on the Delta State Government to rescue the people.

President General of the community, Julius Ubiri, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice , said prolonged neglect of the Urhiephron roads had taken a harsh toll on the residents and the local economy.

Ubiri said: “Urhiephron has the enviable advantage of multiple gateways. We are linked through Orhuwhorun, Owhrode, Ekrokpe and Iwhrekeka.

“Under the former governor, Chief James Ibori, all the link roads, except Owhrode, were tarred making the town one of the most attractive satellites to several settlers, who drifted from the urban War ri and environs.

“The state of the roads then boosted the local economy. Unfortunately, the roads were never made to last. As we speak now, Iwhrekeka and Ekrokpe axis have been completely cut -off to vehicular movement.

Continues on Page 5

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—3

We work with security agents, says illegal oil bunkerers Continues from Page 1 patrolling the waterways. You cannot run your camp without settling the security agencies and the Camp Owners Union, COU. “It is this union that actually curtail and monitor all business transactions in the creeks from Edo to Calabar and the hinterlands, where oil bunkering activities take place.”

False image The impression before now, with the heavy deployment of troops by the Army, Police and Navy against oil thieves and destruction of illegal oil refineries, is that the security agencies have zero tolerance for oil theft, which their top officers episodically mouth.

Also, top commanders of the security agencies had denied the connivance of their men with oil thieves at various symposia, even when community leaders and activists fingered them.

Such a scenario played out at a seminar organized by the Delta State Government at Effurun, some months ago.

However, an undercover Niger Delta Voice reporter, who joined oil thieves on a mission in Bayelsa state, weekend, discovered that military personnel were neck deep in the business with oil thieves.

However, the blindfold was removed when the team approached the Marine Police, Navy and Army checkpoints.

Though the level of involvement of security agencies with the oil thieves cannot really be confirmed, the three military checkpoints seen by the reporter were relatively close to the local refineries.

Indeed, on approaching the checkpoints, the hired speed boat with seven occupants, including this reporter, slowed down and a familiar and friendly conversation with the security officials ensued.

“Wetin una carry?” the officials ask, followed by exchange of pleasantries, after which the boat was flagged on.

When Niger Delta Voice asked one of them about the rapport with the security officials, he said: “The officials are basically checking for arms and ammunition, likely kidnapped victims and other related forms of criminality, while keeping a blind eye to our activities.

“I told you that we have played our part; we pass here often, so they know us.”

How the deal was struck

Pailepaile crude oil market

It was not easy getting the group of oil bandits, who the reporter stumbled on at a drinking joint in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, to agree to take Niger Delta Voice to their operational bases in the creeks.

The reporter’s curiosity was raised when the Ijaw boys, soaked in alcohol, boasted that no security man would arrest them in the line of business, as long as their syndicate continued to oil their palms.

After certain inducements and agreement not to disclose their identities by Niger Delta Voice , a deal was later struck.

The reporter, who camouflaged as one of the illegal oil bunkerers, joined them on a mission, where he witnessed what happened from the sourcing to the dispatch points and observed the relationship between oil robbers and security officials.

Blindfold The voyage started from Twale Market Waterside in

On arrival at Pailepaile, few kilometres from a military checkpoint, the sound of multiple pumping machines welcomes you to an open area with tens of large wooden boats (Cotonou boats) that have come to buy or sell tons of illegally refined diesel.

The boats are so big that each of them can ferry more than 60,000 litres of petroleum products and they the bunkerers transport the products pass the various heavily manned checkpoints in the creeks.

General Preye, who took our reporter to the local refinery in company of his colleagues, gave a breakdown of how the security men were settled.

According to him, “our chairmen are the ones that settle the JTF made up of the Civil Defense, Army, Navy, and Marine Police depending on the level of active production on each camp (local refineries).

“The JTF and Marine Police

Another JTF checkpoint (above) and the oil ‘businessmen' resting.

Akassa community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. The reporter was

blindfolded for most of the one hour, 53 minutes boat ride to Pailepaile, a fishing com-

munity in the same local government, where most of the local refineries are located.

Continues on Page 4 C M Y K

4—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

use in the local refineries.

“In sourcing, we first identify a pipeline passageway, which is mostly 40 to 50 feet in the ground and dig randomly until we locate the exact spot of the pipeline. After this, we would scrap a pensize circumference on the pipeline till it becomes very thin.

“Prior to then, we would weld a hose to the pipeline with a valve; this is normally done by a pipeline welding professional.

“In siphoning the crude from the pipeline, we would fill the scarped surface with thick soapy water from detergent before breaking the exact spot using a chisel and clothedhammer. The detergent is used to forestall any unforeseen explosion that might result from sparks, while breaking the pipeline.

“After breakage, the valve attached to the pipeline from the hose is used to regulate the crude oil diversion, which is normally diverted to a loading point far from the point of breakage, where buyers come His words: “The business of with big wooden boats to buy oil bunkering is like a well products for either local establishedbusiness(white refineries or for vessels to man business). Our bosses, Lagos en route the who do not come to the camps international market. with us, would have gone to “Someone would be on see all the top stakeholders standby by the pipeline involved. diversion point, while another “In most cases, the junior stations himself at the loading security officers come to our point by the river. When a camps for their individual buyer arrives, the person at the settlements. We still settle and diversion point and the relate well with them, while loading point would we embark on our routine communicate with GSM to business. know when to open the valve.

“The entire process is co- Sales at this stage differ based ordinated from the top military on the quantity of crude becommander to the least officer ing bought.” patrolling the waterways. You Refining cannot run your camp without process The oil man settling the explained: “Afsecurity agenter buying the cies and the crude oil from Camp Owners the loading Union, COU. Instead of the point, we trans“It is this unport it to the ion that actu- Federal camp where it is ally curtails emptied into and monitor Goverment to the cooking tank all business partner with us, with a pumping transactions machine. in the creeks they buy refined “The cooking from Edo to petroleum tank is made loCalabar and cally like the t h e products from normal cooking hinterlands, abroad and pots used in the where bunkerspend billions of village with ing activities dollars in trying clay, iron matetake place.” and pipes to repair the non- rials attached to it Stages of functional Warri, were the refined production products drain B a r b w i r e , Kaduna and Port into. one of the ille“Some cooking gal oil Harcourt tanks have b u n k e r e r s , refineries 24,000 to 35,000 whose asserlitres of crude oil tions were corcapacity, deroborated by pending on the his cohorts, said: “The first stage in oil size. The refining process bunkering is what we refer to takes place in the night to as ‘sourcing’. Sourcing is the avoid being detected by officollection of crude oil from the Continues on Page 5 pipeline either for sale or for

We work with security agents, says illegal oil bunkerers

Continues from Page 3 are settled through one of their anchorman, who is only known by our ‘Ogas at the top.’ This anchorman now settles other officers in the various offices and those stationed at various checkpoints in the creeks.

“After settlement, they would C M Y K

give our boss a ‘tally,’ which is like a carved wooden object with a number. This serves like a receipt for settlement payment and it is only available to our ‘chairman.’

“Once in a while, they normally come with journalists to burn our camps and boats after hinting our bosses of their intention to show their people

in Abuja that they are working.

“What they do is that they would burn some items, like a few boats and other refining tools but not the entire camp.

That way we can return to the camp to continue business after they would have left.”

Mafia conglomerate

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—5

We work with security agents, says illegal oil bunkerers

Akwa Ibom communities banish 2 kids over witchcraft AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By Tom Moses

O

KOPEDI—TWO children, Miss Mary Emmanuel Odiong and Master Ekong Asua, aged eight, from Okopedi and Oti Oron communities in Okobo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have been dehumanized and chased away to the streets by their kinsmen, who accused them of witchcraft.

Miss Mary was purported to have killed her uncle, while Ekong was alleged to have killed his parents.

Narrating her ordeal to Niger Delta Voice, Mary said days after the burial of her uncle, Mr. David Odion, who died of ailment suspected to be Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, she was accused of being responsible for his death.

Interrogation “The people in my family

called me and began to ask me questions whether I am a witch and why I killed my uncle, I told them that I did not know anything about what they were talking about.

Brutalization “They started to torture me, they used hot cutlass to beat me, they cut my buttocks with knife and I became unconscious only to find myself in a nearby bush. I have been living on the streets since last month without food and shelter,” Mary said with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Beaten, dumped in the bush On his part, Master Ekong said his mother and father died weeks ago of some ailments he did not know, adding, “My uncles said they had gone to somewhere to find out why my parents died and they were told that I was responsible.

They tied my hands and started beating me with native sugarcane, asking me to confess.

“When I insisted that I knew nothing about the death of my

parents, they took me to a bush where I met Mary Emmanuel.

We have both been living on the streets since then,” he asserted.

Picked by NGO According to a police extract from the Nigeria Police Force, Okobo Divisional Police Headquarters, signed by CSP Abdulkhadir Eljamal, the children were picked up and brought to the station by volunteers of African Children Aid, Education and Development Foundation.

The children were said to be currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Project Director of African Children Aid, Education and Development Foundation, Mr. Nsidibe Sunday Orok and Anja Ringgeren Lovina, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice , described the situation as unfortunate.

They wondered why children were still branded as witches in a state that had put in place certain laws prohibiting abuse of children.

Keke NAPEP puts taxicab out of business in Yenagoa BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — COMMERCIAL taxicab drivers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State are lamenting the takeover of road transportation in the state capital by tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP operators.

“My brother, I may have to change my line of business to Keke NAPEP if I am to make ends meet. They have practically taken over the road,” a commercial taxicab driver, Abel, lamented, weekend, as he sat behind the wheel at the Azikoro Junction, Ekeki suburb, Yenagoa.

Abel is not alone; he ventilated the thoughts of many cab drivers in the capital city, who are threatened by tricycle operators that have gradually taken over the roads and streets of Yenagoa with their cheap and convenient mode of transportation.

He told Niger Delta Voice that he now and then spends close to two hours on queue waiting for his turn to load passengers, many of whom have a preference for keke.

From Okada to Keke NAPEP In Bayelsa, road transportation is a huge challenge as there are insufficient roads, coupled with the resultant gridlock often experienced, especially during rush hours.

Initially, motorcycle, popularly known as okada, was considered the most opportune means of transportation in Yenagoa and environs due to its ability to weave through congestion on the few busy roads , but it was banned due to the growing number of accidents and violence being perpetrated by the riders.

The clampdown on okada in the state capital by the government led to the takeover by Keke NAPEP. Business acumen The new development caught the attention of business-minded individuals and firms and in no time,

many resorted to purchasing tricycles.

They either operated it themselves or leased it at a settled price weekly for one year, after which ownership is passed, depending on the agreement reached.

Danger Though, they were initially

Continues from Page 4 cials of the multinational oil companies, who normally fly to and from their base with helicopters in the day time.

“During the process of cooking, the first product that comes, out after three to four hours, is petrol. Two hours later, kerosene starts pouring out before diesel, about five hours later.

“All these are channelled to other tanks known as receiving tanks with valves attached to it, to be able to divert the needed product as they are being refined. The entire refining process takes an average of 10 hours, which normally starts as from 8p.m.”

Why we are into oil banditry For Preye, a resident of Akasa community, “oil bunkering is one of the major avenues of earning a living in this area. So, most of us who do not have jobs go into it. It is very common here.

“Though we might be arrested, we try to work for someone who has top connection so that we can be released if we are arrested.”

According to Epebitimi Akpos, “three out of every five youths in this state are involved in oil bunkering and I can beat my chest to say that 80 per cent of diesel in circulation in the South-South, South-West and South-East regions are from local refineries.

“We are very bitter with the

Continues on Page 8

Federal Government because instead of them partnering with us to improve our expertise, which is cheap and very economical unlike the regular refineries, they buy refined petroleum products from abroad as well as spend billions of dollars in trying to repair the non-functional War ri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries.

International buyers “Most international buyers of crude oil from different parts of the country come through Lagos. When they arrive, it is either they contact our bosses or deal directly with someone in the camp, depending on the connection of the buyer.

“When they arrive with their vessels, three or four camp owners might rally round to provide the needed tons, which in most times could be as much as 1000 to 3000 tons.

“Owing to the size of these vessels, they cannot access the creeks, so they use local wooden boats to transport the products from inside the creeks to the main sea, where they offload the contents into these anchored vessels.”

Baseless accusation —POLICE, JTF Reacting to the allegations by the oil thieves, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bayelsa State, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alex Akighbe, and the Joint Task Force Media Coordinator, Lt. Continues on Page 8

Urhiephron community laments deplorable roads

Urhiephron Road.

Continues from Page 2 “Only Orhuwhorun route is manageable, but gradually

washing away too. It is a piteous situation and people are beginning to desert the com-

munity,” he said.

According to the community leader, “ we have written to the governor through our son, Chief Origho, who has just been promoted to Head of Service. We have written to DESOPADEC, reached out to the Ministry of Works and other agencies. Nothing positive has come out of it, we really do not know who else to cry to at the moment.”

Niger Delta Voice toured the Urhiephron/Iwhrekeka/ U g h e v w u g h e / Eruemukohwarien link road project and discovered that it was only tarred to Iwhrekeka Junction, leaving the stretch to Ughevwughe and Eruemukorien unattended.

C M Y K

6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

them.

Disputes ranging from stealing, land disputes and many serve as matters for town halls at various Ijaw communities.

Atele plays out in mild drama in some communities as some adulterous men boast at the number of times they had paid fines for committing adultery.

Some Ijaw women see it as a harbour for lazy men.

Atele-in-session (above and top right).

Mr. Budonyefa.

Mr. Ozobo.

It’s not a house of rumour —BEBENIMIBO, OZOBO Ijaw activist and Chief Executive Officer, Peak Table Water, Egbokodo, near Warri, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, said: “Atele is not a house of rumour.

“It is a modern-day civic centre; a sit-out in the local setting, where people get fresh heard the stories of how General information about things you Abacha created Bayelsa State as probably do not have knowledge compensation to Ijaw people af- of. During the discussions, you ter killing Ogoni activist and gain more knowledge.”

National President of Ijaw playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa; a lion killed a landlord in Lagos; People Development Initiative, and a woman stabbed her hus- IPDI, Mr. Austin Ozobo, said: band to death over sex, and so “Atele is a recreational centre and serves as an informal educational on. centre.

“People come to relax, play Why women don’t like and learn both the good and the their men in Atele bad. He said elderly people tell “These issues create heavy ar- ancient stories of myth, war, gument among the average aged adventure, romance and so on men until somewhich teach the times, many average man. ended in quar“Atele is not acrels and fighttually a house of For those who do gossip, which ing,” he said, adding “but the not listen to radio some people see next day, the it to be. Many or watch TV or debate and rubored and sad mour continue read Daily Times, people go there with the same find joy and as all newspapers to persons who laughter when are called, the quarrelled the they see their age other day.” cracking story tellers gain mates Atele is also jokes with them. prominence by used as a dis“In some inpute settlement stance, if a man fabricating inforcentre just like a wants to avoid mation and even quarrels with his local court where elderly wife, he abanannouncing ones sit over disdons the house breaking news at and comes to puting parties and broker Atele house to Atele peace among find happiness.”

Everything's open at Atele, Ijaw native parliament

By Cletus Opukeme

B

URUTU—ATELE is a popular traditional building, without walls,that serves as a relaxation centre at the water front of virtually every Ijaw village in the Niger Delta.

Men converge on the centre, which also serves as a chit-chat house, mostly in the afternoon and nightfall to exchange banter.

Usually suspended from the depth of the river, it is built with different materials and styles from thatch to modern corrugated sheets, and has been maintained from generation to generation.

Some are built with bamboos and iron /woods, but nowadays with blocks.

An authority in Ijaw culture and Dean, School of Languages, College of Education, Warri, Delta State, Mr. Agbegha Budonyefa, told Niger Delta Voice “Atele is a rest house, which is always built in the water front of the community.

“Significantly, we are a linear community; our villages are not stretched further inside, it is where men usually come together during mid-day and also in the evening.

“Atele is like a play house where people sit down to tell difC M Y K

ferent stories and sometimes drink palm wine.

“Generally Atele is a meeting place where people from every quarter come together to discuss important issues concerning the welfare of the village,” he added.

Neither for women nor children His words: “Atele is not for children and women. Women in Ijaw culture do not have a space at Atele. If a woman comes to Atele even by invitation, she is barred from sitting down; rather she is to stand by the side of the Atele house.

“Now, I do not know whether women have been allowed to join men in Atele because things are changing every day.”

Investigation by Niger Delta Voice showed that people visit the Atele on their own volition at different hours of the day. Some well-to-do members of the community, particularly chiefs and retired civil servants, who returned from the cities, provide drinks at the centre for jollity.

It is not a place for the youths and if a youth is seen at Atele with the elders, the said youth may have distinguished himself from his peers.

That is why he was allowed to

join the elders to discuss with them. Atele is significant and unique in many ways to the Ijaw culture/tradition.

At Oboro, Okpokunou, Torugbene, Bolou-Ndoro, Ojobo and other Ijaw communities, Niger Delta Voice saw men as early as 8a.m. in Atele. Men gather at Atele and discuss till dusk on different issues, ranging from family to general communal matters.

No holds barred assembly An old hunter said: “Most commonly discussed matters are local politics, fables, stories of ancient war, sports (wrestling) and promiscuity.

“For instance, a man seen with another man’s wife or one strange beautiful unmarried woman with big buttocks, who walks across from a neighbouring community or within the village or a woman, who recently ran away from her husband.”

For those who do not listen to radio, watch television or read Daily Times, as all newspapers are called, the story tellers gain recognition and honour by fabricating information and even announcing breaking news at Atele.

A farmer told Niger Delta Voice that it was in Atele that he

Not a lazy man abode—BUDONYEFA Mr. Budonyefa disagreed with the lazy men description, saying “Atele is an open house where those in it see everywhere in the village.

“Also, it is a place where people discuss all subjects under the heaven in Ijaw culture. Of course, those men who spent time in Atele are regarded as lazy men but the hard working Ijaw men know when they come to join their peers in Atele.

“They come in the morning and later return to the forest or river to do their works to fend for themselves and families. Atele is not a living house. So, people do not stay permanently in Atele house.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—7

PODIUM…

Uduaghan changes Warri, Effurun landscapes

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—WE foretold in the special report, “How S-South states’ capitals stand on link roads” in our last edition that the findings would likely propel the governors of the South-South states to have a rethink on the road network in their capital cities.

Feelers from the states, barely a week after, indicate that the governors took the findings serious.

Some had directed their Commissioners for Works and other appropriate officials/ agencies to come up without delay with strategies to address the challenge, an action that will rub-off positively on the people.

It was, however, gathered, that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, who time and again, let go his cortege of security aides to drive himself around in Asaba, the state capital and the oil city of Warri in order to ascertain the situation on ground, knew about the condition.

That was why he initiated the Urban Renewal Strategy, which had seen his administration executing major Junction Improvement Works at Asaba and Warri/ Effurun metropolitan areas, last year.

Jakpa, Enerhen junctions makeover The Jakpa Junction, Enerhen Junction, Warri and adjoining Enerhen Motel Junction, as well as Enerhen Road, which used to be blots on the landscape, are wearing modern looks following the intervention.

They are part of the 12 junctions and roads in Asaba, Warri and Effurun, which the sum of N3.1 billion was voted for their improvement.

The new look Enerhen junction features six-lane traffic (three each for on- and out-going traffics) with medians that lock bus drivers into their lane and prevent the usual lane-crossing and shunting and a set of traffic lights.

There are also neat modern bus stops with walkways that keep pedestrians off the road and ensure orderliness in queue.

Speaking at the inauguration, Uduaghan said the new look was part of a 12-junction/ intersection renewal project aimed at easing traffic in major towns and cities of the state.

Residents of Enerhen Junction, Enerhen Road and Enerhen Motel Junction, who are overjoyed by the project,

*Races against time on Asaba, Warri flyovers, BRT

Enerhen Junction, Warri.

Effurun Flyover (left) and Warri BRT projects. lauded the governor for reducing traffic and crime in the areas with the project.

A top government official told Niger Delta Voice “the popular Enerhen junction was deliberately selected for commencement of the project because it was easily the most challenging in terms of congestion and hardship experienced by residents as a result of incessant traffic jams and other difficulties.”

Focal objective “The main objective of the work was to decongest the selected junctions and to promote free flow of traffic in them thereby, enhancing economic and social activities in both cities,” she added.

BRT, flyover projects to ease traffic gridlock Uduaghan, who is sprinting against time in his bid to improve the internal road network in Asaba and Warri, had also embarked on N8 billion flyover projects at

Nnebisi-Anwai-Okpanam Roundabout, Asaba and Effurun-Sapele Roundabout, Effurun, near Warr i , in addition to a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT project running through the twin cities.

The Effurun flyover project, which is being handled by CCC, is due to be completed

by February 2015 and it will not only improve the aesthetics of the countryside, but evacuate the congestion at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI road, a strategic junction of the East/West highway, as well as that on the Eku/Abraka/Agbor expressway being dualised by the government.

The Asaba flyover project when completed will also help ease traffic, especially during rush hours in the ever growing capital of Delta State.

A dual carriageway from Summit Road, now Emmanuel Uduaghan Road, is also being constructed to link Okpanam and Anwai Roads.

Challenge Government is, however, facing a constraint in the Effurun-Warri BRT project as the road seems not wide enough, while people were not ready to lose their houses to create wider space, except government was willing to pay huge compensation.

It is not known how the governor intends to overcome the challenge.

Govt’ll deliver projects—FUNKEKEME The Commissioner for Works, Funkekeme Solomon, said the state government was doing everything possible to deliver the projects, which are among infrastructural development plans for the Delta Beyond Oil agenda.

Funkekeme, whose ministry supervises every civil works in the state, including the ones done by other ministries, said government was keen about its urban and rural road transportation system to ease

the evacuation of agricultural products, movement of goods and services including personnel from one point to the other.

Rural integration programme Speaking on the rural integration programme of the ministry, Funkekeme said the state government had opened up Omadino through a link road, which is being taken just before the Army checkpoint to link Omadino Bridge.

He added that these would open up the rural communities of Omadino and to utilize the bridge effectively.

According to him, the rural integration programme was what attracted the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, President, Papa Ayo Oristejafor, to open a university in Omadino, which groundbreaking was performed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

C M Y K

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

We work with security agents, says illegal oil bunkerers Continues from Page 5 Col. Mustapha Anka, described the accusation of connivance of the security agents as groundless.

They reiterated that the war against oil bunkering was still on, adding that the security agencies had recorded numerous feats in the battle against oil theft.

Anka said: “The allegations by these oil bunkerers are baseless. Though we have not received any of such report of connivance as they alleged, I

can assure you that if we find such, those involved would be fished out and dealt with appropriately because there is no authority for any security agencies to tolerate such act.

“The Federal Government frowns at the activities of oil bunkerers along the waterways.

“There is concerted effort among the security agencies in partnership with the government, oil companies, community and opinion leaders, and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, to sensitize the people of the area on the ills of illegal oil bunkering, as well as tackling the menace.”

Keke NAPEP put taxicab out of business in Yenagoa

Continues from Page 5 barred from the major expressways and restricted to the inner streets for the safety of the passengers and themselves, many of them ply the highway at the moment without any hindrance from the authorities.

How I’m making it—Keke NAPEP operator A Keke NAPEP operator, Adamu, who was forced to relocate from the troubled North East to eke out a living in Bayelsa state, told Niger Delta Voice, “I was lucky to meet some of my kinsmen here, who assisted with some funds to add to my life-saving to purchase a brand new tricycle which is now my source of livelihood.

“On a good day, I make as much as N4, 000 because most people prefer to go on charter.

Humility and determination is the key to success in this business.

“I need to feed myself and C M Y K

send money back to my wife and children now taking refuge in Kano.”

Alleged extortion Adamu, however, bemoaned what he described as the unfriendly disposition of some policemen feeding fat on their labour.

He said: “Most times, they look for every flimsy excuse to extort money from us but I need to be on the road to take care of my family. ” Why we prefer Keke NAPEP—Commuters Some commuters, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said they prefer tricycle because it saves time, more convenient and cheaper than taxis.

In the words of Perelade Ebi, “Keke can take you right to your door step accessibly and at cheaper rate, but my problem with most of them is that they are always in haste and can cause accident.”

3 siblings kidnapped same day CROSS RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

By Ike Uchechukwu

A

KWA IKOT EFFANGA— RESIDENTS of Akwa Ikot Effanga community, Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Cross River State, have been having sleepless nights since October 3 when a five-man kidnap gang stormed the sleepy town and abducted three children of same parents.

A month and two weeks after eight-year-old Obo Effefiong, Christiana Effefiong Otu (6) and Joseph Effefiong Otu (4) were kidnapped; there is no news yet about their whereabouts. The family had conducted series of search in many places without result.

Before the unfortunate incident, activities of kidnappers in the state were to some degree circumscribed to the outskirt of Calabar, the state capital.

How kidnappers struck Narrating the episode to Niger Delta Voice, 48- yearold aunty to the children Deaconess Arit Daniel Effiong, who was an eye witness, said at about 3.00 am on October 3, the men numbering about five broke our door and entered, pretending to be members of a vigilance group.

“They harassed me and my cousin’s wife, who brought her children to visit their sick grandfather, asking us to produce the thieves that ran into our house to hide. We told them that no one entered our compound, but they insisted that they must search the rooms.

“They took us into the rooms.

Unknown to us, other members of the gang had carried the children that were sleeping in the sitting room with her, while we were conducting them round the rooms.”

She said that when the gunmen brought them back to the parlour, the children were nowhere to be found and in a jiffy, they (the gang members) inside the house) ran to join others in the vehicle outside and zoomed off.

I’m confused—FATHER When Niger Delta Voice met the 30-year-old father of the abducted children, Mr. Daniel Otu Effiong, at his Ikot Nakanda home, he was in a state of utmost confusion,

TAKEN: Top— Christiana Effefiong (right), Obo Effefiong Otu and Otu Joseph Effefiong Otu (above). obviously affected by the psychological trauma.

“Up till this moment, I am still confused on what really happened and what to do, because I cannot imagine how my three children could disappear just like that.

“It is like a terrible dream from which I am yet to wake up from, I still cannot believe that my Joe, Christy and Obo are nowhere to be found.”

‘I’ve no bones to pick with anybody’ Could it be that he has an axe to grind with anybody?

Effiong replied, “I do not have issues with anyone, both in my family and my place of work, so I do not know who could have done such evil to me.

“Look at my wife; she is torn apart. Our lives have been shattered by this incident, I have done everything humanly possible to find them.

“Even things I cannot even mention to you, I have gone to places that I will not naturally visit, all in a bid to find my children, yet to no avail. It is the end of the world for me.”

SOS to Imoke He appealed to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River to use his good office to help him find his children and also prayed the police and other law enforcement agencies to come to his aid.

I surrender the matter to God—GRANDMOTHER Also speaking on the incident, the paternal grandmother of the three missing children, Pastor Mrs. Bassey Effiong, told Niger Delta Voice that the children were with her, but had to visit her father due to his illness.

She said: ”My daughter in law and her children went to stay with my dad at Ikot Effanga where the incident occurred.

“Every effort to locate the children has proved abortive to date, but I have surrendered everything to God to take charge.”

Contacted, State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Bassey Hogan, said he was away on official assignment.

A police source told Niger Delta Voice that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

RED ALERT:

Fake LASTMA officials on the prowl •62yr-old retiree recounts ordeal

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

A

gainst the backdrop of reported cases of assaults and extortion of innocent motorists plying major routes in Lagos roads, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has urged residents to be vigilant over the rising presence and activities of men claiming to be its officials and the state’s taskforce unit.

This red alert came, following the end of the road for two fraudsters who have been impersonating officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, to defraud erring motorists.

The two suspects, Funsho Williams and Adekogbe Olabode, were arrested by the police after collecting the sum of N35,000 from a motorist under a false pretence.

The victim, a 62-year-old retiree of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr Felix Adesanya, who narrated his ordeal at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH where he had gone for treatment as a result of injury sustained in the hands of the suspects, said he was sold a dummy of a spurious allegation of flouting traffic laws and told that for him to avoid being

•The fake document

LASTMA

taken to the now famous ‘Alausa’ head office of the agency, he had to part with the money.

According to the Abeokuta, Ogun State born indigene: “I was discharged from Lagos State Teaching Hospital, LASUTH in September and given a medical appointment for Wednesday, November 12, 2014 to meet up with my appointment. So, I left my No 4 Olaonisebe Close, Akute residence in my ash coloured Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 653 BX.

“While I was driving to LASUTH, I was flagged down by two men in mufti wearing a reflective jacket on my way at Akilo area of Ogba. I halted

•The fake document

LASTMA

with the thought that the two were in need of assistance to move farther. To my surprise the duo accused me of disobeying traffic personnel and all explanation that I did not commit any traffic offence fell on deaf ears as they were bent on arresting me.

“The duo insisted that I have committed a traffic offence and forcefully entered my vehicle introduced themselves as LASTMA officials and flashed an ID card with the inscription of Lagos Traffic Taskforce. They later demanded for my wallet, ransacked it and took N30,000 with a threat to take me to their office if I do not cooperate and summed up the money to N60,

— 33

this was going on that a LASTMA patrol vehicle approached the scene and stopped the bus from moving away.

It took the concerted efforts of the Police and the LASTMA team to stop the mob from lynching them, as they were later taken to Area ‘F’ Police Station, Ikeja for further investigation, said a LASTMA official, Jonathan Arewa.

Also confirming the incident, the Investigation Police Officer, Area ‘F’ Police Station, Ikeja, Saliu Sanni disclosed that further investigation would be conducted, and suspects charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

However, LASTMA boss, Engr. Babatunde Edu, who condemned the act, disclosing that the impostors were never staff of his agency, however, warned impostors to desist from the illegal act or face the full

000.”

“In order to meet up with my appointment, I went on my knees begging my captives for mercy and I was advised to take them to the nearest Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or face the risk of forfeiting my vehicle and paying N120, 00 to government. “Left between the deep-blue sea and the devil, I followed them obediently. At the ATM, they demanded to know my account balance which I refuted and withdrew N5, 000 only. With N35,000, the fake traffic task forces were not yet done as they demanded that I drop them at the Guinness busstop.

With N35,000 in hand, the fake traffic officials tried to make good their escape and flagged down a commercial motorcyclist but I held one of them on the clothe and LASTMA shouted out for boss, Engr. help,” explained Babatunde Adesanya. who Meanwhile, as Edu, condemned pandemonium act, broke out, and the with people d i s c l o s e d running after that the them, one of the i m p o s t o rs suspects jumped on the tail of a were never m o v i n g staff of his commercial bus, agency and it was while

weight of the law.

According to him “Residents must be alert and report any suspicious act from officials.

LASTMA officials are to be in uniform at all time with visible name tag and no officer must cover his or her name tag with beret, pen or other items. Motorists have the right of asking for the official’s identity as anything short of this is illegal and must be reported to the authorities.”

When bus operators withdraw services on Lagos-Badagry road

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

T

housands of commuters, penultimate Monday, were stranded on the ever-busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway, as private bus operators popularly called Coaster Mass Transit withdrew their services from the roads to protest their extortion by the two major transport unions in the state.

The operators alleged that the two transport unions-National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, have reneged on the agreement signed between both parties.

Vanguard gathered that the union and the operators in 2004 signed agreement that the transport operators should only pay levies in approved garages in the state.

Therefore, worried by the continuous act of the unions, the over 500 operators withdrew

their vehicles and vowed that the strike would not end until the unions adhere to the 2004 signed agreements.

As the strike bites harder on commuters, who are left at the mercy of the Yellow commercial buses, known as danfo buses, effort by the state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa to pacify the striking operators to return to the road met brick wall at press time.

At the meeting held behind closed door at the Alausa Secretariat of the Ministry of Transportation, between the commissioner, representatives of the striking operators and the unions led by the NURTW chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede during the week ended in a deadlock.

Speaking to Vanguard, Chairman of the mass transit operators, Mr. Abiodun Adedoyin said: “We have been appealing to the unions for over three years to adhere to the agreement signed in 2004. But

rather than addressing the issues, they increased the levies.”

According to him, “Each driver pays N22, 000 daily. A driver pays N6, 700 to RTEAN and N14, 250 to NURTW. When we couldn’t bear the sufferings any more, we wrote to the Commissioner, to address the issue but when we didn’t receive any response, we decided that strike would be the best option to attract the attention of the government.”

Adedoyin said that the operators started the strike on November 10, 2014, adding that

“We are not ready to return until our demands are met.”

Similarly, the vice chairman of the operators, Mr. Olatunji Badru lamented that “We pay illegal fees daily. The government only allowed the collection of union levies in garages, and on this route, we have only four garages-Miles 2, CMS, Okokomaiko and Oyingbo. But the unions will demand that we pay in all the over 23 bus stops on this route, It is unfair and unacceptable to us.” Expressing his displeasure on the action of the unions, Badru said “The suffering is too

•Traffic on the Lagos-Badagry expressway.

much. We can no longer feed our family. We are indebted and in order not to increase the transport fare, we decided that the strike would address the grey areas.

Commuters react Meanwhile, Mr. Micheal Johnson, a commuter who was among the hundreds left stranded said “The action of the coaster drivers severely inconvenienced us (commuters). Due to their action, I was unable to reach work early yesterday, here I am again today.”

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

By Theodore Opara

Toyota Prado takes major leap T

HOUGH a facelift, the new Land Cruisers Prado has turned out to be one of the prettiest rides in its segment.

With a heritage that dates back over half a century, the Land Cruiser ’s unrivalled off-road performance and durability have earned it a rock-solid reputation for reliability. And now-inheriting the pedigree of its predecessors while simultaneously realising superior on-road performance and interior versatility at a high level, Land Cruiser Prado takes a major step forward.” This is how Toyota Motor Corporation sees the new Land Cruiser Prado that is ruling the sport utility vehicle segment.

With the rugged strength of an off-road leader and an exterior that achieves the summit of refinement, Prado has a distinctive individuality that harmonies magnificently with urban life.

Powered by a 4.0 litre V6 petrol engine with dual VVTi and roller-rocker arm, the Prado delivers unrivaled performance in its class. Prado’s five-speed super intelligent ECT automatic transmission adds to its excellent performance on the road. The sporty and smooth-shifting multimode sequential five-speed super intelligent ECT also features AI-shift, which automatically switches shifting patterns according to road conditions and driver intent.

Toyota’s superior technology reflects all around the Prado, thereby guarantying a superior and robust ride. Even in narrow streets and tight corners, Prado’s smooth, nimble handling assures driving ease that makes you not feel the vehicle size. Features like multi-terrain select, multi-terrain anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, multi-terrain monitor, steering angle, terrain electronic display, crawl control in the Prado are better experienced than imagined.

For instance, on-road or offroad, Land Cruiser Prado’s advanced suspension system and frame structure assures outstanding performance that exceeds expectations. Prado’s electronic controlled Kinetic Dynamic suspension system helps keep all tyres on the ground when tackling off-road driving. The Kinetic Dyn amic suspension system also suppresses body roll during onroad driving.

Other features like electronically modulated rear air suspension plus adaptive variable suspension system as well as the full-time all-wheel drive system with Torsen limited differential stand the Prado out

in its class.

The Prado is a class leader when it comes to comfort. Its distinctively comfortable and spacious cabin assures the satisfaction of all on board. For instance, the advanced multiinformation display presents a wide range of information in an easy to understand form for enhanced driving convenience.

An instrument panel of quality construction, arranged in a horizontal-vertical layout of functional simplicity that makes it easy to understand vehicle tilt when driving off-road, brings the superior practicality of 4WD performance to life.

Automatic air-conditioning with dial-type controls offers three-zone independent

temperature adjustment, leather seats, smart entry and start system, EMV-type 14 speaker premium sound system external audio input all standard and features in the new Prado.

The Prado is package with versatility to meet all need. You can get convenient features and seat configuration flexibility that can satisfy the needs of a diverse range of life style situations.

The Prado has leading edge in safety as a result of its advance technology. Some of the technologies include vehicle stability control, SRS airbags, pedestrian protection, crash safety, active headrests, adaptive front-lighting system and headlight intensity discharge lamps, to mention just a few.

Vario, Mercedes-Benz workhorse arrives as tow-truck H AVING stamped its au thority on the sales and maintenance of both MercedesBenz passenger and commercial vehicles in Nigeria, Weststar Associates Ltd, authorised general distributors of Mer-

cedes-Benz products in Nigeria has introduced the new Mercedes-Benz Vario range into the market.

The Mercedes-Benz Vario commercial van, renowned as a market leader with its wide

range, offers extensive scope for individualism as well as the use of special purpose bodies. It is now available in Weststar showrooms and its dealerships across the nation in 814DA 4x4 tow truck.

The new arrival is powered by a powerful Mercedes-Benz OM904 LA four cylinder Euro 3 diesel engine with 177 horsepower. It is loaded with array of features aimed at enhancing its towing capabilities.

According to a statement by Weststar, the Vario tow truck is equipped with Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Rear underride protection EEC, an under frame reinforced stabilizer rear axle, a single-pole battery main switch, a 24 V/starter 24 V Electric equipment, Co-driver’s Cab S23 double seat and a wide angle exterior mirror on the front passenger side. Other features include a 90—litre main tank, Halogen fog lamps, a left and right revolving yellow flasher on the cab roof, Cruise control for manual transmission, a Linear speed limiter of 90km per hour and a spare

lifting device under the end of the frame.

It comes standard with a skid lift/hydraulic ejector, a hydraulic lifting arm with hydraulic extension and is fully tiltable on load operation. The subframe is made of fine-grained steel, resulting in a very flat lifting arm. A 3.6 ton winch is mounted on the arm, and works with a 2-speed manual freewheel.

The Vario Tow-truck has a lot to offer in terms of accessories i.e. side markers with LED technology, a tool box with illumination, and Flyer with two LED work lights mounted on it, to name a few.

More to offer is the impressive hydraulic system which has overload valves, sandwich hydraulic valves, a hydraulic 2circuit system which includes a dual-circuit pump, and integrated hydraulic filter and tank.

There’s also a separate relay and fuse box for additional power supply and fuse, plus a 12 + 24 V Jump-starting facility and cable.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 35

By Theodore Opara

Made-in-Nigeria Hyundai Grand shines at first road test T

HE recently unveiled made-in-Nigeria Hyundai Grand was recently put to test in Lagos by local automobile media, who test drove the car from Victoria Island through the busy roads of Apongbon in Lagos Island to Western Avenue, Ikeja, Opebi and Third Mainland Bridge.

The guarded road test is coming few weeks after Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, a division of Stallion Group - makers of the vehicle, took the wraps off the compact family sedan at a media event in Lagos and thereafter sought to determine the suitability and compatibility of the car for Nigerian roads.

Hyundai Motors Nigeria presented two likeable variants of the Hyundai Grand with 5-Speed manual and 4-Speed automatic transmission-powered by 1.25 Kappa Dual VTVT engine respectively for the test drive.

Speaking to newsmen before the test drive, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni, Head – Sales and marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited said “It is our pleasure to put to the test the first made-in-Nigeria family sedan and we are convinced you and the entire patrons of this car will discover how pleasant the Hyundai Grand drives.”

He particularly commended the influence of the National Automotive Industrial Development Plan on the manufacturing sector of the Nigerian economy, saying the policy is capable of transforming Nigeria from an import dependent nation to a well-heeled manufacturing entity.

An entirely new level of art and innovation, the Hyundai Grand proves that a comfortable and spacious car doesn’t have to be cumbersome.

Hyundai Grand from all angles responds to every expectation with alluring cabin colour, textures and shape that lend it a sport appeal that could easily make any large car envious.

Crank the engine and you will be amazed at how the 1.25cc engine with either 5-speed manual or 4-

speed automatic transmission gets off to fantastic start without sacrificing the brilliant aerodynamic appeal that makes the car the best entry level sedan yet.

The Grand also shows a sharp styling with a whole new level of innovation that attest to the luminously crafted exterior which leaves an everlasting impression on all those who catch a glimpse of it.

Hyundai Grand’s clear headlight clusters for instance, not only look good, they improve night vision and on-road visibility with extra safety just as the chrome-coated radiator grille positioned to perfection guarantees strong presence.

The outside mirror repeaters are similarly aerodynamically sculpted while the outside mirror is ornamented with LED repeaters for enhanced looks and safety.

Inside the car, the front and rear seating ergonomically designed bucket type front seats gives the car a premium feel with spacious and cushioned rear seats while the adjustable headrests assure ample support and comfortable seating.

This is in addition to the liberal boot space that could accommodate your weekend luggage with bench folding function that provides an extra flat load space.

The Grand’s aerodynamic designed bumper also reduces forward air flow resistance while the rear spoiler effect enhances fuel economy and driving stability.

In terms of protection, the Hyundai Grand does not compromise on safety especially when viewed against the structural safety that utilizes anti corrosive steel, ring structure application to enhance rigidity and body robustness.

Powered by dual CVVT Kappa 1.25litre all-aluminum engine that emits quiet and smooth operation, the Grand will delight drivers looking for exceptionally low weight cars that maximize fuel consumption.

Altima debuts with ambitious features T

HE 2015 Nissan Al tima continues to be a top choice among family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy and a rare blend of comfort and agility says foremost American online resource for automotive information, Edmunds.com.

The online resource also described Nissan Altima as stylish, bold and aggressive with long body lines that distinguishes the sedan from close rivals like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima.

Emerging from a total makeover last year, the new Nissan Altima provides customers with premium experiences and high technologies that drivers would live to remember.

Nissan says it’s simply enhancing the Altima’s package with better value proposition to keep it fresh against increasing competent rivals.

While many manufacturers are offering different 4-cylinder engines

with hybrids and diesels, the 2015 Nissan Altima sedan goes the traditional route by offering a base 4-cylinder and a V6 as the ‘up’ engine.

The 2.5-litre ‘four’ for instance is designed for lighter weight and higher efficiency, while the 3.5-litre V6 offers improved fuel economy, adding one kmpg (kilometre per gallon i.e. four litres) to the combined and highway scores.

Both engine drive Altima’s front wheels through Nissan’s next

generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) - the only gearbox offered – which drives engine revs ahead of vehicle speed during strong acceleration and helps both the 4cylinder and impressive V6 to achieve tremendous fuel economy with fixed-ratiosimulating manual shift paddles on up-level Altima models Popular Mechanics, a United States classic magazine of popular technology attested to this, stating in one of its recent

publications that “the new Altima remains one of the most engaging family sedans, and now its fuel economy approaches 65 kmpg on the highway, and Nissan should have no problem attracting the most frugal family-sedan buyers.”

And if you think you’ve heard the most outstanding remarks ever, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) recent commentary would amaze you. The Irvine, California-based vehicle valuation and automotive research company said.

Elizade Autoland set to launch JAC service centres

E

LIZADE Autoland, a leading name in the Nigerian automotive sector is set to fully introduce the JAC automobile brand into the market, with the formal unveiling of its state of the art after sales service centres in Ikeja and Victoria Island.

As part of the plans executed to fully introduce the brand into the Nigerian “autosphere”, a fourmonth test drive was commissioned by Elizade Autoland across the country earlier to ascertain the brand’s adaptability and

suitability for the Nigerian environment, bearing in mind the preconceived notion of Nigerians toward Chinese automobiles.

The test drive proved JAC to be strong and realible. Responses from the test drive participants which include highly industrious individuals and companies have so far been very positive.

An Elizade Motors source said If the overwhelming results of the test drive are anything to go by, then this brand is poised to give other automobile brands a run for their

money, and is a definite necessity for every success-driven individual and business.”

JAC range of automobiles combines ruggedness, fuel efficiency, comfort, and durability in a stylish way. The Light duty truck, as well as the passenger cars, the J3, and J5 are the available variants of the JAC models marketed by Elizade Autoland, while the J4 will be introduced in the course of time.

The light duty trucks possess great strength with high loading

c a p a c i t y , recommendable for business owners who seek to enhance productivity, while the J3 and J5, with spacious and comfortable interior, perfect for the ambitious and classy individual.

The service centres will cater for the maintenance to ensure greater value and satisfaction for prospective owners.

Furthermore, personnel have been trained to ensure that the potential owners of JAC vehicles enjoy world class aftersales maintenance services.

36 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Diabetic patients face treatment challenges in Nigeria

By Chioma Obinna

E

GBUNA Eke, 38, has enjoyed good health since birth to the extent that visiting the hospital was never part of her growing up. The only time she used drugs then was when she had cold or fever that was treated with over-thecounter drugs, like paracetamol.However, the period of good health ended 10 years ago when she found out that she was drinking more water and had increased frequent urination. She was also losing weight.

Her parents took her to a hospital where she was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Her condition became worse.

Her fasting blood sugar test read over 300mg/dl. She was confirmed to have type 1diabetes at the age of 28 and was placed on insulin injections at that time.

Although, diabetes is said to be hereditary, she has no family history of the disease.

Unfortunately, the myths associated with diabetes, mostly due to ignorance, did not help her to seek better treatment options. She was fooled by several words of advice ranging from direction to seek a spiritual cure, to a suggestion to abandon her insulin injections, with no alternative provided.

Challenges face by diabetic patients

Egbuna almost lost her life until she was taken to a public hospital where she met a dietician. Today, the exorbitant costs of managing her diabetes have drained her financially, since she has to procure every item on her own with no assistance.

Many Nigerians suffering from diabetes like Egbuna are faced with challenges ranging from lack of education on diabetes and the need for diagnosis, myths and misconceptions around diabetes, lack of appropriate medical infrastructure, insufficient number of diabetologits and endocrinologists, financial inability to procure the basic diabetic management supplies, ignorance around diabetes management, absence of wellcoordinated networks among diabetics in the country and absence of support from government among others.

Experts say tackling these challenges, proper management of the condition as well as adequate healthy diet would go a long way in reducing the burden in the country. For them, adequate support

• Diabetic patients at a free diabetic screening exercise. from government would reduce mortality; ensure proper management and better awareness on the disease.

Globally no fewer than 382 million people are living with diabetes and if nothing is done, the number would increase to 592 million by 2035.

Diabetes Mellitus is a life-long disease marked by elevated levels of sugar in the blood either because the body does not produce enough insulin or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. Insulin is the principal hormone that regulates uptake of glucose from the blood into most cells. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Burden of diabetes in Nigeria

A World Health Organisation report in 2009 revealed that there are 1.71 million people living with diabetes in Nigeria and this figure is projected to reach 4.84 million by 2030. Current prevalence rate estimates of diabetes in Nigeria have been tagged at 2.5 percent compared to its 2.2 percent rate in 2003. The situation is more worrisome as it is estimated that 40 percent of people in Nigeria that had the disease do not know. In the view of the Lagos State Chairman, Diabetes Association of Nigeria, DAN, Hameed Biodun Afinowi, Diabetes incidence and

prevalence is on the increase in Nigeria and the healthcare structures in the country are not adequately equipped to handle the various intricate lifelong management of the disease.

Afinowi who blamed the alarming increase on unhealthy lifestyles of Nigerians lamented that Nigerian government has failed to support diabetic patients in the country. He said making free treatment and drugs available for these patients would reduce mortality as well as guarantee proper management of the disease.

He said many of the patients are not only faced with the challenges of cost management but the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria is grossly inadequate with lack of medicines, patient education and functional laboratory for screening for complications.He noted that without proper treatment, many complications may arise from the disease.

“These may be acute or long term. The former include hypoglycaemia, damage to blood vessels around the eyes and legs, blockage of blood supply to vital organs like the heart and the kidneys.

These invariably lead to devastating long term complications like ischemic heart diseases and stroke.”

Chairman DAN Lagos reacts

NAFDAC secures 11-year jail term for counterfeiter

By Sola Ogundipe

T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, recently won a landmark judgment securing 11 years imprisonment against a middle-aged man who specialises in counterfeiting various alcoholic drinks.

In a press statement, the Agency’s Director, Special Duties, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, said the judgment was delivered by the Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court Port-Harcourt division, Justice R.M Aikawa who sentenced the C M Y K

accused, Sunday Okeke, on a fourcount charge of violating Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome processed Food Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Jimoh recalled that Okeke was arrested at Orumumafi Mami Market of the Nigerian Air Force in PortHarcourt for illegal production of fake and unregistered products like Bacchus tonic wine, King Edward, Centurion and Glen Garry Gold Blended Scotch.

After rigorous prosecution of the case

by NAFDAC’s legal team, the presiding

judge handed down the judgment on a four count charge with option of fine of N600, 000 only.

“The conviction, described as significant, has been hailed as very significant in sending a strong signal to counterfeiters and fakers of the Agency’s regulated products. It is also testimony of the resolve of the Agency’s Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii’s leadership to rid Nigeria of criminals dealing in fake, substandard, unregistered regulated products,” he noted.

The Chairman, Lagos State DAN, who expressed fear that the number of patients will continue to rise due to Nigerians eating habits said: “Government is not doing enough, to guarantee proper management of diabetes. We have people living with diabetes with either Type 1 or Type 2 and they have to be on insulin for life.

Government should support these patients by providing these medications free like they do for HIV/AIDS. Government spends so much money on HIV neglecting diabetes even when they know that all our foods are sugar based and our lifestyle is not helping either.

It is time government support these patients like they do in South Africa.

“The number will be increasing and will continue to increase. People should stay away from fast foods. Our parents ate our natural foods and live well and long. Let us go back to the traditional ways of eating vegetables and fruits.

Fast foods are not good for us. Nigerian government has concentrated too long only on HIV/AIDS leaving other killer diseases.

“People with diabetes have the responsibility to manage their condition on a day to day basis, communicate with their healthcare provider periodically throughout the year and seek advice when necessary. To effectively selfmanage diabetes, those with the disease must identify symptoms of emerging health crises, adhere to complex medication schedules and modify long-standing lifestyle behaviours such as their diet and physical activity levels.

Recommendations

Health watchers believe that much is still needed to be done in terms of diabetes education, access to insulin, care etc. to address the problem of diabetes globally, particularly in poor countries like Nigeria. Other possible solutions they recommended include encouragement of free or affordable access and management supplies, especially insulin, by government and NGOs and inclusion of diabetes in the country’s health insurance.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 —37

How I gave birth to 5 HIV-free children ...Stella Ebelu, 37-year-old woman living with HIV

By Sola Ogundipe

“N

O Nigerian child should be born with HIV.” This is the new cliché in Nigeria following the launch of the National Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (eMTCT) Plan 20152016 by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja last week. No other person shares this view better than Stella Ibianujulu Ebelu, a 37-year-old person living with HIV. An encounter with Stella is an exciting and revealing experience.

A proud mother of five healthy, HIV-free children - three boys and two girls, Stella’s story is a great testimony to the efficacy of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, PMTCT, “All my children were born naturally (through the birth canal) rather than the tradition Caesarean Section common with HIV positive women.

“I could have five HIV negative children because I know my HIV status and accessed treatment,” she affirmed to Good Health Weekly. In pregnancy, I was taking my drugs and kept to good diet and nutrition, my viral load really came down and I was able to deliver my children through the birth canal (normal delivery) not through Caesarean Section. I also breast fed each child exclusively for six months,” she noted.

Primarily, Stella’s mission is to correct the misconceptions people have about HIV/ AIDS. “HIV is not a deadly sickness. One must do the right things not to move to AIDS, just like managing High Blood Pressure from turning to stroke. She disclosed a three-pronged First thing every pregnant women should not do is to go to traditional birth attendants who don’t even know their HIV status or how to go about treating and caring for pregnant women.

No church wedding

• Stella with her husband and children Second thing is to accept the reality of your status and thirdly, follow it up with adequate treatment.”

Infection

A graduate of Hotel Management and Catering but currently a HIV treatment support specialist, Stella was diagnosed in 1994 after being infected through blood transfusion. “I had a growth on the back of my neck. I went to the hospital and after many tests and screenings I was told I needed to undergo surgery as well as blood for the surgical intervention. Then I was single. My brother volunteered to donate blood for me. The operation was done and I was discharged.” But six months later Stella fell sick, developed herpes and

returned to the hospital. “I was screened for HIV and the result turned out positive.

My world collapsed like a pack of cards. I didn’t know what to do or what to make of my life. As a single lady, many thoughts crossed my mind and I became worried about how to carry on with my life.”

Marriage proposal

Stella relocated to Enugu with determination to survive. “How to go about my life not infecting others, as well as live without coming down with AIDS was uppermost on my mind. Sometime later, a trader from Kafanchan showed interest in me and said he wanted to marry me. Before we went too far, I told him about my HIV status. He doubted me and said it was a

Rotary urges Nigerians to tweet to eradicate polio

By Chioma Obinna

R

OTARY’S intensified effort to kick out polio has remained its commitment. To further strengthen its commitment towards polio eradication, Rotary has consistently taken to information-sharing sites such as Twitter and the likes. Chairman, Nigeria National PolioPlus, Committee of Rotary International, Dr. Tunji Funsho, tweets about Rotary activities, ranging from polio walk and road shows, to donations, and Rotary bike-a-thon for polio, amongst others have helped to keep his followers posted and informed.

Through the tweeted messages, followers like Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, a polio Ambassador in Nigeria, has always tweeted about polio activities for 2014. This has interested her followers to retweet the information.

On her Twitter page, she wrote thus: “The goal of saving lives is a very realistic goal. #endpolionow. #walk-athon #1nov14. Funso had stated during the celebration of World Polio Day that “The climax to polio is here but no child is safe in Nigeria until none has polio for three years.” For him, the more people retweeted these messages, the more Twitter users become aware of activities of Rotary towards the eradication of polio this year.

This year’s world polio day took a new twist through active engagement and doing something new on twitter.

Though twitter is just 140 words but it was able to drive Polio message across.

huge ploy to discourage him and that he would not give up on me because he genuinely loves me.”

“After the screening, the results indicated he is HIV negative while I am HIV positive.

To my surprise, he insisted on going ahead with his plan to marry me. His reason was that I am truthful and that he loved me and could trust me with his life. He said if a woman could not hide such a secret from a man that is well-off, such woman shouldn’t be given up. “I was convinced and took him to my people who welcomed him and asked if he knew my status. He answered in the affirmative. That was how we commenced steps to marriage.”

He however, stated that, parental role is very important for effective eradication of polio. He therefore called on the parents to ensure their children are fully immunised against polio. Research has it that few out of many with polio virus infection, most likely will have symptoms that include sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, headache and stomach pain, which usually last 2-5 days. It is widely known that paralysis is the most severe symptom associated with disability and death. Between two to 10 out of 100 people who suffer paralysis as a result of poliovirus infection die because the virus affects the muscles that help them breathe. Even

children who seem to have fully recovered can develop new pain, weakness, paralysis as adults, 15 to 40 years later. This is called “Post-Polio Syndrome”.

Research shows the virus lives in an infected person’s throat and intestine and spreads through person to person contact. It enters the body through the mouth and spreads through contact with the faeces of an infected person, and also through droplets of an infected person’s sneeze or cough. It can be gotten if an infected person has faeces on his or her hands and touches her mouth, or if an infected person puts faeces contaminated toys in his or her mouth.

Stella and her man desired a church wedding and so informed her pastor who urged them to undergo screenings and tests, all of which were carried out and the results were negative, except for Stella’s HIV positive status.

The pastor’s attempt to discourage the marriage failed as her suitor insisted he wanted Stella and no other lady. “My pastor put his feet down that the marriage wouldn’t hold in his church, so we settled for traditional wedding. Afterwards we decided to settle in Abuja and I enrolled for antenatal care at Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja.” At the hospital, Stella enrolled on the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV PMTCT programme at the antenatal clinic and in 2002 had her first baby. “I was resolute not to become a burden to my people, the nation or anybody. I took responsibility for my health by accessing the drugs and using them. I did not miss my antenatal clinic days. There were phases in the drug policy- from being expensive, to being subsidised and totally free.

Stigma & discrimination

Stella suffered intimidating stigma and discrimination. “When I was single and confirmed HIV positive, my stepmother humiliated me. She wouldn’t associate with me or use anything with me in the house. If I used a cup, she would either throw it away or restrict me to just that cup alone. She told the neighbours not to socialise with me. I was ostracised. It was a terrible phase for me but at a stage I just summoned up courage and decided to live my life.

“I stopped breastfeeding my first baby at the sixth month. I was naturally afraid of what people would say and there were a few raised eyebrows. When we travelled to my husband’s place, his people were asking me why I stopped breastfeeding the child at six months. But my husband stood by me. He told them six month was enough to breast feed. I can say boldly that my husband is my backbone. He supports me. So with time people knew my pattern of breastfeeding for just six months. But all my five children, the eldest aged 14, last born 2, are HIV free.

Experience:

•A child being immunise against polio.

“I have acquired experience and can share with others that being HIV positive is not the end of life. I now counsel women, especially pregnant women. I visit them at home, encourage them. It is a delight when you see a pregnant woman move from fear to fulfilment, in terms of taking her drugs, to save delivery and producing HIV negative babies. In Stella’s view, the world has moved ahead even with HIV/ AIDS.“Nigerians should update themselves. Men out there should emulate my husband. Support your wife, support your family. If he had chosen to throw me out, today I won’t be this happy and probably I wouldn’t be in position to save all these lives.”

38 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Health experts, investors meet in Fidson seeks healthy breakfast for diabetes prevention Lagos for 10th WAH

By Gabriel Olawale

T

HOUSANDS of medical experts from different institutions, leaders in healthcare and allied industries from all parts of the world will this week converge in Lagos for the 10th edition of the West African Health International Medical and Pharmaceutical Exhibition and Conference, WAH. The health exhibition and conference billed to hold 20th through 21 November, 2014 at Eko Hotel and Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos will feature workshops on palliative care, hospital acquired infections, diabetes and paediatrics.

The organisers say a wide range of participants will be engaged in various Continuous Medical Education, CME, sessions and other interactive platforms would discuss uncommon approaches to the management of common health problems affecting the West African subRegion and Africa as a whole throughout the two days.

Key among the problems to be discussed with eyes on solutions include Hospital Acquire Infections (AHI) diabetes, Palliative medicine, critical illness management for children, diagnostic medicine, Sickle Cell management and Asthma management, among others.

Expected are Chief of Surgery and Group Clinical Adviser at Lagoon Hospitals, Dr. Olujimi Coker, and Microbiologist at University of Ilorin, Dr. Abayomi Fadeyi, among others would take medical doctors through a session that will seek to inspire participants to engage in infection control and quality improvement techniques in the hospital set up.

Speaking on the event, Pain and Palliative care Specialist with Lakeshore

I

Cancer Centre, Lagos, Dr. Yinka Akinyemiju said: “The goal of the workshop is to sensitise participants, including doctors dealing with people suffering from life limiting conditions, as well as provide a platform for communication, pain and symptom control, coordination and psychological support, provide relief when cure is not possible.”

On the opportunities WAH will offer, WAH Project Director, Dr Wale Alabi, said: “It will also feature the introduction of new trends and technology in healthcare and helps to bring healthcare professionals, leading international manufacturers and suppliers together to address issues pertaining to health care development in the West African Region.”

By Chioma Obinna

W

ORRIED about the increasing rate of diabetes in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc has advised Nigerians to embrace healthy diet and lifestyle for the prevention of diabetes.

This is coming on the heels of recent statistics from the World Health Organisation, WHO, and International Diabetes Federation, IDF, which reported a global estimate of 347 million people living with diabetes, with 19.8 million people from Africa.

According to IDF 2013 report, Nigeria has the highest number of people with diabetes in Africa, with 3.9 million cases and 4.9 percent national prevalence rate.

• L-R: Assistant Director, Chemicals and Medical Devices, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Mrs. Comfort Emmanuel; Director, Investigation and Enforcement, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor; and Assistant Director, Cosmetics and Allied Products, Alh. Shaba Mohammed, at a press briefing on product seizures in Lagos recently

The pharmaceutical company in its message on World Diabetes Day in Lagos, advised Nigerians to steer clear of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle that could increase their chances of developing the life-threatening disease.

Marketing Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Friday Enaholo said the rate of diabetes globally is worrisome and should be a major concern for Nigerians, hence the need for all stakeholders to join hands and support government in making concerted effort at reducing diabetes in the country through public enlightenment on the importance of healthy diet and lifestyle as a preventive measure. “We cannot fold our hands and watch diabetes ravage the health of Nigerians. The health of the people is the health of the nation. We therefore need to prevent this impending menace by educating Nigerians on the danger of diabetes and how they can prevent it through healthy eating and living”, he said Reports from WHO showed that more than 80 percent of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries and that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death by 2030. Enaholo advised that living a healthy lifestyle through eating a balanced diet, avoiding excessive alcohol intake, engaging in regular physical exercise, reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding smoking amongst other predisposing factors are ways of preventing diabetes.

Fidson’s support for the IDF and WHO campaign against diabetes is another demonstration of the company’s concern for the health and wellbeing of Nigerians and its commitment to adding value to the lives of people, in line with its corporate slogan “…we value life”, he stated.

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Prolonging Delay Cream is only for stopping premature ejaculation – Uche I have a small penis and I really need to make it bigger. My woman also experiences pain during sexWaheed For you, ask for the X Again Supplement or the Extenze Plus Supplement . For her, get the Mood Sensitive Lubricant. It prevents vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse – Uche This X Again Supplement is like nothing I have ever seen. I used it on Monday night and it is so powerful that the effects lasted till Friday. Just one capsule - Eze And that’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 39

Rainstorm wreaks havoc on Delta community

By Michael Eboh

P AWARD: From left— Mr. Cornel Ajim, Director, National Film Board; Mr. Akpan Udonya, Executive Chairman Fovar Group; Mr. Nkanta Ufot, National President, League of Akwa Ibom, Professionals; Mr. Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director SO&U Group, recipient; and Alhaji Garba Kankarofi, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Advertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria, APCON, during the League of Akwa Ibom Professionals award night in Abuja.

NSCDC declares war on oil thieves, as JTF nabs 10

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr. Ade Abolurin, has warned persons involved in illegal bunkering and oil theft to retrace their steps or have themselves to blame.

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, has arrested 10 suspected crude oil thieves on the Atlantic fringe of Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The Brass-Akassa corridor on the Atlantic shores is regarded within security circle as the hotbed of crude oil theft in central Niger Delta.

Spokesman of JTF, Lt. Col Mustapha Anka, said in Yenagoa that the arrest was made at Brass water bar near Nigerian Agip Oil Company Terminal.

On the other hand, the NSCDC boss, said that the next seven days will be too dangerous for oil thieves and vandals to continue with their evil ways in the country due to the newly acquired tugboats, ordinary boats, surveillance equipments and other gadgets to combat illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, piracy and oil and telecoms-related crimes.

Abolurin, who spoke during an

inspection tour of the Bayelsa State Command of the NSCDC, said: “We have come to serve quit notice on vandals. It is not only that Bayelsa is not their home,

they are non-Nigerians and should leave Nigeria to allow peace to reign in the country.

“Vandals who refuse to take the quit notice seriously will by themselves die a natural death.

As we work and partner other agencies, particularly with the members of the Armed forces and other paramilitary services

EPZ CRISIS: Jonathan’s aborted visit averted bloodshed, says Ijaw leader

A

prominent chief in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, Mr. Beck Hitler has explained that the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to abort the ground-breaking ceremony of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Ogidigben, was to avert bloodshed in the state.

Hitler, who spoke

yesterday in Warri, also advised the Itsekiri people to refrain from insulting the President, whose action was in the interest of peace and safety of lives, for which Nigerians have commended President Jonathan.

The Ijaw chief noted that the President would do the right thing to resolve all issues relating to the location of the

P

ORT HARCOURT— FORMER Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, Chief Fred Alasia, has joined the call on other sections of the state to concede the governorship seat to Rivers

EPZ project to accommodate the interests of all stakeholders.

He advised Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Itsekiri leaders to proffer lasting solutions to the lingering crisis over the location of $6 billion EPZ mega-project to pave way for the ground-breaking ceremony.

Youths group wants Urhobo as DELSU VC

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—URHOBO youths, under the aegis of Coalition of Urhobo Youth Organization, CUYO, have urged Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to appoint an Urhobo person as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka.

The youths had last week, staged a peaceful protest at

the Delta State Government House, Asaba, against the alleged plot to victimize Urhobo candidates for the soon to be vacant position of the institution’s Vice Chancellor.

CUYO, in protest letter to Governor Uduaghan, through the Chief of Staff Government House, Asaba, reminded the governor of their earlier protest “against the appointment of a non-Urhobo as Vice Chancellor

‘Ogoni, Ikwerre should forget Rivers governorship'

By Jimitota Onoyume

and stakeholders, I am sure that we have come to see the end of vandalism in this area.

“If there is anyone who harbours them or say ‘stay in my house’, both the person who provides them with accommodation and the person they are helping will all be affected.”

South East senatorial district in 2015.

Alasia, who spoke in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said any Ikwerre man aspiring to succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi should drop the ambition for sake of fairness.

He enjoined Ogoni to

forget about being governor next year, stressing that they had occupied an office equivalent to that of a governor in the state in the past.

He added that by the constitution, no area can produce a governor without input from other sections.

of Delta State University, Abraka on December 1.”

The group in the protest letter by its Chairman, Mr. Mudiaga Abiri, said: “As peace-loving Deltans, we do not want anything that will heat up the polity.

“As we stated in our earlier letter, the institutions in the state are currently headed by indigenes of areas where they are located, hence Delta State University, Abraka, should not be an exemption.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the College of Education, Warri; School of Marine Technology, Burutu, and Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, are all headed by indigenes of Delta South senatorial district.

“Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, is headed by an indigene of Delta South senatorial district.”

ROPERTY worth millions of naira have been destroyed by rainstorm in Okpokunou town, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, while hundreds of people were rendered homeless by the disaster.

Meanwhile, the councillor representing Seimbiri Ward 4, Mr. Churchill Botu, has appealed to the Federal and state governments to come to the aid of the victims and the community to cushion the effect of the natural disaster.

Botu, who made the appeal shortly after visiting the riverine community to ascertain the extent of damage by the rainstorm, noted that though top officials of the Delta State Emergency Agency and the council had visited the community, there was need for the Federal Government, through NEMA, to also assist the victims.

Some of the victims, who spoke to Vanguard, appealed for urgent assistance as they had been rendered homeless and presently taking refuge in relatives’ abode.

Interior decor firm assures of customized service

A

furniture company, Bo Concept, with 260 stores in more than 60 countries has berthed in Lagos, with a promise to offer customized service.

It opened shop last Sunday.

Grace Kalu, Manager of the firm that is located on the 2nd floor of BriscoeFord building along Lekki-Epe Expressway, said: “Bo Concept offers customized solutions to meet any need or taste.

“The concept is customization. We do not believe that you should furnish a room with what is available, but with things that are functional, beautiful and meet your exact needs.”

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Why Tambuwal must be handled tactfully, by Nwuche Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche was in his days in the House famed as the Tiger on account of his ferocious assertions of the ideals and causes of the House as led by Ghali Na' aba. Nwuche is stepping out to contest the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for Rivers West Senatorial seat. In this interview, he explained why he is seeking a seat in the Senate again, having tried unsuccessfully in 2011. He also spoke on other national issues. Excerpts:

By Joseph Erunke

categorically what the law said.

You know it is for the parliament to make laws and it is for the court to interpret them. I know the case is already in court, so they will know what to do when they interpret the law as regard that.

T

HERE are series of complaints arising from the recent conduct of ward congresses of your party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, what could you say about that?

I have recommended with regard to the just concluded congresses that we must ensure that popular delegates are elected across the country. That way, the election itself, will be much easier. Nigerians do not like imposition. They will resist imposition the best way they can because people want free and fair elections. And I know that in a free and fair election, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will win resoundingly across the country, so I am urging stakeholders to imbibe the president’s position that no public office is worth rigging for, that we should allow those who are ready to serve and those who are popular with the masses to emerge. That way, democracy dividends will trickle down to the masses and they will have a stake in our polity and democracy will endure over a long time. The actors in the democratic system must worry about the health of the polity.

16 governorship aspirants in Rivers State have come out to discredit the recent ward congress conducted in the state and called for its outright cancellation. As a party stalwart in the state that may have monitored the exercise, what is your own assessment?

Well, what I will say is that in a party like the PDP, there are bound to be differences. I am sure that those issues will be sorted out with time and that we shall build a stronger PDP where we shall all be one.

What is your position on issues concerning the defection of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal?

Does he have the power to reconvene the House?

I believe that the House has the capacity, guided by its rules and the constitution to resolve the current impasse and that eventually, the issue will be resolved amicably. I think they can resolve it themselves. Any view I take cannot be said to be infallible. What is important is how the members themselves feel and how they can solve the problem. This is an abnormal decision because it hasn’t happened before, this is the first

•Nwuche: The PDP is a big and diverse party in our political history where a speaker leaves his party to another party. So it should be handled tactfully but the party must be involved in the process.

I believe that the members must sit down and discuss on how to resolve the issue but the implications are enormous because we have not seen where a speaker has left his party to another party. So, it is

challenging and precedent being set.

a

new

Some are arguing that by defecting to another political party, he has therefore automatically forfeited his position as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, is that true?

Well, I think the law in that area is still in the offing. I don’t know

endurance to stay out of government and offer constructive criticisms to assist government to work. This idea of trading or political harlotry is not good for this country

The Senate has not been working since last week What would you say about the following protest by senators of the Peoples Democratic Party, series of defections?

Well, I believe in people PDP, that there are plans by the remaining consistent with the leadership of the party to parties they have joined. I joined scheme them out of their rethe PDP in 1998, I am one of the election bid. The aggrieved founders of PDP in my state and senators have given condition to I have not joined any other party both the president and the since then even though I cannot leadership of the party that claim that I have been treated unless they are granted automatic tickets, they will not fairly. For instance, give their support to I ran for the Senate any issue again. Some in 2011 and was Nigerians are asking rigged out in the whether what they are primaries even doing is democratic…. though I won it Well, you know that clearly but I am still parliament the world in the party. I am over, has no time limit running again this and parliamentarians, I time and I am am sure, will grow hoping for a level stronger with the playing field number of time they because my return to the House or I believe people want me to the Senate. From that run for them. They that the perspective, it is have said so in important that we allow House has different fora and I our democracy to hope that the capacity, mature and grow by somehow, we shall members and guided by its allowing be able to make it senators many more this time. But rules and the terms. Those who are again, I think that constitution productive or working people should be hard should be given consistent, people to resolve the such encouragement should not leave current because these days, it party for good or is difficult for senators for bad. They must impasse and and members to emerge stick to the party that because the primary and they must work processes are often not for the party ’s eventually, as clear as it should be, victory and if the the issue will because the delegates party loses in spite are influenced and be resolved of their efforts, they they could be guided must have the amicably on who to vote for.

My Senate agenda for Delta North — Osaji

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

P

AUL Osaji, a former Commissioner for Works in Delta State and a senatorial aspirant in Delta North Senatorial District in this interview, explains that his wealth of experience in the private and public sectors, make him better positioned to succeed the incumbent lawmaker representing the zone. Excerpts:

Having served the state in the past as in various capacities, what informed this present desire to represent your people in the Senate?

I have a passion for service that would uplift the lives of my people and the entire country.

This passion is mainly to see a prosperous Delta and a better Nigeria. My mission is to use my wealth of experience spanning over 30 years to improve and enhance the quality and the

standard of living of all the people of the constituency. My mission also covers the entire nation because when people are well represented, it will reflect in their service to Nigeria. The Senate will also benefit from the quality of representation that I will offer.

I am very much in touch with the yearnings of my people for a better and improved representation that would help them in living their dreams. As a senator representing them, my

core focus will be on how to address their needs and ensure that they are not left behind in any aspect of governance. My mission in the senate is a project of my constituency and all Delta indigenes.

Are you rattled by the weight of some of your rivals in the contest?

Everyone is entitled to

Continues on page 41

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—41

WHILE the silence of Senator Bukola Saraki, the undisputed political leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC family in Kwara State lasted, many had insinuated that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was in jeopardy.

By Emmanuel Aziken

I

T was assumed in some quarters that the governor would not be endorsed for a second term perhaps in line with an alleged one term agreement that was supposedly projected before 2011.

Other more mischievous elements had alluded to the unwillingness of Senator Saraki to allow another governor of the state serve for two terms, reason being that Senator Saraki is the only one of the five previous civilian governors to have served for two terms.

The predecessors, Adamu Attah, Cornelius Adebayo, Shaaba Lafiagi and Mohammed Lawal all served for one term before the advent of Bukola Saraki who broke the jinx to serve for a second term.

Given that historical attainment, there were insinuations that Bukola who has now climbed to become the undisputed political champion of the state would truncate a second term for Governor Ahmed in order to protect his own legacy in history.

Bukola last month, however, disappointed such permutations when he projected Ahmed as his candidate and the candidate of his political family for the 2015 governorship elections.

The endorsement inevitably set the stage for other political calculations in the state. For the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which is now in opposition, it gave it a sort of liberty in the choice of a running mate.

With Governor Ahmed from the south being presented as the likely candidate of the ruling APC, the options of the PDP have been broadened as the party has the liberty of choosing whosoever it considers could give the APC the greatest pains in the forthcoming election.

Had Ahmed been denied the APC ticket and the candidate chosen from Kwara Central which has the highest population figure in the state, the PDP would have been compelled to choose its candidate from Central, but with the APC now projecting the governor as its presumptive nominee the options have been broadened for the PDP.

•Alhaji Jani Ibrahim

•Governor Ahmed

KWARA: The battle after the endorsement Remarkably, the prospects for the PDP are increasingly being entangled by the crisis in the party given allegations of plots by some to undermine the

Bukola last month, however, disappointed such permutations when he projected Ahmed as his candidate and the candidate of his political family for the 2015 governorship elections

results of the recent ward congresses.

However, Ahmed still has a battle in his hands given the desperation of the PDP to win the election. Few weeks ago, two serving governors alongside leading officials of the Federal Government brainstormed in Abuja on how to streamline the long list of aspirants with the prospect of presenting a very formidable candidate to challenge the APC. That meeting, however, ended in a deadlock and following that, there were reports that First Lady Patience Jonathan who has a very close

confidant from Kwara State was known to have entered the fray with an inclination to project one of the aspirants who recently joined the party from the APC. Her move has been strongly rebuffed by major stakeholders in the state who called for an unfettered actualisation of the process for the production of a candidate.

Among the leading PDP aspirants from the state are Jani Ibrahim, Sunday Babalola, Abdulraheem Oba, Simon Ajibola, Gbemi Saraki and Dele Belgore.

Given the permutations that favour a southerner in the PDP

with the prospects favouring Jani, Babalola or Ajibola, the prospects are that Governor Ahmed may have to confront one of his southern brothers in the main election.

Then in such a scenario the governor would have to present his testimonial as a mark of identification.

Among the projects the governor may have to highlight in his campaign is the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) through which 5,000 youths have found employment, a programme that

Continued on page 42

My Senate agenda for Delta North — Osaji Continued from page 40 participate in the contest. My attention is on my desire to represent my people to the best of my capacity. Having served the state in various capacities, I think I have the requisite experience required to represent my people. My track record in public and private office, says much about my capability to do the job. All that is required is support from my constituents and other Deltans. I don’t have doubts that I will get my party’s ticket. I am a grassroots person, with a passion to see my people

my constituency. When competent people find themselves in the National Assembly, their presence would undoubtedly transform lives.

•Osaji: I have the experience to represent my people prosper. So, we are confident that my popularity and acceptability

would earn me the ticket to contribute to the development of

In specific terms what is your agenda for Delta North?

I am concerned about ensuring quality representation so that people will live in a society where they can optimise their potentials.

Our people need to live better, relate better and achieve their dreams. This is a blessed land and my people need direction and leadership to tap from the abundant blessings in our land.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

I'll double Fashola’s achievements in four years — Hamzat DR. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat (popularly known as Femi Hamzat) is the current Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State. Hamzat, who was born in September 19th, 1964 is one of the governorship aspirants in Lagos under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, hoping to succeed the incumbent, Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015. In this interview, he unveils his plans for Lagos if given the opportunity. Excerpts:

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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improve on that and continue to grow Lagos.

When people talk about religion I think it is between you and your God. We cannot measure the heart so we cannot manage it.

Given my own experience I have been able to come up with programme that I think in the next four years will uplift the state from where it is today. I know we have done a lot and we can still do more. But I have seen a lot of things we have not done in which we can improve on.

From my own way of measuring, is to say that the administration of Babatunde Raji Fashola has been able to achieve in eight years which am proud to be part. Because the foundation is well built and it is straight forward, so building on it will be very easy. So I have a programme which I tag: “Building a State to Last” about 14 pages that show clearly what need to be done in education, housing, roads, infrastructure, and power among others. So it’s not a guess work, it is a lot of work behind the scene. Again any plan is subject to change but there must be a frame work to guide yourself.

My administration is going to focus on how to ensure that we have a type of education where our children will be employable.

It is not ok to say you give people free education and they don’t

iew on Lagos Lagos state in my view has moved forward. In 1998-1999 the state was full of heaps of garbage, 20 meters high and around that time Lagos could not process its waste at that time and a population of 12 million did not have a single public ambulance in the state. But things have changed, there are ambulances, we can now process 10 tonnes of garbage. In 1960 when we got our independence, the population of United Kingdom was 63 million while ours was 53 million. Today the population of UK is about 58 million while ours is about 170 million which means our population is expanding tremendously. Very soon Lagos State will reach about 40 million in population. And our land mass is one of the smallest. So how do we manage that? We need to build infrastructure that will sustain that population.

Lagos is a country in the real sense of it.

Lagos requires an administrator that understands Lagos and I have been opportuned to have served both in public and private sectors having been a commissioner for about nine years I understand the mistakes we have made in the past, the success we can repeat but everything is a learning process, so when you understand the mistake you made you won’t do it again. For me how do we Lagos requires move our state an administrator forward, how do that understands we build a state that can Lagos and I have accommodate 40 been opportune million people to have served with the smallest both in public land size in the country. and private We produce sectors having only seven been a percent of what commissioner for we eat. How do we change that? about nine years In area of power we need to

have a job. It is meaningless if people graduate and they are not employable. So our focus is to ensure that our youth are employable and they get job.

A P C primaries/ consensus candidates Our party primary election is slated for December 2. On

•Hamzat: Lagos requires an administrator that understands Lagos

the idea of consensus candidate, the party can initiate any process, but for me, I see the race as a healthy competition. The consensus is ok but we need to build a healthy institution. I see this race as a competition and I will suggest that everybody should be allowed to campaign and primaries should be done and anybody that emerges as the winner should be supported so that he can beat the opposition hands down.

On Zoning Zoning is ok by me. If you look

at the way our federation is built, federal government who controls the inflow of the resources take 56 per cent, two percent to ecology, one percent to FCT so the moment resources come in, 59 goes to The Federal Government technically. 41 is shared among the states which comprise of 774 local governments that is why people complained that local governments are not doing much. So we have to build our people and make them function well.

By the time we actually power

Lagos, we are going to ensure that people get jobs. All this money from Abuja is nothing to write home about, it will not take any state to anywhere. The biggest resources we have in this country are the people.

The reality is how do we turn Lagos state into knowledge based economy? It is through, Information Technology, IT, and what we are doing now. In another four years, if we have appropriate talent in that team, Lagos will improve the more for the people.

KWARA: The battle after the endorsement Continued from page 42 was subsequently expanded to a Quick Win that has the objective of catching 8,200 youths into the employment sector in 2014.

The administration has also through its N640 million microcredit scheme dubbed the Kwara Entrepreneurship Scheme successfully increased the capacity of 41,000 small business owners, 100, transporters and 47 artisan groups.

Civil servants in the state have also had their own dose of benefits from the Ahmed administration in the form of a N3 billion car loan facility for the civil servants including teachers.

The administration has also made its marks in the education and health sectors. Since its advent the government has been able to rehabilitate 400 classrooms, introduced free education at the senior secondary school level and facilitated the provision of free notebooks to students.

In the area of health delivery the administration has been able to expand the N500 health insurance scheme to cover as many as 80,000 persons and that is besides the provision of equipment to 13 general hospitals, 43 primary healthcare centres and the execution of a modernisation scheme for some of the health facilities.

These are testimonials that the Ahmed administration will have to present as it seeks a second term in the forthcoming election.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014—43

Insecurity in Nigeria: The legal challenge Being the paper delivered by Femi Falana SAN at the seventh annual Emeritus Professor D.A. Ijalaiye SAN Distinguished Personality Lecture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State

Slum In Oil Prices: A Progressive Way Out

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By Bola Tinubu

WASH in the great tide of politics, we must not forget why politics can be a noble endeavor. It leads to governance. When done correctly, governance can reform a nation and improve the lot of the people. In the hands of the ignorant and the mean, governance cast abundant misfortune upon a nation and upon the welfare of its citizens.

This commentary concerns governance and policy more than it does politics. I offer it to generate debate on an important economic issue. No matter who is in power, we must do whatever Map of Nigeria is in our capacity to do to steer the nation away from economic woe. The people have correctness has been nil. Yet, the stakes are suffered too much hardship already. Neither much too high to assume this subjective side of the political divide should seek to position as an economic certitude or purchase transient advantage at the high price uncritically accept its propriety. What they of dousing the people in greater economic proclaim as policy is not based on any calamity. Thus, I suggest this progressive’s unassailable economic principle. It is position on how best to shape economic policy statement of economic bias that beckons to during this period of falling oil prices. I state the wealthy while auguring unnecessary this hoping those in charge will take pertinent hardship for most Nigerians. advice from any quarter. My prayer is that they Look at jobless and poverty levels as well are not so stubborn as to adhere to a strategy as the diminished status of our middle class. that will deepen the economic misery of our After viewing these statistics, most objective people even when better policy measures are economists would conclude Nigeria is mired proffered. in a long-term, secular depression. Forget I confess to writing this also for a reason the rosy GDP numbers. They signify a great essentially political but non-confrontational. It economic and financial segregation accentuates the distinction between the between those who have and others who conservative PDP and the progressive APC. The have not. If we continue with the policy nation faces momentous elections when next preferences of the current administration, year turns to its second month. The choice is the haves shall become the “have–mores” a stark one; but many people do not believe as and the “have-nots” shall become the “have such. even less.”

The vast majority of the claimed GDP Economic growth has fallen into the laps of those policy already enjoying obvious luxury. The rest of the people are left to gaze at the enormity The differences are vast especially regarding of the income and wealth chasm separating economic policy. On the one side, the PDP them from the cabal orchestrating the champions a conservative, elitist economic discordant political economy. While a small model based on the theory that wealth money group flourishes, the rest of the nation must first go to the already rich and well-heeled subsidizes their economic bounty. A tight who shall determine how small a fraction of it confederacy rides an economic skyrocket will trickle-down to the rest of society. while the bulk of the On the progressive side, we believe people languish in the government can fillip economic growth and swamp. For one development in such a way that brings the group, the economy is fairness of prosperity to all of society. We don’t effervescent. For the seek to penalize those who already have but other, it is catatonic. we will do our utmost to remove from the clutch Nigeria is one nation of poverty the bulk of our people. We seek to with two economies. turn the hungry suffering of our poor and For this government working classes into a dignified livelihood that to speak of austerity is provides a dignified existence for all. to further enrich the Global oil prices have fallen from over 100 affluent while casting the average Nigerian into greater hardship and deeper socioeconomic depression.

As with the Euro zone The vast past five years majority of the since the global the claimed financial crisis, austerity has not GDP solved the dire growth has economic weakness of In the nations that fallen into employed this the laps of sickening remedy. All austerity has done is those BOLA TINUBU tighten the grip of the already wealthy on the dollars a barrel to approximately 80 dollars per economy while enjoying barrel. This slide has caused a corresponding weakening the drop in government’s dollar revenues. With obvious position of the middle this, the federal government claims it has less class and the poor. money at its disposal and the paucity of dollars luxury necessitates austerity measures. Most people accept this position as gospel; debate about its

To be continued

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By Femi Falana

NTRODUCTION: A former American Ambassador, Mr. John Campbell, has predicted that the Nigeria would not survive the 2015 General Election on account of unprecedented political violence . Not a few other analysts have also foretold that the insurgency raging in the north east region would lead to the balkanization of the nation. I am however convinced that the predictions of disintegration of the Republic will not come to pass because of the resolve of imperialism and its local lackeys to keep Nigeria together to facilitate the reckless exploitation of her abundant resources.

The security challenges facing the nation include armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking, terrorism etc. In spite of official assurances from the managers of the neo-colonial State to guarantee law and order it is indisputable that the territorial integrity of the nation has never faced a greater threat than now since 1914.

In examining the topic of our discourse we shall review the genesis

FEMI FALANA of the menace of terrorism and its threat to the corporate existence of the nation. We shall conclude by submitting that insurgency cannot be defeated without separating religion from the State and without addressing the crises of poverty, illiteracy and youth unemployment in the country.

The genesis of Terrorism It is pertinent to recall that the Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha juntas were associated with terrorist attacks of political opponents through state-sponsored bombing, assassination and arson. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN was almost killed in 1987 for demanding for the prosecution of the terrorists who killed a prominent journalist, Dele Giwa by a parcel bomb.

The era equally witnessed the mock trial and execution of military officers who were implicated in phantom coups. Cultist groups were funded on the campuses to deal with radical lecturers and students. Upon the restoration of civil rule in 1999 the official terrorists were neither prosecuted nor disarmed!

The official manipulation of religion which commenced under the Babangida junta has continued unabated. Indeed, it is the root cause of terrorism in the country. Whereas it is stipulated in section 10 of the Constitution that the State shall not adopt any official religion the Federal, State and local governments have adopted the Islamic and Christian religions.

In 1986, General Ibrahim Babangida surreptitiously registered

Nigeria as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. As if that was not enough, he built a mosque in the Presidential villa and appointed an Imam to man it. Similarly, President Obasanjo erected a chapel in the villa and appointed a chaplain to manage it.

On January 27, 2000 the Sharia Law was introduced in Zamfara state by Governor Sani Yerima. Not less than 15 other governors in the North followed suit. Although the action constituted a clear violation of section 10 of the Constitution it was a political move designed to win votes in a Muslim dominated region.

The Olusegun Obasanjo Administration decided not to approach the court to test the constitutional validity of the policy so as not to lose the votes in the North in the 2003 general election.

Believing that Nigeria had become an Islamic state many misguided persons set up private militias to promote the policy of the state governments. There were violent attacks on Christians while churches were destroyed in many states in the north.

Thousands of people were massacred in ethno-religious clashes.

In 2011, the Goodluck Jonathan Administration set up a Panel of Inquiry headed by Ambassador Usman Galtimari to investigate the insurgency in the north east region. In a painstaking investigation the Panel traced the genesis of Boko Haram and other private militias to politicians who set them up in the run-up to the 2003 general elections. According to the Committee: “The militias were allegedly armed and used extensively as political thugs. After the elections and having achieved their primary purpose, the politicians left the militias to their fate since they could no longer continue funding and keeping them employed.

Means of sustenance With no visible means of sustenance, some of the militias gravitated toward religious extremism, the type by Mohammed Yussuf.

The roots of terrorism, especially in Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Bauchi States, could be traced to groups or associations such as ‘ECOMOG’, ‘Yan Kalare’ and ‘Sara Suka’ which have links to prominent politicians in these States. However, similar to the militant groups in the Niger Delta area, the groups usually grow out of control and become a threat to the politicians that supported and financed them.”

In line with its terms of reference the Committee recommended that the politicians who “sponsored, funded and used the militia groups that later metamorphosed into Boko Haram” be brought to justice.

To be continued

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

L-r: Deaconness Olukemi Olorunleke, an aspirant, Elder Remi Olorunleke collecting his ticket from APC State deputy chairman, Mrs. Kemi Olaleye, while APC Ekiti state financial secretary, Chief Wole Adewunmi and others look on at the APC party secretariat, Ado Ekiti in Ekiti South Senatorial District

2015: Royal father tasks politicians

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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HE traditional Ruler of Igbo community in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Eze Emeka Diwe, has urged Nigerian politicians to toe the path of integrity as the nation approaches the electioneering season, and shun acts capable of breeding violence and corrupt practices.

Eze Diwe made the call at the unveiling of 2014 Global Leaders of Integrity awards, organised by the publishers of the Integrity Magazine in Abuja, where he was inducted into the Integrity hall of fame.

He said good leaders ought to be men of integrity and impeccable character, who would not sacrifice their dignity at the altar of selfishness and violence in order to win elections.

Akotu community kicks, endorses Esegbue as leader

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HE people of Akotu community in Ukwuani Local Government area of Delta State, have protested the outcome of the just concluded PDP’s wards congress in the area where DPP members who decamped to the PDP made up the delegates list without any regards for original party members.

Speaking to newsmen at the PDP State secretariat while leading hundreds of protesters mainly women and youths, the Onotu of Akoku kingdom, Chief Felix Achudume, said he was concerned that the community was being marginalized and neglected.

He said that no indigene of the kingdom has occupied any political position apart from councilor/ LG Transition committee member.

SMILE DONATES: From left, Principal, Wesley College of Science, Elekuro, Ibadan, Mrs. Adenike Okunade, Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs. Alero Ladipo of Smile Communications and Commissioner for Education, Oyo State, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu all listening to a student of Wesley College of Science, Ibadan as he explains how ICT can improve their studies during the donation of Internet Access Connectivity Facilities to Wesley College of Science, Elekuro, Ibadan by Smile Communications Limited

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 45

College Sports

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Y normal Saturday morning rituals consist of tracking local and international news and watching the English Barclays Premier League football, or soccer as the game is known in the United States. Last Saturday, I ignored both rituals.

The league had taken a break due to international soccer tournaments in Europe. As for news, I guessed the world would still be there later in the day when I would catch up with what I might have missed earlier. What I did was to watch all sorts sporting activities when I was not grading students’ papers.

As I watched American College Football, I recalled two of my 2012 sports communication and promotion students. One of them is Jayson DiManche.

Dreadlocked Jayson is an American of Haitian descent.

Today, he plays professional football (not soccer) with the Cincinnati Bengals. The other student is Eze Obiora, a British

national of Nigerian parents. He had a professional football stint in Montreal, Canada, before returning to the U.S. where he is currently seeking ways to break into the professional football league.

Jayson and Eze were prominent football players in the Saluki team at Southern Illinois University. As a result of their football prowess, they were in school on football scholarship. They were by no means the only athletes in my various classes. I have had the privilege of having athletes from diverse sporting activities in my classes. What is important is that these students were offered athletics scholarships to see them through college. To many of them, getting university education might not have been possible without the scholarships. Upon completion of their studies, the lucky ones among them move on to play in the professional leagues and get rewarded for their hard work. I looked up

Jayson in spotrac.com, a web site that tracks practically all you need to know about professional athletes in the United States. I was able to gather that 24-year-old Jayson signed a 3year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals for $1.5 million, which comes to an average salary of $500,000 per year. This is about ten times what, on average, new-entry teachers with doctoral degrees in most public universities earn per year.

Jayson also had a $15,000 signon bonus. Should he maintain his form, remain disciplined and be free of injuries that might terminate his career, Jayson’s financial future is almost secured.

Jayson’s fortune is just a glimpse into the power of college sports in America, especially the prominent sporting activities such as football and basketball.

College sports are collectively estimated to be an $8 billiondollar industry in the Unites States. In 2010, the CBS and Turner Broadcasting company bought the rights to broadcast the games of the U.S. college basketball Division 1 “MarchMadness” tournament for $10.8 billion-dollar in a 14-year contract. It is estimated that an audience of about 80 million viewers watch the tournament

that determines the national college basketball champion in the country.

College football is the main revenue earner in college sports in the United States. Here are some interesting figures from Forbes. In 2013, the average cost of the top twenty most expensive college football tickets was $360.

The most valuable team in the country is the University of Texas Longhorns football team. It is valued at $139 million. Of course, in several U.S. public universities the coaches of the football and basketball teams earn more than their school presidents. Nick Saban is the coach of the prime Alabama university football team.

He is on a $7 million-salary per year. According to the influential Chronicle of Higher Education,

You might even hear priests discussing the victory as part of their sermons in churches

E. Gordon Gee who, in July this year left his position as the President of Ohio State University, was as at 2013 the highest paid president of a public university in the U.S. His basic salary was $851,000. When his severance, bonus, deferred, retirement and other payments due to him were added together upon leaving his position, he went home with $6 million, a clear one million dollars less than what coach Nick Saban takes home per year.

The reason these coaches earn more than the presidents of their universities is that their teams bring in fantastic revenues for their universities, from their teams’ merchandizing activities to television rights. So, the coaches are valued on the strength of the revenues they attract. The impact of college sports is huge in the U.S. In some university-towns and cities where the university is the most prominent industry or institution, the power of college sports teams is huge. At my alma mater, the University of Missouri, whenever the Mizzou Tigers (the name of our football team), have a game the entire city of Columbia grinds to a halt.

Practically everyone, young and old, is intrested in the success of the team. Should the Tigers lose a game, the entire city was thrown into some sort of mourning.

When we won, it was ecstasy all the way. You might even hear priests discussing the victory as part of their sermons in churches.

C M Y K

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Okorocha slams ongoing registration of voters in Imo zAsks INEC to suspend exercise until...

Fake NYSC member arrested for alleged forgery

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By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday described the ongoing voters' registration in the state as a sham and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to suspend the exercise in the state until the commission was ready.

Okorocha, who made the call while addressing loyalists of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Owerri, stressed that “with the situation on ground at the moment, the commission is not yet ready. Reports coming in from the 27 local government areas of the state are very worrisome.

They all point to how the exercise was programme d to fail from the onset.”

The governor recalled that before he addressed the APC loyalists, there had also been series of protests in Owerri, the state capital, by various groups and local governments, describing the INEC exercise as “a sham and a deliberate attempt to reduce the voting strength of Imo people. I have gone round myself to over 20 wards and I found out that there

By Francis Igata

NUGU—ENUGU Police command through its Criminal Investigations Department, CID, operatives, has nabbed one Henry Emeka Onyekwere, for alleged forgery.

The suispect, who hails from Ihube, Okigwe, Imo State, but resident in Ghana, was apprehended on November 9, 2014, at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp in Awgu, Enugu State where he attempted to register as a prospective corps member with a fake call up letter from Abia State University, Uturu.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, “the suspected claimed to be a graduate from the Department of Industrial Physics, Abia State Univeristy, Uturu."

Ekweremadu condoles with Nwobodo

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Ifeanyichukwu took after his father in the pursuit of the progress and development of Enugu State as a serving commissioner.

The Deputy Senate President's condolence letter which was signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, said the death was a grievous loss not only to the Nwobodo family and Enugu State, but also the nation in general.

By JohnboscoAgbakwuru

BUJA—DEPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has described the late Dr, Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, first son of the former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, as an illustrious son and promising leader.

Senator Ekweremadu in a condolence letter to Senator Jim Nwobodo on the demise of his son, said the late Dr.

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he country has never in her history since the British false amalgamation; have it so bad, than under the current dispensation of Jonathan’s PDP-led government, that had so polarized the nation and his people on regional and religious divide/ disharmony. Mr Taiwo Eghaghe- Businessman C M Y K

is no evidence to show that INEC voter registration is designed to succeed in the state.

I saw lengthy queues of people without any registration going on. And the machines are not

available in most of the places.

And the few available ones are not working. Either the battery is dead or the printer is not printing or the computer cannot register anybody.”

He lamented that some eligible voters had been to most of the wards for more than five times since the exercise began to register but, they had not been registered.

AWARD: Edo State Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ, Comrade Desmond Agbama, presenting the NUJ Award for Excellence, on the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, ProfessorOsayuki Oshodin in Benin.

No amount of evil can undermine my plan for Ebonyi —Elechi

By Peter Okutu B A K A L I K I — GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, has insisted that no amount of evil plot could undermine his administration and good intention for the state in the 2015 general election.

The governor, who spoke during an interactive session with a cross section of stakeholders in Abakaliki, argued that democracy would surely succeed, no matter the challenges facing it presently in the state.

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“No evil will overwhelm us.

I am not going to lose my sleep because of them; our democracy is being challenged like a boat in a stormy sea,” the governor said.

The governor called on stakeholders to resist the temptation of resorting to violence during the forthcoming election.

“Nobody has the right to use force to have his way; we must endeavor to remain peaceful even in the face of provocation,” he noted.

He insisted that the last

congresses conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP should be cancelled or repeated as the party in the state would not accept any form of falsification of results by any group or individuals in the party.

On the call for the proscription of Ebonyi Youth Assembly by some individuals, Governor Elechi affirmed that such call was unnecessary, saying “Ebonyi Youth Assembly is the backbone of security in the state; they have helped security agencies in their assignment of maintaining peace and order; that call is impossible”

On INEC’s readiness for 2015 general election

W

ho ever sets his house on fire should be aware that he will have no roof over his head.

Nigeria is our house, who ever works for its fall should prepare to be beaten by the rainfall and sunshine. Mr Uchechukwu OkorieCommentator

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EJ should, as matter of urgency, remove Jega before the damage is done to his re-election in 2015, as the selfishness of the north is being manifested through him. He is now the tool they want to use to stop GEJ come 2015. Mr Francis OgoegbunamSelfEmployed

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e are all one Nigeria, please my dear lovely brothers in the north, we are equal in this country. One thing that makes northern Nigeria makes southern Nigerian, and that is God almighty.

One love, one Nigeria. Mr Chijioke Victor- SelfEmployed

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wonder what is still keeping that man (Jega) as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. We do not have to keep quite while he is doing things he should not do. Mr Maduka OsokaBusinessman

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othing can come as success and peace in everything we do and aspire for in life, except the promotion of the truth. Nothing but truth must be the guiding principles of our lives, if we need success, not just in the 2015 general elections. Mr John FaoshekeCommentator

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 47

Ex-gov Sheriff, three Reps, 5000 others defect to PDP in Borno

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI— FORMER governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, three members of House of Representatives, Isa Kangar, Peter Biye and Abdulrahaman Terab as well as Alhaji Kashim Imam, were part of over 5000 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and other opposition political parties in Borno State, that yesterday formerly defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. They cited bad leadership, selfishness, lack of provision of social amenities and underdevelopment of the state the ruling APC in the last four years.

Others were immediate past Commissioner of Works, Engineer Mohammed Ibrahim Abuna, former State Secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, some former House of Assembly members, local government Chairmen and thousands of their supporters.

The event, which took place at the Forshams Hall in Maiduguri, the state capital, was witnessed by leaders and chieftains of PDP in the state.

The PDP leaders included Minister of State, Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, former

By Wole Mosadomi

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PRESENTATION: Abia State governor, Theodore Orji (2nd right) flanked from left to right

by HRM Eze Eberechi Dike, Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly; Engr. Emma Nwabuko, Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy affairs and Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy governor, during the presentation of staff of office to qualified Ezes-elect in Umuahia. ministers of Works, FCT and that of Defence, Alhaji Sanusi Dagash, Alhaji Mohammed Abba Gana and Dr. Shettima Mustapha.

Others who also attended the event were; the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Baba Bashuru, Architect Ibrahim Bunu, Hajiya Inna Chiroma, former governor Mohammed Goni, Bashir

Maidugu, Nicholas Mshelizza among others.

Addressing newsmen after receiving the defectors, the leader of the party, Mohammed Wakil said time for change had come for the people of Borno to join the mainstream party, PDP for quick transformation of the state, as the state was the least developed in the

north east sub region.

Responding on behalf of the defectors, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Alhaji Kashim Imam, the Mutawali of Borno, said they were not moving into the PDP alone, but with thousands of their supporters and pledged to deploy all their resources to ensure a positive change in Borno.

...As 11,000 dump PDP, ACPN, MPPP for APC in Kwara

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—THE political camp of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State has been boosted, as no fewer than 11,000 members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria ACPN, and two other parties defected to the ruling party in the state.

The defectors included over 5,000 members of PDP led by their

leader, Alhaji Baa JImoh; over 3,200 members of Mega Progressive Peoples Party, MPPP, led by the chairman, Abdullahi Shuaib; over 2,000 members of Mohammed Dele Belgore, MDB Solidarity Team, led by Abdulsalam Moshood; members of ACPN; and other youth groups and associations.

The defectors were received into the party by former governor of Kwara State and APC leader in

the state, Dr Bukola Saraki, who told the crowd at Ile-Arugbo Iloffa, GRA venue of the ceremony, that Kwarans would decide the voting pattern in 2015 and not any influence of the presidency.

The defectors pledged their allegiance to the APC and promised to ensure total victory for the party in the 2015 general elections.

Saraki, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Ecology and

Why we visited Jonathan — ONAIYEKAN

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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BUJA—ARCHBISHOP of Abuja metropolitan sea, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said the Catholic Bishops decided to visit President Goodluck Jonathan last week because they felt that he is not properly being informed about the true story of what is going on in the North/ Eastern part of the country and the impact of the ongoing insurgency.

The Cardinal disclosed this while addressing members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of

Niger gov: Aliyu endorses exChief of Staff as successor

Nigeria, CCRN, holding its 24th Abuja Provincial conference at the Papal Ground, Kubwa, Abuja.

Onaiyekan said the Bishops were so worried about the increasing cases of violence in the north eastern region and wanton destruction of lives and properties.

Catholic bishops across the country, on the aegis of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, on Thursday last week, visited President Goodluck Jonathan with a clear message that all was not well with the country.

According to him, “We are not partisan, and we felt that we

needed to tell him the raw truth by giving him the true situation report in the north eastern part of Nigeria. We told him that we cannot lie but tell him the way things are in the North east. While we are praying, we want government to be proactive in tackling the situation. We feel that things are not right. ''Our land is being taken away by the enemies; the people we look after are displaced, their homes, their villages, towns are captured and they are internally displaced being refugees in their own land.''

Environment, said, “Our progress in APC is not hidden. The decamping of these people from various factions of PDP in Kwara shows that PDP has lost its relevance in Kwara beyond recovery and in 2015, PDP will not only lose in Kwara but nationwide. Once again, I welcome you to APC and assure you that the party’s tenets of fairness, equity, transparency and progress cover you as you join us to fight for the change we crave. Our party is big enough to accommodate all Kwarans.”

Saraki urged the people to mobilize and vote for the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

He also said,”Since inception, I have seen the handwritings on the wall that the PDP administration in Abuja does not have the interest of Kwarans at heart as no single project was brought to the state by the Federal Government and none was commissioned by them.”

In his remark, one of the leaders of the defectors from PDP, Alhaji Baba Jimoh said they were cajoled into joining the PDP, adding that they had only just discovered that it was not a good place for them.

I N N A — GOVERNOR Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has acceded to the demand of stakeholders in the state for his immediate past Chief of Staff, Alhaji Umar Nasko, to succeed him as governor of the state in 2015.

The governor, who spoke during a stakeholders meeting at his residence with over 200 individuals from Zone C expected to produce the next governor on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, arrangement said he had no objection to Nasko succeeding him.

The stakeholders had visited the governor at his residence where no fewer than 8 persons from the Zone C, including Kontagora, Mariga, Borgu among others commended the achievements of the present administration, expressed optimism that Nasko would be a good successor.

Responding, Governor Aliyu said since Nasko was the preferred candidate, he had no option than to also endorse him and announce him officially.

The party ’s state secretary, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf, who is also from the zone, said the party had thrown its weight behind the choice and would support the governor, saying “we are very much in support of the people and where ever the governor directs us we will abide by it.”

In a chat with journalists, after the endorsement, the governor said his formal endorsement was based on wide consultation with the people not only from the zone but from the state.

“The decision was not taken by me alone but by stakeholders and I have no option than to follow people’s choice. But I want to tell you that this endorsement does not foreclose the primaries which would still be conducted should other contestants still show interest,” Aliyu added.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

CONFERENCE: From left, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Senior Pastor, Kingsway International Christian Centre, KICC, and Guest Speaker; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, and his wife Bishop Peace Okonkwo, during the TREM 25th Kingdom Life World Conference, at the Church's headquarters, Anthony Village, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

VISIT: From left, Arc. Musa Sada, Minister of Solid Minerals & Steel, and Olusegun Awolowo, Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, during a courtesy visit to the minister.

VISIT: All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant, Akinwunmi Ambode, former Ojo Council Chairman and APC leader in Ojo, Alhaji Olorunfunmi, and the Secretary to the Lagos State government, Dr. Ranti Adebule, during a political consultation visit

by Akinwunmi Ambode to Ojo Local Government.

VISIT: From left, Miss Gloria Ojukwu, Mr. Uzama Martins, and Miss Udah Oluchi, all Youth Corps members, during the MTN surprise visit to NYSC camp, and "Try Your Luck in MTN's Free Credit Game,' in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

AWARD: From left, Segun Akano, MD/CEO, Upperlink Limited; Managing Director of Signal Alliance,Mr. Collins Onuegbu, Autin Okere, Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group, winner of IT Personality of the year award 2014; Nigerian Computer Society, President, Prof. David Adewumi; Aniekan Etiebet, MD/CEO Data Sciences, Dr. Peter Jack,Director of National Information Development Agency, NITDA; Chief Don Etiebet, former Petroleum Minister, and Prof. Charles Uwadia, at the just concluded National Information Merit Award, NITMA, 2014.

CONFERENCE: From left, Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas; General Manager, ICT, NHIS, Mr. Olufemi Akingbade, and Coordinator, Lagos Zonal VISIT: From left, Chief Newton Jibunoh, Sir Tony Obuh, Office, Mr. Nasiru Ikharo, at a press conference in La- PDP governorship aspirant, and Director-General, Tony gos.

Obuh Campaign Organisation, Chief Fred Majemite, when Obuh paid Jibunoh a courtesy visit at his country home in Akwukwu-Igbo.

AWARD: From left, Ernst & Young Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Henry Egbiki; Oando Plc Group Chief Executive, Adewale Tinubu, and immediate past Managing Director, Bank of industry, BOI, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, during the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award West Africa 2014 ceremony where Mr. Tinubu was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year.’

2015: From left, Mr. Val Arenyeka, House of Representatives aspirant for Warri Federal Constituency; Prince Michael Diden, Delta State House of Assembly aspirant for Warri North Constituency; Sir Solomon Arenyeka, former Chief of Staff to Delta State Govt, and Mr. Francis Maku, Chairman of Warri North LGA, during a consultative visit to Warri North LGA PDP in Koko, Delta State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 49

50— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Bishop Okonkwo laments INEC’s inability to issue PVC

2015: Mu’Azu challenges court's jurisdiction to stop PDP National Convention ••seeks dismissal of suit by Reps aspirant

By Olayinka Latona

P

RESIDING Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo, weekend, joined thousands of Nigerians to lament over the inability of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to distribute Permanent Voters Card, PVC, ahead of next year’s general elections.

Addressing newsmen at the opening ceremony of church’s 25th Kingdom Life World Conference 2014, at the TREM headquarters in Lagos, Okonkwo said he was yet to receive his permanent voters card since INEC started the distribution, stressing that there was no collection centre within the church environment.

The cleric stated that he had mandated his church members to ensure that they collect their voters’ cards and make sure they vote in credible leaders who will deliver the dividends of democracy during the 2015 general election.

In his words: “Up till now, I have not collected my permanent voters card and I have to mobilise my members to vote. There are no polling booths around our area and this is the first time such a thing is happening. I called some people to know what is happening that I am not able to get my permanent voters card but there was no explanation”.

Speaking on the rising wave of insurgency, Okonkwo appealed to the Federal Government to fish out saboteurs within the security agencies, adding that all hands must be on deck to arrest the insurgents in the country.

He noted that there are some individuals in the country who are making the military effort fruitless, stressing “the truth is that there are saboteurs in the army and that is why I am concerned about the soldiers who were sentenced to death for mutiny and dismissal of the commander in charge. To me, it is not acceptable.

“Find out the bad eggs within the military, because I don’t believe that Nigeria lacks the military capability to deal with the insurgents.

When you have saboteurs within the military, it becomes very difficult for the Army to operate."

C M Y K

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’Azu, yesterday, challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop the party from holding its planned national convention on December 10 and 11.

In a preliminary objection he filed through the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Mr. Victor Kwon, Mu’Azu, urged the court to hands-off the suit which was entered against the party by a House of Representatives aspirant from Adamawa State, Mr. Aliyu Ayuba Gubrin.

Gubrin who is also a member of the PDP, had in a motion on notice he filed through his lawyer, Mrs. Lilian Ojimma, on November 5, applied for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the party from going ahead with the convention.

He further prayed the court to restrain Mu’Azu from acting as the National Chairman of the PDP pending the final determination of the suit.

The plaintiff contended that the resignation of the immediate past chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, did not comply with the provision of Section 47(5) of the constitution of the PDP. He argued that the section stipulated that Tukur must give a 30 days notice to the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party, indicating his intention to resign.

Cited as defendants in the suit were the PDP, Tukur, Mu’Azu and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

However, reacting to the suit, yesterday, Mu’Azu maintained that plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the action which he described as “merely academic”.

Insisting that the suit failed to disclose any cause of action, Mu’Azu argued that the suit concerns and touches upon the internal affairs of a political party which no court in Nigeria has the powers to meddle into.

He told the court that the plaintiff has not pursued and exhausted the domestic remedies available to him before going to court.

In a 20-paragraph affidavit in support of the preliminary objection, deposed to by one Innocent Ezekiel, a staff in the Legal Directorate of the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, Mu’Azu, further told the court that the plaintiff, having failed to pay his annual subscription to the party since January 2005, is no

longer a member of the party.

“His membership has elapsed since January of 2006 in accordance with section 8(15) of the Constitution of the 1st defendant”, Mu’Azu argued.

He said that after Tukur resigned from office sometime in January, the National Executive Committee of the PDP appointed him to pilot the affairs of the party pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy pursuant to section 47(6) of the party’s constitution.

“That thereafter, the 1st defendant has scheduled its National Convention for December 10 and 11, 2014 to among others, elect its presidential candidate for the 2015 general election and regularise the position of some of its National Officers including the National Chairman in which all members, including the plaintiff (if he was a member) can participate.

“The plaintiff has not in his

affidavit in support of the Originating Summons stated that he is personally interested in being the National Chairman of the 1st defendant or that he supports anybody so interested.

That the interest the plaintiff claims in bringing this suit is one which he shares with millions of other members of the 1st defendant in Nigeria and its branches/chapters abroad. That the plaintiff is not an aspirant on the platform of the 1st defendant as the plaintiff has not picked up nomination forms into any elective position, up until the close of sale of the 1st defendants nomination forms. Granting of the reliefs sought by the plaintiff would not confer any benefits on the plaintiff.

“We submit that this court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the plaintiff’s suit because it does not disclose a cause of action.

Resulting from this, the plaintiff’s originating summons richly deserves to be struck out."

L-r: Sarkin Bai Zazzau, Hon. Isa Ashiru with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal at his declaration for the governoship of Kaduna State at the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex, Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

INTERCONTINENTAL BANK: Court rejects ruling of London court

By Innocent Anaba

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, held that the judgment of a London Court ordering former Managing Director of defunct Intercontinental Bank, Erastus Akingbola to pay Access Bank £654 million (N212.2 billion) was not enforceable in Nigeria.

Trial judge, Justice Chukwujeku Aneke in his judgment, also dismissed an application filed to that effect

by Access Bank. A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere had also rejected a similar application by Access Bank.

Justice Aneke explained that by denying Akingbola the right to appeal the judgment

amounted to a breach of his fundamental right which no Nigerian court could do. Quoting several Supreme Court cases he stated that the right of appeal was every Nigerian’s inalienable right adding that the London court contravened this fundamental provision of the constitution.

It will be recalled that the High Court, Queens Bench in London, had on August 1, 2012, ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank £654 million (N212.2 billion) for some alleged fraudulent practices committed when he was in charge of the defunct bank.

Access Bank acquired Intercontinental Bank on January 31, 2012.

In a bid to enforce the London Court judgment in Nigeria,

Access Bank approached Justice A. Oyebanji of the Lagos High Court with an ex-parte application, seeking to register the foreign judgment and the accompanying order of Justice Michael Burton, dated September 13, 2012.

Justice Oyebanji had acceded to the request of Access Bank by registering the London judgment and ordering Akingbola to pay the judgment sum. But, Akingbola, through his lawyer, asked Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson of the Lagos High Court to quash the registration of the foreign judgment for lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Candide-Johnson had discharged the ex parte order made by Justice Oyebanji on

the ground that Access Bank’s move contravened provisions of the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgment Act of 1958. Justice Candide-Johnson had further held that since Federal High Courts alone have exclusive jurisdiction on CAMA related cases, his court could not have entertained the claims leading up to the judgment and consequently could not register same as that would make it a judgment of the court.

The judge, however, refused Akingbola’s prayer seeking to restrain Access Bank from enforcing the London judgment in any other court. However, in a ruling, yesterday, Justice Aneke turned down the application and ruled that the judgment was not enforceable in Nigeria.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 —51

CJN laments working conditions of magistrates •Says some sit in classroom blocks, village town halls

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, yesterday, decried the horrible and sordid conditions that Judges of the lower courts were working under in many states of the federation.

In a keynote address she delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Conference of All Nigeria Judges of the Lower Courts held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, Mukhtar said she was surprised to discover that some Magistrates sit in classroom blocks and village town halls.

She said, “Some customary and Area Courts even sit in rented apartments,” adding that the situation should be blamed on “refusal of some State Governors to respect the Constitution they have sworn to protect and defend”.

The CJN said: “I am also aware that in some States, Courts have been closed down due to political squabbles among politicians. I have heard of stories of Magistrates being abducted and in many cases murdered by unknown persons due to lack of security. All these factors are so debilitating on the performance of judicial functions. No body would like to work under such deplorable and unsecured environment. Some of these problems are man made.

These are occasioned by the refusal of some State Governors to respect the Constitution they have sworn to protect and defend. How can they protect and defend what they do not respect?

Constitutional provisions “The States’ Governors should implement the constitutional provisions in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court in this respect. If this is done, some of these problems would become issues of the past.

However, until the situation is normalized, the existence of these problems should not be used as a reason to perpetrate fraud or indulge in dishonest dealings and unwholesome conducts. You must try to resist every temptation no matter how over bearing they may seem. Since you have accepted to do this work knowing of these challenges involved, you must do it honestly, dexterously, diligently and with utmost integrity and transparency. Like Cesar’s wife, you must be above board. You must be incorruptible.”

Speaking on the theme of this year’s Conference, “Repositioning the Lower Courts for Improved Justice Delivery”, the CJN, urged the lower court judges to always abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of Nigeria. She said, “As judges of the Lower Courts, you occupy a very strategic

position in the judicial hierarchy.

In almost all judicial matters, you are the first port of call. You preside over Courts located nearest to the people both in urban and rural areas. You are grassroot Judges. Any impression of you represents the impression people will have for the entire judiciary.

“The present mood of the Nigerian Judiciary abhors corruption, avarice, nepotism, inordinate ambition, impudence and obduracy. These vices are the worst enemies of the Judiciary and must be eliminated wherever and whenever they rear their ugly and nasty heads. All your actions and utterances must be graceful and full of integrity.

Your comportment must be judicial and impeccable. You must not take the respect and confidence of your host community for granted. Every society has a system of resisting any denigration of their cultural values and customary ethos.

You will undoubtedly be resisted by your host Community if you try to denigrate their cultural values and customary ethos.

“As Customary or Area Court Judges, you are not expected to go to Court and preach the Bible or Quran. You are to apply the customary laws and rules of the people subject to the exceptions stipulated above.

Your religious inclinations must not bear on the discharge of your judicial functions as Judges of Customary Court or Area Courts. Those of you who are Sharia Court Judges must know the limit of your powers as contained in the respective laws setting up your respective Courts.”

On her part, the Administrator of the NJUI, Justice Rosaline Bozimo, said the choice of the theme of the conference deliberate considering that the participants occupy a very veritable position in the judicial system. She said,“They perform roles that are indispensable if the Judiciary must survive. Again, in most cases the Lower Courts, especially the Magistracy, act as the breeding ground of future Judicial Officers of the Superior Courts. They are the academies from where Judges of the Superior Courts are appointed.

That being the case, they must be properly groomed, nurtured and crafted in the best way possible to make them suitable for, and conformable with higher judicial office and responsibilities.

“It is through this type of Conference that we ensure that we maintain standards, promote efficiency and improve on the quality of judicial service at the Lower Courts”.

Investiture: Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, Group CEO UBA Capital Plc being conferred with the Fellowship Award of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), by the President/Chairman of Council, CIS, Mr. Albert Okumaga, at the 2014 CIS Conference & Investiture of Fellows, in Lagos

FRSC drops deadline for new number plate and driver’s licence

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA— THE management of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, disclosed, yesterday, that it will no longer fix a deadline for a nationwide enforcement of the new vehicle number plate and driver ’s licence.

The corps marshal and chief executive of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, who said this while addressing newsmen shortly after a strategic retreat for its Zonal Commanders, yesterday, in Abuja, noted that there was no deadline for the new drivers licence but urged motorists to renew their

particulars when due.

According to him, “On the uniform licensing scheme following judgment of the Court of Appeal, the scheme is on course but we are not setting any deadline, it's going to be a circle period. So once your driver's licence expires, you go back and renew your licence and also when your vehicle licence expires, you go, in the process you cut over to the new plate number, and it's joint task force that is empowered to do this.

“You are aware of the Court of Appeal judgment, but now if your licence must expire before you renew, if you don’t

Boko Haram: Sanusi seeks backing for vigilantes

T

HE emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has expressed support for vigilantes fighting Boko Haram, urging others to form civilian militias and stop questioning the competence of the military.

Sanusi who spoke during last Friday prayers at the Kano central mosque said “People should be sensitised on the importance of being on the alert. And they should prepare, they should acquire what they will defend themselves with.”

The emir in a copy of the transcript of the recording obtained by AFP yesterday said, “those that are endowed as hunters and vigilantes should apply this endowment given to them by Allah as an avenue of earning divine

reward in defending their nation.”

Nigeria’s military has been cooperating with various vigilante forces in the northeast for more than a year, often relying on civilians to do the bulk of the fighting against the insurgents.

Witnesses said it was vigilantes who recaptured the symbolically important northeast town of Chibok from Boko Haram at the weekend, with troops staying clear of the heavy fighting.

Chibok was where the Islamists kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in April. Fifty-seven have escaped. “We should not wait for soldiers to come, before they come the carnage will have been done,” Sanusi told the congregation. “Some of them drop their guns and flee.”

renew we will arrest you,” he said.

On the other court judgement on the corps, he said, “I am not a lawyer but the brief I have received is that if a lower court has given judgment and a higher court has given judgment, I think the appeal court judgment has overtaken it.

“In any case, there was court in March that gave a judgment that the corps has power to impose fines on motorists. The same court in September gave another judgment contradicting itself that we don’t have the powers. That was on September 26. Then on October 31, the appeal court gave a judgment that nullified those ones, so which one is supreme?

“But again, let me say here that the FRSC is not a revenue generating agency.

When we issue citations for offences committed, it is not compulsory for you to go and pay fines. You can challenge it at the court. It is very clear in the act.

“If you wish to challenge, again there are some offences that we don’t issue tickets for, we take you straight to court so the act is very clear, that is why we also have the mobile courts. So the Corps is not a revenue generating agency.

Secondly when we issue citations, it's not compulsory for you to pay fines, you can go to court and challenge it.

That is the state of things, on that we stand unless the supreme court gives a counter judgment.”

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Akwa Ibom 2015: Time for a woman governor – Senator Esuene Senator Helen Esuene is the only female out of 27 persons presently engaged in the Akwa Ibom governorship contest.

In this interaction, the Senator insists that the time has come for a feminine touch in the governance of Akwa-Ibom State. Excerpts:

By Tom Moses

H

OW is the contest going?

My supporters and I had in the past 18 months walked the walk and talked the talk. My campaign train has gone to the nooks and crannies of this state and has interfaced with men, women, youths, elders, groups and our traditional fathers all in a bid to interact with them and communicate my intention and the vision that I carry for the good people of Akwa-Ibom State; God’s own state.

How do you assess the past leaders of the state?

Akwa-Ibom State since its creation on September 23, 1987, has witnessed nine governors, three of whom were democratically elected. This land has at various times been codenamed, the “Land of Promise, “The Land of fulfilment and currently, “The Land of Uncommon Transformation”. All the governors from the military era to date, have contributed their quota to the realization of what we have today since governance is continuous.

What would be the blueprint of your administration?

The focus of my administration shall be to create an enabling environment where the people, our greatest resource shall thrive and where justice and peace shall reign. These are fundamental ingredients for sustainable development. Safety and security of lives and property being the flip side of peace, will also receive attention.

My administration shall operate on a-three point agenda of wealth-creation, qualitative education and functional healthcare delivery. A holistic human capital development will be on the front-burner of my government with immediate medium and long-term touch.

Hard work, creativity and entrepreneurship will be encouraged and appreciated while government will partner with key operators in the various economic sectors to develop our innate natural potentials for the creation of wealth and food security Society cannot make a meaningful progress without a solid educational system. Our C M Y K

children and youths shall be given qualitative education which shall embrace teachers’ training and retraining, improved school facilities and learning environment. We shall also include in our school curriculum at all levels, relevant training to restore our core values in the areas of self-discipline, patriotism, respect for elders and the female gender.

It is said that a healthy workforce is a happy workforce.

The third point on the agenda will centre on health-care delivery especially at the primary level. It is instructive to note that if we get our primary health-care right that our maternal and infant mortality rate will reduce. This primary tier health-care delivery is the one that is easily accessible to the common man. My administration will put in place a health-care delivery policy and system that is inter-connected and functional at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels How do you feel being the only woman in the governorship race?

The time is now to have a feminine touch in the governance of Akwa-Ibom State.

It is only fair that after 27 years of existence that Akwa-Ibom people should give a woman the chance to be their servant-leader.

I have been tested and have not been found wanting in carriage and delivery in the various public offices that I have held.

The time is now to have a feminine touch in the governance of Akwa-Ibom State

•Senator Helen Esuene The Bible says that “He that is faithful in small things is also faithful in much”, Luke 16:10.

I shall manage your funds judiciously. I shall run an inclusive government where

men, women, youths, elders, the professionals as well as the traditional institution shall be active players.

I am therefore appealing to all Akwa-Ibom sons and daughters

to give me a chance to run a true democratic government, a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Give me the opportunity to give power back to the people.

Poverty: Atiku’s template to save Nigeria

F

ORMER Vice President and Presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku is disturbed by what he perceives as dwindling economic fortunes of the country and poverty and itemised measures he said will check poverty.

According to Atiku, the solution to poverty in the country has gone beyond the level of empty declarations to laying out implementable policies.

The World Bank recently released its annual report on poverty where the World body identified Nigeria as one of the least successful countries not addressing poverty alleviation since the introduction or establishment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 14 years ago.

The report by the World Bank stated that ‘’Almost three fifth of the Worlds extreme poor are concentrated in just five countries: Bangladesh, China , the DR Congo, India and Nigeria.”

Looking at the issue, especially claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government that the country has recorded some economic gains and is tackling poverty, Atiku wants Nigerians

‘’to ask our leaders and ourselves how can Nigeria grow and the country continue to decline.

Nigeria’s unemployment rate has continued to rise, currently estimated at a staggering 27 per cent, with youth unemployment hovering around 55 per cent.

There is much that we can do to alleviate the stresses caused by population growth and unemployment.’’

The former Vice President said three factors should be of major concern. ‘’First, the core of the issue begins with our education system, which has struggled to provide a quality education that would prepare our youth for the needs of our economy. ‘’ Secondly, there has not been enough emphasis on infrastructural projects that could employ both skilled and unskilled labour, as well as rejuvenate local economies.

Thirdly, a coordinated effort by the government and the private sector to develop long-term projects, where labourers could be retrained to the needs of the project, would greatly impact the quality of life for Nigerians and grow the country’s human capital.”

Atiku stated that more than any other time in its history, ‘’Nigeria needs inspiration,

•Atiku Abubakar hope and a change in consciousness that emphasizes hard work, accountability, trust and a long-term vision for the future. It is absolutely vital that this change be instituted at the top, whereby our leadership becomes the example that can be emulated nationwide. ‘’Indeed, by focusing on poverty reduction Nigeria can also confront the momentum for terrorism and criminality.

Disenfranchised youth and marginalized populations are prime targets for recruitment into terrorist activity.

If Nigeria can manage to reincorporate these populations through education, job training and the guarantee of a liveable income, we will see fewer people looking to criminality for a meal and a sense of security. In turn, the overall security of the nation will improve.’’

Vanguard, TUESD AY, NO VEMBER 18, 2014 TUESDA NOVEMBER YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

SCORPIO: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already onboard of merry making train. Watch your health.

SAGITTARIUS: Minor financial success you record today can lead to something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

CAPRICORN: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those ambitious career-wise will succeed after few struggles.

— 53

By Richard Eromosele

A

deadline is the time within which we must do something. It is the time we have to do what we have chosen to do or what we are expected to do or compelled to do.

Unfortunately, most people associate deadline with

Giving yourself a deadline journalism. This should not be.

Everyone that aspires to be somebody in life must imbibe the practice of deadline.

The major difference between a mere wish and a goal is that a wish is an open cheque that

TERROR MUDA

has no definite time for it to be cashed whereas a goal has time frame for its execution. But for fear of failing, most people will gladly set deadline for attaining their goal. Be a sportsman. Be sincere to yourself. If you have

in “Never say goodbye”

given everything and you still couldn’t meet up with your deadline, adjust it forward.

In everything, set a deadline for yourself.

Just be sincere. No body will kill you for not meeting up with your deadline.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take good advantage today.

PISCES: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

ARIES: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

TAURUS: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

GEMINI: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

CANCER: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

VIRGO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances.

Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my horoscope?

Dear Joshua, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is.

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Adeyemi, Lagos.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Adeyemi, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day Of Birth: Thursday Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

FG to review security policy against insurgency —DEFENCE MINISTER

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—MINISTER of Defence, Aliyu Gusau, said yesterday that Federal Government was set to re-engineer the nation’s defence and security system to cope with the threats of terrorism.

Declaring open the 2014 Defence Advisers Conference in Abuja, the minister said a natural element of the reengineering process was the review of the national defence policy, which had commenced.

While regretting the high cost of destruction in the number of people killed, communities razed and persons kidnapped, Gusau charged the defence advisers to see the fight against terrorism as an onerous assignment by helping to bridge the intelligence gaps and knowledge of the terrorist groups.

He charged the defence advisers to do this by providing intelligence about ‘the foreign source of support, training, weapons, funding and the flow of foreign fighters’.

Gusau said: “The global security environment remains shaky and unstable. Small groups and small countries are the focus of instability and inhumanity, which arrest world attention.

“The new and ugly face of global terrorism is marked by execution, extreme brutality, impunity and abductions.

“In different regions of the world, where the surge of terrorism persists, the perpetrators share a common agenda to unleash terror, mayhem, destruction and instability around the world.

“There is no doubt that the foreign fighters have added a troubling dimension to this emerging phase of terrorism.

“From targeted attacks by one group a few years ago, we now have a mobile band of thousands of terrorists sweeping across many areas.”

Don't force consensus candidacy on presidential aspirants, Atiku tells APC

By Ebun Sessou

A

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant of on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has warned the party against forcing a consensus arrangement for the 2015 election down the throat of aspirants.

According to him, consensus arrangement must be based on the willingness of all aspirants vying for the party’s presidential slot for

2015 election.

Atiku, who spoke with newsmen shortly after a closeddoor meeting with members of Lagos State House of Assembly as part of his campaign to woo delegates, disclosed that the party had requested aspirants, including himself, to explore the option of consensus or go for primaries.

The former Vice President said the party was poised to bring about positive and real change that one could feel, see and touch in the country, if it is

voted into power in 2015, and not the propaganda being dished out by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He said the party was currently approaching the matter in a very responsible and mature manner.

Commenting on the entry into the race by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, the former vice president said he was not bothered, adding that the Speaker had the legitimate right to contest.

Earlier, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, assured the former Vice President of the House’s support.

He said: “When my colleagues and members of our party, who are here, learned that you will pay us this courtesy call, we informed our leaders in the state, including our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and, of course, we had his nod to go ahead and do what is right and proper.”

Jonathan approves transformation agenda exhibition

By Emmanuel Elebeke

P FORUM: From left— Mohammed Bintube, a commissioner; Mr. Peter Igoh, Chairman, Board of Commissioners; Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; and Dr. Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, at a telecom consumer forum in Lagos.

Govt makes entrepreneurship course compulsory in universities

By Laide Akinboade

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government has made entrepreneurial studies compulsory in all universities in the country.

According to the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, the promotion of entrepreneurship in the 129 universities will tackle insecurity challenges facing the country.

The Minister, who disclosed this while declaring open the annual National Entrepreneurship Week, ANEW, in Abuja, said: “The introduction of Entrepreneurship Education as a compulsory unit under the General Studies, GST, programme in Nigerian universities places emphasis on the nation’s yearning to assist the youth gain economic independence.

“It is my pleasure to inform you that Entrepreneurship

Education is compulsory in all 129 universities in Nigeria. In addition, some universities offer entrepreneurship education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

“Today, the course has been adopted as one of the strategies of producing functional graduates.”

Shekarau, who was represented by Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, said since no nation could develop without entrepreneurial education, all universities in the country should introduce the programme as quickly as possible.

He said the ANEW forum was, therefore, a clear testimony of the commission’s foresightedness in providing opportunities for mentoring students and allowing them to demonstrate their innovative ideas in solving critical

challenges of their communities.

Deputy Executive Secretary of NUC, Dr. Chinedu Mafiana, who represented Professor Okojie, said the introduction of entrepreneurial education in 2006 by Federal Government was a deliberate policy adopted to instil relevant skills for survival and global competitiveness.

He said: “I would, therefore, like to reiterate that the 2014 ANEW programme was initiated to stimulate and equip students with necessary tools and knowhow to contribute to socioeconomic development of the nation and eventually compete globally.

He tasked all universities in the country to ensure that Nigerian graduates strive to acquire skills that would enable them compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has given approval for an international exhibition to be staged on the gains of the transformation agenda of his administration within the last four years, covering key sectors of the economy.

The President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Social Development and Special Duties, Mrs. Sarah Pane, announced this yesterday at the inauguration of the planning committee, headed by Ari Mohammed, for the international exhibition in Abuja.

He noted that the government, in the last four years, had made significant strides towards the transformation of the country, but lamented that criticizing the government had become a major industry that is used to gauge the international sagacity of social commentators.

He said the essence of the exhibition, which would be opened on December 18, would bring the milestone achievements of the last four years to a clear perspective to the nation and the international community through graphic and pictorial presentations.

He said the exhibition will enable people make decisions and contributions to national discourse based on knowledge.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 55

APC, UPP raise alarm over Enugu debt profile

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—OPPOSITION parties in Enugu State including the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday raised the alarm over alleged massive borrowing by the outgoing Governor Sullivan Chime’s administration, claiming the government planned to mortgage the future of generation yet unborn in the state with heavy debt burden.

The State House of Assembly, last Thursday approved N11 billion loan borrowed by the government from some commercial banks before the government asked the House to retroactively approve another N7 billion earlier borrowed without approval, bringing the entire loan to N18 billion.

The opposition parties and other concerned groups and individuals are worried that the massive borrowing is coming less than seven months to the end of government of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Speaking on the borrowing, the state chairman of APC, Dr Ben Nwoye said, “It is an extension of illegality that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, government has perpetrated against the people of Enugu state. They do it believing that Enugu people are stupid. But you will see that history will

A

BUJA—CRISIS rocking the Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday deepened as

L

ALUMNI DINNER: From left; Augustine Nkwume, audit leader, Deloitte Nigeria; Tawanda Gumbo, Transitional leader, Deloitte Nigeria, and Mike Vincent, advisory leader, Deloitte West Africa, at the 2014 Deloitte Alumni dinner in Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau. repeat itself. Those who are involved in the theft of public funds will be brought to book by an APC government in 2015. A post humorous authorization by the rubber-stamp House is a furtherance of illegal act by the executive. Their days are numbered and they will surely be brought to justice.”

Also, the National Chairman of

delegates on the aegis of Enugu State PDP delegates forum, yesterday asked the national leadership of the party to dissolve the State working Committee, SWC, as a panacea to peace.

2015: Don’t derail polls, Aka Ikenga warns Jega

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HE Igbo intellectual think-tank, Aka Ikenga, has condemned what it described “The repeated attempts of the Prof Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to derail the 2015 elections by one illconceived idea or the other.”

In a statement yesterday by its President, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, Aka Ikenga, which also flayed the INEC chairman for reportedly harassing key southern electoral officers over the suspended 30,000 additional polling units.

He said; “Up to last week, Jega was toying with the idea of adding 30,000 polling units with 22,000 going to the North and 8,000 going to the South. This is a country where the voting figures are 52 per cent for the North and 48 per cent for the South. Wisely, he suspended it. But we say,

Falana, Human Rights activists seek urgent solution

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

the United Progressives Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said, “it is worrisome that the Enugu State House of Assembly has made itself a rubber-stamp to the executive.

This is further evidence of why the former Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi was impeached. This is election period when the governor will be completing his tenure. The people should

protest that such large amount of money was obtained without due process.

“No matter the justification by government for whatever purpose the money will be spent on, it should have followed due process.

It is a grand plan to create unnecessary financial burden to the incoming government that will inherit such burden.”

ENUGU PDP CRISIS: Delegates want state working c'ttee dissolved

By Henry Umoru

Terrorism:

suspension is not enough. It should be scrapped as that project is but ghost voters agenda.''

“Now, Jega’s new project is relocating 1000 polling units in the country from one place to the other in 12 states. This idea of 12 states is a concealed programme because Jega did not disclose that 12 states actual consist of 11 states in the far North and one state to the South (Lagos). What condition exists in the 12 states to the exclusion of the 24 states? Is it possible to have a new voting arrangement to the Northern states in the far North without the same scenario in the middle belt? ''What is really the reason for this ill-intended venture? Whose complaint has led to this new venture? Jega should realize that his name is at stake and that he is standing on a banana peel!”

The delegates in a petition to PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, solicited for a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party in the state.

In the petition signed by Emeka Aneke and Chief Frank Anioma, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the forum alleged that Governor Sullivan Chime of was working to ensure that PDP did not present candidates for 2015 general elections.

The delegates also alleged that the governor plans to contest on another party's platform.

In the petition titled, “Team Chime: the Mole exposed,” and copied other members of the National Working Committee, NWC, the delegates said: “A mole

is like a tumor that must be expunged before it turns cancerous. We therefore call on the National Working Committee of our great party to dissolve the current State Executive Committee in Enugu State and set up a caretaker committee in order to halt the current steps taken by Governor Chime and his cohorts from remaining under our big umbrella while their arms and legs are outside, fanning the embers of strife.

“As PDP delegates, we have observed with kin interest the nocturnal romance of Gov Chime with the programmes of other political parties against the interests and well being of PDP in Enugu State and Nigeria.''

Uduaghan, Mu'azu, George, others bag CDGA award today

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O V E R N O R Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, Chief Bode George, Gen. Theophilus Y Danjuma, and other eminent Nigerians will today bag the 2014 Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa annual, CDGA, global awards.

At the CDGA global award/

lecture with the theme: ‘Achieving Sustainable Democratic Dividends at the Grass root: A function of Purpose-Driven Leadership’ Chief Bode George and the others will be presented with Africa Distinguished Gold Service Award.

Mu'azu is expected to deliver a paper, while Dr. Kuiz Ahmned from Kenya and Chief Mike Ozekhome will also be speaking.

AGOS—HUMAN Rights activists, including Lagos Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, yesterday expressed concern over rising spate of terrorism in the country, saying the country could disintegrate if solution was not urgently provided.

They spoke at a national symposium theme, “National Conference, National Question” organized to mark the first anniversary of late Comrade Baba Omojola in Lagos.

The event had as chairman, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, (retd) human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Femi Falana, Dr Amos Akingba and others.

Falana lamented that rather than President Goodluck Jonathan and his party proffering a solution, they were instigating religious campaigns, saying “This is what the ruling party did in the previous election, when they based their campaign slogan on ethnicity.”

He contended that the Nigeria military had been incapacitated by massive corruption and internal fraud and could not liberate the country from the grip of the terrorists who had captured about 16 local governments in the country.

According to him,” As for the boys they accused of mutiny when I spoke with them they said oga we are not guilty of mutiny. We want to fight and die for this country but there is no equipment. They are asking us to face the Boko Haram that has sophisticated weapons.

We are simply being asked to commit suicide and that is why we say we have the right to life. We do not want to die cheaply.''

“The military ratings are not saying they are not ready to fight. The money that has been voted for defence of our dear country in the last five years is N4 trillion.

This year alone, it is N968 billion.''

56 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 57

BRIEFS Gbagbo’s trial begins next July

F

AU welcomes new Burkina Faso leader T

HE African Union yesterday welcomed the appointment of career diplomat Michel Kafando as Burkina Faso’s interim president following the ousting of its veteran leader.

AU chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma praised the people of the west African state “for their political maturity and sense of responsibility”, and called for “a smooth transition under the direction of civil authorities”.

The appointment of the former foreign minister and UN ambassador is set to end weeks of uncertainty in the impover-

ished country after mass protests toppled the 27year regime of president Blaise Compaore and the military seized power.

The naming of the interim leader came ahead of a two-week deadline the AU had given the country’s army to return the state to civilian rule.

Dlamini-Zuma said she “ welcomes the restoration of the constitution” and the “significant progress” made towards civilian rule, repeating the AU’s committment and support to the country.

The 54-member bloc also called on the international community to

•Michel Kafando support efforts to “deepen democracy ” in the country.

Kafando, who will have to be confirmed by the Constitutional Council, previously served as the

country’s ambassador to the United Nations from 1998 to 2011. He was also Burkina Faso’s foreign affairs minister between 1981 and 1982

Pope Francis confirms trip to US A

pontiff who has long championed humble acts — sneaking off to break bread with the homeless as an archbishop and washing the feet of young prisoners early in his papacy — is coming to the City of Brotherly Love.

Pope Francis confirmed Monday that he will make his first papal visit to the United States with a trip to Philadelphia next September for the World Meeting of Families, a conference held every three years in a different city to celebrate the importance of family.

Francis’ announcement,

at an interreligious Vatican conference on traditional family values, ended months of lobbying and speculation. It will be the second papal visit to Philadelphia — John Paul II celebrated Mass in the city in 1979 — and the first papal visit to the U.S. in eight years.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, speaking at a news conference, called it a “joyous day” and said Francis’ visit would be the largest event in the city’s modern history.

Nutter, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, the con-

•Pope Francis

ference’s organizer, met with Francis at the Vatican and personally invited him to the city in March.

Vatican officials toured the city in May and President Barack Obama, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and Congress have extended invitations.

Just last week, more than

HE leaders of Russia and Germany squared off over Ukraine from opposite sides of the globe, with Vladimir Putin warning that Moscow will not accept a defeat for the proRussian rebels and Angela Merkel accusing the Kremlin of undermining peace across Europe.

But despite the harsh

rhetoric, European Union foreign ministers refrained from increasing the sanctions against Moscow, voicing support for a floundering peace deal in eastern Ukraine that has been undermined by continuing hostilities.

At least 10 people were killed and 17 others wounded in the latest

in a statement.

Gbagbo, 69, faces four counts of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed at the end of his decade-long rule over the troubled west African country, after he refused to accept defeat in an election in November 2010.

His supporters clashed for five months mainly in the southern economic capital Abidjan with those of President Alassane Ouattara, who was proclaimed winner of the vote by the electoral commission, at a cost of at least 3,000 lives.

Gbagbo was then

A

large team of Chi nese health workers arrived in Liberia to boost the Ebola fight as a USbased doctor infected in Sierra Leone was described as being “extremely ill”.

The 160-strong Chinese deployment to the west African country worst hit by the virus came as the world’s most powerful economies vowed to “extinguish” the epidemic, which has claimed more than 5,100 lives.

The Chinese doctors, epidemiologists and

fighting, authorities reported Monday. In an interview with German ARD television broadcast late Sunday, Putin said he still believes in the success of peace efforts in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian rebels have been battling Kiev’s troops in a conflict that has claimed more than 4,000 lives.

nurses will staff a $41 million (33 million euro) Ebola treatment unit which will be up and running in 10 days, ambassador Zhang Yue said in a statement on Sunday.

The health workers have had previous experience in tackling the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in Asia, Zhang said, adding that its total aid to Liberia would be $46 million.

At least 2,812 people have so far died of Ebola in Liberia.

So far Beijing has promised Ebola-hit countries the equivalent of $122 million to help fight the epidemic.

Since the beginning of the year, China has given west African countries a total of 234 million yuan ($38.2 million) in emergency assistance, including disease prevention and control materials, grain and cash, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

•Gbagbo arrested in April 2011 by pro-Ouattara forces with backing from former colonial power France and the United Nations.

He was transferred to the Hague the following November, becoming the first ex-head of state to face prosecution at the ICC.

Frenchman appears in IS beheading video

F

RENCH security services have identified an Islamic State militant who appears in a beheading video released by the group at the weekend as one of its nationals and are analyzing the footage to determine if a second fighter is also French. The 15-minute video posted online shows the decapitations of 18 men who Islamic State said were pilots and officers loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as the

Ebola: Chinese medics arrives Liberia

Tough stances from Putin, Merkel over Ukraine

T

10,000 Philadelphia Catholic school children sent handwritten notes encouraging the 77-year-old Francis to make the visit.

The pope is also expected to visit New York and Washington, but Vatican officials Monday would not confirm those legs of the trip.

ORMER Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo will go on trial for crimes against humanity on July 7 next year, the International Criminal Court said yesterday.

“Today (the) Trial Chamber set the commencement date for the trial in the case the Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo for 7 July 2015,” the Hague-based ICC said

•Maxime Hauchard,

severed head of U.S. aid worker Peter Kassig.

“It has allowed us to identify one of the jihadis as French citizen Maxime Hauchard,” Paris Prosecutor Frederic Molins told reporters on Monday. “There is the possible existence of a second Frenchman, but it is too early to say.”

US imposes Ebola screening for travelers from Mali

U

S authorities yesterday were to begin enhanced Ebola screenings of travelers from Mali upon arrival in the United States amid fears of a surge in cases in the African country.

The special measures are already in place in for travelers arriving from three other West African nations — Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

The US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, in a joint statement with the Department of Homeland Security, said Mali was being added to the list “because there have been a number of confirmed cases of Ebola” there in recent days.

Thousands protest in Spain for Western Sahara independence

S

EVERAL thousand people demonstrated in Madrid in support of independence for the disputed territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony in northwestern Africa.

About 3,000 protesters marched from Atocha railway station to the central Plaza de la Provincia behind a banner declaring “Sahara Free now!”, an AFP photographer said.

Banners from many parts of Spain could be seen at the demonstration, which also included live music and street performers dressed in the red, green, black and white of the traditional Saharawi flag.

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

NDDC’s exclusion of M.Sc in public health Dear sir latched on her and turned the interview NE notes with utmost into a quarrel with our daughter whom amazement the NDDC advertise- she had never seen or met before. ment in the Vanguard and Nation Our daughter ( a born-again type) was Newspapers of Tuesday, 28 January, completely taken aback and embar2014, calling for applications for post- rassed by the bizarre comportment of the graduate scholarships but which sur- lady in the panel who surely was out to prisingly excluded M.Sc in Public intimidate (or even jealous of ) her from Health. the very start of the interview.

With epidemics all over Nigeria, cholOur daughter returned from the inera, typhoid, HIV/AIDS, lassa fever, terview dumbfounded, not knowing ebola fever, malaria, polio, measles, TB, what to worry about – is it about the small pox, chicken pox, yellow fever and huge cost of travelling to attend the inmany children coughs, one is at a loss terview or the otherwise useful time so to explain the reason why public health callously wasted to attend the unfriendly is excluded from the NDDC’s list of dis- interview. ciplines to be studied.

It may be useful to recall a Ironically, till tomorrow, similar questionable adverthe UK, USA, France, Gertisement nearly two years ago many, South Africa, Japan when the same NDDC adverand many other countries tised for law officers. The have continued to increase venue was the I.T. Facilities of their public health budgets the University of Science and year after year, inspite of Technology, Port-Harcourt. By their high level of personal the nature of the online test, and public hygiene comevery candidate got his/her pared to us in Nigeria. Curscore on the spot. rently, public health preHowever, at interview time, dicament in Nigeria has some weeks later, some canbeen complicated and much didates with lower scores were enlarged by the duo of cliinvited. The consultants who mate change and recent The were paid to organise the test flooding experienced in and perhaps shortlist the sucmany parts of the country. tendentious cessful candidates seem to forIt is completely mischie- report of get that many of the scores vous and dangerous of the were already public knowlofficers who designed this wooing edge and thanks to the GSM, advertisement to exclude workers with candidates also knew the public health in Nigeria of scores of their friends and salaries is today. It is a reflection of eieven of other candidates. So, ther their ignorance or even innocuous manipulating the interview pettiness. Pettiness is one of except that it list was unjust. the problems killing NigeThe NDDC should stop fruswas done with trating our youths looking for rians and Nigeria today.

Just over a year ago, a the intention jobs as well as wasting public similar advertisement was money “piously” advertising placed by the NDDC for of portraying for scholarships and employpostgraduate scholarships. the governor ment opportunities which at At great costs in cash and the end of the day, are not on time, my daughter who as using level playing ground. holds a UK Masters Degree salaries as in Public Health, recently S.A. Okereke returned to Nigeria for the campaign bullmarkx2009@yahoo.com NDDC interview. But to her instrument greatest embarrassment, a lady in the interview panel

O

Calling Fashola on Coker Village roads Dear sir ERMIT me a space in your widely read newspaper to draw the attention of Governor Babatunde Fashola to the deplorable state of roads in Coker Village in the Coker/Aguda LCDA. I am sure that the Governor knows Coker Village very well since I understand that his family house is somewhere in Orile which Coker was carved out from Virtually all the roads in Coker are in parlous conditions. The road from WEMA Bank (Opere Street) to Orile is littered with gullies and is usually over flooded and impassable, even at the slightest rain. Similarly, the road from Alafia Bus stop to Coker Bridge is not motorable. Residents of Coker who drive small vehicles, have become regular

P

customers of motor mechanics because their vehicles break down almost on daily basis.

Permit me to also draw the attention of our amiable Governor to the deplorable state of the road from Savage Street to Toll Gate (Doyin Orile to Bode Thomas Road). Vehicles including four wheel drives get stuck in the deep gullies on daily basis. The road from Doyin to Bode Thomas has also become a death trap and would require the Governor’s attention.

Surulere LGA (Coker/Aguda) should wake up to its responsibilities by fixing the roads under its jurisdiction.

Chinonye Uzoma Coker village

National Conference

I do not really expect anything spectacular from the recommendations of the 2014 National Confab. The confab was a gathering of those who work for their pockets and not those who work for the country. I find it difficult to believe anything worthwhile will come from the long jamboree.

Uduebor Osaro +2348059826021

2015 general election

If what happened in Ekiti and Osun states are litmus tests of what to expect come 2015 general elections, the opposition parties need to buckle up to face that ultimate challenge. The ruling PDP has the capacity to buy and influence the electorate but the opposition party can enlighten voters on what is expected of them as their civic responsibility and how this can help in choosing their leaders. For now, let’s celebrate the victory of the people of Osun.

Ugonwanne 08064091428

ing they don’t deserve a share but to dictate to the whole nation is not patriotic. The elder statesman has said it all.

C hukwuma Dioka.

2347054911808

Gowon @ 8O

We salute General Gowon, Great Commander, you are welcome. That was part of the syllable we were taught to memorise in 1970 as a primary three pupil. At 80 and precisely 45 years, we still sing”we salute you” and thank the Almighty God for the life given to him. Happy birthday sir!

AnthonyO.Obi Esq 2348056009586

Full implementation of budget

As long as the recurrent expenditure exceeds capital expenditure, full budget implementation will remain impossible. If this style of expensive democracy continues, Nigeria will never get to the promise land. Our over aged leaders should Balarabe Musa’s comments leave the scene for the younger genon Confab eration to positively transform our First, he said delegates at the country.

National Conference shouldn’t have Kelly 07057006736 been hand picked. And I agree with him on this. I also agree with him that the result of the confab cannot help Insurgency and Jonathan’s the situation in the nation, even if some administration I don’t think Jonathan and his people remain optimistic that it will be party, PDP , want the insurgency to to our benefit. Alhaji Balarabe Musa end since the three states affected is a man of integrity that the leaders by the Boko Haram menace are in should seek advice from. the firm control of the opposition.

Dedemo : 2348074490347 It might be their thinking that if the insurgency persists, elections Insurgency may be put on hold in those states Terrorism has been in existence for a long time. And for us in Nigeria, we in 2015, to the detriment of the opare facing our own share of it pres- position and to the gain of the ruling PDP. What a hollow and shalently through the Boko Haram.

Unfortunately, it is not going to be low thinking, if indeed the insinuaan easy battle to fight because of Boko tion is correct!

Bazakey 08060768946 Haram’s link with the deadly ISIS, and alleged covert support from sponsors from abroad. How then are we to Ebola virus It is unimaginable that in this 21st rid the country of this devilish campaign of killing and bombings, and century, we still have a professor of medicine that is reactive instead of where do we go from here?. being proactive. Where was the Clem Eruke 08153089490 Minister when Liberia and other West African countries were being Revenue Control A major obstacle to finding a last- devastated by the Ebola virus?

Who stopped him from introducing solution to revenue derivation foring control measures to stop Ebola mula is to first eliminate the victim posture capitalised upon by Niger carriers from entering Nigeria? He Deltans. They are not victims in this has succeeded in embarrassing government for their levity. In other case.

They should regard the natural re- climes he should have resigned by sources within their land as being of now. What a shame.

Anonymous +2348074490347 benefits to all Nigerians. I am not say-

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later. Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 59

Enyeama: I don’t deserve BBC nomination

By John Egbokan

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UPER Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama has said he doesn’t think he deserves to be on the shortlist of five for the BBC African Footballer of the year award.

Gabon and Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Algeria and Porto play-maker Yacine Brahim, Ivory Coast and Roma forward Gervinho and Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, who is the reigning African king are the other nominees slugging it out for the one of the most coveted individual honour set to be handed out to the winner on Monday, 1 December in London.

After a stellar performance during the weekend’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations strife against Congo in Pointe Noire, in which he made a crucial penalty save, with the Eagles up 1-0,. Enyeama said winning the top award would amount to a landmark feat for himself, family and Nigeria.

The Lille shot-stopper told BBC Sport, “I don’t think I deserve the nomination. I had a great year

Pinnick lauds Gumba, Senate committee

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and a great World Cup. It is the first time an African was the best goalkeeper of the World Cup. “As Nigerians, we have been eager for someone to win an award. For some reason, we’ve not won anything since Jay Jay (Okocha) in 2004. We’ve not been there, we’ve not been that lucky, we’ve always been overlooked or we’ve not been up to the standards of the greats. So if I end up winning, it would be big for me, for my family for Nigerians”, added Enyeama.

Speaking on his formative years, Enyeama said he always thought he would be a striker, noting that “like, okay, I was good at scoring goals and go back in goal to defend the one goal I scored. But I started jumping on the floor with the ball as early as three, four, so I guess that was maybe when God decided I would be a goalie.

“I can’t really remember the moment I decided to be a goalkeeper because I enjoyed playing outfield as well as being in goal. I was good at scoring goals and then I would go back in goal to defend the one goal I scored."

*Enyeama

420 wrestlers for Gov Dickson Wrestling Championship

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GOLD SMASHING . . . Ebikweminomo Welson of Nigeria in the 57kg Freestyle Wrestling fights for the Gold medal against Amit Amit Kumar of India at the last Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, UK.

HE 2nd edition of Governor Seriake National Wrestling Championship has witnessed an unprecedented registration by states and clubs as over 420 wrestlers have been enlisted for the fiveday bouts in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. In all, 32 states and four clubs have filled and returned their forms for the championship.

The yearly wrestling championship which began last year is solely sponsored by the governor of Bayelsa State as the second edition begins from December 15 -20 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, starting with arrival and weigh-in while the female wrestlers take the centre stage on December 17.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr Daniel Igali expressed his federation’s gratitude to Governor

Dickson for his support and personal commitment to the growth of wrestling in Nigeria.

Igali disclosed that he was overwhelmed with the number of wrestlers registered for the 2nd edition of the championship adding that it would be a befitting Christmas carnival for the people of Bayelsa State.

“My special gratitude

goes to the sports-loving governor Dickson for accepting to host and sponsor the championship in spite of his busy political schedule,” Igali said. “The governor is like a pillar for the wrestling federation. His support has been tremendous and he personally visited the wrestlers in Glasgow, Scotland during the Commonwealth Games.

RESIDENT of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed deep appreciation of the NFF, and the Nigeria football family as a whole, to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba and Committee members for passage of the NFF Bill.

During a ‘Thank You’ visit to the distinguished personality in Pointe Noire, Congo on Friday evening, Pinnick said the accomplishment is one that would make for easy enthronement of the vision of the new NFF and ultimately fast –track the development of Nigeria football.

“We are here to specially appreciate Your Distinguished for your lead role in getting the NFF Bill to the final stage of assent that it is now. Posterity will always remember you and your Committee members for this feat.

“We know that you have done this just for football and nothing else. You have done this because of the passion you have for the game, and the passion you know that Nigerians have for it.

*Pinnick

Jibola wins Wuraola Ojo Golf tourney

By Solomon Nwoke

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WOSEYI Jibola of the Ikeja Golf Club has won this year’s Toyota (Nigeria) Limited sponsored Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo golf tourney which ended recently at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State.

Jibola playing handicap 20 won the men tournament on Count back after scoring a stable point of 38 with a new handicap of 19 now ahead of

his runner up, Odrinde B of the IBB Golf Club who also scored stable point of 38 (150 -15) with a handicap of 16. His new handicap now is 15.

Oboh Tony of Ikoyi Golf Club playing handicap 15 also won the third place on a count back after posting a score of 36 while the Gross went to Oboh Godfrey with a gross of 81. In he same vein, Otuya T of Ikoyi Golf Club, handicap 20 won the men’s veteran with 36points while in

the women category victory went to Osamor B also of Ikoyi Golf Club , handicap 34 with 19 points just as men’s price for the nearest to the pin on hole 16 went to Tunji Odunolape.

Speaking at the end of the tournament, Captain of the Smokin’ Hills Golf Resort, Engineer Gboye Adegbenro commended the standard of play in this year’s edition, saying it recorded a lot of improvement from the last edition.

60— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Akpan, Oboabona rue Bafana miss

…Keshi says it will be tough against Bafana

Enyeama, Mikel win Uyo hearts THE Super Eagles full team had their first feel of the mainbowl of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium last night with a huge crowd turning up to cheer the team.

The session, which lasted for about two hours also had in session Etubom Paul Bassey, the CAF and FIFA Match Commissioner and retired FIFA graded referee and NFF Referees Consultant, Linus Mba. However the two players who caught the fancy of the fans the most were team skipper, Vin-

*Keshi

*Mikel

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TA Akpan, the father of Super Eagles and Reading of England midfield discovery, Hope Akpan, has expressed sadness over the fact that his son will not play in his native Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo, when the team confronts Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.

Ita, who travelled from London along with Hope’s mother to come and catch a glimpse of their son in action said he was however happy that his son heeded his advise to play for Nigeria instead of England “I know very soon, he will

*Oboab ona

be back in the team after the healing process and he will make impact in the national team with the caliber of coaches that we have in the team”, he said at the lobby of the Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo on Monday morning. Hope is now expected to travel out of

the country earlier than expected with his parents for medics at his club in England to have a second look at the injured shoulder and help in his quick recovery.

Akpan is not alone in his misery as central defence ace, Godfrey Oboabona is also out of the

*Akpan

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cent Enyeama and Chelsea star midfielder, John Mikel Obi. Fans hailed and applauded every of their moves throughout the session and it was as if the training session should not end again.

Some of the fan spoke in local dialect with Enyeama, while others spoke in Ibo to Mikel. At the end of the day, the fan demanded total victory against Bafana Bafana, to which Enyeama promised will be done by thebGrace of God.

HANA has been handed a massive boost ahead of the final 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo with the return of striker Jordan Ayew.

The Lorient attacker returns to face the Hawks at the Tamale sta-

Bafana Bafana encounter but for a different reason. He picked up his second yellow card against Congo in the qualifiers and will therefore miss Wednesday’s encounter. “It’s sad that I won’t play but I trust my teammates to deliver the ticket to the Nations Cup” he said wryly.

Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, said it was going to be a difficult task to do without two regulars in his team but he also has hope in the remaining squad to hold their own against any squad in the world.

“It would have been better to play all my regulars in this match but since it has turned out like this I expect the others to show what they can do in the face of challenges facing the team and I trust they will do very well against Bafana Bafana”.

Ayew returns to face Togo dium after missing the 1-0 defeat against Uganda due to suspension.

The 22-year-old watched on with frustration as the Black Stars succumbed to the defeat

in Kampala over the weekend.

The former Marseille man is available for selection and will be fired up and desperate to seal qualification with his

native country.

Ghana must beat Togo in the final game to secure qualification to the tournament which will be staged in Equatorial Guinea.

NBB of C hails organisers of GOtv Boxing Night

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HE Nigerian Box ing Board of Control (NBB of C), has commended Flykite Productions, promoters of the GOtv Boxing Night, a six-fight professional tournament scheduled to hold 23 November at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Lagos.

NBB of C Vice-president, Captain Danjuma Maigari (retired) expressed confidence that GOtv Boxing Night is an initiative that will lift Nigerian boxing out of

its current decrepit state.

“I want to thank the organisers of GOtv Boxing Night because from the reports I have been getting, it appears professional boxing is about to regain its health.

Boxing was the first sport to put Nigeria’s name on the world sporting map and with the coming of GOtv Boxing Night, I believe things can only get better,” Maigari said.

NTF commends taekwondo team

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EING the best outing in any international tournaments, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) has lauded the 16-man contingent to the just concluded 6th Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships held in Edinburg, Scotland.

Ashiru described the feat in Scotland as best the team has achieved in any international tournaments, while hoping that this would help the country’s qualification for the 2016 Olympics.

Also, the results posted by the team would add to their points ahead of the qualification for Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

On the final day of the championship, Beijing Olympics medalist, Chika Chukwumerije added a silver medal while the duo of Uzoamaka Otuadinima and Segun Olushola claimed bronze medals to improve Nigeria’s medal haul for the team to finish among the top four teams at the Championship.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 61

Eagles, Bafana match now to start 6pm O

FFICIALS confirmed on Monday morning that Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will now start at 6pm.

“We got information that the match will now kick off at 6pm, and not 5pm as earlier slated,” NFF’s Head of International, Bola Oyeyode, said on Monday.

The 90–minute pitch strife at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium will earn Nigeria a ticket to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted

by Equatorial Guinea.

The match coordination meeting will take place from 7pm on Tuesday at the Hotel L’Meridien, to be coordinated by Match Commissioner, Ghanaian Laryea Louis.

Also, the itinerary of the South African contingent changed, with officials confirming the team would travel direct by chartered flight from Johannesburg to Uyo, arriving at 8pm.

FIFA/CAF Match Commissioner, Etubom Paul Bassey, informed the Akwa Ibom State Government about the need for a landing permit for the South African delegation.

S

BLOCKING... Super Eagles forward, Ahmed Musa (r) sheilds a South African opponent during their AFCON 2015 first leg qualilfier in South Africa.

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AFANA Bafana head coach Shakes Mashaba and captain Dean Furman have expressed their desire to cap off their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a memorable

win in Nigeria.

Having already qualified for next year’s finals in Equatorial Guinea, South Africa will be forgiven for taking things easy against the Super Eagles, but Mashaba and Furman explained

that will not be the case.

South Africa will top Group A no matter the result in Uyo, but for Nigeria the game is vital as they need a win to ensure automatic qualification for the continental showpiece.

Having missed an opportunity to beat Nigeria in the reverse fixture

War against Bafana

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HAKES Mashaba may not be able to call on Thulani Serero for the final AFCON 2015 qualifier against Nigeria.

KickOff.com report that the Ajax Amsterdam midfielder sat out training on Monday morning.

Serero was arguably the best player on the park against Sudan on Saturday afternoon where he provided the opening goal as well as the key pass for Tokelo Rantie’s second goal.

The midfielder pulled all the strings at the Moses Mahbida Stadium but was visibly tired after a dynamic display.

Serero did not take part in Monday’s training and is now a major doubt to take his place in the Bafana Bafana lineup against Nigeria on Wednesday evening.

Reports suggest the midfielder is struggling with a hamstring injury.

We are going to Nigeria to win —Furman, Mashaba

Continues from Back Page

ing the defending champions beat Congo 2-0 on Saturday, to revive their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations chances.

Uche, whose last appearance for his country was in the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso, tucked away a penalty in the 59th minute to set the Super Eagles in flight.

On a dramatic day in Pointe Noire, Vincent Enyeama saved a Thievy Bifouma penalty when his side were 1-0 up.

Aaron Samuel struck the vital second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

“It was an emotional return and I thank my team-mates and the

Serero in doubt for Nigeria

coaching crew for the support,” Uche told BBC Sport.

“It’s great to come back to the squad, reunite with some wonderful people and more importantly win away from home.

“Delighted to score but that’s behind us as we must shift our focus to Wednesday in what is a very big game for us.”

Nigeria will finish second and snatch a berth in Equatorial Guinea if they beat South Africa when they host them on Wednesday in Uyo, as they have now scored more goals than Congo in their two meetings.

“We’ve been saying Wednesday is like a Cup final against South Africa and all the players

know what is at stake,” said Uche.

“The mood is great, we know the expectations of our fans and we must give everything on the pitch to get the win.

“After that important win against Congo we now have our fate in our own hands.”

Uche is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most reliable strikers at international level and is one of his nation’s alltime top scorers, with 19 goals in 46 appearances, behind Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami and Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

He was omitted from the country’s squad to the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup and this year ’s World Cup in Brazil.

But the Villarreal striker remains philosophical and has put the past behind him, insisting he is just happy to wear the white and green colours of Nigeria again.

“To move forward in life you can’t focus on the past so you need to stay positive for what lies ahead,” he added.

“It’s always an honour to play for Nigeria with a huge talent base, so it’s like living a childhood dream whenever I get the chance to represent my country.

“I just want to give my best when I get picked.

Football is a team sport and I feel honoured to play alongside these talented players and under a coaching crew who also command huge respect in Nigeria.”

in Cape Town, South Africa now set their sights on beating the West Africans in Nigeria for the first time.

“We go to Nigeria now, we want to work hard and maintain our undefeated record and hopefully we can go there and get the win,” Furman said following South Africa’s 2-1 win over Sudan.

Bafana Bafana have yet to lose in their qualifying campaign, and have registered two wins

on the road, scoring a total of five goals in wins in Pointe-Noire and Omdurman.

Mashaba added: “We still have one game to play, we are going to play in Nigeria and I know people are going to say it will just be a walkover, no we are still going to play our best team, its more than three points when we go to Nigeria, it’s a lot of things that we are going to be playing for, it’s going to be a tough game.”

Keshi to invite more unknown players Continues from Back Page

needed 2-0 win over the Red Devils of Congo.

The Eagles manager, while speaking to Hot FM, revealed that there are two Nigerians in the Norwegian Tippeligaen that he is currently monitoring and will invite them when the time is right. “There are two other Nigerian players that I am still watching.

Good players and I will bring them in when the time is right.

“Nigerians just need to have a little bit of trust

and belief that whatever we are doing is not for us, but for the team. It’s for them, for Nigerians just to make them happy,” he added.

For Aaron Samuel, there was never a time I had a panic moment because I had seen him play. I just wanted him to go in when the time was right and I’m glad for him.

"I don’t like speaking about individual players because Samuel is not alone, he played with other players.”

62— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

BBC African player award:

Toure: It will be fantastic to win again R

EIGNING BBC Af rican player of the year winner Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast has said that it will be a fantastic achievement if he is crowned the 2014 winner on December 1 in London.

Speaking yesterday to BBC Sport, the Manchester City midfielder admitted that he faces a tough competition from the likes of Vincent Enyeama, Gervinho and

Benitez rules out Balotelli move

*Balotelli

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APOLI coach Rafael Benitez has ruled out trying to sign Mario Balotelli from Liverpool in the January transfer window.

The Italy international has endured a slow start to his career at Anfield and is still yet to score for Brendan Rodgers’s side in the Premier League.

Balotelli was signed from AC Milan in a £16 million deal in the summer but Benitez says he will not try to bring him back to Italy when the transfer window reopens.

“Liverpool fans are loyal - if he works in the field then they will support him,” the Spaniard told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Mario coming to us in January though? There is absolutely nothing to this, it is just a hypothesis that I have never considered.”

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Yacine Brahim of Algeria.

“It’s fantastic to be nominated because this trophy is being given in England but is for the African player who is doing very well in his respective league. I’m in big competition with a couple of lads doing very well at the moment”, said the former Barcelona star.

On the highlights of 2014, Toure, who won the last EPL title with Manchester City and is still in the hunt for a place in the second round of the Champions League, said “there has a been a lot of football last year and there was also the World Cup. I think last year was a fantastic competition in the Premier League - at one point it looked like Liverpool would win the title but then they lost against Chelsea and after that we took advantage [and became champions for the second time in three years]. It was unbelievable because every player and all our fans enjoyed it”, said Toure.

He credited his family for his rise thus far, noting that he passed through many difficulties to reach this present height.

Wenger to sign £8m Keita

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RSENE Wenger has identified out-of-favour Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao as one of Arsenal’s priorities for the January transfer window, according to reports.

The 19-year-old has made just four appearances this season, scoring twice in the Coppa Italia, but it’s claimed the Gunners boss has seen enough of the £8million-rated wideman to warrant bumping him up his list of winter targets.

Diao, who came through Barcelona’s academy before moving to Lazio, burst onto the scene last season, making 35 appearances and scoring six goals, but hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in October when he crashed his £158,000 yellow Lamborghini Gallardo.

*Yaya Toure

*Keita

Ghana bank on experienced strikers against Togo

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*Ayew

HANA’s stand-in coach Maxwell Konadu says they must inject some experience in their attack if they are to defeat Togo in tomorrow’s final 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Injuries and suspension forced the Black Stars coach to exclude three key players including strikers Asamoah Gyan and Jordan Ayew from their defeat to Uganda on Saturday.

Knowing the importance of the game and the lack of experience in the squad presented for the Uganda game, Konadu says even though the players were excellent the presence of ex-

perienced players like Gyan could have helped their cause.

“Waris played very, very well especially in the first half and by the time Accam was on the game was too hot. I think they did their best,” Konadu said.

“But I agree we missed especially Asamoah Gyan who can turn half a chance into a goal.

“But we will still go ahead and we must learn to play without key ones.

“We only need to give the young ones our support and we will create chances and support them,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 — 63

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VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014

Keshi to invite more unknown players

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OLLOWING the heroics of Guangzhou R&F of China striker, Aaron Samuel, in his two games for Nigeria, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has hinted that he will continue inviting unknown players to the team so far as they are good enough.

The ‘Big Boss’ was speaking in the aftermath of Aaron Samuel’s latest goal for Nigeria, which secured the much Continues on page 61

2015 AFCON Decider:

Ike Uche: It’s gonna be war against Bafana R

ETURNEE Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche has described tomorrow’s 2015 AFCON qualifier against South Africa as a cup fi-

nal.

The Villarreal forward described his return to the Nigeria team as “emotional” after help Continues on page 61

We are going to Nigeria to win —Furman, Mashaba -Pg 61

READY TO GO... Super Eagles striker, Ike Uche on the prowl

Enyeama: I don’t deserve BBC nomination —Pg 59

*Mashaba *Enyeama

Eagles, Bafana match now to start 6pm —Pg 61 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Physician (6) 5 Abrade (6) 9 Nip (5) 10 Corroded (6) 11 Clank (6) 12 Not ever (5) 14 Rushed (4) 17 Din (3) 18 Not any (4) 20 Drain (5) 22 Challenged (5) 23 Lockjaw (7) 24 Performed (5) 26 Founded (5) 29 Prophet (4) 30 Guided (3) 32 Learning (4) 33 Market place (5) 35 Countless (6) 36 Liking (6) 37 Leered (5) 38 Infuriate (6) 39 Rely (6)

DOWN 1 Restraint (6) 2 Nut (6) 3 Frank (4) 4 Jockey (5) 5 Twist (5) 6 Scorch (4) 7 Writer (6) 8 Levelled (6) 13 Traveller (7) 15 Calm (5) 16 Dissuade (5) 18 Of noses (5) 19 Fresher (5) 21 Colour (3) 22 Name (3) 24 Shrewd (6) 25 Examiner (6) 27 Comfort (6) 28 Guard (6) 30 Deposit (5) 31 Cheated (5) 33 Whip (4) 34 Manufactured (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Solid 7, Equate 9, Apt 10. Err 12, Ahead 13, Taut 15, Genre 17, Morose 19, Rate 20, Canoe 22, Pad 24, Levered 27, Lac 28, Faded 31, Lamb 33, Statue 35, Later 37, Beam 38, Final 39, Dim 41, Sly 42, Decent 43, Petty.

DOWN: 1, Hectic 2, Autumn 3, Ate 4, Spar 5, Other 6, Inactive 8, Ergo 11, Respected 14, Tool 16, Near 18, Reel 21, Abrasive 23, Deft 25, Vast 26, Daub 29, Deemed 30, Demote 32, Blast 34, Arid 36, Ally 40, Men.

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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